The sound of a bell echoed from far away, seemingly coming from the other side of the mountain.

At first, he didn’t register the sound. His consciousness was still there, but it was as if a thick white fog had enveloped his mind, preventing any other sensation from penetrating. All he could feel was a large hand gripping his waist tightly, hot, rapid breaths against his chest from lips pressed close, the slick sound of something moving in and out of his stretched insides, and mixed with it all, their names repeated over and over, both from his own mouth and the other person’s.

And there, there were only the two of them. No other conversations, no thoughts, no memories, only bodies entangled and yearning for each other.

After a very long time.

Or perhaps, for the first time.

They had become one.

He didn’t know how much time had passed. Perhaps it was very short, perhaps very long, until the ringing of a phone first intruded into the space between them.

Christoph initially didn’t recognize the sound. “Not anymore,” – He had whispered a long time ago, but Richard hadn’t let him go. And despite his exhausted body, Christoph hadn’t pushed him away. Even afterward, when he no longer responded and lay still like a corpse, he had obediently remained nestled in Richard’s arms, allowing his body to be rocked continuously. Because he liked hearing the man’s voice constantly whispering his name.

But the faint ringing that couldn’t penetrate Richard’s mind then turned into knocking, and that sound rang clearly in his ears.

“Mr. Tarten. —Mr. Tarten?”

Someone’s voice, calling one of them – or both – accompanied the knocking. Only then did Christoph manage to pull his drifting consciousness back to reality.

“……., …… —”

‘It seems like someone’s here,’ – Christoph intended to say. But when he opened his mouth, no words came out, causing him a moment of confusion. Christoph suddenly realized his throat was completely hoarse. Perhaps from crying so much earlier.

Although Christoph couldn’t speak, Richard, who was sitting opposite him with Christoph on his lap, understood what he meant and clicked his tongue. He had probably been aware since the first ring, and if Christoph hadn’t registered the sound, he likely would have pretended not to notice until the very end.

But Richard didn’t put Christoph down, nor did he withdraw his penis from him. Instead, he pushed it in deeper and began to pick up speed.

“……—!”

A moan like a gust of wind escaped Christoph’s hoarse throat. The moan, unable to reach beyond the door, yet rang clearly in Richard’s ears, and at that moment, the penis filling Christoph swelled.

After fiercely increasing his pace, rocking Christoph’s body and thrusting hard into him for a while, Richard stopped and exhaled a long, ragged breath.

“——!!”

Christoph’s body jerked. A hot fluid spurted inside him three or four times, then several more. Fresh liquid overflowed and further wetted thighs already soaked from previous ejaculations. At the same time, Christoph’s penis, gripped and pumped by Richard’s hand, also spurted a few times, finally leaking only clear fluid.

In the quiet aftermath of their climax, they held each other tightly while panting, the doorbell, the knocking, and the calls of his name from outside blended together into a three-part harmony.

“Mr. Tarten! Richard Tarten! Christoph?!”

It was Salam’s voice.

His mind gradually clearing, Christoph hazily wondered, ‘Why is Salam here?’ He abruptly came to his senses mid-thought.

Richard had said he would meet Al-Faisal in about two hours. Christoph glanced at the clock and saw that more than two hours had passed. They probably hadn’t set a specific time, but if Salam was calling like this, it meant it was time for them to meet.

Richard lightly kissed the lips of the person looking slightly flustered at the clock, then gently placed him on the bed and slowly withdrew his penis. Though slick, their flesh clung together for a moment before finally sliding out with a wet *plop*. Christoph shivered, his body twitching, and Richard kissed him once more.

“Here.”

Only after pouring water into a glass and wetting Christoph’s dry lips and throat did Richard get out of bed. While doing so, he glanced at the still-ringing intercom outside, as if Salam, having knocked to no avail, had switched to calling, his expression cold. Then he put on his robe and walked out.

The sound of the living room door opening reached the bedroom. Immediately, the doorbell, the phone, and the calling of his name ceased.

