A Saint Who Was Adopted by the Grand Duke

“Are you hungry? Let’s go eat. I was recommended a restaurant.”

It was Esther’s first teating outside the temple since coming here.

The two left the café and moved into a back alley. There was a small but cozy restaurant.

“Welcome.”

There was only one course on the menu, so as soon as they sat down, the appetizer bread was served.

“Would you like swine?”

“Sure.”

Noah apologized to the store owner and called an escort to take out the bottle he had prepared in advance.

“I brought something that looks good to drink.”

“Noah, don’t tell me… Did you take it from His Majesty’s wine cellar?”

“He wouldn’t know that one is gone, there are so many.”

Noah replied casually and uncorked the wine.

However, it was wine brought from the personal storage of the emperor, who was known as a wine lover, to the extent neighboring countries often send precious wine as a gift.

‘Will it really be okay?’

Esther pondered for a moment, but stopped thinking when she realized it was irreversible. She could only hope it was the most common wine in the warehouse.

She took the glass that Noah had filled.

“For a successful mural.”

“For your safety.”

Clink. After the toast, they took a sip. The heavy and bitter chocolate taste brushed their tongues.

“Mm, it’s delicious.”

“As expected of Father’s discernment.”

Esther thought it was more of a problem that the wine was delicious, but the compatibility with the dishes that cout one after another was the best.

Delicious food and drinks that complement it.

A relaxing twith the person she loves.

“I’m happy.”

Noah said, looking into Esther’s eyes.

The corners of Esther’s mouth also went up, mirroring his gentle smile.

too.”

“You know what? I might not even go htoday.”

Noah’s low voice almost made Esther spit wine out. She blinked rapidly and hurriedly swallowed the wine in his mouth.

Widening his grin, Noah stretched out his hand; it seemed he enjoyed teasing Esther.

“It’s nice to have a small table like this.”

They were so close together that he could just reach out to touch her fingertips.

‘Hot.’

Esther thought that the very light touch of her fingertips was as hot as if burning.

As Noah stretched his fingers more, the places they touched increased.

Nervousness rose. She could feel the heat in his eyes as he stared at her.

Slowly, his fingers dug between hers.

Even though it wasn’t strong skinship, Esther’s mouth was dry and could tell her face was heating up, so she fanned her face with her hand and gulped down the wine.

But Noah suddenly got up from his seat.

He cto stand next to the rabbit-eyed Esther, and reached out and cupped her cheek.

“Drink slowly. Your cheeks are already red.”

“…….”

Noah inched closer, and the alcohol Esther drank so far dominated her head.

She wanted to say something, but she was so nervous that she just said anything in her mind.

“Hey. I… I heard earlier that there is a hot spring nearby. They say it’s good for relieving fatigue.”

“Oh? Shall we go tomorrow?”

“Huh? Okay.”

Esther could not say more.

It was because Noah lowered his head, and his breathing becsomewhat cautious.

Still covering Esther’s cheek, Noah’s face drew closer and closer.

Bumping his forehead against hers, he muttered in a low voice.

“Your cheeks are so cute that I can’t stand it.”

Embarrassed by that, Esther hurriedly pulled back.

“I feel a little hot because I drank. Phew. Shall we stop?”

“Sure. I’ll take you back.”

Noah smiled.

To Noah, spending twith Esther always made him yearn.

He was full of desire to be with her even when he was currently with her. But considering he still had a few days left on vacation, he decided not to rush.

After paying for the food, they left the restaurant.

“It’s cool.”

Esther stared at Noah as the gentle wind cooled her face.

“Where are you sleeping?”

“I haven’t decided yet. Shall we sleep together?”

Esther stiffened at Noah’s question.

“What… what??”

“I’m kidding.”

Esther let out a breath that had paused momentarily and hit Noah’s shoulder.

“You surprised me. What kind of joke is that?”

“Why? It will be like that someday. Sroom, sbed. No?”

He wasn’t kidding.

Sensing the seriousness in Noah’s eyes, Esther’s heart skipped a beat again.

“This is not a proposal. I’ll do it properly later.”

Then Noah grabbed the shoulders of Esther, who couldn’t answer, and turned her towards the temple.

“Well, I talked to the high priest and got a room on a different floor in the sbuilding as you. There were a lot of empty rooms.”

“We can go back together.”

The two deliberately sent back the carriage and walked back to the temple.

Very slowly, holding hands and having small conversations about this and that.

When they were almost at the building, Esther didn’t notice a small stone and tripped over it.

