Chapter 15

Adrina doesn’t know why Adrian said that. She feels no guilt for her own existence. Everyone said such things, but she wasn’t close enough to them to be hurt by it. Her memories of Grimaldi are just of cold castle walls and a chilly room, the warmth of Adrian, and the winter when he died.

“Winter was beautiful there. The snow lasted until early spring. Even though it wasn’t an especially cold region, perhaps due to the humid winters, it rained a lot. Often, when the temperature dropped, the rain would turn to snow. When it snowed all night, it would blanket the world like a carpet. The mansion was the same.”

Is the memory so clear because it was beautiful, or…

“I remember the snow field my twin walked through. I followed those footprints.”

Or is it because that’s when you died?

“When Adi died, the white magnolias were blooming. And then it snowed.”

She remembers the snow falling like flower petals. She remembers the long blonde hair that enveloped Adrian. She also remembers the first carriage ride with Spencer Grimaldi. Inside, they discussed what to engrave on Adrian’s tombstone.

In truth, it still doesn’t feel like Adrian has died. But sometimes, she’s overwhelmed by the feeling of having lost her soul.

“You call your sister Adi,” Yuls said, as if finding it strange.

“Aren’t you also called Adi?”

“Yes.”

The same nickname. Usually, twins aren’t given similar names, let alone the same nickname. But these twins seemed to have had similar names.

“Adrian, and what was it?”

“Adrina.”

Indeed, they were both fit to be called Adi.

“But now only I remain,” Adi said. Guilt. It was something she hadn’t considered before. Could it be that Adi had been kind to him out of guilt? Guilt towards a sibling living a different life? If so, if that was really the case, then Adrina too felt a bit of guilt, or something similar.

“If you mean guilt about surviving alone, then yes. I think some of that remains.”

“You must have been especially close.”

“I heard you had siblings too, Your Grace.”

“We weren’t particularly close.”

Yuls’ voice sounded so devoid of even a hint of affection that Adi didn’t say anything more.

“Our family wasn’t very harmonious. We were half-siblings to begin with.”

That was something Adi hadn’t known. While nobles might keep mistresses, usually there was only one wife. Unless it was the royal family. Were the siblings born of mistresses?

“On the surface, only the previous Duke’s wife was known, but my mother was there too.”

It seemed to be the opposite. Adi didn’t know what to say here. Should she offer consolation? Before that, wouldn’t it be disadvantageous if it became known that he was born of a mistress? He had called the marchioness who came before “aunt,” so was his mother a noble?

Whatever the case, the boy in front of her now was the Duke. Whether his mother was a mistress or not wouldn’t affect him. The Duke didn’t seem to consider it a weakness or worry about it particularly.

Adi just said, “I see.” Yuls looked at Adi once with a puzzled expression, as if wondering how he had taken it.

There was nothing particularly strange about the gift list. Adi mentioned a few items that were considered especially precious, even by his standards, but the Duke said he had enough of such things to trip over.

Adi closed her mouth. At this point, she wondered if the Duke’s wealth might rival that of the king. Some jewels were difficult for even nobles to acquire.

Well, isn’t the lord of the oak forest called the Woodpecker King? Oak is said to symbolize prosperity. Adi couldn’t even imagine what the Woodpecker domain might be like. It surely couldn’t be compared to a small place like Grimaldi.

When it was nearly sunset, Bert returned. His face looked refreshed, as if he had slept well. Bert quickly grabbed some of the snacks that the servant had prepared but no one had eaten, and said to Adi, “That knight you mentioned isn’t bad, huh?”

Though he was quite rude to Adi, Adi simply replied, “Is that so?” Yuls looked at their conversation with an expression that seemed to ask who they were talking about.

“We’re planning to increase the guards, Your Grace. Two is a bit difficult after all.”

“Oh? I heard there was no one available from the 2nd Knight Division right now.”

“It seems someone’s time has been freed up. Here are the documents I investigated.”

Yuls received the documents and set them down. Adi thought about what would happen if they got mixed up with the gift list, but she didn’t open her mouth unnecessarily.

“Who’s the new knight we’re adding?”

