Chapter 104
Claude was certain of at least that much. Being prone to causing trouble himself, he could easily recognize that look in others’ eyes. The main difference between such people and Claude was, undoubtedly, their status.
Claude was in a position where he could cause trouble. Who would dare criticize the Crown Prince?
Claude, who had been smiling at how entertaining the situation was, hardened his expression upon seeing the man entering the doorway.
“Your Excellency Count, a guest has arrived.”
The young attendant announced, appearing at the open door. Someone’s silhouette was visible behind him.
“Wouldn’t it be best for Your Highness to return now?” Spencer said.
“Hm? But it seems like something interesting is about to happen.”
Claude spoke while watching a woman appear, leading four ladies-in-waiting. Though she had kept more ladies-in-waiting in Palesa, this was the Ionad royal palace. She couldn’t have more attendants than the Queen and Princess. Still, she was one of the few noblewomen allowed to keep so many ladies-in-waiting.
“Isn’t that right, my lady?”
Claude addressed Lady Connolly.
“Your Highness.”
Lady Connolly responded with a slight bow.
“And Count.”
“What brings you here, my lady?”
“I stopped by to confirm something before departing.”
The Count gestured for her to enter. Lady Connolly stepped inside. However, her ladies-in-waiting remained outside. As Claude watched with a puzzled expression, the door slowly closed.
“Count, you…”
Before the door had fully closed, the lady spoke.
“Your daughter is alive, isn’t she?”
Oh my, it seems she noticed after all. It seemed likely, ever since she was called Malvina at that ball. Claude looked at the Count with an expression of mild trouble.
“Adrina Din.”
Meanwhile, Spencer faced her with an unmoved expression.
“She looks exactly like Yvette Malvina.”
Lady Connolly ground her teeth in disgust.
“That’s why you gave up your son so easily.”
Spencer seemed to be managing his expression, but Lady Connolly, who had long dominated social circles, couldn’t fail to notice the emotions seeping through. She spoke mockingly.
“When did you recruit Bert Din?”
For a moment, Spencer narrowed his eyes before lifting the corners of his mouth. She seemed to have misunderstood the situation.
Claude also watched Lady Connolly with an interested expression. My, what a misunderstanding! While thinking how her thoughts had jumped to such conclusions, he wondered if Adrina really resembled the lady enough to make her realize they were a Grimaldi.
The aged, beautiful Lady Grimaldi.
The one who looked exactly like Adrina, just older. If anything, Claude’s tastes might lean more toward her than Adrina Grimaldi. It would be nice to bring her into court society.
As he was clicking his tongue in regret, Lady Connolly’s gaze turned to Claude. When their eyes met, Claude flashed a grin. Her look seemed to ask if he knew nothing about this.
“My, this is all news to me.”
At Claude’s words, she raised her eyebrows high.
“By the way, Count, your daughter was alive? Is it alright to say such things in front of me?”
It was unbelievable that Claude hadn’t known. The Count wants to put Claude on the throne. He would also build trust and control to ensure Claude doesn’t follow the current king’s precedent. Nothing is easier for building trust than revealing one’s secrets. Once revealed, weaknesses no longer remain weaknesses.
What she hadn’t expected was that the Count’s daughter was alive in Woodpecker.
Was this why no one had been invited to that funeral? Why pretend she was dead? Had this been planned from the past for such a time? When was she sent to Woodpecker? How was Bert recruited?
Rumors had circulated in Palesa about the Duke of Woodpecker and the Count of Grimaldi’s son. Did the Duke send his daughter because he took a liking to his son’s face? A guard knight—was it to prevent entanglement from proximity? Was “guard knight” just a pretense for something more like a mistress? Had Woodpecker and Grimaldi already joined hands?
“Has my nephew betrayed me?”
Why? For what purpose? The Count would support Claude. Was the Duke also supporting Claude? Had Luigi never had a chance to begin with?
If she had known this would happen, she wouldn’t have brought him from Konya. Lady Connolly regretted it. She had realized too late that it had been the wrong choice.
“Who knows?”
Cunning old man.
“I know nothing of this matter.”
If he hadn’t interfered, Luigi wouldn’t have died such a sacrificial death. She should have waited until things were more stable before bringing him.
“My daughter’s grave is in Grimaldi, and my son’s corpse is in Palesa, is it not?”
