The Duke said that if she lifted the curse, he would unconditionally grant her one wish. The key was precisely the lifting of the curse, but if this turns out to be possible, the path to retreat is, consider, provided.
Adi picked up the jacket of a black knight's uniform.
It looked hot, but once I put it on, it turned out to be quite bearable. The attached chemise was also light and loose.
When she first saw Bert, she assumed that his slightly exposed chest was a matter of musculature and personal preference, but it seemed that Southern chemises did involve a certain degree of openness.
It’s clear that it’s hot in the south, but still...
- The skin is visible.
Adi said, pulling back her shemiz. Whatever one may say, it was necessary to at least fix the gate. There were no ties included, but you'll have to get them somewhere else - the throat needs to be covered.
Getting used to the feel of the unfamiliar fabric and the unusually loose size, Adi straightened her clothes, then looked at the metal emblem and attached it above the left side of her chest - just as Bert had done.
The lace that tied the neck of the shemiz was pressing and getting in the way. She mechanically pulled it with her finger, but it was impossible to loosen it further - otherwise what was under the fabric would be exposed.
When she left the dormitory, one of the servants - Billy - saw her outfit and opened his eyes wide. He tapped his own collar with his fingers, and Adi replied: “Too open.”
- Well, quite in the spirit of a noble northerner.
It would seem that the words could have sounded sarcastic, but in Billy’s tone there was no hidden intent - and therefore my soul felt calm.
- This is a summer uniform, that’s why it’s like that. It's hot in the south. You can consider this kit to be a kind of simplified version. He is generally recognized only thanks to the Emblem.
- It's clear. Indeed, it is too free in it.
The chest is open almost wide open. On Bertha everything looked fine, but on myself the difference was striking. It's probably all about the chest. Adi automatically ran his hand over his neck.
— In autumn, a white vest is put on top, and the cape is attached to one side. There is also a red and gold cord on the top - this, one might say, is the symbol of the Woodpeckers. True, in the fall they use a black cape.
— It turns out that clothes vary greatly depending on the time of year.
- Yes. In the north it’s cold and the weather hardly changes, so they say they always wear about the same clothes. And the Woodpeckers' possessions are vast, and the change of seasons is clearly felt, so the wardrobe here is quite rich.
Adi nodded in response to Billy's words. He thought that both of them were not the talkative type, but while talking about clothes they quietly approached their goal. Stopping in front of the reception area, Billy said, “Let’s go in together.”
Adi nodded and stood at the reception door.
For some reason I was overcome with excitement. There was absolutely nothing to worry about. Maybe it's a change of clothes? Adi once again loosened the tie around his neck and followed Billy, who immediately opened the door after knocking.
Today the sun was especially merciless. The midday luminary should have been at its very zenith, and yet its rays, penetrating through the high wide windows, filled the room with bright light. At first, Adi squinted from the blinding light, but soon his eyes discerned the Duke and the expressions on the faces of the three people standing next to him.
Jules Woodpecker, Bert Dean, Roy Gagliardo and Joel.
- I’ve arrived.
Duke Woodpecker said it briefly.
- Looks good.
-...
Adi smiled shyly. Behind him, Roy gave a thumbs up. Watching him silently say with his lips: “I knew it would be great,” Adi nodded slightly.
— I attached the emblem correctly. But Roy wore it on the right side. It's like his heart is on the right.
- Who knows. Maybe if you cut my stomach open, my heart will actually be on the right side.
- Yes? Rip it open, or what?
“Then I’ll probably fix it on the left side.”
Adi said. Duke Woodpecker snorted with laughter at these words.
Maybe it was because the season had changed and the warmth was felt especially clearly. Looking at the people standing in the same uniform, and at the red-haired Duke in the very center of them, Adi suddenly felt that they looked like a single whole.
It was as if a warmth penetrated into him, which he had never felt even where he was born.
For them, the Grimaldis are strangers, newcomers.
Maybe just because it's warmer?
- Thank you.
She felt like she was allowed to be here.
* * *
Billy Anderson, the only one among the Duke's servants who could be called a real valet, was born the youngest son of the third son of Viscount Anderson and did not receive a noble title, but lived in abundance. Thanks to this, he developed impeccable taste, which he showed so brilliantly that he was later awarded the title and was elevated to the position of valet.
Most of all, he was proud of his ability to bring men into proper shape. It was thanks to this skill that he was accepted into the service of the Woodpecker house. After all, Woodpecker did not like his appearance in his childhood.
