Chapter 13
Roy Gaillard had also heard rumors about Adi Grimaldi. They said he had a pretty face but went around beating up all sorts of guys. He heard Adi was transferred to the 2nd Knight Division because he had caused some trouble. But why would they send a troublemaker to the 2nd Knight Division instead of kicking him out?
Even if they only looked at faces and skills, this guy seemed like a real bastard.
“Roy.”
“What?”
“If you don’t want to kneel and beg, you can crawl between my legs instead.”
“Will you change it if I do that?”
“No.”
“……”
Then why make such a suggestion? Roy, at a loss for words, looked down at Adi. He looked even more feminine and weak than expected. Roy couldn’t understand where the rumors about him being a dog came from, but having heard that Adi had crushed someone’s testicles, he wanted to keep his distance.
“To be honest, I might consider it.”
“Consider what honestly?”
“It doesn’t seem like you wanted Woodpecker just to get a good lord.”
“…What does that mean?”
“It means exactly what I said.”
Maybe, just maybe. Could someone have told Adi to approach Duke Woodpecker, like they did with Roy?
—But thinking about it, even if someone had told him to do so, it wouldn’t have mattered to Adi. Or would it? Either way, Adi also thought it was better to be by Duke Woodpecker’s side. For now, at least.
Somehow, it felt like the conversation would drag on if she stayed here. Adi looked Roy up and down. Roy flinched noticeably when Adi’s gaze reached his lower body, but the reason was unclear.
“I should head to the Duke’s residence now.”
Roy opened his mouth to speak, then closed it. He seemed to have something to say.
“If you’re not going to sleep in my quarters, why don’t you leave too?”
Instead of answering, Roy turned his gaze to the side. The room, lit only by a single candle, was pitch dark. Roy’s gaze fell on a small framed portrait.
“Is that your sibling?”
Adi’s gaze followed in the same direction. It was a portrait of Adrian and herself. They could be distinguished by the length of their hair. That long hair would now be in Adrian’s grave.
“They look pretty.”
“……”
“I heard they died from a curse.”
Adi glared at Roy.
“You’re cursed too, aren’t you?”
After saying this, Roy patted Adi’s shoulder and moved towards the door.
“Cursed people sticking together. How nice.”
The sound of the door opening and closing could be heard. Judging by his words, he didn’t seem to have any fondness for Duke Woodpecker. But loyalty to one’s lord in times like these? Knights these days go wherever they’re offered more money and better treatment.
“Roy Gaillard.”
Maybe I should look into him, Adi thought. But he didn’t know who to ask. Perhaps he could visit the 3rd Knight Division tomorrow evening. He didn’t think he’d be welcomed there, but regardless, it was time to head to the residence.
On the way into the inner palace, she went through an identity check. The night guard seemed to be more strict than during the day, verifying both her knight status and assignment papers. Having been delayed longer than expected, Adi walked quickly. As soon as the residence came into view, she slowed her pace to catch her breath.
The knight quarters in the Duke’s residence were conveniently located right across from where the Duke stayed, making it easy to guard. There were four rooms available for knights. Bert used one, and Adi used another for sleeping. Like Adi, Bert didn’t keep many belongings here.
Come to think of it, it might be difficult for just two people to guard for a full day. Why hadn’t they brought more guard knights? And why hadn’t they requested more?
Adi quickly dismissed these questions. They were pointless.
There was no sign of Bert. He had chosen the farthest room, and at night, Bert would have gone to stand guard. Although asking the Duke directly was daunting, Adi considered asking Bert once. Soon, however, she closed her eyes, overcome by drowsiness.
* * *
My mother had tried to kill me when I was born.
She placed the child who couldn’t even roll over properly face down. A wet nurse barely managed to save the baby, only for it to be snatched away and thrown to the floor. Whether fortunate or unfortunate, there was no physical damage, and the head was unharmed.
It was the Count who stopped the crying Lady Grimaldi, who insisted that one of the twins should die. Did Father know? That Adi might die early? Was that why he kept her as a spare?
Or did he think he should have killed her then?
It’s impossible to know what emotions they felt.
All Adrina remembers is the faces of people crying, clinging to the tree before the headstone was erected, sprawled on the still-damp black soil in front of Adrian’s grave, and the seemingly indifferent face of the Count. The Count, looking at the equally indifferent-seeming Adrina.
—Looking.
What thoughts went through that person’s mind?
Strangely, that image comes to mind. The snow-covered fields outside the carriage window and Adrian’s exposed grave.
