It has long been believed that the best servant is the one who, even knowing the truth, pretends not to know, and without knowing, pretends to be knowledgeable, just to please. The graph does not belong to this type. If he is convinced that he is right, he will go to the end, even if it hurts the feelings of the king.
“However, unlike my father, I am inclined to have sympathy for the Count. He is a master of intrigue and is cold with people. Emotional people are a burden to me: they waste time talking about debt and other nonsense. Compassion... Excessive indulgence.
Having said this, Claude looked at Adi and continued:
- Judging by your current appearance, Count, it turns out that you are not so insensitive. He is capable of anger. Thanks to this, I realized where his most vulnerable spot was.
More precisely, it should have been said that he only strengthened what he already knew.
“However, you yourself seem much colder.”
Adi Grimaldi's behavior was unexpected.
- To have such an appearance and at the same time plot to stab your own father in the back...
He showed more audacity than could have been expected. Who would have thought that Lef Zid would disgrace himself so much? And what does this have to do with the enemy’s own sword technique.
At first it seemed like a stupid mistake, but since everything was done on purpose, it means he was up to something too; It just remained unclear what exactly. Apparently, this modest appearance was just a mask.
“What did you mean when you said Duke Woodpecker could be trusted?”
Adi asked. At the unexpected question, Claude frowned and fell silent. She didn't understand what was wrong, but she felt that she had made a mistake.
- Did I give permission to ask questions?
- I beg your pardon, Your Highness.
- Ker is still Grimaldi, judging by your insolence.
The look suddenly became icy. “I was wrong,” thought Adi. She did not know the man's inclinations. He wasn't much different from Spencer Grimaldi. What he wanted was unconditional submission.
- Go.
- Sorry to bother you, Your Highness.
Having said this, Adi bowed and left.
It was clear in her eyes that she did not consider her action inappropriate at all.
“This is interesting,” thought Claude. After Adi left, Claude extended his hand. The servant took a cigarette from the drawer and placed it in Claude's hand. When he lit the fire, the dark part of the room lit up.
Claude squinted, lighting a cigarette.
- If he looks like the Count.
Smoke slowly flowed from his lips. Claude, lightly biting the tip of his cigarette, continued:
- Loyal to the royal house, but only because of blood, and not personal loyalty to me.
He shouldn’t have become like the Count even in this.
- We'll have to get rid of them.
It looks like their union won't last long.
* * *The sun rose. Under a clear sky, rain began to fall, and people went outside. They could be seen wandering around in the rain, not paying attention to their wet clothes. It seemed like the holiday was just beginning. This did not concern Adi.
On the way back, she looked into the Office and picked up the letters. Her mother still wrote to her. Adi didn't answer. The two letters will probably either be burned or put away in the farthest drawer of the chest of drawers.
New carriages drove into the Inner Palace, and some drove back. The holiday inside the palace and the holiday outside were similar, but at the same time different; some nobles came out to admire the streets. Adi returned to the Duke's Residence.
The Knights' Housing was empty. One was probably on duty, but it is unknown where the other was. Perhaps he was enjoying the holiday. Adi was about to go out again when suddenly there was a knock on the door. It was Joel.
Joel looked out the door and asked, “Are you okay?”
- Yes, I'm fine.
Adi replied. Since he came here immediately after his arrival, it means that he really has eyes to see.
- Ker, I will cast healing magic on you.
- No, it’s not necessary.
“I won’t touch your face, only your body.” His Lordship said that your body is not all right either. Besides, it’s still not visible under clothes.
-...
“In fact, this is an order from His Lordship.” Whatever happens, the body needs to be healed. Moreover, since you walk around with such a face, it means that everyone already knows what exactly the Count did. Since you are on pre-dawn duty anyway, why not treat your face and not go out at all? Also, take your meals not in the dining room, but right in the living room. I will ask that everything be brought here for you.
- ...For what?
- Sorry?
- No, I’m just surprised by your kindness.
Joel did not expect to hear such words in just one healing procedure. Both yesterday and the present moment clearly showed: Adrian Grimaldi led a life in this house completely different from the life of other aristocrats.
“Then I gratefully accept your help.”
