A Saint Who Was Adopted by the Grand Duke
chapter-168

The page contained an illustration of the book’s protagonist walking on a path full of flowers.

“Isn’t this really nice?”

“Yes.”

Agreeing, Dennis and Judy looked at each other and nodded.

“Then, I will spread flowers all over the path Esther will walk on.”

“All right. And how are the cake preparations going?”

At Dennis’s question, Delbert clenched his fist and answered confidently.

“We’ve mobilized all the famous bakers in the territory. It will be a super-large cake, one that has never been seen before.”

“Great.”

Judy grinned and held out his palm to Dennis.

Dennis pretended not to want to do so, but eventually put his hand on Judy’s.

(TL/N: I think it’s a low-five ^^; …I think)

“But didn’t you say Father and Esther are coming? It’s too late.”

“A carrier pigeon dropped by this morning. It looks like they will arrive in the afternoon.”

“Oh? Then it won’t be long.”

Estimating the time, Judy bent his knees and tied the laces of his shoes.

“Dennis, do you want to meet them?”

“Where?”

“To the gate. If we’re on top of the walls, we’ll be able to look down on them coming.”

“Okay.”

Dennis originally planned to go back to the mansion and read.

He hated going against his plans, but it was easy to do so when it came to Esther.

“Let’s compete. The winner hugs Esther first.”

“What? Running? You run every day, of course I won’t win!”

Dennis exclaimed in bewilderment, but having finished his preparations, Judy was already running out of the shelter.

“That guy.”

Bearing a strong desire to compete, Dennis tossed the book he had brought and ran after Judy at full speed.

★★★

Esther returned home with her older brothers who came to meet her and slept soundly.

The next two days would be spent busy preparing for her birthday.

The two days flew by even though all she did was try on the finished dress, choose the shoes and accessories.

And finally, the morning of her birthday.

“Ugh.”

With wide opened eyes, Esther stretched out in the morning sun.

“Oh, my lady! Did you sleep? Under your eyes…!”

Dorothy asked in surprise. She had just entered and was pulling the curtains.

“I can see what you mean.”

Esther shook her head in amazement as she recalled the night before.

So last night, she went to bed early in the evening for today’s birthday party.

However, as soon as twelve o’clock had passed, the door to her room creaked open.

“Esther, thank you for being born.”

The first to enter was Dennis. He was sharp and precise, coming in at exactly 12 o’clock.

“I… I thought you’re asleep. Did you wake up because of me?”

Next was Deheen, who stopped by while working.

“Happy birthday, Esther!”

And lastly. Judy, who woke up and ran over half-asleep.

Esther couldn’t sleep well because they visited one by one.

“The young masters? I told them not to disturb you.”

“But Dad came too.”

Dorothy shut her mouth the instant she heard that Deheen had been here too.

“Even if I can’t sleep, I feel good.”

Esther opened the window wide and smiled brightly as the sunlight streamed into her room.

So what if she got a little less sleep?

She felt for the first time that her birthday was a day where she could receive such warm congratulations.

“Shall we go get ready?”

“Already?”

“Of course. You’re always shining, but today you’ll be the prettiest in the world.”

Caught by Dorothy, Esther went into the bathroom rubbing her tired eyes.

She lay down in the bathtub and dozed off, and after receiving a massage, she woke up and her complexion became bright.

When she returned to her room, this time, Dolores from the dressing room was waiting for her along with her maids.

“Since the lady has such good skin, I will only apply light makeup.”

The maid’s hand moved quickly over Esther’s soft face.

Esther’s eyes were half-closed as her face and hair were worked on at the same time.

“I think the lady is sleepy. Why didn’t you let her sleep a little longer?”

“Victor, I told you to wait outside while the lady is getting ready.”

Esther giggled when she heard the voices of Victor and Dorothy arguing.

“I think you two look good together.”

“What? Lady Esther, to me, you’re the most important lady.”

“Oh my, what are you talking about? A flirt like that and me?”

A strong negative was a strong positive.

Dorothy and Victor’s embarrassment was somehow unusual.

“Your hair is done.”

“The make-up is over.”

The reflection of the mirror showed gray-brown hair gathered in a bundle and tied high.

The thin ribbon that tied the hair gently came down to her ears.

“Shall we try on the dress now?”

Esther spread her arms to the side, and the maids helped Esther wear the dress that had been hanging on the hanger.

“Are there any uncomfortable places?”

“It fits just right.”

“I made it, but it’s really beautiful.”

Dolores was thrilled.

Of all the dresses Esther had ever tried on, she liked this new dress the most.

It was especially pretty. The jewel-studded hem unfolded like a waterfall whenever she turned her body.

“Oh, this is a gift from Princess Raina.”

While saying that it was a surprise gift, Dolores took out a luxurious box.

Inside was a tiara, just the right size for Esther’s head.

“Is this the princess’? I should thank her separately.”

A skilful maid fixed the tiara on Esther’s head.

Esther put on all the accessories and wore the shoe that she had prepared in advance, and opened the drawer after thinking about it.

“A necklace… I’ll wear this one.”

Finishing off with the necklace Noah gave her, Esther looked into the mirror and smiled contentedly.

Esther had thought she had plenty of time, but time passed quickly while she was dressing up.

She thanked Dolores and the maids who helped her dress up, and went straight down the stairs.

Judy and Dennis, who were huddled in the living room waiting for Esther, rushed at the same time.

“Wow, my sister is the prettiest.”

“Mhm. She must be the prettiest in the empire, definitely.”

“What? It’s not that much…”

“I have the same opinion. My daughter is the prettiest in the empire.”

Esther climbed into the open carriage while listening to endless praises from Deheen. Since when did he have such a character?

And to her surprise…

At each corner of the road leading to the shelter, residents were gathered so tightly that there was no gap, waiting for the march.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen this many.”

