A Saint Who Was Adopted by the Grand Duke

Side Story 6: More Than Friends (I)

As Esther fell silent while reading the letter, Dorothy circled around and impatiently asked,

“What did it say? Any word on when he’s coming back?”

“He’s back. Well, it says he’s leaving two weeks ago, so I’m guessing he’ll be back soon?”

“Really? Wow! He’s finally back. It’s good.”

Upon hearing this news of Noah, Dorothy cheered as if it was her own happiness.

Esther was pretending not to be affected, but she couldn’t hide the corners of her mouth that twitched in joy.

“But the letter is also very short. It’s all about seeing me soon.”

“Hmm. He’s not the kind to…”

“Does it make sense that this is his first letter after he said he would contact me often before he went?”

The sadness that had accumulated over the past eight months rose, causing Esther to pout as she crossed her arms.

“He is too much. Please say something harsh when he comes back. Don’t welcome him right away.”

“I will.”

Noah didn’t contact Esther even once during the period, which was three months but then was extended to eight months.

She didn’t want to welcome him until he explained why, but when she received the letter, her heart fluttered.

It was then.

Tok tok.

There was a knock, and Esther and Dorothy simultaneously turned their heads to the wall clock, startled.

“I guess Sir Leo has already arrived.”

“I know. It’s still before 3 o’clock, but I should leave at once.”

Esther moved quickly.

She packed up the letters and put them in a drawer, and took off the blanket she was nestled in.

Then, she took the painting toolbox lying next to Shur’s cushion.

She didn’t forget to stroke Shur, who was still hissing at the running Cheese.

“Dorothy, is my hair weird right now?”

Esther, who was about to leave after finishing all preparations, hesitated in front of the door.

“No. You’re very pretty.”

But since the messy hair still bothered her, she looked in the vanity mirror and combed her hair with a brush.

“Done. Let’s go.”

Noticing that Esther was unusually concerned about her appearance, Dorothy smiled meaningfully from behind.

★★★

At the same time.

A large ship was anchored in the southern port of the empire, which was not far from Tersia.

“I’m back at last. When I left, I didn’t know it would take this long.”

Noah, with dim eyes, looked back at the harbor and stepped on shore.

“I guess the news hasn’t reached the Imperial Palace yet. There is no one here…”

“Didn’t you expect it?”

Noah laughed and said he didn’t mind, and had his luggages brought onto the carriages waiting at the port.

The amount of items were so great that there were not enough carriages. He asked the top, but it seemed like it would take some time for more carriages to arrive.

“Wait here, and when the carriage comes, load up and leave.”

“Alone? What about Your Highness?”

“I have a place to stop by for a while.”

Staring at Noah’s excited expression, Palen narrowed his eyes.

“Are you going to Tersia? Before the Imperial Palace?”

“Tersia is close to here.”

“Even so… Do you need to be in such a hurry?”

“I haven’t seen her for eight months, I think I’ll die if I don’t see her soon.”

Noah, who deliberately exaggerated, nodded sadly, saying that he must hurry.

At those words, Palen shook his head as if he couldn’t help it.

“And I’ve been feeling a bit uneasy since before. What if someone I don’t know approaches Esther?”

“Please… Anyway, I’ll pack the things and head to the Imperial Palace. Your Highness, please go quickly on horseback.”

“All right.”

Someone had to take care of the goodwill gifts he received directly from the Berkin Kingdom.

Noah left the most reliable Palen at the port and headed to the nearby stable.

In the meantime, many people followed behind Noah.

They were women who came out to see the ship, one of the sights of the port, and were drawn to Noah.

Tall with broad shoulders.

His handsome appearance was by far the best among the ones in the port, so many women glanced at him.

The age of adulthood designated by the Austin Empire’s statute was 18 years old.

Like Esther, Noah would be recognized as an adult after making his debut this year.

Maybe that’s why he looked like an adult man, even though he still had a boyish charm.

“I’ll take this.”

Noah picked the healthiest-looking horse from the stable and rode it straight away.

“This should be enough.”

“Okay, sure. Thank you!”

Noah paid the owner with a pouch full of gold coins.

Then he started running in the direction of Tersia.

‘See you soon, Esther.’

It was as fast as the desire to meet Esther as soon as possible.

★★★

Esther arrived at the drawing room with Delbert, who had picked her up.

Upon opening the door, they were greeted with a spacious room decorated with refined furniture and various antiques.

Then she saw Leo. He was sitting on a large sofa in the middle of the room.

Hearing the door open, Leo turned his head, then jumped up to see Esther.

He greeted Esther with a very charming smile.

“You’re here?”

“Yes. Did you wait a long time?”

“It’s nothing. I came earlier than the appointment time.”

Just in time, the maids entered, placing tea and dessert on the table before leaving.

Now, Esther and Leo were the only two left in the room, but the atmosphere was not awkward.

It was because Leo had been visiting the mansion every week for two months already.

Esther was unfamiliar with him at first, but since they met and talked every week, she was now more comfortable with Leo.

