"Three of these would be enough. I will return the appropriate amount after I verify their value.”
"No, it's alright.”
Esther shook her head.
It would be more troublesome to exchange and receive documents later.
"Could that kid be the daughter of a family which happened to become rich after discovering a mine?”
"I don’t understand why she goes around in such a state even now that she has money. How bewildering."
The wives, who had previously ignored Esther, were now flustered as they witnessed her unhesitantly purchasing high-quality material.
Esther glanced behind her hack as she verified their faces once more. She was letting them flee for now, but their faces would remain ingrained in her memory.
After a while, Esther changed into one of the many dresses she requested. Victor received her torn attire and packed them separately.
In the meantime, the staff skillfully packaged the rest of the purchased products.
However, there were so many boxes prepared that it would be burdensome to bring along.
"...Will they fit inside the carriage?"
"I'm afraid it will be rather difficult."
At this rate, the carriage space would be full, leaving no room to sit.
Esther looked at the boxes, her face perplexed. Dolores hurriedly intervened as she told her to not worry.
"Please let me know your address, and I will make sure they arrive in your hands. There are too many to carry."
"The place isn’t near here."
"Do not worry. Anywhere is fine."
Esther had caught her eye when she had replied the cost was fine, although the calculations hadn’t even been made.
Esther nodded in acceptance of Dolores' favor.
"Then, please send it to the Grand Duke of Tersia."
Dolores, who had pulled out a piece of paper in order to note her address, paused as she hardened.
"Grand Duke? Why there...?”
Esther lowered her voice as she noticed Dolores who was overtaken with bewilderment.
"Because I live there."
"If you live there... is your father the famous battlefield murderer... no, Grand Duke Darwin?"
"Yes, he’s my father."
Esther felt a bit awkward as this was her first time acknowledging Darwin as her father. Nonetheless, she felt a sense of pride.
‘Was the rumor real?'
At that moment, Dolores recalled the gossip she had recently heard.
Rumor had it that Duke Darwin had adopted a girl. Everyone laughed it off, claiming it was fake, yet the rumor turned to be real.
It was unusual that a little girl owned a mine, let alone the daughter of Grand Duke Darwin at that. Why couldn’t she have been more careful...!
"Oh, my God, I've given a great amount of disrespect. If I had known my lady was such a valued guest, this place would have served you with much more respect.”
Dolores felt her spine chilling as she attempted to remedy the situation.
What if Darwin came to learn about the women's insulting remarks, particularly regarding her parents?
‘This boutique would close.’
If Darwin is as cruel and barbaric as rumored, it would not end with merely erasing this dressing room.
"I'm truly apologetic to have caused any discomfort in this dressing room today. Please rest assured and return safely.”
"There was no such thing."
Esther shook her head quickly when Dolores became overwhelmed by her sudden realization.
"Are you in need of anything more?”
"No, I’ll be leaving now."
"I will lead you to the entrance.”
"It's alright..."
Dolores, presenting a sudden polite attitude, saw Esther out of the dressing room. Staff followed one after another.
In addition, she lent her a carriage dedicated to the boutique so Esther could go to the place she had reserved the carriage for later on.
"She was a kind person. Right?”
"Yes, she presented kind intentions, so I think so for now. She has a good sense of picking out clothes."
Esther also sensed Dolores’s change of attitude after realizing her identity.
However, it was her pure goodwill that helped Esther in the beginning. Above all, Esther felt satisfied with the pretty clothes she had bought.
'So this is what shopping feels like.'
As she had never done anything for herself before, Esther had now, for the first time, felt the pleasure of the act of ‘living.’
In addition, she had the money to buy whatever you want regardless of the price. It was more thrilling and better than she had thought.
"Then, shall we leave?"
"Yes, let's go."
Esther smiled as she looked out the window. It was time to go back home.
***
As soon as Esther returned to the main gate of the Grand Duke's residence and hopped off the carriage, the butler restlessly arrived to greet her.
"Oh, why did you arrive so late?"
Esther tilted her head, puzzled by his demeanor.
"It only took about another half day or so long..."
"During that half of the day, His Grace... ah we’ll have to proceed quickly."
"Right now? I'll head to my room and change my outwear first.”
"No, we have to get going this instant."
Delbert seemed to be in a hurry. His eyes were vacant, and underneath existed severe black bags, as if he had stayed up for a few nights.
"Victor, thank you for your hard work. I'll leave first."
"Yes, please go ahead."
Without a chance to greet Victor properly, Esther advanced ahead along with Delbert.
"Where is father?"
“His Grace is present amidst a gathering in the reception room.”
"What? But can I come in?"
Esther halted, her eyes wide open. She was worried her appearance would interrupt the flow of the meeting.
"Yes, you must go."
However, Delbert's attitude remained obstinate. He pointed a finger at his hair, his expression filled with weariness.
