Chapter 78: Pure White Farewell (II) |
“My lady, it’s time to wake up.”
Esther was startled by the voice of Dorothy as she nudged her to wake up. She couldn’t recall when she dozed off.
With the help of the maids, Esther quickly dressed and left for the first floor.
It was too early for breakfast, but she was eager to greet Deheen.
She arrived at his room, wondering whether any news had been delivered to him overnight.
However, the door was locked and there existed no hint of movement inside.
“Is he not here?”
As Esther glanced around nervously, Delbert, who happened to be passing through the same hallway, approached her.
“Are you looking for His Grace?”
Delbert smiled softly and met Esther’s eye level.
“His Grace just left a while ago after receiving urgent news. He asked for me to deliver that he was sorry to have left as soon as he came back.”
If all of this happened early in the morning, she would have heard a commotion as he left, but she was asleep during that time.
Esther swallowed her saliva and looked at Delbert.
“Does the urgent matter have anything to do with the temple?”
“How did my lady know? Yes. Actually, it’s said the saint passed away last night. It’s rather unfortunate…”
Delbert continued speaking, but nothing reached Esther’s ears. Everything felt distant and far away.
‘No wonder. I thought so.’
Esther struggled to stand upright. She held onto the wall as her legs staggered weakly.
“My lady! Are you all right?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“You have a bad complexion… May I accompany you to the dining room?”
“No. I’ll skip breakfast today. I don’t feel well.”
Delbert grew worried as he observed the rapidly paling Esther. Nonetheless, Esther refused his aid and turned around to leave the room.
She wandered the garden aimlessly before stopping in front of the fountain. She fell against the firm stone, unable to walk further.
Victor had followed closely behind Esther as she left the mansion. He couldn’t stand watching her lifeless complexion any longer and asked,
“What’s wrong, my lady? If there is anything I can be of help with, I will gladly listen.”
“Sorry. I want to be alone.”
But Esther couldn’t afford to care about anyone else right now.
“Then at least accept this.”
The air was chilly in January.
Victor took off his jacket and presented it to Esther, fearing she would catch a cold in her current thin attire.
‘Why are you like this?’
He was concerned about how his lady was different from usual, but he complied with her request and withdrew.
Meanwhile, Esther stood alone, staring at the sky blankly before closing her eyes due to the blinding sunlight.
“…You eventually passed away.”
It was due to occur at any moment. She was rather grateful to have had the dreadful event delayed by a year.
But, why was she so uneasy? Esther felt herself falling back to the time she worried when Rabienne would put her behind bars.
“Saint… Did you leave comfortably?”
She wasn’t pleased with the thought that not one person who genuinely cared for Cespia stood by her side at the moment of her death.
Esther closed her eyes and prayed for Cespia’s well-being. That would be her first action as the new saint.
In the meantime…
Judy tilted his head upon arriving at the empty dining room.
“Is Father and Esther still not here?”
“Ah, Young Master Judy. His Grace left for the temple due to urgent business, and the lady said she would skip breakfast.”
“Esther? Why?”
Esther had never skipped a meal since her arrival.
Judy’s expression hardened at her sudden change in habit.
“I do not know. The lady’s face paled after she heard of the saint’s death…”
“What? Did you just say the saint died?”
Judy rushed outside, not sparing another second to listen to Delbert. He had to find Esther.
After hearing from the passing servants that Esther was in the garden, he ran to the fountain at once.
Once he spotted Esther lying helplessly near the fountain like a lifeless soul, he cried out,
“Esther!”
“Brother?”
Esther ended her prayer and slowly opened her eyes to look at Judy.
Judy stood before Esther and continued, teary-faced.
“You’re not leaving for the temple, are you?”
“The temple? Ah… Brother also heard the news of the saint. Of course not. Never.”
Judy could only sigh with relief after having been eased of his concerns.
“That’s a relief. You’re the only saint now. I was worried that you would want to go back to the temple.”
Even after having received a definite answer from Esther, Judy wrapped her hands in his, securing it as if he would never let go.
“Why are you worried about that? This is the only place I’ll ever be.”
Esther smiled brightly. She could feel Judy’s sincerity through his firm grip.
“Sure, but why won’t you eat breakfast? Everyone is really worried. The same goes for me.”
It was as if the world collapsed when she heard of Cespia’s death.
But as Esther observed Judy worrying over breakfast, she burst into laughter.
“Brother, is it that important?”
“Of course. What could be more important than the morning in which you start your day? Food is crucial. Besides, you like eating the most, right?”
