The Sand Bride - Chapter 35

“Mm……”

Esther responded gloomily, her eyebrows drooping. Bianca seemed to be deep in thought at her words.

Karzhen visited almost daily to violate Esther. Because of this, others were convinced that, one way or another, Esther would be chosen by him. But Bianca, who had heard the full story from Esther, could only feel uneasy.

If it seemed Karzhen had no intention of choosing Esther, Bianca advised her to seek another way out. She even offered to arrange an alternative herself if Esther wished.

Though Esther felt deeply grateful for Bianca’s kindness, she couldn’t shake her bewilderment. She had even asked Bianca directly why she was helping her so much, but each time, Bianca would smile with a complicated expression and shut her down by saying, Aren’t we friends?

‘But we haven’t even known each other that long…….’

As Esther briefly wondered if their friendship was shallow, Bianca quietly counted the days until the coronation before tightly grasping Esther’s hand. The blue eyes that met hers were terrifyingly serious.

“It’s no good after all. Esther, come with me to see this land’s king.”

“The king?”

Startled by Bianca’s words, Esther’s eyes widened.

“You mean… meet him?”

“Of course not, Esther. Gharyam has three rulers, and the position that man is ascending to—Sayar—holds the highest authority among them. But there are two other kings who could spare our lives besides him.”

Bianca patted the back of Esther’s hand reassuringly.

“The king I want you to meet is someone you’ve never seen before. That’s why he might help us.”

At the mention that this king wasn’t the one who had been with Karzhen in the desert, Esther let out a sigh of relief—but she couldn’t hide her lingering unease.

Having heard of the Kemut tribe’s notorious reputation since childhood, Esther found it difficult to fully trust this king’s nature, no matter what Bianca said. She cautiously asked,

“Is he… a good person?”

“Hmm.”

Bianca blinked at the question, then smiled awkwardly.

“Well… but he won’t harm you like that man did. Will you meet him……?”

At Bianca’s confident words, Esther nodded with a slightly brighter expression.

Bianca smiled, looking visibly relieved.

Then she stood and told Esther to follow her.

Hesitantly, Esther rose as well, trailing behind Bianca through the temple corridors and past various rooms, unable to dispel the doubts in her heart.

“But, Bianca.”

As Bianca mentioned they were almost there, Esther hesitated before finally repeating the same question—one that had always been met with vague answers.

“Why are you helping me this much……?”

“…….”

Bianca stopped walking and stared straight at Esther. Of course, from Esther’s perspective, it was only natural to wonder.

If Bianca had been a priestess, or even a free woman, Esther might not have questioned it as much. But Bianca was in the same position as her—so why was she going so far to help?

Even if her own selection was confirmed, what reason did Bianca have to help Esther at the cost of making additional requests of the king who had chosen her?

This uncertain kindness—this goodwill that bordered on sacrifice—poured the poison of doubt into Esther’s heart. Like someone who had once drunk from a poisoned cup and now eyed every drink with suspicion.

“You’re…….”

Whether she knew or not, Bianca smiled faintly again. Esther detected sorrow in that smile.

“……just like her, that’s why.”

“Her……?”

Tilting her head, Esther watched as Bianca nodded and then spoke in a brighter tone—clearly trying to shift the mood.

“I know what you’re thinking. But don’t worry. The one who chose me won’t revoke his decision over something like this.”

“Really……?”

“Yes.”

Bianca nodded breezily.

“I have what he wants.”

“Well, that’s a relief, but…….”

She didn’t know what that meant, but Esther wasn’t sharp enough to pry further. She nodded and walked alongside Bianca again.

When they stopped before a door, Bianca held out her hand. After a moment’s hesitation, Esther took it. The moment their fingers intertwined, she was met with an odd coexistence of awkwardness and relief.

“Don’t worry, Esther.”

Bianca whispered before opening the door.

“It’ll be okay.”

Esther closed her mouth, then gave a small nod at her words. Bianca’s reassurance felt like a spell—one recited hundreds of times until its pronunciation carried some deep meaning. Esther felt a slow-spreading calm as she stared at the door.

Finally, Bianca opened it.