Chapter 4
There’s a theory that the Kingdom of Dalkatir was founded by overcoming a curse.
Some say they overcame the curse, while others claim the kingdom was built upon it. Usually in such cases, like in Belipera, curses were passed down through royal or imperial families, but the curse of the Dalkatir Kingdom doesn’t have a specific target.
Because everyone was complicit.
“Is it Woodpecker again?”
The familiar name echoes among those gathered in the courtyard.
“At this rate, the rumors about him hiding a lover in Palesa might be true.”
“A lover, with that body? Even a passing dog would laugh.”
Woodpecker, tap-tap, Woodpecker, tap-tap, Woodpecker.
The Duke who owns the territory of the southern oak forest, the Woodpecker King.
Woodpecker is coming.
“It’s not about a lover, he’s looking for a way to break the curse.”
They say there are cursed people in the Kingdom of Dalkatir. The most famous was the Grimaldi family, whose curse was said to persist, but occasionally there were others afflicted by inexplicable curses.
“I hear that Woodpecker King scours the witch district of Palesa like he’s hunting rats.”
Julius Woodpecker was one of them.
The 2nd Knight Order’s building is located at the second outer wall to the south of Palesa Palace. Except for the outermost guard palace, it’s the closest to the outside, an unfamiliar space for Adi.
Unlike the northern palace where the 3rd Knight Order resides, this place, which was usually off-limits, was incredibly luxurious. Perhaps because royalty and high nobles directly come and go here.
Adi moved while looking at the address written in her knight’s notebook. The address was simply which floor and room number of the building. Adi climbed the stairs and turned the corner to face a long gallery. There wasn’t a single person in the corridor.
She had heard that since the main duty of the 2nd Knight Order was to escort royalty visiting Palesa, there wasn’t much to do when there were no guests.
Adi walked while checking the numbers on the doors, then stopped.
It was the Knight Commander’s office. Adi glanced at the slightly open door, then knocked and opened it. Simultaneously, a dagger flew from inside and stuck into the wooden door with a thud. Adi slightly tilted her head to dodge the blade, glanced at the few strands of hair that fell, cut off, then caught the next flying blade.
“It’s impolite to enter without being told to come in.”
“The door was open.”
Adi replied. Indeed, he was handsome – no wonder they recruit based on looks. Sometimes there were knights who grew beards, or those who neglected themselves, considering their intense sweat smell and untidiness as masculinity, but the man before her was clean and even smelled of perfume.
So, this is how it is.
“Adrian Grimaldi, assigned to the 1st Squad as ordered.”
It seemed she wouldn’t stand out as womanly among these people.
“Peter Gerin. I’m the 1st Squad Operations Supervisor. The Commander is away at the moment, so I’ll greet you in his stead.”
“Understood, Sir.”
Peter observed Adi’s salute for a moment before standing up and speaking.
“Duke Woodpecker will arrive at Palesa Palace in the afternoon three days from now. You’ll be in charge of his escort from then. The Duke’s servant will arrive tomorrow evening and come to find you. From then on, you’ll stay at the Duke’s residence. Have you moved to your new quarters yet?”
“Not yet, Sir.”
“Go to the administrative officer to get your quarters’ location and key. Move in by today.”
“Yes, understood.”
“As you may know, we tend to work separately, so there’s no need to promote camaraderie within the knight order. We neither welcome nor reject you specifically. You should be able to get along fine. Just be careful not to enter without permission, or you might lose your head.”
Adi nodded. Seeing this, the supervisor gestured for her to leave. Adi saluted once more before exiting.
* * *
Duke Julius Caspras Woodpecker.
She had heard that this man, who had just turned twenty-six, was the king’s nephew and fourth in line for the throne succession, and was called the Woodpecker King in the territories and cities he owned.
Gossipmongers even speculated that the royal family might intend to pass on the throne to him, given that they didn’t punish the use of the title “king” for him.
Duke Woodpecker spends one quarter of the year in Palesa, and stays in Ionad, the capital, for exactly two weeks, including the three-day tax period and the winter social season.
