I don’t know how this fight grew to such proportions, but it was enough to spark interest in the beginning of the festival.
The training ground used by the First Order of Knighthood and the Second Order of Knighthood was circular. There was a separate passage leading underground, as well as a balcony from which you could look down from the second floor. During the social season, theatrical performances were even held here. Although Jules has never been here.
- Does he have a pretty good face too?
Claude said.
- It will be a pity.
Jules replied.
- After all, that one also belongs to me.
The duel between Roy Gallardo and Lef Zied did not end quickly and became entertainment for the nobility. Aristocrats who arrived from the new capital of Ionad and nobles from other regions wanted to see how the knights from Ionadus and Palesa crossed swords.
As if it were part of the celebration, aristocrats decorated their bodies with bright fabrics and flowers, and painted flowers or stars on their faces. They simply enjoyed it, as if this fight was just another entertainment. On the other hand, the knights of Jonad, who accompanied these nobles, also seemed to be closely watching the duel.
Of course, the knights of Palesa watched even more closely. They couldn't lose here to these upstarts from Jonad. The problem was Roy Gagliardo's skill; This is not to say that he was bad, but given that Lef Zid defeated even Ilic, there were some doubts about whether Roy would be able to defend his pride.
Juls looked towards the knights gathered at the training ground. The Knights of Palesa and the Knights of Jonad split up, taking opposite sides. Adi stood in front of Roy.
Adi pushed Roy on the shoulder and said something. Too far away to hear. Roy replied and looked down at Adi. And not only him. Many of the knights surrounding Roy also looked up at Adi.
There is nothing strange in this, because knights have an impressive physique. Although from time to time there were those whose stature was not particularly great. But being in this crowd, Adi... how can I say this...
Looked too fragile.
“Can’t you give me at least one?”
- What? Oh, a knight?
- Yes. You have everything.
It seems that the Crown Prince is not used to hearing refusals. Claude was extremely greedy. Since childhood, he couldn't stand it if he wasn't at the top. It was probably precisely because Claude remained a boy at heart, without growing up, that he could get along with Jules. After all, he posed no threat. But now?
- At least Bertha.
- Bert was originally my father's knight.
- Right. People think that the Previous Duke hated you, but in the end he even gave you his favorite knight. Apparently, you still grew up in love.
-What are you getting at?
“You may well give me one knight.” Between us, after all.
With these words, a smiling Claude made a sign to the servant. The moment the servant took out the dried tobacco, Jules winced.
- Just try to smoke tobacco in my presence. I won't take your side anymore.
- How petty of you.
- Drop it.
-Are you worried about me? Apparently we really are the closest of cousins?
Jules ignored his next words. Lef Zied and Roy Gagliardo came out. After exchanging a couple of phrases, the knights drew their swords and gave each other due honors. He doesn't care about this. Juls is only interested in Grimaldi. That Grimaldi who is down there.
And another Grimaldi, sitting on the railing opposite him, looking out over the training ground. They both look at Lef Zid.
At the sound of crossing blades, Yuls also looked in that direction, but soon his attention turned to Adi. As the fight continued, even Claude, who had previously seemed completely uninterested, gradually became more focused.
— Lef Zid is pushing back the enemy. Unusual fencing style. What's his name?
— Roy Gagliardo.
- Gallardo? Wasn't Baron Gallardo an administrative official?
- Do you remember Gallardo?
- I wish I could remember. You were a very prominent figure in the Royal Capital. How about... I heard that the daughter of some count left everything and married Baron Gallardo. Probably because of his face? With such proximity one can feel the status.
- You are too greedy for appearances.
- Loving beauty is not a crime. And you yourself are no better, are you?
- I don't care about that.
- You say one thing, but you are surrounded only by handsome men.
The very second Claude uttered these words, Roy deftly parried the blow of Lef's sword and put the blade to his throat. The movement seemed simple, but Claude knew very well: in a real fight, such a technique could not be avoided. He leaned forward and adjusted himself in the saddle. Jules noted:
- This is not Gallardo's fencing technique.
- Right.
Claude answered.
— Grimaldi style.
- How do you know?
