Chapter 17

'Is she really stupid?' – Judy couldn't believe the girl was still waiting for him in the Garden.

Along with the sense of relief from finding Esther, other feelings came to Judy that were difficult to explain.

The boy got angry and clenched his fists. Stomping loudly, he headed towards Esther, not understanding why he was angry.

– Come on, why is she like this?

Judy didn't like that Esther was depressed, as if she was left alone in this big world. The boy wanted the girl to confidently raise and hold her head.

When Judy approached Esther, Lucky, who was sitting next to her, was the first to notice him:

– Waf-waf!

– Lucky? Why are you here?

Hearing Lucky's bark, Esther raised her head:

– Brother?

The girl thought that Judy would not come, and even though it was already late enough, but when she saw that he had come, Esther's face lit up with joy.

– Are you smiling? – Judy was stunned that instead of getting angry at the long wait, Esther was smiling happily at him.

Feeling a heavy heart, the boy came closer to Esther:

– Are you really stupid? Why wait so long for my arrival if I still don't come? – Judy blurted out angrily, unable to contain his anger.

– I'm only here because I liked this place. I wasn't waiting, – Esther smiled awkwardly and fell silent.

The girl lowered her feet to the ground and got up from the bench:

–A... ah? – however, after sitting in one position for a long time, Esther's legs buckled and she lost her balance.

The girl quickly regained her balance, but Judy already blamed himself for this and ruffled his hair:

– ...Get in.

– Eh?

Judy squatted down in front of Esther and pointed at his back. The girl's eyes widened in surprise.

–It's my fault, so I'm taking you home.

– I-it's a little…

– Your legs are shaking, – Judy turned his head and looked sternly at the girl.

Despite the fact that Esther was going to refuse, the words could not leave her lips, because Judy's stern look seemed to force her to agree.

– Hurry up. It's hard for me to stand like this!

Esther clenched her fists and stepped forward, unable to overcome Judy's stubbornness. However, she still doubted.

'I have to sit on his back…'

Esther was far from being close to anyone, she couldn't even remember if she had ever been really hugged. The girl was scared because she had not felt the touch of other people for a long time.

Judy noticed that Esther hesitated and stepped back a little, and then, throwing her arms around his neck, lifted the girl on his back.

– Eh? Ah!

– Hey, are you okay? Wait a little bit!

Esther, whose thoughts were in complete chaos, struggled not to fall.

It was the first time Judy carried someone on his back, so he almost dropped the girl trying to figure out how to do it right.

– Phew, I did it. And it's harder than I thought, – Judy barely got up from Esther. It was unusual for the boy to have someone sitting on his back, so his posture was a little shaky.

'Wow, he has such a wide back,' – Esther was surprised by Judy's back, because it turned out to be much more reliable than she thought.

Despite the fact that the boy's shoulders were not particularly wide, Esther held herself very securely. However, the problem was the awkwardness.

Due to the fact that Esther had never had such contacts with others, her face was flushed and she was hot.

The girl even tried to breathe every other time:

– I can go.

– I don't even feel like I'm carrying you on my back, – Judy said loudly so that Esther wouldn't grumble.

– Really?..

– Yes.

Slowly, Esther began to get used to being carried on her back and her heartbeat calmed down. And the ears that were bright red slowly returned to their original color.

Judy's back was very warm.

Heat was transmitted by contact with people. The feeling that both hearts are touching. Even the heartbeat is heard in unison.

'What should I do…'

It was the greatest luxury Esther had ever enjoyed. Therefore, she calmly swallowed her request to let her go.

'I want to enjoy this luxury a little more... a little more…

I want this path to be very long…'

The warmth that came from Judy gradually dissolved the awkwardness in the depths of Esther's heart.

'They're both so cute' – Dorothy, who was quietly following the two of them, saw this and, with an excited expression on her face, pressed her hands to her chest.

Judy, who was not interested in his surroundings, groaned and carried Esther, while the girl smiled shyly but widely.

The scenery around was beautiful.

The sun had already disappeared, and the road back was dark, but the stars twinkling in the black sky illuminated the way very well.

Esther stupidly opened her mouth at the sight of this stunning beauty. Just looking at the starlight made the girl's eyes sting and her heart constrict.

'It's so different from the darkness I saw in prison.

This sky is bright…

It's so unfair...' – a feeling of injustice broke out in Esther's soul that she was deprived of these joys of everyday life.

While Esther was thinking about it, Judy was too nervous to say anything.

'For the first time in my life, I'm carrying someone on my back.'

For the first time, the boy, out of breath, rushed into the Garden to find Esther, and then even carried her on his back.

'When I broke promises made to my friends, I didn't feel bad. However, right now I feel uncomfortable about hurting Esther.…'

– Today.

– Yes?

– You see ... – in the end, after a short silence, Judy officially apologized to Esther. – I'm sorry I'm so late.

From these words, a soft smile appeared on Esther's embarrassed face.

– You've come, after all.

– I'll never be late again. I won't forget about the appointment.

Esther listened more and more intently to Judy's voice, which was full of remorse. And Judy was pleased to hear the quiet laughter coming from behind.

– It's okay, it was fun to wait.

– Look at this. You said you weren't waiting, didn't you?