“Ah. Mr. Tarten. You’re here. I thought you weren’t in, so I was worried……, ……, ……Were you sleeping?”

Salam’s words trailed off hesitantly, then resumed in a doubtful tone. He seemed to have thought something upon seeing Richard looking nothing like someone who had just woken up, making his tone rather strange.

Christoph lay curled up in bed, sipping water and listening to the sounds outside. He frowned slightly when he heard Salam ask: “Is Christoph in there?” Of course he was in here, but he didn’t want to see Salam right now. He couldn’t meet anyone in this state. His legs were still wobbly, and he couldn’t stand up.

“He’s asleep. He seems to be quite ill. ——I’ll be at Sir Faisal’s room in 30 minutes.”

Richard replied smoothly but firmly. His tone left no room for further discussion, leaving the slightly hesitant Salam to only say: “Yes……, well, please tell Christoph to come along too? I’ll see you later then”, and quietly leave.

Soon, the noises outside disappeared, and the sound of footsteps returning to the bedroom grew closer.

Christoph watched Richard enter the bedroom. While drinking the water, his voice had partially returned, and his mind was clearer. Although his body still ached and was difficult to move, his mind had begun to function again. He looked Richard up and down.

It was evening, but not excessively late. His naked body was clad only in a bathrobe. His hair was dry and curled, not wet as if he had just showered. Yet there were still traces of recent sweat. The long time spent in the room without opening the door, and probably, the strong ‘masculine’ scent that wafted out the moment the door opened…… There were too many ambiguous and suspicious signs.

“Salam is perceptive…….”

Christoph muttered under his breath, a slightly annoyed tone in his voice.

While he didn’t particularly care whether Salam had realized anything or not, he didn’t exactly like it either.

“At least he’s obedient……” – Christoph murmured, as if talking to himself, when Richard approached and gently sat down on the bed. He silently took the empty glass from Christoph’s hand, placed it on the bedside table, and leaned towards him.

Richard reached out to Christoph, who was blinking his blue eyes and looking at him curiously. He gently placed his lips on Christoph’s. Very lightly, a tentative kiss as if afraid he would turn away, he caressed his lips.

Though having sated his hunger, Richard still observed Christoph intently. Could he fill this seemingly endless hunger once more?…… Or rather, had he truly filled it at all? As if still in disbelief.

Christoph subtly pursed his lips as Richard placed a gentle kiss on them. Richard paused, noticing this.

——No. That wasn’t it. He didn’t want to see that fleetingly gloomy expression on Richard’s face. He had no intention of pushing him away. It was just that he was a little bewildered by this strangely gentle and peaceful kiss.

After a brief hesitation, as Richard’s lips touched his again, Christoph parted his lips. Richard, seemingly about to stop, immediately slipped inside, as if he had been waiting for that moment. His tongue entangled with Christoph’s, creating an intoxicating connection.

Christoph’s face suddenly flushed. His breath grew short, almost suffocating, but he didn’t turn away. He thought this feeling was strange.

There were too many strange things. So his body unconsciously reacted to each moment. There was no other way. Today, everything was for the first time.

“—…….”

Everything was for the first time. The kiss. The caress. The intercourse. A relationship formed purely from mutual desire, without any other calculations.

Christoph thought fleetingly as Richard repeatedly kissed him. Their lips parted and then rejoined.

It felt good.

It wasn’t that he didn’t hate this man. He liked him. Perhaps even more than that.

His heart was in constant turmoil. His ears were ringing. But now, those things didn’t matter anymore.

Christoph watched as Richard repeatedly kissed him, then slightly pulled back to look at his expression, then kissed him again, then looked again.

He wondered if he himself was wearing the same expression as this man. Still – and perhaps for a long time to come – concealing the deep-seated feelings of unease and flutter in his heart, still a little reserved, yet unable to hide the look of enchantment and happiness. Did Richard know he was wearing such an expression?

“—…….”

He felt strange. The man whose thoughts he once couldn’t comprehend was now becoming easier to read…… Or perhaps, he was no longer able to conceal the emotions that had been welling up inside.