Watching Spencer Grimaldi tell lies without blinking an eye, Lady Connolly laughed hollowly.
“Do you expect me to believe that? When Yvette Malvina’s face is walking around the Ionad court like that!”
“My wife is recuperating while managing the estate in Grimaldi. I truly have no idea what you mean about her face being somewhere.”
“Count.”
“Are you returning to Palesa today?”
“…”
“Do have a safe journey. To Palesa.”
Spencer’s gaze slowly dropped from top to bottom. Then rose again. His gaze, as chilling as a snake’s, seemed to constrict her entire body.
“And travel carefully, my lady.”
Spencer said. Lady Connolly clutched her dress skirts tightly. The message was clear: if she didn’t leave today, he wouldn’t let it slide.
❖ ❖ ❖
The Duke returned during Bert and Adi’s shift change. The court nobles had been in meetings from early morning until late night. When there weren’t meetings, there were long meals. He had dined with the elders, the Privy Council, and the royal family.
Joel, who had followed Yuls, also returned looking exhausted. While the attendants could at least take shifts, the Duke couldn’t escape.
Dimitri brought water to Yuls, who was sprawled exhaustedly on the sofa. It seemed like the first time seeing such an expression on him. While Bert was reporting the day’s events, Adi’s gaze naturally drifted that way. Bert must have noticed, as he shifted his gaze to follow Adi’s. Bert narrowed his eyes.
Given how attentive they were to each other, their relationship couldn’t be bad.
“Your Grace.”
Just then, Billy approached. Yuls opened his eyes. They met Adi’s gaze, who happened to be looking that way. Yuls smiled faintly and said to Dimitri, “Tristan Delbec will come the morning after tomorrow. Prepare to receive him,” as he stood up.
“And we need to call more people from the estate.”
Usually he didn’t participate from start to finish like this, so they hadn’t realized, but doing things formally required more manpower and time than expected.
“Bert, come with me.”
With those words, Yuls moved to the corridor. Adi stood there, watching the people move away.
❖ ❖ ❖
“Having Gavin here would be better. With many people coming from Palesa, his connections there could be useful.”
Billy received the clothes Yuls had removed. Then, wearing a thin chemise, Yuls gathered up his long hair. Billy tied it back. While it would be best to put it up, that might make him look too feminine, so Billy tied it loosely and moved around carefully to avoid disturbing Yuls’s movements and conversation.
“Then shall we leave the mansion’s affairs to Werner?”
“Yes, we’ll have to ask him to endure for a while.”
“I’ll send a letter soon. If there are any other necessary people, I’ll add more.”
“Tell Gavin to bring whoever he thinks appropriate. His judgment can be trusted for such matters.”
Responding affirmatively to Yuls’s words, Dimitri then began, “By the way, Your Grace.”
“Lord Lev Jid visited today.”
Billy, who had been adjusting Yuls’s clothes, stepped back. Yuls also stiffened abruptly. Sensing the chilly atmosphere, Billy moved even further away from Yuls.
“Who came?”
“Lord Lev Jid was here.”
“Why?”
“I’m not sure. He had something to discuss with Adrina, so he took them away.”
Seeing Yuls’s expression harden, Dimitri quickly added.
“I followed them just in case. However, their conversation was over when I arrived, so I don’t know what was discussed.”
Whatever it was, it couldn’t have been good for Adi. Lev’s gaze toward Adi hadn’t been pleasant. Though Adi seemed not to have noticed, Yuls was certain. That look was indeed more than hatred.
“Your Grace, if I may be so bold.”
Dimitri’s words interrupted his train of thought.
“Would it be acceptable for me to teach Adrina court etiquette and noble manners?”
At this rather careful tone, Yuls turned with a questioning look. It wasn’t something he had considered before. Etiquette, huh. While Adrina wasn’t bad as a knight, there was definitely a sense that they didn’t know certain things well. Moreover, since Dimitri was also from Grimaldi, it wouldn’t look good for a family member to act so innocently without knowing anything.
“I already mentioned it to them, but I forgot that I needed your permission. Please forgive my rudeness.”
“Teach them. It will be necessary for court life anyway. Even if not, it’s good to know.”
“Yes. I’ll ensure no one can find fault with them.”
Dimitri said. Rather, it was Billy standing nearby who flinched. Of all people, Dimitri? Thinking of Adi having to learn court etiquette from such a strict person, he felt sympathy.
