Chapter 85
The maids came early in the morning. Wearing only a light muslin nightgown, Adi opened the door and looked questioningly at the two maids’ solemn expressions, but stepped aside to let them in.
The basket the maids carried contained measuring tape and various types of fabric. Before Adi could ask any questions, one maid held them in place, lifted their arms, and said, “Take a deep breath.”
“Shouldn’t these clothes be measured loosely?”
“…”
It wasn’t clear why they needed to take a deep breath for knight’s attire. Wouldn’t it be better to make them slightly larger? Too tight-fitting would be uncomfortable when moving. Without giving a proper answer, they only said, “Then we’ll measure twice.” No real explanation was provided.
Adi lifted their arms as instructed and took a deep breath when told. The measuring took longer than expected, making them worry about being late for training. Then the maids held various colored fabrics against their skin.
“Can you tell me what these measurements are for?”
At Adi’s question, the maids exchanged glances. Though they didn’t speak, they seemed to reach an understanding as one said, “The ultimate goal is to fit you for knight’s attire.”
“Is that so?”
Adi responded while feeling puzzled. If it was for knight’s attire, why add the phrase “ultimate goal”? The color of knight’s clothing would already be determined. Perhaps due to their suspicious look, a maid spoke up.
“Of course, we’ll be fitting other clothes besides the knight’s attire. You’ve been wearing temporarily fitted clothes until now.”
But from what they were saying, nothing seemed particularly strange.
“We’re finished. The clothes will be delivered when they’re ready.”
“Yes.”
“We’ll deliver the knight’s attire as quickly as possible.”
Adi nodded. They thought any time before the knighting ceremony would be fine. And indeed, the knight’s attire was made quickly, arriving four days later.
❖ ❖ ❖
The southern sunlight was different. The apricot-colored bright buildings reminded one of beach sand. They seemed always peaceful and warm, appearing to shatter into white when the sunlight struck them. Though it felt familiar now, there was still a strange sensation every time they looked at the buildings.
Though it wasn’t a holiday, there was no full knight division training today. Adi fidgeted with the unfamiliar collar. The emblem on the left chest felt nostalgic. They absently stroked it. It finally felt like they truly belonged here.
Standing in the corridor leading from the main mansion to the knights’ quarters in the west, Adi saw people wearing knight division uniforms. One of them seemed to notice Adi too, waving and approaching. The size and silhouette suggested it was Roy.
Coming closer, Roy said playfully, “Hey, are you alone?”
“Is that how you try to pick up women?”
When Adi gave him a horrified look, Roy laughed out loud.
“Ah, I’m dying. It’s so hard.”
“What’s hard about it? There’s no work today.”
“I was just rolling around until dawn. They say that side mainly works at night. They even put strange things over our eyes, saying we need to get used to darkness.”
Adi nodded when he said it was secret so he couldn’t show what it was.
“Congratulations on receiving your knighthood, Lady Adrina Din.”
“Not yet.”
“What difference does it make? Whether you become a knight in an hour or now.”
Roy spoke as if it wasn’t a big deal. Adi didn’t feel much either. Their feelings must be quite different from those becoming knights for the first time. Perhaps because they had already lived as a knight. Still, doing something under their own name for the first time felt somewhat different.
“I hear you’re going to Ionad together?”
Roy asked. When Adi turned to look at him, he continued.
“My colleagues in Palesa told me Count Grimaldi will go to his territory first, then to Ionad. They say Lev Jid is still in Palesa.”
Hearing a soft laugh beside him, Roy lowered his gaze. Adi said,
“I suppose he’s trying to find me.”
“Be careful. I heard Lev’s movements aren’t good.”
Perhaps Ionad would be dangerous too. But Adi replied “It’s fine” with an unconcerned face. They couldn’t hide forever. It would be better to resolve things quickly.
“Whether I go to Ionad or not, everyone will find out anyway.”
