TOPWL: 8
by Lotus“Thank you, teacher.”
It was sincere. Who else would think of him like this?
It was no simple matter. Everyone involved could die. Especially for Bashur, he had a family—his lovely wife and two children who were the apple of his eye. But it seemed like he was willing to take the risk.
Yudit knew the reason why he, who had always been passive, had become so proactive. It was because Khalid, and Reginald tried to kill him.
“Teacher.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“I don’t want to lose my life by acting recklessly. My life is most precious to me.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“So, when I need your help, I will definitely ask for it.”
Yudit wasn’t without pride. But Bashur had risked his life to help him. Perhaps this was betraying his master, Khalid. But he had no pride to stand against someone who had done so much for him.
“…I understand the prince’s will. If you need me, please don’t hesitate to call. Whether it’s midnight or dawn.”
“Yes.”
“Promise me.”
Bashur said stubbornly. Yudit smiled faintly and nodded.
“I will, teacher.”
Even after he promised, was still nervous and his legs trembled. Yudit was about to tease him but was interrupted by a knock at the door.
“Seems like you two are getting along well today.”
Yudit gave Khalid a disapproving glance. The uninvited guest had arrived.
“I greet His Grace, the Duke.”
“Ah, yes.”
He thought the tone of his words was strange, but Bashur didn’t seem particularly upset. Perhaps because he thought it was nonsense. Yudit felt strangely unsettled.
“Did I interrupt your lesson?”
Khalid asked, glancing at the clock. It was already well past the end of their lesson.
“No, we just got a bit delayed with a conversation.”
“I see. Then, is the prince ready?”
“Yes, I’ll just put on my outing clothes.”
Yudit stood up and headed toward the dressing room. As soon as the door shut, the nanny, her eyes wide, approached Yudit.
“Your Highness, what’s going on?”
“What do you mean?”
“That person… that’s Duke Khalid!”
“Yeah… that’s right.”
Yudit nodded, still unfamiliar with the nanny’s reaction.
“Why did he come? Don’t we need to offer him tea or something?”
Yudit smiled faintly at the nanny’s fuss and shook his head.
“It’s fine. He’ll be leaving soon. He needed a partner for the Count’s banquet, so I agreed to join him.”
“Your Highness, you’re the Duke’s partner?” The nanny’s eyes widened, clearly surprised. Since they had never met privately, her reaction wasn’t strange.
“Are you… are you two seeing each other?”
“…That’s definitely not the case.”
Yudit briefly thought about the idea of dating Khalid. It made him feel uneasy.
“I have to go now. I might be a bit late.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Take your time.”
The nanny, with a dreamy expression, spoke. To protect her fantasy, Yudit quietly kept his mouth shut.
“Wouldn’t it be better to wear something else? The outfit looks a bit…”
The nanny’s eyes narrowed, clearly not liking Yudit’s clothes. She had misunderstood “partner”.
“No time. I’ll be back soon.” Yudit put on his outer clothes and left the room.
“Come back late, late. You don’t have to come back. In that case, you can properly seduce him and make him fall…” Thud. Before the nanny could finish her sentence, Yudit quickly closed the door. Thankfully, the heavy door muffled her voice. Yudit sighed in relief and turned his gaze to the man standing in front of him—Khalid.
“…”
Of course. Yudit, flustered, met Khalid’s eyes. Khalid’s gaze was full of curiosity as he grinned.
“I was curious about the rest of that sentence.”
Khalid chuckled, teasing Yudit. Yudit’s ears turned red.
“I’m not interested, so it’s fine.”
“You are so cold to the one you are supposed to seduce.”
Khalid shruggregd his shoulders and followed behind Yudit, who walked off hurriedly.
….
“Was that woman your nanny?”
“…Yes.”
“I thought so. A nanny who cares from the cradle to marriage… impressive.” Yudit wished the carriage were a bit noisier. If only the sound of the wheels and creaking noise could block out their conversation. But Khalid’s carriage was so luxurious that it was almost completely silent.
“At the banquet, not everyone will be like the nanny.”
“…I suppose so.”
It would be more suprising if they reacted like the nanny.
“Just in case, are you taking your suppressants properly?”
“…Ah, yes.”
In truth, Yudit hadn’t taken the suppressants for a while, but explaining the reason seemed troublesome, so he simply nodded in affirmation.
“There will be plenty of useful alphas at the banquet. I don’t mind if you engage in some romantic business, but remember, today you’re attending as my partner, so try to hold back until the end.”
“I have no intention of doing that.”
“Oh, I see. Since you like Bashur.”
“….”
Yudit kept his mouth tightly shut as Khalid kept teasing him by mentioning Bashur. It seemed like Khalid must be quite bored, always bringing it up.
“Is there anything I need to do as the Duke’s partner?”
“Of course there is. Why wouldn’t there be?”
“…What is it?”
“Don’t be so stiff. It’s a very simple task.”
It didn’t sound simple at all. Yudit narrowed his eyes as he looked at Khalid. He grinned at him at him.
“Just act like a loving couple. Simple, right?”
“…”
Yudit hated the idea. Just being in the same space was a burden, and now he had to pretend to be his lover.
“Since I’m of marriageable age, there’s a lot of talk going around. Too many omegas are turning to me.”
“You should try talking to them.”
Then they’d all run away quickly. Yudit suppressed the words he couldn’t say and had a sour expression on his face. Khalid as if he unterstood chuckled.
“I’m someone who can laugh even in boiling water. It’s easy to treat people with manners.”
“If you speak that well, you could do it on your own.”
“You don’t understand how terrifying omegas are. There are always people who just don’t get it, no matter how much you talk.”
“Are you afraid of omegas, Duke?”
“They’re the scariest thing in the world.”
Khalid rubbed his forearm, shuddering slightly. Yudit didn’t know if they were truly the most terrifying to him, but it was clear that he disliked them. It was a bit surprising that omegas like him were something Khalid would shy away from.
“And Your Highness, weren’t you supposed to be a loving partner?”
“Then what should I call you?”
“Darling?”
Seeing Yudit’s face turn pale, Khalid burst out laughing.
“I’m joking. Call me Khalid.”
“…Yes.”
Yudit didn’t want to call him Khalid, but it was certainly better than “darling,” so he quietly agreed. The Count’s mansion appeared in the distance. The speed of the carriage slowed down.
Soon, the carriage stopped in front of the Count’s house. Khalid, who stood up first, lightly descended and extended his hand toward Yudit. Yudit sighed softly, placing his hand over Khalid’s. Khalid’s pleased expression was so handsome that it made Yudit’s insides boil.
“Please come a little closer, Your Highness.”
“I think this is close enough, Lord Khalid.”
As soon as they got out, Yudit firmly rejected Khalid’s attempt to get closer. Khalid didn’t press further and stood next to him. As they neared the Count’s house, the melodies of the violin and piano deepened.
A servant, spotting them from the top of the stairs, raised his voice.
“Announcing the entrance of Duke Khalid Baldwin Meyer and His Highness Prince Yudit Friedrich Adennauer!”