Chapter 51
The warm breeze from a few days ago seemed like a distant memory as the air had suddenly turned cold, enveloping the atmosphere. The world felt damp, with moisture tangible in the air against one’s skin, and the sky was covered in a gloomy ash-gray. Rain fell intermittently – typical spring rain in Dalkatir.
Today, the king arrives at Palesa. Adi doesn’t know what he looks like. Most people, even nobles, never get to see the king face to face.
“Is he arriving today?”
“Yes, I heard he’ll arrive around sunset.”
Knowing the king’s face meant being a high-ranking noble – at least someone of good bloodline related to the royal family, or someone influential enough in social circles to be invited to the royal court. Grimaldi was one of them, but Adrian and Adrina had never been invited. That, too, was probably because of that curse.
Billy, the servant, was busy helping Yuls get ready. Though the clothes were prepared in a hurry, they were well-tailored to fit. Billy praised the clothing’s cut and circular design values, but no one understood what he was talking about.
Yuls, dressed in a pure white ceremonial outfit with a black cravat and black cape, brushed up his hair as if it was getting in his way.
Their eyes met with Adi’s. Yuls smiled, closing his eyes slightly. Unable to read his intention, Adi stared back with a stern expression.
Last night’s events came to mind unbidden. That moment when Adi felt foolish for showing such desperation, for thinking he might be if not salvation, at least help. Yuls had looked puzzled as Adi backed away, saying, “Just tell me if you need anything.”
Naturally, Adi couldn’t speak up. How could they have thought that the Duke of Woodpecker would help them unconditionally? Adi couldn’t understand why they had approached him as if enchanted, assuming he would obviously help.
The one fortunate thing was that the Duke hadn’t grown any further.
The rain, which had seemed to stop, began falling again.
The palace was simultaneously quiet and busy. Nobles were preparing to welcome the king’s procession, keeping servants and maids busy. The Duke’s servants were also moving around frantically.
In contrast, the knights had relatively little to do. Adi was no exception. At the table sat Bert and Roy, with Adi standing beside them.
The two were deep in thought over chess pieces. Adi couldn’t understand why they pondered so long. Wasn’t the next move obvious just by looking? Either way, while watching this tedious scene, Adi’s eyes wandered to the window.
The grass looked particularly dark. Outside, the servant Ivan stood with a maid. Whether she was Palesa’s maid or another noble’s wasn’t clear, but seeing Ivan’s apparently flustered attitude, Adi moved closer to the window. Bert noticed and asked, “Is there something outside?”
“Yes, Ivan is with a maid.”
“A maid? Huh. Didn’t think he had it in him, but I guess Ivan’s got game,” Roy said, rising to look out the window before clicking his tongue. “No, it’s not like that – he’s being asked for a favor.”
“Why? Who is it?”
Bert also stood up to look outside. Even from behind, Ivan’s discomfort was visible.
“It’s Lintew.”
“That lady has been trying to meet with His Grace constantly.”
“I thought she liked children.”
“You don’t think she pursued His Grace because he looked like a child, do you? It’s because of what he has.”
Of course, things might be different now. The frequency of meeting requests had increased since the Duke’s growth. While Adi had no acquaintances and thus received no visitors, Roy was quite troubled by them. If they couldn’t arrange proper meetings, they would at least ask to arrange chance encounters.
It wasn’t just women either. Men were the same – a properly grown Duke would be useful in Dalkatir. Though not quite fully grown yet, the Duke had certainly developed since his first arrival.
“That makes sense. It wasn’t just a pretty boy they wanted, but the position of Duke.”
“Though some might be genuine.”
At Roy’s words, Adi muttered quietly, “Is that why he said he hates pedophiles?”
“What’s that about?”
Roy asked, but Adi didn’t answer, continuing to look out the window. Besides Ivan and the maid, there was one more person looking this way – Lev Jid.
“Ivan isn’t good at refusing.”
“He’s like that. He has three younger brothers, was it? Anyway, he’s got lots of siblings. He’s good at refusing and fighting with men, but he’s weak against women. That’s why some people deliberately send maids to him.”
“Shouldn’t we help him then?”
“He can’t live like that forever. He needs to overcome it himself,” Bert said.
Adi moved away from the window. Roy asked “Why?” as Adi stood up.
“Just tired of looking outside.”
