About 30 minutes later, Diana, who was walking behind the new priest, was escorted to the vacant lot right in front of the side gate.
âThe person waiting for you is behind the door 601.â
The priest pushed Dianaâs back with a voice that had no emotion.
âGoodbye.â
Dianaâs body leaned forward with the power of his push.Dianaâs body leaned forward with the power of his push.
After finishing his work, the priest turned away with a look of relief. Even though he deals with the candidates who belonged to the temple, he couldnât be so cold-hearted.
Diana stared at the breeze and began to walk forward.
Until now, she has always been abandoned by the people of the temple. As she could not get out of her destiny, she was betrayed and betrayed again.
But not this time. Unlike in the past, this was the result of Dianaâs own will.
âI wasnât abandoned this time, I did it first.â
No matter how much everyone denies, the fact that she is the next saint does not change.
Live without a saint. Temple of Igad.
Turning against the temple, the sound of her feet became lighter. It felt like one of the shackles hanging from her ankle had been released.
Outside the side door, Ben was waiting for Diana. Ben, who saw Diana coming out, put a straight smile on his face.
âI was waiting, young lady.â
Ben bowed down in an impeccably polite manner.
âYes. Good morning.â
Diana, who was startled, bowed deeper than Ben. Benâs excessive kindness was only burdensome. But this time, Ben bowed even deeper than Diana. Diana was at loss for his action.
âMiss, you shouldnât lower yourself like that anymore.â
âBut itâs because Iâm uncomfortable.â
âCan you remember one thing? You are now a member of the Tersia family. Your actions are the honor of your family.â
ââ¦â¦.â
âItâs still early, but youâll get used to it.â
Benâs advice was soft, but it contained a clear message. Diana understood what he was trying to say.
If she was really adopted by the Grand Duke family, then, she must act accordingly. For the sake of DeHeenâs reputation, who brought her out from the temple. As she thought about it, Dynaâs body flinched and her eyelashes trembled.
âIâm really adopted by the Grand Duke family.â
After being treated like a nuisance, her life was completely changed at this moment.
âHave you finished greeting your friends?â
Diana, who had been dazed for a moment, came to her senses at Benâs gentle voice.
âOh, I donât have any friends.â
ââ¦â¦â¦Is that so?â
Ben gave Diana a quick surprised look. Even though she said she had no friends, he was worried because there was no agitation.
âWhatâs that attitude?â
It was not childlike at all. A child doesnât take on that kind of attitude. In Benâs eyes, Diana seemed like a child without any regrets not only towards friendship but also to the world. It was a vague impression that could be erased at any moment.
Even then, Ben was still wary of Diana.
Of course, he will treat her as a lady, but he will observe her behavior for some time. But he changed his mind. He thought at least a child shouldnât look like that. He wanted to help her laugh properly.
âWeâll get to know each other a lot from now on.â
âYes.â
Diana only nodded slightly to Benâs sweet words. Wanting a friend was an old story, and now, she has no desire in making friends.
After walking a little beside Ben, there was a fancy carriage prepared. Even among the carriage that Dyna had seen countless times, this carriageâs appearance was so gorgeous that it hurt her eyes.
âYour Grace is waiting inside.â
âAre we riding in the same carriage with Grand Duke?â
âThatâs right.â
Dianaâs face darkened a little at Benâs response.
It takes quite a while to get to the Tersia Territory, but she felt suffocated when she thought about being with the Grand Dukes in a closed carriage throughout the journey.
But she couldnât be foolish. Diana nodded calmly, saying she understands.
Soon, Ben opened the carriage door and saw DeHeenâs large silhouette sitting inside. Dianaâs heart began to beat as if it was popping out. She pressed her trembling hand and stepped on the stairs of the carriage.
Then, DeHeen extended his hand to make it easier for Diana to climb in.
âCome on.â
It was a monotonous statement without any particular emphasis, but it was enough to relieve Dianaâs anxiety. Diana grabbed DeHeenâs hand tightly like a rope. His cold hands were surprisingly very warm.
âThank you for coming to pick me up.â
â Iâm a man of my word.â
His expression was still cold when she saw it, but it was more reassuring. At least he is not a pretentious person. It was much better than someone who laughed in front but stabbed you in the back.
Diana climbed into the carriage and quickly went inside. It was wide enough for ten people to ride. She sat cautiously in the corner, leaving the vast space alone.
