Chapter 74
Adrian’s transformation surprised many. The servants said that with this level of disguise, they could escape without being caught by anyone. When they said there was no way anyone would see them as male, Adi felt an indescribable emotion.
“At this level, even those who know their face wouldn’t recognize them, right?”
Roy nodded at Bert’s words. First, they appeared to be a different gender, and with the different hair color, their whole atmosphere had changed. While one might think they were an uncommonly beautiful woman, it would be difficult to connect them with Palesa’s Dog.
Besides, contrary to Adi’s reputation, few people had actually seen their face. Even Roy only learned it when he went to find them himself. Though he couldn’t say it then, seeing that face made him wonder how this could be the infamous bastard everyone talked about.
So naturally, guards seeing this appearance for the first time couldn’t possibly be suspicious.
“You would have been popular if you’d cross-dressed during the festival.”
“Shut up.”
“…”
Their temperament hadn’t changed at all.
Roy was hurriedly packing his belongings. Bert had nothing special he’d brought here or needed to take back.
The same was true for Adi. Being supposedly dead, it would be strange to take their sword or other personal items. They would leave behind all the letters from their mother, and there was no need to pack the few books they occasionally read.
They had two swords—one issued by Palesa and one brought from their family. Though they used both, they felt no particular attachment to either despite maintaining them. There was only one thing they needed to take.
The portrait of Adrian and themself. That was all Adi needed.
Bert knocked through the open door. When Adi looked toward the door, they saw Bert standing with his arms crossed. After glancing at Roy bustling about packing in the next room, he asked, “May I come in?” Adi nodded.
Entering the room, Bert observed Adi. He couldn’t help but sigh. Rubbing his eyes with his hand, Bert said, “So the Count did kill you after all.”
“Twice, in fact.”
Once by burying Adrian and marking their grave, and now by framing them for murder and planning to kill them and take them away.
“That’s right.”
Adi said with a smile. There was no self-mockery in that smile. Adi seemed to find the situation amusing. And Bert couldn’t understand such an Adi.
“He probably expected to keep me by his side. He didn’t expect me to run away.”
House Grimaldi seemed insane. Well, they must have been insane to endure all this.
Actually, Bert wouldn’t have wanted to take Adi if not for the Duke. Even with the Duke’s approval, he’d judged it better to leave them behind. If they were Adrian.
“My lord.”
But if they were Adrina, things changed slightly. Hadn’t there been several assumptions? If Adrina had died and her fate had passed to Adrian, only Adrian could break the curse.
But if it wasn’t Adrina who died but Adrian, and if the one the Duke had approached several times was really Adrina…
Adrina was an indispensable key. The key to breaking the curse. They absolutely couldn’t abandon them.
“Thank you.”
Adi bowed. Bert hesitated for a moment.
“Though I know why House Woodpecker is helping me.”
Bert’s expression gradually hardened. Adi must know this kindness came with conditions. Because they could break the Duke’s curse.
“Still, it’s the first time—or rather, it’s been a long time since someone has looked after me like this.”
Though he wondered if sympathy was appropriate, Bert felt pity for Adi.
“It feels strange.”
Yes, what sin could Adrina Grimaldi have committed? If there was a sin, if there was…
The beginning of this sin was unknowable. Everything happened because of the witch’s whim. No, it wasn’t a whim. The witch had expressed her emotions to the fullest.
Before that, humans had provided the cause. But even that cause wasn’t their intention. Where had things gone wrong, and how would they be resolved?
Bert didn’t know. He was a person of the past, and his story was setting. It was time for the newly rising ones to create their story.
Even if he didn’t like it, even if it flowed more complexly than he’d thought, Bert had to watch over their path. That was an adult’s duty.
“Adi.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“At least in Woodpecker, you won’t have any difficulties.”
“…”
Disbelief filled Adi’s gaze. Bert had nothing to say. Their distrust was natural.
“Anyway, let’s prepare well to leave. We’ll be departing soon.”
“It feels very much like running away.”
“It’s not much different.”
Saying this, Bert put his hand on Adi’s shoulder but jerked it away in surprise. Having known them as just a fellow knight, a young knight, learning they were a woman made it impossible to casually place his hand on them.
That’s right, a woman. Bert had one final question. The Duke had unhesitatingly kissed Adi and had even extended his hand asking for kisses.
He didn’t know how far things had gone between them, but the Duke had touched Adi—whom he’d thought male—without hesitation. At first, Bert had thought Yuls had unusual tastes, but it wasn’t unusual…
“Adi, I have one question.”
