Even in an arid region, it was difficult to endure the heat under the scorching sun. And even more so if you had to move.
— The speed is falling! Quickly, run!
Bert, whom she knew as a fellow member of the Order of the Knights of the Bodyguard, was quite a good-natured guy, but Bert turned into a creepy boss in his role as a training instructor.
Curses were heard here and there. Bert was only happy when the curse reached him. He seemed to experience true delight, seeing how the knights were suffering, how they were writhing in pain, how their speed and endurance increased with each swing of the sword. The way he grinned in front of the tired young people looked truly creepy.
- Is that all? Are you going to take down your enemies with this attitude?
Roy swore softly at Bert, who was shouting ridicule. A fucking pervert, a maniac, a damn psycho. But such words only amused Bert more.
- Hey, you! What does it feel like to lose to a girl?!
Under the leadership of Woodpecker there were several orders of knighthood and soldier corps. The knights were distributed among the Order of the Knights-Bodyguard, several divisions in case of war, and special forces like the Night Guards; at the same time, commanders often pitted their subordinates against each other. Adi was a member of the Order of Bodyguard Knights under the command of Bert.
- Bitch, how can you even defeat this sword!
Grimaldi's sword seemed to make an impression even in Woodpecker. Bert narrowed his eyes. This art of fencing, which Roy Gallardo had somehow managed to adopt, aroused Bert's greedy interest. It was possible to superficially copy the movements, but behind them there was clearly some secret hidden, which could not be comprehended.
Adi's only drawback, perhaps, was the limit of his physical capabilities.
-Your stamina is falling! Can't speed up?
Adi herself understood perfectly well that if she did not defeat the enemy quickly, she would be at a disadvantage. With difficulty catching her breath and gritting her teeth, she picked up the pace, knocked the sword flying at her aside and put the tip of her blade against someone else’s neck. If she had not stopped, she would probably have cut her throat.
— The winner is Adrina Dean.
As soon as these words were spoken, Adi lowered her sword. Roy, who was doing strength training nearby, just shook his head.
Knights fought with knights, and squires with squires; since Adi was now in the status of a squire, she had to fight with them. But would there be at least someone among the local squires capable of defeating Adrina Grimaldi, who was far from the last in the Palais?
Adi wiped the sweat with her sleeve. The defeated squire remained lying on the ground, convulsively gasping for air. Unlike him, whose chest was shaking, Adi took several deep breaths and regained her breathing.
Hearing the order from the commanders to rest, Adi retreated into the shade of the trees and began to watch as the knights who had completed their training crawled up to her. Roy crawled faster than anyone.
Thinking that a person, it turns out, can move on all fours at such speed, Adi took a sip of the stored water and poured the rest on Roy, who, having thrown off his shirt and shmiz, fell right in front of her.
- Ahh, great. More fields.
-...
After such words, I no longer wanted to do this. When the water stopped flowing, Roy squinted and asked, “Is that all?” Adi remained silent and began drinking again.
- Oh, what a bastard you are, just death.
- Are you talking about me? Or about Bertha?
At Adi’s words, Roy thought that both of them were such types.
It wasn't that he hadn't seen Adi train or work her body before, but back then he considered her a man and took it for granted. On the contrary, he believed that with the nickname "Dog of Palesa" she simply had no right to anything less.
But Adi, being a woman, is the same Adi who defeated all of Woodpecker's pages...
- It's no big deal, these pages of yours.
“...Watch out, otherwise your next nickname will be “Woodpecker Dog.”
At Roy’s words, Adi just shrugged. Wherever she was, her reputation was always not the best. In the Palais they spoke ill of her in their own way, in Grimaldi in their own way.
— The character is exactly like Bert’s.
The pages passing by were talking among themselves.
- She's his niece. What a horror.
“What’s wrong with that last name Dean?” Why did that Bertram Dean, who seemed to be a tax inspector, also have such a bad temper...
Compared to them, Woodpecker's pages and knights were gentle people. Maybe it’s true that the closer to the south, the better people’s character becomes? They say that the abundance of sunlight makes you more positive - perhaps Spencer Grimaldi would have been different if he had been born in the south.
- Oh, I need a drink too. Help me get up.
Roy held out his hand, muttering something. But it was not Adi who grabbed his hand, but Bert. Picking Roy up, Bert slapped him across the face. When Roy rushed to his heels, shouting in response to the demand to get dressed: “It’s hot, what can you do!”, they began to look like father and son.
Shaking his fist at the fleeing Roy, Bert looked at Adi.
- Adi.
- Yes.
- Don't pay attention to such words.