– Oh, right! I was wrong, – Esther quickly covered her lips with her palm.

– From now on, don't entertain yourself with waiting. I won't let anyone keep you waiting, – Judy's voice got louder because of the feelings that overwhelmed him.

It was funny to watch how the person who made you wait today was now saying that he would not allow anyone to do this.

'He's the first person to take my side...' – Esther's hands tightened.

The feeling that someone was on her side, even if it was just words, was comforting.

Esther leaned against Judy's back as they walked home.

'Ah... so sleepy…

I wonder if it's because Judy's heartbeat is like a lullaby?'

At some point, the girl's eyelids closed and she fell asleep.

– Did you fall asleep? – Judy chuckled, hearing a soft breathing near his neck.

The boy walked as carefully as possible, so as not to accidentally wake Esther. He felt like a real big brother.

'In the future, Esther's promises will be a top priority.'

Dorothy and Judy's escort, who were watching this, were so happy that they were ready to die. One of the knights could not resist and wiped his tears with a handkerchief.

Lucky, who hadn't left Esther's side since lunch, was also walking with them. Probably, the puppy also understood that the girl had fallen asleep, so he ran quietly next to her, not even barking.

By the time they were almost home, Judy remembered his daily routine, which he had in the past.

'Ha, I'll train even harder.'

Esther's weight, which at first seemed like a feather, became heavier and heavier, like cotton in water.

'I know how skinny Esther is.

It's just ridiculous that I don't have enough physical strength!'

– Damn... damn…

– Young Master… Can I carry Miss?

– No. This is my sister, – Judy gritted his teeth and promised himself not to miss any more physical development classes.

*****

In the end, Judy never let Esther go until he got to her room.

Despite the fact that it seemed to the boy that his hands were about to fall off, he was very proud that he put Esther to bed himself.

– Ha, it's really hard, – Judy said, wiping the sweat from his neck with a towel.

– Isn't it strange that she doesn't wake up?

– Isn't she tired? – Judy looked at the girl seriously.

Esther was sleeping so soundly that even her breathing was barely audible. It was strange that she didn't move once after he put her on the bed.

Judy put his fingers on Esther's neck.

'There is definitely a pulse.'

– In the morning it will be necessary to call a doctor.

– Yes, I will do it.

At that moment, Dennis slipped into the room.

It was strange that Judy had not poked his nose into his affairs all day, and so the boy went to look for him and, seeing Judy carrying Esther, followed them.

Dennis frowned when he saw how quiet Esther was lying.

– What's going on?

– You don't need to know, – Judy waved to his brother and sat down, pulling a chair up to Esther's bed.

– If you don't tell me now, I'll tell my father.

Judy looked at his brother. Dennis smiled sweetly and shrugged his shoulders.

– ...I arranged to meet her today in Havel's Garden, but I forgot to come, and this fool waited for me for more than three hours.

– Then, is it because of you?

Judy immediately covered his ears so as not to hear Dennis' boring speech:

– No, it's not because of me... No!

He still felt remorse and was very upset when his brother pointed it out.

Judy, in desperation, turned the arrows on Dennis:

– Hey, you didn't even notice she wasn't home, did you? Brother, why aren't you interested in her at all?

– I'm not as free as you are. I have a lot to do.

However, it didn't work with Dennis. The boy really spent the whole day in the library.

Judy knew very well that there was no free time in Dennis' schedule, so he was talking nonsense.

– Ugh…

Dennis wanted to make fun of Judy, but he heard a soft moan and hurriedly shifted his gaze to Esther.

– Ugh ... – the girl did not wake up, but moans of pain seeped through her closed lips, and her already white face became even paler.

– What should we do? Wake her up?

– I shook her, but she didn't wake up, – Judy pulled the blanket up to Esther's neck, thinking that she was cold, but her complexion only got worse.

The girl's body turned cold, and her hands trembled.

Seeing this, Judy and Dennis acted at the same time. Each of them took her hand.

When they squeezed her hands tightly, Esther's trembling, strangely, stopped.

Dennis and Judy sighed with relief when they saw that it helped.

– Is she having a bad dream?

– It looks like. She looks broken.

– Judy, – Dennis suddenly called out to his brother, looking at Esther.

– What?

– How do you feel about your younger sister?

It was a question that the boy hadn't even thought about.

– I don't know yet, – Judy answered uncertainly, blinking in surprise, not letting go of the girl's hand.

Noticing this, Dennis laughed:

– You are younger, so you are not suitable for the role of an older brother.

– When did you say I was born? I heard some nonsense.

Judy couldn't fool Dennis no matter how many times he tried.

'Amazing.

Judy, who is usually wary and does not trust people, let Esther into his heart so quickly,' – Dennis laughed softly, thinking that Esther had cheated on Judy.

–You really like her, don't you?

– It's not like that!

– Oh, and now her breathing has become easier, – while Judy was indignant, Dennis quickly changed the subject.

'Really?' – Judy asked mentally, peering into the girl's face.

A faint but tender affection was reflected in his eyes so far.

– Mr. Judy, – Dorothy said, coughing softly. – I need to tell you something.

Tilting his head, the boy looked at the serious expression on the maid's face, and then went out into the corridor.

– What is it?

– Actually, Mr. Sebastian came to Havel's Garden today.