A Saint Who Was Adopted by the Grand Duke - Chapter 23
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Chapter 23

A few days later, dinnertime.

The meal was going on smoothly when Darwin stared at the children long after having finished his portion.

Whats wrong?

Dennis, the first to notice the gaze, wiped his mouth to question his fathers strange actions.

Dont you have anything to inform me?

Me?

Yes.

Darwins words were sharp.

Dennis seemed to have realized what his father was talking about. He opened his mouth while flushed with heat.

He couldnt hide anything; Darwin asking him in such a meant that he already knew.

I apologize.

I knew you were going to town before. Still, it was because I believed in you.

Darwin pressed Dennis in a calm yet stern tone.

As a result, Esther and Judy placed down their forks and glanced towards them.

But to take Esther outside. What if something happened?

Its my fault.

Dennis admitted and apologized without offering any excuses. He was conscious of his own mistakes.

I didnt know that other than Judy, you could cause this kind of accident. Why did you do that?

I wanted us to get closer.

Darwin intended to scold him strictly and not tolerate any excuses.

Nevertheless, when he saw Dennis claiming that he wanted to be close to Esther, his heart softened.

Hm. That was the wrong way, wasnt it?

Yes, so Im reflecting.

Alright.

After Darwins anger subsided, Judy ran wild in envy.

What!?!? Thats nasty. Only the two of you went out together? I wanna come too!

Judy!

Darwin called Judys name aloud and eventually granted him another lecture.

After a while,

Darwin lifted a glass of water from the table and gulped it down.

Everyone, finish your meals.

However, it was not an atmosphere where the meal would last long. Darwin slightly coughed, troubled by the gloomy atmosphere.

Master, you said you were going to discuss that.

About? About what?

Ben advanced closer to Darwin and whispered, The anniversary for the young masters.

Ah.

Come to think of it, the twins anniversary was already coming soon.

There were about three months left, but considering the preparation period, he had to start now.

The anniversary gathering for the twins was the annual event that Darwin was most concerned about and held most grandly.

He tried his best every year so that they wouldnt be discouraged without their mother by their side.

Dennis, Judy.

As Darwin called for them, the two turned to him simultaneously.

Your birthday is coming soon. What do you want to do this time?

Woah, its coming already?

Hmm.

The fact that Darwin had just scolded Judy passed away as if nothing happened.

Dennis and Judy excitedly began discussing the concept of their celebration.

Why dont we wear a mask so they dont know who we are?

Thats dull. Rather than that, lets arrange a reading debate.

Are you crazy?

Esther pretended to listen to the conversation between the two and earnestly pressed on her fork.

Todays dessert was none other than her beloved cheesecake.

However, Darwin interrupted the conversation that was progressing well between the twins, believing Esther had felt left out.

The celebrations we host are attended by many. I intend to introduce you then, Esther.

Esther attempted to place a slice of cheesecake in her mouth when she hardened.

Me?

Yes, I was wondering when I should announce you. It was fortunate for the anniversary to have yet to arrive. Dont you think so?

Aha ha Yes.

Esther cried internally and pretended to agree with Darwin.

She had intended to live quietly without being introduced to anyone. She didnt think this anniversary would disrupt her plans.

Then, Ill have to find a tutor first.

I have selected a few candidates.

Ben, as prepared as he is, had already arranged tutor candidates since the moment they had taken Esther.

As an anniversary also took part in society, it was essential for Esther to learn proper dance and manners to attend.

Ill give you the most suitable teacher. Three months should be enough time.

Esther wanted to protest that she didnt need any tutors, but now that she was in the Grand Dukes residence, there was no choice.

Thank you.

Of course, her innermost thoughts were entirely dissimilar.

Three months.

Would she be alive until then?

No one knew what Esther was thinking of; everyone was looking forward to the birthday party that would be held in a few months.

** **

After finishing his meal, Darwin headed straight to his room. He was intending to have a good rest.

However, Ben accompanied him today.

Whats going on?

The man I sent to the temple is back.

What? When?

Just now. The report is a bit late because you were having dinner at the time.

Darwin closed the door and relaxed on the sofa. Ben also assembled across from him and reported what he had received.

I have looked into it carefully, but they said that imprisoning a junior candidate had never happened.