“Count Grimaldi was the first to put the sword in my hand.”
When the king was still a prince, and Spencer Grimaldi had only recently become an earl, he appeared as a knight-bodyguard. As far as I know, Claude was only a few months old at the time.
As a child, Claude spent a lot of time with Spencer Grimaldi. Perhaps even more than Adriana Grimaldi herself.
He taught him a lot. Especially sword skills. Claude did not shine with talent, but thanks to the count's tenacity he could fight on par with most knights. Now he doesn’t hold a weapon in his hands, so it’s unknown what he’s like in battle, but he hasn’t lost an eye.
Roy Gallardo's skill is inferior to Lef Zied's.
“That’s something he would never have revealed to me.” I would say that this is a family treasure.
However, this style of fencing will be a game changer. Lef Zid hardly expected to see the Sword of Grimaldi performed by Roy Gagliardo.
This style changes depending on the opponent's actions, so the main thing is to read and understand it in advance; but if they read you yourself, you tend to get lost. Therefore, only Grimaldi himself could defeat the Grimaldi Sword, and they did not reveal the secrets of the family technique to anyone. Until today.
Claude grinned with the air of a man who is having fun, and glanced at the count who sat opposite. His face was imperturbable, but Claude knew that the count was furious. Then he looked for Adriana Grimaldi among the knights crowded at the edge of the training ground.
“It seems like things are different with Adriana.”
He smiled.
“After all, Sir Lef Zid also wields the Grimaldi sword.”
“But he is a vassal of the House of Grimaldi.”
“Even if he is a vassal, such profound fencing skills are not taught.” The Count has a different intention.
- There was intent. He wanted to marry his daughter to Lef. Take him into the family.
Jules narrowed his eyes. Here's how.
- Adrina Grimaldi and Lef Zid, that is.
Of course, Juls was not interested in the dead Adrina, but in the living Adrian, but for some reason he felt uneasy.
- Yes. Now that she's dead, that's impossible.
Juls also looked at Adi. Why does she look so fragile among everyone else?
— Adrina Grimaldi was beautiful. Oh, you're twins, so what should you know too?
“I’ve never seen Adrina’s face.”
Even as twins, people can appear completely different depending on their facial expressions and demeanor. The king spoke as if Adrina and Adrian were quite different.
- I have a Portrait. Shall I send it to you?
- Why do I need a Portrait of a Dead Woman?
“I told you: admire her, since she is beautiful.”
- No need.
Now Jules needs Adrian Grimaldi. Whether he inherited Adrina's fate or became fate itself does not matter, a dead woman can't do anything, and Adrian brought changes to his curse.
- So you yourself live, hugging the portrait.
— Not only with a portrait. I will hug everything. After all, everything belongs to me.
That's what Claude said. His words that all the current possessions of the king would in any case pass to him showed arrogant confidence. Jules had once thought so too, although the chances of this diminished with every puff of tobacco that Claude could not refuse.
- Let it happen as you wish.
- It will undoubtedly happen. The most dangerous enemy is the one who does not covet this throne.
Claude said this without taking his eyes off the training ground. Roy's knee slammed into Lef's groin. Claude laughed.
- And knights fight such a dirty fight?
-...
- I hope he got hurt?
Jules, remembering Bert’s words, remained silent. It looks like he did it after all. Lef, thanks to his protective equipment, quickly stood up and swung his sword again. However, victory seemed closer to Roy.
- The most dangerous enemy.
Jules quietly repeated these words. Claude turned his head and said: “You’re not aiming for this place.”
“That’s why I keep you close.” The rest are too greedy.
“And this is after you sent an assassin.”
“Do you really think that I really sent him to kill you?” It was a kind of test.
Claude shrugged.
— Regarding Adrian Grimaldi.
-...What exactly did you check with Adi?
— Firstly, skills.
- And secondly?
- How well does he listen?
Meaningful words. The answer came without much thought.
“Apparently, Adi already knew about this.
He was informed that one day Adi suggested that Bert strengthen his security.
- That the Killer will come.
That must have been it.
- What order did you give?
Jules asked.
- “Protect me”? Or "let me die"?