No one knows why Duke Woodpecker stays in Palesa, the old capital, rather than Ionad, the current capital. To begin with, high nobles don’t speak of their intentions to those beneath them, even if they have them.
Adi looked at her room. A single bag with crumpled belongings fell to the floor with a thud. Compared to the knights’ dormitory in the northern palace, it was quite luxurious. The shape and size of the windows, the clean walls, and the decorated closet were all different.
Adi put down her sword.
Like in her previous room, two under the bed, one beside it. And from her bag, she first took out the picture frames. Adrian’s face with a faint smile appeared. And opposite, her own stiff expression.
After staring at the frames quietly, Adi turned them face down and took out paper and a pen from her bag.
She had to report the changes to Spencer Grimaldi.
Adi, accustomed to writing “To the Count,” pondered what to write next. Whatever it was, it was wisest to simply state the facts as they were.
* * *
There was a knock at the door. Adi approached the door without hesitation.
When there was no answer from inside, the servant was about to knock again, but Adi had already flung the door open, causing the servant’s hand to hit his chest. The man looked up at Adi with a surprised face, his fist resting on her firm chest. Adi also looked down at the man with a questioning gaze.
“What is it?”
“Sir Adi Grimaldi?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve come from the Woodpecker duchy. Duke Woodpecker is scheduled to arrive tomorrow afternoon through the warp gate, and we need to go greet him together.”
“Wasn’t he supposed to come in the afternoon?”
“The Duke’s schedule is subject to frequent changes.”
Frequent changes, indeed. They probably have multiple schedules prepared to guard against assassination threats or spies, moving accordingly.
“Understood.”
Adi said.
“But how long are you going to keep your hand there?”
At those words, the man looked at where his hand was positioned and slowly withdrew it. Her chest was firm. As expected of a knight, the servant thought, clearing his throat with an “ahem” while bringing his hand to his mouth.
“Also, there are a few things you need to know to serve Duke Woodpecker.”
Adi looked at the servant. He seemed barely twenty, if that. Usually, they would prefer mature and serious individuals as vassals, but sending such a young-looking servant could mean they were testing her, or perhaps they didn’t care much for formalities.
“Sir Adrian Grimaldi?”
“Speak.”
“Well, it’s likely to be quite a long explanation.”
At the tone asking if it wouldn’t be rude to enter, Adi stepped back and gestured inward with her arm. The servant stepped inside.
Usually, the rooms where knights stay were better than those of servants, but this room was exceedingly nice. The height of the building, the brightness, the size of the windows, and the furniture were all exceptional. Perhaps it was because this was the palace.
The servant didn’t do anything foolish like gawking around. After all, managing rooms even grander than this was their job.
Adi offered the servant the only chair and sat on the bed herself. Her gestures were awkward. Thinking that this might really be a test, Adi asked, “How many people are coming in total?” The servant felt like he was being interrogated.
“Including myself, five in total. There’s one escort knight from the family.”
“Four servants and two escorts. Not bad.”
“Yes, and we’ll hardly need to go far. At most, we might visit the witch district, but it’s a safe area. If we need to go further, we’ll request additional escorts. If you know any good people, you’re welcome to recommend them, Sir. Even your friends would be fine.”
“……”
For that, Adi’s connections here weren’t good. Friends? Enemies, more like. But she did know for certain who was skilled.
“Do you have any other questions?”
“Why is he coming to Palesa?”
Adi asked.
“I mean, why specifically Palesa instead of Ionad, the capital?”
“I can’t speak about that.”
“Can’t speak, or don’t know?”
“I can’t speak about it.”
“I see.”
“…You’re not going to ask more?”
“I don’t make a habit of repeating questions I’ve been refused answers to.”
He’s like the epitome of a knight, the servant thought. Seeing that beautiful face, he found nicknames like “Palesa’s dog” puzzling.
Adi Grimaldi. Come to think of it, she had a twin sister. Though she’s dead now. The servant thought it was truly a pity. If they had been born as just siblings instead of twins, there would have been many who desired her.
“What else do I need to know?”
Adi asked.
