Chapter 19
“Getting along” – it was an awkward phrase for Adi. It sounded almost like friendship, something Adi had never experienced. The only close relationship they’d ever had was with their sibling.
Staring into space, unsure how to handle this strange new sensation, Adi ultimately chose to ignore it. Their own feelings weren’t what mattered.
“By the way, I’m curious about something too.”
“Besides the training ground location?”
“You already said you’d tell me about that.”
“What is it?”
“Why exactly…”
Why did Roy Gaillard go to such lengths to be here? They seemed to know each other, but clearly there was some connection Adi wasn’t aware of. It would seem strange to directly ask about his motives.
As Roy waited for Adi’s answer, he turned his gaze away. The inner door opened, and the Duke emerged with Bert. Roy nudged Adi and whispered, “Tell me later.”
“Duke.”
“Sir Roy Gaillard, good work.”
Roy bowed his head. The Duke turned and called out, “Adi.”
“Your Grace.”
“Afternoon schedule is cancelled. We’ll continue yesterday’s work.”
“…”
“You’re joining us too.”
Whether standing still was boring, or examining documents was tedious – if forced to choose between the two, Adi thought reviewing documents might be preferable.
* * *
As shift change approached, Bert Din entered with a grave expression, looking for the Duke. Whatever conversation the two had in the inner room of the reception area remained unknown to Roy. The initial gravity of Bert’s expression suggested something serious. Roy hoped it wasn’t about him.
After leaving Adi Grimaldi and the Duke alone in the reception room, Bert and Roy returned to the knights’ quarters. Though Roy had achieved his desired position, being alone with Bert felt awkward.
Bert Din – hadn’t he once been among Palesa’s finest knights? Though he’d later settled in Woodpecker.
“So, how’s your first time going?”
“Thanks to the Duke’s consideration, I’m managing comfortably.”
“What consideration? He left you standing in the blazing sun.”
Bert clicked his tongue.
“That wasn’t intentional. We were supposed to meet in the reception room, but the Lintuga side prepared it outdoors because of the nice weather.”
“Yes, I heard.”
“I heard you wanted to join the guard.”
“Yes.”
“And Kenneth had no intention of sending you.”
“I don’t think he had any particular motives.”
A transparent lie.
“I believe he sent me, as the newcomer, simply following convention.”
The very fact that Kenneth Marx brought in someone new to the Second Knight Division at this time indicated he had no intention of giving the position to Roy Gaillard. Though Roy had gone to ask Adi, he probably hadn’t really expected to end up here.
Bert found the situation amusing. Perhaps they were finally ready to make their move.
“Fine, let’s set that aside.”
Bert said, taking a seat.
“What’s your goal?”
Bert looked up at the standing Roy. Then he gestured – saying it hurt his neck to look up, so sit down. Roy pulled up a chair and sat across from Bert. Bert leaned forward, resting his arms on the table.
“Reviving your family? Is that what you want?”
“I consider the family’s continuation already secured the moment I reclaimed my name.”
“Then perhaps revenge against those who destroyed your family?”
“…”
“If you sought this position because your enemies align with the Duke’s…”
“Sir, my intentions—”
“You’re welcome.”
This response caught Roy off guard. He’d expected rejection, or dismissal of such impure motives. Seeing Roy hesitate at this unexpected answer, Bert spoke frankly.
“The enemy of my enemy is naturally an ally, isn’t it?”
“Is that enough?”
“Is there a problem?”
“No, but…”
“Then that’s settled. We needed someone anyway.”
It seemed Woodpecker had plans of their own. And if they needed him for those plans, Roy thought he must seize this opportunity.
“If anyone was unexpected, it would be Adi Grimaldi.”
Bert continued.
“It seems Kenneth took Adi Grimaldi into the Second Knight Division specifically because he didn’t want to send you, yet Adi sent you to us anyway?”
Bert tilted his head, puzzled. He couldn’t determine whether Count Grimaldi had changed his mind, or if Adi Grimaldi was acting rebelliously.