Adi said. Lev Jid’s gaze seemed to say he had something to discuss. If he had something to say, he could just come over, but the Count’s household didn’t approach that way. If they had messages to deliver, they usually went through the Duke’s servants.
But this time it seemed like something that needed to be discussed secretly. It would be better if he just made an official visit.
Adi looked at the chess board on the table. Looking at the pieces frozen mid-game, Adi asked “Are you not continuing the game?” and moved Roy’s queen.
“This seems like a good move.”
“Huh?”
“Adi! No helping!”
Those who had been glued to the window quickly pulled back. What had seemed like an unsolvable situation now had a clear path forward. Bert held his head. Adi picked up Bert’s rook and moved it.
“Then Bert can defend like this.”
“You… traitor!”
“What betrayal? It’s fine to play fairly.”
In the end, it was all the same. The two would end up in another long battle. Roy made a pained sound while fiddling with his captured piece. Bert’s face showed he was considering his next move. Watching them both quietly, Adi spoke up.
“I need to step out for a moment.”
“Now? We’ll have to work soon.”
“I won’t go far.”
To say they were meeting someone they knew wouldn’t work – they were well aware of Adi’s relationships in Palesa. It was better to be honest.
“I need to meet someone from the Count’s household.”
At least Lev Jid was indeed from the Count’s household.
“Going to see your father?”
“No, not him.”
Bert’s face showed confusion at Adi’s answer. But he didn’t directly ask who it was.
“Just someone from the family.”
“Alright, go ahead.”
Bert said. Roy gave a light wave. After bowing, Adi left the room. The two who had been staring at the chess board raised their heads and met eyes.
“Should we go watch?” Roy said.
“Take practice swords with you. Like we’re going to train. We have that duel coming up anyway.”
“Ah, why bring up the duel? I’m already worried enough.”
“Want to cross swords with me? No matter how skilled you are, you can’t beat experience.”
“If I lose to that experience, my pride might be hurt so much I might lose the real duel.”
“With that kind of wounded pride, how did you ever become a night watchman?”
“That’s mean.”
Roy said as he stood up. Despite claiming to hate training, Roy opened his door and called out, “How about real swords without edges instead of wooden ones?” He came back holding both wooden and metal swords in his hands, waving them at Bert as if asking which was better.
“We might get hurt.”
“Try not to let that happen. With your experience, you should be able to manage that much.”
“If there was a significant skill gap, sure, but lately age is making it harder to deal with you youngsters.”
Bert grumbled. Yet when he pointed to the metal sword, Roy set down the wooden one without hesitation.
“It’s really not sharp?”
“I don’t want to die either. Use this one.”
Roy went back to his room to get another sword. Bert drew the sword from its scabbard. It definitely had no edge. While not the finest sword, it was serviceable enough. Not bad for practice.
Just as Bert was about to ask where Roy had bought such a sword, the knights’ lounge door opened. With no knock, he thought Adi had returned, but it was someone else entirely.
“Your Grace.”
“Where’s Adi?”
Yuls asked. Finally free from Billy, he was dressed more elaborate than usual. Bert’s face showed slight surprise at the sight.
While naturally handsome, he looked truly remarkable dressed up like this. They knew he would be good-looking since he was pretty as a child, but… why was he looking for Adi?
“They stepped out for a moment. Is there something you need?”
“No, just some things to receive today.”
Yuls said while brushing up his hair. Bert frowned at the strange smile playing on his lips.
“Where did you send them?”
This seemed familiar somehow. That’s right…
“We didn’t send them anywhere. They said they had someone to meet.”
“Here? They don’t have any friends.”
That’s right… Bert himself had done something similar. When he became a knight of House Woodpecker, he had dressed up in full knight’s attire, swept back his hair, and gone to show off to his then-lover, now wife.
“Someone from the Count’s household, I believe.”
“Really? I haven’t received any messages though.”
The images overlapped.
“It might be something that needs to be discussed privately.”
Surely not…
Even though Joel had said there was something sticky between those two, Bert hadn’t believed it. While Yuls was thinking with a “Hmm,” Roy came out. Seeing Roy salute while holding the sword, Yuls narrowed his eyes.
“You know where they are?”
Yuls asked. Roy nodded.
“Then let’s go together.”
Lilina
Oh dear oh dear Our Yuls is falling already 🤭🤭
Also I sense jealousy in the next chapter.. or probably a misunderstanding ehehe