The Duke was sitting on the bed in his nightgown. On the blanket were stacks of papers, an inkwell and a quill. The inkwell was extremely unstable. Adi looked around, but didn’t find anything suitable and opened the door. Julius looked at Adi in bewilderment.
Adi asked the servant outside the door to bring the tray. Hearing that ink might spill on the blanket in this position, the servant quickly brought a tray. If the inkwell tips over, they will have to clean it up. Having accepted the tray, Adi tidied up the inkwell and documents. Julius looked up.
- This is not your responsibility, Adi.
- I know. But it will be more convenient.
-...
— I didn’t read the contents of the documents.
- I know. This is not something that can be understood at a glance, and it’s not your job.
There was a slight arrogance in the Duke's words. Despite the fact that it didn’t fit with the child’s appearance, it suited him in a strange way.
“I’ll mind my own business, so don’t be distracted and do your job.”
This was Adi's job. Observe and protect the Duke as he works. Adi stood at the window without answering. If someone breaks in from outside, it will most likely be through a window.
Adi still doubted the count’s words. Murderer. Even if this person was subjected to such assassination attempts, is murder justified?
Although those who entered the palace were selected, it would seem, hastily, everyone had their own connections. Moreover, without a letter of recommendation it was impossible to get close, so if someone missed the killer, the one who gave the recommendation was also at risk. There were no indulgences for murder.
But father was not a man who spoke in vain. Not because he was her father, but because he could be trusted in this matter. Trust and the possibility of assassination are not the same thing.
Julius looked at Adi, who was standing by the window. The candlelight was dim and illuminated only the space around him, so Adi’s face was hidden in shadow.
Usually, even a handsome man is still perceived as a man, but Adi Grimaldi gave the impression of a woman. This is probably why such rumors started.
Julius knew well that rumors and reality are two different things.
Bert seemed to consider Adi quite reliable. Perhaps this was due to the fact that he personally conducted the investigation, or perhaps he actually decided that she was better than expected. Judging by the fact that he even entrusted her with night security, which he did not entrust to everyone.
But Julius did not trust Adi.
He trusted only Bert.
That's why he agreed to this security. However, he still won't get much sleep tonight. You can sleep tomorrow morning. He cleared the schedule, and Roy Gallardo, at least, needed Woodpecker. So there was no reason to attack him.
Deciding that he would fall asleep at dawn, Julius frowned and continued reading the documents.
They both ended up staying up all night. Adi met Roy in the reception area with a tired face. It was hard not to sleep for a whole day, no matter how good my physical training was. However, during my training at Grimaldi, it happened that I didn’t sleep for a week, so compared to that time it was still nothing.
- Breakfast?
- First, sleep.
“But Bert doesn’t like to eat alone.”
“I’m telling you, sleep first.”
- Well done, good job. As soon as the Duke comes out, say hello and quickly go to rest.
Roy patted him on the shoulder. Then he looked at his hand in bewilderment. But Adi did not have time to read this expression. Seeing Juls leaving the reception area, Adi saluted and went outside, as if fleeing for his life. Roy and Yuls looked at each other after watching him go.
- Roy.
- Yes, Your Grace.
- Today's business is cancelled. I'll take a nap here, so don't disturb me unless something serious happens.
-...You weren't sleeping?
- Yes.
Why? Jules looked at Roy's questioning expression and said:
“I couldn’t trust Adi Grimaldi.
- Did something happen?
- No. But I can’t trust either.
Then why did you make Adi Grimaldi your night bodyguard?
“That may be the case for some time.”
Just like everyone else, just watch? Whatever it was, it didn't matter. Roy himself was not suspected. Both the enemy and their intentions are common, so it could not be otherwise, but Adi’s situation was different. It's a pity, of course. Roy felt a little pity.
This is how to be here, without using anyone's trust. Bert, the Duke, and Roy himself were all watching Adi Grimaldi.
Besides, his relationship with his family didn't seem good either, so anyone who knew about Adi Grimaldi's situation could probably sympathize with him a little, Roy thought. Especially Roy, who owed him a debt of gratitude for introducing him to Woodpecker. And besides that.
“...Why are the shoulders so fragile.”
Yes, maybe that was it.
