A Saint Who Was Adopted by the Grand Duke-Side Story 4: Judgment Day (IV)
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Side Story 4: Judgment Day (IV)
Even after the judge gave the verdict, Rabienne couldnât accept it and continued to scream.
âThis is not fair. Why am I the only one responsible? Everyone watched on the side. Theyâre all the same! And you, sitting there⊠Ugh!!â
However, no one listened to Rabienneâs cry.
The trial assistant tightly shut Rabienneâs mouth.
Frustrated and angry, Rabienne was unable to speak at will, and her tears dripped to the floor.
With a pathetic gaze, Esther stared at Rabienne.
âEven in this situation, you only blame others.â
Even in this situation, there was no sign of remorse at all.
Everything she did was her own choice, how could she be so shameless?
It was then.
Rabienne, who continued to whimper, couldnât overcome her anger and eventually collapsed.
âPull her up right now and check her condition!â
The judge shouted in shock, and the assistants hurriedly pulled Rabienneâs eyelids.
âShe just fainted.â
âHmm, bring a stretcher.â
There was no issue since she hadnât taken poison and committed suicide.
The judge tapped his chest as Rabienne was lowered on a stretcher to the space behind the podium.
âI guess the shock was too great.â
Esther muttered as she stared at Rabienne till she disappeared from her field of vision.
âWhat a fool. Fainting⊠she would be even more desperate when she wakes up later.â
Dennis clicked his tongue as he ate the last remaining snack.
âItâs as Dennis said. It must be hopeless to come to terms with the reality of being enslaved.â
Deheen, who had been silently staring at the podium throughout the trial, looked away and asked Esther.
âBy the way, is it really okay not to reveal anything about the previous saint?â
âThe temple asked for it, and I donât want to appear in front of people yet.â
Esther had to stand as a witness in order to reveal the story of Saint Cespia.
To do so, she had to announce in front of everyone that she was a saint, but it was a burdensome task for her, who did not yet have the heart to do so.
Besides her memory, there was nothing to put forth as evidence.
In the end, the temple and the imperial family decided to quietly deal with Cespiaâs affairs separately instead of disclosing it publicly.
âIf that had been revealed, she would have been sentenced to death. She should be glad she ended up as a slave.â
âEsther. If this verdict isnât enough, shall I ask for that child to be sent to our house?â
Deheen studied Estherâs expression as he suggested so.
During the forgotten time, Esther had been hurt by Rabienne a lot, so if she wanted to be next to her and harass her, he would let it happen.
âFather, you do. If you bring her home, I can try out the novel methods of torture Iâve read in books.â
Dennis chipped in, seemingly disappointed that he could not use what he had learned from the several books he had bought and studied.
It was also done to ease Estherâs hesitation if she was too soft-hearted and could not get those words out.
But Esther didnât want to do that at all, so she shook her head resolutely.
âI know you said it with me in mind, but⊠I donât want to see her anymore.â
Anyway, once branded with the seal of a slave, it was impossible to return to nobility.
If she lived as a slave, she would never have to face her. Just like this, she would be able to cut those ties.
When Deheen heard Estherâs decision, he muttered with a darkened face.
âShouldnât you draw some blood?â
âWhat will I use that blood for?â
Realizing that Deheen meant it, Esther laughed.
It seemed that her family was sorry that they could not repay the same for what she suffered.
âThis is enough.â
After she came back to life, her only wish was to be able to escape her terrible fate.
But gaining a precious family wasnât the end, she also took some revenge on Rabienne and the temple.
She thought she might be punished for anything more than this.
At Estherâs calm words, the three men looked into each otherâs eyes without saying a word.
Deheenâs stare at the twins was pretty much admonishing them to do as Esther wished, even if they felt it wasnât enough.
Judy and Dennis nodded, but each said a word as if their anger had not passed.
âAs expected, our Esther is so kind. If itâs me, I would take her as a maid and torment her for the rest of her life.â đŻđ»đđđŹđđ«đ·đžđđđĄ.đŹđžđ¶
âWe donât even need to take her. Just like she did with Esther, lock her up somewhere and draw blood.â
While listening to the twinsâ conversation, Deheen remembered something and smiled contentedly.
âLetâs go eat now.â
âHuh? Are you going to eat here?â
âYes. I made a reservation at a famous restaurant. Or are you not hungry because you ate snacks?â
Looking at the puzzled Esther, Deheen asked anxiously.
âNo. I am very hungry.â
They ate together at home every day, but had never eaten out together.
Esther smiled brightly, excited at the thought of sharing an experience she hadnât had before.
âThen letâs go.â
The family made their way to the carriage parked at the back of the square.
The twins hurriedly ran into the carriage. It was unknown who reached first.
Esther, who was following behind, turned around and gazed at the platform where Noah was.
âMm⊠Are you looking at me?â
But surprisingly, Noah was also looking in her direction.
There was a considerable distance, but it seemed like Noah was slightly waving his hand.
Esther paused and waved back secretly.
