|| ᴀ ꜱᴀɪɴᴛ ᴡʜᴏ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴀᴅᴏᴘᴛᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ɢʀᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴜᴋᴇ || ᴄᴏᴍᴘᴇᴛᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ꜱɪᴅᴇ ꜱᴛᴏʀɪᴇꜱ ||

Chapters 26-30

Episode 26: Talent and Opportunity (III)

"No... I sent someone to persuade him, but he informed me that he would not apply considering he's already contracted."

Ben continued speaking, flinching at the piercing gaze directed at him.

"He said no?"

Deheen's expression hardened coldly as he agonized over Ben's report.

"How much time does he have left with his contract?"

"About nine months..."

Deheen removed his glasses and slowly twisted his neck to the side.

"How about giving him more than three times the amount?"

"I've already suggested it. Unfortunately, I don't think money will solve it."

According to Ben, he was a man who valued honor and agreement more than income.

"What was his attitude like when you brought the conversation up?"

"He wasn't uncomfortable."

"I see."

Deheen lifted his head as he contemplated a solution and soon rolled up his lips.

"Then there'll be no problem if the Count breaks off the contract."

"Yes. No, pardon?"

Ben nodded with a solemn expression, then jumped back with surprise.

"He doesn't want to break it himself, but it wouldn't matter if the contract is cut off by the Count, would it?"

"That's true, but... How?"

"Was it Count Douglas you mentioned? I remember passing by him at a meeting before. Arrange a table with him."

Deheen's eyes glowed languidly.

Count Douglas was a man who owned a lot of money but didn't have connections and wanted to somehow build up his network.

Considering his attitude that seemed favorable towards Deheen throughout the meal, the problem seemed easy to resolve.

"All right."

Ben rummaged through Deheen's schedule to find an empty date.

It wasn't long before Deheen abruptly halted. Ben also came to a stop, his feet nearly failing him.

"What's wrong?"

"Isn't that Esther?"

It was quite a distance, but Esther's small figure could still be seen from afar.

She was walking around the garden alone, without a maid attending to her.

"Why is the lady here...?"

"Let's advance nearer."

Deheen turned away from his initial destination without hesitation.

His face, which had been indifferent until a while ago, softened.

★★★

Esther stretched her arms.

"Haaaa."

She was waiting for Dorothy to go for a short walk.

The sun was particularly dazzling, considering it was midday.

As Esther covered her head using her palms, she turned her head towards the gaze she felt approaching her.

"Ah...?"

Esther's eyes widened.

She didn't realize when Deheen had arrived.