The lady wailing, asking why you didn’t die instead. And Adrian’s bluish hand peeking through the soil.
“Ah.”
A nightmare.
Whenever she had this dream, bad things tended to happen.
Adi opened her eyes and roughly ran her hand through her hair. Checking the clock on the bedside table, she saw it was almost morning. She had woken up late enough to barely have time to rub the sleep from her eyes before heading out. She could hear stirring from all directions.
Adi quickly got up and prepared. It was time to switch with Bert.
As she was about to knock on the reception room door, it opened. It was Bert. Seeing his somewhat tired face, Adi asked, “Were there any problems during the night?” Bert replied that nothing ever happens at night.
“You don’t look like you slept well?”
“I had an unpleasant dream.”
Most of the dreams Adi remembered were about Adrian. It had been a while since she’d dreamed about her mother. Days like this weren’t good. Back when she was in the 3rd Knight Division, hse would avoid going out on days like this if possible. But now, that wasn’t an option.
“Sir Bert Din.”
“What is it, Sir Adrian Grimaldi?”
“May I ask you a question?”
“What?”
“Don’t you think it’s rather harsh for just two people to guard His Grace the Duke all day long?”
“You’re just now mentioning this?”
“……”
“Two people is tough.”
“Have you always guarded with just two people?”
“No, there were three of us. But the guard knight who was supposed to come with us got injured.”
“……”
“Why, do you have someone to recommend?”
“Well…”
“If you do, tell me. I’ve been asking from the beginning, remember? If there were any good knights.”
Adi hadn’t realized that’s what Bert meant. She didn’t have any close acquaintances to begin with, and if they needed to bring a guard, shouldn’t they select from the 2nd Knight Division? She hadn’t had time to build relationships since she was assigned immediately upon arrival, and the 2nd and 3rd Knight Divisions weren’t particularly close.
“If you know someone good, bring them along.”
“I don’t know anyone well yet.”
“You were going to recommend someone you don’t know?”
“I just… heard some talk.”
“What’s the name?”
“Roy.”
“You need to give the full name.”
Adi hesitated for a moment. What was the surname again? Ga, Ga…
“Gayarto.”
“Roy Gaillard?”
“Yes, Gaillard.”
“Why don’t you check on him?”
Bert said. Adi wondered if Bert had been checked on like this when he was assigned as a guard. Bert yawned, rotating his head in a circle.
“Ah, today’s duty will be easy. His Grace is likely to take a nap. He’s sleeping now, which is why I came out.”
“A nap?”
“He has his reasons.”
“I see.”
“You don’t seem to have anything special to do, so why don’t you come along and help out with some work?”
“What kind of work?”
“Checking the gift list.”
“Gift list?”
“Yes. There’s something His Grace wants on it.”
“What is it?”
“Don’t know.”
“…Pardon?”
“I don’t know what it is. But His Grace will definitely recognize it as his when he sees it.”
Then what’s the point of someone else looking at it, Adi thought. If only the Duke can identify it when he sees it. Or could it be a jewel or some other precious item? Maybe a magical artifact?
“Understood.”
Adi replied. Bert patted Adi’s shoulder a couple of times before heading off in a direction other than the quarters. Adi watched Bert walk down the corridor before entering the reception room.
Expecting to find Yuls reading the newspaper as usual, Adi instead found him lying on his side on the sofa, fast asleep. He didn’t stir even with the breeze from the door opening, snoring softly. He looked like a young child who needed protection. Well, he did look like a child.
A butterfly had flown in through the window, fluttering around and now hovering near Yuls. As if drawn by the scent of flowers, it landed on Yuls’ cheek. Adi pondered what to do about the butterfly.
It felt like looking at a princess from somewhere.
Perhaps it was because he looked so boyish and lacked any masculine features. Compared to the beasts of the 3rd Knight Division, it was understandable to think of him as a princess. Well, not a princess but a duke.
Adi approached Yuls quietly. As she carefully raised her hand to catch the butterfly on Yuls’ cheek, Yuls, perhaps sensing a presence, furrowed his brow before opening his eyes. At that moment, the butterfly flew away. Adi reached out and snatched the fleeing butterfly from the air.
Seeing the hand flash before his eyes, Yuls frowned. His furrowed brow showed his displeasure. Regardless, they were very close. Adi had thought Yuls’ eyes were brown, but they seemed closer to red. A color similar to his hair, like a burning flame.
Yet strangely, they felt cold and stern.
“What are you doing?”
Yuls spoke.