“Christoph.”

His whispered name reached Christoph’s ears. The whisper permeated his body, making him shiver, to the point of shrinking back. Perhaps the man noticed this, as he chuckled softly. And he called his name a few more times: “Christoph, Christoph.”

“——Stop. Don’t call me anymore.”

Finally, Christoph panted, speaking in a slightly irritated tone. If this continued, his already flushed face would grow even hotter. He didn’t understand why he couldn’t look him in the eye, so he turned away and pushed Richard. Richard, seemingly reluctantly, finally drew back.

“You said you’d go in 30 minutes. If you’re late again, Salam will really get suspicious.”

“……What’s the problem if Salam gets suspicious?”

Richard, looking at his watch, was silent for a moment before asking. Christoph frowned at the vague question: “Well……”.

“It wouldn’t be good if there were rumors about the head of Tarten having a shady relationship with his cousin, especially a male one.”

Richard looked at Christoph, who raised his eyebrows as if asking why he had to state the obvious, with a strange expression. That face, as if he had never considered this before, didn’t seem pleased with Christoph’s words.

However, it seemed Richard also understood Christoph’s point to some extent. He sighed softly: “Hmm,” and nodded. Then, he gave a wry smile.

“Tarten…… Sometimes I feel like you worry about Tarten more than I do.”

Richard looked at Christoph coldly, as if recalling something. His gaze swept over Christoph’s thickly bandaged arm, carrying a hint of pain and bitterness.

“…….”

Christoph started to say something, then fell silent.

He wasn’t worried about Tarten. From the moment he left Dresden, Tarten was no longer where he belonged. But what remained in his heart was the man who carried that vast empire on his shoulders. He only hoped that the burden on his shoulders wouldn’t get any heavier. He hoped he could lighten that burden, even a little. Because it wasn’t something others could share with him.

“I won’t have the opportunity to return there again……But because the thread of fate hasn’t been completely severed, from afar, I still hope that everything will go well.”

Christoph spoke quietly. He hoped everything would go well, so that Richard wouldn’t face any difficulties.

But Richard’s expression turned strange at Christoph’s sudden silence. The gentle light on his face vanished, replaced by a strange, incomprehensible, and suspicious look.

Christoph looked back at Richard, who was staring at him thoughtfully, as if something was amiss. Christoph stared back, wondering why he was being looked at like that.

“I thought you would come to me.”

Then Richard spoke abruptly. Along with the lingering suspicion, he seemed to want to dispel the doubts arising in his mind.

Just a moment ago, he had embraced Christoph with overflowing happiness, believing that Christoph had accepted him, would come to him, that he finally had him.

The two remained silent, looking at each other for a moment. After that short silence, Christoph replied.

“……It has……, my heart.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt his face flush. While it wasn’t a lie, he felt like he had just said something foolish.

Christoph frowned, feigning annoyance, but actually rubbed his warming face. He didn’t want Richard to see it like this.

“Ah, right. I agreed to extend my contract. It was just verbal, but I told my manager. I’ll stay in Riyadh a while longer.”

Christoph looked at Richard and said, at least he wasn’t going anywhere far. Richard, who seemed to have softened somewhat after the words: “……It has……, my heart”, stiffened again at Christoph’s added remark, as if just remembering.

Seeing Richard’s expression not only blank but also tinged with gloom, Christoph abruptly stopped speaking.

“……I thought I told you to return to Dresden.”

Richard’s low voice turned cold. And as soon as he heard that voice, Christoph’s gaze also turned cold.

“I’ll decide where I live and work.”

No matter who it was, he could listen to advice, but there was no reason to obey orders. He had opened his heart and accepted him, but if Richard interfered in even this matter, it was crossing a line.

The atmosphere in the bedroom, which had just been filled with tenderness and passion, suddenly turned cold. Both Christoph and Richard were silent, staring at each other.

