Claude announced that he was going to prepare breakfast and demanded that the guest leave. Although breakfast time had long passed, and the sun was already at its zenith.
Walking out into the corridor, Juls glanced at Adi, who was following him, and slowed down to catch up with her. When Adi tried to step back again, Juls said, “Just stay close.” He looked at her furtively and asked:
-Are you uncomfortable?
- I'm sorry?
- That I spoke badly about the Count.
- No.
Adi answered without the slightest hesitation.
- Why did you decide that?
- Because you are family.
- It doesn't matter much to me.
For some, family could mean a lot, but not for Adi. Of course, there was a person who was dear to her. But his flesh had long since returned to the earth, and he no longer existed in this world.
- My goal...
Adi, without finishing, fell silent again. Her gaze was fixed straight ahead. The Duke, who had been looking at her, turned around. Sir Lef Zeed stood right in front of them.
Oh, that's right. The Count stopped here.
Sir Lef Zid, who had been piercing Adi with a furious gaze, bowed his head in front of the Duke.
- Sir Lef Zid.
Whatever the situation, there was no need to show hostility in vain. Jules smiled softly.
- Looks like you've just arrived.
- Your Mightiness.
“I heard that the Count stayed in the chambers that Claude had allocated. They must be somewhere nearby?
- Yes, he occupies rooms on the third floor.
- That's how it is.
The Duke did not particularly care where exactly the Count was located, but it was obvious that Claude provided him with decent quarters.
Juls looked at Lef and lightly placed his hand on Adi’s shoulder. The hand, barely touching, was simply there, not trying to pull Adi towards him. When Adi turned her head and looked up at Juls, Lef's eyes sparkled. Jules clearly understood the feeling behind this.
It was jealousy.
Juls said to Adi: “Let’s go,” and walked past Lef. Lef Zid stood firmly in place and did not move. Jules felt eyes on him from behind, but did not turn around. Adi behaved the same way. At this moment, he considered it a good thing that she was indifferent to others.
In the middle of the corridor, in front of the stairs, Jules lowered his hand. Adi accepted this action with a face that showed no doubt.
- By the way, I forgot to ask.
Juls said:
- Who exactly is Lef Zid related to you?
“Lef was Adrian’s foster brother and he hated me.
"Hardly." It was not the look of a man looking at someone he hated. But Adrina didn't seem to notice. If you think about it, she is generally bad at recognizing favor directed in her direction.
“After Adrian’s death, Lef taught me fencing. Of course, the Count also gave lessons.
“I want to tell you to avoid him because there is lust in the way he looks at you.”
- This is all.
But if he did that, it would only make her worry. A person usually does not think about what he is not aware of, but once he has realized it, he can no longer return to his previous state. Juls did not want Adrina to even see Lef Zide as an object of caution. He must remain a nobody for her, just like now.
- Oh, of course.
Because in order to be nearby and occupy her thoughts, he alone was enough.
- It seems that the Count was planning to get a child from me and Lef Zid.
At this moment, Yuls involuntarily exhaled: “What?”, and, looking at Adrina, who slowly raised her completely imperturbable gaze at him, he felt everything boiling inside him.
- This is not certain, but he had similar intentions. However, if someone does not suit him, the Count is one of those people who easily replace one performer with another.
That expression—dry and impassive even in a situation that should have provoked anger—seemed to speak eloquently of the countless episodes of despair and resignation she had gone through in life, and the thought of it filled Juls with the heat of rage.
- And this will never happen. Because...
Continuing to speak, Adi frowned and fell silent. Yuls didn’t bother to question him, just looking at her. Noticing that he froze in anticipation of her next words, Adi moved her lips and said: “I beg your pardon.”
- I can't say that.
“You don’t have any special feelings for Lef?”
— If by special feelings we mean hostility, then does that count too?
-......
Juls suppressed the sigh that was about to escape.
- If this is a feeling, then so be it.
Yes, hostility is also a feeling. He wanted to deprive her of all emotions directed towards that person. Make him become a nobody for her, someone who is not worth paying attention to. How can this be achieved?
……Kill him?
Even if he decides to do this, it’s impossible now. He needs to act secretly so as not to be caught.
- If it is inconvenient for you, I will change the visiting hours.
The only thing he could do right now was to save her from seeing him. Out of sight, out of mind, that's how it usually happens.
- Everything is fine. I don't want to become a burden to others over such trifles.
- Is this a small thing for you?
