She knew that Claude and Jules were different people, but she did not expect that she would notice every detail. There is nothing in common between them. No height, no hand size, no hair or eye color. Although they were cousins, there was not a single similarity in appearance.
When he forcefully pulled her towards him, placing his hand on her waist, Adi’s face froze almost imperceptibly. The bodies touched. It was extremely unpleasant. In addition, the way he touched her palm, ingratiatingly stroking it, evoked some kind of perverted sensation.
“I saw you were having a nice conversation with the Count.”
- Did you think so?
- Well, even if the relationship is strained now, you are family, so in the end you will still get along, right?
Adi found it difficult to follow Claude's movements. It was very different from dancing with the Duke. How can I say this... Yuls was attentive. Claude moved unceremoniously. Moreover, his gaze was impetuous. And your hands are cold.
- Do you think, Your Highness, that your relationship with His Majesty will improve? - Adi asked.
“I don’t have bad relations with the king.” I just intend to get what I want a little faster.
His breathing also seemed uneven. The gaze darted from side to side. He seemed to be looking for something, although he tried not to show it.
“I thought Sir Adrian Grimaldi would do the same.” That's why I tried to reach out to you.
- Apparently, now you think differently.
- The situation has really changed.
With these words he licked his lips.
- Yes.
Adi frowned as he watched him run his tongue over his lips, moistening them. She felt with her skin that this man was thirsty.
- A lot has changed.
Having said this, Claude fell silent for a moment. He simply moved back and forth, as if surrendering his body to the flow of the music. It was not easy to follow him.
Adi could barely keep up, recalling the steps that the Duke had taught her, and then Claude looked down at her with obvious surprise. Compared to Julius, the difference in their height was not that great.
- Why are you looking like that, Your Highness?
- Yes, so... You dance better than I expected. As far as I know, you weren't taught this.
- How do you know this?
“The Count danced simply disgustingly.” In addition, he was never interested in secular society, so he would not have put any effort into learning.
Claude chuckled, but Adi could not share his amusement. She only found out today that the Count couldn’t dance. She didn't think he'd have to dance at all. But since he once moved in secular society, he could not be completely unaware of the movements. In that case, did her mother dance? That woman?
Moreover, it seemed that Claude knew something that she did not know. How much time did Claude Dalcatir spend with the Count while constantly staying in Ionada? Definitely more than her and Adrien.
- And you're doing a good job.
“Your Grace taught me everything.”
Can Juls dance well enough to teach someone? First of all, she had never seen him dance. However, this is not surprising. The sight of this child, wrapping his arms around a grown woman's waist and holding her hand, spinning in a dance would certainly be ridiculous. Jules doesn't like being looked down on.
-...That's how it is.
Perhaps that's why he practiced. His movements were truly polished. But it wasn't that important. “Since we're talking about this, I'm curious,” Claude said.
— What are you planning to do with Jules?
- Well, I don’t have any special thoughts yet.
- You're lying.
“If Your Highness thinks so, I can’t do anything about it.”
-You look like your father.
-...This is not the most pleasant remark.
Adi answered.
“But I often think so myself.”
Claude's eyes widened at such unexpected words.
“And that’s why it disgusts me.”
As soon as she continued, he burst into laughter. Those around them turned to look at them. Claude seemed to be trying to hold back his laughter. However, unable to bear it any longer, he buried his face in Adi's shoulder. Normally, he would talk about a woman’s fragile shoulders or delicate skin, but now he had no time for that.
The idea that Adrina was not like the Count was wrong. Even though she got her appearance from her mother, her character and facial expressions were exactly like the Count’s. And this despite the fact that they probably didn’t spend much time together.
The only difference from the Count was that she spoke a little more straightforwardly. Sometimes notes characteristic of a knight slipped into her speech. In government affairs, the Count behaved like an old fox, skillfully maneuvering so as not to say too much, but she was different. She was still as sharp as a blade. She would make an ideal young representative for state affairs.
“It looks like your souls and your brother’s have switched places.” Apparently there was a mistake in the womb.
