The job of creating a new identity was assigned to Joel. At first he grumbled, saying, is it really possible to exploit a healer like that, but as soon as he heard the demands of Jules and Bert, his mouth opened in amazement. As completely unexpected details fell upon him, Joel's face became paler than death.
The creation of Adrina's personality required the fulfillment of several conditions. First of all, it was impossible to immediately make her Adrina Dean. It all had to start with creating the personality of the niece that Bert would later adopt, and to do this, it was necessary to come up with an origin that would suit such a process.
Since most of the residents of Woodpecker Manor were already recorded, the legend must have been that she came to Dalcatir from a country with no connection. In small states like principalities, everyone often knows each other second-hand, so it was necessary to choose a major power, and due to the racial characteristics of different regions, the choice became even more difficult.
Moreover, in the large states of the central continent, such as Tuberose or Belipeera, the accounting systems were too streamlined, making the task difficult. In the end, after going through many options, Joel settled on one of the war-torn countries from which many refugees fled. It was there that he began to draw up false documents so that Bert Dean could then carry out the adoption procedure, but at some point Joel simply threw the papers into the air.
- A-ah-ah!
Everyone looked at him. Joel felt betrayed. Adrian Grimaldi is a girl! And, as it turned out, Bert, Gavin and Ivan knew about it. The only ones left in the dark were himself, Roy and Billy.
Billy was deeply depressed because he could not distinguish a woman from a man. He was disappointed in himself: after all, he even put a woman's dress on him - that is, on her - and at the same time did not suspect the truth, but only smugly boasted of his skill, believing that it was he who had so skillfully transformed the guy.
- And when did you find out about this? - Joel asked.
Gavin and Bert, who were discussing the route by which Adi supposedly arrived in Dalcatir, looked at the magician at the same time.
- If they knew, they should have said it!
They themselves learned about this not so long ago. In fact, the secret was revealed to them only when the order came to prepare a body that was supposed to replace Adi.
“You yourself repeated at every step that you suspected them of a suspiciously close relationship with His Excellency!”
“Well, that’s what everyone thought then.”
- But there is a difference between the relationship between a man and a woman and the relationship between two men!
“We didn’t even know then.”
That's what Gavin said. Bert, on the contrary, looked at Joel with a completely uncomprehending look and said:
- Listen, you come from a neighboring country where same-sex love flourishes, why are you getting worked up over this?
“I was just born there, but I grew up in the cultural environment of Dalcatir!”
After declaring how conservative he was, Joel sank into his seat as if suddenly overcome by impotence. Looking at the papers that he himself had thrown on the floor, he stood up, obediently picked them up and sat down again.
- In any case, I am drawing up documents in the name of Adrina Dean.
Joel picked up his pen and asked:
“Then who is Adrian?”
- Twin Adi.
-......And where is it?
“Must be in Adrina Grimaldi’s grave.”
This means that Adrian died, and Adrina remained alive, but since in this case the county cannot be saved or it will pass into the wrong hands, the count declared Adrian alive and built a grave for the living Adrina? And did he put his son’s body in it?
- What did this Count do...
“That’s what I mean,” said Roy.
Roy has already become quite comfortable in Woodpecker, but today he did not go outside. Huddled in a corner with the dispatched servants from Palesa, to whom he had at least become accustomed after several months of service together, Roy sat as pale as a sheet.
“Why is Roy here in such a state?”
- Seems shocked that Adi is a girl.
- And you, Bert, aren’t you? - Roy objected.
- That's the same! I’m wondering why you always frowned and told me to get dressed when I went out after washing!
But it’s true. Adi never showed off her body, and when he came out half naked after swimming, she always grimaced with displeasure.
- That's it, you can put an end to my marriage!
-...And what, are you planning to marry Adi?
This is unlikely to happen, given His Lordship. Bert was beginning to wonder if he should stop him when Roy exclaimed in horror:
-Are you crazy? I have taste too! Why do you think I would marry a woman who tells me to crush the balls of a man she doesn't like?
Joel flinched at Roy's words. Gavin apparently couldn’t imagine this either and involuntarily recoiled.
“If I hadn’t crushed that bastard’s belongings, she would have crushed me.” Adi was Palesa's dog. A dog, you understand?.. They don’t call just anyone a “dog.” She's quiet now, but you can't imagine how notorious she was. If the Knights of Palesa were told that Adi was actually a girl, they would all faint.
“This is a top secret, Roy.”
- Of course. Do you think I'm that dishonest?
Shock was shock, but of course he was going to keep his mouth shut.
Roy tried to put himself in her place. If for some reason he wore a dress pretending to be a woman, and then told his friend, “I'm actually a man,” how would she react? She would probably be horrified. To maintain a relationship, sometimes it is better to keep everything a secret.
Ultimately, he understood: Adi only told him this because she trusted him. But to know is one thing, and to accept is quite another. Oh, how can she be a woman? How can Adi Grimaldi, who rose to the top among the countless sons of bitches of Palesa, be a woman?..
