Chapter 31

Noah's gaze became sharp when he heard someone hurriedly approaching the room.

He quickly hid Esther's drawing, and almost at the same time the door to the room opened:

– ...the Prince? Are you awake? – Rabien muttered in a low voice of surprise, who had just opened the door, about to enter the room.

Naturally, she thought that Noah was still unconscious, waiting for her, so now she hesitated, not knowing whether to enter.

Noah stared at Rabien, not inviting her in, and unlike the way he looked at Esther, his gaze was extremely indifferent now.

– I heard that you are unconscious, what happened?

– I woke up today.

– Oh, that's how... – Rabien was confused, but soon she smiled brightly.

She had a pretty confident expression on her face, but Noah didn't even look at the girl's face.

– I'm here, but why don't you let me in?

– Why did you come? – Noah's tone was harsh.

Noah's behavior clearly reflected his attitude and Rabien could not deny it. When the girl felt this, the smile that was on her face hardened a little.

– I came because I was worried. It's not far from here, and you were my fiance.

– Our engagement was terminated.

Noah and Rabien were engaged when they were little.

When Noah, the 7th Prince, fell ill with God's Curse, she left him faster than anyone else.

Therefore, the relationship between them was far from perfect.

– I didn't come because I wanted to. I was told that the Prince fell ill with the Curse of God... ha, that's all, – shaking her head, Rabien went into the room and sat down on a chair.

This was the place where Esther had been sitting recently. Seeing this, Noah frowned.

– The priest said it would be difficult for the Prince to hold out for long.

– Yes. Exactly.

Rabien's eyes widened at Noah's indifferent response, as if he was talking about someone else and not about himself.

– Even now, I continue to pray for you. If I do this, I can save the Prince's life. If you stay close to me, then everything will be fine.

– Can you save me?.. – Suddenly, Noah burst out laughing.

The smile that was incredibly charming, but turned out to be ephemeral, also suddenly disappeared. The boy looked skeptically at Rabien:

– Are you still sure you're going to be the next Saint?

Rabien pursed her lips and looked at Noah with an expression on her face, as if she didn't want to hear it at all:

– If so, what? I'm close to it.

– Yes. I remember. Your family will somehow make you the next Saint, – Noah said sarcastically, and Rabien pouted.

Suddenly, Rabien's expression changed when she saw a piece of paper lying on the table. She tried to change the subject:

– What is it?

When Rabien tried to grab a piece of paper, Noah moved for the first time.

He quickly placed his palm on the paper so that Rabien could not see Esther's drawing.

– Don't touch it.

– What is it?

– ...Something you can't touch, – Noah looked into Rabien's eyes for the first time.

Rabien laughed at this with pride. She knew that Noah didn't love her, but still, seeing him look at her like that, her heart broke.

– Rabien.

– Yes? – Rabien's eyes were filled with sparkle and anticipation, and her cheeks were flushed.

– I've already told you, don't covet anything that doesn't belong to you. It doesn't matter if it's a place or a person.

However, Noah's icy words turned out to be not at all what Rabien was waiting for.

She no longer hid the true expression of her face. The beautiful smile disappeared from Rabien's face, and the look with which she looked at Noah became venomous.

The two's gazes collided in midair.

Once these two were engaged, however, their relationship was not sweet, they were almost enemies. The atmosphere in the room became so cold, as if an icy wind had entered the room.

– There is nothing that cannot become mine. There's nothing in this country that I can't get.

– …

– I have come quite a long way, so I will share with you the Divine power. It's a sad situation, isn't it?

Noah said nothing, and Rabien sighed and stretched out her hand to him.

However, he forcefully pushed her hand away:

– I don't need it.

– Ha, I'll see if you can say the same thing when it's time to die! I know how to wait! – In the end, Rabien stormed out of the room, extremely annoyed.

Despite the fact that Rabien did not hide her resentment, Noah did not go to see her off.

On the contrary, as soon as she left, Noah fell on the pillows, as if his strength had left him.

– I want to see Esther again.

'There was so much warmth in her eyes…'

*****

The next day, lunch time.

Esther now used the knife very well, and the Duke's servants were very friendly and helpful.

– Today, the main dish is shrimp soaked in oil.

Esther's eyes sparkled as she listened to the chef's words.

Seafood, and especially shrimp, was one of the dishes that the girl never ate.

'I wonder what they taste like?'

When the impatience appeared in Esther's eyes, Judy began to demonstrate:

– Look carefully. It will be much tastier if you dip the shrimp in butter and put it on bread.

