Lying side by side on the bed, Belladonna placed her hand on Escalion’s thick arm.

There, the mark where the Pope’s poisoned needle had swollen remained visible.

Belladonna fiddled with the area around the wound, then slowly opened her mouth.

“Does it not hurt here?”

“It’s fine now.”

Escalion answered with his eyes closed.

Unfortunately or fortunately, none of the physicians found anything unusual in Escalion’s body.

There were no particular pains or functional abnormalities in any part of his body after being struck by the poisoned needle.

He was still sturdy and strong.

“Did the Pope’s final experiment fail?”

“It could be that, or it might suddenly manifest while we forget about it.”

“Don’t say such worrying things!”

Belladonna moved her hand from fiddling with his arm to smack his firm chest. Escalion exaggeratedly curled up and let out a playful groan.

“Bella, this is quite stimulating in its own way.”

“Please stop…”

Frowning and biting her lower lip, Belladonna completely detached herself from him and rolled to the opposite side of the bed. Always making strange remarks at every opportunity!

“You’ll fall off if you go any further.”

Escalion let out a low laugh and pressed his hot body against her back as she rolled to the edge of the bed.

Belladonna had no choice but to turn her body and meet his eyes.

“From tomorrow, let’s take walks together inside Gribblata Castle. How about it?”

“I’m fine with it, but what’s with the sudden idea?”

“As you said, Escalion, my stamina seems to be weak. I fainted just from climbing the hill behind us. But since I can’t climb that mountain again, I thought I’d start by walking nearby places.”

“I’m proud that you came up with such an idea on your own.”

Escalion said as he pulled her back closer.

Belladonna, feeling the rising heat as she was pressed even closer to him, burrowed into his embrace.

“If I build up my stamina, will I be less susceptible to cold than before?”

“That might be a bit disappointing. You won’t need me as much as you do now.”

Escalion said in a serious voice. Belladonna chuckled softly.

“Still, I want to become healthier.”

“Yes, then I’ll be able to relax much more. Right now, I’m constantly anxious that you might fall or faint again.”

Belladonna wriggled in his arms to find a more comfortable position.

Inserting her leg between his thighs, which were as hard as stone and hot, she murmured.

“Father Timothy has decided to receive formal education to become a cardinal. I received a letter this afternoon.”

“That’s good.”

“I introduced Fabion to Tina. Fabion currently has the most diverse knowledge about the saint, and he’s seen a lot of young Lady Belladonna, so I thought he’d have various experiences in one way or another.”

“A wise decision. I hope that little one uses her holy power in a very good and valuable way.”

Belladonna nodded.

“I want to go to Astanya occasionally to meet Father Timothy and Tina. And sometimes I want to meet Fabion too.”

“Do that. I was wondering what wind had blown your way when you suddenly said you wanted to build up your stamina, but it’s because you’ve got more people you want to see?”

“That’s part of it, but…”

As Belladonna trailed off, this time Escalion spoke up.

“Scarlet misses you too. When I told her about your recent fainting spell, her face turned so pale that I thought she might faint herself.”

“Actually, it was just a fall, nothing serious… I feel like I’m just causing unnecessary worry for everyone.”

“It’s not just Scarlet. Did you know there’s been a change in the Gribblata diet for the past few days?”

“The diet?”

Was there? Belladonna recalled the food she had eaten recently.

Come to think of it, it seems like she’s been eating only overly nutritious foods lately…

“Not long ago, Wolf came to request a separate budget for your nutritional supplements. So I told him to do as he pleased.”

“How could you tell him to do as he pleased? I don’t want to spend the budget on such things!”

“See, everyone is just worried about you, Bella.”

Belladonna let out a small sigh.

It seemed that she was receiving more attention because everyone knew that she had used up a lot of her life force by overusing her holy power in Astanya.

Moreover, with the record of fighting the Pope and even going to trial, followed by the investigation revealing that Belladonna had been continuously abused by the Pope, it was not unreasonable for those around her to worry excessively.

But ever since she collapsed recently, she’s been feeling full of energy…

After dreaming a dream she couldn’t quite remember, the slight fatigue that had remained disappeared completely.

Feeling energetic and seeming to improve her stamina without doing anything, she even thought it was good that she had collapsed then.

“I’m grateful to everyone. I should live my life repaying them.”

“Among them, will you take especially good care of your husband who has become a complete coward?”

Escalion said jokingly. Belladonna placed her hand on his cheek and gently stroked it.

“I’ll take responsibility and take care of you! Just trust me.”

At her glib response, Escalion let out a low laugh and buried his face in the pillow.

He squeezed his eyes shut, shaking his head, and said:

“Ah, I’m happy. Bella, you don’t know how long I’ve waited for this moment.”

“I’ve waited just as long as you have, Escalion.”

“Really?”

Belladonna nodded. Escalion exhaled happily, pulling up the corners of his mouth.

Emboldened, Belladonna moved to climb on top of his upper body.

Escalion held her firmly so she wouldn’t fall off.

