Chapter 54
Adi believed that the Duke needed them. They understood his desperation well. But what would happen when that need disappeared?
For now, they could pretend to like him. They could make him think he was in love with them. They could make him open his heart, only to be discarded later if they weren’t what he wanted.
The world wouldn’t turn in their favor alone. Adi knew life too well to fall into such delusions. The world isn’t so accommodating.
And Duke Woodpecker as well.
“You said one wish for each kiss, Your Grace?”
“Yes.”
“Are there no limitations?”
At Adi’s following words, Yuls closed his mouth. He wasn’t sure whether to call this honesty or foolishness.
“You can’t grant wishes indefinitely, can you?”
“Indeed.”
If it were him, he wouldn’t point out such a weakness. If anything, he would exploit it. While it was fortunate for Yuls that they set their own limits, it made him worry more about Adi Grimaldi.
“Then let’s make it only mouth-to-mouth kisses, not cheeks, hands, or forehead. I’ve kissed you twice now, so that makes two wishes.”
“You also said you’d grant one when the curse is broken.”
Unable to secure their own advantages, yet meticulous about previous mentions.
“Then three in total.”
“What if I kiss you every day?”
“…Is that your intention?”
“You never know, do you?”
For Yuls, that wouldn’t be bad at all. But wouldn’t that make him seem too easy?
“Too many wishes would make them feel less special. Let’s only count when I kiss you.”
“Then the wishes might end at three.”
“Perhaps. If you want more, try seducing me.”
“…”
“I’d gladly succumb.”
Though Yuls said this, Adi didn’t believe him. They stood up. They couldn’t stay in the Duke’s embrace forever. The Duke made no comment about Adi’s action. He simply picked up his fallen cravat, placed it around his neck, and tied it.
Adi hadn’t thought he could tie it himself, since others always did it for him. But he managed quite naturally. After adjusting his clothes, Yuls rose from the sofa.
Indeed, looking up at someone was better than looking down. In that regard, Adi’s height was perfect. If they were too short, it would be difficult to see their expressions or face, but at this height, he could see them clearly just by lowering his head. Even their crown was visible, rather adorably round.
Yuls raised his hand and ruffled Adi’s hair.
Surprised by the unexpected contact, Adi looked up with wide eyes, making Yuls chuckle softly. He then briefly placed his hand on Adi’s shoulder before removing it. Adi quietly watched as he walked toward the door.
Yuls turned around.
“Adi.”
Light seemed to pour especially bright from where he stood outside. Perhaps it only seemed that way because the bedroom was dark.
“What are you doing? Come out.”
Adi bit their lip, then released it.
Something felt strange.
❖ ❖ ❖
Numerous nobles stood at the entrance from Palesa’s outer palace to the inner palace. They were waiting for the king’s procession.
Though the king came to Palesa annually, Adi, who had been in the Third Knights Division, had never seen him. The Third Division’s main duty was guarding the outer palace, so they rarely saw inner palace nobles directly, let alone the king. Many knights probably hadn’t even seen the royal carriage.
The rain started falling again, a gentle drizzle.
The king’s carriage wasn’t visible yet. Roy whispered, “He comes in a golden carriage.” Surely it couldn’t actually be gold. Adi didn’t believe it.
Looking around, they saw some familiar faces. Searching for Spencer Grimaldi, they found him beside the Crown Prince. Lev was there too.
Seeing them so close, perhaps that’s why they decided to send Adi back to Grimaldi, because of the relationship with the Crown Prince. Adi also needed to meet the Crown Prince now. But when? When would Spencer leave that man’s side? If only someone could hold Spencer back for a moment…
Yuls followed Adi’s gaze. As if sensing the attention, both the Crown Prince and Spencer Grimaldi looked their way. Their gazes met.
The Crown Prince grinned. Meanwhile, Grimaldi’s expression hardened.
Yuls reached out and stroked Adrian’s hair. All eyes seemed to focus on them. When Adi looked up with a confused expression, Yuls said, “Don’t look over there.”
