Chapter 176: Side Story 7: More Than Friends (II)

Side Story 7: More Than Friends (II)

Even though it was a long distance, Esther and Noah recognized each other at a glance.

“It’s the real Noah.”

As Esther paused and watched, Noah leaped off the horse and approached at a swift pace.

The distance between the two quickly narrowed.

Noah stopped slowly as he came right in front of Esther.

Esther, who unexpectedly and suddenly faced Noah, stood stiff in surprise, unable to decide how to react.

“Are you not going to welcome me? I’m sad.”

With a mischievous grin, Noah blinked a few times and spread his arms wide.

“I miss you. A lot.”

Then, without hesitation, he hugged Esther.

Esther was no taller than Noah’s shoulders, so she fit snugly into his chest.

“Noah!”

Esther, whose eyes widened like rabbit’s in surprise, pushed Noah away.

However, Noah was very satisfied with a face that seemed like he would finally live.

“What happened? When did you come?”

“Just. As soon as I landed at the port, I ran here.”

“Weird. The letter you sent just arrived today?”

“Oops. The Berkin Kingdom is so closed that security is severe. I barely got permission to send it, but it must have taken a month just for the inspection.”

“Is that why I didn’t receive a letter for so long?”

“That’s right. There was no way to send them because most forms of contact are blocked.”

The corners of Noah’s eyes drooped. He looked like he had been unjustly scolded.

“I see. I was worried because you hadn’t contacted me even though it’s been eight months.”

“How worried were you?”

When Esther muttered in a somewhat sullen voice, Noah’s eyes became crescents as he bent his waist slightly with a smile.

Thanks to this, their eye level became similar.

Noah gazed into Esther’s eyes without blinking.

It was fine for a moment, but when this lasted longer, Esther’s face slowly turned red.

“What… Why are you staring so closely?”

“I haven’t seen you for a long time. Let me see you.”

Even as Noah answered, he kept his eyes on her like it was natural, so Esther only bit her lips.

‘Nothing has changed.’

She was seeing him after eight months, but he was the same as before he went.

Even though she thought it was all right, somehow she felt a little longing for Noah, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time.

“Esther.”

Perhaps he had seen enough? Noah grinned and straightened his back.

“What?”

“You have become more beautiful.”

It wasn’t the first day or two that Noah spoke this way, but for some reason… Esther felt like her heart was fluttering more today.

“You have become even more handsome.”

“Really? I feel good.”

Noah and Esther’s gazes intertwined, and they started laughing.

Maybe it was because they hadn’t seen each other in a long time, but just looking like this kept them smiling.

“Can I come a little closer?”

Noah asked in a rather cautious voice, scratching the side of his head.

‘It’s already close enough?’ Esther tilted her head, wondering why he bothered to ask.

“Why are you even asking?”

“All right, then I’ll come closer. You can’t say anything else later.”

Actually, Noah wasn’t talking purely about physical distance.

Although the answer was vague, Noah smiled brightly after hearing it.

Completely unaware of Noah’s heart, Esther made an equally radiant smile.

“But Noah, I think you grew taller again.”

Esther reached up and measured the height difference between them.

“You’ve been the same for two years. It seems to be gradually going down.”

“Are you making fun of me?”

“No. It’s cute.”

Esther slightly glared at Noah. No matter how she looked at it, he seemed to be making fun of her.

“By the way Esther, who’s that person just now?”

Noah asked, glancing in the direction in which the horse Leo rode disappeared.

“You mean Brother Leo?”

“Brother?”

As soon as Noah heard Esther call him ‘brother’, his expression turned seriously.

It was because he knew she didn’t call many people ‘brother’.

“Yes. He is the son of Marquis Arnimando. The marquis asked me to draw a picture of Leo.”

“Since when?”

“It’s been about two months?”

“You guys look pretty friendly.”

“No, we’re not that close.”

“You’re calling him ‘brother’ even though you’re not that close? So far, Sebastian is the only person you call ‘brother’.”

When the atmosphere suddenly turned into that of an interrogation, Esther replied in a panic.

“It happened because we met every week.”

“What? That guy… Did, did you meet him every week?”

Noah’s voice grew shakier before he knew it. He paced around Esther, going round and round, unable to stay still.

The worry that someone had approached Esther while he was gone became reality.

“Is that such a surprise?”

“Of course. He kept hanging out by your side while I was gone…”

A giggle leaked from Esther’s lips at the jealousy-filled words.

“It’s simply painting. Don’t overthink.”

Esther lightly patted Noah on the back as he whimpered like a dejected puppy.

“From now on, I won’t let him touch me. He can’t even stroke my hair.”

Noah erased the traces of Leo’s touch on Esther’s head by stroking over it.

“When will the painting be finished?”

“It should have been over. But Brother Leo asked me to complete it slowly.”

“I see.”

‘I knew it.’