While they both stared, neither willing to yield, Christoph was the first to speak. He didn’t intend to give in, but looking at Richard’s gloomy face made him soften.

“Anyway, you come here every few months…… I’ll also come when I have a long vacation.”

Christoph spoke coldly, but turned his face away, his face flushing slightly.

However, even when Christoph said he would also visit, Richard’s expression only softened slightly, not completely relaxing. He looked at Christoph’s reddened eyes and the corner of his hidden lips, then gave a faint, dry laugh.

“All the things I’ve been suppressing for so long, testing the limits of my endurance, have finally broken free, ……and yet you treat me like this, Christoph.”

Richard seemed unable to even manage a forced laugh, instead raising a hand to wipe the corner of his mouth. He showed a vague restlessness, then sank into thought with a troubled expression for a moment. But soon after, Richard clicked his tongue softly and nodded.

“There’s no other way. If you say so. Wishing for anything more would just be greedy.”

Richard smiled bitterly. True to his words, despite the bitter smile, his eyes looking at Christoph were filled with desire. Just a little more. That desire seemed even stronger than before.

Richard stared at Christoph, with a desire so obvious that no one could miss it. Until Christoph, unable to bear the gaze any longer, finally spoke.

“What is it?”

“……, When I return to Dresden, I think I’ll wonder if I was dreaming.”

After a moment of silence, Richard spoke quietly. Christoph frowned slightly, looking at him with a puzzled expression. Richard, without taking his eyes off Christoph, continued.

“Whether what happened was a dream. Whether you really came to me. Whether holding you was just my illusion…… I never thought I would actually be afraid of something like that.”

Those whispered words sounded as if he were talking to himself.

He hadn’t expected to actually feel fear at such ridiculous thoughts.

“—…….”

It was somewhat similar to the unease Christoph had once carried in his heart.

The gentle smile before his eyes, the warm voice tinged with laughter, the touches, the gaze, the gestures that made his heart flutter, were they all false? Christoph had spent months with Richard carrying that unease within him. ——And that unease would probably never completely disappear.

The same was true for Richard; he himself would never be able to completely erase that feeling. Because the past couldn’t be changed. No matter how much they tried to cultivate each moment in the present.

That was the price he had to pay. Surely Richard knew that too.

“……Slowly.”

After a short silence, Christoph spoke.

“Just slowly feel it…… Because I intend to do so.”

Slowly. Year after year passing.

Then, someday, it would be enough to simply believe and accept what he saw before his eyes. Just look directly at the unconcealed emotions on Richard’s face right now. And he felt that when that day came, Richard would be the same.

It had been over thirty years.

The time he had known Richard since birth wasn’t short.

But surely the remaining time would be longer, so it was alright. What would be built was more than what already existed. The time would come when the cracks and breaks of the past would be filled, piled up, becoming a solid foundation.

Like any relationship.

Like any relationship between living beings.

For everyone, the remaining time was always more than the time that had passed.

“……”

Then, suddenly, Christoph felt something touch his forehead. But he didn’t raise his head. Even without looking up, he knew it would move down, tilt his head, and kiss him.

Gently. Lovingly.

Fleeting kisses like the brush of a bird’s wing, then gradually deepening. By the time he realized it, Christoph was nestled in Richard’s arms. Though the embrace was wide, he suddenly felt suffocated, because his heart was tightening. His already burning heart pounded as their lips repeatedly sought each other.

At some point, Christoph moaned softly as Richard caressed his waist. A shiver ran down his spine, causing him to unconsciously let out a small whimper.

“……”

Richard pulled away and looked at Christoph with a puzzled expression. Christoph blinked. He didn’t understand what was happening, and then he felt the back of his neck grow hot. Richard looked down at that face and narrowed his eyes. That amused expression reached the corners of his lips, and then he laughed aloud.

Richard kissed his lips, then his cheek, his neck, his ear, without hesitation. Laughing and whispering.

“Do you like it? …… You do, don’t you? …… You came multiple times, Christoph.”