* * *Returned to the room. Bert could be heard snoring. Nothing happened overnight. Not to mention the killer - there was not even a trace of the mouse. The night palace was lively until late, and by dawn it was quiet. Then the Duke fell asleep too.
Adi did not touch the documents that the Duke was looking through. But he put away the inkwell. When seven in the morning arrived, a servant came to wake the Duke. The Duke, who had woken up from sleep, cast a piercing glance at Adi.
Adi was used to people’s malice, anger and contempt, but this was the first time she had seen such a look and could not understand what it meant.
“What was that facial expression anyway?”
I still couldn't figure it out. Adi took off her things one after another, hanging them up, and lay down on the bed, without washing, in only a shemiz. I stood on my feet all day, and now no thoughts came to mind. Settling down on the bed, she pulled the covers up, blinked for a moment, then took out her sword, tucked it under her pillow, and closed her eyes again.
For the first time in a long time, she fell asleep quickly.
* * * Waking up late, Yuls curled up, then stretched. In early childhood, he believed that if he did this constantly, he would grow at least a little.
He turned his head left and right, stretched the back of his head, but his neck still hurt, as if it were pinched. Even after sleep, the fatigue did not go away. Maybe because he didn't move?
Here he did not train at all, all the time he was engaged in administrative work and social activities, and it seemed that his physical condition had deteriorated. In fact, no matter how much you train, your muscles don’t grow, your height doesn’t increase—why then does your endurance drop? Maybe it's something to do with the internal organs.
— Did Bert come?
- Yes. Seeing that you were sleeping, he said what he would say in the evening and left.
The servant answered Yuls' question. Roy watched them silently.
- Anything else?
“People from the Lintew family came in the morning.” I sent them on their way, saying that you don’t have time, and they replied that they would arrange a new meeting.
“Did I have an appointment with Lintyu today?”
- No. It looks like it was a personal visit. And the Marchioness of Conolly sent a letter. Invites you to a dinner party the day after tomorrow.
— As far as I remember, dinner with another person has already been scheduled for the day after tomorrow.
- Yes, you have a meeting with Baron Peri. When I told her about this, she said that she would sort everything out herself. It seems she wants to have a dinner not in the Palais, but outside it.
— My aunt stays in Pales, why have dinner outside?
- Yes.
- Find out her intentions, and if you don’t find anything suspicious, give your consent.
- Yes, Your Grace.
The servant answered. Catching Julius's gaze, which meant that he could leave, the servant quickly left. Only Roy and Julius remained in the waiting room. The awkward moment was hard to bear.
— Roy Gagliardo.
- Yes, Your Grace, Duke.
— What you tell Bert, report to me as well.
- Your Highness too?
- Yes. Word for word.
- I obey.
Roy nodded in response. Julius seemed satisfied with the answer and sat down on the couch, staring at the documents. The sight, which at first seemed unusual, was now gradually becoming commonplace. The fact that this boy is not thirteen, but twenty-six.
— By the way, Your Grace.
Roy continued. Julius raised his head.
- Will Adi also guard you at night today?
- Yes.
- How long do you intend to continue this?
— Until there is trust.
-...
According to him, this would apparently continue until the Duke left for Woodpecker.
- It can undermine your health.
- I don't care.
Jules replied. At most, two months. An inverted day and night regime for such a period will not be a big problem. On the contrary, if he does other things during night shifts and meets people less often during the day, he will get less tired.
- Get ready too. Once the schedule is over, we'll head to Woodpecker.
Roy nodded. Duke Woodpecker will be leaving immediately after the holiday. As always.
“So don’t get distracted and do your duties well.” There are plenty of people who want to take this place even without you.
-......
- If there is dissatisfaction, it is better to leave quickly.
- Is this possible? I will do whatever you order, whatever it takes.
- That's how it should be.
Jules replied. The reason why Roy wants to be with him is obvious. Even though this path is incredibly rocky, Roy has an idea that this is the best choice. Jules too.
“It takes exactly this kind of stamina to mess with you.”
- You won't regret it.
“I hope you won’t have to regret it.”
I need someone who can really get the job done.
“Because our battles will not be easy.”
Skillful.
- Especially my curse.
Unshakable in any circumstances.
“They tend to use it cruelly.”
Roy looked at his young Duke.
- So you will have to endure and endure a lot.
Completed growth, but unable to grow.