“Roy Gaillard.”

“Gaillard, I’ve heard that name before.”

“He’s from the south…”

“Ah, that Gaillard.”

It seemed there was something more to it. Adi didn’t know much about southern affairs. Not that she knew much about northern affairs either.

“His skills must be guaranteed then.”

After saying this, Yuls turned to Adi and asked, “Are you well acquainted?”

“No, I only know his face.”

“Is that so?”

His expression seemed to ask how Adi had recommended him then. Adi couldn’t bring herself to say that Roy had come to her demanding his position back. Whatever the case, they were short on people, and there was someone willing, so it seemed appropriate.

Yuls looked meaningfully at Adi, who couldn’t answer, but soon lost interest and turned his head. He gestured to Bert. From their whispering voices and hand movements, Adi realized they didn’t want her to know about the situation.

It was time for him to leave. Besides, he wanted to get away from those gift lists.

“If Your Grace permits, while Sir Bert Din is here, I’ll take a brief look around the surroundings.”

Saying this, Adi stood up, picked up her sword, and fastened it to her waist. Yuls nodded, allowing her to go. Adi bowed slightly at the waist and left the reception room, closing the door behind her.

Watching Adi leave, Bert said, “He’s more perceptive than I thought.” Yuls agreed. But the man was a Grimaldi.

“It would have been better if he was just a simple knight.”

“The Grimaldi name does make things complicated. But what’s puzzling is why the 2nd Knight Division assigned Adi.”

“They probably didn’t know he was useful.”

“Well, his reputation in the 3rd Knight Division must have been quite bad.”

The dog of Palesa Palace, you mean.

“He did seem rather dog-like.”

“Did he act like a dog?”

“No, more like a puppy or a loyal dog.”

He did have that kind of… dog-like feeling. He looked like an overly gentle puppy. It’s puzzling how someone like that survived in the 3rd Knight Division, or rather, how he earned the nickname “dog.”

“Anyway, tell me about Roy Gaillard. I thought that family was finished.”

“I heard he was taken in as a godson by his mother’s side, a count’s family. He used their surname, but as soon as he came of age, he reclaimed his original name.”

“And the royal family allowed that?”

“That’s why he must be at Palesa Palace.”

“They’re not usually that generous.”

Yuls said. Like most nobles, the king’s position is also one that faces many threats. Aren’t kings the ones who suspect everything, distrust everyone, and only stick together with their own kind? That’s why they can’t gain the support of the lords and can barely maintain their mediocre thrones.

“True. He was originally scheduled to be assigned as Your Grace’s guard knight. While he was resting due to an injury, Adi Grimaldi came instead.”

“And now Adi Grimaldi has recommended Roy Gaillard, is that right?”

Yuls flipped through the documents containing information about Roy Gaillard. There was a record of who he had guarded so far, but before Yuls arrived, he hadn’t guarded anyone in particular.

This meant the injury must have been sustained during training. They don’t usually give knights the kind of training that could result in injury right before they’re sent out to guard.

“Strange, isn’t it?”

It almost seemed as if someone was trying to prevent Roy Gaillard from meeting him.

“It is strange. The fact that Roy Gaillard and Adi Grimaldi know each other is strange in itself. They…”

Yuls cut off Bert’s words with, “Let it be for now.” He didn’t seem interested in hearing more.

“Then what will you do about Gaillard?”

“If someone’s available, we should use them as a guard.”

“I’ll inform the captain of the 2nd Knight Division.”

Having said this, Bert thought he should find out how Roy and Adi had come to know each other. First, he would ask them when they arrived, and if they didn’t answer, he would have to investigate discreetly. After all, there was no place in this palace beyond the reach of watchful eyes.

If they had decided to bring in Roy Gaillard, it would be best to do it quickly. Before someone else took him.

Bert bowed his head to Yuls and went outside. Yuls skimmed through the documents Bert had brought again. The servant discarded the cold tea and poured fresh tea. Yuls smiled.

“So even Gaillard has come.”

He didn’t look particularly pleased, but he didn’t seem to view the current situation negatively either.

“This should be interesting.”

