A Saint Who Was Adopted by the Grand Duke
chapter-ex10

Directly, Esther looked into the eyes of Noah, who was always reaching out to her.

“I will always be by your side. Just like I’ve been so far.”

For Esther, who had felt Noah’s unchanging heart for a long time, there was no confession more touching than this.

The words that indicate he would make her happy was better than promising a heart that wouldn’t change.

“Yes.”

With a radiant smile, Esther nodded.

Noah let out the breath he had been holding nervously and pulled the ring out of the case.

“How scared I was that you would say we should hold off still.”

“No way. I was going to propose first when I go back…”

“Really?”

Noah couldn’t hide his surprise.

“These days, I’ve been missing you. My family will be sad to hear it, but it’s a little more than my family.”

Knowing just how much family meant to Esther, Noah’s eyes grew red.

“I remember the days I lay in bed and watched you. I never thought this day would come.”

“I know. We’ve been through a lot.”

Esther made a similar wistful smile as she recalled the day she first met Noah.

“Now get up.”

Esther pulled Noah’s arm. But Noah shook his head and took Esther’s hand.

“There’s the ring left.”

Esther waved her hand, showing off the ring she was already wearing on her fourth finger.

“There’s nowhere else to put it?”

“Isn’t this prettier?”

“It’s neat.”

If the previous ring was overly flashy with a large diamond embedded in it, the new ring had a much simpler design.

“Sometimes you’re uncomfortable with the ring. You have to keep wearing this going forward. So I made it with your taste in mind.”

Esther definitely liked it a lot more than the promise ring.

And so, maintaining a smile, she removed the ring from her left hand and put it on her right hand.

“Ah.”

Noah tried to put the proposal ring on, but accidentally dropped it as his fingers slipped.

“Sorry. I’m just so nervous.”

Noah’s ears were red.

Esther’s smile grew wider as she watched.

Slowly, the ring was placed on Esther’s left fourth finger. Noah took her hand and slowly stood up.

“Thank you. For choosing me.”

“Same here.”

Esther responded playfully, stretching out her hands and waving the two rings.

“Do you remember the last time you drank?”

“I just remember the endlessly refilling of my drinking glass. My last memory is the dining room.”

“That night, we slept together in bed.”

Noah stiffened at Esther’s mischievous words.

“…Lies.”

“Really. Although you just fell asleep.”

Noah hurriedly asked, his voice desperate and regretful as he clasped his hands together.

“Shall we lie down today?”

“There will be no such thing?”

Esther coyly pushed Noah, whose eyes changed.

“I was drunk at the time so I don’t even remember. It’s unfair.”

“From now on, we will be lying together every day, mmm? Be patient.”

“…That’s right. Everyday. Together.”

Noah’s face reddened as he imagined their married life.

“What are you thinking? Your face is so red.”

“Huh? I’m not thinking about anything.”

Contrary to what he said, fire was burning in Noah’s eyes.

Esther, who was embarrassed for no reason, turned her head and admired the sky that had turned red.

“I’ll have to tell Dad as soon as I return.”

“The grand duke visited the imperial palace not too long ago.”

“Dad?”

Esther was aware that Deheen had given permission to marry.

It was because after the dinner and drinks with Noah, he insinuated that he was going to the imperial palace.

“So my mother and sister are already collecting dress designs. Will you stop by the imperial palace soon?”

“Of course. I have to formally say hello.”

“Let’s go home together. We can tell them together.”

Esther nodded as she squeezed Noah’s hand.

★★★

Time flew. A month later…

The day to select Esther’s wedding dress came.

The staff of 10 pre-selected dressing rooms gathered at the imperial palace with their prepared dresses.

The competition among the designers was fierce. It wasn’t just because it was the first national event after a long time. All the dresses Esther wore became very popular after the marriage announcement.

Everyone poured their spirits into it, hung up their prepared dress, and waited for Esther.

“Her Majesty the Empress and Lady Esther of Tersia will be arriving soon!”

An attendant ran to announce the arrival of the empress and Esther, and the venue was filled with tension.

Esther, who arrived at the venue with the empress without much thought, was taken aback when she saw as many people as there would be at the banquet.

“Uh… Didn’t you say you’ve already decided on the dressing room?”

“Yes, I have decided. After vetting and choosing, these are the 10 selected dressing rooms. Take your time and look around.”

Esther did not know this at all. Not particularly greedy for dresses, she had entrusted everything to the empress and princess.

All of the top dressing rooms in society were gathered.

The atmosphere was so serious that Esther walked around the venue in a similarly serious mood.

