Chapter 11
There were three cursed individuals in the Kingdom of Dalkatir. However, only Yuls Woodpecker bore a true curse. At least, that’s what the witch said.
Yuls had wanted to meet the other cursed ones, but the witch had responded quizzically:
‘They aren’t really cursed, you know?’
So, Adi Grimaldi didn’t have a curse at all. Her twin sister probably just had bad luck and died early. Adrian himself had been sickly and frail, but now he was fine. If he was truly meant to die from a curse, it should have been the boy, not the girl.
“How have you been?”
“The same as always.”
“So, not well. I’ve been doing fine.”
Yuls didn’t care about the witch’s well-being.
“Would you like some tea?”
“No need.”
Yuls replied. The witch sipped her own tea as if she had expected this answer. She didn’t have a cup for Yuls to begin with.
“So, will you ask the same thing today?”
“Yes.”
“At this point, why don’t you just live with it? It’s not such a terrible curse, is it?”
Yuls stared at the witch in response to her words. The witch, who had a youthful appearance like him, looked puzzled.
“People have such misconceptions about witches. Actually…”
“Dorothy.”
“Alright. You want to know how to break the curse. If a prince on a white horse kisses you—”
“Dorothy.”
A prince on a white horse? Even if this country had several princes and royal white horses, he’d pass on that nonsense. Besides, it was baseless that such a kiss would break the curse. She was mocking him. Just like when they were younger.
Though her appearance hadn’t changed, it didn’t mean she hadn’t matured. She was still mischievous and playful. …Perhaps witches grew according to their appearance?
“Three gold coins.”
The witch said.
“One.”
“I need three. The ingredients are expensive.”
“You’re just buying them.”
“There’s an import tax. Why don’t you negotiate a free trade agreement with the Northern Continent? What good is being a duke if you can’t do that?”
“I only deal with the South.”
“But you’re still a duke.”
“And you go buy them yourself.”
“…True. Considering the ship fare, travel expenses, and time, even three gold coins is a loss.”
“One. Your divinations always just tell me to wait.”
“It might be different this time.”
“If it is, I’ll give you three.”
“Deal.”
With that, the witch brought out a large fish tank from behind her.
“It’s probably the same divination as always anyway.”
She seemed to know it too. Water slowly began to fill the empty tank. The witch took out a red bottle from her robe, opened it, and dropped the ink inside into the water.
“Blue magnolia, secret plum.”
The ink slowly spread.
“Lady’s key, sea dew.”
The phrases the witch recited sounded like a song. Like a hymn to a god. But I heard witches didn’t have gods.
“The bitter and finicky night shade of summer.”
Yuls couldn’t discern anything from the fish tank. Just spreading ink. But perhaps it looked different to witches.
“Duke, what you’re looking for…”
The witch paused mid-sentence. Yuls looked at her, noticing the unusual reaction. The witch herself looked a bit surprised.
Could it be different this time? The witch smiled at Yuls, who was looking at her with expectant eyes.
“It will come soon.”
“…Sounds like a one gold coin reading.”
Yuls said, taking out a single gold coin.
“No, you need to give me three.”
The witch said. She had already picked up the coin. Extending her other hand to Yuls, she wiggled her fingers and said, “You’ll know within a week.”
“A week?”
“What you desire is already by your side. But it will take about a week for you to realize it.”
Yuls placed two more gold coins on the table.
“However, understanding the reason and method will take more time.”
The witch continued, pocketing the coins.
“Congratulations, Your Grace.”
Finally obtaining what you’ve been seeking for so long…
“You won’t need to come here anymore. I can leave Dalkatir with peace of mind.”
“Is that true?”
“You know I’ve never lied to you.”
“Where will you go?”
“The Northern Continent.”
“Where in the Northern Continent?”
“Probably Lamels.”
“Dorothy of Lamels. It’s not a common name there, so you’ll be easy to find.”
“It might be difficult. I could change my name, you know.”
“Isn’t a name precious to a witch?”
“Of course it is. The first name, at least.”