Adrina doesn’t know why Adrian said that. She feels no guilt for her own existence. Everyone said such things, but she wasn’t close enough to them to be hurt by it. Her memories of Grimaldi are just of cold castle walls and a chilly room, the warmth of Adrian, and the winter when he died.

“Winter was beautiful there. The snow lasted until early spring. Even though it wasn’t an especially cold region, perhaps due to the humid winters, it rained a lot. Often, when the temperature dropped, the rain would turn to snow. When it snowed all night, it would blanket the world like a carpet. The mansion was the same.”

Is the memory so clear because it was beautiful, or…

“I remember the snow field my twin walked through. I followed those footprints.”

Or is it because that’s when you died?

“When Adi died, the white magnolias were blooming. And then it snowed.”

She remembers the snow falling like flower petals. She remembers the long blonde hair that enveloped Adrian. She also remembers the first carriage ride with Spencer Grimaldi. Inside, they discussed what to engrave on Adrian’s tombstone.

In truth, it still doesn’t feel like Adrian has died. But sometimes, she’s overwhelmed by the feeling of having lost her soul.

“You call your sister Adi,” Yuls said, as if finding it strange.

“Aren’t you also called Adi?”

“Yes.”

The same nickname. Usually, twins aren’t given similar names, let alone the same nickname. But these twins seemed to have had similar names.

“Adrian, and what was it?”

“Adrina.”

Indeed, they were both fit to be called Adi.

“But now only I remain,” Adi said. Guilt. It was something she hadn’t considered before. Could it be that Adi had been kind to him out of guilt? Guilt towards a sibling living a different life? If so, if that was really the case, then Adrina too felt a bit of guilt, or something similar.

“If you mean guilt about surviving alone, then yes. I think some of that remains.”

“You must have been especially close.”

“I heard you had siblings too, Your Grace.”

“We weren’t particularly close.”

Yuls’ voice sounded so devoid of even a hint of affection that Adi didn’t say anything more.

“Our family wasn’t very harmonious. We were half-siblings to begin with.”

That was something Adi hadn’t known. While nobles might keep mistresses, usually there was only one wife. Unless it was the royal family. Were the siblings born of mistresses?

“On the surface, only the previous Duke’s wife was known, but my mother was there too.”

It seemed to be the opposite. Adi didn’t know what to say here. Should she offer consolation? Before that, wouldn’t it be disadvantageous if it became known that he was born of a mistress? He had called the marchioness who came before “aunt,” so was his mother a noble?

Whatever the case, the boy in front of her now was the Duke. Whether his mother was a mistress or not wouldn’t affect him. The Duke didn’t seem to consider it a weakness or worry about it particularly.

Adi just said, “I see.” Yuls looked at Adi once with a puzzled expression, as if wondering how he had taken it.

There was nothing particularly strange about the gift list. Adi mentioned a few items that were considered especially precious, even by his standards, but the Duke said he had enough of such things to trip over.

Adi closed her mouth. At this point, she wondered if the Duke’s wealth might rival that of the king. Some jewels were difficult for even nobles to acquire.

Well, isn’t the lord of the oak forest called the Woodpecker King? Oak is said to symbolize prosperity. Adi couldn’t even imagine what the Woodpecker domain might be like. It surely couldn’t be compared to a small place like Grimaldi.

When it was nearly sunset, Bert returned. His face looked refreshed, as if he had slept well. Bert quickly grabbed some of the snacks that the servant had prepared but no one had eaten, and said to Adi, “That knight you mentioned isn’t bad, huh?”

Though he was quite rude to Adi, Adi simply replied, “Is that so?” Yuls looked at their conversation with an expression that seemed to ask who they were talking about.

“We’re planning to increase the guards, Your Grace. Two is a bit difficult after all.”

“Oh? I heard there was no one available from the 2nd Knight Division right now.”

“It seems someone’s time has been freed up. Here are the documents I investigated.”

Yuls received the documents and set them down. Adi thought about what would happen if they got mixed up with the gift list, but she didn’t open her mouth unnecessarily.

“Who’s the new knight we’re adding?”