Repeating her brother's actions, Esther took a big bite out of the bread.

The soft texture and unexpected piquantly delicious taste filled the girl's mouth.

– What do you think? Delicious?

Esther nodded furiously, chewing on what was in her mouth.

– Bring Esther some more, – Darwin said, seeing that the girl really liked this dish.

The meal continued in a wonderful atmosphere. When everyone was more or less full, Darwin said:

– I found a tutor.

Esther's hand, which was concentrating on putting the shrimp on the bread, shuddered.

– He graduated from the senior courses of the Academy and now works as a tutor, improving his skills. He doesn't have a lot of experience because he's young, but I think he can teach you a lot because he's competent enough.

– Wow, can I learn a lot? – Dennis was the first to show interest in studying.

Usually, he preferred to study alone, but his opinion changed when he thought it would be interesting to study with Esther.

– Maybe… However, Esther's training comes first.

One of the main reasons for finding a tutor was to prepare Esther for her birthday, so it was natural.

– I know. I just want to go to class with Esther.

– What? Then, I want to go with you too! – even Judy, who hated studying, immediately caught fire with competition.

– Judy, you'll be joining a short-term fencing camp soon.

– And what? We can study together.

Duke Dehsin shook his head:

– The first lesson will be demonstrated the day after tomorrow, so let's watch it and then decide.

'No matter how well he teaches, it will be useless if he cannot find a common language with Esther.'

Esther nodded to show that she understood. Although it was quite burdensome, a tutor was necessary so that the girl would not be embarrassed at the party.

When the main meal was over, new plates were placed on the table and desserts were laid out on them.

– I'm going to start preparing for the party, but first check the list, – Darwin motioned for Ben.

Ben, who was waiting on the sidelines, quickly came over and handed a piece of paper to Judy and Dennis:

– This is the guest list. If you want to invite someone else, just tell me about it.

Judy looked at the list and threw it away:

– Yeah. Everything is fine.

– I don't have any wishes either, – Dennis's reaction wasn't much different.

Countless people tried to get close to Grand Duke Dehsin's sons, so the twins' hearts quickly closed.

There were few who they considered real friends, but the twins did not regret it.

– Miss, if you want to invite someone separately, then please tell me about it. You must still have friends in the temple.

– Em… – Esther, with a darkened face, put down the fork she was holding in her hand. She felt sick from the memories of her lonely life in the temple. – No need.

– Okay, then, I'll send the invitations according to the list, – Ben nodded and, taking the paper, left the dining room.

– Father, when are you going to introduce Esther?

– Why not do it after your birthday? – Darwin also thought about this question.

'It's the twins' birthday, but at the same time, the first official event that Esther will attend.'

– How about we just make Esther the main character of the day?

– Great.

Surprised by the twins' offer, Esther hastily threw up her hands:

– No, no!

– No? – muttered Darwin, who thought it was a good idea, but when he saw Esther shaking her head, saying a firm 'no', he retreated. – Let's talk about the details of this later.

– Good, – Esther nodded, fiddling with her napkin and trying to imagine a party hosted by the Grand Duke.

But, even mentally, she couldn't imagine a lavish party she'd never been to.

*****

Two days later.

As soon as breakfast was over, Esther changed into a beautiful dress.

– Do you wonder who's coming?

– Yes, do I have to do something when I enter the classroom? b Esther asked, very nervous about the tutor's arrival. She was also afraid that due to her lack of self-confidence, she would disgrace the Grand Duke.

– No. How can anyone be good from the very beginning? – Dorothy soothed the girl, gently tidying her hair.

The hair, gathered in a beautiful braid, looked very thick.

When Esther finished packing, she went down to the first floor and saw that Duke Dehsin, Judy and Dennis were already there.

All together, they sat down on the sofa and began to wait for the tutor.

– While we're waiting, please have some tea, – Ben ordered coffee and tea to be distributed to relieve the tension, but Duke Dehsin didn't even speak to him.

– Father, why are you so nervous? – Judy asked giggling when he saw this.

– Asked the one who is nervous himself.

– Don't worry. Esther's going to be fine, – said Dennis, who had been reading the book up to that point.

In fact, it wasn't just Duke Dehsin who was nervous. From anxiety, Esther's mouth even went dry.

And all because in her life she saw more people who hated her than those who liked her. Therefore, whenever the girl met a new person, she couldn't help but worry.

– He has arrived, – as soon as the meeting time came, the butler immediately announced the arrival of the tutor.

At the same moment, the eyes of the four people sitting on the sofa instantly turned to the front door.