When Claude appeared accompanied by a young man with red hair, it naturally attracted all eyes. The man, who had never been seen in public before, was stately and tall. If he were blond, people might wonder if he was Luigi. However, he was already dead, and there are not so many people with red hair in Dalkatir.
Everyone had their suspicions, but no one seemed to believe that it was really him. After all, that man, namely the Duke, was struck by a curse.
Of course, rumors leaked out of Palesa that the curse had been lifted, but the Duke never appeared in public that day. Therefore, no one could say with certainty whether he was truly completely healed or whether it was just empty gossip.
People were in no hurry to approach. Claude's mere presence was enough to make him feel awkward, and next to him was Count Grimaldi.
Count Grimaldi was denied access to Ionades for several years, and no one understood how he ended up here. There were rumors that he was invited to Palesa and granted a personal audience with the king, but whether this meant a royal pardon remained unclear.
While everyone was cheering while keeping their distance, one man approached the group.
- Your Highness.
— Viscount Cover, how are you?
- It's an honor for me. Count Grimaldi, long time no see.
Spencer Grimaldi knew him well too.
From the very beginning, even when it comes to ministers discussing state affairs, the ordinary Council and the Privy Council are different things. In addition, some members of the Privy Council were also elders of the Council. Since they acted as intermediaries between the king and the Council, their selection was extremely strict.
Even in the Grimaldi family, only Spencer was a member of the Privy Council. But that was now in the past.
- But this man...
Viscount Cover asked, looking at Jules. Claude and Jules exchanged glances. Claude had a 'well, look at this' look on his face, but Jules ignored him and turned away. Then he extended his hand to Viscount Cover and said:
“Last year I had family affairs and did not attend social society, Viscount Ennio Cover.”
-...Do you know me well?
“We are members of the Privy Council together, so I can’t help but know you.”
A look of bewilderment flashed across Ennio Cover's face. Privy Council? Is he on the Privy Council? It only includes a handful of people. There are less than twenty of them, and it cannot be that among them there is someone he does not know.
“Or maybe he replaced the one who was supposed to come in initially, but died? In this case, he must have a certain status and the trust of the king...”
Spencer, noticing how quickly Cover's thoughts began to work, said: “It seems that the Viscount did not hear the rumors.”
Claude chuckled and threw his arm over Jules's shoulder. He turned out to be taller than he expected, and his hand became numb, but without showing it, Claude said: “This is Woodpecker,” and silence reigned around.
It must be that when people encounter something completely unimaginable, they are speechless. In the frozen, cold hall, Viscount Cover's questioning was heard, filled with confusion:
- Excuse me?
After these words, a stir began around. Everyone was talking among themselves, but it was felt that attention was focused precisely here. Jules knew these views well. However, now they did not have that strong denial as before. And all just because his appearance has changed. He didn't like this trait in people.
—His Lordship Duke Woodpecker?
“If you are not going to reject my handshake, I would prefer that this hand not be in such an awkward position,” Jules said.
Viscount Cover hastily grabbed Yuls' hand.
— This year I arrived a little earlier. The Plenary is starting soon, so let's work together.
The Viscount nodded, stunned. Last year there was definitely a child in front of him. And now he is a fully grown young man. Has the Duke's Curse really been lifted? If so, how? And by whom?
In the Duke it was impossible to find a single trait inherent in the royal family. Except that his eyes were a little reminiscent of the scarlet, but lighter-colored eyes that the Previous Duke had. Besides this, no one would ever find in this young man any reminder of the former Duke of Woodpecker. Perhaps that's why everyone was so amazed.
Viscount Cover released his hand. Other aristocrats began to approach them.
The situation was predictable, but Claude was not at all happy about it.
“Ah, I can’t stand it when there are too many people.” Especially when he himself ceases to be the center of attention.
Claude looked down, pouting his lips. Adrina Grimaldi and Lea Lintu stood there together. The content of their conversation could not be heard, but Lea Lintu’s face, looking at Adrina, showed obvious sympathy.
The Marquise of Conolly came into Claude's field of vision, watching them with interest. She approached both girls, and after a short exchange of phrases, she took Lea Lintu away with her.
No, she froze halfway.
She turned around with a face like she couldn't believe her eyes. Claude read his lips unmistakably:
- Malvina?
At the same moment there was a reaction. Claude turned his head sharply and saw Spencer Grimaldi's frozen face. Ahh, well, of course. Of course. Marquise Conolly and Spencer Grimaldi are the same age. And in those days, at the height of the social season, Countess Grimaldi probably went out into society.
“What did you say was the countess’s name?”
