The maids came early in the morning. Adi, who opened the door wearing only a light muslin nightgown, looked at their determined faces with bewilderment, but still stepped back to let them inside.
The basket that the maids brought contained a measuring tape and pieces of various fabrics. Before Adi could ask the question, she was intercepted, forced to straighten up and raise her hands.
“Take a breath,” the maid commanded.
“Shouldn’t clothes like this be measured in a loose state?”
-......
She didn't understand why she should hold her breath if it was a knight's uniform. On the contrary, it would be better to make it a little looser. If clothes are too tight to the body, it is uncomfortable to move in them. Without giving a clear answer, the maids only said:
- In this case, we will take measurements twice.
This is where the explanations end.
Adi did everything she was told: raised her hands and inhaled when asked. Taking measurements took longer than she expected, and the girl began to worry about whether she would be late for training. Meanwhile, the maids applied fabrics of various colors to her skin.
— May I know exactly why these measurements are taken? - Adi asked.
At this question the maids looked at each other. As if exchanging thoughts without words, one of them finally said:
— The final goal is to sew your knightly uniform.
- That's how it is.
As she answered, Adi felt doubtful. If they were sewing uniforms, then they would say so; Why these clarifications about the “ultimate goal”? In addition, the colors of the fabrics for the knight's uniform should already be determined. Noticing her suspicious look, the maid added:
— Of course, in addition to the knightly uniform, it is planned to sew other outfits. Until now, you have only worn temporary clothing.
But judging by the way he spoke, there was nothing strange in his behavior.
- Everything is ready. As soon as the clothes are sewn, they will be delivered to you.
- Fine.
“We will try to hand over the knight uniform as soon as possible.”
Adi nodded. She believed that it didn’t matter when, as long as they had time before the knighting ceremony began. And the knight's uniform, obviously, was sewn really quickly, as it arrived within four days.
* * *Sunlight in the south is special. The light, ivory-colored buildings resemble coastal sand. It always seems peaceful and warm here, and under the direct rays of the sun everything around seems to crumble into dazzling whiteness. And although she seemed to have gotten used to it, every time she looked at these buildings she was overcome by a feeling of some kind of foreignness.
Today was not a day off, but a day free from training for the entire order. Adi fiddled with her unusual collar. It had been a long time since she wore the emblem on the left side of her chest. She involuntarily ran her hand over it. Now it seemed like she was truly becoming a part of this place.
On the gallery leading from the main building of the estate to the western wing, where the knights were located, Adi noticed people in uniform. They apparently saw her too, and one of the group, waving his hand, headed towards her. He was similar in height and silhouette to Roy.
Approaching closer, Roy said impressively:
- Hey, are you bored being alone?
“I hope you’re not trying to pick up a girl this way?”
Adi looked at him with obvious disgust, causing Roy to laugh loudly.
- Oh, I'll die. How tired I am.
“There’s nothing to do today, why are you so tired?”
“I was crawling on my belly until dawn.” They say those guys mostly operate at night. To get used to the darkness, they even put some strange thing over my eyes.
But Adi nodded at the words that it was a secret and he couldn’t show it.
“Congratulations on your knighthood, Ser Adrina Dean.”
- It's still early.
“You’ll get it today anyway, what’s the difference.” You will become a sire in an hour or right now.
Roy said it like it didn't matter. Adi didn’t feel particularly inspired either. The feeling of becoming a knight for the first time was probably different from what she experienced. Perhaps it was because she was already living the life of a knight. However, it seemed unusual for her to do something under her own name for the first time.
“They say you’re going to Jonad with everyone else?”
Roy asked this, and when Adi turned her head and looked at him, he continued:
“Comrades from Palesa reported that Count Grimaldi, it seems, will first go to his estate, and from there to Jonad. And Lef Zid is still in Pales.
Hearing a short laugh nearby, Roy lowered his gaze. Adi spoke.
“Apparently, he’s trying to find me.”
- Be careful. I heard that Lef Zid was up to something evil.
Perhaps there will be unrest in Jonada too. However, Adi replied with an indifferent look: “Everything is fine.” She couldn't hide forever. It was better to end this quickly.
“In any case, whether I go to Jonad or not, everyone will know everything.”
