Yudit, you must survive.”

The frail Fifth Prince, Yudit, was barely clinging to life, his existence tolerated only because of his sickly constitution and his mother’s lowly origins. Following his mother’s dying wish, he lived quietly, keeping his head down to survive.

Then one day, Duke Baldwin, who had been secretly asked to kill him, appeared before him in person. Yet, rather than cower before the sword, Yudit boldly declared that he would become a puppet emperor—and insisted that Duke Baldwin should choose him.

“Your Grace?”

A chill ran down Yudit’s neck—he had just dreamed of being cut down by this very man.

“You were talking about me in your dream.”

“Is that so?”

“What kind of dream was it?”

“I forgot.”

“You said you liked me.”

For a moment, Yudit was about to say, That’s a lie, but he stopped himself. He had just claimed that he didn’t remember the dream.

“That’s a lie.”

Khalid, who had been watching him closely, spoke the very words Yudit had wanted to say.

“You were begging me to let you live.”

“……”

“I hope you work hard and survive. I really enjoy my time with you.”