Then Billy thought only about how to hide his flaws, but the matured Duke turned out to be very handsome, and dressing him up became a real pleasure.
Jules Woodpecker's hair, despite its fiery hue, gave a rather cold impression. Even in just a sparkling snow-white shirt with a starched collar, he looked great.
Billy often repeated: male elegance is born from impeccability. For her sake, you should shave your beard clean, cut your nails short, and your hair...
-......
The Duke's hair was too beautiful to cut.
Billy didn't particularly approve of long hair, but the appearance was impeccable, so it didn't matter - and he didn't bother forcing unnecessary jewelry on the owner. A ceremonial uniform without a single unnecessary detail is enough. Black silk uniform, gold braided cord with aiguillette and heraldic emblem. A very simple outfit, but in combination with Juls’ red hair, it looked especially luxurious.
“I can’t stand these clothes.”
Of course, Jules didn't like it. He believed that the noble texture of the fabric was enough. But sewing just such clothes was much more difficult. When Billy ordered outfits for Jules, he drove the tailors crazy with endless demands.
“This is a dinner with the Crown Prince, so etiquette must be observed.”
The Crown Prince himself will probably appear in some ugly form. And it remains to be seen whether he will arrive on time. But no one would dare to reprimand the Crown Prince. Etiquette exists for those below, not for those above.
When they left, it was quiet on the side where the count’s chambers were located. Apparently he left a long time ago. Servants along the way bowed their heads. Yuls, the valet and Adi passed them without stopping.
Adi did not turn around, but felt their gaze on her. The views of those who would not want to be involved are still sticky, inseparable. Adrian Grimaldi wearing Woodpecker clothing.
“It must be unpleasant for them.” Adi liked it. Remembering the faces of familiar servants, she grinned.
* * *The inner palace, where the residence of the Crown Prince was located, was located much deeper. The servants explained that this place in the residence was intended for meetings with distinguished guests. Adi listened with half an ear, walking forward.
Soon they arrived at the dining room.
At a table that could easily accommodate twenty people, only Count Grimaldi sat. Behind him there was an orchestra, but no music was played for the count alone. Lef Zid, the count's bodyguard, stood against the wall. Adi was also supposed to take a place there.
Adi stood next to Lef Zid. The warmth of someone else's body, felt from the side, made me feel nauseous. Jules walked to the table, where the servant led him, and sat down. But the Crown Prince was not there. Of course, no food was served either.
That's why Duke Woodpecker satisfied his hunger in advance before going to dinner - apparently he knew that the Crown Prince would be late. The dining room was filled with silence. No one dared to speak first. It seemed that even the slightest sound, escaping, would rumble in this space with a deafening echo.
It would have been better if these two had at least talked about something, but nothing foreshadowed this. Standing side by side with Lef Zid was real torture for Adi.
Fortunately, the Crown Prince arrived soon. He appeared accompanied by one knight-bodyguard and a servant, walked slowly into the hall and, looking at the quiet dining room, said: “What is it?”
— Does the orchestra have no hands? Why is it so quiet?
Only then did the musicians’ hands begin to move. The flowing music apparently did not suit his taste - he waved it off, and the melody changed. This one seemed to suit him.
— How do you like being back in the Palais after a long break, Count?
Crown Prince Claude sat down and said.
- How many years have passed? Surely I really wanted to come all this time.
— Three years, Your Highness. Thanks to your attention, I am honored to come to Palesa again.
- What does my attention have to do with it? This is all thanks to the Count.
Claude laughed. As a person who doesn’t even think that the Count’s words are empty courtesy. He was a man who was confident that no one would dare treat him differently.
Jules liked this Claude in a way. Stupid cousin. If such a person becomes a king, then for a high-ranking nobleman this is one convenience. That’s why Jules partly wanted Claude to ascend the throne. The only problem was that he was wary of him.
- Long time no see, cousin.
- Yes indeed. By the way, I received the gift you recently sent.
- Present? Did I send a gift?
— I sent chestnuts.
- Ahh.
Claude chuckled. Like a man who really doesn't remember anything, he muttered to himself several times: “Did I do that? Why don’t I remember what gift I sent?” - and turned to the servant standing next to him: “Was it like that?” The servant did not answer. This was the answer.
- Exactly, it was. Apparently, I really did send it. Glad it came through. So what about a return gift?
- The fact that I did not return your gift back to you is my return gift.
Jules said.
“Now serve the damn food already, Claude.”