Chapter 63
Traditionally, the best courtiers were those who pretended not to know what they knew and pretended to know what they didn’t—all to please their superiors. The Count wasn’t that type. If he believed he was right, he would push his agenda, even if it meant disturbing the King’s mood.
“Unlike my father, though, I rather like the Count. He’s skilled at scheming and emotionally detached. I find emotional people troublesome. They waste time talking about principles and whatnot. Compassion, indeed. How generous of him.”
Claude then looked at Adi and continued, “However, seeing your condition…”
“It seems the Count isn’t quite as cold as he appears. He knows how to get angry too. Thanks to that, I’ve learned what makes him sensitive.”
More accurately, it confirmed what he already knew.
“If anything, you appear colder.”
The unexpected element was Adi Grimaldi.
“Looking at your state, yet still plotting against your own father.”
They had more nerve than expected. Who would have thought Lev Jid would be defeated like that? And by their own sword technique, no less.
Claude had initially thought it was just stupidity that led to the mistake, but seeing that it was intentional, it seemed they were plotting something—though he couldn’t figure out what. Apparently, their docile appearance was just a facade.
“What did you mean when you said Duke Woodpecker could be trusted?”
Adi asked. The unexpected question made Claude’s expression harden as he closed his mouth. Something felt off—he sensed he had made a mistake.
“Did I give you permission to ask questions?”
“My apologies, Your Highness.”
“You’re a Grimaldi after all. I can tell by your insolence.”
The gaze suddenly turned ice-cold. I made a mistake, Adi thought. They hadn’t understood the man’s nature. He wasn’t much different from Spencer Grimaldi. What he wanted was unconditional obedience.
“Leave.”
“I apologize for my rudeness, Your Highness.”
Adi bowed their head and stood up.
Their eyes clearly showed they didn’t think they had been rude at all.
This is interesting, Claude thought. After Adi turned and left, Claude extended his hand. An attendant took out a cigarette from the drawer and handed it to Claude. When he lit it, the dark corner of the room brightened.
Claude squinted as he lit the cigarette.
“If they’re similar to the Count…”
Smoke escaped between his lips. Claude chewed the end of the cigarette and continued.
“They may be loyal to the royal family, but it’s only about bloodline—not loyalty to me personally.”
They didn’t need to resemble the Count that much.
“I’ll have to dispose of them.”
It didn’t seem like this would be a long-term relationship.
❖ ❖ ❖
The sun rose. People came out into the gentle rain falling from the clear sky. They could be seen frolicking in the rain, unconcerned about their dampening clothes. It seemed the festival was truly beginning now. This had nothing to do with Adi.
On the way back, they stopped by the administrative office to collect their letters. Their mother still sent letters. Adi never replied. The two letters would clearly either be burned or buried deep in a drawer.
New carriages entered the inner palace while others left. Though similar, the festivals inside and outside the palace were different, and some nobles went out to observe the streets. Adi returned to the Duke’s residence.
The knights’ quarters were empty. One would be working, and they didn’t know where the other one was. Perhaps enjoying the festival. Just as Adi was about to go out again, there was a knock. It was Joel.
Joel poked his head through the door gap and asked, “Are you alright?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
Adi answered. The fact that Joel came right after their return confirmed there were indeed watching eyes.
“My lord, let me cast a healing spell on you.”
“No, that’s fine.”
“Just for your body, not your face. His Grace mentioned your body was in poor condition too, and anyway, it’s covered by clothes.”
“…”
“Actually, His Grace ordered it. He said to heal your body no matter what. Besides, with that face, everyone already knows what the Count did. Since you’re on dawn duty anyway, why not get your face healed too and just stay inside? Don’t eat in the dining hall either—eat in the lounge instead. I’ll ask them to bring your meals.”
“…Why?”
“Pardon?”
“No, just… you’re being kind.”
Joel hadn’t expected such a response just for offering healing. Between yesterday’s events and now, it was clear that Adrian Grimaldi had lived quite differently from other nobles in their household.