Actually, it was more than that. As if her clothes were getting wet in a drizzle, before she knew it, Esther was close enough to call Leo ‘Brother.’

They had also gone out together to the capital a few times. Of course, the twin brothers also came along.

“By the way, I don’t see Judy and Dennis today?”

“Brother Judy will have a knight selection soon, so he went to the academy. Dennis said there is something he wants to study, and he left for the borders yesterday.”

“No wonder. The house is quiet.”

After that comment, Leo drank the tea left behind by the maid.

The twins who disturbed Leo every time he visited had disappeared, so he couldn’t help but smile.

As Esther chatted, she met Leo’s eyes.

Leo would always stare at her like that.

Somehow, she felt her throat was burning.

Esther gulped down the entire glass of juice in front of her and rose from the sofa.

“I should start drawing. Go to the side.”

“Before that, this.”

Leo, who likewise stood up, handed over the large bouquet that had been placed next to him.

It was a pretty bouquet, decorated with colorful flowers and green leaves.

“You don’t have to bring one every time.”

Esther accepted the bouquet with a puzzled expression.

“There was a pretty flower shop on the way. I bought it together while buying a present for my mother, so don’t feel pressured.”

“All right.”

Leo had always bought a bouquet of flowers since his first visit to the mansion.

Thanks to this, the vases in Esther’s room were replaced with Leo’s flowers every week.

“By the way, did something good happen? You look good today.”

Leo asked curiously. He had observed that Esther was smiling more than usual.

“Does it show?”

“Absolutely.”

Esther smiled shyly at the affirmation, wondering if it was realy that obvious.

“News of a friend I’ve been waiting for has arrived. He went away, but will be back soon.”

“Who is your friend? It’s the first time I’ve heard of you talking about a friend.”

“He is my first and longest friend. Very precious.”

“Is it a guy?”

“That’s right! How did you know?”

“…I see.”

Leo’s expression darkened as he said ‘guy’, but Esther didn’t see it because she was unpacking her tools.

“Oh, right, I got your invitation. It’s so sudden. What kind of tea time is it?”

“Ah, it’s a bit complicated to say, but will you come? I will be happy if you can make it.”

Esther had originally intended to refuse, but when Leo looked at her earnestly, the word ‘no’ couldn’t come out.

“All right. I’ll go.”

“That’s a promise. I’ll wait.”

Leo couldn’t hide his joy at the positive answer.

To draw, Esther started to concentrate, her face turning expressionless.

Leo’s smile grew even wider as he stared at her, and he became very immersed in his sight.

Kirsch, kirsch—

With only the sound of the pencil moving, the gazes of the two constantly crossed each other.

As Esther’s focused eyes turned pale golden, Leo’s eyes deepened.

“Pretty.”

“Yes? What did you just say?”

The concentrating Esther didn’t hear it, she tilted her head to the side, puzzled.

Leo stood up stiffly, perplexed by his involuntary protruding inner thoughts.

“Shall we stop here for today?”

“It’s only been five minutes?”

“I forgot I had some urgent business. I think I should go.”

“I think Brother always has a lot of work.”

Every time he came, they chatted for a long time, but no progress was made to the picture because he would leave in less than ten minutes once she started to draw.

Esther, who was taken aback at first but got used to it, laughed lightly and put her pencil back down.

“All right. I’ll see you off to the front door.”

Esther and Leo chatted happily as they walked.

In front of the main gate, Leo’s horse, which was kept by the knight, was waiting.

“Brother Leo, see you next week.”

“Hah, Esther…”

But Leo suddenly let out a deep sigh, as if he was worried.

“Before you go, I have a favor to ask.”

“What is it?”

Surprised, Esther widened her eyes with a serious expression.

“It’s about the picture. I want you to complete it as slowly as possible.”

“I’ve just been sketching for two months, you want it to be even slower?”

“Yes, it’s fast.”

“It’s possible, but… Why?”

“I can skip training only when the painting is not completed. Like now.”

“You’re kidding, right? Haha. People would be surprised to find out that you had these thoughts.”

Upon hearing the unexpected words, a grin burst onto Esther’s face.

Seeing that smile, Leo mirrored it and looked at Esther with loving eyes.

“Then keep it a secret. Only you know.”

Leo put his index finger to his lips, which were curled upwards, and reached for Esther’s hair.

Gently stroking Esther’s hair, he gently tucked her fine hair behind her ear.

“I’ll get going now.”

“…Oh, be careful.”

Slightly taken aback by the smooth actions, Esther fiddled with the part Leo had touched, in a daze.

Then, all of a sudden…

She felt a gaze from afar and turned her head to the right.

There, was someone on horseback. But he stopped and it seemed he was watching her.

“No way?”

And as soon as she recognized the familiar silhouette of the man standing in front of her, her heart started beating like crazy.

Ame: There’s a new and very important announcement! Check it out~

…….

…It’s not a girl friend? ;-; and I know I’ve mentioned this before, but we really get no physical descriptions of our side characters *cries* Leo is just one black blob in my mind right now lol

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