Chapter 37
“What is it? Did I say something wrong?”
Yuls spoke with a level of audacity that suggested he was genuinely oblivious to any offense.
“I only meant that the Grimaldi family would have preferred having you.”
He let his eyes wander downward for a moment before meeting her gaze once more.
“Surely they find it a comfort that you survived.”
Yuls kept his eyes locked on Adi’s face. He remarked that, in his view, the world would be better if Adrina Grimaldi were still among the living. Adi parted her lips in silent shock; no one had ever uttered those words to her before. The consensus had always been that Adrina’s passing was a blessing.
She couldn’t fathom the Duke’s true motives or what sparked such a thought, but the novelty of the sentiment struck her. It was something even Adrian likely wouldn’t have believed.
What was the Duke of Woodpecker playing at?
Adi’s hands balled into tight fists.
“That is a fantasy,” she stated flatly.
“True, considering she is surely resting in the Goddess of Death’s embrace by now.”
Muttering about what a pity it was, Yuls closed the distance between them. Though he had seemed imposing at first, he suddenly appeared smaller to her. He reached out, his slender fingers grazing Adi’s skin. The unexpected softness of her cheek caused Yuls to squint slightly, though Adi maintained her usual stoic mask.
“It truly is a shame you are Adrian and not his sister.”
Things would have been far less complicated that way.
“With those features, she would have been a stunning woman.”
He could have simply taken her for himself, or perhaps made her lose her heart to him.
*
Yuls didn’t find sleep until well after midnight, yet he was awake by six in the morning—an hour earlier than his usual routine.
Adi, who was used to the isolation of the night watch and knew little of the daytime schedule, wasn’t on familiar enough terms with the early-morning staff to ask why they were there so soon. Since the servants were taking over and her protection was no longer required, Yuls dismissed her to get some rest. However, her internal clock made it impossible to sleep immediately.
When she stepped back into the knight’s quarters, Roy was just emerging from the washroom. He recoiled when he saw her exhausted expression.
“Good grief, you gave me a heart attack. Why do you look like a ghost?”
Adi scanned his appearance before speaking.
“Get some clothes on.”
He pointed out that he’d just finished bathing, so what did she expect? Besides, the spring air was mild. Roy yawned and pushed open his bedroom door, noting that she was back earlier than planned. Adi stopped in front of her own quarters.
“The staff arrived early to get things ready. I suppose they didn’t want me loitering while he got dressed.”
“He probably just hasn’t warmed up to you yet,” Roy suggested. “Want to grab some food?”
When he claimed he’d be ready to go in five minutes, Adi stood staring into the distance, her brow furrowed. Roy teased her, asking what could possibly require such intense concentration.
“……”
The path to the mess hall required walking through the main corridor, which meant a high probability of an awkward encounter. Roy clearly harbored a distaste for Count Grimaldi, and Adi feared a confrontation if they crossed paths. She called out his name.
“What? I’m hoping they aren’t serving rabbit today,” Roy replied.
“You’re aware, aren’t you? The Duke has invited several nobles here for the festivities.”
Roy gave her a look of pure annoyance.
“Do you think I’m deaf?”
“I know the Grimaldis are among them.”
“We might bump into them. They’ll be moving around at this hour.”
“Do you actually know who I consider my enemy?” Roy asked.
“…Only that you share the same foes as His Excellency.”
“Exactly. Which means Grimaldi isn’t on the list. He’s not even a blip on the radar. The people who despise you are up in the North, where the slaughter happened.”
He was referring to the Witch Hunt.
“My aversion to the Count is just a gut feeling, not a declaration of war. If I really hated him that much, do you think I’d be standing here with you?”
His words carried an unexpected warmth, or perhaps she was just imagining it. Adi exhaled slowly.
“Fine. Let’s eat. Give me a moment to change.”
During her time with the other knights, Adi had picked up on a few cultural differences.
In the 3rd Knights Order, she’d never had close companions, so she hadn’t realized that Southerners were incredibly physical. Friends there thought nothing of touching or draping an arm over someone’s shoulder.
Roy was a prime example, often leaning his arm on her because she was the perfect height for a rest. She used to shove him away, but eventually, she just accepted it as part of the routine.
“Ugh, not rabbit again.”
Roy Gallardo was the quintessential Southerner: physically affectionate, blunt, and extremely picky about his meals.
“Can’t you smell how gamey that is?”
He looked horrified by the mountain of rabbit meat on Adi’s plate, opting instead for a pile of bacon and eggs. Despite his somewhat refined looks, he ate with the appetite of a predator, and it was obvious he’d be back for a second helping.
“Try a vegetable for once,” he urged.
“I have vegetables.”
“…You think potatoes are vegetables?”
“They are.”