Adi looked at Bert in confusion. “To such words”? It's not about Roy, is it? Maybe about those pages who passed by and called her “fierce”? Considering the description “fierce” a kind of praise, Adi suggested otherwise.
- Are you saying that I have a difficult character?
Bert's face took on a guilty expression. Adi added:
“I have quite a good character for those around you, Bert.”
“You don’t need to say that just to console me.”
- I'm serious. Compared to Spencer Grimaldi, there are almost no people in this world with bad character.
I found someone to compare with. Compared to Spencer Grimaldi, who can be considered a bad person?
- That's for sure.
At Bert’s reaction, Adi only chuckled briefly.
“To say that I look like you is more of a compliment than an insult.”
Arriving at Woodpecker, Adi began to smile more often. At least she looked much freer than in the Palais. There he had no idea that she had such a character. Bert involuntarily stroked Adi on the head.
- Adi!
At this moment, Joel walked quickly towards the training ground from afar.
- Your Excellency is calling you.
After saying goodbye to Bert, Adi followed Joel.
* * * Julius Woodpecker exhibited several unexpected traits. Firstly, there were quite a lot of plants in his office. Despite his stern appearance, he looked after them very skillfully. The plants seemed to grow well just from the Duke's touch.
Secondly, as if this were not enough, Julius spent most of his time in the greenhouse. He even worked in a greenhouse. It seemed that, with the exception of eating and sleeping, he was almost always here.
The Duke was sitting in the very center of the greenhouse. Among the servants surrounding him there was only one familiar face. Counting Joel who came with her - two.
- Your Mightiness.
- Adi.
The fact that they arrived at Woodpecker Castle did not change anything in their relationship. Adi, as always, met the Duke in the morning or evening and planted a kiss on the back of his hand.
There were servants who didn't like it, and there were those who simply watched Adi. She didn't know what they were talking about among themselves. The same applied to those with whom she became close in Pales. Whatever one may say, Adi was a stranger, and they were locals.
Approaching the Duke, who beckoned her with a gesture, Adi, as usual, took his hand. To be honest, it was now difficult to understand whether there were any changes or not. The Duke's body looked its age, and he no longer hurried Adi as before.
As soon as Adi touched his hand with her lips, Juls said:
“I’ve heard some interesting rumors.”
Pulling away, Adi asked:
-What exactly are you talking about?
Is it really about how she beat all the arrogant squires from the order of bodyguard knights? Or about how she gave juicy bruises to the knights who gossiped behind Bert’s back, accusing him of being biased towards his own niece? And if not, then...
“They say that the Marchioness of Conolly adopted the daughter of the Lintu family.
- A.
She already knew this fact. Roy mentioned this once before. Considering the adoption procedure and the need for the lord's permission, she expected everything to be decided around this time. Rather, it was surprising that the Duke himself found out about this so late.
“And at the same time, I received a letter with an urgent request to be present at the current Social Season.
— Do you mean the winter Social season?
Adi asked again, looking at the servants behind Yuls. Their facial expressions showed determination: they definitely needed to go.
“Shouldn’t you go, it’s natural?”
-Will you come with me?
- Does my opinion matter?
- Certainly. After all, I can’t cope without you.
That's what Jules said. One of the servants frowned at this significant expression. He was one of those who disliked Adi.
- I want to hear your opinion. After all, the path lies in Ionad.
- I think it would be good to go.
- Do you want to go to Jonad?
“If you go there, Your Grace, I will go too.”
“I wouldn’t want you to like Jonad too much.” There was a man there who wanted you.
“It won’t happen that I’ll stay there without you.”
- Okay, then it’s decided - let’s go. But only earlier.
- What do you mean by “before”?
- In summer.
Adi fell silent. The servants also looked puzzled. Spring has already passed and the beginning of summer has arrived. It was now summer. Hearing Jules’ words, Gavin, who was standing behind him, raised his voice.
— Your Grace, are you really planning to attend the Council?
- Yes. Until now I have shied away, citing the management of the estate.
The royal family of Dalkathir maintained a strict routine. During the harvest season, taxes were collected in the fall, and social events were held in the winter. Spring marked a new beginning with festivals for general fun, and a sultry summer...
“I also avoided it because in this form my presence would only cause disdain.
The Council begins its work. All kinds of laws, taxes, administrative matters are discussed, diplomats and messengers scurry about. This is the time when fighting breaks out between the royal house, the elders of the aristocracy, the new nobles and other officials. And at this Council Thuringian Help will most definitely be discussed.
“They say Count Grimaldi has returned to Ionades.”
Adi looked closely at Yuls.
“Looks like Claude has finally started to act.”
If she goes to Ionades, she will meet Spencer Grimaldi.