Chapter 48
The Crown Prince always stayed up late. Though even “staying up late” wasn’t quite accurate. He typically fell asleep around dawn. He didn’t particularly do anything during these late hours. He simply remained awake without reason.
People adjusted to Claude’s living patterns, so he never considered changing his habits.
“I apologize for the late hour, Your Highness.”
Just look at this.
“In some country outside Dalkatir, it’s daytime now, Count.”
Even at this late hour, Count Grimaldi had come personally.
“It’s night in Dalkatir, Your Highness.”
“History is always made at night.”
“…”
“Sit, Count. Shall we have some drinks?”
“I’m fine.”
“Your son accepted quite readily.”
“…”
“Smoked too.”
Spencer Grimaldi’s eye twitched. Claude giggled, thinking it was anger at his son’s foolishness.
Adrian Grimaldi was certainly easier to handle than Spencer Grimaldi. Being always in Ionad, Spencer seemed to have failed to properly educate his child. Though that characteristic feeling was there, they were still young.
“Your son is quite interesting.”
“Is that so?”
“May I borrow them for a while?”
“I apologize, Your Highness, but—”
Claude frowned. This was exactly it. Firmly refusing when something wasn’t right. Dalkatir’s administrators weren’t like this.
Was this firm refusal a northern custom? The only ones who spoke frankly to the King, who exercised their right of refusal, were the Grimaldis. Though that eventually got them banned from even setting foot there.
“Adrian has other duties.”
Just as Grimaldi had moved for the current King, Claude needed a loyal servant who would move for him. A servant who would die if ordered. Spencer Grimaldi wasn’t that. The young Grimaldi still had potential.
“Other duties. What might those be?”
“I cannot say yet. But it’s nothing that would harm Your Highness.”
Claude smirked at Spencer’s words. How could I trust you, you old fox?
Hadn’t he been weighing his options between Claude and the King from the start? Claude had planned to use that, but look at them staying openly at Woodpecker’s residence. Now they planned to extend their reach in three directions.
Claude raised his hand to gesture to his attendant. Just as the attendant moved to take out the pipe from the drawer, Spencer Grimaldi said, “Pardon me, Your Highness.”
“My bronchi are weak, and tobacco smoke doesn’t agree with me.”
“…The Count?”
“My daughter also passed away suddenly due to bronchial issues. It seems to be hereditary.”
Normally Claude would have taken the pipe regardless, but even he knew it wouldn’t be good to do so to Spencer Grimaldi now.
“Tch.”
Claude waved his hand. The attendant closed the drawer.
“Then let’s finish our talk quickly. Whatever work it is, leave it for later. I need my own forces now. Adrian Grimaldi would be suitable in that regard.”
“Are you unsatisfied with me at present?”
“You’re very helpful, but new wine needs new wineskins. When you’re involved, everyone feels uncomfortable.”
“Then how about Lev Jid? He’s currently Dalkatir’s finest knight.”
“A guard must possess beauty too. You may not care about such things, Count, but I’d like someone beautiful by my side. Besides, Adrian bears the Grimaldi name, don’t they?”
Moreover, they’re still ignorant enough to be useful. How nice it would be to bring them in and raise them before they become a fox like that. When the Count dies later, they’ll become Count, which would be good when he becomes King too. Meanwhile—
“The Jid family is too insignificant. Without the Count, regardless of skill, they would have remained just that way. Who would use such a person?”
“However, Your Highness—”
“Count.”
Claude spoke before Spencer Grimaldi could refuse.
“This seems to be the first time you’ve opposed my words, Count. You must care about bloodlines too?”
“Of course. They’re my only child.”
“You had two children.”
“One is already in the embrace of the death goddess.”
“Ah yes, that pretty one. Had they lived, they might have become a royal consort. Wouldn’t that have strengthened our relationship even more?”
“They were cursed. They wouldn’t have suited Your Highness.”
“Do I look like someone who would fear such things?”
That would be better. If he’d known this would happen, perhaps he should have presented that side as dangerous too. Whatever the case, nothing seemed to go according to Spencer’s wishes.
“Count.”
Whether Adrian’s death, or Adrina becoming Adrian.
“What do you plan to use Adrian Grimaldi for?”
“They’re to inherit the Count’s family. They need experience.”
“Experience? In Palesa?”
Here they would at most guard nobles. Being in the Second Brigade. Among them would be those of lower status than Adrian Grimaldi. Any noble could stay here with the King’s permission.
“Send them to Ionad.”
But the royal palace was different.
“That would be better than this unremarkable place.”
Everyone knew that side would provide better experience.
“For both the Count’s son and the Count. And for me.”
That’s why it was hard to refuse outright. This was why he’d deliberately sent them to Palesa.
It would have been better if they had quietly remained in the Third Brigade. If not for Roy Gaillard, there would have been no need to send Adrian there. But because of Roy, Adrian had attached themselves to the Duke, and Adrian had met Claude, whom they should have avoided.
How could things become so tangled? Seeing the Count’s troubled face, Claude spoke:
“By now you must understand what I’m saying?”
“Yes, if it’s Your Highness’s order.”
Father and child said the same thing. If it’s your order, if it’s an order. Strange. Claude always gave orders. But the Grimaldis didn’t hear them as orders.
“Yes, I’ll issue the assignment after the festival.”
Taking children hostage was something royalty always did. He hadn’t expected this kind of demand from the Crown Prince. I’ll have to change plans, Spencer thought.
❖ ❖ ❖
“Those two are getting sticky.”
Joel said. Gavin looked at Joel as if asking what he meant. Bert, following behind, did the same. Having woken earlier than usual to make a report, Bert closed his mouth at Joel’s words before even greeting the attendants walking ahead.
“Sticky?”
“No, really sticky. They were even kissing yesterday.”
“Don’t they do that every day?”
Bert interjected. Joel and Gavin turned their heads to look at Bert simultaneously. Gavin, apparently thinking it wasn’t wrong either, said “Right, it’s something they do daily.” Joel waved his arms as if that wasn’t it.
“No, not the usual kind of kiss. It was somehow sticky?”
“Alright, alright.”
“No, really, it was strange!”
Though Joel tried to explain, no one paid attention. While everyone had been shocked at first, seeing it often had made it seem normal.
Strange rumors had circulated, but that didn’t matter either. Nothing would happen between them, and their relationship would end once the curse was broken. Both the ducal family and Adi Grimaldi would want that.
Gavin knocked and opened the door, entering the bedroom.
“Your Grace, did you cough?”
“Yes.”
People froze for a moment. Though his voice hadn’t changed much, its resonance and bass seemed deeper.
“Gavin.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Bring a knife.”
“Pardon?”
“My nails have grown.”
As Yuls rose, stroking his face, his eye level was different from yesterday. He’d grown taller again. Smirking, Yuls said, “My beard has grown too.” Bert and Gavin’s gazes turned to Joel.
‘That’s what I was saying, something was sticky yesterday.’
But regardless of that atmosphere, nothing more had happened. How had he grown again?
Bert, Joel, and Gavin looked at Adrian. Whether from the morning sun or not, their face appeared particularly white. Perhaps they had turned pale. This confirmed it.
“It must be Adrian.”
Woodpecker could break the curse.