He had known all along.
“Yes, please ask.”
“How long has His Grace known?”
Bert gestured with his chin. He was truly curious about when the Duke had known they were a woman, if he’d done those things already knowing, and why he hadn’t given any hint when others worried about the sticky atmosphere between them, instead making his feelings even more apparent.
Of course, knowing the answer wouldn’t change what Bert or the servants could do. But couldn’t they at least have been told!
Adi considered. Yuls had called them ‘Adrina.’ Though it was quite recent, it was at least earlier than the others.
“I’m not sure exactly when.”
However, Adi couldn’t tell whether Yuls had been suspicious for a while before realizing, or if he had realized that day.
“It has been some time.”
❖ ❖ ❖
The palace was busy in many ways. Before they could properly enjoy the festival, an incident occurred.
Adi Grimaldi had killed Marquis Luigi Francovan, who had returned from Türingen. The Marquis, third in line for succession, had become a cold corpse less than a day after arriving in Palesa, and the one who identified Adi as the culprit was Lev Jid, a retainer of House Grimaldi.
People whispered about what could have happened, and some said this festival was too ominous and stayed in their residences out of fear. Some wanted to leave early, and Woodpecker was among those departing.
Luggage was being loaded into carriages. Numerous items were divided between two carriages. The single portrait Adi had packed was among Bert’s belongings. One carriage contained gifts the Duke had received while staying in Palesa. Even after removing some items, there were many.
Billy had given Adi a fan and told them to cover their face if anyone approached, so Adi stood by the carriage, keeping their face covered.
Guards and knights moved in groups of three or five. At least two people carrying torches were looking around here and there. Finally, they seemed to reach near the Duke’s residence.
“You’re leaving already?”
A knight asked. Roy raised his hand, apparently recognizing the face.
“Leaving early this year?”
“Palesa’s become too unsettling to stay.”
“We never expected Marquis Francovan to meet such a fate. But might we examine inside?”
Everyone’s attention turned to the knight’s words. Surprised by the sudden attention, the knight said,
“Since Adi Grimaldi was His Grace’s guard, we need to check just in case. Please forgive this inspection, it’s to prevent anyone hiding.”
“Go ahead.”
Bert said. The servants resumed moving luggage. Then another knight said, “We’ll check the servants’ identities too.” Actually, there wasn’t much to check. The Duke usually brought similar people when coming to Palesa, and none of them were blonde.
“Thank you for your cooperation. But who is that person?”
The knight pointed at Adi. Hiding behind their fan, Adi slightly revealed their face. A brown-haired woman. They didn’t look anything like Adrian Grimaldi.
“Is there a problem?”
“No.”
“We need to verify everyone leaving.”
“Haven’t you already checked? This is everyone going together. If you’re suspicious, feel free to check inside.”
At Bert’s words, the knight hesitated. Then Roy nudged him and said,
“You know we weren’t that close with Adrian Grimaldi to begin with.”
“Roy.”
“That Adrian. Palesa’s Dog. You know how they behaved here. As if we’d take them with us.”
“But the transfer request…”
“That’s just because they did good work. Anyway, Grimaldi rejected the transfer to Woodpecker. If things hadn’t turned out like this, they would have gone to Ionad with His Highness. Have you checked there?”
“His Highness Claude wouldn’t take problematic people.”
“That’s true.”
“Then finally, my lady, what is your status…”
“My niece.”
Bert said then. Though no one showed it, they all looked at Bert as if surprised.
“Your niece, my lord?”
“Yes, A…drina Din.”
“Adrina Din… She’s not on the list of court invitees.”
“She came registered as a lady’s maid but didn’t stay in the palace, aiming to tour Palesa. Since I brought her, I thought she should return with us and received special entry permission just this once. Since she’s leaving anyway, there’s no need for further verification, is there?”
“That’s true. I’ll issue a transit permit.”
The knight handed over a parchment document. The servant Gavin received it.
“Please travel safely then.”
“See you next year.”
Bert smiled. Soon two carriages loaded with luggage and servants were surrounded by knights on horseback for escort, front and back, left and right. The carriages slowly left the palace, then picked up speed once they reached the road.
The well-maintained cityscape came into view. Aside from their arrival day in Palesa and when they searched for the witch with Yuls, Adi hadn’t properly seen Palesa, and they hadn’t expected to see it like this at night.
Though they had lived here for years, it felt unfamiliar. On the other hand, they felt relief at leaving this place.
Lilina
Real smooth Bert