“You came multiple times,” Richard murmured. One hand propped on the bed, his knee rubbing against Christoph’s thigh. As if evoking the recent memories.
And at that moment, Christoph shuddered.

Hearing the whisper in his ear, he remembered the feeling from just now returning. The chilling shiver down his spine, and beyond that, the uncontrollable trembling, his whole body convulsing as if electrocuted. That overwhelming sensation vividly revived in his memory.

“——”

That strange and shuddering feeling, it seemed, wouldn’t just remain in his memory but would spread throughout his body if this continued.

‘Ah. What did he say just now? He asked if I liked it, didn’t he?’

Christoph tried to recall with his dizzy head. He felt himself trembling.

“Richard.”

His voice had also become hoarse at some point. All because he had just recalled those memories. A sudden tingling sensation arose within him.

Richard was silent for a moment when he heard Christoph’s hoarse whisper. His voice also deepened as he replied after a pause: “What is it, Christoph?”

“I think I told you before, you……”

Richard’s lips touched his cheek. It wasn’t just a touch. He was deliberately licking and sucking Christoph’s cheek. Then he gently urged: “Yes, and?”

“Really really bad.”

At that moment, Christoph spoke. He tried to suppress his ragged breathing.

Richard, who was gently nibbling on his earlobe after trailing across his cheek, stopped abruptly. He froze for a moment, then slowly pulled his lips away from Christoph’s earlobe and asked.

“……, ……, …… What?”

“Your skills in bed are really bad…… No, I don’t mean to criticize.”

Christoph hastily added, frowning as he saw Richard’s expression stiffen again.

“When I sleep with you, I don’t feel any pleasure or comfort.”

Christoph muttered and sighed.

A long time ago, Riegrow and Taeui once traveled to Riyadh. It’s said that Riegrow didn’t want to go, but Jeong Taeui insisted on going.

So, Christoph had inadvertently witnessed them having sex, although he absolutely didn’t want to. They were rolling around in bed right when he returned after work, so he couldn’t avoid it. (Thinking back on it, he was one hundred percent certain that unpleasant Rick had deliberately timed it.)

At the time, Christoph had asked each of them separately. Did they feel comfortable sleeping with each other?

“Oh, comfortable. Very comfortable. When I sleep while still inside Taei, it feels like soaking in a warm, relaxing bath. It’s floaty and really good. That’s what it feels like to sleep with Taeui.”

Riegrow’s answer was as concise as possible. But then, he’d added with a sly smile in his narrowed eyes: “But you’ll never experience that feeling”, which had annoyed Christoph greatly.

However, even if that was just a thoughtless remark, Taeui’s answer had also been somewhat similar.

“Sleeping with Ilay? Well…… it’s alright. Bearable……The feeling? You mean the feeling after sleeping with him…… Ah, you’re asking about the feeling after we’re done. Hmm, if I sleep with him…… first of all, it’s exhausting, so I feel really drowsy. I sleep well.”

Jeong Taeui initially seemed not to understand Christoph’s question, then seemed to interpret it in his own way and answered like that, then scratched his neck, looking a little awkward. He looked at Christoph as if wondering why he’d asked, then added.

“Sex is like that. It’s something that makes you exhausted but comfortable.”

――Makes you exhausted but comfortable.

Christoph briefly thought something was wrong – at least from what he’d seen, Taeui never looked languid or comfortable while sleeping with Ilay. He was always crying and panting heavily – but upon hearing those words, Christoph yearned for that feeling intensely.

Perhaps because he had never experienced it, he desired it all the more.

The feeling of comfort and ease. The peace and warmth.

It sounded wonderful. So, even though he didn’t think he would want to have sex with anyone, he still felt a pang of regret about it.

“……”

Christoph stared blankly at Richard. Richard silently looked down at Christoph without saying a word, his expression strange, bewildered, and slightly shocked.

——He wanted to experience that comfortable and pleasant feeling with this man.

