Chapter 22
The Duke sat on the bed in his nightwear. On top of the blanket were stacks of papers, an ink bottle, and a pen. The bottle seemed precariously placed. Adi looked around but finding nothing suitable, opened the door. Yuls looked at Adi quizzically.
Adi requested a tray from the servant outside. Hearing that the ink might spill on the blanket, the servant quickly brought one. After all, cleaning up spilled ink would be their responsibility. Adi took the tray and organized the ink bottle and documents. Yuls looked up.
“This isn’t your job, Adi.”
“I know. But it will be easier to look at when organized.”
“…”
“I didn’t look at the contents of the documents.”
“I know. It’s not the kind of content you could grasp with just a glance, and it’s not your usual work anyway.”
There was a hint of arrogance in the Duke’s words. Though it seemed unsuited for a child’s appearance, somehow it fit him perfectly.
“I’ll handle my work, so just focus on your duties.”
This was Adi’s job – watching over and protecting the working Duke. Without further response, Adi stood by the window. If someone were to enter from outside, the window would be the most likely entry point.
Adi was still skeptical of the Count’s words. An assassin? Even for someone who might be plagued by such threats, was assassination really plausible?
Though the palace seemed to hire people carelessly, everyone had connections. Moreover, since no one could even approach without a letter of introduction, if an assassin were brought in, whoever provided the introduction would also be in danger. There was no immunity for assassination.
Yet the Count wasn’t one to speak nonsense. Not because he was Adi’s father, but because he was trustworthy in that regard. However, trustworthiness and the possibility of assassination didn’t necessarily align.
Yuls looked at Adi standing by the window. The candlelight was dim, illuminating only his immediate surroundings, casting shadows on Adi’s face.
Usually, even a pretty man would still give off masculine impressions, but Adi Grimaldi had a strongly feminine presence. Perhaps that’s why such rumors circulated.
Yuls knew well that rumors often differed from reality.
Bert seemed to find Adi quite useful. He might have judged Adi more favorably than expected after conducting his own investigation, given that he was assigned night guard duty – a task not entrusted to just anyone.
But Yuls didn’t trust Adi.
He only trusted Bert.
That’s why he accepted the guard arrangement. Still, he wouldn’t get proper sleep tonight. He could sleep in the morning. His schedule was cleared, and at least Roy Gaillard needed Woodpecker. Therefore, there was no reason to attack him.
Thinking he could sleep when the sun rose, Yuls furrowed his brow and continued reading the documents.
In the end, both stayed up all night. Adi greeted Roy in the reception room with a tired face. Even with good stamina, fatigue was inevitable after staying awake for twenty-four hours. Still, it wasn’t as bad as the week-long sleep deprivation during training at Grimaldi.
“What about breakfast?”
“Sleep takes priority.”
“Bert doesn’t like eating alone.”
“I said sleep takes priority.”
“You worked hard. Once the Duke comes out, give your greetings and hurry home.”
Roy said this while patting Adi’s shoulder. Then he looked at his own hand curiously. Adi had no time to interpret Roy’s expression. Seeing Yuls emerge from the reception room, Adi saluted and left quickly, almost like someone fleeing. Roy and Yuls watched this scene before looking at each other.
“Roy.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Today’s schedule is cancelled. I’m going to take a nap here, so don’t disturb me unless it’s urgent.”
“…Couldn’t you sleep?”
“No.”
Seeing Roy’s questioning expression, Yuls explained.
“I couldn’t trust Adi Grimaldi.”
“Did something happen?”
“Nothing happened. But I can’t trust them either.”
Then why make Adi Grimaldi the night guard?
“It might be like this for a while.”
To observe, like with others? Whatever the reason, it didn’t matter. Roy wasn’t the one being suspected anyway. Though they shared the same enemy and goals, Adi’s situation was different. Poor thing. Roy felt a bit of pity.
What a situation – to be here without anyone’s trust. Weren’t they all – Bert, the Duke, and Roy himself – watching Adi Grimaldi?
Moreover, things didn’t seem good with the family either. Roy thought that anyone who knew Adi Grimaldi’s situation might feel some sympathy. Especially Roy, who owed a debt for the Woodpecker connection. Even without that…
‘…Why are those shoulders so delicate?’