“I don’t think it’s anything serious.”
Juls looked at Adi. He wanted to ask what, then, was serious for her. How far does it have to go for her to pay attention? What could hurt her? Only knowing this could he avoid hurting her, but at the same time, deep down in his soul, he wanted to hurt her himself.
- Yes.
Because even if the family did not have much influence on her, then he, it seems, could not occupy a significant place in her life.
— We return to the residence.
However, he could not allow this low thought to escape his lips.
* * *While Adi accompanied Jules on his visit to Claude, Bert, who remained in Ionada, apparently had already finished discussing the schedule with the accompanying knights.
Since these were Royal Knights, they were unlikely to harm Juls, but they were also not to be fully trusted, so the day and night shifts were divided between Adi and Bert.
Bert asked Adi what time was most convenient for her. Adi felt that, out of respect for Bert's age, it would be better for her to take over the hours from night until dawn.
Bert was of the same opinion. Moreover, although contacts were required to lift the curse, daytime activity was discouraged due to the risk of crossing paths with Count Grimaldi.
On Bert's advice to take a nap before leaving for pre-dawn duty, Adi rested, and then, waking up late, washed, changed clothes and headed to the Duke's bedroom.
When she came in after knocking, Billy was helping the Duke change his clothes. Dimitri stood nearby. The servant not only served the duke, but also performed the duties of an assistant; it seemed that this time Dimitri took on the role that Gavin usually played.
— Does this mean that you intend to agree with this point?
— It’s unknown yet. But if trade patterns change, we will have to react. It is unknown whether this will be beneficial or not. Everyone will act in ways that enhance the competitiveness of their lands.
“The northern aristocracy will be delighted, because they border on Thuringia.” The same applies to nobles who own ports. We also have a port in the south, so it's not too bad, but the Hinterland lords and royal family won't be happy. One thing is for sure: His Highness will not agree to this now.
- Right. However, one cannot be sure what Claude will do. He needs those who will be faithful to him. Maybe not right now, but he may well promise to relax these restrictions when he becomes king in order to win them over to his side.
Dimitri gave him the letter.
“It came from the McAuliffes.” They say that it is necessary to establish a system for accumulating, expanding and managing not only gold and precious stones, but also such rare metals as mana stone. They claim that the Northern Continent has already begun to take control of this, and we need to hurry. They are going to submit a proposal to the next Council.
- Leave it. I'll take a look at night.
Dimitri put the letter on the bedside table.
- Let's finish this. We'll do the rest when I get some sleep.
Having said this, Yuls walked towards the bed. He had already changed his clothes.
- Go.
Dimitri and Billy bowed and headed towards the exit. Previously, in the Woodpecker mansion, Dimitri always looked at Adi with wariness at such moments, but today his gaze was warm. And not only today - recently Dimitri had been very kind to her. It was inexplicable.
As Adi's gaze followed the departing servants, Juls called, "Adi."
- Yes, Your Grace.
Adi straightened up and answered. Jules raised his hand. Seeing his expression - so noble that it seemed almost flirtatious, as if he was telling her to get down to business quickly - Adi felt a slight confusion, not knowing what to say.
Freshness? Or what is it? Be that as it may, the feelings she had for Duke were not unpleasant. There even seemed to be something funny about it.
Adi walked over to the bed and took Duke's hand. Looking at this large palm, extended to her as if by some princess, she barely suppressed a laugh. In fact, she didn't really understand it herself. But in any case, this feeling was closer to pleasant.
Adi leaned over and raised the Duke's hand. His lips touched the back of his hand with a quiet sound.
— In one old fairy tale, a knight saved a princess who was kidnapped by a dragon.
That's what Jules said. There was a grin in his voice.
“They say the knight placed a kiss on the back of his hand as a sign of respect and loyalty.”
Adi did not know such fairy tales. She had heard similar stories told to children, but neither Adrian nor Adrina had ever known anything like this.
“You’re just like that knight now.”
“...Your Grace is also no less beautiful than the princess.”
At the same moment he laughed. It wasn't exactly what Jules expected to hear, but he seemed to like the words. He squeezed the hand she was holding. It's not painful, but quite noticeable. Adi didn't ask any questions.
- Fine. Try to make me a princess.
She nodded.
“You will have to treat me very well, sir.”
- ……I will try.
In response to Adi, Yuls laughed again. She seemed to not fully understand the essence of her words. But it didn't matter. For now.
Be that as it may, Adrina will not leave him right now.