“Moreover…”
That suggestion about strengthening the guard – how meaningful.
Was it a warning? Or just casual conversation?
Asking directly wouldn’t likely yield answers. Even if asked to speak frankly, people rarely did. One could only gauge intentions. Such words surely carried some significance.
Adi Grimaldi, or Spencer Grimaldi.
Which of them – and what were they thinking?
There was still time. Watching longer would reveal Grimaldi’s intentions. Bert decided to focus first on Roy Gaillard, who stood before him now.
“So, Sir Roy Gaillard, what plans do you have?”
They needed to consider how to use him, how he should move, and how it would affect Woodpecker.
* * *
It remained completely unclear what the Duke was searching for. The Duke spoke to Adi, who continued rifling through documents.
“I heard you suggested strengthening the guard to Bert.”
Adi looked up. The Duke kept his eyes fixed on the gift list without looking at them.
“Do you know something?”
“No.”
“Then why say such a thing?”
“…Because it seemed too peaceful.”
Yuls questioned, “Peaceful?” Raising his eyes with a puzzled expression, he looked at Adi as if asking for further explanation.
“Because unexpected things tend to happen just when you let your guard down.”
“You think I’m being careless?”
“That wasn’t my intention.”
“I’ll take the advice.”
“I wouldn’t dare to advise—”
“Adi Grimaldi.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Stop arguing and keep searching.”
“…”
Hadn’t he been the one to start talking? At this rate, who knew when they’d find anything. Finally, Adi spoke up, “Your Grace.”
“What?”
“I’m not sure if I should dare to say this, but…”
Adi paused momentarily. If it were Spencer, he wouldn’t have tolerated such words being spoken at all. As Adi wondered whether to maintain silence, Yuls raised his head and looked at them.
“Go ahead.”
Unexpected. Spencer wouldn’t have even acknowledged it.
“At this rate, we’ll never finish. Could you at least tell me what shape the item you’re looking for might have?”
“Mm.”
“…”
Perhaps not so different from Spencer Grimaldi after all? Just as Adi thought they’d spoken out of turn, Yuls spoke again.
“I don’t know either.”
“Pardon?”
“I don’t know what I’m looking for. I just know it’s in my possession.”
“How did you come to know that?”
“A witch told me.”
“A witch?”
“The last witch of Dalkatir.”
So that person they’d visited had been a witch? Adi had thought it was just some fortune-teller. Why would a witch be here…? Though it wasn’t an era of witch hunts anymore, Dalkatir remained dangerous for witches.
“She knows how to break my curse. Not exactly, but still.”
“…Can’t she break the curse herself?”
“Only the witch who cast it can do that.”
“If you know who cast it, then—”
Yuls looked at Adi quietly before answering, “I do know.”
“But she’s dead.”
“…”
“She told me how to break the curse, but it’s impossible, not even worth considering.”
“What do you mean…”
“It’s the classical method.”
If it was the classical method, it would typically involve killing the witch, but if the curse remained even after her death, what other method could there be?
“Receiving a kiss from someone who loves you.”
“…”
“For this child’s body?”
Saying this, Yuls smiled wryly and gestured at his own body. Twenty-six years old, but appearing only half that age.
“Impossible unless you’re a repulsive pedophile.”
“Ah, yes…”
“I hate pedophiles.”
“Yes…”
“So I need to find another way to break my curse.”
So the Duke’s goal was singular? Breaking the curse and maintaining his position? Could there be anything more? Why had Spencer warned about an assassin?
“What about you?”
“Pardon?”
“Your curse?”
Why? For a moment, Adi felt the temperature of Grimaldi. A cold so intense it stung their nose and pained their lungs, nearly stopping their breath.
“My curse lies dead in a grave.”
Instead of visible breath in the cold, only a heavy voice emerged.
“No, perhaps…”
Adrian, this is for you.
“I might be the curse itself.”
