The Crown Prince always went to bed late. However, the word “late” did not quite accurately convey the essence. He always fell asleep at dawn. He didn't do anything special late at night. He was just awake for no reason, that's all.
Those around him adapted to Claude’s similar routine, and therefore it didn’t even occur to him to change his habits.
“I apologize for visiting at such a late hour, Your Highness.”
Here, admire it.
“It is daylight in some countries outside of Dalcatir, Count.”
It was deep into the night and Count Grimaldi appeared in person.
“It’s night in Dalcatir, Your Highness.”
— History is always made at night.
-......
- Take a seat, Count. Maybe you'll have a drink?
- Thank you, it’s not worth it.
“Your son, however, ate it on both cheeks.”
-...
- And he smoked too.
Spencer Grimaldi's eyelid trembled slightly. Claude, deciding that this was anger due to the stupidity of his own son, chuckled disgustingly.
Adrian Grimaldi was definitely a lot more malleable than Spencer Grimaldi. Spencer was always in Jonad, so it seems he never bothered to raise his own child properly. Of course, a certain characteristic acumen was felt in him, but he is still too young.
“Your son seemed very curious to me.”
- That's it, your highness.
“I’ll borrow it for a while, if you don’t mind?”
- I beg your pardon, your highness.
Claude frowned. That's exactly it. Once you decide that the answer is “no,” you should refuse without hesitation. Dalcatir officials don't behave that way.
The habit of refusing outright - maybe this is a northern custom? The only ones who dared to tell the king the truth to his face, the only ones who used the veto power against him, were the Grimaldi. True, in the end they were not allowed to set foot.
— Adrian has other responsibilities.
Just as Grimaldi once acted for the sake of the current king, so Claude needs a faithful servant who would act for his sake. The kind of servant who is ready to die at just one word. Spencer Grimaldi is not like that. But young Grimaldi - there is still a chance with him.
- A separate matter, then. So what is this?
- I can’t say yet. However, this will not harm Your Highness.
Claude chuckled at Spencer's words. “Why should I trust you, old fox.”
From the very beginning he rushed between him and the king, weighing on the scales. Claude intended to cleverly take advantage of this, but - look - the count settled into the Woodpecker residence as if nothing had happened. Now, that means, I decided to stretch my legs in three directions at once.
Claude raised his hand and signaled to the servant. At that moment, when the servant reached into the drawer for the pipe, Spencer Grimaldi said: “I beg your pardon, your highness.”
— I have weak bronchi, and tobacco smoke is contraindicated for me.
-...To you, Count?
“My daughter also died suddenly due to problems with the bronchi. Apparently this is hereditary.
At any other time, Claude would have answered the phone without a second thought—why should he care—but even he knew it wasn't in his best interest to treat Spencer Grimaldi that way right now.
- Tsk.
Claude waved his hand. The servant silently pushed the box back.
“Then let’s finish the conversation quickly.” Whatever it is, you’ll delegate the matter later. I need my people now. Adrian Grimaldi is quite suitable in this sense.
-Are you not satisfied with me in my current capacity?
- Count, you are of great use, but new wine should be poured into new wineskins, right? When you're around, everyone feels awkward.
“Then what about Lef Zid?” Now he is the best knight in all of Dalcatir.
— A bodyguard must combine beauty. The Count doesn't care about such things, but I would like to have someone beautiful standing next to me. Besides, Adrian's last name is Grimaldi, isn't it?
In addition, he doesn’t know anything yet - it’s convenient to use. Take it and raise it with you until you turn into the same fox - what could be better? And when the count dies, he inherits the title - and when Claude himself becomes king, this will also be beneficial. On the other hand...
“The Zid family is too insignificant. Without the count, this knight, whether his skills were good or not, would have remained a nobody. Who needs it?
- However, Your Highness...
- Count.
Before Spencer Grimaldi could protest, Claude spoke first.
“It seems that for the first time the Count is going against my words.” It turns out that you are thinking about your blood?
- Of course. After all, I have the only child.
- You have two children, Count.
