A Saint Who Was Adopted by the Grand Duke
chapter-ex6

★★★

The next morning.

Entering the dining room, Esther found Deheen, seated and reading the newspaper.

It was a place the priests and priestesses could also use, but there was nobody around, perhaps because the atmosphere around Deheen was so terrible.

Esther received her portion of food from the tray and sat across from Deheen.

“I’m here.”

Deheen nodded, still holding onto the newspaper. The sound of paper turning was deafening.

‘He must be really angry.’

Esther thought that a special measure was needed to relieve Deheen’s anger that was like the howling cold wind.

“I was wrong. I can’t believe I am thinking of eating after disappointing Dad…”

As Esther put down her spoon, Deheen’s fingers twitched, and his grip on the newspaper tightened.

“I will continue to fast and pray until you forgive me. Don’t forgive so easily this time. At least three days…”

As soon as the word ‘fast’ was mentioned, the desired effect appeared.

Deheen fidgeted and scratched his forehead.

“Uh… Isn’t a three-day fast a bit harsh? You will faint.”

“It’s okay as long as I drink water and endure.”

“No, no. I have already forgiven you.”

At last, folding up the newspaper and throwing it away, Deheen surrendered.

“Finally, you are looking at me.”

Esther smiled knowingly.

Against Deheen, fasting had always worked best.

“I was just avoiding you because I thought I would smile as soon as I saw you. My anger was already released last night.”

“Really?”

“Yes. You two are already adults. Children from other families had accidents even before they reached adulthood, so compared to that kind of thing… Great.”

Esther had also heard of several scandals in the social world. It was a fairly common thing.

“On one hand, I was glad with your defiance. You were always overly upright, and have never been upset. The twins will have an accident on any other day.”

“Dad.”

Esther’s cheeks turned red as Deheen recited affectionately with reminiscing eyes.

“Because you’re a weak child, sometimes I hoped that you would complain. Beg me to buy what you want. Shout like yesterday. To be honest, I was delighted.”

“…….”

“I should have given you more freedom. Sorry it took so long. From now on, staying out with His Highness… I will allow it.”

He spat out the words ‘staying out’, and gnashed his teeth and clenched his fists for a moment, but it was a clear permission.

“Dating was allowed a long time ago. What’s left is marriage? But I need to rewrite the contract.”

Surprised by the word ‘marriage’, Esther burst into tears.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes. I believe that the man you choose will make you happy. I think I’ll see His Majesty when I return.”

“Thank you for trusting me.”

Sniffing, Esther got up and walked over to Deheen.

Then she leaned over and hugged him.

Deheen’s arms were still wide, firm, and friendly.

‘When I was in despair as a child and desperately needed someone’s help…’

It was the same as when Esther had lost all hope and fully accepted her fate, trapped in an unknown depth.

After a long embrace, Esther parted from Deheen and said with a twinkle in her eyes.

“I want to have a child.”

“What??”

This time, Deheen’s eyes widened as if they would pop out.

“I want to give Dad grandchildren. If I give birth to a daughter who looks like me, you will be very happy, right?”

“Grandchildren… A daughter who resembles you… Great.”

Just imagining it in his head was enough to bring tears to his eyes, so Deheen had to tilt his head back.

Esther chuckled at the sight of her father who was already in tears.

After reconciling, Esther and Deheen sat down again to finish their meal.

Deheen sneakily slipped a question to Esther as she was about to leave for work without fail.

“Did you meet anyone here?”

Noticing his intention, Esther answered in a tone meant to indicate it was not a big deal.

“I did. I saw Duke Brions.”

“As expected. Rabienne is also here.”

Just in case.

Esther’s pupils shook after hearing Rabienne’s name for the first time in a while.

“Shall I put them away?”

“No. I’m confident that it won’t matter even if I run into her now.”

“Still…”

“Rather, I’d like to see her sometime.”

“I know, if you want to.”

Deheen was reluctant, but respected Esther’s opinion.

Of course, if Rabienne ever hurt Esther in the slightest again, he would send her to a place where she really wouldn’t see the light of day.

“Well, I’ll get going.”

“Good luck.”

The twins followed Esther as she left the building to go to the prayer room.

“You’re up? I thought you’re sleeping because you weren’t at the restaurant.”

“I’m still upset.”

“Me too.”

Even so, they escorted Esther.

“And there seems to be a misunderstanding, so I correct it. I’m really not a playboy.”

“I didn’t go around meeting ladies. Just a few.”