“Roy Gaillard.”

“Gaillard, I’ve heard that name before.”

“He’s from the south…”

“Ah, that Gaillard.”

It seemed there was something more to it. Adi didn’t know much about southern affairs. Not that she knew much about northern affairs either.

“His skills must be guaranteed then.”

After saying this, Yuls turned to Adi and asked, “Are you well acquainted?”

“No, I only know his face.”

“Is that so?”

His expression seemed to ask how Adi had recommended him then. Adi couldn’t bring herself to say that Roy had come to her demanding his position back. Whatever the case, they were short on people, and there was someone willing, so it seemed appropriate.

Yuls looked meaningfully at Adi, who couldn’t answer, but soon lost interest and turned his head. He gestured to Bert. From their whispering voices and hand movements, Adi realized they didn’t want her to know about the situation.

It was time for him to leave. Besides, he wanted to get away from those gift lists.

“If Your Grace permits, while Sir Bert Din is here, I’ll take a brief look around the surroundings.”

Saying this, Adi stood up, picked up her sword, and fastened it to her waist. Yuls nodded, allowing her to go. Adi bowed slightly at the waist and left the reception room, closing the door behind her.

Watching Adi leave, Bert said, “He’s more perceptive than I thought.” Yuls agreed. But the man was a Grimaldi.

“It would have been better if he was just a simple knight.”

“The Grimaldi name does make things complicated. But what’s puzzling is why the 2nd Knight Division assigned Adi.”

“They probably didn’t know he was useful.”

“Well, his reputation in the 3rd Knight Division must have been quite bad.”

The dog of Palesa Palace, you mean.

“He did seem rather dog-like.”

“Did he act like a dog?”

“No, more like a puppy or a loyal dog.”

He did have that kind of… dog-like feeling. He looked like an overly gentle puppy. It’s puzzling how someone like that survived in the 3rd Knight Division, or rather, how he earned the nickname “dog.”

“Anyway, tell me about Roy Gaillard. I thought that family was finished.”

“I heard he was taken in as a godson by his mother’s side, a count’s family. He used their surname, but as soon as he came of age, he reclaimed his original name.”

“And the royal family allowed that?”

“That’s why he must be at Palesa Palace.”

“They’re not usually that generous.”

Yuls said. Like most nobles, the king’s position is also one that faces many threats. Aren’t kings the ones who suspect everything, distrust everyone, and only stick together with their own kind? That’s why they can’t gain the support of the lords and can barely maintain their mediocre thrones.

“True. He was originally scheduled to be assigned as Your Grace’s guard knight. While he was resting due to an injury, Adi Grimaldi came instead.”

“And now Adi Grimaldi has recommended Roy Gaillard, is that right?”

Yuls flipped through the documents containing information about Roy Gaillard. There was a record of who he had guarded so far, but before Yuls arrived, he hadn’t guarded anyone in particular.

This meant the injury must have been sustained during training. They don’t usually give knights the kind of training that could result in injury right before they’re sent out to guard.

“Strange, isn’t it?”

It almost seemed as if someone was trying to prevent Roy Gaillard from meeting him.

“It is strange. The fact that Roy Gaillard and Adi Grimaldi know each other is strange in itself. They…”

Yuls cut off Bert’s words with, “Let it be for now.” He didn’t seem interested in hearing more.

“Then what will you do about Gaillard?”

“If someone’s available, we should use them as a guard.”

“I’ll inform the captain of the 2nd Knight Division.”

Having said this, Bert thought he should find out how Roy and Adi had come to know each other. First, he would ask them when they arrived, and if they didn’t answer, he would have to investigate discreetly. After all, there was no place in this palace beyond the reach of watchful eyes.

If they had decided to bring in Roy Gaillard, it would be best to do it quickly. Before someone else took him.

Bert bowed his head to Yuls and went outside. Yuls skimmed through the documents Bert had brought again. The servant discarded the cold tea and poured fresh tea. Yuls smiled.

“So even Gaillard has come.”

He didn’t look particularly pleased, but he didn’t seem to view the current situation negatively either.

“This should be interesting.”