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

Chapters 66-70

Episode 66: Happy Birthday (II)

Esther's mumbles were overshadowed by the fuss caused by Dolores and Dorothy.

"My... Would you look at this!"

"An extravagant pendant such as this is likely to be costly. Who could have sent this?"

Esther was equally astonished by the sudden accessory. One person surfaced as a possibility for the sudden gift.

'Noah.'

She could recall him asking to keep the diamond he found the day they left for the mine.

"Do you have any idea who the person might be? Perhaps... the lady's significant other?"

Dolores's eyes glistened in hope for any details of the yet-to-be-unfolded mystery.

"Well, we're simply friends."

However, Esther remained silent and gently grazed the necklace with her fingertips.

When did he process the gemstone into a necklace? Whatever his intentions were, just the thought of Noah caused her heart to pound uncontrollably.

"This necklace would fit appropriately with the dress. Shall we change it?"

Esther ultimately removed the one on her neck and replaced it with Noah's. One would think the outfit was a set.

Esther smiled bashfully as she observed the necklace through the mirror.

'I want to show you.'

She wished to meet and show Noah her appearance...! She shook her head, baffled at her own thoughts.

Tok, tok.

Victor knocked to announce his arrival before entering the room. This meant they were to leave soon.

"My lady..."

Victor spotted Esther before standing where he was. He gazed at her as if he fell in love at first sight.

Esther shyly avoided Victor's eyes. It was then that Victor regained his senses.

"Today, no one could help but fall in love with the lady."

He praised Esther, his tone sincere.

She had always been lovely, but today, she was fascinating enough to the point Victor's heart pounded.

"Thanks."

Esther raised the corner of her lips awkwardly and looked into the mirror to observe her appearance for the last time.

Her rich flowing hair, along with the pretty dress that flawlessly complimented her figure.

She couldn't be compared to herself from before.

This was her now.

She slowly brushed her palm against the glass. The chilly sensation ran through her hands, permeating against her bones.

It was nerve-wracking how she would soon be evaluated before others. The one thing she despised and was afraid of.

But now, she felt prepared to do anything.

"I'm ready."

Esther made eye contact with herself in the mirror and nodded. It was now time to attend the ball.

"Have a safe trip."

"Yes. See you later, Dorothy."

Esther's strides as she passed the door were the most assertive she had ever been.