Esther smiled as she watched her brothers make excuses for fear she would misunderstand.

“My brothers sincerely loved and cared for me when I was suddenly adopted. Thanks to that heart, I am who I am today. I can receive love and share it.”

“Esther?”

“It was all thanks to my brothers that I met Noah and opened my heart and fell in love with him. That’s why I hope both of you will meet someone you truly love.”

Judy and Dennis exchanged glances and sighed.

Regardless of Esther’s words, they already couldn’t help but acknowledge Noah.

“Our younger sister is all grown up.”

“I know. Oh, I don’t want to let go. I wish we could continue to live together.”

The twins’ voices were full of regret, but their eyes looking at Esther were extremely proud.

★★★

Working in the prayer room until the afternoon, Esther stretched and put down her paintbrush.

Then she looked out the dark window and uttered in surprise.

“Huh? It’s raining?”

“You didn’t know? The thunder and lightning have been terrifying since earlier.”

“I guess I didn’t realize it because I was concentrating.”

Boom, boom!!!

Outside the window, light flashed with a tremendous sound, as if there had been an explosion nearby.

Curious, Esther approached the window.

“It’s been a while since the weather is like this.”

“I know right.”

Looking at the sky filled with rain and lightning, memories from a long time ago came to mind.

‘There was a time when I was afraid of a day like this.’

There was a day when the weather was just like this, when she was just adopted and was wary of everything and couldn’t get away from Rabienne.

Judy and Deheen shared warmth with her when she was trembling alone in her room, buried under the blanket.

After that day, whenever the weather was bad, her family would sleep together.

As those days piled up one by one, Esther was no longer afraid of rain and thunder.

It was so far away that she couldn’t recall it until she traced her memory.

“I want to see my dad and older brothers.”

She felt like she just wanted to run over and give them a hug.

Smiling brightly, she took a step back from the window and went out into the hallway.

The expressions of Dorothy and Victor as they watched the energetic Esther were bright and loving.

It was then.

“Kyaaaagh!”

A woman’s snarling scream was heard from the west side of the building.

As Esther looked back in surprise, Dorothy explained.

“The blood donors sometimes scream like that. The first time I heard it, I was surprised and asked the priestess.”

“I see…?”

‘I knew it was somewhere in the temple, but to think it’s in this building.’

Esther turned and walked in the direction of the sound.

Just then, a priestess passed by. Esther grabbed hold of her and asked.

“Can I take a look at the blood donors?”

“Sure. I will guide you.”

Going upstairs, Esther saw that there were a lot of rooms on both sides of the hallway.

There was a bed in each room, and the people laid there to get their blood drawn.

“There are cases in which older people who have retired volunteered. And the blood donors whose hands are tied are slaves.”

Scanning the room, Esther walked slowly, but stopped abruptly when she heard the snarling scream again.

“Do you know who I am?! Get rid of the needle right now! Argh!!”

The woman in the room from which the voice leaked was struggling as if in a fit when a needle was inserted into her arm.

“Lady Esther, that person…”

“That’s right. It’s Rabienne.”

With a distant gaze, Esther waited outside the room for the woman’s blood donation to end.

After a while, the priest exited with the blood. He greeted Esther the moment he saw her.

“What are you doing here?”

“I want to talk to her for a moment. Will it be okay?”

“Ah… sure. Her arms are tied, so she can’t do anything stupid, but just in case, bring your escort in.”

Esther nodded and entered the room with Victor.

Rabienne, who had an arm tied to the bed so she couldn’t escape, was muttering to herself with her head bowed.

“Long time no see.”

Raising her head at Esther’s low voice, Rabienne’s pupils widened and anger filled in an instant.

“You… Why are you here? Did you come to see what I’ve become?”

Unable to hold back her rage, Rabienne flailed around and glared at Esther.

Esther just stood still and stared at such a Rabienne.

“Get out! Before I kill you!!”

Rabienne reached out and tossed the pillow she had barely grabbed. But it was far from reaching Esther.

She couldn’t even put strength into her arm properly.

Esther asked as her eyes landed on Rabienne’s pale face, the needle marks all over her arms, and her skinny body.

“How does it feel to not be able to move freely?”

“What?”

“Isn’t it frustrating and painful?”

“…Are you here to laugh at me? Are you trying to show off that you won? So, are you satisfied now?!”

“I can’t be satisfied.”

With a hardened face, Esther stood in front of Rabienne.

Credits goes to Ame for raw providing and translating.