Roy looked at her as if she were a primitive being before turning back to his own meal. He could judge all he wanted; it didn’t bother her.
Watching Roy meticulously arrange his colorful plate, Adi decided that for a man of his stature, he was surprisingly fussy. It wasn’t a compliment or an insult—just an observation. She felt a shiver of disgust looking at his greens. They were polar opposites when it came to food.
“No soup?”
“Not in the morning.”
“It’s good for the digestion.”
“It’s revolting.”
“What’s wrong with vegetable broth?”
“If it had cream or milk, maybe. But plain vegetables? My stomach can’t handle it.”
“Cream at dawn? Is your stomach made of granite because you’re from the North?”
Roy just shook his head, baffled.
The mess hall was teeming with soldiers. Because Roy was so well-liked, their progress was constantly interrupted by people wanting to say hello. Eating with him was always a marathon.
Once they finally sat, Adi began cutting her meat and stabbing it with her knife, lifting the large chunks directly to her mouth. Roy watched her, convinced she was a savage. They were in a palace, not a trench, yet she ate like a mercenary.
He was about to lecture her on Northern manners when he felt eyes on them.
A man was watching from a short distance away. Roy recognized the face but couldn’t quite place it at first. Then it clicked.
“Oh.”
“What is it?” Adi asked.
“Isn’t that Lev Zid?”
Adi turned. Lev was indeed staring straight at them.
“You’re acquainted?”
“Sure. I saw him in Ionad during the tournament. He’s the one who took down Illich from the 1st Knights.”
Adi didn’t recognize the name Illich, but anyone from the 1st Knights Order was a formidable warrior.
“So he ended up with the Grimaldis. I guess his family is from their lands.”
Roy understood the logic but still found the choice baffling. He wouldn’t have stepped foot in Grimaldi territory; the food alone would be a death sentence.
“Is he any good?”
“He’s the best they have,” Adi replied.
She paused to reflect before adding, “At least he was. Unless someone new has surfaced, he’s likely still the top swordsman there.”
“Really? Better than me?”
“I’ve never seen you actually fight.”
It was true. Roy spent most of his time loafing around, so while his position in the 2nd Knights Order guaranteed a certain level of skill, she hadn’t seen him in earnest.
“He’s headed this way.”
Great. Just what they needed. If they hadn’t looked his way, he might have stayed put. Adi ignored him and went back to her meat, her eating style becoming even more aggressive, much to Roy’s chagrin.
Lev Zid stopped at the edge of their table.
“Adrian.”
His voice carried that same old air of superiority.
“Lev.”
“I heard you’ve been assigned the night shift.”
The way he said it felt weighted. Adi felt a flicker of unease, wondering if he’d witnessed the events of the previous night. The surrounding tables went quiet as people began to eavesdrop, fueled by the existing gossip.
“I’m just on guard duty.”
“And who is this?”
“Roy Gallardo.”
“Sir Roy Gallardo. I am Lev Zid.”
“I know who you are, Sir Lev. We crossed paths in Ionad.”
“…Did we?”
“During the games between Ionad and Pallesa. I was there with the 2nd Knights escort. You were the victor that day.”
Roy stood and offered a hand, but Lev’s focus never wavered from Adi. Roy pulled his hand back, undeterred.
“If you’re free later, we should spar. I doubt you’ve seen the Pallesa grounds yet.”
Adi continued to eat, watching the tension. Lev finally turned his attention toward Roy.
“I’m not sure our duties will permit it.”
“Why not? I’m done by four. You?”
“And what about Adrian?”
“Adi doesn’t start until midnight.”
“You use a pet name for him.”
“Adrian is a mouthful. Everyone calls him Adi here.”
“…Back home, he is Adrian.”
Naturally, because ‘Adi’ was a name that belonged to the real Adrina.
“So?” Roy challenged. “Why does it matter what I call him or what they call him back in your territory?”
Roy looked at Adi for backup. “Isn’t that right, Adi?” Adi gave a small laugh and nodded. Lev’s glare intensified, as if her using that name was a personal insult.
“What I’m called is none of your concern, Lev.”
“I’m done here,” Adi said, rising from the table. Her plate was spotless. Roy wanted to point out that she usually ate twice that much, but he kept it to himself. As she tried to walk away, Lev shifted to block her.
Adi gave him a firm nudge.
“I don’t belong to you yet.”
Roy was lost. He didn’t understand the subtext of their exchange, but he knew it was time to leave. The staring was becoming unbearable.
“I’ll be off as well, Sir Lev. I’m sure we’ll see each other around the barracks.”
Roy grabbed Lev’s hand for a forced shake before hurrying after Adi. He slung his arm over her shoulder and began whispering as they walked away. Lev stood still, first looking at his own hand, then watching their retreating figures.