—……Yvette Grimaldi, Your Highness.
- Oh yes, Yvette. Her maiden name was Malvina, wasn't it?
-......
— Yvette Malvina.
The Marchioness of Conolly knew Countess Grimaldi. They said that Adrina looked like her, and it seemed to be true.
- I have some business downstairs.
Having said this, Claude lightly patted Yuls on the shoulder. The few who started to approach Yuls shuddered and retreated, noticing the expression on Claude's face.
Usually, when Claude was in a good mood, he behaved normally, but as soon as his mood deteriorated, he began to throw things and become violent. Was he offended by the fact that the attention was switched to someone else? Claude was unusually lenient towards Duke Woodpecker, but no one knew when and how his mercy would change to anger.
“Duke, you haven’t been out in public for a long time, so enjoy the party a little longer.”
But judging by the expression on his face, everything was in order, and people, relaxed with relief, reached out to the Duke. Claude turned to Spencer standing next to him:
“Count, take good care of the Duke.”
“Your Grace will cope just fine on his own, without my tutelage.”
- Yes, I know.
Claude answered. It was an order not to let him go down. Spencer didn't like this situation. However, the situation was not one where he could simply leave.
Claude, making his way through the crowd, again approached the stairs. A servant approached him - the same one who had recently held a tray of goblets. Claude said something to him, and the servant shook his head. From the movement of his lips, it seemed that he was reporting some kind of preparation, but it was impossible to make out exactly.
Spencer soon stopped following Claude. He was too busy paying attention to the people around him. Moreover, there was no better time than this to gain new supporters.
“Too vain,” muttered Jules.
This whole situation was just a burden to him. Due to his status, he was accustomed not to accept someone’s help, but to provide it himself. In other words, everyone who tried to shake Juls’s hand now was pursuing their own selfish goals.
“It’s time for you to get used to this, Mister Duke, Your Grace.”
Spencer said:
“Isn’t that right, Viscount Cover?”
- Yes, in the current situation, many will rush to get closer to Your Lordship. You will have to carefully separate your supporters from those on the other side,” answered Ennio Cover.
Looking at Viscount Cover who spoke, Spencer thought that he too might eventually join the Duke. He narrowed his eyes. Those who wish to join the Duke... Well, so far so good.
* * * Going downstairs, Claude looked at Adrina standing against the wall. Scarlet dress against a snow-white wall. Despite the fact that this color was not very suitable for summer, oddly enough, it suited Adrina very well. There was something of the scorching summer heat about her.
No one dared to approach Adrina, who stood alone with a noble and impeccable posture. She herself did not take steps towards others.
A wall flower, that is. Too dazzling. Probably some took it for a poisonous flower and therefore did not dare to approach. Of course, this did not concern Claude.
- Adrina.
Adi slowly turned her head. Longer hair would definitely suit her, Claude thought. Loose long locks are great, but an updo would also suit her. The current hair length was uncertain, which made it difficult to create a sophisticated look.
Nevertheless, Adrina's appearance was quite impressive. Jules also knew how to dress with taste. Apparently he employs excellent valets and maids.
- Your Highness.
“Leaving you here so alone is so heartless.”
Adrina made a blank face. She didn't even seem to realize what it meant to stand alone against the wall at the ball. This caused even more sympathy. Poor thing, she doesn't even understand her situation.
- I'm talking about your partner and father.
“Are you telling me this on purpose?”
Claude raised his eyebrows in response to Adrina's question. There was amazement on his face: how could she talk to him like that when he had just taken her side.
“You know that many eyes are watching us.” Moreover, you are the Crown Prince, Your Highness, your every move is being watched.
“I just came to ask you to dance.” And before that I decided to exchange pleasantries.
Where have you seen people handle business like this? Adrina thought that she did not expect such rudeness from royal etiquette, but she immediately understood everything. Education and manners are how one behaves with superiors, not with subordinates. It was not strange that he grew up to be such an arrogant and self-confident person.
“And honestly, if anyone hears or if you get caught... Does this have anything to do with me?”
-......
And this was also true. For the Crown Prince. But for Adrina herself there was nothing good about it.
- So, Adrina.
Claude extended his hand, and in his gaze there was a silent instruction: if you don’t want others to hear too much, follow me obediently.
- Would you like to dance?
Adi looked at the outstretched palm, and then immediately raised her head. The Duke and the Count could be seen on the top floor balcony. Both watched intently what was happening below. There was a subtext in their glances, but, unfortunately, Adi could not make out what exactly they were trying to convey to her. She only glanced at them briefly and then placed her hand in Claude's.