Even now, though the feeling of sleeping with him was still strange and shuddering, he didn’t find it unpleasant. Although he didn’t know how to describe that strange sensation, he didn’t hate it, nor did he find it uncomfortable. He still wanted to experience the pleasant, peaceful, and comfortable feeling they had talked about.

And more than anything, if he could experience that feeling, he wanted it to be with him. Not anyone else, but this man. He wanted to experience that wonderful feeling with him.

“……If only your skills were a little better…… In the current situation……”

Christoph muttered to himself and clicked his tongue.

“Well, it can’t be helped……” – Christoph was murmuring when he suddenly felt a gaze sweep across his face and looked up.

Richard was looking at Christoph with a blank expression. That gloomy face looked truly cold. He stared at Christoph with a dark gaze, as if his pride had been deeply wounded, but precisely because of that, he couldn’t say anything.

“That’s why I told you.”

When Richard spoke coldly, Christoph tilted his head in confusion.

“You should help me practice.”

Upon hearing this, Christoph remembered they had talked about this before. Ah, right, at that time he had also told Richard that he wasn’t very good at it.

Back then, he had only said it to provoke Richard, without thinking much of it, but this time was different; he felt a little guilty. Moreover, Richard looked genuinely sad and dejected.

‘Practice.’ – Christoph frowned at the thought.

It would be great if Richard actually improved after practicing and he could experience that feeling of peace and comfort, but when he thought about the path to reach that point, he couldn’t immediately agree. Because if so, every time he would have to surrender himself to that overwhelming sensation, enveloping his entire body, making him tremble and difficult to stay composed like this.

“……”

Christoph glanced at Richard with a reluctant look. He looked at Richard, who seemed to be feeling down and a bit sad, and thought again.

He wanted to have wonderful moments with this man. He wanted to experience that wonderful feeling with him, more than with anyone else.

“Alright.”

And finally, Christoph nodded. Richard raised his eyebrows, as if surprised by his own answer.

“Anyway, you don’t come to Riyadh often……, so whenever we meet, I’ll indulge you to the fullest.”

“……—”

Richard looked at Christoph with a puzzled expression. He was silent for a moment, then tilted his head and asked again as if to confirm.

“Whenever we meet, you’ll indulge me to the fullest……?”

“Yes.”

Christoph clicked his tongue. He felt a bit uneasy hearing that, as if he’d made a hasty promise, but then he reconsidered. No matter how busy this man was, Dresden and Riyadh weren’t close. Him coming here every 3-4 months was already the limit.

So, it was fine.

And besides, he also felt a little sorry for not returning to Dresden as Richard wanted, so even if just a little, truly just a little.

Richard was silent. One eyebrow was slightly raised on his face as he looked at Christoph thoughtfully. Christoph also looked at him with a puzzled expression.

“What is it?”

“……Nothing. It’s nothing. I just suddenly felt a little guilty.”

“Why?”

“Well…… because of what’s about to happen……”

Richard spoke vaguely, averting his gaze, which was unlike him. It was a truly apologetic look, making Christoph think it was very out of character. He could understand feeling guilty about having to practice that, but Christoph hadn’t expected him to be apologetic about such a thing.

“Like a cat worrying about a mouse*. ……Forget it.”

(*고양이 쥐 생각: This is a Korean idiom, indicating sarcasm or disbelief that someone powerful or with bad intentions is showing concern for someone weaker.)

Christoph snorted and waved his hand dismissively. It wasn’t as if it would be frequent. At most, a few times a month. Even that, a few times a month……

“……He probably won’t be able to come anymore.”

Suddenly, a monologue escaped Christoph’s lips.

Richard again looked at Christoph with a puzzled expression, as if he had heard his murmur. Christoph stared at Richard.

That’s right.

Richard probably wouldn’t be able to come to Riyadh anymore. He didn’t know how long it would last, but it was highly likely that he wouldn’t be able to freely enter and exit Riyadh as before, at least for a while. Especially not Al-Faisal’s residence.

“He shouldn’t have been killed.”

Christoph muttered. Richard remained silent, as if understanding what Christoph was talking about.

