A Saint Who Was Adopted by the Grand Duke
chapter-ex12

The moment Esther’s pink eyes met Noah’s black ones, Noah grinned.

As though reciprocating, Esther also smiled brightly, and the guests who saw the exchange burst into praise.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

Arm in arm with Deheen, Esther walked on the carpet that led to Noah.

The banquet hall was so large that it took quite a while to walk, and Noah, unable to wait, set off for the two.

With displeasure in his voice, Deheen muttered as he watched Noah stride forward.

“What’s so urgent?”

“I know, right?”

Esther had to hold back her laughter because Noah seemed unable to control his body.

“Father.”

Standing in front of the father and daughter pair, Noah held out his hand.

Deheen, who had delivered Esther sooner than she expected, stared anxiously at Noah.

“Dad.”

Unable to let this be, Esther pushed Deheen a little with her arm.

With a sigh, Deheen let go of Esther’s hand.

“I trust you.”

Although it was only three words, Noah knew better than anyone else the sincerity contained in it.

Also, how grateful he was to hand over Esther’s hand.

“I will do really well.”

“I allowed it because it’s you.”

Suddenly, in Deheen’s view, the young Esther, back when she was brought from the temple, was superimposed on the current Esther.

A lot of time had passed since then, and seeing Esther who had grown up so beautifully and healthy, he couldn’t wish for anything more.

So he gladly gave Esther’s hand to Noah.

“You must be happy.”

Deheen’s eyes were red as he took a step back.

And eventually, as he took in the sight of Esther standing next to Noah, he burst into tears.

After adopting Esther, his notorious nicknames disappeared and rumors spread about his sincere pride in his child, but seeing Deheen crying was truly shocking.

“Oh my God, are those tears?”

“How did the grand duke, who was once called a killing maniac, become like that…”

Deheen was now remembered by everyone for his overflowing love for his children.

Hand in hand, Noah and Esther walked side by side towards the podium where the two would stand.

“I will never let you go.”

Happiness surged as Noah held Esther’s hand tighter.

Fragrant flower petals were scattered on their both sides as they walked across the stage.

It was an event that Judy and Dennis had prepared in advance, with the desire that the two of them would only walk on a flower path.

‘Live well.’

‘If my sister cries, you will die.’

Reading the lips of her brothers, Esther, too, became blissful.

While walking, Esther noticed her acquaintances among the guests.

Every time their eyes met, they generously applauded with beaming smiles.

Upon arriving at the podium, Shur appeared at the end of the path where Esther had first set out with Deheen.

As they had practiced several times beforehand, Shure put the flower basket in his mouth and moved slowly.

Although the guests were a little frightened by the appearance, they admired Esther’s ability, and congratulated the imperial family for welcoming such a wonderful lady as the crown princess.

“Thank you, Shur.”

Esther caressed Shur and took a bouquet out of the basket.

Esther and Noah, now really standing on the podium, gazed at each other.

“I love you.”

At Noah’s expression of love, Esther smiled wide enough that her eyes curved into crescents.

“Me too.”

It was clear to everyone that Esther and Noah were happy.

In front of the watching guests, the two pledged their marriage, vowed love and lightly kissed each other.

After the wedding, they changed outfits and went around to receive congratulatory greetings from the guests.

When that was done, they changed into another set of outfits and went out of the palace to meet the crowd waiting for the two of them.

After touring the capital in an open carriage, they returned to the imperial palace and attended the reception.

Once Esther and Noah returned to their senses after digesting all the tight schedules, it was already dark at night.

They slipped away like they were escaping from the people holding them and saying different variations of congratulations.

“I woke up at four in the morning, do you know what time it is now?”

“It’s already past ten.”

“…….”

“Are you very tired?”

“Yes. I really want to loosen the corset.”

Everything weighed heavily on her body, as she was wearing more than usual.

It was a day of bliss and gratitude, but tension also came along with it, so Esther was even more exhausted.

“Let’s go. It’s okay to leave now.”

The two quietly left the banquet hall and headed to the crown prince’s palace.

“I don’t know how the day went.”

“I was completely out of it.”

“Still, we are now officially husband and wife.”

While emphasizing ‘husband and wife’, Noah wrapped his arms around Esther’s waist.

Upon arriving at the crown prince’s palace, Noah led Esther to a larger room upstairs, not the room she was originally staying in.

“This is our bedroom from now on.”

It was a room that Noah had prepared with care in the meantime, all the way to the smallest furniture, in hopes that it would please Esther.

“How is it?”