There was nothing wrong with Judy’s words. In fact, Esther realized something.
That there was no need for her to feel threatened because many things have changed from before.
Standing next to Esther were her reliable brothers, father, and people with whom she had formed bonds with.
Her current daily life was the most important certainty. Having breakfast, conversing with loved ones, and just enjoying her life.
She slapped her cheeks, regarding herself as a fool for forsaking her current happiness and worrying about the untold future.
Although she didn’t strike herself roughly, Judy flusteredly reached to wrap his hands around her cheeks.
“Hey! What’s wrong with you? What will you do if your precious face gets hurt? Let me see. Are you sure you’re fine?”
Esther smiled brilliantly towards Judy as he created a fuss over her well-being.
“I’ve come back to my senses now. Let’s go have breakfast.”
“Huh? You’re gonna eat breakfast? Good thinking.”
Judy, puzzled to see Esther’s sudden change in mood, soon laughed along with the bright atmosphere.
Esther approached the worried Victor. Her eyes were smiling, her steps unafraid.
The weakened mentality had become stronger than ever.
★★★
Esther returned to her room after breakfast.
Nothing would happen as of now, but she would have to prepare for future circumstances.
“The fact that I’m the saint will be discovered sooner or later.”
Esther sighed as she swept the back of her right hand.
As the seat of the succeeding mother of the temple was inhabited by Rabienne, they would be unable to properly seek the true saint.
However, it was impossible for Esther to thoroughly conceal herself as a revelation was bound to reach the temple.
“It’s okay. I’m not scared anymore.”
During the time she visited the temple, Esther was more scared someone would realize she was the saint and drag her back to the temple.
However, no matter how great the temple stood, Esther, the daughter of the grand duke, could not be taken at will.
She came to realize how great her status was as the grand duke’s daughter. She had no intention of running away now.
“…Shall I attend the funeral?”
She thought it would be better for her to observe the situation in person, rather than be immersed in all sorts of thoughts here.
Above all, she wished to thank Saint Cespia for buying her time.
It wouldn’t matter if she ran into Rabienne. She might have already forgotten her, or even perhaps knew of her adoption into the grand ducal family.
Thanks to accompanying Deheen over the past year, Esther had made her appearance public in many places.
Even if it weren’t for that, Dolores informed her of the rumors that she had been adopted from the temple.
Esther cleared her mind and stood up from the chair when a loud bang came from behind her.
“Huh?”
Surprised, Esther turned around to locate the source of the sound.
The decorative sculpture placed atop the drawer fell from its position.
Beside the statue was a snake, blinking its eyes, frozen. Perhaps it realized the accident it caused.
“Sorry, Shur. I was so busy that I couldn’t play with you today.”
Shur was the baby born from BamBam. The baby animal was very small and white.
BamBam disappeared quietly after giving birth to Shur. That might be why Shur followed Esther like she was its mother.
“I’ll be away for a few days. I’ll ask Dorothy to take good care of you. So don’t be too sad. Deal?”
Esther stroked Shur’s head, conveying it so it could understand.
Following this, she went to Delbert and asked to send a carrier pigeon to Deheen.
Fortunately, the pigeon arrived quickly, so Esther was able to leave for the temple half a day later.
Since the saint’s funeral was a state matter, numerous people visited the temple to pay their condolences.
There was a limit to the number of carriages the temple could accommodate, so carriages were prohibited from entering the temple during the funeral.
“We’re almost there, my lady. We will have to walk from here.”
Esther was no exception, so she was dropped off in front of the main gate of the temple. She was a little late.
“There’s a huge crowd.”
Victor clicked his tongue as he helped Esther down the carriage.
There were so many people huddled around the temple that there was no opening for Esther to enter.
Commoners were unable to enter the temple, so they mourned the death of the saint outside.
“Yes. The saint is an agent sent from God. Still, I didn’t know they would cry that much… I’m a little surprised.’’
The sobbing did not stop. Esther’s eyes reddened as she observed the sorrowful crowd.
Right then, she realized how influential the saint truly was.
Esther gazed at the crowd with sad eyes, then showed her identification card to the gatekeeper and entered.
“The place seems completely different from the last time I was here. How should I explain this feeling… It seems more lively.”
“I know. The saint has passed away, but it exudes an air like that of a festival.”
Esther muttered bitterly.
Seeing the expressions of the passing priests and the overall atmosphere, the place seemed rather indifferent.
Ame: Hope BamBam will be fine ;-; I wonder what’s the snakes’ role in this story?