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

Chapters 156-160

Episode 156: Downfall, Windfall (X)

★★★

This time, they were able to exit the temple without interference.

In front of the temple gates, the carriage that Deheen had prepared in advance was waiting.

Before returning to Tersia, Deheen exchanged a few words with Noah.

"Does the wound hurt?"

"No. It healed perfectly."

"I'm glad. Thank you for today. I will never forget the grace of helping my daughter."

Contrary to his words of gratitude, Deheen's gaze at Noah was cold like he was looking at a thief.

For some reason, Noah felt Deheen was swearing with his eyes. He cleared his throat.

"No. It's something I should do. Goodbye."

Noah chuckled a little, coming to the conclusion it was probably because he hugged Esther.

"Goodbye. We'll make a move first."

Deheen nodded and turned to the carriage.

Esther, who was about to get into the carriage with the escort of the twin brothers, glanced back at Noah.

'What should I do?'

This entire walk... she did not say a word to Noah. It was because of the strict vigilance of her father and brothers.

"Dad, Noah..."

"His Highness must return now."

Of course, Noah, who had planned to follow them, flinched at Deheen's words and stopped his steps.

"You have been away from the Imperial Palace for too long. This time, you have to see to it."

Albert overheard the conversation and widened his eyes.

'Don't tell me... I didn't hear that one of the imperial family would be accompanying her?'

Besides, if it was 'Noah', it was definitely the name of the crown prince.

Realizing he had even attacked the crown prince, Albert was shocked and was on the verge of suffocating.

"I'll send someone to the Imperial Palace first. I'm worried about Esther, so I'll accompany her just to the territory."

"You don't have to. Esther has us now."

"Yes, Your Highness. I will protect Esther."

Judy, whom Noah had became a little close to during his last visit to the grand duchy, winked and waved, telling him not to worry.

'I can't help it...'

Noah let out a small sigh.

Right now, it was a family boundary line that he could never penetrate.

Esther was very worried about Noah, but she kept quiet because she thought her family would dislike him even more if she sided with him.

"All right. Have a safe trip. Esther, see you soon."

Noah, whose expression darkened at the thought of parting with Esther, smiled and waved.

"Thank you."

Esther spoke loudly so that Noah could hear it, waved her hand, and got into the carriage.

Deciding to see him off till the end, Noah watched as Deheen walked to the carriage.