The servants in the reception area were familiar to her. She also saw them in the Count's house. But they ignored Adrina's existence, and when she appropriated Adriana's name, they openly expressed disgust. Over time, they learned to keep a straight face, but Adriana knew that they still felt uneasy. Just like herself.
The Count arrived soon after. Having given the wet outerwear to the servant and received dry ones in return, he sank down onto the sofa. Adriana, who had been standing until that moment, at the Count’s sign, sat down opposite.
- Adrian.
- Yes, father.
“When the festival is over, we will return to the Domain together.”
- What?
- Your role is over.
-...
Role? Was there any kind of Role? While Adriana was in the Third Order of Knights, all she did was fight dirty. And in the Second Order of Knights, she only managed to prevent one attempt to assassinate the Duke.
“I didn’t do anything while I was here.”
- On the contrary, you confused everything. You tied Roy Gallardo to Duke.
- ………
— The plan has changed.
“Is it because I introduced Roy to Duke Woodpecker?”
For a moment, Spencer Grimaldi's face flashed with interest.
“Or have you, Count, found something else that can mend the crack in your relationship with the king?”
- Something else.
“The Crown Prince, I believe, will not satisfy your ambitions.”
“It’s quite commendable to speculate without having any information.” Although you are wrong.
—…….
- When were you born.
Spencer spoke. Adi froze with an indescribable expression on her face, because he had never talked about the past before. Wasn't their very existence taboo?
“I thought then that if you were twins, it would be better to have two boys.” So that the more outstanding one can be selected.
- ………
“In that case, I might choose you.”
If you were a man, if you were born a man. I won't say that I haven't thought about it.
“The other party was too weak-hearted.” That's why I would rather choose you if you were a man.
I didn't think Spencer Grimaldi had the same thoughts. Whatever it was, all these thoughts would only sadden Adrian if he knew about them. If you think about it, perhaps Adrian was never truly loved. And therefore, at least instead of him -.
“I suppose Adrian Grimaldi had better go to the Grave as well.”
……I thought that at least I would live a decent life instead of him, but apparently Spencer Grimaldi’s thoughts were different.
“……Do you want me dead?”
“I need a Seed of the future that will continue the Grimaldi line, and not someone who sows discord or blocks my path.”
Spencer's gaze darts to Adrian's face.
- The present.
The gaze, which slowly slid down, rises again.
- The child in whom my blood flows.
The gaze that slid over the curly golden hair wavered for a moment. Perhaps it's because she didn't listen to advice to cut it off.
- You understand what this means, right?
When she returns to her family.
— Lef said that the Engagement Ceremony is not necessary. We also do not intend to announce this publicly.
Adrian will die too.
“We’ll tell the outside world that we adopted a child of distant relatives.”
And her own life will flow like a ghost.
- If only.
Adi asked:
“If it weren’t for the Crown Prince, how would you use me?”
—…….
“No doubt you were speculating when His Highness the Crown Prince did not invite you, my Lord Earl, to Palesa.”
- Yes, at that time...
Spencer grinned and said:
“I thought having a new king would be nice too.”
Current King, then Crown Prince. Woodpecker. Other holders of the right of succession to the throne.
“Creating a king is a simple matter. The one who has more legitimacy and who will be more obedient.
Spencer hardly valued legitimacy over obedience. It is unknown whether the Crown Prince will become obedient, but Woodpecker did not seem inclined to obey either. Then the question arises: why did the count order to prevent Woodpecker’s death?
What was his true goal? Who exactly did he intend to use?
The cry of heaven was heard again. Lightning flashed outside the window. You can catch a glimpse of how the count smiles, as if piercing her with his gaze, reading her thoughts.
And only now Adi changed her judgment. There was no time to think about the count's intentions or future events.
- It's clear.
The initial goal was to betray the count, but since this is impossible, first of all you need to survive. Yes, you need to run. The opportunity will arise again.
Lack of self-confidence and a situation out of control will be even worse for the Count.
- If this is an order.
If in the current situation there is someone who can help her...