“One child has already rested in the arms of the Goddess of Death.
- Oh yes, that beauty. If she were alive, I could take her as a concubine. Then our relationship would become even stronger, wouldn't it?
- Damned child. She would be unworthy of Your Highness.
“Do you think I look like the kind of person who would be afraid of such nonsense?”
It would be better to be afraid. If he had known in advance that this would turn out this way, he would have had to conduct the conversation as if she, too, was a danger. However, no matter what happens, it seems that nothing is destined to happen according to Spencer’s will.
- Count.
Neither the fact that Adrian died, nor the fact that Adrina became Adrian.
-What are you going to use Adrian Grimaldi for?
- This is the child who is going to inherit the count's house. He needs to gain experience.
- Experience? In Pales?
All that shines for him here is, at best, the accompaniment of the nobility. Since he is assigned to the Second Order of Knighthood. Among those who will have to be protected, there will be people lower in position than Adrian Grimaldi. Any nobleman can stay in this place, provided the king has permission.
- Send him to Jonad.
But the royal palace is a completely different matter.
“Ionad is better than this seedy hole.”
Everyone understood that in terms of experience, that option was preferable.
- Both for the count’s son and for the count himself. And for me too.
Therefore, it was not easy to refuse. Well, I sent him to Palesa on purpose, and on you.
From the very beginning, it would have been better for him to sit quietly in the Third Order of Knighthood. If it weren't for Roy Gallardo, there would be no need to send Adrian there. But this same Roy also turned out to be nearby, Adrian stuck to the Duke, and then met Claude - the one who should have been avoided at all costs.
How could things get so messed up? Claude turned to the count, whose face showed obvious difficulty.
“By now you should understand where I’m going with this?”
- Yes, if such is the will of Your Highness.
Father and son spoke the same way. “If you order”, “order”. Strange. Claude always gave orders. But Grimaldi did not perceive them as orders.
- Fine. When the holiday is over, I will issue an appointment.
Using children as hostages is common among members of the royal family. Spencer Grimaldi did not expect such a demand from the Crown Prince. “Perhaps the plan will have to change.”
* * *—Everything is so sticky between them.
That's what Joel said. Gavin stared at him as if he didn't understand what he was talking about. Bert, who was following, reacted the same way. Bert, who had risen earlier than usual to report something, bit his tongue at Joel's words before he even had a chance to greet the servants ahead.
- What do you mean sticky?
- No, really, it’s sticky. Yesterday they kissed, and...
- So they do this every day?
Burt intervened. Joel and Gavin simultaneously turned their heads and looked at Bert. Gavin, deciding that this was not so far from the truth, said: “That’s true, it happens every day.” Joel waved his hands, making it clear that they had it all wrong.
- No, I’m not talking about such ordinary kisses. I say it was kind of sticky!
- Okay, okay.
- Oh, that was really very strange!
Joel tried to explain, but no one paid him any attention. The first time everyone was confused, but seeing this all the time, they got used to it.
There were also strange rumors, but that didn't matter either. Nothing like that will happen between them - as soon as the curse is lifted, everything will be over. This was desired not only by the Duke's House, but also by Adi Grimaldi himself.
Gavin knocked and opened the door, entering the bedroom.
- Your Grace, are you awake?
- Yes.
For a moment everyone froze. The voice did not change dramatically, but it seemed to become deeper - the resonance intensified, low tones became more noticeable.
- Gavin.
- Yes, Your Grace.
- Bring a knife.
- What?
- My nails have grown.
Yuls ran his hand over his face and stood up - the level of his eyes was not the same as yesterday. He grew up again. Grinning, Jules said: “And stubble too.” Bert and Gavin's eyes turned to Joel.
“I told you, something was wrong yesterday, some strange feeling.”
But, despite this atmosphere, they never went further. How the hell did growth start again then?
Bert, Joel and Gavin stared at Adrian. Whether due to the morning sun or for some other reason, the face looked unusually white. Or maybe he really turned white from shock. Now everything has become completely clear.
- It's definitely Adrian.
Woodpecker is able to lift the curse.