âDid you not hear me calling you? Make a snowman with me!â
Trudy slightly nodded and awkwardly greeted Khalid, then soon hung on Renatoâs waist with a broad smile. Renato lightly stroked the head of the child who was acting spoiled.
âWhat should I do? I want to make it together with you, but Iâm talking to his highness nowâŚâŚâ
When Renato replied, Trudyâs gaze turned back to Khalid. Khalid let out a chuckle when seeing Trudyâs eyes accusing him of interrupting the childâs cozy time with his hyung-nim.
âI will go see my aide, so please spend time together until the barracks are ready.â
âNo. There, Trudy. Iâm sorry, but can you make a snowman with Max?â
Renato stopped Khalid from leaving and turned down Trudyâs suggestion. Although the child had a sullen expression, he withdrew surprisingly easily.
âUhm, I seeâŚâŚ! Then I will make one snowman for you and one for me, then show them to you, hyung-nim!â
âI look forward to seeing that. Remember to wear gloves.â
âYes!â
Trudy answered in a vigorous voice, then ran to Max as if he never felt depressed just a while ago. Of course, he didnât forget to send Khalid a resentful gaze before going.
âIâm sorry, Trudy is a little shyâŚâŚâ
Puzzled by Trudyâs attitude, Renato apologized to Khalid and trailed off at the end of his words. Even on the long journey to the Khan Kingdom, Khalid and Trudy could not become close. To be exact, it seemed that Trudy was unilaterally comfortable and hostile toward Khalid.
âItâs okay. It seems that His Imperial Highness the 2nd Prince does not like me.â
âHow can that be, itâs just because he isnât familiar with you yet.â
âThat would be nice, butâŚâŚ somehow, the way he looks at me is like looking at a thief.â
Hearing Khalidâs murmuring, Renato had a startled expression. He recalled Trudy describing Khalid as a thief when he told him about the engagement.
âIâll remind him separately later.â
Renato said with an apologetic look. He did not tell Trudy about the marriageâs real purpose. To keep a secret, the fewer people knew, the better. He also didnât want to put a burden on the child who already felt guilty that Renato was sacrificing himself in various ways because of him.
But if the child showed hostility toward Khalid like this, it would be a different matter. Renato admitted that he was complacent. He had thought that the two would naturally get close as they spent time together, but seeing the childâs attitude, it seemed that he shouldnât leave it like this.
It seemed he should at least let Trudy know that Khalid was on the childâs side and that Khalid was going to help Renato, even if he couldnât explain in detail. It was not necessary for them to be close, but Renato hoped they could get along if possible.
âYou donât have to do that. In His Imperial Highnessâ view, he probably thinks that his precious hyung-nim was suddenly taken away by me. I deserve to be hated.â
âTaken awayâŚâŚ But itâs not like thatâŚâŚâ
Seeing Renato about to grab Trudy and nag him at any moment, Khalid tried to dissuade him from doing so. After watching for a full month, he could understand what Trudyâs feelings were and why he was behaving like this.
The child was just anxious that Renato would drift apart from him. Marrying Khalid meant Renato would no longer only be the childâs brother, but also Khalidâs companion.
âIn any case, Iâm glad that the sibling bond between you two is strong. I hope you will continue to be as close as you are now.â
âPardon?â
âItâs because no matter how close siblings are when they are young, when they become adults, they tend to become distant for various reasons.â
A bitter smile appeared on Khalidâs lips. Renato understood what he meant by that. The man must have thought of his sister Maryam after seeing him with Trudy.
Will Trudy feel uncomfortable with me when he becomes the Crown Prince?
His pale purple eyes became dark. He wanted to believe that they would be different from Khalidâs case because he never had any inheritance rights in the first place, but people couldnât be predicted.
Renato knew the cold-heartedness of power better than anyone else. It was enough just by looking at Marquis Medus and Maximo. Power sometimes turned people into monsters.
But even if that happened, Renato would not regret the choice he had made to protect Trudy now. There was nothing more foolish than ignoring the present to worry about the future that had yet to happen. He no longer wanted to regret it like in his previous life.
âYour highness, the barracks are ready.â
âIs that so? Itâs finished sooner than I thought.â
Hearing Nasirâs report, Khalid looked behind. Following him, Renato also turned his gaze. Unlike the kingdom sideâs barracks which were perfectly built after all installations were completed, the Empire sideâs barracks were not even completed by half.
Most of the Empireâs delegation who came to the Khan Kingdom because of Renatoâs engagement ceremony had no experience in camping, so they seemed to be having a hard time setting up the barracks.
