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

Chapters 71-75

Episode 71: Shared Destiny (II)

"I didn't know the Saint cared for me to this extent. I'm so happy!"

Rabienne, unaware of Cespia's inner feelings, smiled brightly in an emotional manner.

"You are the only person I have."

Cespia also returned the smile and gently stroked Rabienne's luscious hair as she leaned in.

As much as the sight seemed beautiful and delicate, the eyes of the two remained cold.

"Ah! Have there been any revelations bestowed upon the Saint? You haven't said anything since the time there appeared a girl with ash-gray hair."

"I assure you that I saw wrong."

Cespia reassured Rabienne, trying her best to maintain a calm, collected voice.

"There haven't been any as of late, but I am sure a revelation will appear regarding you soon."

"I hope so."

Rabienne's vigilance slightly eased as she observed Cespia.

'In this physical condition, I have two years at most.'

Cespia saw approximately two years of this struggle, even now when her health stopped worsening.

By all means, if Rabienne replaced the poison to thoroughly kill her inside and out, that already short period would shorten even more.

However, she was going to withstand it. She ought to buy time for the poor Esther one way or the other.

"Saint, you will take the medicine, right?"

"Of course. I must drink it."

At that moment, Cespia's eyes filled with the urge to break Rabienne's delicate neck.

★★★

After the party, 'family' was taken from the many paintings Esther distributed at the exhibition hall and hung in the middle of the drawing room.

It has become a daily routine for everyone to gather in the drawing room at least once a day, look at the picture, and have a conversation.

Today, as normal, the happy family headed for the drawing room after dinner.

Small conversations lightly flowed back and forth over the table filled with Esther's favored desserts.

"Judy, did you say the academy training was a week away?"

"Yes. I'm going to start packing now."

"Take care of yourself and train well."

Deheen's calm voice shifted from Judy to Dennis.

"I heard you don't seem to leave your study the past few days."

"I'm studying something new. I lost track of time because it was entertaining... I'll be careful."

"Good. It isn't healthy to sit for too long. You should exercise regularly."

It was unthinkable for the past Tersia to have conversations such as this.

However, even since Esther's arrival, much has changed. Deheen was putting effort into caring for each of his children.

"I will have to leave for the capital as per the Imperial Palace event."

Deheen observed Esther happily enjoying her blueberry cake as he continued.

The twin's reaction remained indifferent. He had often departed for the Imperial Palace, so this wasn't anything new.