A Saint Who Was Adopted by the Grand Duke
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chapter-169
★★★
The door to the shelter opened, and the bright and lively music flowed.
Esther was standing in front of the door. She peeked inside and took a deep breath in surprise.
‘There are more people than I thought.’
It was amazing that the shelter had become like any other banquet hall, but the people who filled the inside were even more astonishing.“Sister! Happy birthday.”
Jerome, who was selected as the flower boy walking next to Esther, smiled and congratulated her.
“Thank you. I heard you’re really eager to study these days?”
“Yes. I will become a good aide.”
With twinkling eyes, Jerome handed a wooden basket to Esther.
The empty basket was filled with colorful roses handed over by the people as Esther passed by.
While receiving the flowers and walking down the flower path, Esther’s eyes began to well up with tears.Tremendous applause amidst repeated congratulations.
Dad and the twin brothers gesturing affectionately in front.
It was a happy moment that she couldn’t even have imagined.
‘Is this okay?’
Esther felt like she could fully understand now that she was crying because she was happy.
She ran up to the podium where her family was.
The hem of the long dress studded with innumerable jewels covered the stairs.
Esther, who had just stepped onto the podium, almost tripped when she realized that the cake she thought was a decoration was actually real.
“Is this a real cake?”
It was tall enough to exceed the height of an average adult man, and the width was enormous.
“Do you like it?”
“Um…”
It wasn’t a matter of liking it or not liking it.
‘How are we going to deal with such a huge cake?’
“Don’t worry. Plates have been prepared.”
Deheen pointed to the plates piled up next to the podium. He was pleased with himself when he saw Esther blink in surprise.
Seeing her name engraved on each plate, Esther was surprised yet again.
“These are for the cake?”
“Yes. Everyone should know that this is a cake to celebrate your birthday, right?”
It was impossible to stop Deheen, who was clearly already looking forward to it.
“Then shall we cut it?”
“Yes.”
Esther had to climb a step ladder to cut the cake.
There were a few unexpected happenings at this birthday banquet, but somehow the big smile on her face didn’t seem to disappear.
“Esther, look here.”
Judy dabbed fresh cream on Esther’s cheek as she came down the stairs.
“Hehe, this is delicious.”
Esther wasn’t offended at all. She swiped it with her finger and tasted it with her tongue.
“Esther woke up early to dress up, don’t ruin it.”
Dennis lightly chided Judy as he carefully wiped Esther’s cheeks with a handkerchief.
Next was the gift presentation ceremony.
Esther, who opened Judy and Dennis’ gift box, couldn’t hold back the ticklish feeling in her chest and burst into laughter.
“Do you like it?”
“Which is better?”
“I can’t choose.”
Truly, it was really hard to choose.
Dennis’ gift was the 10 must-read books selected by the National Library,
Judy’s gift was a hunting game for beginners.
Both were not Esther’s taste, but she was very happy to receive it, considering it a gift befitting her older brothers.
The gift presenting ceremony continued for several hours.
By the time she got tired of being congratulated by people…
‘He told me to come out to the garden.’
Remembering Noah’s words, Esther sneaked out and headed to the one and only garden.
“I’m here.”
Noah, who was seated on a bench, greeted Esther.
A gentle breeze scattered his soft black hair.
Esther sat down next to him and briefly caught his gaze.
“You looked happy today.”
“Yes. I wished I could be this happy all the time.”
“Of course. You deserve to be happier than anyone else, Esther.”
“Thank you.”
Esther’s smile deepened thanks to Noah, who said her wish was natural.
“Esther, there is something I haven’t told you yet.”
“What?”
“When I was in the sanctuary. I dreamed of one person over and over again every day.”
Noah paused for a moment and continued speaking while staring more intently at Esther.
“Would you believe it if I said it’s you?”
“What?”
Hearing something she couldn’t have even imagined, Esther’s eyes turned round.
“I didn’t know at first, but after watching it countless times, I naturally came to realize.”
It was hard to believe, but Esther had already gone through too many unbelievable things to pass it off as nonsense.
“Do you remember the day you first dreamed of me?”
“No. I don’t even know when it first started.”
‘Perhaps Noah had come to dream of me because of the meeting with Espitos, and thereafter, meeting him when I went the wrong way.’
For whatever reason, it felt strange that Noah had seen her whole life.