It was almost identical in structure to Esther’s room in the grand ducal residence.

“The environment must be unfamiliar. I just wanted you to be comfortable here.”

“I do like it. Thank you.”

In appreciation for such consideration, Esther kissed Noah on the cheek.

“But the bed… There is just one?”

Among the many luxurious furniture, the large bed caught her eye.

Suddenly, Noah shut the door.

“Of course. We are a married couple.”

Conscious of the fact that they were alone in the room, Esther’s body stiffened.

Noah laughed and took off the coat he was wearing.

He didn’t stop there. Staring at Esther, he unbuttoned the collar of his shirt.

“You want to take it off here?!”

Surprised, Esther turned her head away.

“Then where should I take it off? Are you going to go out with me?”

Unbuttoning a couple more buttons around his neck, Noah walked over and spun Esther around.

Esther’s cheeks took on a rosy hue as Noah’s hand brushed her ear.

They were together all day, but they were constantly surrounded by people, so she didn’t realize they were truly married.

But after entering the bedroom, nerves set in and the fact that they would be together alone from now on was tangible.

“Sit here.”

While Esther’s gaze awkwardly darted elsewhere, Noah untied Esther’s braided hair.

Then he took a comb and gently untangled her hair.

“Take off your corset too.”

“Right, I can’t feel anything anymore.”

Esther turned to take off the corset that had been bothering her the whole time, but when she noticed Noah, she ran to the door.

“I’m afraid I’ll take it off after a while.”

“Why? Is it because I’m watching?”

“…That’s right.”

When he was stabbed to the point, he had no choice but to agree.

“It will take some time to get comfortable.”

Noah continued talking while sending Esther adorable gestures and expressions.

“Esther, how many children do you want to have?”

It was a conversation that they already had a few times without a big deal. But this time, it was slightly different.

Looking at Noah’s mischievous eyes, the answer did not come easily.

“I… I need to wash up.”

“Shall we wash together?”

Esther couldn’t maintain her sanity anymore because of Noah’s forward attitude.

As if escaping, she left the room, hurrying to the bathroom with Dorothy.

When she entered the bathtub that had hot water prepared in advance, her mind calmed down and her fatigue was relieved.

“Oh, it smells good. This is not what you usually use?”

“It’s your first night. I prepared carefully.”

“What?”

Esther felt the urge to get out of the bathtub, but she settled back down after a glance at Dorothy, who was humming excitedly.

After a while, she decided she had washed enough and turned to put on her pajamas, but the spot where her clothes should be was empty.

“Aren’t there a lot of holes?”

“It’s a slip that’s popular these days.”

“It’s okay!”

Esther couldn’t wear a slip that made her blush just by looking at it, so she took the pajamas she had packed and put them on.

Then she headed back to the bedroom, but paused when she grabbed the doorknob.

When she thought that she would spend the night alone with Noah, she wanted to hide somewhere.

‘Am I not ready yet?’

She was educated about what could happen between couples, but theory and real experience were different.

“Lady Esther?”

Seeing Esther standing stiff, Dorothy approached.

Embarrassed, Esther turned the doorknob and smiled awkwardly.

“I’ll go in. You’ve worked hard today.”

“Lady Esther, you’ve suffered as well. Congratulations on your marriage. Rest well.”

Stepping into the room, Esther’s heart was beating wildly like it was about to jump out.

Noah was sitting in a chair. A lighted candle that illuminated the surroundings was on the table next to him.

“You’re here?”

“Yes.”

Esther blinked rapidly, trying to decide between the bed and the seat next to Noah.

Nowhere looked safe.

“This is a tea that helps you sleep.”

Noah stood up slowly, holding a teacup that emanated a herbal scent.

He walked towards Esther, who was still standing in the doorway, but she involuntarily backed away.

“Are you nervous?”

“…A little.”

“Your hair is not dry. Water is dripping.”

Noah put the teacup back down, picked up a towel, and approached Esther.

He sighed as he rubbed the towel against her hair.

“Do you want to drive me crazy?”

“What?”

While sneaking sideways to avoid Noah, Esther, blocked by a cabinet, stood firmly against the wall.

“You just came out of the shower, water is dripping and there’s a strong, clean scent. How can I stand it?”

The eyes of Noah that were staring at Esther sparkled. She had known him for so long, but it was the first time she saw this side of him.

Esther swallowed dry saliva, thinking for the first time that she might be eaten by Noah.

Ame: THEIR HESITATION IS SOOOOOO CUTE!!!!!!!! And let’s be real, isn’t that how everyone’s first time is like?!