“Ah!”

“Be careful.”

As she staggered slightly, Noah hugged her waist and steadied her in his arms.

“Are you drunk?”

“No. It’s a mistake.”

Despite the explanation that it was a mistake, Noah lifted her up in a princess carry.

Esther looked up at him and muttered in a low voice.

“I said it was a mistake! Putdown right now.”

“I’ll just take you to your room.”

“What if someone sees…”

Embarrassed, Esther covered her face with her hands.

Victor went ahead of them and opened the door to Esther’s room.

Bending his knees, Noah placed Esther very carefully on the bed and took off her shoes herself.

Esther stared at Noah, who cherished her more than anyone else, with deep eyes.

“Thank you. You made my day.”

“Then kiss me.”

Still bent on one knee, Noah looked up at the now seated Esther and pursed his lips.

With a look of helplessness, Esther leaned in and pecked Noah on the lips.

“Is this okay?”

“No. little bit more.”

Noah raised his upper body and advanced towards Esther.

Surprised, she pulled back, but he trapped her within his arms and prevented her from dodging.

Just before their lips brushed against each other, Esther thought she was drawn into Noah’s black eyes.

‘What an irresistible temptation.’

And when his lips fell faster than she thought, she stared blankly at his lips and thought.

‘This is too bad.’

Esther was startled at herself for thinking so.

Noah smiled mischievously and ran a finger across her lips.

“I can’t stand it when you look atlike that.”

“W-What…! Go quickly.”

Esther jumped up and hugged her pillow, putting a physical barrier between her and Noah.

Noah fiddled with Esther’s hair, thinking she was being very cute.

“Good night.”

“You too.”

After Noah left, Dorothy cin to check on Esther.

“Oh! Lady Esther, your face is too red. Are you sick?”

“No. It’s because I’ve been drinking.”

“Still…”

Esther glanced at Dorothy, who was knowingly teasing her, and turned around.

“Heheh. Have a good night, Lady Esther.”

After Dorothy turned off the lights, Esther sighed lightly.

The eyes of Noah that she saw up close kept coming back to her, so her mind was very occupied.

She placed her hand on her chest and pressed her still beating heart.

★★★

The next day.

Esther painted the walls without a break from morning to afternoon.

Tflew by as she reapplied paint several times, checking and correcting meticulously to get the desired look.

“Is it too soft?”

She was about to pick up her brush to paint one more coat when Dorothy cin.

“Lady, it’s three o’clock.”

“Already? I have to go.”

She had asked Dorothy to check on her so as to not be late for her meeting with Noah.

Deciding that she was finished with work today, she asked a priestess to clean up.

After leaving the prayer room, Esther hurried towards her room.

For a while, Esther agonized over the dresses she had bought just before coming, conflicted on which to choose. Then Dorothy recommended the tight dress.

“How about this?”

“It seems too deliberate and planned. And it’s uncomfortable to take a foot bath in.”

Esther thought for a moment before changing into a knee-length dress that was comfortable for a foot bath.

“He is at the front.”

Victor knocked on the door, announcing that Noah had arrived.

“Okay. I’ll go.”

Esther’s steps were very light as she ran out after looking at her face in the mirror one last time.

Noah, who was waiting with the carriage ready, waved the moment he saw Esther.

He continued to smile as they rode in the carriage.

“What are you so happy about?”

“Looking at you.”

“You sawyesterday.”

“I know. I saw you yesterday, but it’s good to see you again. I miss you every day.”

Esther’s lips twitched at Noah’s sweet words.

As the priestess said, after traveling north for about 30 minutes, there was a small building owned by the temple in the forest.

They showed the permit they had obtained in advance to the paladin guarding the entrance.

“You may go in.”

When they got off the carriage and entered, a bright-looking priestess cout to meet them.

“Welcome. Are you here to use the hot springs?”

The priestess asked, nonchalantly looking at Noah and Esther alternately.

However, embarrassed by the words ‘hot spring’, Esther hurriedly waved her hand.

“No. We’re here to take a foot bath.”

“I see. It’s this way. Please feel free to use it. There are no visitors today except for the two of you.”

The chirping of the forest birds could be heard as they followed the priestess’ lead down the hallway.

“Here it is. You can use this after a foot bath. Please rest, I will bring you tea.”

After receiving two large towels, Esther and Noah opened the door in amazement.

Perhaps because of the hot water, it was misty even though it was outdoors.

In the white steam, there was a round-shaped hot spring.

Ame: (ง ื▿ ื)ว