Noah’s face hardened, realizing that Leo was being sneaky.

“Please finish the painting as soon as possible.”

“How can I do that?”

“Then can I come and watch when you draw him?”

“How can you?”

Esther looked quizzically at Noah, who was acting like a child today.

“Don’t keep saying weird things. You should talk about your trip. Oh, we can’t do this here, let’s go inside.”

“I’m sorry, I can’t do that. I have to go right away. I just came to see your face for a moment.”

Noah had a strong desire to enter, but there was a lot of work waiting for him in the Imperial Palace.

“It’s been a while, but you’re going right away?”

Disappointment crept up in Esther’s heart, and she poked the ground with her toe for no reason.

“Instead, I’ll finish it as soon as possible. See you again in a week.”

“It’s the day I’ll stop by the temple.”

“Good. Then shall we meet at the temple?”

“Sure.”

After fixing an appointment, Esther and Noah faced each other again, smiled, and made a promise, interlocking their pinky fingers.

“I’ll be going.”

“Okay. Goodbye.”

Sadness dripped from their eyes as they looked at each other until the very end.

“It’s nice to see him after a long time.”

Entering the mansion, Esther smiled happily as she muttered to herself.

For some reason, she couldn’t hide the laughter that kept leaking out.

★★★

After Noah arrived at the imperial palace, he moved busily without a break.

He communicated what he had learned while interacting with the Berkin Kingdom, and brought goodwill gifts and messages from the king.

As it was a very closed kingdom, this friendly exchange was of utmost importance and significance to the empire.

Time passed quickly, and it had been four days since he returned. After finishing a meal with his family…

“Ugh, I’m tired to death.”

Noah got only two hours of sleep each night, so his eyes were puffy.

Finally returning to his room, he laid his tattered body on the bed.

“You worked hard. I have no plans for tomorrow morning, so please get a good night’s sleep.”

Andrew, Noah’s imperial aide, spoke politely and turned off the lights in the room before leaving.

But Noah, who laid as if fainted, jumped up and grabbed him.

“Andrew, you’re very sharp when it comes to imperial news, right?”

“That’s right. Information is power.”

“Then find out about Leo of the Marquisate of Arnimando.”

As soon as Leo’s name came out of Noah’s mouth, Andrew grinned.

“Ah, Lord Leo? There is nothing else to investigate. I already know everything there is to know.”

“You do? Say it.”

“Yes. Lord Leo is currently an expert knight of the imperial knights. Being an expert at the age of 20 is the youngest record in history.”

“An expert at 20? Is he that talented?”

“It’s to the point of being called a genius. When Your Highness was young, you begged to learn the sword like him… Don’t you remember?”

“Hmm, I don’t remember.”

After hearing Andrew’s words, Noah could sort of remember hearing that a great swordsmanship genius had appeared when he was young.

Noah recalled the scene of Leo standing with Esther.

Even from a distance, he could tell he had a nice face, but on top of that, he had good skills.

“And what else?”

As his chest tightened, Noah angrily unbuttoned his shirt, which was fastened up to his neck.

“He is very popular in society. I heard that there are no young ladies who don’t like him.”

“…Will it be the same for Esther?”

When only a beautiful story came out, Noah lost a bit of confidence.

“What? Are you talking about Lady Esther? It can’t be.”

But Andrew didn’t understand Noah’s question.

This was because, in the eyes of Noah’s aides, Esther and Noah had already gone far beyond being friends.

So, to think about it like this was just odd.

“While I was away, that Leo went next to Esther.”

Andrew sighed, finally realizing the reason for Noah’s bad mood the past few days.

“Your Highness, it seems to me that Lord Leo is not the problem.”

“Then what is the problem?”

“The problem is that neither of you are doing anything.”

“What do you mean? Please tell me in detail.”

Noah’s ears perked up. He wondered if Andrew could offer a solution.

“It has been six years since Your Highness and the lady have known each other. Have you ever conveyed your feelings?”

“Yes, of course I did.”

“Really? How did you do so?”

“I told her honestly that I like her.”

“What did Lady Esther say?”

Noah, who had been replying triumphantly, paused for a moment. Then, his voice slowly faded.

“Esther said… she likes me too. But just like… her brothers.”

“Ah… Ah.”

Andrew let out a loud sigh and lowered his head.

“You should have said it wasn’t like that.”

These days, even young children were said to be dating, but Esther and Noah were worse than children in this matter.

“Okay… Then, when was this?”

“Four or five years ago? It’s been a while. I don’t even remember anymore.”

“Oh my god. That’s why you two are still friends!”

Andrew hit his forehead when he saw Noah struggling to recall when exactly the confession was made.

Ame: All right, for my own sanity and sleep, I’ve made peace with how Esther will probably never have a female friend. CUE the jealousy and badump badump badump moments! LET’S GO GO GO GO!