Yes, that might be why.
* * *
Adi returned to the room. Bert’s snoring could be heard. Nothing had happened during the night. Not only was there no assassin, there wasn’t even a trace of a mouse. The palace was lively until late at night but grew quiet near dawn. By then, the Duke had fallen asleep.
Adi hadn’t touched the documents the Duke was reading. But the ink bottle was cleared away. At 7 AM, a servant came to wake the Duke. The Duke, still half-asleep, gave Adi an intense look.
Though Adi was used to people’s malice, anger, and dismissal, this kind of gaze was a first, making its meaning hard to interpret.
What was that expression, really?
It still wasn’t clear. Adi removed clothes one by one, hanging them up, and lay in bed wearing only a chemise without even washing. After standing all night, no thoughts came to mind. Lying in bed and covering up with the blanket, Adi blinked briefly, tucked the sword under the pillow, and closed their eyes again.
For once, sleep came quickly.
* * *
Waking up late, Yuls curled up and stretched. When very young, he thought doing this constantly might help him grow a little taller.
Though he massaged his neck, tilting it left and right while holding the nape, it still ached as if he had caught a cold. To still be tired after sleeping – was it because he hadn’t moved his body?
It seemed his stamina had decreased from doing only office work and social activities here, with no training. Why his stamina would decrease when his body wouldn’t build muscle or grow taller no matter how much he trained was puzzling. Could it be an organ problem?
“Did Bert come?”
“Yes. He saw you were sleeping and said he’d speak with you in the evening before leaving.”
The servant answered Yuls’s question. Roy watched them silently.
“Anything else?”
“The Lintuga family visited in the morning. When we turned them away saying the time wasn’t suitable, they said they’d reschedule. And Lady Connolly sent a message. She wants to have dinner together in two days.”
“Don’t I have dinner plans with someone else the day after tomorrow afternoon?”
“Yes, you have dinner plans with Baron Perry. When we informed her, she said she’d handle it herself. It seemed she wanted to dine outside of Palesa.”
“Why outside when Aunt is staying at Palesa?”
“Yes.”
“Ask about her intentions, and if nothing seems amiss, accept.”
“Understood, Your Grace.”
The servant responded. At Yuls’s dismissive look, the servant quickly moved outside. Only Roy and Yuls remained in the reception room. The awkward moment was hard to bear.
“Roy Gaillard.”
“Yes, Duke.”
“Report to me too what you tell Bert.”
“To you as well?”
“Yes. Word for word.”
“Understood.”
Roy nodded and answered. Yuls seemed satisfied with the response and sat on the couch, looking down at the documents. What had once seemed awkward was now becoming familiar – that this boy wasn’t thirteen but twenty-six years old.
“By the way, Your Grace.”
Roy continued. Yuls looked up.
“Will Adi guard you again tonight?”
“Yes.”
“How long do you plan to continue this?”
“Until trust is established.”
“…”
That probably meant it would continue until the Duke went to Woodpecker.
“It might strain their health.”
“That level isn’t a concern.”
Yuls answered. It would only be a couple of months at most. Reversing day and night for that long wouldn’t be a major issue. Rather, if they could handle other tasks during night duty and meet fewer people during the day, it might even be less tiring.
“You prepare too. We’ll be heading to Woodpecker as soon as the schedule ends.”
Roy nodded. The Duke of Woodpecker would leave soon after the festival, as always.
“So don’t mess around and do your job well. There are plenty of people who’d want your position if you’re not up for it.”
“…”
“If you have complaints, it’s better to leave quickly.”
“How could I? I’ll do everything exactly as told.”
“That’s right.”
Yuls replied. Because the reason for wanting to stay with him was clear. Even though this path was incredibly difficult, Roy must believe it’s the best choice. Yuls felt the same.
“That kind of determination makes you worth employing.”
“You won’t regret it.”
“I hope it’s not Your Excellency who ends up regretting.”
They need someone who can do the job properly.
“Our fight won’t be easy.”
Someone with exceptional skills.
“Especially regarding my curse.”
Someone who won’t waver no matter what.
“They tend to exploit it mercilessly.”
Roy looked at his young Duke.
“So you’ll have a lot to endure and bear.”
One who had finished growing, yet couldn’t grow.
—
