Chapter 21
The Duke still hadn’t found what he was looking for. Adi had spent four days examining documents with him. Wondering if today would be the same, Adi had breakfast with Bert, who had just finished the early morning shift.
“Afternoon duty?”
“Yes. I have something to do briefly, so I’d appreciate it if we could switch times.”
It didn’t seem like they’d gained trust yet. Night duty was difficult. As the most senior, Bert should be able to choose his preferred time slot. Had he chosen between Roy and Adi based on who he trusted more?
“Yes, understood.”
“Not going to ask why?”
“Would you tell me?”
“If you asked.”
“If it’s something I need to know, please tell me.”
“No need for that.”
“Starting today?”
“Yes.”
“Understood.”
Really, not a single question. Though it was more comfortable than needlessly prying, the downside was not knowing what they were thinking.
“How’s the work?”
“Good.”
“Anything special happening? Have you had more free time since Roy arrived?”
“…”
When Adi didn’t answer, Bert reacted. Perhaps they weren’t getting along as well as expected. Could Adi have discovered they were being watched? It shouldn’t have been that easy to notice.
They didn’t spend much time together to begin with. But sharing quarters meant Roy would easily notice if Adi Grimaldi moved secretly. And likewise, Adi would easily notice Roy’s movements.
“Is there some problem?”
“No, no problems.”
After saying this, Adi hesitated before continuing.
“He just talks a lot. Yes, he talks excessively. Very much so.”
“…Is that a serious issue?”
“No, it’s bearable.”
It sounded more like it was unbearable. Was he really that talkative? Bert wasn’t sure. Being his superior, Roy probably wouldn’t speak casually to him. If getting too close was Roy’s goal, Bert didn’t need to interfere.
“Well, get some rest after eating. Take a nap too. You’ll need strength for night duty.”
“Yes.”
After saying this, Adi buttered their remaining bread. They really did eat well. Envying the young person’s appetite, Bert rose from his seat first.
* * *
No letters had arrived today. It was strange, as one should have come by now. As Roy had suggested, had their actions disturbed the Count? Adi sent letters as usual, containing nothing suspicious to outside eyes.
Since evening duty meant staying up all night, and training would make proper guard duty impossible, they skipped exercise. Bert was talking with servants in the knights’ lounge. Sensing they weren’t wanted in the conversation, Adi quickly returned to their room.
Through the window, people could be seen having picnics in the sunlight. The Duke wasn’t there. At this hour, he usually received people in the reception room or reviewed documents.
What was curious, though, was that Bert had left separately from the Duke. Adi had seen him leave right after changing shifts. He had selected a horse from the stable, appearing ready to go out.
“I switched with Bert.”
Roy said.
“I know. That’s why I’m having tea with you. Having tea together as a routine – what are we, young ladies?”
“It’s a Southern custom. And what’s wrong with having tea together? I always had tea time with Bert.”
Seeing Roy grumble about how uncomfortable it must have been for Bert before they became close, Adi asked, “Did you?”
“Didn’t you?”
“With just the two of us changing shifts, where would we find the time? We barely managed to eat breakfast together.”
“Night duty. As long as you stay alert while standing, there’s not much else to do.”
Hearing Roy’s envious tone, Adi said, “If you want it so badly, you do it.” Their shifts wouldn’t change according to their wishes. Besides, night duty was tiring even when doing nothing.
“What are you doing after tea?”
“Just staying in my room.”
“Want to go out for a bit? The palace must be boring.”
“Need to rest if I’m staying up all night.”
“Then want to go out tomorrow?”
“Are you obsessed with playing around?”
“Not obsessed, but you should enjoy life a little. Live a little, man. Have some of this too.”
“Why do Southerners always push food on people?”
Both Bert and Roy were like that. Even the Duke offered Adi snacks while reviewing documents together.
“Do we? Food is what you have left. Though Palesa’s food isn’t great, it’s better than other places. It is a palace after all.”
“Is Southern food tasty?”
“Compared to here, of course.”