He shouldn’t have been killed.——No, he must not have been killed.

Assar was Rashid’s son, even if unacknowledged. Even if Rashid’s power had crumbled to dust, a paper tiger, he was still royalty.

Even if the other party had provoked first, and self-defense could be argued, they wouldn’t easily overlook this. Especially since Tarten had ties with Al-Faisal, someone Rashid had always considered a thorn in his side.

Richard probably wouldn’t suffer any real harm. But he wouldn’t be able to avoid paying a large sum of money, whether publicly or secretly. In addition, even if Rashid didn’t formally demand it, it would be difficult for Richard to enter Saudi Arabia for a while.

Furthermore, if by any chance……

“――.”

Suddenly remembering something from the past made Christoph grit his teeth.

If, by any chance, Richard had to bow down before someone again. If he had to kneel and kowtow.

Christoph couldn’t bear it. Especially if it happened because of him, this man wouldn’t be able to endure it. If that really happened, he would rather slit his own throat.

“Knowing this, I should have killed him myself back then.”

To keep Tarten out of any danger, Christoph hadn’t killed Assar. He had thought he could sacrifice an arm, so he had offered his arm to him. All for Tarten――for Richard, to lighten the burden on his shoulders, even just a little.

But he hadn’t expected Richard to kill him.

If it had come to this, it would have been better if he had killed him himself. Even if Tarten had to endure any criticism, it would still be easier to handle than Richard directly taking action. In the worst-case scenario, he himself could use his own life to pay the blood debt.

But the situation had become even worse.

“It’s alright.”

Christoph, silent until now, looked up with a dissatisfied expression when he heard Richard speak softly.

“What do you mean, ‘it’s alright’? Who told you to kill him? I mean, how are you going to handle this? ――I’ve been trying to hold back.”

“Compensation.”

Richard replied calmly.

“Rashid doesn’t like his son. He hates him for disgracing him. Besides, in this situation, they have nothing to be arrogant about, and most importantly――he’s running out of money. He made a final gamble to reverse the increasingly precarious political situation, and lost a huge amount.”

Richard spoke calmly, as if recounting a fact not publicly known.

“Moreover, he’s not that stupid. He knows exactly how far he can push his demands. So, the price for his son’s life will likely be a significant amount of compensation, and a few mild measures to save face. It will probably be settled like that.”

A few mild measures to save face.

As soon as he heard those words, Christoph’s expression turned icy.

Just how mild would those measures be?

A formal apology to Rashid. Or a ban on entering Saudi Arabia. Or some other measure.

‘I should have killed him myself,’ Christoph regretted belatedly.

Richard seemed to notice Christoph’s heavy expression, and the reason behind it. He looked at Christoph awkwardly, then spoke in an even tone, as if it were no big deal.

“Even if it’s a somewhat high price to pay for a dog, it’s alright. Because he was also the one who tried to harm you. Besides,”

Richard paused for a moment, seemingly thinking about something, then murmured as if to himself, “This price is worth paying.”

Christoph didn’t say anything. Richard looked at his watch and said, “I need to get ready. It’ll be a bit troublesome if I’m any later,” and stood up. Christoph watched him take off his robe and walk into the bathroom. Just as Richard opened the bathroom door, Christoph suddenly spoke.

“If you can’t come to Riyadh, I’ll go to Dresden. To see you.”

He would go. To Dresden.

He didn’t mention vacation time, or weekends, or anything of the sort.

If Richard truly couldn’t come to Riyadh because of this, Christoph would share the responsibility with him. His actions intended to lessen Richard’s burden had backfired, so he had to shoulder that burden himself.

So, he would go to Dresden.

Christoph looked at Richard and said so.

Richard stopped in front of the bathroom door. He stared at Christoph, stunned. His face was expressionless for a moment, as if he had just heard something unexpected. Then, slowly, a smile spread across his face. Gentle wrinkles appeared at the corners of his eyes. A truly joyful smile.

That smile eased Christoph’s heart a little.