It seemed the name he knew wasn’t the witch’s real name. It didn’t matter either way. If the witch was right, it meant that something to break the curse was nearby. As Yuls stood up, the witch said:
“I’ll clear out this place and leave within four days, Your Grace.”
Yuls gave her a look. Four days was too short.
“If anything happens, come see me before then.”
She spoke as if she was certain something would happen. Was it a guarantee, or was it another kind of curse? They said that words from a witch’s mouth would come true. That’s why during the witch hunts, people feared witches opening their mouths.
Yuls left without answering. The witch, having been with him for so long, knew that his silence was another form of response.
Yuls Woodpecker came out earlier than expected. Had it been about 10 minutes since he went in? When Adi checked her watch, about 20 minutes had passed.
Putting away her watch, Adi approached the duke as he came out. There was dust in his hair. Adi wondered if it had been dirty inside. She thought about whether she dared to touch the duke’s head.
“Have you finished your business?”
Yuls looked up at Adi. In the sunlight, his golden-brown hair seemed to shine a lighter color. The white clothes he was wearing reminded Yuls of the prince on a white horse the witch had mentioned, though he had neither a white horse nor was he a prince—just a knight.
“Yes, it’s done.”
“Do you have any other places to visit?”
“No. Let’s return to the palace.”
“Understood.”
Adi replied, approaching the carriage and opening the door. She stood still, afraid that offering her hand to help the duke up might anger him. As Yuls stepped onto the carriage steps, Adi said, “Your Grace.” Yuls turned his gaze while standing in the carriage.
“Pardon me for a moment.”
Adi reached out to Yuls’ head. Standing on the carriage, Yuls was now taller than him. The white dust was more visible on his red hair. There were even cobwebs…
After removing everything from his hair, Adi extended her hand and said, “There was dust on you.” Yuls watched silently as Adi then dusted off her own hands before entering the carriage.
Adi followed him into the carriage. As the door closed, Adi asked the coachman through the window to return to the palace. Yuls Woodpecker’s gaze fixed on Adi.
Despite feeling the gaze, Adi didn’t ask why. Yuls also didn’t question Adi about anything.
* * *
Yuls followed the servants who came to escort him to change clothes. Adi didn’t need to go that far inside and stood in the reception room, the outermost part of the residence. Bert came out from behind the door Yuls had entered.
“How was it?”
“Have you already finished sleeping?”
Bert yawned and said no to Adi’s question. He explained that he had gone out for other business. Adi told him to rest more, as it was her shift to guard now anyway.
“So, how was the outing?”
“Nothing happened.”
“I know nothing happened.”
Bert knew there wouldn’t be any incidents since it was a place Yuls always visited. However, Yuls’ expression upon returning today was different from usual. Though he remained silent when asked if anything had happened, something had changed.
“Then what are you asking?”
It didn’t seem like anything had happened with Adi Grimaldi.
“You didn’t go inside with him, right?”
“No.”
Hearing the unhesitating answer, Bert thought that something must have happened with that witch. However, he couldn’t be sure if Yuls would tell him about it.
“Adi.”
“Yes.”
“…Ah, nevermind. I’ll see you in the evening.”
Saying this, Bert checked the time. He said it would be perfect if he could sleep for three or four more hours, and Adi nodded.
Soon, Yuls came out with the servants. He glanced briefly at Bert and Adi before sitting on the reception room sofa with a neutral expression. A servant handed him some documents. Whether they were about his territory or other matters was unclear. Adi didn’t question it, and Bert left.
After glancing at Yuls and the servants, Adi moved to stand by the window. At her movement, one servant moved to stand by the door. Laughter could be heard through the open window. Adi, who had always been with the outer palace knights, hadn’t known that the inner palace was so beautiful and filled with constant laughter.
The stimulated hearing felt strange and surreal. Then he felt a gaze on him as well. The young duke was looking at her. Adi looked back. The duke turned his gaze away first. Adi continued to stare at the duke as he worked, not averting her eyes. He, too, seemed surreal.
