“You said a tooth has grown?”

Escalion nodded. He carefully raised one hand and opened Phileus’ mouth.

As the child opened his mouth with a little squeal, a tiny tooth could indeed be seen on the bottom.

“How cute…! He looks like a little rabbit!”

“Doesn’t he?”

Escalion said in a somewhat proud voice.

Even though it’s not you who grew the tooth…?

Belladonna glanced up at Escalion, who was answering as if he had grown two more teeth himself, then took Phileus from him.

The child, who had become heavier without notice, moved his short legs and made happy noises.

“Ah, he’s warm!”

Holding the child felt like hugging a warm, soft heater that smelled nice.

Belladonna hugged Phileus tightly and nuzzled her face into his soft hair.

“It’s fortunate Phileus doesn’t take after my wife. The little one is already so warm.”

Escalion said as he embraced both Belladonna and Phileus at once. Belladonna felt even warmer as she flopped down on the bed.

“Eeng…!”

Phileus made a fussy cry, sounding uncomfortable. Hearing this, Escalion let out a low laugh.

“He takes after you in this one thing. Having clear likes and dislikes.”

“Am I like that?”

“Yes, your expression stiffens right away when you don’t like something.”

I did?

As Belladonna blinked her eyes, Escalion poked her cheek with his finger and said:

“I like it much better. You’re not just a doll that smiles at everything no matter what happens, like before.”

I see…

Belladonna recalled her life in Astanya, which had already become vague.

Before, just thinking about it would make her feel suffocated, but now it was a faint, dim memory like a very old dream.

“When the weather gets a bit warmer…”

Belladonna slowly opened her mouth.

“I’d like to visit Astanya once with Phileus.”

Escalion stared at her for a moment, then carefully brushed aside the hair that had fallen over her forehead.

“You don’t have to go if you don’t want to. Don’t push yourself.”

“I’m not pushing myself. I’m curious to see if the new pope is leading the papal state well, and I want to meet Timothy and Tina. They must be struggling with their studies…”

“Then you must be curious about that old wizard too.”

“That’s right! Fabion has probably left Astanya by now, but if we make an appointment in advance, we could meet him somewhere suitable.”

Belladonna sat up, tightening her grip on Phileus.

“I want to show Phileus many things and let him meet many people.”

“I feel the same way.”

Escalion sat up with her and stroked Phileus’ chubby cheek. Phileus squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head as if ticklish.

Watching the child with a playful smile, Escalion suddenly blurted out as if remembering something.

“Oh, are you free this afternoon? I called someone to the castle.”

“Who?”

“Yesterday while walking around town, I met a young painter. I didn’t remember him, but he saw me and was so startled he almost had a fit.”

A young painter…

“Could it be the person who painted our portrait?”

As Belladonna asked with wide eyes, recalling the portrait of the two of them hanging in the office, Escalion nodded.

“He probably didn’t know I was the lord when he painted us, so I understand his surprise. But he seemed excessively shocked…”

He scratched between his eyebrows as he answered.

Who wouldn’t be so surprised to see you? Belladonna fully understood the painter’s feelings as she opened her mouth.

“He must have remembered because he observed our faces for a long time while painting our portrait that day. Did you call him to the castle today for a new portrait?”

“Yes. Now that Phileus can sit up properly, I thought it was necessary.”

Phileus…?

Belladonna looked down at Phileus.

The child still sometimes tilted unsteadily, as if it was difficult to support his head that was large compared to his body.

No matter how generously one looked at it, he was far from being able to sit up properly.

What on earth was Escalion thinking about the child?

“Anyway, sleep a bit more. I’ll see you in the reception room later.”

Escalion said as he fiddled with her long hair that had fallen down her back. Belladonna nodded and replied.

“Alright. I’ll get ready.”

“My lord! My lady! How do you do!”

As soon as he entered the reception room, the young painter bowed deeply and called out loudly, without even showing his face. Belladonna smiled and greeted him back.

“It’s nice to meet you again. I hear you’ll be painting our portrait today.”

“Yes, yes, that’s right! Last time I committed a great offense by not recognizing you. So this time, especially for free…”

“Never mind that, just paint properly.”

Escalion frowned as if annoyed and pulled Belladonna by the waist.