There were marches on Judy and Dennis’ previous birthdays, but this turnout was much bigger than those.

Esther shyly waved to the people who cheered for her enthusiastically.

“It must mean that my sister is very loved. Everyone knows that you worked harder than anyone else at the shelter.”

“That’s right. You also cured the epidemic.”

Even Deheen quietly added a word to Judy and Dennis’ words of adoration.

“The most loved person in Tersia is my daughter.”

“Father, Esther is a blessing. Not only to Tersia, but also to the entire Austin Empire.”

Esther, who couldn’t hear more because her face was burning, fanned with her hands and lifted her head up.

As she gazed at the blue sky without a single cloud, somehow her heart calmed down and she became a little brazen.

‘Shall I bless you too?’

Determined to enjoy the situation since it could not be avoided, Esther stretched her arms out to her side.

When she raised divine power to her right hand, the petals that had been scattered along the road were carried by the wind and floated into the air.

Then they fluttered wildly through the crowds, creating a flower shower.

“Ohhh, indeed, the child of light!”

“Saint, thank you for being born. Please stay with us for a long time!”

Until Esther arrived at the shelter, people’s cheers and congratulations continued uninterrupted.

★★★

Arriving at the shelter, Esther had to hide for a while before the ceremony began.

The room used by the priests was empty, but she headed to the greenhouse where the holy flowers were still growing.

“Whoa. Why am I so nervous?”

Esther, who had never been the main character of a party, was terribly nervous and couldn’t stay still.

But suddenly, there was a crackling sound outside the greenhouse.

Startled by the noise that sounded suspiciously like fighting, she hurried out.

“What’s going on?”

When she peeped, she found Sebastian and Judy holding each other by the collar.

“Brother Sebastian?”

“Yes! It’s me, Esther!”

Barely freeing himself from Judy, Sebastian ran towards Esther with a big smile.

“Judy wouldn’t let me in, but anyway…”

Sebastian held out the huge bouquet he had brought to Esther.

“Happy birthday.”

“Wow, thank you.”

Sebastian was restless, not being able to look directly at the eyes of Esther, who had become prettier.

“Uh… I… H-Have you decided on a dance partner?”

Esther, who hadn’t particularly thought about dancing, tilted her head.

“Dancing isn’t the main thing today, so I don’t need a partner.”

“Oh… Is that so?”

“Yes.”

It seemed Judy didn’t need to intervene. Blocked by Esther’s iron wall, Sebastian’s face turned gray.

“Brother Sebastian, are you okay? The color of your face suddenly became very bad.”

“Y-Yes, I’m okay.”

The Esther holding a bouquet of flowers was Sebastian’s ideal type.

Although there were tears in his eyes, Sebastian diligently captured Esther with them.

“Sebastian, didn’t I tell you not to think about such things? Stop, stop.”

“Wait a second. I brought Jenny as well. Jenny, say hello.”

Sebastian brought his younger sister, whom he had temporarily entrusted to an attendant.

Jenny, now able to walk alone, hid behind Sebastian’s legs and stared at Esther.

“You can already walk by yourself. Do you remember me?”

“…? Pretty sister!”

Jenny stretched out her chubby arm as if asking to be held, and smiled at Esther.

It was unknown if it’s because of the shiny dress or Esther, but Jenny ran and snuggled into the skirt portion of the dress.

Esther couldn’t help but stare at the cute Jenny. It was the same for Judy, the corners of his mouth twitched as he took in the scene.

Watching Jenny play around in the greenhouse helped relieve her tension.

After a while…

Esther sent everyone out and sat alone in the greenhouse.

Then there was a knock, and Dorothy announced that Noah had come.

“Let him in.”

Delighted, Esther went to the doorway to greet Noah as he entered.

“You’re here?”

“Yes. Did I come at the right time?”

Dressed in a well-fitting suit, Noah was clearly decorated with care. Even his hair was beautifully styled.

“The dress suits you well. It’s blinding and I can’t look at it.”

“Don’t make fun of me.”

“Really.”

“You look great today too.”

Esther and Noah exchanged compliments, but they couldn’t look at each other properly for a while and hesitated.

“…Are you wearing the necklace I gave you?”

Noah, who regained his senses first, came next to Esther and was delighted when he saw the necklace.

“I thought it would go well with today’s clothes, so I wore it.”

“Yes. An excellent choice.”

Noah smiled happily and thrust forward the bunch of tulips he had hidden behind his back.

“Here, happy birthday.”

“It’s pretty. Thank you.”

Esther smiled broadly as she accepted the tulips. Then Noah took a quick look around.

“Who gave you those flowers?”

“Brother Sebastian.”

“…Ah?”

Noah shuddered and pushed the large bouquet as far as he could with his foot.

“Um, Esther. Do you remember the promise you made with me before?”

“What promise?”

“The one about dancing together. Can I be your partner today?”

Noah asked for permission, gazing at Esther with puppy-like eyes.

“What? Today, I’m going to dance with just my older brothers.”

“I see.”

Taken aback by Noah’s downcasted expression, Esther put her little finger forward.

“Instead, let’s dance together at the next party.”

“Promise.”

Noah smiled contentedly as he hooked his finger with Esther’s.

It was then.

Dorothy knocked on the door again.

“My lady, it’s time to leave.”

“Oh.”

Hearing that, Noah hurriedly whispered in Esther’s ear that he would go first and wait.

“If you get bored after the banquet, come out to the garden. There’s something I need to talk to you about.”

“Alone? Okay.”

As Esther tilted her head to smell the delicate scent of tulips, she thought what Noah would say.

Ame: N-No dance with daddy? ;-; next episode will be the last! of just the main story! We can all be calm and happy since there are a ton of side stories ^^