TOPWL: 12

”He really knelt?“

“Does he not know shame?”

Despite the murmurs around him, Yudit did not stop lowering himself to his knees. Finally, both his knees and hands touched the ground. He raised his head between Hiore’s legs. People watched this humiliating and degrading spectacle with keen interest.

“Looks like he has no pride as a royal. Well, not all royals are the same, after all.”

Hiore looked down at Yudit, who was kneeling beneath him, and spoke triumphantly. Yudit did not respond.

The brief moment of crawling between his legs felt painfully long to Yudit. Just because he was the son of a maid did not mean he didn’t have pride. It was simply that his life mattered more.

Just as he reached out to crawl forward, a heavy boot crushed the back of his hand.

“……!”

A sharp pain shot through him, and Yudit bit his lips to stifle a cry. The foot pressed down, grinding his hand as if it were deliberate. Even without looking up, he knew who it was. Reginald. He stood above him, looking down with cold eyes.

Only then did Yudit realize this was all part of Reginald’s plan. He had made Hiore deliberately collide with him, forcing him to kneel. What puzzled Yudit was that this was uncharacteristic of Reginald, who normally cared about his public image.

Reginald would harass him once they returned to the palace, but he wasn’t the type to do this in front of others. Was he trying to publicly declare that Yudit was unfit to be emperor before the imperial competition even began?

As he was pondering this, Yudit noticed Reginald wasn’t even looking at him. His gaze was fixed elsewhere—on Khalid.

Now he understood. Reginald’s unusual behavior was meant to test Khalid’s reaction. This was both Yudit’s trial and Khalid’s trial. Judging by Reginald’s satisfied expression, it was clear that Khalid had neither intervened nor shown the slightest discomfort.

It wasn’t disappointing. There was nothing between them to be disappointed about.

“Oh dear, an accident.”

Yudit, letting go of all resistance, relaxed his hand, as if giving Reginald permission to step on it as much as he pleased. Only then did Reginald finally lift his foot. He spoke in a tone completely devoid of apology. A clear imprint of his shoe was left on Yudit’s hand.

Yudit finished crawling out from between Hiore’s legs and slowly rose to his feet. He bowed once again.

“I sincerely apologize for causing you discomfort.”

Yudit’s impeccable politeness seemed to make it difficult for Hiore to continue berating him. He scowled in dissatisfaction.

“Just go.”

With permission granted, Yudit turned and walked away. People whispered as he passed.

“How pitiful.”

”He really has no pride.”

They all thought he would leave immediately after such humiliation, but Yudit stayed. Some people were surprised to see him lingering, but his presence was faint, so it didn’t capture their attention for long.
Blending into the crowd, Yudit meticulously took notes on what he saw and felt. The jesters, the musicians, the food, the decorations—every detail. At one point, his eyes met Selena’s, but she was the one who looked away first. That stung a little.

As night deepened, guests began to leave one by one. The atmosphere of the hall shifted. The jesters were gone, the music quieted, making it easier for conversation. Now he understood why, despite being despised, Count Craven’s banquets were so sought after.

Yudit wanted to stay until the end if possible, but he felt that Selena, who had promised to explain the principle of the fruit juice fountain, would likely feel uncomfortable.
Yudit blended into the crowd and stepped outside. As soon as he stepped out, the cool night breeze helped dry the sweat on his skin. He was heading down the stairs toward the place where carriages were called when someone spoke to him from the darkness.

“You’re late.”

Yudit looked at the man before him, puzzled.

“Your Excellency, I thought you had already left.”

He had left thirty minutes ago—he should have been home by now. Yet, Khalid was still there, leaning against his carriage, smoking a cigar.

“The cigar tasted good.”

Khalid answered simply, then casually flicked the cigar butt into a trash bin. The way he discarded it was surprisingly indifferent for someone who claimed to have been staying for its taste.

“Get in. I’ll take you home.”

Yudit hesitated briefly before stepping toward the carriage. Khalid opened the door and extended a hand. Yudit accepted the escort and climbed in. As Khalid shut the door, the carriage wheels rolled over the cobblestone streets.

Leaning back against the seat, Yudit closed his eyes. He was exhausted. Once he returned, he would wash up quickly and go straight to bed. Just as he was thinking this, Khalid spoke.

“Do you have nothing to say?”

Yudit opened his eyes and looked at him. Say something? Was there something he was supposed to say? He parted his lips as if he had just remembered something.

“Thank you for inviting me to the banquet. I learned a lot thanks to you.”

Khalid looked at him as if dumbfounded.

“That’s all?”

“What else should I say?”

“I figured, since you’re in my carriage, I’d at least hear some complaints.”

He sounded disappointed that he wasn’t being blamed. Yudit found it strange.

“Why should I complain?”

He had learned so much at the banquet today. Rather than resentment, he should be grateful.

“I brought you as my partner, yet I let you crawl between another man’s legs.”

Ah, so that was what he meant. Yudit answered casually.

“It’s fine. I have no reason to blame you.”

Khalid narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing him as if trying to gauge his true feelings. Upon realizing Yudit was being sincere, he exhaled a breath, almost laughing in disbelief.

“You must have lived a life completely devoid of honor.“

“I do have things I wish to protect.”

“However?”

“My pride just doesn’t lie there.”

At Yudit’s response, Khalid blinked, as if at a loss for words. He rubbed his forehead with the palm of his hand and then gave a short laugh.

“Impressive.”

It was a sincere remark.

“What kind of life must one live to become like that? It can’t be just because of your bloodline, since the other princes aren’t like that.”

Khalid sounded almost in admiration. Yudit felt a little embarrassed.

“I’m not that virtuous.”

“……”

“So I won’t forget today.”

Just because he had obeyed didn’t mean he had forgiven them. If a chance for revenge ever came, he would take it without hesitation.

Watching Yudit’s composed expression, Khalid clicked his tongue.

“You’re like a young beast raised among humans.”

Yudit turned to him, wondering what he meant. Khalid’s face was amused yet slightly melancholic.

“If you ever grow strong enough, you’ll rip out someone’s throat in an instant.”

Yudit wondered if that was a compliment. Before he could decide, Khalid spoke again.

“Hm, do you have no questions for me?”

It seemed Khalid had taken a liking to his response and was now extending a small gesture of goodwill. But Yudit knew that Khalid could change his mind as easily as flipping a coin.

After some thought, Yudit slowly spoke.

“You said we should leave separately. Why did you wait for me?”

Khalid had claimed he stayed behind for the cigar, but Yudit knew that was a lie. Khalid had been waiting for him. Khalid had a bored expression, as if unimpressed by the question.

“Because you looked pitiful.”

Yudit had expected as much. He wasn’t offended. He had survived by relying on pity his whole life. If one more person pitied him, that was only to his benefit.

After that, neither of them spoke.

Leaning back against the plush seat, Yudit savored the taste of sweet sympathy.

The carriage rumbled over the stone roads, carrying them toward the imperial palace.

….

The day after the banquet, Yudit woke up at dawn. His muscles ached, and he had a slight fever, likely from the aftereffects of the banquet. He had no plans for the day, so he could have slept a little longer, but since his wake-up time was set, he couldn’t fall back asleep. Yudit got up and slipped his feet into his slippers.

Unless there was a morning schedule, the servants woke up late. Yudit woke up alone, washed up, and headed to the library.