Turning
chapter-655

"Yes. There are various titles and forms of address in the world, after all."

Yuder fell silent, pondering the diverse titles. Kishiar, counting on his fingers, continued slowly, "Status, age, gender, name, nickname, endearment, relationship — all can serve as titles. Among these, which would be best for us to use, so we can approach the fighting arena without arousing suspicion, pretending to be Awakeners who have come for the Cavalry?"

"I'm not sure… I'll follow whichever you decide is best," Yuder replied, indifferent. After all, it was just a temporary measure to deceive others while investigating the fighting arena. The specific title wasn't important.

But for Kishiar, it seemed to matter more.

With a sly smile, the man tilted his head, lowering his voice to a whisper, "Let's consider some options. We should exclude status and perhaps gender too. Age, hmm... Would it mean I have to call you 'big brother,' or the other way around?"

Yuder felt a shiver run down his spine at the thought. It was one thing to call Enon 'big brother,' but the idea of Kishiar addressing him that way felt unsettling, not just because of their mismatched appearances.

"Surprising. I never thought of it, but the idea gives me goosebumps as soon as I heard it."

Kishiar burst into laughter, seeing Yuder's furrowed brow, "Then what remains are names and relationships."

Kishiar's eyes narrowed into a crescent, "Actually, you once called me by my name in a dream... Do you remember?"

"Did I? When was that... Ah."

Yuder recalled a dream right after his heat period ended, about a past life ceremony. After the dream Kishiar disappeared, Yuder had spoken his name.

Kishiar La Orr.

It was a name he often thought of but rarely spoke aloud.

"Are you referring to that time after the heat period?"

"Yes. I was thrilled then. In a good way."

To Yuder, calling Kishiar by his name felt more like answering a question than a deliberate choice. He hadn't pondered it deeply, but it seemed to have left a significant impression on Kishiar.

"Did you ever call me that in the previous game?"

"No, back then..."

Yuder recalled with some discomfort his past life memories. His way of addressing Kishiar had been inconsistent. Initially, 'Commander' sufficed, but after Yuder became the Commander, he struggled to call him 'Duke.' His annoyance and anger at Kishiar's corrections were palpable, often resorting to simply 'you.'

'I can't say I wasn't tempted to pass it off as imperial defamation.'

However, Kishiar seemed indifferent to any title other than 'Commander.' Yuder's small acts of rebellion were effortlessly dismissed.

After Kishiar's death, there was no need to be cautious, so Yuder freely used his name as he pleased.

Although Kishiar La Orr's death, the last of the imperial lineage, was quietly overlooked, he had died accused of treason.

A traitor is denied both status and honor.

He had lived almost erasing the fact that Kishiar was once his superior from his mind, thus feeling no need to address him with due respect.

The influence of this mindset lingered, for inwardly, he still casually referred to Kishiar by name, though he knew it wasn't proper.

But what did it matter? No one could know how he referred to someone in his mind.

"...I have never called you by name. I addressed you as 'Commander' or 'Duke'..."

"And?"

Perhaps sensing there was more, Kishiar prodded Yuder, who took too long to reply. Sighing, Yuder admitted, "When I was angry, I sometimes called you 'you.' You didn't seem to mind much, but it was inappropriate nonetheless."

"Good heavens."

"..."

"How thrilling. Let's go with that."

"Are you serious?"

Yuder couldn't help but retort.

"Would you prefer your esteemed name? What if someone recognizes it?"

"Of course, my real name is out of the question."

Kishiar chuckled mischievously.

"My parents had a name they used when I sneaked out incognito."

This was new to Yuder, who blinked and asked, "Did you have a nickname?"

Imperial family members didn't create nicknames. Their names had to be perfect in themselves. While they could have formal titles like 'The Crimson Prince' or 'The Emperor of Libra,' commoner-like endearments were unheard of.

"It's more of a childhood name used only by my parents. Even my brother, His Majesty, doesn't use it now. It wasn't recorded anywhere, given where I was born."

Kishiar looked somewhat nostalgic as he spoke.

"My mother created it. She boldly disregarded the useless parts of palace traditions and etiquette, insisting on doing what she deemed necessary, despite opposition. This was one of those things."

"...What was your nickname?"

"Just four letters, but too long for a child to understand. She said, despite opposition, it's good for a child to have a lovingly given name."

Yuder knew little about the previous Empress. But this story seemed very much like Kishiar.

"She was remarkable."

"Indeed. I think so too."

Kishiar then revealed the name.

"Akit."

"..."

"And shortened to, Kit."

Yuder repeated the name, feeling strangely unfamiliar yet intrigued.

"By the way, His Majesty's childhood name was Lukel. Mother used to call him 'Lu-' for a long time. Can you guess how it was derived?"

"…I see."

Yuder found himself privy to the Emperor's secret childhood name, adorable and reminiscent of a cute child. He thought it best to keep this knowledge from Emperor Keilusa.

"What about you? Any other names used when you lived with your grandfather?"

"None. My name is short enough."

Yuder answered, then for the first time in a long while, reminisced about his childhood. A nearly forgotten memory faintly surfaced.

"Um... when I returned from playing in the mountains, all dirty... No, never mind."

"Starting to say something and then denying it only makes the listener unbearably curious. Are you torturing me intentionally?"

Yuder exhaled a sigh before speaking again.

"…He used to say that a mud-caked puppy can't enter the house, so go wash up first. He said that quite often."

"A mud-caked puppy…" Kishiar murmured, savoring the phrase, and then smiled. "That's really adorable. It's clear he cherished and raised you well."

His gaze was so warm it almost made one squirm. Yuder, avoiding his eyes, muttered, "Yes, well... He was a good man. But I know it's an inappropriate title for me."

"Not at all. I could call you that even now. After all, calling you only 'Yuder' might alert others that you are the renowned Yuder Aile, so perhaps I should take this opportunity to call you 'puppy'?"

Yuder knew Kishiar often saw him in a favorable light, but this was crossing a line. Even as a half-joke, it was too much. Yuder shook his head firmly. "Don't be ridiculous. If necessary, there are other names."

"Yudrain?"

Yuder hesitated slightly, then nodded.

"Yes."

The shock he once felt when Kishiar used that name was gone now. He realized that clearly in this moment.

A name Kishiar La Orr had given him, known to no one in this world. It was perfect as a pseudonym.

"That's sufficient."

Yuder stood up.

"Please get up, Mr. Akit. There's much to do before dinner."

"No, just Akit. And ease up on the formal speech; it creates a sense of distance. Let's address each other as just the name."

"Now, shall we try it again?" Kishiar, rising to follow, prompted him.

Yuder took a breath, looked directly into Kishiar's hidden red eyes, and spoke.

"…Yes, Akit. Are we done? Let's go."

A smile blossomed on Kishiar's face. Despite his disguise, his captivating smile drew covert glances from nearby people.

"Good. Hearing you call me that feels like possessing the whole world."

Kishiar extended his hand. Yuder hesitated briefly before taking it.

"Perhaps one day you'll call me by my real name again. But for now, this is enough."