TOPWL 259

“No……. I also want to work with you for a very long time, Your Highness.”

“I’m glad to hear that. I also wanted Bagon to stay by my side for a long time. It was a bit difficult when you weren’t around.”

Bagon’s thinking was flexible for his age, and he got along smoothly with people. It was a trait the other guards, including Shane, lacked. He used a sword well and was skilled in many areas, so he was a talent anyone would covet. Yudit smiled brightly because Bagon would stay with him.

The carriage had stopped before they knew it. Bagon escorted Yudit with a dark expression. Yudit expected a house hidden like a secret inside an alley since it was a safe house, but Khalid’s destination was a house just a short walk from the main road. The building didn’t have any special features, but it had an extra floor compared to the nearby two-story buildings. This made it easy to look down from above.

“It’s more ordinary than I thought.”

“What, did you think it would be a house that appears only if you press a brick?”

Khalid spoke as he entered the house and naturally put his hand around Yudit’s shoulder.

“Hmm?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Bagon was here just a moment ago, but he’s gone.”

“He probably went to get some water. Don’t worry about it. Aren’t you thirsty? Should I get you a drink?”

Khalid asked in a sweet voice. Yudit nodded, so Khalid guided him to the sofa and went to get the drink himself.

“Whew…….”

Yudit felt tired even though they only traveled a short distance by carriage. He wondered if his stamina had dropped. Yudit thought about this while he stroked his bulging stomach. His belly was quite large and heavy now. He had to urinate often, and even a short walk was tiring. The due date was still a bit far off, but it wouldn’t be strange if the baby came at any time. Please wait just a little longer, Yudit thought as he stroked his stomach. Just then, Khalid came out of the kitchen with a cup.

“Thank you.”

Yudit spoke as he took the drink. A sweet, rich scent came from the light beige liquid. [stolen content]He blew on it and took a sip. The smooth taste of milk tea filled his mouth. The anxiety he felt earlier seemed to dissipate a little with every sip of the milk tea. Khalid stroked Yudit’s stomach and spoke.

“Is it hard for you?”

“……A little. I’m fine.”

Khalid looked troubled as he watched Yudit smile to reassure him.

“Stay here until the day you give birth. Communicate through Bagon or the other guards. I’ll achieve everything you want to do.”

“But…….”

“Just follow my lead this time. The fact that they put a wanted notice in the newspaper means the Empress’s whole family is desperate to catch you. There might be some noise if they kill one person, but they can gain the empire. How could they not be desperate? If something goes wrong because you went outside in this situation…… the situation will become uncontrollable. I’m a person who can be replaced, but you aren’t.”

Khalid spoke with determination. Yudit tried to say something but closed his mouth. Khalid felt bad when he saw Yudit’s gloomy face, so he gently massaged Yudit’s calves and kissed his cheek.

“The task you must do now is for both of you to be healthy and give birth ​Read on​to the baby safely. You can at least think about how to make a good world for that child to live in.”

“…….”

“I promise. I’ll end all this commotion within three days and bring the throne to you. So please trust me and wait here just a little longer.”

Yudit hesitated for a long time and then nodded. Khalid sighed with relief and kissed Yudit.

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“Ugh…….”

Yudit woke up at the sound of rustling. It seemed like morning because light leaked through the curtains, but Khalid was changing his clothes without even opening them.

“Are you leaving now?”

“Yes, sleep some more.”

The two had a strategy meeting until night and then talked on the bed until dawn. They probably only slept for about two hours. However, Yudit didn’t follow Khalid’s words. He got up and put on his slippers instead.

“I told you to sleep more.”

“I just want to see you off.”

Yudit’s eyelids felt heavy as if someone placed iron on them, but he couldn’t skip the send-off. Today could be the last time. Yudit hugged Khalid’s neck and kissed his cheek. Khalid kissed Yudit’s forehead, the bridge of his nose, cheeks, and mouth.