“Then I’ll accept gratefully.”
“Don’t thank me. It forcibly accelerates healing power. You’ll probably want to hit me?”
That’s why knights usually avoid healing magic, Joel grumbled. The more skilled they become, the weaker their endurance gets, and they complain about the smallest pain. Despite their massive builds, they act like they’re dying.
In contrast, Adi was quite docile. When Joel chanted the spell and blue light flowed from his fingertips, others usually writhed in pain, but Adi just frowned. Better than all the numerous Woodpecker knights. Well, they hadn’t even made a sound in that situation either.
Watching the light fade, Joel said, “That’s done.”
“Did it hurt?”
“…Yes.”
They had expected Adi to say it was fine, but they were surprisingly honest.
“Thank you.”
Adi’s face was still bluish and swollen. The Duke probably wouldn’t like seeing this face.
❖ ❖ ❖
When Joel returned to the reception room, Yuls, Bert, and Gavin were discussing documents about Marquis Connolly’s private soldiers. Joel couldn’t participate in the conversation about the private soldiers, only knowing that some had been set aside while the Marchioness managed the territory with the Marquis bedridden.
Those who had been seriously conversing briefly paused when Joel entered, then continued.
As Joel approached, Yuls asked, “Did you heal them?”
Joel nodded. Seeing the look that seemed to ask for more details, he continued.
“Their collarbone seemed cracked. They probably couldn’t raise their arm properly.”
They had been showing pain in that area anyway. Yuls clicked his tongue. There was nothing they could do about the Count.
If Adi had been under their jurisdiction, they could have at least demanded compensation for injury. The Palesa Palace doesn’t do such things. Especially since the commander of the 2nd Knight Division, where Adi belonged, was on good terms with Count Grimaldi, it would surely be buried.
“The face?”
“I only reduced the swelling a bit. The bruises will last at least another week.”
Why would Grimaldi make them walk around like that?
“Anything else?”
“Nothing particularly unusual.”
“Must have hurt.”
“They’ve got good endurance though? Other knights would have screamed, but they just frowned. Given how much power it took, it must have been incredibly painful.”
“Where else could he hit on that body.”
“…”
Joel fell silent. Well, despite their delicate appearance, a knight was still a knight. They were tall with a sturdy build, even bigger than Joel himself, and their endurance was notable. Just what did His Grace think of Adi Grimaldi? Joel wondered. That viscosity definitely wasn’t his imagination.
“Transfer request?”
“They submitted the transfer papers, but I’m not sure what Kenneth Marx will do. Ah, and Ionad also requested a transfer.”
“I thought so. Are we first?”
“Yes. We have priority if it’s approved. As long as they don’t say they’re going to Ionad.”
“Spencer Grimaldi?”
“Hasn’t made a move yet.”
“Keep watching.”
There seemed to be enough observers already. Adding more would make the Count notice. Maybe he already had, given how he brought Adi in yesterday.
“Add more listening ears too.”
Joel nodded. That would be Gavin’s responsibility, so they’d need to discuss it. Though vassals had to do what the Duke ordered, the situation still felt a bit strange.
Still unsatisfied, Yuls narrowed his eyes while resting his chin on his hand. His thoughts were impossible to guess. After several minutes of silence, Yuls sighed and muttered as if to himself.
“I really can’t figure out what they’re thinking.”
“You mean Adrian Grimaldi?”
Bert asked.
“Yes. It’s troubling. I’ve never dealt with this type before, so I don’t know how to bring them to my side.”
Simply offering to grant wishes wouldn’t be enough to entangle them. What would be the proper way to win them over? More importantly, how did Adi want to live? Though they needed to investigate further, it seemed too personal to learn through others.
“For now.”
Then there was no choice but to ask directly, but would they answer?
“Clear tomorrow’s schedule.”
“Yes, understood.”
“And tell Adi to come at night. Not for guard duty, just to briefly show their face.”
“Yes, I’ll convey that as well.”