Are you sure?

Yes, there is only a limited number of places where they could be locked up, therefore if anyone is trapped, some would know.

Darwins eyes sank deeply.

He recalled Esthers behavior that stormy evening.

Even on second thought, it was an act that couldnt have come out unless she was abused. Something must have happened.

Who had the name Rabienne?

Thats Only one person in the temple was named Rabienne.

One? So you dont think its the Duke of Brions daughter?

Darwin frowned and gripped the armrest with one hand.

Yes. Thats right.

At Bens words, Darwin openly showed his dislike. That was how much Brions was his least favorite kind of person.

One of the most rotten human beings who always cared about the royal family and temple, only taking accord of his interests. He was the Duke of Brions.

Even so, it could not be ignored that Brions was a Duke.

However, it seems difficult to assume that the daughter of the Brions family and our young lady had any contact in the temple.

Ben worked to solve the problem and find a point of contact, but no one remembered the junior candidate.

To reason, Esther, an orphan, and Rabienne, a Dukes daughter, never seemed to be associated with each other.

And when I searched, Lady Rabienne was called the next saint. It doesnt make sense for such a person to abuse the lady in the temple.

Bens statements were all reasonable.

Darwin assumed that the Rabienne Esther mentioned was not that of the Dukes family.

However, the more he listened, the more he could not get rid of the uncomfortable feeling.

You mean theres nothing more we can find out at the temple.

Yes.

After all, They didnt find out anything regarding Esthers trauma.

Darwin was overcome with frustration. He wanted to know what the hell was going on and what Esther had gone through.

Is there anything else?

Thats Ive been conducting some more research, and Ive encountered information.

Ben pulled out the data, steadily emphasizing that he had found it very difficult to obtain.

It is a record of the place where Lady Esther lived before she reached the temple.

That was left?

Yes. This is the data I found from detecting a priest who acquired her at a bargain price and brought her to the temple.

You must have had a hard time.

Darwin quietly praised Ben, his hardworking assistant.

Bens face, which had been fatigued, enhanced to be noticeably brighter.

Hurry up and tell me.

It was said that Lady Esther had been found in Herstal in the south. It is a rather small estate, though there was a temple. Consequently, it was said that the slums were under the control of that temple.

That was all he found out, but considering Esther was a junior candidate, it was a miracle he did so.

Then Ill have to go there.

Its been six years already Even if your Grace goes now, will you be able to ascertain information there?

If thought rationally, Ben was right. Memories of a child who had been sold for a few bucks couldnt have remained.

Nevertheless, Darwin somehow felt that he must stop by the place.

Ill have to go to see that myself. Ill be there personally, so execute a proper schedule.

My lord? Thats a little

Then shall we send someone to leak Esthers information out?

No.

Herstal isnt that far away, so Ill be fine.

Ben nodded at the remark.

Although Herstal is in the south, it was easy to stop by if you went down the river from Tersia.

Well, thats enough for now You said there was a tutor candidate, correct?

Darwin caught Ben trying to leave the room. Ben sat on the sofa once again and began reporting.

Yes, there are about five.

Which of them graduated at the top of the academy?

All five are top students.

When he heard the word top student, Darwin let out a slight smile. In fact, Ben was also a top student.

Good for you. Choose from among them the most skilled tutor who can help Esther in many ways, including social etiquette and dance.

Of course, only there is one tutor who was on the top of my list, yet he was already hired.

When Ben made the end of his words, Darwins speech grew sharp.

Who took him beforehand?

Well, a Count. I believe they paid quite the amount.

Darwin smirked and crossed his legs gracefully. His extended legs folded one over one.

Then say youll double the money theyre earning now.

D, double? But its still too unconventional

Theres plenty of money. Its more important for Esther to have a good tutor than that.

I will contact them.

Darwin inserted stress on Ben so he could succeed no matter the cause.

He didnt say anything, but theyve been together for ten years. Ben could read it all from Darwins gaze.

Bring him by any means. Also, Ill leave them with the twins. That will be six times the amount the person is earning now.

Yes.

He was Darwin, who had no interest in educating his children. Working was all he could do.

Then he changes like this.

Ben had a feeling that this wouldnt be the last of the sudden changes.