Chapter 34
Spencer Grimaldi is coming to Palesa.
What could this mean?
Count Grimaldi hadn’t come to Palesa for several years. Most nobles come to Palesa during the festival season. While the actual social season starts from late autumn through winter, nobles gather once between late spring and summer to set their social schedules for the coming year.
Grimaldi had done the same, but after falling out of the king’s favor several years ago, he couldn’t freely enter Palesa anymore.
Had he received an invitation this time? From the king? Though incompetent, the king wasn’t capricious—once he made up his mind about something, he rarely changed it.
…Could it be Claude?
“I believe the Count hasn’t visited for several years.”
“Yes, he hasn’t come for three years. But since he’s visiting this time, I thought I should mention it as I’ll need to pay my respects.”
“When is he coming?”
“That’s not exactly…”
“Has he decided where he’s staying?”
“He said they would contact us once it’s determined.”
“Is that so?”
Yuls stroked his chin. If his accommodation hadn’t been decided yet, it wasn’t the king’s invitation. Then it must be the crown prince’s invitation. What would the king think when he learned Claude had arbitrarily invited Count Grimaldi?
Yuls smirked. Whatever happened, the thought of everyone getting headaches from this twisted situation was rather satisfying.
“Adi, call Gavin.”
Shouldn’t they call Bert rather than Gavin to change schedules? Despite thinking this, Adi brought Gavin. Gavin entered with a puzzled expression. Yuls spoke.
“Gavin, send a letter to House Grimaldi.”
“…What should I write?”
“Tell them if they need a place to stay, they can stay at my residence.”
Speaking thus, Yuls observed Adi. As if to say this way, they wouldn’t need to make time specially to see the Count.
“Yes, understood. I’ll send a letter to Count Grimaldi…”
“Send it as an urgent message. We can’t let them arrange other accommodations in the meantime. Even if they have, there shouldn’t be cancellation penalties yet at this point.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Gavin answered and left. Though confusion showed on his face, he didn’t question the Duke’s words. Watching the door close, Yuls said to Adi:
“This solves it, doesn’t it?”
“…”
“The cleaning of that room is finished, so they can use it. You know the location well too.”
If it was a location they knew, he meant where the Duke had stayed before. Being on the same floor made it convenient, and there were enough rooms for servants and knights.
“The passages are well blocked, so don’t worry. There won’t be another assassin.”
Adi looked at Yuls. Normally he might have called it an impudent stare, but Yuls had decided to be generous with Adi. He needed to be, to resolve this curse.
“Even if one came, the Count’s swordsmanship is quite exceptional. He’d handle it easily, just as you did.”
Though what would happen after the curse ended was uncertain.
“Aren’t you grateful?”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
“That’s better.”
Yes, everything was just until the curse ended.
❖ ❖ ❖
The palace was bustling. While the outer palace was always busy with cleaning and decorating at this time, the inner palace was at least as busy, if not more so. Curtains and decorations were being changed, and seamstresses had taken up residence.
They say the king is coming.
Adi had never seen the king. Didn’t know what he looked like. Many nobles didn’t know what the king or those in the line of succession looked like.
Revealing their faces would only increase assassination threats. Of course, certain features were known. Like the Duke of Woodpecker’s flame-red hair.
But just as Adi hadn’t known about the Duke’s childlike state before meeting him, Roy advised that since no one knew what the king or crown prince looked like, visitors to Palesa Palace must be careful with their conduct, speech, and behavior.
Roy, with his considerable experience as a guard, shared various tips with Adi.
“Though you can’t tell who’s who, you can guess from their clothing. The style of clothes and accessories is different. Ah, if you see someone with blonde hair, be careful. The royal family is blonde. The king’s hair is half-white now.”
“Blonde hair.”
“Yes, a bit darker than yours.”
Roy said this while roughly ruffling Adi’s hair. When Adi batted his hand away, Roy innocently raised both hands.