If she were a man, if she were Adrian, everything would be much more interesting, but, unfortunately, she is a woman. You cannot discuss government affairs with a woman. As sad as it is, this is the reality. If this seems unfair, you should have been born with a piece of flesh between your legs.
“You know that the Council is convening soon, right?” All charts are important, but the most important is the Privy Council.
- Privy Council...
— Royal advisory body. He gives advice regarding all supreme power. Initially, the Count was also included in it, but due to the king’s opposition he was excluded. Oh, didn't I tell you?
Adi nodded. She did not know that they were talking about the Privy Council, but Claude himself told her that the Count had been expelled from Jonad. And in even greater detail than now.
- And that empty place was taken by Marquis Frankopan.
- That's how it is.
“You don’t know who Marquis Frankopan is?”
- Don't know.
- This is the man who was killed by sir.
Adi wasn't going to deny that she wasn't a killer, but at least the statement was wrong. That assassin could not possibly be Marquis Frankopan. In this case, there was only one option left.
- Oh, I misspoke.
The man Adi was accused of killing, but who actually fell at the hands of the Count, is the cousin of the crown prince and the duke.
“Sir Adrian Grimaldi killed him.”
Looking at the laughing Claude, Adi asked: “Are you doing this on purpose?” Claude, looking innocently slandered, asked: “Me?” - but then he chuckled.
- And what will you do if so?
- What can I do? Unless in my place there would be someone as influential as the Count.
- Oh, in your speeches you can feel the words with a double bottom.
She meant that now she is suffering because she does not have power, but when she has it, she will not leave it like that.
Of course, Adrina Grimaldi could not do that. Her former status has disappeared, now she is only a commoner who has received a knighthood, and a woman at that. No matter how high she rises, how can she compare to the Crown Prince?
Of course, there were dangerous posts, but Adrina hardly saw them. That's why Claude wanted Adi even more.
“Juls is really a safe person for me, but still.
It would be fun to keep her around. Plus she's beautiful.
“Hmm, but wouldn’t it be better for you to come over to my side?”
It's nice to admire something beautiful. Body decoration items like precious stones can be obtained by anyone, but collecting beautiful people is not an easy task.
However, Claude was born with everything he needed. He was lucky with his origins, and thanks to his father, he easily took the throne, didn’t he?
In addition, there was also the Count, who made a huge contribution to this.
“Still, it would have been worthwhile to come to a better agreement and take her for yourself.”
The same daughter. Claude looked down with greedy eyes. He wanted to have it in his collection. Charming and submissive submissive.
- I refuse.
Of course, he was given a sharp refusal.
-......
He did not even consider such an outcome. In truth, Claude is accustomed to believing that those below him do not and cannot have their own will. This means that he almost always got what he wanted. Even if they refused, they had no choice but to press with the weight of their title.
But this case was somewhat different. Whatever one may say, Juls is a Duke. They were equal in status. It was useless to be capricious and demand - it had no effect on Yuls. Consequently, it was necessary to force her to come herself, but here too there was a refusal.
- Why?
- Because I don't think I can work together with Count Grimaldi.
- What makes you think that I will work with the Count? I can easily part with him.
- Because the Count will never let Your Highness go.
Judging by the Count's behavior, it was obvious that he did not like Claude too much. The Count knew how to keep his face well, but his hostility still leaked out. However, Claude is the only staircase by which the Count could return to the royal palace, so for this he was ready to put up with anything.
“At least he won’t let go until he snatches something for himself.” He's that kind of person.
“You know the Count better than I thought.”
This was not the case. But if Adi were in his place, she would have done exactly that, so she was only guessing. And again it was unpleasant to realize this. The fact that she looks like her father.
— Who will take the place of Marquis Frankopan?
- Well, of course, the one who has sufficient influence and status.
— Will Count Grimaldi be restored to his rights?
“That’s why the Count extended his hand to me.” He believes that I will become his support.
“Are you not going to help him, Your Highness?”
“On the contrary, I will nominate him for the Privy Council.”
Claude spoke with a smile. There was no lie in that smile.
- For now.
He only slightly omitted the truth. Claude didn't trust the Count.
—Will you tell him my words?
- Is this necessary?
And the Count should know this too.
“If I noticed it, then the Count must have too.”