Spencer Grimaldi goes to Palesa.
What could this mean?
Count Grimaldi did not come to Palesa for several years. Most of the nobles come to Palesa for the festival season. The social season as such begins in late autumn and lasts until winter, but between late spring and summer the nobles once gather in the Pales to schedule upcoming social events.
Grimaldi did the same, but after he incurred the disfavor of the king several years ago, he stopped visiting Palesa.
Was he invited this time? King? For all his mediocrity, the king was not a fickle person - once he decided on something, he rarely changed his mind.
...Really Claude?
“As far as I know, the count hasn’t come for several years.”
- Yes, he didn’t appear for three years. However, it became known that this time he intends to arrive, and I considered it necessary to report to you so that you could pay respects to him.
- When does he arrive?
- We don’t know exactly yet...
-Where does he intend to stay?
— They said that they would contact us when they decided.
- Is that so?
Jules ran his hand over his chin. If the place of residence has not yet been determined, then this is not an invitation from the king. Then, undoubtedly, this is the invitation of the Crown Prince. I wonder what the king will think when he finds out that Claude, on his own whim, invited Count Grimaldi?
Jules chuckled. Whatever happens - if everything turns out so that everyone’s head goes spinning, my soul will become much lighter.
- Adi, call Gavin.
“To change the schedule, you need to call Bert, not Gavin, right?” — Adi thought, but still brought Gavin. He came in with a puzzled expression on his face. Jules spoke:
- Gavin, send a letter to the Grimaldi family.
-...What should I write?
“If they have nowhere to stay, let them live in my residence.”
Having said this, Juls looked at Adi - as if saying: you won’t have to waste time specially carving out time for a meeting with the count, will you?
- Yes, I understand. I will send a letter to Count Grimaldi.
— Send it by urgent letter. We cannot allow them to decide on housing during this time. And even if you have decided, at the moment the penalty for cancellation has not yet been charged.
- Yes, Your Grace.
After answering, Gavin walked out the door. There was bewilderment on his face, but he did not contradict the Duke. Watching the door close, Julius turned to Adi:
- Well, that’s how everything is decided, right?
-......
— The cleaning of that room has already been completed, so we can occupy it. You know the location well.
If he was talking about a place whose location was well known to her, then he meant the room that he himself had previously occupied. It was located on the same floor, which means it was close, and there were also enough rooms suitable for servants or knights.
— The passage is securely blocked, so don't worry. There will be no return visit from the killer.
Adi looked at Julius. Normally, he would probably have been reproached for his impudent look, but Julius decided to be generous. Otherwise, the curse cannot be lifted.
“And even if someone does appear, the countess’s skill in wielding a sword is so outstanding that it will not be difficult for her to cope with such an opponent.” As you have already proven.
What happens after the curse is lifted is another matter.
- What, you won’t even thank me?
- Thank you, Your Grace.
- That's right.
Yes, all this is only until the curse ends.
* * *The palace was engulfed in bustle. At this time of year, the Outer Palace was also usually busy cleaning and decorating, but the Inner Palace was superior in this, if not twice as good, then certainly not inferior in any way. Curtains and decorative decorations were changed, and seamstresses settled in the palace on a permanent basis.
They said that the King was coming.
Adi has never seen the King. She didn't even know what he looked like. However, not only the King - among the aristocrats there were many who had no idea what the persons with the right to succession to the throne looked like.
The more well-known a person is, the higher the threat of assassination. Of course, some of their distinctive features were still known. Take Duke Woodpecker's fiery red hair, for example.
But just as Adi herself, before her personal meeting, did not suspect that he would be so young, nothing is known for certain about the King or the Crown Prince, and therefore, if strangers arrive in Palesa, it is necessary to strictly monitor their posture, behavior and speech, Roy warned.
Roy, who had considerable experience in the security business, told Adi about various subtleties.
“You can’t tell who’s who, but you can roughly figure it out by clothes.” The fabric on the dress and decorations are different. Oh yes, if you see a blond guy, try not to catch his eye. The royal family are blond. True, the King’s hair is now half gray.
- Blondes, that is.
- Yeah, a little darker than yours.
Roy said this and, putting his hand on Adi’s head, vigorously stroked his hair. Adi waved her hand away, making it clear to remove her hand, and Roy, as if nothing had happened, raised both palms up.
