Chapter 30: Noah (III) |
Noah’s eyes sharpened when he heard hasty steps approaching.
With a satisfied smile, he swiftly turned Esther’s drawing upside down. Almost at the same time, the door snapped open.
“…Prince? How did you regain consciousness?”
Rabienne, having just opened the door and was about to rush in, muttered in a startled tone.
Noah, whom she had thought would be asleep, was conscious and gazing at her as she hesitated to enter the room.
Noah stared at Rabienne, not yet permitting her to set foot inside. Unlike when he was with Esther, his eyes remained dry and cold.
“I heard you were unconscious. What happened?”
“I woke up today.”
“I see.”
She wore a very relieved and happy expression, yet Noah didn’t even bother glancing at her face.
“As I am already here, may I enter?”
“Why did you come?”
Noah’s tone was relentless.
He was not openly rejecting her, but there was a clear line drawn in between. The smile on Rabienne’s face stiffened slightly.
“I came because I was worried. I heard you haven’t much time left. And, I was your fiancée.”
“That engagement, we‘ve ended it.”
Noah and Rabienne were engaged since they were young.
When Noah, the seventh prince, fell ill and was removed from the succession to the throne, she abandoned him faster than anyone else did.
So, they weren’t in a relationship good enough to meet like this.
“I didn’t break up because I wanted to. Why does the prince have to possess such a horrible curse… oh my.”
Rabienne shook her head and sat atop the unoccupied puff chair.
The seat where Esther happened to be a while ago. Noah frowned.
“The High Priest says it’s going to be hard for you.”
“Hm. I see.”
Rabienne widened her eyes at the indifferent Noah. It seemed like she was speaking to someone else, not him.
“You can leave it to me now. I can keep you alive. If you’re next to me, you’ll be fine.”
“You can save me…”
Noah chuckled. The smile that seemed to be fascinating yet ephemeral then halted.
Noah asked Rabienne, his face straight.
“Are you still sure you’re the next saint?”
Rabienne’s lips curved downwards as she frowned in disapproval.
“What? You know my family.”
“Yes. I know. Your family will somehow make you the next saint.”
As Noah continued to be sarcastic, Rabienne brooded.
Then, she shifted her interest to the piece of paper that was lying upside down on the table. She made an effort to change the subject.
“What is this?”
When Rabienne tried to grab the paper, Noah moved rapidly.
He quickly pressed the paper down with his palm so that Rabienne wouldn’t see the drawing.
“Don’t touch it.”
“What is it?”
“…Something you can’t touch.”
Noah looked Rabienne in the eyes for the first time.
She laughed as if her pride was hurt, but in fact, she didn’t dislike his actions.
She knew Noah held no affection for her, so even if it was like this, she was relieved to see him face her.
“Rabienne.”
“What?”
With her name called for the first time, Rabienne highly anticipated his following words. Her cheeks were flushing red.
“I’m saying this for your sake. Don’t covet anything that’s not yours. Whatever the place. Be it anything.”
However, his cold words completely differed from her expectations.
Rabienne did not hide her expression this time. Her pretty smile disappeared and she glared at Noah with poisonous eyes.
The gazes of the two intertwined in the air.
They were once engaged to each other, but rather than bearing sweetness, they seemed like enemies. The atmosphere was as cold as if walking on thin ice.
“Everything is mine. There’s nothing I can’t have in the empire.”
“…….”
“I’ve come this far, so I’ll give you my strength. But hearing that is a little disappointing, isn’t it?”
When Noah gave no response, Rabienne sighed and reached her hand out.
Noah, however, struck her down firmly.
“No need.”
“Ha, let’s see if you still continue that way when it’s time to die. I’m leaving.”
Eventually, Rabienne got up in a fit of irritation.
Although she didn’t hide her hurt expression, Noah didn’t care to see her off.
After Rabienne left, Noah lay on his back in exhaustion, as if an earthquake had just occurred.
“I miss Esther already.”
Warmth once again filled his eyes as he recalled Esther.
★★★
The next day, dinnertime.
Esther was now accustomed to using a knife. She ate well without anyone assisting her.
“Today’s main dish is prepared by marinating shrimps in oil.”
Esther’s eyes glistened as she listened to the chef’s explanation.
Seafood, especially shrimp, was food ingredients she had never eaten.
‘What does it taste like?’
As Esther smacked her lips, Judy presented a demonstration.
“Look, it’s even better if you put shrimp on the bread like this and dip it in a lot of oil.”
After imitating him and doing the same, Esther took a huge bite of the bread.
