Chapter 94
When Claude arrived with the red-haired young man, it naturally drew attention. The man, never before seen in social circles, was strikingly tall. If he had been blonde, people might have thought him to be Luigi. But Luigi was already dead, and there were few red-haired people in Dalkatir.
Though everyone had their suspicious candidates, they didn’t seem to think it was him. The Duke, after all, was cursed.
Of course, rumors had spread from Palesa that the curse had been broken, but the Duke hadn’t shown himself that day. Therefore, no one could be certain whether the Duke’s curse was completely broken or if it was just rumors.
People didn’t approach easily. Having Claude nearby was uncomfortable enough, but Count Grimaldi was there too.
Count Grimaldi had been barred from entering Ionad for several years, and no one knew how he’d managed to come now. Though rumors circulated about his invitation to Palesa and direct audience with the king, whether this meant royal forgiveness remained uncertain.
While everyone maintained their distance and gave greetings, one man approached.
“Your Highness.”
“Baron Carver, how have you been?”
“It’s an honor. Count Grimaldi, it’s been a long time.”
Spencer Grimaldi was also someone he knew well.
Even among those who discussed state affairs together, the regular parliament and the Privy Council were different. Moreover, some Privy Council members also served as parliamentary elders. As intermediaries between the king and parliament, they were chosen with particular care.
From House Grimaldi, Spencer had been the only one to enter the Privy Council. Even that no longer applied now.
“But this person is…”
Baron Carver asked, looking at Yuls. Claude and Yuls exchanged glances. At Claude’s expression that seemed to say ‘see that,’ Yuls ignored him and turned away. Then, extending his hand to Baron Carver, he said,
“I couldn’t attend social functions last year due to family matters, Baron Ennio Carver.”
“…Do you know me well?”
“How could I not know you when we’re both in the Privy Council?”
A question flickered across Ennio Carver’s face. Privy Council? He’s in the Privy Council? The Privy Council had few members. Less than twenty, and there couldn’t be anyone he didn’t know among them.
Ah, since the person who was supposed to enter had died, perhaps this person replaced them? But that would require both sufficient status and the king’s trust…
Noticing Carver’s mind working rapidly, Spencer said, “It seems the Baron hasn’t heard the rumors.”
Claude giggled and placed his arm over Yuls’s shoulder. Though his arm felt stiff because Yuls was taller than expected, he didn’t show it and said “It’s Woodpecker,” causing silence to fall around them.
Perhaps when people are shocked by unexpected things, they lose their words. In the coldly quiet hall, Baron Carver’s bewildered response burst out.
“Pardon?”
With that word, the surroundings began to stir. Though everyone was talking among themselves, attention clearly focused their way. Yuls knew these gazes well. But unlike before, the negative feelings weren’t as strong. Just because of changed appearances. He didn’t like this aspect of people.
“Duke Woodpecker, Your Grace?”
“If you’re not refusing my handshake, I’d appreciate making this hand less awkward.”
Yuls said. Baron Carver quickly grasped Yuls’s hand.
“I arrived a bit early this year. The main session starts soon, let’s work well together.”
He nodded with a dazed expression. Until last year, he had certainly been a child. But now he was completely grown into a young man. Had the Duke’s curse really been broken? If so, how? By whom?
The Duke showed no traits of the royal family whatsoever. Perhaps only his eyes somewhat resembled the previous Duke’s, which had been red but pale. Besides that, no one would be reminded of the previous Duke Woodpecker in this young man. Maybe that’s why everyone was surprised.
Baron Carver released his hand. Several nobles approached around them.
While this was to be expected, Claude didn’t much enjoy the situation.
Ah, he hated crowds. Especially in situations where he wasn’t the center of attention.
Claude pouted and looked down. Adrina Grimaldi and Lea Lintew were together. Though he couldn’t hear their conversation, Lea Lintew’s face showed considerable fondness toward Adrina.
Lady Connolly entered Claude’s interested gaze. She approached between the two, exchanged a few words, and took Lea Lintew away.
No, she stopped midway.
She turned around and spoke with an incredulous face. Claude read her lips exactly.
“Malvina?”
There was a reaction beside him at that moment. When Claude quickly turned his head, he saw Spencer Grimaldi with a hardened expression. Ah, right. Of course. Lady Connolly and Spencer Grimaldi were the same age. And around that time, Lady Grimaldi would have attended the social season.