A giggle was heard nearby - it was the maids of the Palesa Palace. A little further, on the lawn, people could be seen lying on the grass in dresses. Snow-white fabric with stains from grass juice, fruits scattered on it, pale lemon wine. It was like there was another world here.
-Are you going to go train?
- Yeah. And you?
- I'll rest. I stood guard all morning - my whole body was numb.
- You didn’t do anything.
“You yourself know how stiff you get when you just stand still.”
“That’s why I’m going to train.”
- Well, come on, come on. Train as much as you like.
“Are you just going to be idle?” Do you at least maintain your form?
- Better than yours. Maybe sparring later?
— Without insignia, on equal terms?
- Where did you pick up such words? And besides, you and I have the same insignia, don’t we?
“That’s why it’s possible without ceremony.”
- Okay, when the time comes. After the festival - that's it.
- It will be hot.
Having said this, Adi lightly patted Roy on the shoulder. When Adi said he had to go, Roy raised his hand in farewell.
Since their breakfasts and dinners often coincided, they managed to get close. Largely due to the fact that Roy was extremely sociable.
Adi, as if nothing had happened, headed to the training ground intended for the First and Second Orders of Knighthood. So far, few people have used it, but Roy said that during the festival season, when many aristocrats and members of the royal family come to the city, it becomes crowded - and Adi was thinking about moving somewhere else during this time.
Today the site was empty again. He took off his jacket and stretched his neck, turning it left and right. It was necessary to start with a light jog, then some basic training, and then work with the sword.
Of course, it is much better to practice with a partner than alone, but Roy, oddly enough, did not like to swing a sword. And if you go to the site of the Third Order of Knights, it won’t be a sparring match, but a massacre.
Thinking about this while running, Adi noticed someone’s silhouette. A stranger appeared on the site, where just a minute ago there was not a soul. Adi slowed down for a moment, but immediately returned to his previous pace.
After all, since this person got here, he must have passed the palace security check. He is clearly not dressed for training - most likely, he comes from a noble family. He probably just came to have a look.
Adi assumed that now, when there are few people and there is not much to see, the stranger will soon leave and return another time. However, contrary to expectations, the man entered the site without the slightest hesitation and ran next to Adi, matching his pace.
Noble people also sometimes engaged in training, but running like this, in such an outfit, did not happen often. Is he really from the same knightly order? Or a squire?
Adi thought that he would run some distance and stop, but the man continued to run after him, and then Adi himself stopped. The man also froze in place. Judging by the way he was gasping for air and breathing heavily, basic training was clearly not something he was used to.
- Do you have something to do with me?
- Fu-uh, ha, hi, hah, Handsome.
-...
"What a crazy person."
Adi was wondering if he was getting into trouble and how best to proceed, but then his gaze caught on the man’s hair. Blonde. Golden chestnut, slightly darker than his own. It doesn't hurt to be careful.
- Wow, that's hard. What knightly order are you from? Although no, the face looks like the Second Order of Knighthood, right?
-...
Adi silently wiped the sweat with his sleeve. The man followed him.
- If you have business, speak quickly.
- Oh, well, as such, no. I'm looking for someone here.
Having said this, the man glanced at the jacket. As if he was trying to make out the emblem of the order.
“I heard that you are also a member of the Second Order of Knights.”
“I don’t know who you’re looking for, but I have almost no acquaintances in the Second Order of Knights.”
- Is it true? But it seemed to me that he was easy to recognize - he was famous. They say he recently transferred from another order.
The man said this with surprise. Adi was also surprised. Why did he decide that everyone in one order would certainly be closely acquainted with each other? Or maybe he thinks she’s one of the local Sijons?
Adi was about to answer that she still didn’t know when a voice was heard nearby: “Sir Adrian Grimaldi!” Adi grabbed her jacket and headed towards the entrance to the training ground. Gavin ran up to her, saying as he walked:
- Sir, where are you?
- Gavin.
- His lordship is looking for you. Right now.
The sun was still high. It was far from evening, and even more so from midnight. Adi asked with bewilderment on her face:
- And Sir Bert Dean? Is he not there?
“He’s busy with another assignment right now.”
Apparently there is a change in the schedule.
- It's clear.
Having said this, Adi turned to the man: “I have work to do.” — The man made a disappointed face and opened his mouth.
- Oh, okay.
And then he grinned.
- See you, Handsome.
There won't be any reason to see each other again, but...
- All the best.
“If he calls me Handsome or something else again, maybe I should punch him in the teeth?” - thought Adi.