Beside them, Joel whispered excitedly, “I told you so!”
“I said there was something sticky between them, didn’t I? That there was something going on?”
Though spoken softly, those nearby heard clearly. With strange rumors already circulating, hearing even a servant speak this way made people wonder if there really was something between them. Fortunately, the whispers were overtaken by the arrival of the carriages.
Adi, who had doubted the existence of a golden carriage, felt slightly disappointed seeing the black carriage enter first. However, another carriage followed, and behind it came a truly golden carriage. Whether made of gold or merely gilded, the massive carriage was unmistakably the king’s.
The king arrives.
Everything fell silent. Even the sound of rain hitting the ground seemed muted. Soon the carriage stopped, and knights and mages approached to open the door. The king stepped out.
He had dark blonde hair and wore black ceremonial clothes. Similar to what Duke Woodpecker had worn, but more elaborate. A mage created a barrier around the king to keep the rain away. It seemed wondrous, as if he alone could defy nature’s laws here. A snort was heard from the side. It was Yuls.
“Still loves putting on a show, I see.”
Yuls spoke loudly enough for those nearby to hear. Yet no one frowned at his behavior. Adi looked at Roy and Bert. Their expressions hadn’t changed either.
Looking at the Crown Prince and Spencer, then observing the nobles around them, Adi’s lips curled up in understanding.
Everyone here, all these southern nobles.
Those who had sworn loyalty to Woodpecker.
“His Majesty Curler II arrives.”
And those near the Crown Prince were royalists who had slaughtered nobles in the king’s name. Grimaldi was also a royalist.
“We greet Your Majesty.”
The nobles shouted in unison.
It was a strange sight.
❖ ❖ ❖
Since the distance from Ionad to Palesa was considerable, no events were scheduled on the king’s arrival day. The king needed rest. However, nobles were obligated to pay their respects, so they made separate appointments to visit the audience chamber. Woodpecker was no exception.
Looking annoyed even at pre-arranged appointments, Woodpecker casually put his arm around Adi’s shoulders and said, “Want to come along?” Bert watched their interaction with a miserable expression.
Well, fine. After all, Adrian Grimaldi was the key to breaking the curse, so they were necessary, and if His Grace the Duke liked it, Bert wouldn’t try to stop it for now. It would only be temporary anyway. With their respective positions, how long could this relationship last?
But seeing him cling like that, it was impossible to predict how rumors would spread. Just when things had started to quiet down, Yuls had reignited them. The prospect of hearing more talk about male favorites and such made Bert’s head spin.
“What’s the order?”
“His Highness the Crown Prince will see you first. Originally, he wanted to meet Your Grace first, but it seems His Highness Claude has much to discuss, having left Ionad empty.”
“We can take our time then. When those two meet, they’ll lose track of time arguing.”
“True, but His Highness Claude might run out unable to bear it, so we should arrive on time.”
Gavin said. Finding logic in this, Yuls nodded. Both were impulsive and unpredictable. Better than being caught off guard.
Agreeing, Yuls removed his clothes. Billy had already prepared fresh ones. Even a light rain couldn’t prevent clothes from getting wet. They couldn’t meet the king in wet clothes.
“The bath is ready.”
Billy said, taking Yuls’s clothes. Yuls asked, “How much time?”
“About two hours to spare.”
“Then I’d better warm up for a bit.”
Billy handed Yuls a robe. Donning it, Yuls brushed back his disheveled long hair. Then he looked at his rain-soaked knight escorts and servants. He wasn’t the only one who needed warming up. Seeing Adi push back their wet blonde hair pitifully, Yuls clicked his tongue.
“Everyone should bathe and change clothes.”
“…”
He’s saying things he usually doesn’t. Those who knew Yuls found it strange. But before anyone could comment, he had already entered the prepared bathroom.
“We should wash too. Even this light rain is cold.”
Roy sniffled, then said to Adi:
“Want to bathe together?”
“Get lost.”
Lilina
2 bros sharing a bath but they not even 2 feet apart cause they gay as hell