The women he knew had little in common with Adi Grimaldi. It’s amazing how she managed not to get caught and survive among men for so long. Roy asked:
- But what will happen to Adi then? Will she stay in the knight's dormitory?
- This is natural, since you are a knight. Although, of course, you will have to get the title again.
- Again? Oh, well, yes. Adrian is now considered dead.
“So, the title will be bestowed by His Lordship himself.”
Gavin said this because the knighthood received from the crown prince was displayed for everyone to see along with the head of a fake dead man.
- Right.
Bert answered.
“In a way, things didn’t turn out so bad in the end.”
* * *Adi opened the door to the knock. On the threshold stood a woman who was a whole head shorter than her.
- Adrina Dean?
- Yes.
“I’m Mary, the head maid in charge of the knights’ dormitory.” The butler told me to move, so I came to help.
—……The only thing I have is this frame.
“In that case, I’ll just accompany you.”
The maid came outside. Adi followed her. The new housing was not far away: if you go up one floor, it’s on the corner.
The maid opened the door and said: “You can stay here.” The room with two windows was larger than she thought, and it had a separate bathroom attached to it.
- If you need anything, will you tell me?
Adi shook her head. The maid bowed with a smile, taking note.
— Welcome to the Woodpecker domain.
- ……Thank you.
Accepting Adi's answer, the maid left. Adi looked around the room.
In front of sky blue curtains with an embroidered floral pattern stood a large bed with crisp white linens. There was a lamp on the table next to the bed, and a desk and an easy chair could be seen by the window. The closet was opposite the table.
She walked over and opened it - it was full of clothes inside. The sizes must have been found out when the knight's uniform was being adjusted, but she didn't expect that even women's outfits would be prepared. Adi lifted the hem of her light dress and let it go. It's unlikely that you'll ever have to wear this. Underwear was also specially prepared for women.
Adi closed the closet and headed to the bathroom.
The room on the floor below did not have a bathroom. It seemed like it was a sign of caring.
Peering at her reflection in the bathroom mirror, Adi took off her shirt and unbuttoned her leather armor. When the oppressive bonds disappeared from my chest, it became easier to breathe. She then tied up her hair, which barely reached the back of her head. There was no feeling that she looked like a girl.
Coming out of the bathroom, Adi put the leather armor in the closet, took off her shirt and put on the prepared underwear. She didn't even remember how many years she hadn't worn anything like that. Putting her shirt back on, Adi sat down on the bed and placed the frame she had brought with her on the bedside table.
Then she looked out the window.
The trees were different here. Not only deciduous forests grew here, but even palm trees. The palm trees, which she had only seen in pictures, seemed something outlandish.
- Adrian.
Calling him, Adi picked up the frame. Even though she saw this face every day, for some reason it seemed blurry. Adi's fingers gently touched Adrian's face.
- I desecrated your name.
And she uttered the words that she had kept to herself for so long:
- Forgive me.
Count Grimaldi said exactly that. That the head of the one who called himself him hung on the walls of the Outer Palace of Palesa. This was not an insult to Adrina, but specifically to Adrian. She couldn't leave things as they were.
“I will definitely return your honor to you.”
Whatever it takes.
* * *The whereabouts of Adi Grimaldi remained a mystery. Among those who left the capital with the Duke, there was not a single man like Adi. Moreover, the number of people accompanying the Duke on his return exactly matched the number indicated in the documents, so the passes were issued without any problems. In that case, where did Adrian Grimaldi disappear to?
Maybe he's still in the palace? Or did he run away separately? Did he take advantage of some kind of loophole to escape? There was no answer. The count was confused, since even the shadow of Adrian could not be detected. The very thought of his absence was unbearable.
Spencer Grimaldi frowned. He could not allow the blood of side branches to mix in the Grimal family. The very thought that the blood of a rootless upstart, who had come from nowhere, could flow in their veins was disgusting to him.
- Lef.
- Yes, your Excellency.
— You can use the Information Guild or the Assassins Guild, but expand the search radius for Adi.
- It will be done.
Lef answered with a bow. Spencer Grimaldi looked at him with a displeased look and entered the reception area. Claude was already waiting for him there. He looked around the room, muttering to himself that Jules was surprisingly comfortable in such a bright place.
- Your Highness.
- Count.
Claude rose from his seat and said:
— Luigi’s funeral will take place in the Palais. The Marchioness of Conolly announced that she would take over the organization.
- A sad event. He must have been her favorite nephew.
Claude looked at the Count with an expression of obvious disgust. He himself was also not distinguished by virtue, but the Count seemed to have crossed all human boundaries. Now their interests coincided, and they were allies, but they had to get rid of him at the first opportunity.
- See you in Jonada.
With these words Claude left. The Count didn't even turn around. He just continued to look out the window at the head displayed high on the Seine of the Outer Palace.
Claude did the same, going out into the corridor. As he passed the window, he accidentally turned his head and saw the outer wall. There hung the head of what had once been Adrian Grimaldi. More precisely, the one whom the Count passed off as Adrian Grimaldi.
- So it’s a girl.
Adrina Grimaldi is alive.