“What was the Countess’s name again?”
“…Yvette Grimaldi, Your Highness.”
“Right, Yvette. Her maiden name was Malvina, wasn’t it?”
“…”
“Yvette Malvina.”
Lady Connolly knew Lady Grimaldi. They’d said Adrina resembled the Countess, and it seemed true.
“I have some business below.”
Claude said, patting Yuls’s shoulder. The people who had been approaching Yuls one by one stepped back nervously, watching Claude’s expression.
Usually Claude was normal when in a good mood, but when in a bad mood, he would throw things about and act violently. Could he be upset that attention had shifted elsewhere? Though Claude was particularly generous with Duke Woodpecker, no one knew when his mood might change.
“Since the Duke is attending after so long, enjoy yourself more.”
But seeing his expression seemed fine, people lowered their guard and approached the Duke with relieved faces. Claude spoke to Spencer beside him.
“Count, take good care of the Duke.”
“He doesn’t need my care, Your Highness. He’ll do well already.”
“Yes, I know.”
He answered. It meant don’t let him come down. Spencer didn’t like this situation. But it wasn’t a situation where he could go down.
Claude pushed through people and approached the stairs again. An attendant approached him. It was the same attendant who had been holding the wine glass earlier. Claude said something to him, and the attendant shook his head. His lips seemed to say something was being prepared, but the exact words were unclear.
Spencer soon turned his attention from Claude. He was busy enough dealing with the people flocking around. Especially since there couldn’t be a better situation for making allies.
“It’s crowded.”
But Yuls just found this situation uncomfortable. Originally, his position wasn’t one of receiving help from others but of giving help to others. In other words, all those trying to shake hands with Yuls here had ulterior motives.
“You must get used to it, Your Grace,” Spencer said.
“Isn’t that right, Baron Carver.”
“Yes, in this situation, many will approach Your Grace. You’ll need to distinguish well between those who are your allies and those who oppose you.”
Looking at Ennio Carver speaking thus, Spencer thought he too might side with the Duke. He narrowed his eyes. Those trying to attach themselves to the Duke. Yes, it was still fine for now.
❖ ❖ ❖
Claude, having come down, looked at Adrina standing against the wall. A red dress against the pure white wall. Though it was a color unsuited for summer, somehow it suited Adrina quite well. Like intense summer itself.
Standing alone proudly with perfect posture, no one approached Adrina. Likewise, she didn’t approach anyone else.
A flower on the wall. Too brilliant. Some might consider it a poisonous flower and not dare approach. Of course, this didn’t apply to Claude.
“Adrina.”
Adi slowly turned their head. Indeed, longer hair would be better, Claude thought. Letting it fall long would be good, but putting it up would be nice too. The current length was awkward and not easy to style.
But Adrina’s appearance was quite worth seeing. Yuls also dressed quite well. He clearly had good attendants and maids.
“Your Highness.”
“How heartless to leave you alone and lonely like this.”
Adi looked confused. They seemed not to understand what it meant to stand alone against the wall at a ball. This made Claude feel even more sympathetic. Poor thing, not even able to grasp their own position.
“I mean your partner and father.”
“Are you deliberately saying such things?”
At Adi’s retort, Claude raised his eyebrows. His face said how could you treat me like this when I just took your side.
“You know there are many watching. Especially since you’re the Crown Prince, gazes follow your every step.”
“I merely came to request a dance. I was just exchanging greetings before that.”
Who in the world exchanges greetings like that? While thinking the royal family’s etiquette couldn’t possibly be so rude, Adi suddenly showed understanding. Education and etiquette were ways of treating superiors, not inferiors. It wasn’t strange that he had grown into an arrogant person.
“And honestly, whether someone hears, or you’re exposed – that’s not my concern, is it?”
“…”
This wasn’t wrong either. For the Crown Prince. But it wasn’t good for Adi themselves.
“So, Adrina.”
With a look suggesting to quietly follow if they didn’t want others to hear, Claude extended his hand.
“Will you dance one song?”
Adi looked at the extended palm before immediately raising their head. The Duke and Count could be seen at the balcony railing above. Both were watching this spot. Though intention could be felt in those gazes, unfortunately, Adi couldn’t understand what they were trying to say. They just stared at them steadily before overlapping their hand on Claude’s.
