TOPWL 68

Yudit covered his ears as he rode the carriage into the capital, the sound of construction filling the streets. Just like at the last banquet, Reginald had wasted no time initiating urban redevelopment. Everywhere in the city center—whether it be theaters, inns, parks, plazas, or boutiques—large-scale construction was underway. It was impossible to guess how much of his personal fortune he was pouring into it. From morning until evening, the noise of construction was ceaseless.

“I’d heard about it, but I didn’t think it’d be this bad.”

The noise was so loud that even speaking to Shane right next to him required them to press close together. After days of eating only bland food, Yudit had wanted to treat Shane to something good, so they’d come to a restaurant in the city center. But at this rate, who could tell if the food was going in through the nose or the mouth?

“We probably can’t eat here. Is there somewhere quieter?”

“I will guide you.”

Shane opened the screen to the coachman’s seat and said something to him. The carriage began to move again. Shane took them to a quieter dining district on the outskirts of the city center.

“I didn’t know there was a place like this.”

“…This is a district frequented by wealthy commoners and the gentry. The food might not suit Your Highness’s tastes.”

“You didn’t see me eating quietly these past few days? If the barley bread had been even a little softer today, I would’ve endured it again.”

At Yudit’s comment, Shane bit his lip as if stifling laughter. Though not far from the center, the construction noise here was faint and not enough to disrupt conversation or jar the nerves.

Shops lined the road, carrying with them the scents of food and the chatter of people on the wind. For early winter, it was warm enough to resemble autumn, and many were dining outdoors. In fact, the capital rarely saw subzero temperatures even in the depths of winter.

“Is there anything you’d like to eat, Shane?”

“Anything is fine with me.”

Now that there were so many choices, it was hard to decide. As he walked, thinking about what Shane might like, Yudit spotted a familiar figure in the distance.

“Yasin?”

At that, the man turned around. It was indeed Yasin. Yudit started toward him cheerfully, then froze. Yasin looked far thinner than he had the last time they met.

“Y-Your Highness.”

Flustered, Yasin quickly pulled his robe over his head and bowed. The man beside him realized what was happening and also bowed toward Yudit.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

“No need to be so formal. Are you here for a meal?”

As Yudit asked, he looked over the man with Yasin. Red-toned skin, brown hair—aside from absorbing a bit more sunlight than most, he looked like a typical Adanaueran. After briefly examining the two, Yudit offered a courteous smile.

“I’m Yudit Friedrich Adanauer. I received great help from Yasin during the first selection.”

“O-oh, is that so? I’ve heard much about you, Your Highness. I’m Jahed, Yasin’s husband.”

Though Jahed said the words, his expression clearly showed he had no idea what help Yasin could’ve possibly given to a prince. Yudit looked at him for a moment, then turned back to Yasin.

“Do you have any plans later?”

At the question, Yasin glanced hesitantly at his husband. Jahed nudged him in the ribs and said with a chuckle,

“Haha, we’re free. We’ve just finished eating and were going to have some tea.”

“Good. Then I’d like to borrow Yasin for a bit. I’ve got a long way to go for a charity event, and I could use some company. I feel like I’ve forgotten all my Herutian lately and thought we could talk a bit on the way.”

“A charity… event, Your Highness?”

“You’re welcome to come along too, of course. But it’s mostly attended by omegas and ladies, so it might be a little awkward.”

It seemed Jahed only now realized Yudit was an omega. The wary look on his face melted like snow as his eyes crinkled into a smile.

“Of course. Take him as long as you like.”

“Thank you. I’ll make sure he’s returned home before it gets too late.”

Yudit held out his hand to Yasin, who looked to Jahed for approval before hesitantly taking it. Yudit led him toward the carriage, holding his hand. Shane followed behind the two.

The streets were still bustling with people. Many nobles were also out, likely because the central areas were under heavy construction. Yasin kept pace with Yudit well, but there was a faint hesitation in his steps from time to time. In the midst of clattering dishes, horses’ hooves, and countless overlapping conversations, Yudit tightened his grip on Yasin’s hand.

When they reached the carriage, the coachman, who had been resting in his seat, jumped up in surprise. He hadn’t expected them back for another thirty minutes.

“Come on in, Yasin.”

Yudit personally escorted Yasin inside. Though Yasin seemed awkward about it, he rested his hand atop Yudit’s as he stepped into the carriage.

As soon as the door closed, Yudit pulled back Yasin’s hood. The sunlight streamed in, brightening the dim interior of the carriage, and under the light, a bluish bruise was visible on Yasin’s cheekbone. When Yudit’s fingers brushed it, Yasin flinched and lowered his head. His face flushed red with embarrassment, and he quickly raised a hand to cover his face.

“Was it your husband?”

“N-no, I just fell…!”

“I’ve seen injuries like this before. You don’t get bruises like that from falling.”

Yudit’s words left Yasin at a loss. Yudit had been worried after hearing Yasin hadn’t been in touch since his husband returned, but he hadn’t expected something like this.

‘So that wasn’t a trick of the light back then.’

The night he’d returned from the duke’s manor, Yudit had seen Yasin walking alone, unsteadily, through the streets. It had been partially hidden, but the side of his face had clearly been bruised purple.

“It really was an accident. It’s not his fault…”

“Bruises like this aren’t accidents,” Shane muttered from the seat beside them, and Yudit agreed. This had clearly been a deliberate beating. Abusers typically avoided the face, so if even his face looked like this, who knew what the rest of his body looked like?

Realizing he couldn’t deceive them, Yasin trembled in panic.

“H-he’s a good man. He brought someone useless like me all the way here. He feeds me, shelters me. It’s my fault for constantly upsetting him.”

“So anyone without value deserves to be beaten?”

“N-no, that’s not what I meant…”

“And how is Yasin useless? You speak Adanaueran so well, and you’re incredibly skilled at weaving tapestries.”

“Things like that… They’re nothing compared to my husband. It’s not like I earn any money…”

The way Yasin belittled himself and elevated his husband was clear evidence of learned, conditioned behavior. Yudit could see that easily. He began to think—what could he do? Could he save Yasin? He couldn’t even keep a single bird in the palace. The thought made him feel helpless and full of self-loathing. But then he realized—this wasn’t something he could handle alone.

“Let’s head to the charity event first.”

Shane, as if waiting for those words, gave the destination to the coachman. With a snort from the horse, the carriage began to roll forward.

“Are… are we really going? I’m just wearing my usual clothes…”

Yasin wore a robe over a modernized version of Herutian traditional attire. Though simple in design, the high-quality fabric made it more than appropriate for the occasion. Yudit offered a reassuring smile.

“It’s fine. Honestly, my clothes are the real problem here.”

Yudit laid his hand over Yasin’s.

“Don’t worry too much. Let’s just go.”

After a moment of hesitation, Yasin nodded. The carriage picked up speed as it left the city behind.

Yudit had been wondering how to bring up Yasin’s situation—but there was no need to.

“Yasin! Your Highness!”

As they arrived at the charity event, Lyett rushed forward and threw her arms around Yasin. Her voluminous skirts billowed into the air before settling back down.

“Hhk…!”

Yasin let out a small cry, unable to stifle it as Lyett hugged him tightly. She jumped back in shock.