TOPWL 66

Yudit sighed deeply after tossing and turning in bed, trying to fall asleep. Shane, still standing by the bedside, asked:

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“You’re what’s making me unwell.”

“You’ll get used to me.”

If he got hurt one more time, Shane might just lie down in the bed with him altogether. In a way, that might actually be more comfortable. In the end, Yudit sat up in bed.

“I’ll go out for a walk.”

Thankfully, by evening the swelling had gone down and the painkillers were working well enough that he could walk with a cane. Shane naturally followed after him, though Yudit made no attempt to hide how uncomfortable he was with it—it was pointless.

“Is there anywhere to walk around here?”

“There’s a glass greenhouse behind the manor.”

As Yudit began descending the stairs with his cane, looking a bit unsteady, Shane hesitated before speaking up.

“I’ll carry you.”

“I’m fine.”

“Then I’ll hold you.”

“I said I’m fine.”

While bickering back and forth, they reached the door. When Shane opened the one leading to the greenhouse, warm air wrapped gently around Yudit.

The sky, which had earlier looked like it would pour, was now completely clear. The full moon shone so brightly that even at night, the glass greenhouse could be seen in full. Though greenhouses usually housed flowers, this one had barely any. Most of the plants were short trees or grass without blooms. As Yudit bent to inspect a bud-like sprout, something darted out from the bushes.

“Woof!”

Shane immediately pulled Yudit into his arms and shielded him. Just before he could draw his sword, Yudit frantically grabbed his wrist.

“Shane, no—look. It’s a dog.”

It was indeed a dog that had jumped out of the greenhouse shrubbery. With a long snout and short legs on a black body, it looked like a dachshund.

“Ro?”

Shane said in a confused voice. As if answering to its name, the dog barked again. For its size, its voice had a surprising resonance that echoed through the greenhouse. With sparkling black eyes and a wagging tail, the dog looked like it might hurt someone just from bumping into them. When Yudit reached out his hand, the dog lay flat on the ground, wagging its tail. He gently stroked its round, pink belly and asked:

“Is this someone’s dog?”

“It belongs to His Grace.”

He didn’t expect him to raise a dog like this. If anything, Yudit thought he’d keep a big shepherd or a hunting hound. But this? A stubby-legged, affectionate dachshund? As Yudit kept petting Ro, the greenhouse door creaked open.

“Who’s there?”

Khalid walked in with a displeased look, but when he saw Yudit stroking Ro’s belly, he stopped. Yudit pulled his hand back in surprise, and Ro let out a grumbly whine of protest.

“It’s Shane. His Highness couldn’t sleep, so I brought him here to the greenhouse.”

“My apologies,” said Yudit, rising to his feet. But Ro bit lightly onto his sleeve, as if telling him not to go. Taking in the scene, Khalid let out a soft sigh.

“Let’s have some tea.”

While a servant prepared the tea, Yudit played with Ro. In the greenhouse were a few dog toys—balls made of thick wound thread. Ro brought one over like he wanted Yudit to throw it but refused to let go of it.

“Um, I think you’ll have to drop it if you want me to throw it,” Yudit said. When he tried to take the ball, Ro wrinkled his nose and gave a low growl. Khalid, watching, rolled another ball toward Yudit. When Yudit picked it up, Ro finally released the one in his mouth. Yudit threw the ball, and Ro dashed after it with astonishing speed for his short legs.

“Wow…”

Yudit gave a sincere gasp of admiration at the impressive speed. But once Ro brought the ball back, he still wouldn’t let go. When Yudit picked up a different ball from the ground, then Ro dropped it. After repeating the game a few times, Yudit finally began to understand Ro’s personality.

Khalid, chin resting on his hand as he watched them play, asked:

“You like dogs?”

“I like all animals, but… especially dogs.”

“Then why not keep one?”

It wasn’t difficult to keep animals in the palace as long as one got permission. Even Azil had more than ten birds. Yudit gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

“It’s hard enough taking care of myself.”

He wasn’t sure he could bear it if he grew attached to something only for it to die because of him. Watching from afar or petting them like this once in a while would have to be enough. After all the play and affection, Ro flopped down on the floor, completely sprawled out. His tongue lolled out the side of his mouth as he panted in satisfaction.

“I didn’t think Your Grace would keep a dachshund.”

“My mother’s family has kept dachshunds for generations. And they’re cute.”

Khalid broke off a bit of biscuit and offered it to Ro. Despite having looked completely exhausted, Ro sprang to life and devoured it.

“Can he hunt?”

“Hardly. I bet even a newborn mouse could take Ro down.”

Khalid said this while gently scratching Ro’s glossy black head. Just then, the servant returned with the tea. Dried flowers were added to the hot water, and their petals unfurled one by one, releasing a delicate scent that wafted from the cup.

“That medicine from the physician works really well. I haven’t felt this clearheaded in a long time. Thank you.”

“I’ll make sure they come by regularly to give you more.”

As Yudit sipped at the tea, Ro sniffed curiously.

“Curious? Want to smell it?”

Yudit lowered the cup and showed Ro the blooming flowers inside. As Ro sniffed, he suddenly sneezed. Startled, Yudit began pulling the cup toward himself, worried the hot water might spill, but Khalid clicked his tongue and swatted the cup away. It clattered into the underbrush, thankfully unbroken.

“…Did it burn you?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“Honestly, the moment I look away…”

Khalid took Yudit’s hand and examined it closely. It was the first time they’d been this close since Khalid had tried to strangle him. Yudit looked up at him, tense. Khalid stared straight into his eyes. Whenever Yudit looked at him like this, time seemed to slow down. His gaze slid up from Khalid’s brows to the bridge of his nose, the hollow of his philtrum, and his full lips. Yudit swallowed dryly.

Khalid reached out and, brushing over his brow and nose, gently stroked beneath his eye with his thumb. The touch was like that of a curious boy pulling apart a butterfly’s wings. Because Yudit hadn’t properly closed his eyes, the skin where the finger had passed grew warm. A tear dropped from his clear eye. Only then did Khalid snatch his hand away as if burned.

“Why didn’t you pull away?”

“…Because you wanted it.”

Khalid’s eyes widened at Yudit’s reply. His grip on Yudit’s hand tightened. The pressure made Yudit softly furrow his brow.

“Say that again.”

“Because… you wanted it?”

Khalid looked stunned. A moment later, he burst out laughing.

“Alright.”

He stood up. It seemed like he was about to do something, but then he stepped back. He picked up his teacup, then set it down without drinking. He looked oddly… disoriented.

“I’ll head back. Ro, come here.”

Khalid held out his hand to Ro. But Ro shook his head vigorously, as if to say he wanted to stay longer, and nestled into Yudit’s arms. Caught off guard, Yudit held him.

“He’s not usually this friendly with strangers.”

Khalid looked at Ro with a baffled expression.

“You’re not… taking him?”

“Let him play a bit more. A servant will come for him later.”

Yudit looked down at Ro, now nestled against him, with a soft expression. He’d only just met him, and already the pup liked him this much.

“By the way, he sheds a lot.”

“…What?”

“Don’t be too shocked in the morning.”

And with that final remark, Khalid left the greenhouse. Yudit sat there blankly, staring at the door Khalid had gone through.

Yudit awoke to a heavy weight on his left hand. When he looked down without sitting up, he saw Ro fast asleep, nestled between his armpit and arm. When he tapped the pup’s plump rump, Ro sleepily wagged his tail.

As Yudit got up, he discovered black fur all over—from his nightclothes to the bedsheets. He suddenly remembered Khalid’s warning from last night.