Settled on top of his body, Belladonna pecked his lips with hers like a baby bird tapping its beak.

Smack. Smack.

Light and cheerful sounds filled the room.

“It tickles. It’s teasing.”

Escalion burst into laughter that sounded like air escaping.

“It’s because you’re so lovable.”

“That’s the first time I’ve heard such words in my life. If the Gribblata Knights had heard that, they would have been shocked.”

“Really? Why didn’t everyone know when you’re this lovable?”

Belladonna said with a smile. Even as she spoke, she didn’t stop her light kisses.

She bumped her lips against Escalion’s eyelid once and said.

“These beautiful golden eyes are lovable too.”

Then she kissed his nose bridge, cheeks, and lips in turn.

“Your high, sharp nose is lovable, your pleasantly healthy skin color is lovable, and your appropriately plump lips are lovable.”

Just as she was about to move to his shoulders to praise his muscles, Escalion raised one hand and firmly grasped the back of Belladonna’s head.

Moving his upper body, he engulfed her lips at once and pushed in, opening his mouth. Belladonna felt her breath quicken instantly and closed her eyes. A dizzying sensation shot up to the top of her head.

“Mmm…”

Belladonna let out a low moan and twisted her head.

She could feel Escalion’s body beneath her hardening rapidly.

After holding her for a long time without letting go, Escalion finally separated his lips, exhaling rough breaths.

His golden eyes, now filled with excitement, gazed deeply at her.

“Bella, you brought this upon yourself. I really tried to hold back today.”

Belladonna swallowed hard and opened her mouth.

“I’m not sure if I should say this now, but… since it’s what I was planning to say today, I’ll give it a try.”

“Say it quickly, I’m in a hurry.”

Escalion slipped his hot hand inside her nightgown and stroked her waist as if urging her on.

At the sudden sensation, Belladonna shivered slightly and hunched her shoulders.

“Actually, there’s one more reason why I want to build up my stamina.”

“What is it?”

Unable to hold back, Escalion nibbled on the tip of her chin. Belladonna pushed against his chest and moved her head.

“Ju, just a moment… Please listen to me!”

“I told you to hurry.”

“Uh… I want to keep all of Escalion’s lovable aspects until the end.”

“Do as you please. I’m yours until the end. Are you done talking?”

Escalion raised his upper body completely.

Belladonna found herself sitting on his thighs, looking up at him. The sight of him stretching his arms back to throw off his thin shirt looked more stimulating than ever.

It doesn’t seem like the right time to say this, but…

After a moment of hesitation, Belladonna slowly opened her mouth.

“So, when I say I want to keep it… I mean I want to create someone who looks exactly like those characteristics…”

Th-this isn’t right!

Perhaps due to her flustered state, the words came out in a disorderly manner.

What am I, some kind of god! Create a person? What am I talking about! I’ve said it all wrong!

At her sudden words, Escalion furrowed his brow and asked.

“What do you mean? Create what?”

“By building up my stamina…”

Oh, forget it!

At this point, it seemed any romantic words were out of the question. Belladonna squeezed her eyes shut and blurted out:

“I, I want to have a child that looks like Escalion…! So, now that everything is stable and I’ll be living here permanently… A child with those lovable features…! I mean, not creating, but!”

“…”

This is the worst. My words got all tangled up.

Unable to recover, she just closed her mouth, and silence fell over the bedroom.

Looking at Escalion’s blank face, Belladonna realized her ambitious confession had failed miserably and started to wriggle down from his thighs.

“Shall we go to sleep now?”

“…”

“I’ll turn off the light. Good ni-”

“Where do you think you’re going.”

Escalion quickly caught her hand as she was reaching for the light.

When she turned her head, she saw his golden eyes shining dangerously, filled with an incredibly hot energy.

He moved his body on top of Belladonna and whispered in a low voice.

“If that’s what you want so badly, I should give it to you.”

“E-Escalion…”

Belladonna swallowed hard as she looked up at the dangerous shadow looming over her.

He was revealing a more threatening presence than usual.

“Feel free to make as much noise as you want.”

Escalion pulled up the corners of his mouth. Belladonna grabbed his thick shoulders with an awkward smile.

It was a situation she had brought upon herself, but she couldn’t help feeling nervous.

“Th-that…”

But when Escalion actually approached, contrary to the imposing physique he displayed, he buried his lips in her neck and moved very gently. Belladonna let out a small laugh at the ticklish sensation.

“It tickles.”

“That’s the point.”

After finishing his words, he grabbed Belladonna’s legs and pulled her to the center of the bed.

Lightly covering her, Escalion whispered softly in her ear.

“I love you, Bella.”

“Me too.”

“I’ll keep making you happy from now on.”

“Me too!”

Belladonna shouted a bit more energetically. Escalion laughed and pressed his forehead against hers.

That playful, boyish appearance looked lovable once again, and Belladonna burst into laughter.

“Ahaha!”

Her happy laughter soon disappeared into Escalion’s lips.

The couple’s bedroom was now filled with only happy voices.

The End