TOPWL 57

“What do you think it would have been like if my sister had been here?”

“If you’re going to make pointless assumptions, there’s no need.”

Isiah’s voice was cold.

“Still, it’s just a thought…”

“It’s better to quickly forget the dead.”

She spoke harsh words, but Yudit knew that Isiah still spent a lot of time at the grave. Yudit, too, understood that feeling.

“But if it were me, if the person I loved thought of me even after I was gone… I would be happy.”

“…”

Isiah didn’t respond to Yudit’s words. She quietly chewed her food, cutting it into small pieces before swallowing slowly.

“If it were Lilia… I think she would have said this is the first time she’s ever had such bad food.”

Yudit let out a small chuckle at Isiah’s words.

“Even so, she would have tried every single dish.”

Isiah’s face softened as she seemed to recall Lilia, who always grumbled but would try everything. The two of them shared a few memories of Lilia as they finished their meal.

“Do you have a moment?”

“I don’t have any special appointments this afternoon.”

“Then could you come with me for a moment?”

Yudit followed Isiah, a bit puzzled. Isiah led him to a place that was familiar to him—Lilia’s dressing room. When Isiah opened the wardrobe, neatly arranged clothes from Lilia were visible.

“If you’re alright with it… would you like to take something you like? If you feel uncomfortable with it being a deceased person’s belongings, you can sell it.”

Isiah spoke cautiously. Lilia, a dominant alpha, was taller than Yudit and preferred simpler clothing like shirts and trousers rather than dresses. Therefore, there were quite a few outfits that Yudit could wear in the wardrobe. Though Yudit was glad to see the clothes, he also hesitated, wondering if it was okay to take them.

“Can I really accept such precious things…?”

“Well, if you don’t wear them, they’re just going to be burned. I’ve only kept them out of sentiment. You can even take the accessories.”

“I can’t just accept such things. I should at least pay for them…”

“Do I look like someone who would sell my deceased child’s belongings?”

Isiah snapped coldly. Yudit hesitated for a moment before responding.

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking clearly.”

“…Alright.”

Isiah called a servant and instructed them to take the clothes Yudit had chosen to the palace. Though the sizes were a bit different, they could be altered to fit without any problem.

“I will wear them with care.”

“It’s not like I’m buying them for you; they’re just things she used to wear.”

“Still, they’re precious to me.”

Upon seeing Yudit’s sincerity, Isiah spoke a few words to the servant. The servant brought a box and handed it to Yudit. When he opened it, a cravat with an amethyst embedded in the center was revealed.

“What is this…?”

“It’s a congratulatory gift. It was custom-made, so it took a bit of time. Even though it’s late, congratulations on first place.”

The amethyst, glowing in its brilliance, resembled the color of Yudit’s eyes. Yudit gently touched the smooth surface of the gem. Seeing this, Isiah’s expression softened into a smile.

“Thank you so much… I feel like I’m always receiving gifts.”

“Don’t feel the need to repay it. I didn’t give it to you with that in mind. If you try to repay me, I’ll get angry.”

Isiah’s voice was firm, but Yudit no longer found it intimidating. Instead of responding, he smiled brightly.

“Well, you should go now. I’m getting tired.”

“I’ll visit again.”

“Just don’t come too often. I get tired easily.”

After Yudit bid her farewell, he left Isiah’s palace. Servants carrying the clothing boxes followed him. Much like Yudit’s own servants, Isiah’s were older, and it seemed like carrying the boxes back and forth between the palaces was taking a toll on them.

“Here, let me carry one. I’ll take one.”

“No, you don’t have to.”

“…I’ll carry it.”

As Yudit tried to take the box, Shane stepped forward, lifting it with ease and walking ahead confidently. The servants watched in confusion. One of the servants, who had been walking with Yudit and carrying another box, hesitated before speaking.

“Excuse me… Your Highness?”

Yudit turned to look at the servant, who seemed to hesitate before speaking again, as if making up her mind.

“Please… continue meeting with Lady Isiah. Even though she says otherwise, she’s been eagerly waiting to see you again.”

“Yes, that’s right. She spent her days, trying to learn what young people like, what they enjoy eating… She looked really happy preparing today’s meal. It’s been such a long time since we saw that.”

The servants eagerly discussed Isiah. Yudit smiled softly.

“Thank you for telling me. I was planning to visit often anyway, so don’t worry too much.”

“Yes, yes. Thank you!”

The servants were genuinely happy with Yudit’s words. Seeing how the servants were so proactive, it seemed that Isiah was quite a good mistress.

When Shane and the servant came in with the box, Yudit’s own servants widened their eyes, staring at it.

“What’s all this?”

“I got Princess Lilia’s clothes.”

“My goodness, the fabric quality is amazing.”

The nanny, inspecting the clothes, looked delighted. After seeing off the servants, Yudit slowly walked inside.

“It’ll take some time to alter everything, but I’ll make sure to pay generously for the work.”

“Really? I’ll get it done quickly.”

The nanny, now earning money with her specialty in sewing, beamed with joy. After speaking, Yudit glanced at Shane. Shane seemed to think Yudit was being too lenient but didn’t add any further comment.

“By the way, Your Highness, something came from the palace. It’s on the side table.”

The nanny, who was still checking the clothes, mentioned casually.

“Alright, thank you.”

When Yudit saw the letter on the side table, his expression stiffened. Shane, noticing Yudit’s reaction, approached him.

“Is something wrong?”

“It’s a letter announcing the second competition.”

Unlike the first competition, it seemed the second one would be announced through letters rather than gathering the contestants. When Yudit spoke, the servants who had been checking the clothes stopped moving and looked at him.

“What’s the content of the second competition?”

Yudit slowly began reading the letter aloud.

“Announcing the start of the second competition.

For the swordsmanship tournament held in the spring, the princes will manage and develop their designated districts. The person who earns the highest income from their district in the month leading up to the tournament will be the winner. The district assigned to Prince Yudit is District 3 of Bern. A budget of 50 million kes will be provided for district development, though additional funds may be used. Participate in the swordsmanship tournament and achieve a good result. Appointing a representative is also allowed. This competition will combine the results from both events to determine the final ranking. Good luck to all the princes.”

“They’re going to judge based on managing and developing the districts in the capital.”

“Which district are you assigned to, Your Highness?”

“District 3 of Bern. Do you know it?”

Upon hearing this, Shane’s expression grew dark. Yudit took out a map from the drawer and spread it on the desk. On the map, at the edge of the capital’s districts, was the district of Bern.

“…This is bad.”

It seemed that the emperor didn’t want Yudit to win this time. Bern 3 was located on the outskirts of the capital, connected to the mountain ranges, where monsters often appeared. Especially in the winter, when food was scarce, attacks were frequent, and people suffered significant damage.

“Strictly speaking, this district has little to do with the swordsmanship tournament.”

The tournament would be held in the central district, District 2 of Seoban, which was over three hours away from Bern 3 by carriage. Someone else must have been assigned Seoban 2. Other districts near the tournament venue were many, at least more than four.

This only sparked a sense of defiance in Yudit. To make him first, then last, turning him into a reckless fool. Despite not having much affection for his son, it seemed as though the emperor was purposefully trying to control and manipulate him this way. Yudit took a deep breath while staring at the map in front of him. He snatched up the map and looked at Shane.

“I need to go to Bern 3 right now.”

“I’ll provide escort.”