"Does my lady see this white hair?"
"Yes."
"It's all been dyed white due to the stress I've been placed under for the past two days."
"Hmm... wasn't it always white?"
"No."
Esther tilted her head.
It usually seemed white... Anyhow, Delbert seemed much more tired than usual, so Esther silently followed.
"His Grace was very worried."
"About me?"
Esther's mouth slightly parted. It was heart-warming to think someone had been waiting for her.
"Yes, his Grace couldn’t rest properly. I also couldn't sleep much either, but..."
Delbert murmured grimly. It seemed many incidents had been accumulated over the past two days. Esther chuckled at the sight.
The two soon arrived in front of the conference room.
Tension was evident in the faces of the maids and servants standing outside. They were frozen, to the point Esther wondered why it was like so.
At that moment.
Crash!
An object could be heard shattering within the conference room. However, not one person seemed bewildered, as if this was a familiar situation.
While Esther stood blankly, unsettled, Delbert quickly knocked on the door.
"Who is it?"
Darwin bellowed from inside. Surprised by the fierce sound, Esther retreated.
“My lady has arrived.”
Delbert did not panic in the least and quickly announced that Esther had returned.
Then, Darwin’s expression, which had been filled with irritation, quickly unraveled. It was a sudden change, just like snow melting in the sun.
“Esther?”
Darwin, who had been slouching on his seat, hurriedly jumped up.
He was in a sour mood throughout the whole meeting. The meeting moved slowly due to the little to no progress being made.
However, the moment he heard Esther had arrived, Darwin signed all the documents and ended the meeting.
"The meeting is over. Get out of here."
"Huh? Is your Grace sure?"
“L, let's leave then!”
The faces of the lifeless vassals instantly brightened. They all seemed exhausted due to being in the same room as the Grand Duke.
In case Darwin changed his mind, they rushed out of the room.
"My lady! I'm glad you returned safely.”
"Thank you very much."
Esther was flustered by the vassals who greeted her as they left.
‘What's wrong?’
All of them were gazing at her as if she was their savior.
She tilted his head slightly and made her way into the empty room.
"You’re here?"
Darwin’s low voice trembled thinly.
Esther had no idea until a while ago. She didn’t think it would be that big of a deal if she stayed away for two days.
However, the moment Esther met Darwin’s eyes, she was overwhelmed with emotion. The sense of stability that she had returned to where she was supposed to be wrapped around her whole body.
"Yes, I'm back… father."
Darwin smiled broadly as he heard Esther's words, which were chosen slowly and carefully.
His smile was so gentle that no one would think of him as an inhospitable man.
"Come here."
Darwin opened his arms wide. Esther's feet moved in accordance with his calm tone of voice.
As she sped up her slow pace, Darwin lifted Esther up.
“Welcome back.”
Esther floundered as she grabbed Darwin by the arms. She was relieved by the firmness his strong arms presented.
"Are you in pain anywhere? Did you fall down?"
"No, I'm perfectly healthy."
Esther nodded vigorously, rolling up her arms to show that she was strong.
As Darwin observed her lovely figure, his lips unconsciously curved into a big smile. *Honey was already dripping from his eyes and melting the snow thoroughly.
*T/N: A phrase used to describe one’s eyes looking at someone else in a very lovely way.
Darwin was so large, that as he sat Esther on his lap, she ended up falling into his arms.
He seated Esther on his lap firmly and carefully examined her.
Darwin tilted his head for a moment when the new clothes he hadn't seen before came into view, however, nothing was questioned regarding the matter. It was more important for her to return unhurt than to be dressed differently.
"Good thing you're back safe. Did anyone bother you?"
As soon as Esther heard him, the wives from the dressing room came to mind. However, Esther shook her head as she recalled the kind, Dolores.
"There wasn't."
While conversing, Esther's favorite dessert was set up on the table.
"Then let's listen to the story.”
Esther began to talk about her visit to the temple while holding bread in both her hands. Darwin fed her strawberry juice from time to time.
Ben and Delbert high-fived each other, tears streaming from their eyes as they watched the two.
"I'll sleep comfortably tonight."
"Yes, I'm so glad my lady is back."
Darwin had been so sensitive during Esther’s absence. The two were too old to match his mood swings.
"Ha-am."
Esther stopped talking and yawned deeply. Her eyes were half-closed because she was tired from the long carriage ride.
As tears dangled from both Esther's eyes, Darwin gently stroked her cheeks with his long fingers.
"You look sleepy, so go and rest today."
"I should."
Esther rubbed her eyes and left Darwin’s lap.
As she did so, Darwin's eyes spotted the whipped cream on Esther's chin.
"Wait."
She smiled as he wiped her chin with his hand, rather than using a napkin.
'She still needs my care.'
The twins were old boys, so he left them to grow on their own. However, Esther seemed so small and fragile, she required constant care.
