Chapter 27

– No… I sent a man to talk to her, but she told him categorically «no» because he already has a contract, – Ben replied with a shudder.

– You say you said a categorical «no»? – Darwin asked, and his expression instantly turned icy. – How long will her contract last?

– About 9 more months…

Duke Dehsin took off his glasses and slowly stretched his neck:

– Did he offer her three times more in fee than she gets now?

– I offered, but money did not solve this case.

According to what Ben was told, she was a person who valued honor and commitment more than money.

– I know, – Darwin tilted his head as if some thought had occurred to him, and then curled his lips into a semblance of a smile. – Then if the Count breaks her contract, then the problem will disappear.

– Yes. No, what? – Ben, nodding with a serious expression, faltered.

– Since she can't break the contract herself, she shouldn't mind if the employer does, should she?

– True, but... how?

– The employer is the Earl of Douglas, right? I remember seeing him at one of the dinners earlier. Arrange dinner with him, – Duke Dehsin's eyes flashed dangerously.

'Earl Douglas is a man who has a lot of money, but he does not have enough connections to expand his business.

If during dinner I offer him my favorable attitude, then the problem of breaking the governess's contract should be easily solved.'

– Good, – Ben quickly looked at the Duke's schedule to find some free time.

Suddenly, Duke Dehsin stopped abruptly. Ben, walking behind him, almost fell from the collision when he stopped late:

– What is it?

– Isn't that Esther?

She was quite far away, however, diagonally, you could see Esther.

She was walking in the garden alone, without a maid.

– Why is she here?..

– Let's get closer, – Darwin, who was heading to the mansion, turned in the other direction without hesitation.

His expression, which had been indifferent a few moments ago, softened slightly.

*****

Feeling sleepy, Esther stretched:

– Ha~aa.

Outside, she waited for Dorothy because she wanted to take a walk.

Since it was noon outside, the sunlight shone dazzlingly bright. Covering the top of her head with her palm, Esther turned her head to the side, feeling a sudden stranger's gaze:

– And...? – The girl's eyes widened.

She didn't know when, but Duke Dehsin was standing behind her.

He looked as if he was going to some meeting in his glasses, and Ben was standing next to him, his hands were busy with a pile of papers.

– Good morning, – Darwin waved his hand in greeting, and Esther nodded in surprise.

'Do I need to shake my hand like that too?' – Esther waved her hand from side to side, thinking she needed to do the same.

Duke Dehsin's lips twitched and he lowered his head. And Ben, who was next to him, couldn't help but chuckle.

'It seems there was no need to do this,' – Esther, pretending that she was just fanning herself, lowered her hand.

Smiling faintly, Darwin approached Esther:

– You're walking.

– Yes, the weather is very nice, – Esther was not sure whether to talk about Dorothy, so she looked around furtively.

– Then how about we go for a walk together?

At Duke Dehsin's unexpected words, the girl involuntarily raised her head.

This was done in order to see the expression on his face, however, because the Duke was so tall, it was very difficult for the girl to see his face.

Darwin slowly squatted down so that Esther wouldn't break her neck.

When the eyes of the girl and his crossed, Darwin's lips were touched by a faint, soft smile:

– I saw the drawing.

– The one where I drew my brother Dennis?

– Yes. Dennis framed it. Perhaps it is the influence of the temple, but this drawing is sacred. I saw it clearly.

It was too incredible a compliment for a man who had never been praised.

Ben, listening to this, could not hide his embarrassment at the Duke's suddenly changed behavior.

While Ben hesitated, opening and closing his mouth, Darwin gave him an eloquent look, ordering him to be silent.

And Esther, who didn't know how to accept compliments, just smiled shyly, a little ashamed of it:

– This is… Can I draw the Grand Duke?

– Me?

– Oh, I'm sorry, I was too presumptuous... – Esther always thought that she owed a lot to Duke Dehsin, because he took her away from the temple, and these words thoughtlessly fell from her lips, because she just wanted to repay him in some way.

And the girl apologized for the fact that it seemed to her that these thoughts were too rude.

'He has such a majestic appearance that I don't even dare to look at. The Duke can't entrust his portrait to a child like me…'

However, Esther did not understand something.

Darwin's lips moved soundlessly, he was worried that Esther might change her mind, and as soon as he found a good place with excellent lighting and a table, coughing, he immediately spoke:

– Maybe we should go there?

– Eh?

– To draw me.

– Can I really?