“And it’s better to burn these clothes as soon as everything is over.”
Crown Prince or Duke Woodpecker.
* * *The distance from the Count’s place of residence to the Duke’s reception was small. On the way back, she puzzled over how to get out of this situation. In the end, the Duke promised to grant one Wish. So if she lifts the Curse, the problem will solve itself? Will she then be able to break free from the Grimaldi clan?
The servants who were about to greet Adi, who entered with a petrified face, froze in fear.
They knew that she had gone to the Count's place and wondered if something had happened. Although working hours had not yet arrived, Adi went straight to the reception room where the Duke was. Just at that moment Bert, who was coming outside, asked her:
- Have you already arrived?
Adi nodded.
“Is His Grace the Duke inside?”
- Yes. And what? Have something to say?
- Yes. Are there any other guests there...
- He's alone. You can come in.
Adi nodded at Bert's words. Then, knocking, he immediately opened the door, walked in and quickly slammed it behind him. Bert looked at the closed door, wondering what was wrong with him, and turned around.
Jules was puzzled in his own way. It was time for a short rest after completing business. No visitors were expected, and the servants were now allowed to rest. Bert also left to carry out an errand, and Jules wondered who could have entered like that when he saw that it was Adrian Grimaldi.
There was still a lot of time left before work began. Jules wanted to ask what was the matter. More precisely, as soon as the “Poche—” came out, he immediately fell silent.
Adi approached and grabbed Juls by the cravat and pulled him, forcing him to stand up. It was just a moment. Did the count he met give the order to kill him?
Although Adi was much smaller in body, he was a threat. Juls's body changed in height and while it seemed alien, he touched everything around him when he moved, so in this state it seemed difficult to stop Adi.
The thought stopped. Adi's lips covered Juls' lips.
What the hell was Adrian Grimaldi up to?
After repeating the kiss several times, Adi pulled away, catching his breath. Juls looked down at Adi with a blank expression. Adi reached out and stroked Juls’s cheek. There is no feeling of prickly stubble. He hasn't grown up.
“I would like to know what this situation is, Adrian Grimaldi.”
- Your Grace, how exactly did you grow up?
-What are you talking about?
- The curse must be lifted.
- Certainly. We both don't know exactly how to do it, but only you can do it, sir.
-...
- However, you didn’t believe me.
“Now that I’ve seen it with my own eyes, I believe.”
That day, Adi saw the sleeping Duke gradually change. This growth did not seem magical. Unlike an ordinary person, who changes very carefully, slowly and imperceptibly from day to day, here the process was visible to the naked eye. Without any light, without any magical traces - it seemed as if time was flowing around him alone, slowly turning back.
“I understand: I need to lift the curse for obvious reasons.” But why do you want to take it off, sir?
- Because Your Grace promised to fulfill my wish.
— Remove the curse for the sake of a wish? What kind of desire is this?
- I want to save my life.
- Is someone really threatening you with death?
- Yes.
- Who dared?
- Count Grimaldi.
- Your father?
- Yes.
Will he really do this?
- When the Festival ends, I will die.
But the subsequent words were so specific that Jules squinted. Did he really get his other blood somewhere?
- Fine.
Be that as it may, Adrian Grimaldi is too valuable a shot. It is better to leave him alive than to kill him.
“It would be a shame if you died before the Curse was lifted.”
After these words from the Duke, Adi again realized his mistake. This is the second time. Perhaps it’s all because he doesn’t know this world well?
Like the Count, the Duke is also not going to help him just like that. He only uses it when talking about Desire and so on, only because their conditions coincide.
This means that if the Curse is lifted, if it is lifted before I am forcibly taken to the Grimaldi house.
- Fine.
On the contrary, danger was approaching Adi.
- How can I help you?
After all, if she dies, there will be no need to fulfill her Desire.
The Duke may have wished for Adrian to break the Curse as soon as possible and die. Adi took a step back.
“You are stupid, Adrina Grimaldi.”
- What's happened?
She couldn't blindly trust only the Duke.