The life in the prison she thought was hell. She never thought there would be someone who watched it and grieved with her.
“Then do you know that I lived over and over again?”
“Yes.”
“…That’s why you always seemed to know everything.”
“Are you offended?”
“No. That’s all part of me too. It’s not something I want to hide.”
Esther sighed lightly, and Noah silently hugged her.
“I’ve always wanted to hug you like this.”
Noah patted Esther on the back and continued talking.
“This is not all I have to say.”
“What else?”
“Mmm. Something bigger.”
As Noah paused, Esther’s heart pounded.
“I like you.”
His soft, sweet voice flowed into her ears.
Esther was flustered, not knowing where to put her dazed eyes, and answered hastily.
“…Huh? Me too.”
“Then can I kiss you?”
“What?”
Esther genuinely freaked out and hurried away from Noah.
Then she quickly raised her hands and covered her mouth.
Noah laughed mischievously upon seeing Esther’s eyes, which were widened like a rabbit’s.
“I’m kidding. But the confession is real. So don’t keep answering so easily.”
Esther’s face turned red because Noah was so direct.
In the meantime, Noah removed the hand from covering Esther’s mouth and placed it on the bench. Their hands were clenched, their fingers interlocked.
“I won’t interfere with your daily life, which has only just returned. Instead, I’m going to propose to you as soon as we become adults.”
“You’re the one who will become the emperor. No matter how much I hate it, I am a saint.”
Esther poked the grass with her toe, muttering that it was ridiculous.
“Does it matter? Actually, wouldn’t it be better if the palace and temple merge? Then there will be no fighting in the future?”
“Well. It won’t be that simple.”
“I’ll think about that later. So, will you accept the marriage proposal?”
“No! Don’t be foolish.”
Still tightly holding her hand, Noah smiled brightly, causing his eyes to close and curve.
“I really like you, Esther.”
Once again, sincerity was conveyed.
Noah’s earnest voice, delivered by the wind, made Esther’s heart throb.
Nervous, Esther couldn’t bring herself to answer. Instead, she quietly closed her eyes.
‘If only time would stop like this.’
Looking back on this life, Esther realized that Noah was with her in every moment.
Noah was good.
But…
“I still think I like my dad and older brothers better.”
Opening her eyes with a flash, Esther spoke to Noah with an apologetic expression.
It might not be comparable because it was a completely different affection, but it was still the family rather than Noah.
It felt like if she answered Noah now, she would feel like betraying her family.
If possible, with her family, for a very long time…
She wanted to spend more time while whining and complaining she didn’t spend enough time.
“I know. To you, family is a precious thing that cannot be replaced with anything. I am satisfied with being the next one.”
Noah lifted Esther’s hand.
Then, in an instant, he put his lips on the back of Esther’s hand, kissing it.
“……?!”
Startled, Esther froze and widened her eyes again.
“W-What did you just do?”
“It’s your birthday present.”
“A kiss on the back of the hand?”
As Esther panicked, Noah’s lips moved back up.
“Yes. I will celebrate your birthday more diligently every year, so you can look forward to it.”
Somehow, Esther’s face turned red when she heard that the future celebrations would be a step above a kiss on the back of the hand.
After taking Esther’s soul out of her body, Noah squeezed her hand tightly with a calm face.
“Happy birthday. And thank you for being alive, Esther.”
Noah, who has been watching everything.
Was it because she heard these words from Noah? For some reason, her heart pounded even more.
“Yes. I’m glad I’m alive.”
Lightly, Esther leaned her face on Noah’s shoulder. Then, with affection, she looked down at their clasped hands.
★★★
The morning a few days later…
While on the way to the dining room, Esther paused in front of the family picture she had drawn and muttered to herself.
“Should I draw another one?”
Dennis, who came out to pick up Esther as she was late today, stood next to her.
“You’re looking at the picture?”
“It looks a little empty.”
“Isn’t our family all drawn?”
“Mom… My mom and my brothers’ mom aren’t there.”
Dennis looked up, touching his chin, and nodded.
“I see.”
With the thought that she should draw a new family picture, Esther and Dennis headed to the dining room.
“Did you sleep well, Esther?”
“Welcome.”
Esther smiled and sat down in her seat.
And she looked around, wondering if her daily life could be more perfect than this.
Breakfast with family.
