A Saint Who Was Adopted by the Grand Duke-Extra 4: Lets Take A Trip (IV)
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Extra 4: Lets Take A Trip (IV)
âAre you hungry? Letâs go eat. I was recommended a restaurant.â
It was Estherâs first time eating outside the temple since coming here.
The two left the cafĂŠ and moved into a back alley. There was a small but cozy restaurant.
âWelcome.â
There was only one course on the menu, so as soon as they sat down, the appetizer bread was served.
âWould you like some wine?â
âSure.â
Noah apologized to the store owner and called an escort to take out the bottle he had prepared in advance. novelbuddy. com
âI brought something that looks good to drink.â
âNoah, donât tell me⌠Did you take it from His Majestyâs wine cellar?â
âHe wouldnât know that one is gone, there are so many.â
Noah replied casually and uncorked the wine.
However, it was wine brought from the personal storage of the emperor, who was known as a wine lover, to the extent neighboring countries often send precious wine as a gift.
âWill it really be okay?â
Esther pondered for a moment, but stopped thinking when she realized it was irreversible. She could only hope it was the most common wine in the warehouse.
She took the glass that Noah had filled.
âFor a successful mural.â
âFor your safety.â
Clink. After the toast, they took a sip. The heavy and bitter chocolate taste brushed their tongues.
âMm, itâs delicious.â
âAs expected of Fatherâs discernment.â
Esther thought it was more of a problem that the wine was delicious, but the compatibility with the dishes that came out one after another was the best.
Delicious food and drinks that complement it.
A relaxing time with the person she loves.
âIâm happy.â
Noah said, looking into Estherâs eyes.
The corners of Estherâs mouth also went up, mirroring his gentle smile.
âMe too.â
âYou know what? I might not even go home today.â
Noahâs low voice almost made Esther spit wine out. She blinked rapidly and hurriedly swallowed the wine in his mouth.
Widening his grin, Noah stretched out his hand; it seemed he enjoyed teasing Esther.
âItâs nice to have a small table like this.â
They were so close together that he could just reach out to touch her fingertips.
âHot.â
Esther thought that the very light touch of her fingertips was as hot as if burning.
As Noah stretched his fingers more, the places they touched increased.
Nervousness rose. She could feel the heat in his eyes as he stared at her.
Slowly, his fingers dug between hers.
Even though it wasnât strong skinship, Estherâs mouth was dry and could tell her face was heating up, so she fanned her face with her hand and gulped down the wine.
But Noah suddenly got up from his seat.
He came to stand next to the rabbit-eyed Esther, and reached out and cupped her cheek.
âDrink slowly. Your cheeks are already red.â
ââŚâŚ.â
Noah inched closer, and the alcohol Esther drank so far dominated her head.
She wanted to say something, but she was so nervous that she just said anything in her mind.
âHey. I⌠I heard earlier that there is a hot spring nearby. They say itâs good for relieving fatigue.â
âOh? Shall we go tomorrow?â
âHuh? Okay.â
Esther could not say more.
It was because Noah lowered his head, and his breathing became somewhat cautious.
Still covering Estherâs cheek, Noahâs face drew closer and closer.
Bumping his forehead against hers, he muttered in a low voice.
âYour cheeks are so cute that I canât stand it.â
Embarrassed by that, Esther hurriedly pulled back.
âI feel a little hot because I drank. Phew. Shall we stop?â
âSure. Iâll take you back.â
Noah smiled.
To Noah, spending time with Esther always made him yearn.
He was full of desire to be with her even when he was currently with her. But considering he still had a few days left on vacation, he decided not to rush.
After paying for the food, they left the restaurant.
âItâs cool.â
Esther stared at Noah as the gentle wind cooled her face.
âWhere are you sleeping?â
âI havenât decided yet. Shall we sleep together?â
Esther stiffened at Noahâs question.
âWhat⌠what??â
âIâm kidding.â
Esther let out a breath that had paused momentarily and hit Noahâs shoulder.
âYou surprised me. What kind of joke is that?â
âWhy? It will be like that someday. Same room, same bed. No?â
He wasnât kidding.
Sensing the seriousness in Noahâs eyes, Estherâs heart skipped a beat again.
âThis is not a proposal. Iâll do it properly later.â
Then Noah grabbed the shoulders of Esther, who couldnât answer, and turned her towards the temple.
âWell, I talked to the high priest and got a room on a different floor in the same building as you. There were a lot of empty rooms.â
âWe can go back together.â
The two deliberately sent back the carriage and walked back to the temple.
Very slowly, holding hands and having small conversations about this and that.
