The Sand Bride - Chapter 60

“Of course.”

Bianca smiled faintly. Esther didn’t seem to realize it, but even if Bianca didn’t want to meet Esther, the servants under Karzhen’s command would clearly drag Bianca in front of her.

Even today, Bianca had been led out and guided to Esther before even hearing the full story from the Aldana priests.

This also meant, conversely, that if Karzhen changed his mind, the two of them couldn’t meet, no matter how much they wanted to. But instead of saying such words, Bianca bid Esther farewell.

It felt like her chest was clear, as if she had swallowed a mouthful of bitter herbs after resisting and resisting. It was a bitter relief. Bianca watched until Esther disappeared, then left the garden.

The Aldana priests behind them also quietly departed once Bianca was gone.

* * *

The servants leading Esther moved quickly. It seemed Karzhen was about to arrive. Esther’s face flushed with fear and a slight sense of anticipation. Dealing with Karzhen himself was always terrifying, but this time, her heart pounded with the hope that he might have brought a letter.

That day, since she first adorned herself, Esther had begun to wear or put on the items he gave her, little by little, to please Karzhen, and each time, Karzhen was immensely pleased. However, afterward, their coupling became longer and more obsessive, but at any rate, he always seemed satisfied.

Every time Karzhen came, Esther harbored the expectation that perhaps today he would bring a letter.

As soon as she arrived in the room, Esther sat demurely on the bed. Though a person couldn’t fit under Gharyam’s short bed, it was sufficient for storing items.

Esther placed her father’s rolled-up letters under the bed. The box containing the strange beads Karzhen had pulled out before was also under the bed, which made her feel uneasy, but she had nowhere else to put them, and they also provided a small comfort.

Whenever she was on the bed, Esther could console herself by remembering her father’s letters beneath her. Just like now.

“Oh, you’re here.”

As Karzhen entered, Esther awkwardly rose and offered a clumsy greeting. Karzhen was carrying something and seemed to be in a very good mood. Esther furtively peered to see what he had brought. It was an ornate box inlaid with mother-of-pearl. It was large enough to hold letters and more.

Thinking there might be letters inside, Esther wanted to open it quickly. Karzhen, as if knowing her thoughts, snorted.

“You look more pleased to see this than me, don’t you?”

Though his words were sharp, he seemed to be in a good mood, so Esther, though flustered, didn’t extinguish her hope.

When Karzhen handed her the box, Esther quickly took it. Click, and the gold clasp of the box opened. Esther eagerly peered inside the box but was soon disappointed. There wasn’t a single letter inside. Instead, it was filled with expensive jewels.

Esther, just in case, pushed aside the agate bracelets and pearl earrings to check further inside, but there was no paper at all. When there wasn’t even a wooden board, Esther looked sullen and closed the box again.

Karzhen, on the other hand, who had expected Esther to jump up and down with delight, was quite bewildered. Doesn’t she like anything? Karzhen quietly clicked his tongue inwardly. It seemed her taste was more particular than he had thought.

“Why? Don’t you like anything?”

“No, it’s not that…….”

Esther shook her head. Even a child knew that not liking a gift could displease the giver. But Karzhen, who had already noticed her obvious displeasure from her sullen expression, frowned.

“You didn’t even take anything out and just closed it. Don’t you like it?”

His words were sharp. However, Karzhen wasn’t angry with Esther, but with the chamberlain who had prepared such items when he had asked for good ones. But seeing that he seemed upset, Esther felt utterly helpless.

“T-that’s not it. I like everything.”

“Really?”

Esther hastily nodded.

“Yes.”

But she wasn’t very good at lying. The disappointment was still evident on her face.

“Then what do you like the most?”

At Karzhen’s suspicious words, Esther hesitated, then opened the box again. She then looked at the jewels inside.

The jewels, made of gold and various colored gems, were all beautiful beyond compare, but Esther chose a bracelet among them, made with interspersed coral and light pink agate beads.

The other items were so extravagant that she felt a bit overwhelmed just looking at them, but this bracelet alone had a cute charm with its small, intricate beads.