âEsther, whatâs wrong?â
Deheen, who was a little ahead of her, sent Esther a suspicious glance.
âItâs nothing. Letâs go.â
Stunned, Esther quickly turned around and ran straight towards the carriage.
The cute steps, like a rabbitâs hop, seemed light like she would fly away.
âReally, itâs goodbye.â
At long last, Esther decided to completely forget about Rabienne.
Though she knew it was in the past, whenever Rabienne was in her view, she couldnât help but recall the horrific past.
She didnât want to live with those past wounds anymore.
In the future, every day that she had never lived before would unfold.
Bright sunlight shone on Esther as she ran into the arms of her family.
â â â
After the verdict was passed, the emperor left first, and eventually, the other priests also disappeared.
Since Rabienne had fainted, there was no opportunity for Hudson and Rabienne to talk.
The two were put into different carriages and set off in different directions.
âGet it down! I canât go like this!! My trial is not over yet!â
As soon as Rabienne was shoved into the carriage, she came to her senses and went on a rampage.
But she was forced to stop when a cloth was put over her face and her hands became tightly bound.
Alone and trapped in pitch-black vision, Rabienne continued to mutter, stunned.
ââŠA, a slave? I⊠Iâd rather die than live as a slave.â
The carriage in which Rabienne rode rattled as stones and eggs were thrown by people until it pulled out of the square.
Then, when it was quiet, Rabienne crouched over.
Not knowing where she was going, she was so anxious that she could not rest.
Then, the carriage suddenly stopped.
Rabienne flinched, pressing her body against the wall and bracing as hard as she could.
âWhat? Why did it stop?â
Still unsure of where she was being taken, she was so anxious when only the carriage stopped and fear overtook her.
âA-Am I there already?â
It hadnât been long since she was in the carriage, and so it shouldnât have gone far enough to be out of the capital.
She wondered if she would be mistreated before she was sold into slavery, and her body trembled without letting up.
Since she had committed so many sins, it was not surprising if someone was targeting her.
With sharpened senses, Rabienne heard the carriage door open.
âWho is it? Who just entered?â
She braced herself against the wall and raised her guard against the unknown opponent.
But instead of answering, the opponent reached out to Rabienneâs head.
Scared by the touch, Rabienne struggled violently.
âDonât touch me! Iâll have you know I can still use divine power even though Iâm captured like this, right? If you touch me, I wonât let you go!â
âDonât make a fuss. Iâm just trying to take off the cloth.â freewebno vel.co m
It was a somewhat familiar voice. Puzzled, Rabienne kept silent and blankly blinked as the cloth came off.
ââŠYour Highness?â
Rabienneâs face suddenly brightened, and a smile that she hadnât made for a long time appeared.
When she saw Noah, even her cheeks turned a little red. She was relieved to the point of having tears in her eyes.
âDid you come to pick me up? As expected, Your Highness could not turn away from me.â
Noah, who came to Rabienne when she was afraid and down after losing everything she could rely on, was like a savior.
Rabienne cried and tried to get closer to Noah.
Her eyes were very submissive.
âHow did I end up like this⊠Still, I can go back if Iâm by Your Highnessâ side. If Your Highness takes me, Iâll be forever gratefulâŠâ
Rabienne spoke purposefully, fawning over Noah.
However, Noahâs eyes were very cold as he looked at Rabienne.
âDonât be mistaken. Why would I take you?â
At Noahâs hostile reply, Rabienneâs eyes suddenly changed as if she had awakened from a dream.
âThen why are you here?! To watch me fall further?! Are you happy now?!â
âI have no interest in you, I just came to warn you.â
Noah glared at Rabienne, narrowing his eyes expressionlessly.
âFrom now on, wherever you go, someone will be there to watch you. So donât even dream about doing something to Esther. If you want to survive even as a slave.â
Realizing that Noah came all the way here just for Esther, Rabienne was gripped with fierce jealousy.
âWhat the hell are you talking about? Are you thinking of marrying an orphan like her?â
âBe careful with your words. She is the person I like.â
At the reply which came without the slightest hesitation, Rabienne smiled despondently.
Noah, who was so cold when dealing with her, was like a different person when he uttered Estherâs name.
Crushed by jealousy, Rabienneâs face crumpled and she clenched her fists hard. Her fingernails dug into her palms, drawing blood.
âI would rather die here than be sold as a slave. Ha, people will think that Your Highness killed me, right?â
âYou will die?â
âYes. I will die. So, if you donât want to see me bite my tongue and die, take me out of here.â
Already driven to a dead end, Rabienne threatened Noah, shouting like a lunatic.
Even after seeing that, Noah just laughed with the same blank face he had earlier.
âTry it. It will be an interesting sight.â
âYou think I canât? You will regret it.â
Rabienne didnât really intend to bite her tongue, but stunned by Noahâs provocation, she tightly shut her eyes.
Ame: *burps* ah, the champagne and cheese and crackers sure hit the spot.