When they were almost at the building, Esther didnât notice a small stone and tripped over it.
âAh!â
âBe careful.â
As she staggered slightly, Noah hugged her waist and steadied her in his arms.
âAre you drunk?â
âNo. Itâs a mistake.â
Despite the explanation that it was a mistake, Noah lifted her up in a princess carry.
Esther looked up at him and muttered in a low voice.
âI said it was a mistake! Put me down right now.â
âIâll just take you to your room.â
âWhat if someone seesâŚâ
Embarrassed, Esther covered her face with her hands.
Victor went ahead of them and opened the door to Estherâs room.
Bending his knees, Noah placed Esther very carefully on the bed and took off her shoes herself.
Esther stared at Noah, who cherished her more than anyone else, with deep eyes.
âThank you. You made my day.â
âThen kiss me.â
Still bent on one knee, Noah looked up at the now seated Esther and pursed his lips.
With a look of helplessness, Esther leaned in and pecked Noah on the lips.
âIs this okay?â
âNo. little bit more.â
Noah raised his upper body and advanced towards Esther.
Surprised, she pulled back, but he trapped her within his arms and prevented her from dodging.
Just before their lips brushed against each other, Esther thought she was drawn into Noahâs black eyes.
âWhat an irresistible temptation.â
And when his lips fell faster than she thought, she stared blankly at his lips and thought.
âThis is too bad.â
Esther was startled at herself for thinking so.
Noah smiled mischievously and ran a finger across her lips.
âI canât stand it when you look at me like that.â
âW-WhatâŚ! Go quickly.â
Esther jumped up and hugged her pillow, putting a physical barrier between her and Noah.
Noah fiddled with Estherâs hair, thinking she was being very cute.
âGood night.â
âYou too.â
After Noah left, Dorothy came in to check on Esther.
âOh! Lady Esther, your face is too red. Are you sick?â
âNo. Itâs because Iâve been drinking.â
âStillâŚâ
Esther glanced at Dorothy, who was knowingly teasing her, and turned around.
âHeheh. Have a good night, Lady Esther.â
After Dorothy turned off the lights, Esther sighed lightly.
The eyes of Noah that she saw up close kept coming back to her, so her mind was very occupied.
She placed her hand on her chest and pressed her still beating heart.
â â â
The next day.
Esther painted the walls without a break from morning to afternoon.
Time flew by as she reapplied paint several times, checking and correcting meticulously to get the desired look.
âIs it too soft?â
She was about to pick up her brush to paint one more coat when Dorothy came in.
âLady, itâs three oâclock.â
âAlready? I have to go.â
She had asked Dorothy to check on her so as to not be late for her meeting with Noah.
Deciding that she was finished with work today, she asked a priestess to clean up.
After leaving the prayer room, Esther hurried towards her room.
For a while, Esther agonized over the dresses she had bought just before coming, conflicted on which to choose. Then Dorothy recommended the tight dress.
âHow about this?â
âIt seems too deliberate and planned. And itâs uncomfortable to take a foot bath in.â
Esther thought for a moment before changing into a knee-length dress that was comfortable for a foot bath.
âHe is at the front.â
Victor knocked on the door, announcing that Noah had arrived.
âOkay. Iâll go.â
Estherâs steps were very light as she ran out after looking at her face in the mirror one last time.
Noah, who was waiting with the carriage ready, waved the moment he saw Esther.
He continued to smile as they rode in the carriage.
âWhat are you so happy about?â
âLooking at you.â
âYou saw me yesterday.â
âI know. I saw you yesterday, but itâs good to see you again. I miss you every day.â
Estherâs lips twitched at Noahâs sweet words.
As the priestess said, after traveling north for about 30 minutes, there was a small building owned by the temple in the forest.
They showed the permit they had obtained in advance to the paladin guarding the entrance.
âYou may go in.â
When they got off the carriage and entered, a bright-looking priestess came out to meet them.
âWelcome. Are you here to use the hot springs?â
The priestess asked, nonchalantly looking at Noah and Esther alternately.
However, embarrassed by the words âhot springâ, Esther hurriedly waved her hand.
âNo. Weâre here to take a foot bath.â
âI see. Itâs this way. Please feel free to use it. There are no visitors today except for the two of you.â
The chirping of the forest birds could be heard as they followed the priestessâ lead down the hallway.
âHere it is. You can use this after a foot bath. Please rest, I will bring you tea.â
After receiving two large towels, Esther and Noah opened the door in amazement.
Perhaps because of the hot water, it was misty even though it was outdoors.
In the white steam, there was a round-shaped hot spring.
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