“I’ll be back.”

“Yes, see you later.”

Khalid went outside with his hat pulled low. Yudit saw him off at the door and then sat carefully on the sofa. Perhaps because it was a safe house, there wasn’t a lot of windows and they were small enough that a person couldn’t fit through. He felt a bit suffocated, but he wasn’t so immature that he would complain. Seeing Yudit sat in an awkward position because of his belly, Bagon spoke carefully.

“You should go back to bed and rest more.”

“I’m fine. I’ll stay here.”

Bagon shrugged his shoulders as if he couldn’t help it since Yudit acted this way.

“Your Highness, I found the chess set.”

Garen spoke in a friendly tone as he lifted the chessboard. Edmond poked Garen’s side to stop the clueless man, but Garen brought the chessboard in front of Yudit. The latter smiled faintly and spoke.

“Sure, then should we play a round?”

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“……ness. Your Highness?”

“Hmm?”

“It’s your turn…….”

Yudit came back to his senses at Garen’s words. He felt like he had fallen asleep for a moment while sitting.

“Ah, I see. I’m sorry.”

The door opened just as Yudit tried to focus on the chess pieces again. A surprised Yudit jumped up from his seat. Bagon entered with his hands full of bags.

“Did anything happen?”

“Nothing happened.”

Bagon clicked his tongue briefly when he saw Yudit up close.

“The circles under your eyes are dark. It would be good if you went inside to get some sleep.”

“Well, I can’t really sleep……”

Yudit’s voice trailed off as if he was troubled. He originally slept for short periods, and his nerves were sensitive because of Khalid’s business. He couldn’t fall asleep even when he tried.

“I brought some things for you to look at because I thought that might happen.”

Bagon grinned and emptied the contents of the bags onto the table. Magazines, newspapers, a few books, sandwiches, sweet snacks, cookies, fruit, black tea, and fruit juice. The faces of Edmond and Garen, who were at an age where they ate well, brightened up.

“It must have been heavy. You worked hard.”

“It’s nothing. I recommend you read the magazines, newspapers, and especially this book. Your story comes up in it, Your Highness.”

“My story?”

“Yes. An author who knows you wrote a book about you. The Empress’s side designated it as a forbidden book, but it seems it still sells through word of mouth, so I went and bought it quietly.”

“……Ah.”

Yudit thought they were Yvonne’s and Rita’s books, but there were a few more. Yudit tilted his head at a name he didn’t recognize.

“There are names I don’t know.”

“Since books under your name sell well, it seems a few imitations came out. I bought them because they looked interesting.”

“Thank you, I’ll read them.”

Bagon stopped Yudit when he tried to pick up the books, newspapers, and magazines.

“I’ll bring them to you if you’re going to look at them in your room.”

“I’m fine with this much.”

“No, you aren’t.”

Yudit finally won a single newspaper after a struggle and stood up. Garen drooled at the snacks and then met Yudit’s eyes.

“Eat as much as you want.”

“Thank you……. But should I leave the chessboard as it is?”

“Ah, it was my turn. Here, checkmate.”

Garen’s eyes shook as he looked at the King that fell in an instant.

“Huh……?”

“Share it all together. I’ll read inside and get some rest. Wake me up if anything happens.”

“Understood.”

Bagon followed with the books and newspapers as Yudit headed to the room. Bagon sorted the reading materials on the nightstand and lit the lamp with a match. He looked at the dim interior even though he opened the curtains, and he spoke in a worried tone.

“It’s too dark. I’ll make them stay quiet, so would you like to read outside?”

“No, it’s fine. The lamp is bright. You worked hard traveling around since morning. Go and rest.”

Bagon withdrew at Yudit’s words and returned with a larger lamp and a tray full of snacks. Yudit picked up the newspaper once the door closed and he was alone. [stolen content]An article with the title [Who Is the Real Villain?] decorated the front page of the newspaper.