TOPWL 82

“His wife is in a coma after being beaten by Prince Hiore.”

“You were beaten too.”

“He and I are both royals. When a child causes trouble, the parent apologizes. I believe, similarly, brothers should bear a degree of responsibility for one another.”

“That’s why you had to get stabbed? Even a noble drawing a blade on a royal would be sentenced to death, and you think treating the wife of a commoner who did the same is justified? If you think so little of being a prince, you’d be better off joining the revolutionaries than aiming for the imperial throne.”

Khalid didn’t bother to hide his scorn. Yudit looked calmly at him before replying.

“You’re right—I’m lucky. Born a prince, I’ve eaten and dressed without labor, living off the people’s taxes. And for that reason, shouldn’t I at least strive to act like someone above them?”

“Don’t you think there are those meant to lead, and those who aren’t?”

“I’ll give that some thought next time.”

Khalid frowned, realizing Yudit wasn’t going to change his mind.

“Do as you please.”

With that, Khalid turned away. Yudit silently watched his shadow disappear into the darkness, then turned visit our site and walked back toward Hui.

***

Drops of water dripped from Yudit’s face. A servant nearby handed him a towel. After drying off, he turned his head to the side—four servants stood in a line, facing him.

“The banquet isn’t until evening. Is there a reason I must be dressed up from morning?”

“Yes, sir. The master instructed us to treat the guest with the utmost hospitality.”

The elder servant bowed his head as he spoke. Yudit sighed quietly. Though Khalid had walked away so coldly the night before, he had still summoned a physician. It wasn’t the ducal family’s official doctor, but he was better than any back-alley healer. Hui’s wife had even regained consciousness for a moment. Hui had pressed his forehead to the floor in gratitude.

That wasn’t all. Instead of letting Yudit return to the palace, Khalid had dragged him off to his townhouse. There, he’d half-forced him to bathe and sleep. Yudit had planned to get up once Khalid dozed off, but the man stayed around so long that he’d fallen asleep before he knew it. And the next morning, Yudit awoke to four servants staring at him from beside the bed.

“Your bath is prepared, sir. This way.”

One of the servants spoke with such determination that Yudit felt he had no choice but to obey. He rose from the bed, somewhat daunted.

The bathwater was perfectly warmed. The tub was filled to the brim with oranges and various berries, steam rising above the surface. As Yudit lowered himself into the water, the scent of fruit burst forth in a tart and pleasant wave.

“Is the water to your liking? Do you require anything else?”

“It’s fine. I’ll speak if I need something.”

“Yes, sir.”

While Yudit soaked, a servant approached and knelt beside him.

“This is a mixture of honey and grains. I’ll apply it to your face.”

Yudit closed his eyes, and the servant brushed the paste onto his face in a thin layer. The bathwater was warm, while the mixture on his skin was cool, lulling him into a drowsy haze. As he began to nod off, another servant whispered softly into his ear.

“You may sleep if you wish. We’ll wake you when it’s done.”

That alone helped rouse him. Falling asleep in such an unfamiliar place, surrounded by strangers, was unthinkable. Even for someone as calm as he was, this crossed a line. He straightened and steeled his nerves. But as soon as he closed his eyes again—

“Your highness? You may rise now.”

A voice spoke at his ear. Yudit instinctively opened his eyes and looked at the clock nearby. It had been thirty minutes since the facial treatment began.

“…”

He hesitated, wondering how to recover the wariness he had let slip. Whether the servant noticed or not, they gently wiped his face clean.

It didn’t end there. The servants wrapped Yudit in a large towel and led him to another place. He looked around curiously—it visit our sitewas filled with thick, milky steam.

“Where are we?”

“This is the steam room. Please lie down here.”

The servant pointed to a wide platform laid with towels. Yudit lay down, and the servants began pouring warm scented oils onto his back. The oil ran slowly along his spine, pooling in the curve of his back before spilling to either side. Their hands moved slowly, carefully, massaging the tension from his body. Once again, Yudit felt himself relaxing against his will. He resolved not to fall asleep this time and tensed his neck slightly—but a servant mistook that as a request.

“You’re holding a lot of tension. It seems you’re often under stress.”

The servant’s thumbs pressed firmly into his neck and shoulders as they spoke.

“If you get regular massages, it should ease the stiffness. Please visit us again, sir.”

Yudit turned his head slightly to respond, but the steam made it difficult to see the servant’s face. As he opened his mouth to speak, a familiar voice cut in from the side—suddenly, and without warning.

“A guest, I see.”

A deep, rich voice. It was Khalid.

Startled, Yudit sat up and pulled a towel around himself. The bottle of scented oil near his elbow rolled off and clattered noisily across the floor. A servant quickly picked it up. Once the noise settled, Khalid’s quiet chuckle echoed through the steam.

“Don’t worry. I can’t see a thing.”

Khalid’s voice carried a hint of amusement. Embarrassed, Yudit licked his dry lips. Perhaps sensing his discomfort, a servant gently wrapped a large towel around him. Realizing he couldn’t very well stay frozen like that, Yudit awkwardly lay back down. The servants slowly adjusted the towel and resumed the massage. Yudit, a bit sheepish, murmured to the servant.

“Sorry for the commotion…”

“It’s quite alright.”

The servant answered softly. Yudit looked around; thankfully, the thick steam still concealed Khalid’s figure.

“Comfortable, aren’t you? It’s a place I use often.”

“Yes. It’s like being in a dream. I wouldn’t have guessed Your Grace enjoyed places like this.”

“I first tried it when I visited a country called Kiaira. Liked it enough to buy the architectural plans.”

“It’s like being inside a cloud.”

Yudit touched the swirling white steam with his hand.

“That’s why I don’t let just anyone in. I can’t stand not knowing who’s lurking in the mist.”

“I might’ve startled you.”

“You’re not just anyone.”

Khalid’s words made Yudit pause. What did Khalid look like now, beyond the steam? He couldn’t imagine him bundled in a towel like himself. More likely, he was lounging back, relaxed like a beast under the sun. That image alone made heat rise to Yudit’s face. He found himself wanting to both leave this place at once—and stay just a little longer.

Once the massage ended and the light stretching exercises were complete, Yudit noticed the steam had thinned.

“Did they turn off the steam?”

“Yes. We always lower it toward the end of the session.”

The outlines of others became clearer. Yudit, startled, tightened the towel around himself. With the steam fading, intricately patterned tiles beneath them slowly came into view—beautiful and ornate.

He scanned the room anxiously, but only servants remained with him. Khalid had apparently already left. When Yudit turned, he saw the servants standing at the door in neat rows, waiting. Feeling somewhat awkward, he followed them out.

Even after that, the pampering continued. He was fed, dressed, and slathered in fine oils until his skin gleamed. They even gave him a tea said to promote restful sleep and made him nap briefly—claiming proper rest was essential for glowing skin. And whenever he tried to read or distract himself, there was always someone watching, which made it difficult to concentrate.

Choosing clothes took half a day. They compared this one and that one, over and over again. Since there was time, alterations were even suggested. Yudit tried on all of Khalid’s teen clothes—unfortunately, anything from age seventeen onward was far too large, with dragging pants and oversized jackets. In the end, Yudit wore something Khalid had donned at fifteen.

After getting his hair done, Yudit stood in front of the mirror. The servants by his side didn’t show much emotion, but a quiet satisfaction lingered on their faces.