TOPWL 252

Yudit came out only after twenty minutes had passed. It had taken longer than expected to calm his emotions. He felt Shane’s gaze upon him. The messenger was still waiting. Yudit made room for him and asked what he needed to know.

“What’s the situation in the capital now?”

“It’s not good. Prince Reginald has returned with mercenaries from another country, and their numbers are considerable. Furthermore, the Crowd family, the empress’s family, is pressuring the emperor to abdicate. Imperial forces remain within the city walls, but roughly half have been swayed. Since the empress herself did not directly commit treason, the situation is such that we cannot act rashly.”

Yudit clicked his tongue. One of the Empress’s sons had killed another prince, yet the emperor was the one under pressure. It showed just how much the imperial authority had fallen. It was also proof of how formidable the Crowd family had become.

“Was it impossible to lock the city gates before Reginald’s forces arrived?”

“It seems impossible, as the empress likely obtained that information first.”

“…I see.”

“Fortunately, Prince Hiore’s actions were unexpected, leaving the empress’s side unprepared. Thanks to that, the empress’s faction isn’t completely dominant; they’re locked in a precarious standoff with the emperor’s faction.”

The smooth explanation continued. Yudit listened attentively to every word. The final conclusion was that it wasn’t entirely the worst outcome.

Prince Hiore, who killed Azil, was unforgivable. The empress knew this well and was fully prepared to abandon him. However, fearing the emperor’s wrath might prevent Reginald from inheriting the throne, she was applying military pressure to prevent the emperor from rashly stripping Reginald of his succession rights.

“You’ve been through a lot. I’ll give you a room. Get some rest.”

“Thank you.”

The messenger bowed to Yudit with a weary smile. After he left, Yudit sat down in a chair and exhaled. He felt Shane’s gaze on him.

“What is wrong?”

“…Would you like some tea?”

He wondered why his subordinate asked, but noticed his hand beneath the table trembling slightly. Not really in the mood for anything to drink, Yudit was about to refuse, but changed his mind and nodded. Soon, Shane brought warm flower tea. He took a sip, and the warmth spread through his body, and the trembling subsided a little.

“This is good. Thank you.”

Inhaling the subtle fragrance of the floral tea, Yudit felt relieved that it was Shane sitting here. Had it been Edmond or Garen, he would have found it difficult to express his feelings, either because they would have been too observant or because they might have jumped in with comments too quickly. The fact that he would stay by his side no matter what happened was reassuring.

“Do you wish to leave?”

“……Huh?”

“I’ll follow whatever decision you make.”

Shane spoke as if he would follow Yudit even if he asked to leave immediately. In truth, Shane was the kind of person who could easily do that. Hearing those words, the urge to leave right then and there, which had been raging inside him, calmed slightly.

“I’ll…… think about it a little longer.”

“It’s fine to think only of yourself for once.”

What would happen if they left now? Packing up a large army at night was no easy task. Moreover, reaching the capital required a forced march of a full day and a half. At the very least, they needed to rest for today. But Khalid’s disappearance weighed on his mind. Was he failing to help him when he needed it most? If not that, then perhaps he was already…

Yudit shook his head, trying to shake off the negative emotions. What would Khalid have done if he were me? Yudit thought for a moment, then opened his eyes.

“Prepare three thousand elite soldiers. We’ll depart in two hours. The rest will rest and then depart one hour earlier than the original schedule.”

“Understood.”

Shane rose from his seat. He watched Shane close the door and leave, and Yudit lowered his head.

He wasn’t certain he’d made the right choice. But he knew the answer to the hypothetical. If he had gone missing while scouting the imperial palace, Khalid would have abandoned everything to come to him. Yudit, too, deserved at least one chance to repay that.

* * *

After packing his belongings and stepping outside, Yudit glanced around, sensing an oddly intense gaze. The inn employees were watching him, whispering among themselves. Then they suddenly turned away in alarm. But soon, they lifted their heads again, observing Yudit with subtle looks.

“……?”

What was going on? Even if he tried not to notice, the gazes and the whispering about him made him unconsciously aware. They looked at him as if they knew him, yet when he met their eyes directly, they blushed as if embarrassed. It was as if they were all collectively suffering from first love.

Yudit looked down at his swollen belly. 

This appearance doesn’t seem particularly appealing to beta females… Holding onto his doubts, Yudit headed toward the stables. ​stolen content​Upon entering, the startled horses, awakened from their sleep, became skittish. Yudit’s horse was no exception.

“Sorry, sorry. Good boy…”

Yudit gently soothed his horse, put on the bridle, and stepped outside.

“…?”

But more people than before had gathered, staring at Yudit. Just as he wondered what was going on, someone called his name from behind.

“Your Highness?”

Yudit turned at the familiar voice. An unexpected guest stood there.

“Selena…?”

“Yes, Your Highness. It’s me.”

A short, pink bob fluttered beside Selena’s cheek. Selena approached Yudit and embraced him without hesitation. Yudit returned the hug, patting Selena gently. Moments later, tears began to fall from Selena’s eyes.

“I’m so glad to see you looking well.”

Selena said, smiling through her tears. Yudit was surprised too, but equally happy.

“What happened…….”

“Your Highness.”

Before he could finish, a new figure called out to Yudit and approached. Yudit looked startled once more as he squinted at the approaching figure.

“Marquis Kinezia.”

“I trust you’ve been well.”

Marquis Kinezia said with a twinkle in his eye. Yudit looked flustered, his gaze shifting between Marquis Kinezia and Selena.

“What’s going on here?”

Yudit asked, looking bewildered.

“You didn’t know? This is a branch of the Kinezia Merchants’ Guild. This inn belongs to the Kinezia Merchants’ Guild. Upon hearing you had arrived, I came to see you despite the late hour.”

“I thought the facilities and goods were all rather unusual, so it was the Kinezia Merchants’ Guild inn.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

Marquis Kinezia smiled, seeming pleased.

“But where were you headed?”

“Ah…”

Marquis Kinezia’s gaze fell on the reins Yudit held. Yudit blinked awkwardly.

“I was planning to go to the imperial palace.”

“In the dead of night?”

“…Yes.”

“You must have your reasons. I won’t keep you long. Could you spare a moment?”

Yudit hesitated briefly before nodding. He still had over an hour left to prepare anyway. He had only made excuses to come out early because being alone in his room weighed on his mind. After handing the reins to Edmond, Yudit followed the marquis inside.

The place the marquis led them to was a reception room deep within the private quarters. As soon as they sat down, Marquis Kinezia got straight to the point.

“I’ll get straight to the point. Within this domain, I personally employ over five thousand mercenaries and soldiers. I offer them to Your Highness.”

“The Craven Barony has also prepared three thousand soldiers, along with sufficient provisions and supplies to sustain fifty thousand soldiers for three months. I offer these to Your Highness.”

Yudit blinked at the sudden confession. These weren’t people who would tease him, yet they were making an unbelievable offer. Yudit cautiously asked.

“Are you all… serious?”