“I was in charge of Her Majesty’s dress when she got married. Do you remember, Your Majesty?”

“All the dresses for the recent famous wedding were done in our dressing room.”

“The dress that was the most talked about in society last time was our design.”

Everyone mentioned the notable people who wore their dresses or the events their dresses were seen in, but all of them were outstanding so there was no one that fell behind.

“It’s quite tiring to try on every dress. Let’s pick five from all these.”

With the guidance of the empress, Esther struggled and eventually chose five dresses.

“Should I try it on now?”

“I’ll get everything ready.”

“Take your time to change. I’ll finish preparing here.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you.”

Leaving the empress behind, Esther went to another hall through the side door.

The waiting maids greeted Esther and immediately started putting on makeup.

“I will also style your hair to match the dress.”

Along with graceful makeup, her hair was beautifully braided.

Esther relaxed for a while, entrusting everything to their skilled hands.

“It’s all done.”

“How can you be so beautiful?”

“Is it okay?”

It was unfamiliar to see herself wearing a fancy white dress and veil.

“Everyone is waiting.”

“All right.”

When the door Esther had entered from opened, she saw a long curtain hanging down.

And behind the curtain sat the emperor, the empress, the princess, Deheen, the twins, and Noah in a row.

Amidst the sense of solemnity, the maid raised her hand after confirming that Esther was ready.

“I will lift the veil.”

With that, Esther appeared in the first dress, which bore a rich skirt and an off-the-shoulder top.

“…….”

After a moment of silence, Princess Reina clapped first.

“Oh! So pretty. Maybe, we can decide right away.”

“I can’t see properly, my eyes are dazzled.”

“It’s my younger sister, but it’s really a waste to give her to someone.”

Everyone said one thing at a time, but Deheen and Noah, utterly stunned, forgot their words.

Esther was very flustered with all the praise, awkwardly touching her bare shoulders.

“Would you like to turn around?”

“Like this?”

As Esther slowly turned in place, applause broke out again.

“This dress really shines when you walk, thanks to the jewels in the lace.”

Upon hearing that she had to walk to reveal the dress’ true value, Esther walked towards Deheen.

Deheen couldn’t take his eyes off the approaching Esther, and eventually shed the tears he had been holding back.

“Dad!”

Surprised, Esther lowered herself in front of Deheen and took his hand.

“I am… I’m overwhelmed with emotions… Yes…”

Deheen’s throat clogged up, and his eyes widened, unable to get more words out.

“I’m not married yet. If you’re already like this, what are you going to do at the wedding?”

“Your wedding day… ha…”

Deheen turned his head to the side as if the thought of it made him cry again.

“Did the Grand Duke have such a soft side?”

The emperor expressed curiosity as he glanced at Deheen, and as if finding it funny, he clapped and said,

“Please change into the next dress.”

“Dad, please calm down.”

Esther went back behind the curtain, accompanied by the maids who lifted the hem of the dress.

Eventually, Deheen took out a handkerchief and muttered as he wiped away his tears.

“Your Majesty, if I say that I can’t let go of my dear daughter, can this marriage be withdrawn?”

“Grand Duke! What a joke.”

“I’m not kidding.”

Following Deheen, Judy said something to Noah.

“I’m not saying this because she’s my younger sister, but you know that Esther is the prettiest compared to anyone else, right?”

“Yes. I know.”

Then Noah glanced at Dennis, who was surprisingly silent.

He wanted to be cool, but he was wiping away the tears that had risen and fallen behind his glasses.

One by one, Esther tried on all five dresses.

The problem was that no matter which dress she wore, all of them were pretty. It was difficult to choose.

“Are there any more? I want to see a few more.”

Esther looked weary as she was told to try on more dresses, and said that five was already a lot.

“I think I’ve had enough. What is everyone’s opinion?”

“It’s really hard to decide because there’s no dress that doesn’t match.”

Even the empress, who had an objective gaze, was at a loss, unable to choose a dress.

“Anyway, four dresses are needed for the main ceremony, the second part, the reception, and the tour of the capital. You can try on some colored dresses before making the final selection.”

“There are actually more dresses?”

While Esther was surprised by the words ‘colored dresses’, the empress tilted her head quizzically and commented it was natural.

“Of course. In case you’d have a hard time, I’ve set aside the colored dresses for tomorrow.”

Having used all her strength while changing the dresses, Esther glanced at Noah, who was smiling brightly as usual, asking for help.

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❤

Ame: Wedding~ Wonder if we will get a honeymoon arc before the children arc (I’m pretty sure there will be a children arc, it’s the bread and butter of these rofan side/extra/special stories)