- What gratitude there is. I'll have to forcefully draw out your healing power. I assume you'll want to hit me?
That’s why knights try to avoid receiving healing magic whenever possible,” Joel grumbled. The higher their skill, the weaker their endurance becomes, and as soon as they feel even the slightest pain, they begin to act up. Every time he saw these big guys the size of mountains screaming that they were dying, he was simply breathless with indignation.
On the other hand, Adi behaved quite calmly. When he cast a spell and blue light poured from his fingertips, everyone usually writhed in pain, and she just frowned. This is even better than the countless knights of the Woodpecker family. However, they said that in that situation she did not utter a groan.
Watching the light fade, Joel said, “Done,” and removed his hands.
- Was it painful?
-...Yes.
He thought she would say that everything was fine, but she was unexpectedly honest.
- Thank you.
Adi’s face was still blue and swollen when she said this. It seemed that if the Duke saw her like this, he would be unhappy.
* * *When Joel returned to the living room, Jules, Bert and Gavin were discussing documents. The conversation was about the private army of the Marquess of Conolly, but Joel knew nothing about such matters, so he could not participate in the conversation. He only knew that the marquis had gone to bed, and his wife, managing the estate, had hidden something.
The people, who were seriously discussing business, fell silent for a moment when they saw Joel enter, but then continued.
When Joel came closer, Jules asked: “Cured?” - Joel nodded. Under a look that urged him to tell more, he continued.
“It looks like there’s a crack in the collarbone.” She probably couldn't even raise her hand normally.
He already noticed that Adi was in pain in that area. Jules clicked his tongue. In the current situation, he could not do anything about the Count.
If she were under his direct command, he would have demanded compensation for the injuries. But Palesa Palace doesn't do that. Especially considering that the commander of the Second Order of Knighthood, to which Adi belongs, and Count Grimaldi are friends, so the matter would probably have simply been hushed up.
- And the face?
“I only took a little bit of swelling out of my face.” The bruises will last another week.
And why does Grimaldi walk like that?
- Anything else?
- Nothing unusual.
“She must be in a lot of pain.”
- She has good stamina. Other knights would have screamed at the top of their lungs, but she just winced. Judging by how much magic it took, she was in incredible pain.
- And where on this body was there even a place to hit?
-......
Joel closed his mouth. Well, he may look fragile, but a knight is a knight. In addition, he is taller than Joel himself, his physique is strong, and there is no need to talk about endurance. What the hell does His Serene Highness the Duke think of Adi Grimaldi? Doubt began to form in Joel's mind. It seems that this obsession is not a figment of his imagination after all.
— Request for transfer?
— I have already submitted the transfer documents, but it is unknown what Sir Kenneth Max will do. Oh yes, there was also a request from Jonad for her translation.
- That's what I thought. Are we first?
- Yes. If permission is received, priority will remain with us. Unless this knight goes personally to Jonad.
-What about Spencer Grimaldi?
— I haven’t taken any action yet.
— Establish surveillance.
It seemed like there were already enough observers. If their number increases, the count will probably sense something is wrong. Although, perhaps he already understood everything. After all, yesterday they brought Adi so demonstratively.
— Strengthen reconnaissance as well.
Joel nodded. Gavin is doing this, so I'll have to talk to him. After all, if the Duke commands, the vassal is obliged to obey, but the situation still seems strange.
However, this was not enough for the Duke. Jules rested his chin on his palm and squinted. It was impossible to guess what he was thinking about. Thus, several minutes passed in complete silence before Jules, sighing heavily, muttered as if to himself:
“Really, I don’t know what’s on his mind.”
“You mean Sir Adrian Grimaldi?”
Bert asked.
- Yes. It's a headache. I've never dealt with a guy like this before and I don't know how to win him over to my side.
Just the promise of fulfilling the Desire will not be enough to attract him. What is the best way to get it for real? But something else is more important: how does Adi herself want to live? You need to find out more, but this is too personal an area, and it’s unlikely to find out anything through third parties.
- However.
Then all that remains is to ask directly, but will she answer?
- Clear my schedule tomorrow.
- Yes, I’m listening.
“And tell Adi to come at night.” Not for the Security, but just to appear in front of me.
- Yes, I will pass on this too.