Chapter Title: The Observer
"Yes. I have served the master since birth."
Aegir answered with an expressionless face. His lack of expression was somewhat curious. Adelaide herself was also often expressionless, but that was more to conceal her inner thoughts. On the other hand, Aegir's expressionlessness seemed genuinely devoid of any thoughts. Two people dancing while staring at each other without any expression. It would look a bit funny if someone saw it, and Adelaide couldn't help but laugh.
"..."
Aegir slightly hesitated. His blue eyes widened a bit.
"Sir Aegir?"
"...I apologize."
He quickly apologized and resumed his movements with even more precision. Adelaide looked at him quietly.
*Is he not used to women? It seems that way.*
"You're Epony's son, right?"
"Yes."
A dull answer. The time spent debating whether to ask seemed wasted.
"Is it okay to tell me that?"
"The master has permitted it."
"So, if my brother allows it, you tell me everything?"
"Yes."
"Very loyal."
Aegir didn't bother to respond, as if to say that it was only natural.
"Do you kill people too?"
"..."
"This isn't something my brother decided, is it?"
"...No."
"Then you should answer as my *bracciere*."
Aegir seemed to consider it a reasonable statement.
"Then I should say no."
"So you do kill people."
"..."
Aegir seemed a bit confused.
"Are you good with a sword?"
"...As a *bracciere*, I cannot answer such a topic."
"Wouldn't saying you're good help me trust you as a *bracciere*?"
"..."
Aegir seemed confused again. He said with trembling eyes.
"I'm... quite good."
"I like that."
"Yes?"
"It means you kill without pain."
"..."
Finally, Aegir composed his expression. It was the same perfect lack of expression as before. A firm resolve not to answer any more was evident. But Adelaide had already satisfied her curiosity. When she first met Aegir, he had the smell of blood and corpses. As someone from Kimora, Adelaide knew that smell. Now it had faded, but that was because Aegir was only working as her guard.
*He was probably used by Cesare for various cleanup jobs before.*
Perhaps Aegir killed Lady Flavia. And...
*The reason Cesare assigned Aegir to me might be to kill me painlessly in case of an emergency.*
Adelaide didn't let her guard down. She didn't believe she would be safe when everything was over. If she died, the identity of the country girl Adelaide would disappear into the maze. Just like Lucrezia's unnamed maid found dead. Would Cesare give up that perfection? She didn't know. Knowing this and not running away was because she knew that even if she ran away, she would just become a shoe shiner again. That would also be hell in the end.
*Then I might as well be in a hell that gives bread and meat.*
At that moment, the delicious smell of something being grilled in the pan tickled her nose. Adelaide couldn't help but smile.
---
Lunch was Milanese with fresh arugula and cherry tomatoes. It was made from high-quality sirloin that didn't seem like the same kind of meat she had eaten before. Thanks to the butter added at the end, it had a savory taste, and the lemon slices used as decoration kept it from being greasy. Adelaide happily finished the milk-flavored ice cream that came out as dessert.
Sitting on the sofa in the drawing room, she recalled her conversation with Lucrezia.
*"It doesn't matter to me who my esteemed brother meets."*
*"Miss Adelaide. I don't know why you're saying such things, but the social world doesn't believe baseless words. Unless they come from the head of the Bonaparte family."*
*"Of course. But even if it's not from the head of the Bonaparte family, some things can be known. For example, could a sudden blue letter make Miss Lucrezia happy?"*
*"...If that is true, I can also build a friendship with Miss Adelaide. It's always nice to have a new friend."*
Adelaide was surprised that Lucrezia was more communicative than she thought. Indeed, she was an excellent high society lady as long as Cesare wasn't in front of her. The deal had begun. Helping your love in exchange for being left alone. She could just say it and leave it vague, but Adelaide had no such intention. Lucrezia was a persistent woman. If she found out Adelaide tried to deceive her, it wouldn't just end with an incitement to murder this time.
*Anyway, my role is to keep the promise with Della Valle, not to stop Lucrezia and Cesare.*
Even if Cesare found out about her secret deal with Lucrezia, he would understand. He was that kind of man.
*Anyway, to send even minimal information to Lucrezia, I really need to observe Cesare now.*
Information would come as she observed. What he likes, how he spends his daily life in the inner palace, what he does for leisure, etc. It might be trivial information. But since Cesare had distanced himself from Lucrezia, she probably didn't have much information either.
Having finished her thoughts, Adelaide adjusted her posture and spoke to Epony.
"Epony, I need to go to the outer palace."
Epony, who was choosing indoor clothes for the afternoon in the dressing room after lunch, approached in surprise.
"The outer palace? For what reason..."
"The Bonaparte outer palace is frequented by high society people. I thought observing them would help me become a lady."
"With all due respect, the young master has no plans to introduce you to outside guests yet."
"I won't be seen because my manners are not perfect yet. I will hide. I will also take Sir Aegir with me."
Adelaide spoke more firmly than usual. Perhaps because of her unexpected stubbornness, Epony hesitated before speaking.
"It's hard for me to say yes or no. I will need to ask the young master."
"If it's okay, could you ask him now?"
"Yes. Then I will step out for a moment. ...And you shouldn't use words like 'if it's okay' with the maids."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Adelaide smiled slightly at the strict maid's words. Epony immediately left the room. She returned about thirty minutes later, looking a bit puzzled.
"The young master has given his permission. However, he said not to skip dance practice and that he plans to invite a new governess soon, so be prepared."
It seems a successor to Lady Flavia is coming. Adelaide nodded and looked at Aegir, who was standing like a statue.
"Sir Aegir, get ready. We're going to the outer palace."
---
"Sir Aegir. I plan to observe my brother starting today."
"..."
Fortunately, Aegir was someone who knew how to keep the virtue of silence even after hearing such nonsense. His blue eyes stared intently at Adelaide, as if to question the situation.
"Is there a place where I can watch my brother's every move without being seen?"
"...It is not a place suitable for a lady."
Aegir finally spoke heavily. So there is a place. Somehow, she thought Aegir would know.
"Please guide me. I will hide and watch my brother. Just make sure he doesn't see me."
"..."
"I have no strange intentions. I just think my brother is the best person to reference to behave like high society. The Bonaparte family is different from ordinary nobles."
The blue eyes that had been staring at Adelaide blinked.
"...Follow me."
Aegir stood up. He took Adelaide's hand and entered the garden instead of the path. His steps were unhesitant. Even so, he did not forget his duty as a *bracciere* and repeatedly warned Adelaide to watch her step.
"He should be at the entrance of the outer palace now."
"At the entrance? Why?"
"..."
Aegir pressed his lips into a thin line. He seemed to know the location but not the reason. Is it for security? Adelaide also didn't want to ask questions that would make him uncomfortable, so she immediately closed her mouth.