Among the nobility there were those who saw Adrina's face. Crown Prince Claude, as well as Connolly's wife, they knew her appearance. Spencer Grimaldi couldn't help but recognize that face too. Has the daughter of the Lintu family seen her? Since Adi remembered her face, then she could remember her too.
It is unknown how everything will turn out in the future: will everyone pretend that they don’t know Adrina, agreeing to participate in this performance, or will they point out someone else’s mistake, declaring that all this is wrong.
One thing was certain: Spencer Grimaldi was the kind of guy who would readily take on the game.
- Adrina!
Ivan's voice was heard from afar. Roy and Adi looked in his direction at the same time. Ivan ran quite quickly, but did not look out of breath. On the contrary, he ran up with a cheerful look and said: “So you were here,” which only confirmed his past as a real assassin.
- If you're ready, maybe we can head out?
At Ivan’s words, Roy exclaimed: “Wow!” - attracting attention.
- Did Ivan himself personally come for an ordinary page?
— Usually, those who receive a knighthood are attended by servants. As a sign of welcome and respect as they become part of the family.
“Oh, I said something embarrassing.”
“Of course, manager-level servants usually don’t go.”
Ivan is a mid-level servant. One of those whom the Duke keeps close to him. Ultimately, it was a fact that she received special treatment.
- Adi.
- Yes.
“They say the count left Palesa.” They said he would stop by the Grimaldi estate and then go to Ionades.
Both here and there, everyone did nothing but worry about her. Asking the question “Why would this...”, Adi soon smiled and answered: “That’s how it is.”
“I heard that the Crown Prince will provide the Count with a place to stay.” In the inner palace.
Strange. The fact that there are people who care so much about her, although she is a nobody. Of course, even if they had their own goals, she had never encountered anything like this in the Grimaldi house, and therefore could not understand it.
That didn't mean she was uncomfortable. How can I express this? A sense of belonging? Looks like this was it. Adi ran her thumb across her chin. Ivan narrowed his eyes. Stroking his chin is a habit of the Duke. Apparently, due to the fact that they spent a lot of time together, their habits began to resemble each other.
“The meeting cannot be avoided,” Ivan continued.
“It seems like everyone wants me not to go to Jonad.”
At these words, Ivan closed his lips tightly. They saw. We saw how the Count treated Adi. The Count's obsession, ready to even fake death just to take her, was frightening because it was unlike anything they had known before.
Of course, if it had been someone else in Adi's place, they might not have shown such concern.
- But I have to go.
She existed for her master.
- After all, I care about the Count.
Adrina Grimaldi shouldn't be anywhere else.
- Against.
Adi wondered if there was a need for the Duke to go to Jonad, where he usually did not go. However, not being sure that the Duke's actions were motivated by concern for her, she decided not to delve deeper into these thoughts.
* * *The knighting ceremony takes place in the Audience Hall.
Why did she imagine that everything would be in the forest? Perhaps because when the Duke was mentioned, this image appeared by itself. But there were no plants in the Audience Hall. Just high ceilings and long windows. Just the sunlight streaming inside was enough to fill the entire space with radiance.
Three pages stood next to Adi. Initially, only they were supposed to receive the Knighthood, but due to the appearance of Adrina, the number of candidates increased.
Everyone was dressed in a new knight's uniform, freshly sewn and still retaining the stiffness of the fabric.
Jules sat in the center on his chair. On both sides of him, with swords in their hands, stood the commanders of all knightly orders. Only Bert held two swords, one of which was a thin rapier. However, it was she who looked much more refined and luxurious than the other blades.
Juls approached Adi, who was standing at the very edge to the right. She thought she was last, but for Yuls she was first. Bert and the rest of the order commanders followed him.
- Sword.
As soon as Jules said this, Bert handed him a weapon.
- Adrina.
Meeting the Duke's gaze, Adi slowly dropped to one knee.
The Duke raised his sword.
“I, Adrina Dean, swear, while I am conscious, to serve Your Lordship properly.” I undertake not to commit treason, but before breaking ties, to go through the procedure of declaring war. I promise to remain faithful and sincere, to show devotion and respect to Your Lordship, and I also take an oath of unwavering fidelity and fidelity until the end of my days.
The sword lightly touched Adrina's right shoulder. Then, passing over his head, he landed on his left shoulder.
“By the power of Woodpecker, I bestow Knighthood on Adrina Dean.”