A chewy texture. She spontaneously admired the savory taste that popped in her mouth.
“How is it? It’s delicious, right?”
Esther nodded violently and chewed what was in her mouth.
“Give more to Esther.”
Deheen ordered for more as he was pleased with Esther eating properly.
The meal continued in a friendly atmosphere. By the time they were somewhat full, Deheen brought forward a topic.
“Well, I hired a tutor.”
Esther’s hand, which was faithfully focused on placing the shrimp on the bread, flinched.
“He graduated from the academy at the top of his class and is now working as a tutor to build his skills. He isn’t too experienced due to his young age, but I’m sure you’ll have a lot to gain with his competence.”
“Wow, can I learn from him, too?”
Dennis was the first to show interest. He was the type who preferred to study alone. However, the thought of taking classes with Esther raised his interest.
“It doesn’t matter, but… Esther’s learning comes first.”
One of the biggest reasons for finding a tutor was to prepare her for the birthday party, so it was only natural.
“I know. I just want to take a class with Esther.”
“What, then I also want to!”
Even Judy, who avoided taking classes, burned with competition.
“Judy, you’re going to enter a short-term swordsmanship camp soon.”
“That’s that. We can do it together when I get back.”
Deheen grabbed hold of his throbbing head and banged the table.
“We’re going to have a trial lesson the day after tomorrow, so let’s see first then decide.”
No matter how well he could teach, it was useless if it didn’t fit with Esther.
Esther nodded. Although it was a burden, private tutoring was necessary to avoid being an embarrassment at the party.
As soon as the meal finished, the dishes were cleared and dessert was served.
“I’m going to begin preparing for the party, so check the list.”
Deheen beckoned Ben.
Ben, who had been waiting for instructions, brought out some papers and handed them to Judy and Dennis.
“This is an invitation list. If you want to invite anyone else, tell me.”
Judy’s eyes swept through the contents of the papers and he tossed it to Dennis.
“Hmm. Not really.”
“I don’t have any either.”
Dennis wasn’t much different.
Countless people approached the twins, including antecedents of the grand duke. The more they approached, the more the twins closed their hearts to people.
Few to none faced the twins with honesty, nor were they sorry about it.
“Esther, If you want to invite someone, please let me know. I can invite friends who you were close to from the temple.”
“Ah…”
Esther’s face darkened as she laid down the fork she was holding.
Just thinking about the lonely life she underwent during her stay at the temple made her lose her appetite.
“It’s all right.”
“Yes, then I’ll send the invitations as it is.”
Ben nodded and left with the papers.
“Father, how are you going to introduce Esther?”
“It’s your birthday party, so why don’t we introduce her right after?”
Deheen also had many worries regarding the matter.
It was a birthday party for twins, but it was also the first time they would introduce Esther to the public.
“Why don’t we just make Esther the main character?”
“That would be nice.”
Esther, surprised at the twin’s suggestion, shook her hands hurriedly.
“No!”
“No?”
Deheen thought it wouldn’t be that bad an idea too, but when he observed Esther completely against the approach, he withdrew.
“Let’s talk about the details later.”
“Yes.”
Esther fiddled with her napkin, trying to imagine a party in the grand duchy.
However, she couldn’t as she had never been to one.
★★★
A few days later.
As soon as breakfast was over, Esther was dressed neatly.
“Are you curious about who will be coming?”
“Yes. What if I can’t keep up with class?”
She had been anxious after learning that the tutor was arriving. She was really worried that she might stain the grand duke’s reputation as she lacked confidence.
“You don’t have to. No one is good from the beginning.”
Dorothy tied Esther’s hair beautifully, assuring her not to worry.
The neat ponytail somewhat boosted her confidence.
When she proceeded down to the first floor after having finished with preparations, Deheen, Judy, and Dennis were already waiting.
Everyone gathered together on the sofa and waited for the tutor.
“Please drink some tea.”
Ben distributed coffee and tea to ease the tension, but Deheen stayed silent.
“Father, why are you so nervous?”
When Judy noticed him, he giggled and asked naughtily.
“Nervous. Who’s nervous?”
“Esther will do fine. Don’t worry.”
Even Dennis, who was quietly reading a book, replied while turning a page.
Deheen wasn’t the only one who was nervous. Esther was also parched with worry.
In all her lives, she met people who hated her more than those who liked her in all her lives.
She couldn’t help worrying every time she met a new person.
“He’s coming in now.”
When the appointed time drew near, there was news that the tutor had passed through the main gate.
At the same time, the eyes of the four sitting on the sofa flashed.