She crouched down, not taking any space. There was a clear difference from DeHeen, who seemed to sit widely in a relaxing manner.
âYouâre sitting far away.â
DeHeen inwardly wanted Diana to sit opposite of him. He even imagined that if he approached her in a friendly manner first, they could have a conversation.
But contrary to his wishes, Diana sat the farthest from him. He understood how uncomfortable she was, but itâs frustrating.
When DeHeen confirmed that Diana was sitting down, he pulled the string. It was a signal and the carriage began to move smoothly.
âIs that your only baggage?â
âYeah. I donât have anything.â
âThere must be a lot to buy in the future.â
DeHeen muttered without much meaning. He didnât bring anything, so he was going to buy everything she needed in the future. He wanted to give her things that she couldnât have when she was in the temple.
âNo. Itâs fine.â
Diana quickly shook her hand. She turned down the offer, fearing that it might have sounded like a request.
For a moment she thought she wanted to take revenge on Ravienne, but Diana was exhausted. As long as dying was the purpose, material things meant nothing to Diana. DeHeen didnât know that feeling, so he didnât like Dianaâs drawing lines.
It would be comfortable if she was the type to beg me to buy things like Judy. Diana really didnât seem to want anything. Then there was no other choice.
âWhat should I buy first?â
DeHeen decided to make a list without asking Diana. As soon as he returned to the mansion, he thought that he should have the maid prepared for it.
Diana, who didnât know what he was thinking, remained silent throughout the carriage. She doesnât want to offend DeHeenâs feelings, so she cleared her mind and erased her presence.
DeHeen is not a talkative person, so he just looked out the window nonchalantly. There was an awkward atmosphere in the carriage.
DeHeen removed his hand from his chin. His eyes slowly shifted from the window to Diana. Looking down at her toes, Diana felt the gaze and turned her head. When she met DeHeenâs eyes, she froze in surprise.
For a moment, a short smile passed by DeHeenâs mouth. The lips slowly opened.
âDiana.â
Dianaâs eyes stopped near DeHeenâs chin.
âDo you like that name?â
No.
Diana shook her head right away. There was nothing to worry about. When she was in the slum, the boss randomly named her to distinguish her from other children.
Besides, the memory of the terrible spire is added. There was no one who wanted to remember or feel attached to a name that had no meaning.
âThen, I want to give you a name to celebrate your new start.â
ââ¦â¦!â
This time, Dianaâs gaze was raised in surprise. Her pink eyes were bulging out, and DeHeenâs fierce green eyes were met. It was the first time since she got on a carriage that their eyes met properly. Diana felt her lips dry and moistened them. The word ânew nameâ scared her, but it didnât matter.
She didnât like the name Diana, so she nodded, thinking that it was better.
âFrom now on, your name is Esther.â
âEsther⦠â¦?â
âYes, it means a child shining like a star.â
This name was given by DeHeen with his wife, who is now dead. If a girl was born at any time, she would be named Esther. Even if it was an adoption, he wanted to give her the name because she was his first daughter.
âIt shines like a starâ¦â¦and Iâ¦?â
Diana tried to pronounce the new name quietly in her mouth. She was anxious if she could accept a name with such a precious meaning.
Her heart was throbbing as if she had done something bad. She could already hear peopleâs laughter at her.
âIt really doesnât suit me.â
Esther said while wiggling her hand. A child shining like a star. There was no other name that was so opposite to her, who had never been able to shine in her life.
âNo, youâre going to shine more than anyone else now. Youâre the only daughter of the Tersia family.â
Diana just smiled half-heartedly/awkwardly because she didnât know what to say.
âIâll let you have everything.â
And at the end of the words of DeHeen, her eyes turned red. She doesnât want to believe in DeHeen yet, but she has never seen anyone like him.
He accepts her as she is, and even treats her well. He reached out his hand to be a family member, and now heâs trying to give her a name.
âCan I take itâ¦â¦?â
In fact, neither the nobility status nor the material was useful for Diana, who wished to die.
She knew well that if she gave her heart to him, he would eventually betray her. The most untrustworthy person is a nobleman like DeHeen.
Stillâ¦â¦ She was greedy.
A name for her, not just any random name. She wants to have a name with a pretty meaning once. After much consideration, Diana voiced her trembling voice.
ââ¦â¦Thank you, Grand Duke.â
End Of Chapter 7