– Yes. I've been wanting my portrait for a long time.

It was nonsense, however, from Duke Dehsin's words, the girl's face shone. In the middle of the day, when all the shadows disappeared, Esther was just beautiful.

And a little to the side, Ben was trying to realize and accept what he saw. Duke Dehsin, whom he had served for more than 10 years, was completely different from himself, so it was difficult for him to get used to it.

– Your Highness, did you say that you hate posing for portraits because it takes a long time?

– When did I say that? You must have misunderstood something. And, in general, shut up.

Ben closed his mouth in case Esther accidentally overheard this.

In fact, Duke Dehsin hated everyone who painted portraits. And all because all the artists painted equally disgusting and their paintings were terribly annoying.

However, if Esther painted, then everything is different. Because the time of drawing creation itself mattered here, and not how it would turn out.

Soon, the servants prepared everything for drawing.

'I have to do my best,' – Esther was so nervous that she almost dropped her pencil several times.

When she drew Dennis, the girl seemed to have plunged into a deep pool.

Esther looked closely at Duke Dehsin.

When I looked closer, I realized that strong and clear lines play a role in his cold appearance. Even dark eyebrows impressed and depressed people.

'It will not be difficult to draw the Duke's face, but the problem lies in the transmission of the Duke's aura. It is difficult to reflect this strong energy that comes from him.'

While Esther was grumbling, Darwin decided to ask:

– Is it fun?

– Yes. It's great to be able to draw whatever you want.

Just as Esther was watching Duke Dehsin, Darwin himself was also watching Esther.

'As Dennis said, Esther's drawing eyes sparkle like never before.'

– If you want to learn something properly, then we can hire a teacher for you.

– Teachers?

– Yes. You love to draw, but if there's something you want to learn, it's possible. Do whatever you want.

Darwin's kind but slightly clumsy words made Esther look at him.

When their gazes met, the Duke's gaze deepened.

'He is a man who does not utter empty words, so everything he says is sincere. Let him look formidable, but behind his cold appearance there is always kindness, as now…

But, why is he so kind to me?' – Esther didn't understand the reasons, but putting aside her doubts, she smiled:

– Thank you.

– No thanks needed.

Soon after the girl focused again, the drawing was completed.

Esther's artistic abilities surprised Ben and Darwin very much.

– Even though I'm talking about my portrait... but doesn't it look different?

– Yes. This is not just a drawing, it seems that Miss Esther managed to capture the appearance of Your Highness as he is. I think we need to develop this.

– This is a talent from God. It's too wasteful to just bury him.

Both men looked extremely serious and began discussing Esther's solo exhibition.

And, from that day on, Duke Dehsin began to brag about his daughter terribly often.

A few days later.

Duke Dehsin attended a dinner in the eastern part of Tersia.

This is a political dinner where shadowy aristocrats gathered, so Darwin did not like to attend it.

– I heard that last training session was great. Even received a high rating.

– Yes, everyone has studied the Grand Duke's techniques and strategies, and their skills have increased dramatically.

There were a lot of aristocrats everywhere, eager to get the attention and favor of Duke Dehsin.

They reached out to the Duke and tried to somehow get into his field of vision.

– Is this praise, not abuse? – Darwin smiled coldly.

– How can we? The Grand Duke is indeed the best knight of the Empire.

– Then how about you attend the next training session?

– Oh, I have a big family and I have to take good care of them.

– And I recently opened a new business, so I can't retire from business yet… Your Majesty.

'A bunch of babblers who can only talk and nothing else,' – Darwin grimaced in disappointment.

The dinner started and the friendly atmosphere returned, however Duke Dehsin refrained from talking.

'A waste of words,' – Darwin considered it useless to answer endless meaningless questions.

Duke Dehsin's eye color became brighter and his aura more powerful, and no one dared to speak to him anymore.

With a bored look, Darwin turned the glass in his hands, and then thought it was time, and looked up:

– Here we go.

The gaze of the green eyes became sharper and Darwin waved his hand slightly.

Seeing the signal, the servants immediately opened the doors of the banquet hall.

As soon as the door opened, maids began to enter with large objects. A square object hidden by a red cloth was placed next to Duke Dehsin.

Seeing this, a bewildered whisper swept through the aristocrats:

– What is it?

– I don't know, but it seems His Highness has prepared something for us.

When all the attention was focused on him, Darwin reached for the hidden object. When the fabric was pulled off, everyone saw a picture inserted into the frame.