TOPWL 76

The physician spoke after tightly binding the bandage.

“The first aid was done well, so the treatment was smooth.”

“Thank you.”

Yudit carefully shook his arm, which had been wrapped in bandages. It felt so light that he was glad to have received the treatment once again. The physician handed him a steaming cup of tea and said,

“This tea helps reduce swelling and pain. It’s good to drink regularly. I will give you some extra tea leaves.”

“Can I take an extra portion?”

“…Yes.”

The physician glanced at Yudit as if wondering if he should be worrying about Shane and then responded,

“The prince often gets injured.”

“It’s not an easy position.”

The physician cast a sideways glance at Yudit, who smoothly shifted the conversation, before standing up. Next was Shane. It was obvious that Shane’s condition was more serious, but he insisted on Yudit being treated first, so the physician reluctantly treated Yudit first. Displeased with Shane’s stubbornness, the physician yanked off Shane’s bandages with a loud sound. Shane seemed to quietly accept the outburst as a release of tension.

When Yudit stepped outside and closed the door, the Duke’s residence, now immersed in darkness, came into view. The faint moonlight seeped into the walls and floor, casting a pale glow, and the curtain at the window at the end of the hall fluttered in the breeze. The once grandiose appearance of the Duke’s residence was now calm and a bit lonely. Standing at the end of the corridor and feeling the breeze through the window, something heavy touched his shoulder.

“Your Grace.”

Khalid had somehow appeared beside Yudit. The moonlight slipping through the window outlined his figure faintly. His black hair shimmered under the light, and his dark blue eyes gleamed with an unfamiliar intensity.

“You’ve lost a bit of weight.”

Khalid’s eyes were a little sunken, and his cheeks were hollowed out. However, his well-defined features remained sharp and neat. His face, marked with fatigue, showed even a faint glimmer of madness.

“There’s a lot on my mind.”

Khalid reached out toward Yudit’s face.

“You’ve been injured again.”

“It’s nothing serious.”

Yudit took a step back, covering his face as though afraid Khalid might say something about Shane. Khalid sighed softly at Yudit’s defensive posture.

“I wasn’t planning on sending Shane away even if you didn’t do that.”

“…Really?”

“Yes, I’m trying to avoid doing things you dislike as much as possible from now on.”

“…Why?”

“Do you not want me to?”

“…That’s not it.”

“Then, that’s good.”

Yudit had many things he wanted to ask, but he didn’t press further. Oddly, Khalid looked extremely fatigued. Yudit’s thoughts wandered back to how they hadn’t been in contact for a while.

“Rut… was it?”

“Yes. It’s been tough these past few days.”

Khalid said with a faint smile. It must have been from fooling around in bed too much. Yudit felt foolish for thinking he was pitiful.

“It’s not that cold. Keep it.”

Yudit offered his coat again.

“Put it on.”

“It’s fine.”

“Why are you upset?”

“Me? I’m not upset.”

Khalid didn’t even consider taking the coat and looked at Yudit instead. His gaze seemed to weigh why Yudit was upset.

“It’s really nothing. And if you cover me with the coat, what if your partner misunderstands?”

“Partner?”

“Didn’t you spend your rut with your partner?”

“I never said I spent my rut with someone.”

Khalid looked at Yudit with confusion. Yudit realized his mistake. He quickly handed the coat back to Khalid.

“I’ll take my leave now.”

“Where are you going? We need to finish our conversation first.”

Khalid turned and pulled Yudit into an embrace. Khalid’s warm breath touched Yudit’s neck, sending a chill through his body.

“Are you jealous?”

“Why would I be jealous?”

“Well, maybe it’s because you like me.”

“That’s not it.”

“I wish you did, though.”

Khalid whispered into Yudit’s ear as he held him close. Yudit’s earlobes grew hot, as though all his nerves had concentrated there.

“Are you worried I have a partner?”

“…You were the one who tried to strangle me just a few months ago.”

Yudit retorted harshly, but Khalid didn’t flinch.

“So, every time you get hurt, you run to the person who strangled you for treatment?”

“If you’re worried, I won’t come anymore.”

“You can come. Actually, it’d be even better if you came on days other than when you’re hurt.”

“Why are you acting like this all of a sudden? I’m a little confused.”

“Well, I’m not sure either.”

Khalid embraced Yudit once more before slowly releasing him.

“Hugging you doesn’t feel awkward, and I even think about you sometimes. Especially when I’m in rut.”

Yudit hesitated for a moment before asking,

“Are you lusting after me?”

“Yeah, it seems like it.”

Khalid agreed more readily than Yudit expected. Yudit stared at him, confused.

“That doesn’t mean I’m going to pounce on you now. Stop thinking of me like an animal.”

Khalid glanced at Yudit and added a final remark.

“If you want, though, things might change.”

“…I don’t want to.”

“Well, that’s a shame.”

Khalid reached out toward Yudit, who flinched and shrank away. Khalid’s large, rough hand gently caressed him.

“Why does His Highness keep getting hurt like this?”

“…?”

“Did Hiore do this?”

Yudit looked at Khalid, startled. It had only been a few hours since Hiore had hurt him, and Khalid knew already? How did he find out so quickly?

“Why are you so surprised?”

“How… did you know?”

“A kiss on the cheek will tell you.”

Yudit frowned.

“I’m just joking. I figured he’d try to get in a fight when he took control of the slums.”

Khalid said while brushing Yudit’s hair back from his face.

“You’ve been there a while, you know. In the slums.”

“…?”

“You’re even a regular at a candy shop there.”

A chill ran through Yudit’s spine. What else did Khalid know?

“Is that so.”

Yudit responded nonchalantly, not wanting to risk lying and angering him. Khalid didn’t seem angry at all despite the lukewarm response.

“Did you enjoy your lessons with Aldrich?”

“…?”

“That was quite a dangerous class you took, Your Highness.”

“…?”

“I’m not blaming you. I’ve read Aldrich’s book too.”

“It’s forbidden.”

“I haven’t lived a perfectly righteous life.”

“…Do you still have the books?”

Despite being interrogated, Yudit couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity.

“Yes. Interested?”

“Could you show me?”

“That’s not difficult, but there’s a condition.”

Yudit tensed, worried Khalid might ask for a kiss on the cheek again. Khalid smiled leisurely.

“Have breakfast with me tomorrow.”

But the condition was simpler than Yudit expected.

“Do you not want to?”

“Will you show it to me if I do?”

“Yes, I promise.”

Yudit hesitated, then nodded carefully.

“Alright.”

Khalid smiled happily and ruffled Yudit’s hair.

“Then, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

After turning around, Khalid walked away. The hallway returned to silence only after he passed. Yudit finally let out a breath.

***

Yudit woke up a little later than usual. The sun had not only risen—it was already high in the sky. He sat up quickly, but pain flared throughout his body, and he sank back into the bed. It seemed to be the aftereffects of the beating he’d taken yesterday. It hadn’t even been that severe, but it felt like he couldn’t take a hit like he used to.

When he heard movement inside, someone knocked on the door from outside.

“It’s Wender.”

“Come in.”

As Yudit fumbled around in bed, Wender smiled with his wrinkled face.

“Did you sleep well?”

“I had a breakfast appointment with His Excellency… but I overslept.”

“It’s all right. The tea you had last night contained a sleep-inducing ingredient. The physician already said you’d likely sleep deeply through the morning.”

“Ah, I see.”

Only then did Yudit speak with a hint of relief.