âExcuse me, Your Imperial Highness.â
âHmm?â
âMay we help set up the Empire sideâs barracks?â
Nasir approached Renato and hesitatingly asked. He was worried that his words might hurt Renatoâs pride.
âCan you do so?â
Contrary to Nasirâs concern, Renato readily accepted his suggestion. Even to Renato who was unfamiliar with this, the barracks of the two countries looked quite different.
Compared to the kingdom sideâs barracks, the Empire sideâs barracks looked sloppy for some reason. After briefly comparing the two barracks, Renato found the reason without difficulty.
The barracks of the Empire, boasting a mild climate all year round, focused more on fashion rather than warmth and rest functions, while the kingdomâs barracks looked simple but had a practical style optimized for camping.
âIf itâs okay with you, we will also install wood heaters that we use at each barracks. The temperature will drop considerably at night, soâŚâŚ it might be tough without heaters.â
âHeaters? Isnât that too much trouble?â
âHow could it be trouble? Since you are visitors to our kingdom, it is only natural to help make the journey easier.â
âOur side is not prepared enough so we are always indebted to you, thank you.â
Renato expressed his heartfelt thanks. They also prepared in their own way, but as soon as the engagement was announced, they had to leave for the kingdom in a few days, so there were many shortcomings. They also had no idea that the climate difference could be this big.
âNot at all. We also have a few carpets left to block outside winds, so I will give them to you.â
Hearing Renatoâs thanks, Nasir smiled with a friendly expression. The person who would soon become his liegeâs companion was as gentle in personality as in appearance. He didnât have an arrogant attitude and unusual pride typically seen in people with noble status, so Nasir as well as all the knights had a good impression of him.
ââŚâŚThis wonât do. Please share the same barracks with me today.â
At that moment, Khalid, who was looking at the Empire sideâs barracks with a dissatisfied face, opened his mouth. Renatoâs eyes widened because of the unexpected suggestion.
âPardon? What do you mean?â
âI hope you donât feel bad when hearing this. To be honest, I think you will catch a cold if you sleep in that barracks, Your Imperial Highness.â
âAh.â
âI will also provide a barracks for His Imperial Highness the 2nd Prince and his attendants to use. If you are uncomfortable sleeping with me, you can also sleep there.â
âYou donât have to go that farâŚâŚâ
Renato was momentarily speechless because of Khalidâs relentless and decisive words, then declined half a beat late. He appreciated Khalidâs kindness, but he was already indebted to him. However, Khalid grabbed Renatoâs hand and gently pulled it toward him, unwilling to listen to his refusal.
âFor now, please rest in my barracks until the camping preparation is complete. You also need treatment today.â
Renato was about to decline once more, but then quietly followed Khalid when hearing the manâs added words in a low voice. After telling Nasir to call Souad, Khalid led Renato into his barracks.
Crack, crackâŚâŚ
Unlike the outside, the barracks where the sounds of burning wood quietly echoed were warm. Renato looked inside with curious eyes. The barracks with a table, chair, camp bed, and clothes hangers with a heater in the center looked almost like a room for one.
âYou can take off your robe and jacket now.â
Khalid released Renatoâs hand only after entering the barracks. Then, he hung his robe and uniform jacket on the hanger in the corner and put on the cardigan someone had prepared for him.
âI can also do itâŚâŚâ
Khalid approached Renato again, skillfully untied his scarf, and took off his robe. Renato, who was suddenly attended to by Khalid, became restless.
Is it because he is a knight? He also felt this from the last time, but Khalid seemed quite accustomed to this, not fitting his status as a grand prince. While Khalid was putting Renatoâs outer garment on the hanger, Louis followed the two into the barracks with a bag of clothes, including a sleeping gown.
âI think it would be better to change into the sleeping gown after dinner.â
Khalid received Renatoâs sleeping gown from Louis, then placed it on the table so that it wouldnât be crumpled. Seeing Renato put on a cardigan with Louisâ help, Khalid headed to the camp bed. After helping Renato with his clothes, Louis went out again so as not to disturb the two.
âHmm.â
Khalid pressed on the camp bed with his hand and carefully checked it. The bed was formed with a thick wooden board below to prevent cold air coming from the ground, several blankets stacked on the top, and a soft carpet underneath as a finishing touch. Khalid sat on the camp bed first, then opened his arms toward Renato.
âCome here.â
Renato briefly hesitated when Khalid called out to him. But he soon slowly approached the man. When Renato stood in front of him, Khalid reached out and pulled Renato into his embrace.