Some nobles had seen Adrina’s face. Crown Prince Claude, and Lady Connolly had seen Adrina’s face too. Spencer Grimaldi couldn’t fail to recognize this face. Had the Lintew daughter seen it too? If Adi remembered her face, she might remember theirs.
The future was uncertain. Whether everyone would pretend not to know Adrina and agree to this play, or point out others’ oversight saying it was wrong.
One thing was certain: Spencer Grimaldi was the type to participate in the play.
“Adrina!”
Ivan’s voice was heard from afar. Roy and Adi looked at him simultaneously. Though Ivan’s approach was quite fast, he showed no signs of being out of breath. Rather, his fresh appearance as he approached saying “So you were here” confirmed he truly was from an assassin background.
“Shall we move if you’re ready?”
At Ivan’s words, Roy exclaimed “Wow” and revealed himself.
“Ivan comes personally for a mere squire?”
“Usually servants visit those receiving knighthood. As a welcome and show of respect for becoming a member of the family.”
“Oh, I’ve said something embarrassing.”
“Though management-level servants don’t go, of course.”
Ivan was a mid-level servant. One close to the Duke. In the end, it was true they were receiving special treatment.
“Adi.”
“Yes.”
“I hear the Count has left Palesa. They say he’ll stop by Grimaldi before going to Ionad.”
Everyone here and there worried about them. Just as Adi was wondering why, they smiled and said, “Is that so.”
“I heard the Crown Prince will provide the Count a place to stay. In the inner palace.”
It was strange. That there were people who worried so much about someone as insignificant as themselves. Of course, even if they had their own purposes, it was incomprehensible since they had never experienced this in Grimaldi.
That wasn’t to say it was bad. How should this be expressed? Belonging? That seemed clear. Adi stroked their chin with their thumb. Ivan narrowed his eyes. Stroking the chin was the Duke’s habit. It seemed habits were becoming similar with time spent together.
“Meeting will be unavoidable,” Ivan continued.
“It seems everyone hopes I won’t go to Ionad.”
At these words, Ivan pressed his lips together. They had seen it. How the Count had treated Adi. The Count’s behavior, trying to take them even by faking death, was different from what they had seen before.
Of course, if it had been someone else’s situation rather than Adi’s, they might not have cared so much.
“But I must go.”
They existed for their lord.
“Because I have business with the Count.”
Adi Grimaldi shouldn’t be anywhere else.
“Rather.”
Adi wondered if the Duke needed to go to Ionad, a place he usually avoided. But since there was no guarantee the Duke’s movements were for their sake, Adi decided not to think too deeply about it.
❖ ❖ ❖
The knighting ceremony takes place in the audience chamber.
Why had they thought it would be in the forest? Perhaps because the forest came to mind whenever they thought of the Duke. But there were no plants in the audience chamber. There were only high ceilings and long windows. The incoming sunlight alone made the space bright.
Beside Adi stood three squires. Originally only they would have received knighthood, but the number had increased with Adi as a variable.
All wore newly tailored knight’s attire that still felt stiff.
Yuls sat in the center chair. Beside him stood the captains of each knight division holding swords. Only Bert held two swords, one of which was a thin rapier. However, it was notably more ornate than the other swords.
Yuls approached Adi, who stood at the far right. Though they had thought they were last in line, from Yuls’s perspective, Adi was the first person. Bert and the other division captains approached Yuls’s side.
“The sword.”
At Yuls’s words, Bert handed over the sword.
“Adrina.”
Watching the Duke, Adi slowly knelt on one knee.
The Duke raised the sword.
“I, Adrina Din, swear to serve His Grace the Duke appropriately according to my conscience, not to commit treason, to issue minimum declaration of war before breaking from restraints, to offer truth and sincerity, devotion in looking up to His Grace, and pledge unchanging oath and loyalty for life.”
The sword gently touched Adrina’s right shoulder. Then it passed over their head to touch the left shoulder.
“By the authority of Woodpecker, I bestow the title of knight upon Adrina Din.”
