Chapter 36
The Duke sent Adi and the Count out together, saying they needed time for father-child conversation. Afterward, Bert and Gavin entered, exchanging glances. They made eye contact with Adi but only smiled without saying anything.
Someone might be listening. Even if not, someone as cautious as Spencer Grimaldi wouldn’t speak loudly in a place provided by the Duke.
On their way out of the reception room, they encountered Joel. Joel looked back and forth between Adi and the Count, then smiled and offered to guide them to their quarters. The Count declined.
“Adrian will know the location, so there’s no need to trouble yourself.”
“Yes, then I’ll leave it to Sir Adrian Grimaldi.”
It was the most polite behavior Adi had seen here. Joel typically tended to be flustered, but today he showed none of that. It seemed to be his public manner. Seeing him like this, he looked like a proper servant.
Adi guided the Count to the location. The servants had already arrived, apparently directed by the Duke’s attendants.
“I’ll show you to the bedroom.”
Adi said. The Count followed silently behind.
The painting above the bed’s headboard, which had concealed the passage the assassin used, had been replaced. Adi approached the headboard and fingered the frame. Even when applying slight force to pull, it didn’t move. They had clearly blocked it off.
“What a vulgar painting.”
Spencer Grimaldi said. This comment would likely reach the Duke. But the Duke would surely be unbothered. This wasn’t his mansion or castle, but Palesa Palace. If anyone was insulted, it would be the king, not the Duke.
“It’s a safe place. Please rest comfortably.”
At Adi’s words, the Count, who had been looking down quietly, said, “Unexpected.”
“I told you to get close, but I didn’t expect him to offer his residence to House Grimaldi.”
The words carried an edge. As if questioning how close they’d become. Adi had no intention of becoming close to the Duke either. Rather, they wanted to maintain distance. More than before. Especially as the daily events were becoming burdensome. But they couldn’t say that.
“Adrian.”
“Yes, Count.”
“Call me Father comfortably.”
Saying this, the Count approached and placed his hands on Adi’s shoulders. Though it seemed like showing affection or embracing a long-unseen son, his grip was powerful. It hurt as if he might crush them. The Count whispered.
“There are many ears listening.”
“…”
Adi lowered their eyes in acknowledgment. Then the Count’s hand rose. He wrapped his fingers around Adi’s long, curly hair and pulled. Though their head was yanked back, Adi made no sound.
“Better to cut this. Wouldn’t it bring up unpleasant memories?”
“Yes.”
When Adi answered, the Count released his grip with a satisfied expression. Adi did as the Count wanted. Complete submission. Following his words without any thought or resistance.
Spencer Grimaldi left the bedroom. Adi followed. Spencer went to the reception room and naturally sat on the sofa. It was where the Duke usually sat. Adi stood where they remained in his line of sight.
“I heard you were poisoned.”
“It was nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“I was careless because the assassin had fallen.”
“Where were you hit?”
“Near the collarbone.”
“I see.”
If it was there, it wouldn’t have been discovered. Even during treatment.
The Count looked around the reception room. His gaze settled on one spot, and Adi followed his line of sight. There were liquor bottles and glasses in the drawer right in front of the window table. Adi opened the drawer and brought out a bottle and glass.
The Count extended his hand. Adi placed the glass on it. If set down too quickly, he would surely drop and break it. After confirming the Count’s grip was steady, Adi set down the glass and opened the bottle to pour.
“Come to think of it.”
The liquid, clearer than amber and darker than tree bark, filled the glass.
“Strange rumors have been circulating.”
He tilted the glass. As if he were the master of this place. His gray eyes gleamed in the darkness, catching the light.
“They say you and the Duke have a suggestive relationship.”
Adi met the Count’s gaze with an expressionless face.
“It’s a misunderstanding. I merely handle night guard duty.”
“Bert Din gave up that position?”
That fox wouldn’t do such a thing, Spencer muttered as if to himself. Why did the Count think Bert wouldn’t do that? And why did he look so disapproving?
“Have I made a mistake?”
“Not yet.”
The Count said, setting his glass on the table. The crystal glass sparkled in the light on the marble table.
“Keep your position well. Things might start changing with this festival.”
What things? But they didn’t ask. Questioning would not be good for either the Count or Adi.
“Understood.”
“The address.”
“Understood, Father.”
Adi said. The Count frowned and clicked his tongue.
The original Adrian had been sickly and slow to grow, not much different from Adrina at the time.
The Adi here had grown and developed properly.
Compared to his son sleeping in the grave, this one seemed more like a splendidly grown young man. Especially with his memories of his dead son being hazy, this one felt almost real.
But strangely, they gave him the impression of a woman. Though there was nothing feminine about them, though they were identical twins, though they clearly looked like a proper knight, somehow strangely.
Feeling that this was Adrina rather than Adrian, the Count’s mood soured. Was it because of the long hair? Or perhaps their build.
“It’s a shame you’re rather short.”
Adi’s height was probably around average for Palesa. Though somewhat short for someone from the north, they wouldn’t be mistaken for a woman.
Their voice was low too, and there had been so many incidents that no one would doubt. They deliberately mixed rough words and curses when meeting with officials. Adrina was confident they wouldn’t be discovered. After all, they were also Adi.
But nothing could be done about height. This body seemed to have finished growing. If they said they’d try harder, they’d likely be asked how exactly they planned to do that. As Adi remained silent, the Count watched them quietly before reacting to a soft knock.
The Count looked over. Adi moved according to his gaze. Opening the reception room door revealed a knight outside. Not one of the Duke’s knights.
“Adrian.”
“Lev Jid.”
Adi said, frowning. They hadn’t expected him to be brought here.
Lev glanced at Adi once. Then, as if uninterested, he approached the Count.
“His Grace the Duke calls for Sir Adrian Grimaldi.”
“Has a servant come?”
“Yes, waiting outside.”
Spencer considered briefly at Lev’s words. If they hadn’t been waiting, would he have kept them here longer? Unknown. But the Count didn’t enjoy their company either, so he might have sent them away quickly. It was an uncomfortable relationship for both. Depending on who had more patience. At least, Adi had more patience than Spencer Grimaldi.
“Go.”
Spencer said. Adi bowed their head and turned. Lev Jid stood before them. When he showed no intention of moving aside, Adi deliberately bumped shoulders passing him, then stopped at Spencer’s voice calling “Adrian.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Write to my wife. She’s waiting anxiously.”
As if. What she waited for was a letter from the real Adrian, not from Adrina.
No matter how well they copied Adrian’s signature, no matter how warmly and affectionately they wrote like Adrian, it wasn’t from Adrian. She sent letters to hell every day. She wouldn’t want replies from hell.
“Understood.”
Though they heard Adi’s answer, the Count knew his wife would not receive any letters. As the words trailed off, Adi quickly left the reception room. The door didn’t close.
“Sir.”
“Joel.”
Adi said, lowering their gaze. After that gap, his was particularly welcome face.
“His Grace is waiting.”
“Yes.”
Joel’s gaze turned inward. The door slowly closed. But Joel’s gaze remained steady.
When the large reception room door fully closed, Joel withdrew his gaze. Then he patted Adi’s shoulder. When Adi gave him a questioning look, Joel reached up to smooth their hair.
“Such pretty hair, but it’s all messed up.”
“Ah.”
From his seemingly sympathetic gaze, Adi realized this was meant as comfort. But Joel’s “comfort” wasn’t what they needed to focus on. As the Count had guessed, and as Adi had suspected.
“It’s fine.”
Indeed, they had all been listening.
Lilina
Daily chapters means daily cliffhangers
I am impatiently waiting for the next chap 😭