“Grimaldi’s food isn’t good.”
“…Wasn’t expecting it to be.”
What was there to see in Grimaldi anyway? If there had been anything worth seeing or eating, Spencer Grimaldi probably wouldn’t have had to work his way up from the bottom of the knight division.
Either way, Roy thought it would be better to take Adi out as much as possible. Currently, he couldn’t tell who might be approaching Adi. People would more easily attach themselves outside rather than in the enclosed palace. Here, they only had letters, which couldn’t be stolen.
Even if Bert watched during the day, he couldn’t focus entirely on Adi while needing sleep himself. With the upcoming schedule change, Roy would be on duty while Adi slept, and they’d share the remaining time, making it easier to track who approached.
“Anyway, let’s get along well.”
Because you’re my tool for promotion, Roy thought.
If he could gain something here and earn the Duke’s trust…
“The festival’s coming up soon, want to go?”
“Too bothersome.”
But they seemed less inclined to go out than expected.
* * *
After taking a nap and moving around a bit, Adi had dinner with Roy. Roy talked a lot. He chattered about something all evening. Adi let the talk about what the royal family would do during the May Festival go in one ear and out the other.
After dinner, while playing chess with Roy in the lounge, Bert entered. He wore an overcoat, suggesting he’d been out. He smiled at their glances before entering his room, changing clothes, and coming out again. He seemed to be heading to the reception room where the Duke was.
“Must have really been external business.”
Adi nodded at Roy’s words.
“Isn’t your shift soon?”
Adi checked the time. Nearly six hours – even with minimal travel time, that meant over five hours of external activity. Was it an errand for the Duke?
“Hey, time’s passing. Going to move?”
“Checkmate.”
“…”
Roy stared at the chessboard in disbelief. The king that had seemed secure was now dead – he couldn’t figure out how they had infiltrated his defenses. Seeing his devastated expression, Adi said, “You’re weak on diagonals,” while standing up.
“When did this happen?”
“From the beginning. Now tomorrow’s outing is cancelled.”
“Wait, who decides a match with just one game? Let’s play two more.”
“Need to prepare for duty.”
At those words, Roy raised both hands in surrender, though inwardly deciding he’d definitely find a way to take them out next time, wondering if he should change activities. While he was considering this, Adi entered their room. Roy stared at the door for a moment before tidying up the chess pieces.
Adi changed into their uniform and took out their sword. Though they maintained it daily, they needed to check it once more before work to feel at ease.
After carefully examining the sword, Adi secured it at their waist, concealed two daggers on their person, and fixed a medium sword beside the long sword. Then they looked at Adrian’s portrait in its frame.
Their sibling, who would be remembered forever in that beautiful form.
“I’m heading out, Adi.”
Lately, it felt distant.
Entering the reception room, they saw Bert. He raised his hand lightly in greeting, saying, “You’re here?”
“Yes. Anything else I should pay attention to?”
“Not really. He’ll work until bedtime anyway. Just turn off the lights when he falls asleep.”
Saying this, he guided Adi. Within the residence, Adi had only been to the reception room and library. Though the Duke used several other rooms, they had never been to his bedroom.
The residence had several bedrooms, and it was impossible to know which one the Duke used. According to Roy, nobles and royalty didn’t use fixed bedrooms but rotated between several rooms.
Bert asked a servant,
“Which room is he staying in today?”
The Duke seemed to be that type too.
“I’ll guide you. Sir Adrian Grimaldi is standing guard tonight, correct?”
“Yes. That’s how it will be for a while.”
Bert answered. Following the servant’s lead, Adi asked Bert in a low voice,
“Will he work from bed?”
“Of course. It’s a busy season, being spring.”
“If he’d come in winter, he could have rested more comfortably.”
“Winter in Palesa? I’d rather not freeze to death.”
“…”
Coming from Grimaldi, Adi didn’t think Palesa’s winters were cold at all.
Soon the servant opened a door, saying the Duke would use this bedroom for now. Bert remained still, watching Adi. Adi stepped inside the room.