Belladonna, holding Phileus, was led by his hand to the soft chair in front of the easel.

Glancing sideways, she saw the young painter swallowing hard, unable to respond.

“He means he’ll pay you properly, so don’t think about that and just do your best.”

“Ah, I understand. Thank you…!”

At Belladonna’s explanation, the painter bowed his head once more and then took his place in front of the easel.

“First, please take a comfortable position…”

“Want to sit on my lap?”

Escalion, who had already sat down in the chair, patted his thigh playfully as he spoke. Belladonna quickly shook her head.

“No?”

“Why not? It would look nice and cozy.”

He asked again, raising the corners of his mouth.

That, that…! He’s trying to tease me again!

“It doesn’t look like that at all. Rather, it looks improper and strange.”

“I wanted to paint something similar to our last portrait.”

“Then we can put Phileus on top of Escalion!”

Belladonna said as she placed Phileus on Escalion’s lap.

Phileus, with his hair cutely styled and wearing an adorable bow tie, blinked and looked up at her.

The child’s face, which had been blinking his large eyes with an inexplicable expression for a moment, gradually wrinkled.

“Eeng…!”

Soon, Phileus started reaching out to Belladonna and fussing, seemingly uncomfortable on Escalion’s hard thigh.

“Eeng!”

“This won’t work. How about you hold Phileus, and I’ll hold you…”

“You won’t find a portrait with that composition in any castle in the Ellineros Empire.”

Belladonna said firmly as she took Phileus back from him. She sat down next to Escalion and turned towards the easel.

He’s quick at painting portraits, so we just need to endure for a bit, right? She began gently stroking Phileus’ chubby arm on her lap.

She could only hope that he wouldn’t cry and make a fuss until the painting was finished.

“Well then, let’s begin!”

The painter exclaimed as he raised his brush, confirming that the couple was in position. Belladonna nodded slightly.

At that moment, Escalion’s rough, hot hand suddenly pulled her waist towards him.

Oh! Belladonna was startled and ended up pressing herself against him.

“If you get bored sitting, lean on me.”

“…”

Belladonna blinked silently.

The same line as last time, it seemed to vividly bring back the situation from then.

‘Moreover…’

Belladonna swallowed hard.

He still had a firm body, and his hot breath and unique masculine scent were the same as before.

Feeling a sudden emotion, Belladonna felt her heart beating faster and tightened her grip on Phileus.

The shoulder touching his body felt like it was becoming excessively hot.

Why, why am I like this? It suddenly feels like it’s getting hotter…

“Bella, you smell nice.”

Just then, Escalion, sitting beside her, whispered. Startled by the sudden breath on her ear, Belladonna unconsciously flinched and trembled.

Escalion chuckled softly.

“I hope this ends quickly. I’ve thought of something I want to do.”

“…”

“Let’s go to the bedroom as soon as it’s over.”

“…!”

Belladonna’s face flushed bright red. P-Phileus is listening, how can you say such things?

With her mind suddenly in turmoil, she endured the long, long time in bewilderment.

“It’s finished!”

“Wow…!”

About three hours later, the painter exclaimed brightly and turned the canvas to show them.

Belladonna opened her mouth slightly as she saw the completed painting.

She had thought their previous portrait turned out quite nice, but this one seemed even more splendid and beautiful, as if he had put in even more effort and passion.

Escalion still with his confident gaze and sturdy physique, herself next to him with a gentle smile, and cute little Phileus on her lap with his eyes wide open – she was very pleased with it all.

The young painter wiped the sweat from his forehead with his stained sleeve, wearing a satisfied smile.

“With such excellent subjects, I really enjoyed painting.”

“Good work. My wife seems to like it very much.”

Escalion said, raising the corners of his mouth as he looked at Belladonna, who couldn’t take her eyes off the painting.

At his signal, Wolf, who had entered at some point, handed a thick pouch to the painter.

The painter’s eyes widened as he bowed repeatedly to Escalion and Belladonna.

“Bella, shall we go then?”

Escalion asked, placing his hand on her waist after casually waving to the painter who was enthusiastically expressing his gratitude.

Confirming his hot and sticky gaze, Belladonna swallowed hard and nodded. Perhaps it was what she wanted too.