Giggling could be heard from not far away. Palace maids. On the nearby lawn, people in dresses lounged about. White cloth stained with grass, scattered fruits, pale lemon-colored wine. This place seemed like another world.
“Going to train?”
“Yeah, you?”
“I’m going to rest. My whole body’s stiff from standing guard all morning.”
“You hardly did anything.”
“You know how stiff you get just standing still, don’t you?”
“That’s why I’m going to train.”
“Right, go ahead. Train all you want.”
“How will you maintain your skills if you just play around?”
“I’m better than you. Want to spar later?”
“Want to fight without rank insignia?”
“Where did you learn to talk like that? Besides, aren’t we the same rank?”
“That’s why we take them off to fight.”
“Sure, when we have time. After the festival would be perfect.”
“It’ll be too hot then.”
Saying this, Adi clapped Roy’s shoulder. As Adi said they were leaving, Roy raised his hand.
Sharing breakfast and dinner times had made them quite close. Roy’s sociable nature helped too.
Adi casually headed to the training grounds reserved for the First and Second Knights. Though it wasn’t frequently used yet, Roy had said it would get crowded when nobles and royalty came down for the festival, so Adi had considered using other places during that time.
Seeing the empty space today, they took off their jacket and loosened their neck from side to side. They needed to start with light running, do some basic training, then practice sword swings.
While having a partner was better than swinging alone, Roy surprisingly didn’t like sword practice. Going to the Third Knights would likely turn into a brawl rather than sparring.
As Adi ran while pondering this, someone caught their eye. Though the training ground had been empty moments ago, Adi briefly slowed at the sight of this newcomer before resuming their normal pace.
Their presence here meant they’d passed the palace security check anyway. Their attire wasn’t suitable for training, so probably from a noble house. Perhaps they just came to watch.
Unlike Adi’s assumption that they’d leave and come back when it was busier since there wasn’t much to see now, the man entered the training ground without hesitation and ran alongside Adi.
While nobles sometimes trained, they rarely ran in such attire. Could he be from the same knight order? Or a squire?
Adi had thought he’d stop after running a while, but when he kept following, Adi stopped. The man stopped too. Seeing him panting heavily, he clearly wasn’t used to basic endurance training.
“Did you need something from me?”
“Huff, huff, hello, gasp, pretty one.”
“…”
What’s with this crazy person?
While wondering if he was picking a fight and how to handle it, Adi stopped at the sight of his hair. Blonde. A golden-brown slightly darker than their own. Better to be careful.
“Whew, that’s tough. Which knight order are you in? No, looking at your face, definitely Second Knights?”
“…”
Adi silently wiped their sweat with their sleeve. The man followed behind.
“If you have business, please state it quickly.”
“Ah, not really business as such. I’m looking for someone.”
Saying this, he glanced at the jacket, as if checking the knight order insignia.
“I heard they’re in the Second Knights too.”
“I don’t know who you’re looking for, but I hardly know anyone in the Second Knights.”
“Really? I thought it’d be easy since they’re famous. I heard they transferred recently.”
The man spoke with confusion. Adi was confused too. Why did people assume everyone in the same knight order was close and knew each other? Ah, perhaps he thought they were from the local squire program?
Just as Adi was about to reply that they still didn’t know, a voice called out from not far away: “Sir Adrian Grimaldi!” Adi picked up their jacket and approached the training ground entrance. Gavin came running up and said:
“Sir, were you here?”
“Gavin.”
“His Grace is looking for you now.”
The sun was still up. It was far from evening, and midnight was even further away. Adi asked with a questioning look:
“Is Sir Bert Din not available?”
“He’s occupied with other matters.”
Must be a schedule change.
“I understand.”
Having said this, Adi turned to the man and said, “I have business to attend to.” The man looked disappointed but spoke:
“Ah, right.”
Then he grinned.
“See you later, pretty one.”
Though there would be no next time.
“Farewell.”
If he calls me pretty again, I might have to break his jaw, Adi thought.
—