Dad. He was cold to others, but to her, he was an infinitely affectionate father.
Older brothers. Who loves her the most.
Everything was absolutely perfect.
“Yes, a public trial.”
Esther’s ears perked up as she broke the appetizer bread with her hands.
“A date has been set for Hudson and his daughter to be put on trial. The punishment of the temple officials who participated in this incident will also be decided on the same day.”
“When is that?”
“A week later. It’ll be held in the square of the capital.”
Esther took a big bite of the bread dipped in oil and softly asked.
“Father, can we go and see?”
“That’s a good idea. Observing a trial, I really wanted to try it.”
Judy and Dennis beg Deheen to let them go to the trial.
“…Okay. Let’s go for Dennis’ education.”
After Deheen’s permission fell, Dennis habitually drank water and pushed a glass of water towards Esther and said,
“In a public trial, stoning by an angry mob is standard, right?”
“It is.”
“The most severe punishment is hanging, but since they are from one of the four great families, I think it would be difficult to hang. What does Father think?”
“Like you said, hanging would be difficult. From the way I see it, Hudson’s daughter will most likely be demoted to a slave.”
“A slave?”
Esther asked in surprise.
Could Rabienne, whose pride in herself was as high as the skies, work as a slave for others?
Esther had wanted Rabienne to be locked up in an underground prison for the rest of her life, but it seemed she would be worse off if she became a slave.
“Dad, if that’s really the case, why don’t we bring her home? I will harass her well.”
Judy, who was about to start eating in earnest after finishing his bread, exclaimed excitedly.
“Is there any need to make a fool of yourself in front of Esther? We can send her to the place where the labor is the toughest.”
Esther grinned as she quietly watched her family heating up as they talked about Rabienne like it was their own issue.
“Dad, Dennis and Judy.”
Esther looked at each of the faces of the three who immediately turned their heads toward her.
These words had been stuck at the end of her throat for a long time. Now, she had the courage to say it.
“…I like you all a lot.”
This was the first time Esther had uttered such a direct expression of affection.
“R-Recording. I need to record this. Ben, bring the tape recorder now!”
“I’ll get to it now!!”
“Esther, say it one more time. I don’t remember because I’m surprised. Please?”
“The dictionary meaning of ‘like’ is a bit different from ‘love’. Esther said she likes us, but I heard ‘love’ instead…”
In the midst of the great fuss, Esther comfortably picked the tomatoes that were served as a side with a fork.
“Thank you for this food.”
It was hard and painful, but at the end of enduring that time, she had in her hands a happy daily life.
She found a precious family that warmed her heart just by being together.
This happy daily life that she finally got after repeating it 14 times.
‘I hope it lasts for a long, long time.’
No more, no less…
Esther smiled broadly, hoping that the same kind of days would continue until she got tired of it.
—A Saint Adopted By The Grand Duke, END of Main Story—
Doesn’t it just warms your heart? This will go on a one-week break, see you soon for more happy times and revenge
Translator Ame: I strangely feel quite emotional right now, like I’m closing a chapter in my life!? Dramatic, I know >< maybe it’s because this is one of the novels that got me into knovels and manhwas (way back in 2020). The mix between family, revenge and (kiddy) romance is just right in my opinion. It’s cliché at times and has enough holes to make a block of cheese jealous (looking at you, Noah and Espitos) but I still enjoyed it (maybe I knew not to expect too much? lol) ٩(◕‿◕)۶Whatever the case, this novel really holds a special place in my heart, and I hope my translation showed just how much I adore Esther and her family and friends.
Usually… The team will close with some lengthy remarks, but in this case, it’s just me, I am the team lol (〃▽〃) Still, I wouldn’t have been able to come this far without Kushi (the speediest raw provider ever!), Lev (thank you a thousand times for picking this novel up in 2020!) and all you lovely readers o(≧▽≦)o (really, thanks for keeping me company via comments!)
ON TO THE SIDE STORIES! LET’S GO GO GOOOOO! well, after my 1 week break
P.S. Quite a few have asked me if I’ll be picking the author’s 3rd work. The simple answer is: No. The longer answer is: I’ve read it and decided while I like the FL for most part (op assassin), her interactions with her brother (imperial knight) and the general plot, I’m really not a big fan of the ML and the writing style. I don’t think I’ll change my mind on this, sorry to disappoint ;-;
