Belladonna let out a small sigh and lowered her shoulders.

To begin with, Escalion didn’t know that she had found out about Scarlet, and yet he was still doing his best to seek her forgiveness.

So I can’t keep brooding like this…

Thinking of Scarlet, who would be by his side when he was dumbfounded after the divorce in three months, she even felt that she should be grateful to her.

Belladonna raised her hand and picked up the pen on the table.

Just as she was about to write on the paper, Escalion got up from his seat and approached her, holding out his hand.

“Use my palm.”

“…?”

Is that really necessary?

“You used to use my palm when you talked to me.”

Escalion sat down close to her and placed his large left hand on her lap.

Belladonna placed her finger on his palm, overly conscious of their touching thighs.

‘Not. An. gry.’

“Really?”

He truly never listened to the end of what was being said. He always asked like this after grasping the content before the sentence was even finished.

Belladonna nodded. Escalion narrowed his eyes suspiciously and asked again.

“Then why won’t you accept my gift?”

‘Al. rea. dy. have. ma. ny. jew. els.’

“I remember you had even more when you were the Saint of Astanya? Since you didn’t bring much when we got married, I want to give you that much.”

Well, because I’ll be going back in three months…

No, come to think of it, it’s already been a few weeks since coming to Griblata, so there’s only two months left now.

Belladonna felt as if a chilly wind was blowing in her heart as she raised her finger again.

‘No. oc. ca. sion. to. wear. them.’

“Then shall I hold a banquet for you?”

Escalion suddenly asked.

Belladonna shook her head at once, refusing. She absolutely hated things like banquets.

She disliked being around many people, and it was hard to bear when they would say beautiful words to her face and then whisper behind her back.

Moreover, if it were those who had told her their secret stories…

‘It’s obvious they’ll be watching for an opportunity to have a private audience with me, their eyes wide open… And that’s too tiring.’

They worshipped the Saint in the confessional, but they didn’t want the Saint who came out of the confessional to have social interactions with others.

They just wanted a Saint who would keep their secrets to the end and forever listen to their dirty stories in the dark confessional.

And she had no desire whatsoever to meet such people again.

“Bella.”

At Escalion’s voice, Belladonna snapped out of her thoughts and raised her head.

She was reflected in the golden eyes that were directed straight at her.

Looking at Belladonna with an unreadable expression, he opened his mouth.

“I’m sorry.”

“…”

What is he sorry for?

Does he still think I’m angry about him leaving me alone at the end-of-year festival?

Belladonna looked at him without answering.

Escalion furrowed his brow as if troubled and brushed back his fallen bangs.

“There’s still… still a lot I can’t explain to you yet.”

“…”

Belladonna gazed up at Escalion blankly.

She recalled the scene she had witnessed yesterday. The image of Scarlet standing with him.

Was his mistress included in the things he couldn’t explain?

Soon, Belladonna gave up.

The ridiculous fact of their marriage relationship with a set time limit once again broke her will.

She slowly nodded.

After all, she would leave him before Escalion could tell her anything.

When she nodded obediently, relief flashed in his golden eyes.

“My wife is so understanding.”

Understanding…

Belladonna laughed hollowly in her heart.

If resignation or giving up could be called by another name, would it be understanding?

“My lady! Did you sleep well? A letter has arrived from Astanya!”

Early in the morning, Cindy opened the door with a fuss.

Awakened by Cindy’s cheerful voice, Belladonna rubbed her eyes and raised her upper body.

Feeling something heavy and unfamiliar, she turned her head without thinking, and saw Escalion lying there with his thick shoulders exposed.

‘Huh…?’

Belladonna blinked as if she was dreaming.

Normally, he would have left the room in the early dawn, so there was no chance of encountering him like this in the morning.

But why hasn’t he left yet…?

“Please read it quick… Kyaaa!”

Escalion not leaving the room even in the morning seemed unfamiliar to Cindy as well.

Cindy, who had entered the room without thinking, discovered him lying on the bed and screamed.

Quickly turning her body and running back to the door, Cindy asked.

“Is… is that the lord?”

Belladonna nodded slowly.

Why is this man still sleeping like this?

“I’m, I’m sorry! I thought only my lady was here… Ah, I’ll just come back later! Here, read the letter and call me if you need anything!”

Seemingly bothered by him lying there half-naked, Cindy covered her eyes, cautiously approached Belladonna to quickly hand over the letter, then turned and disappeared.

Belladonna looked at the door where she had disappeared, then lowered her gaze to him who was still lying there with his eyes closed nonchalantly.

He must have woken up… Why is he still like this…

As if reading her thoughts, Escalion stretched out his hand and wrapped it around her waist.

“I thought I was going to die of boredom waiting for my wife to wake up.”

Belladonna was pulled into his warm embrace with a puzzled expression.

He leisurely opened his eyes, confirmed her face, and lifted the corners of his mouth.

“I’ve only ever seen you sleeping soundly, so I wanted to see you looking like a warm little kitten just waking up.”

“…”

Belladonna clicked her tongue at his playboy-like way of speaking.

With that face, saying such things so casually, was there any woman who wouldn’t fall for it?

“Looks like a letter came from Astanya? You must be glad.”

Escalion said, looking at the envelope in her hand.

Belladonna, who was about to open the letter without thinking, stopped her hand and fell into thought.

‘What if there’s something unnecessary written…’

It didn’t seem likely that the Pope would be that careless, but it seemed better to be cautious.

Belladonna nodded and stretched out her arm to quietly place the letter on the bedside table.

Escalion looked down at her curiously as she didn’t immediately read the letter, but it didn’t last long.

“What are your plans for today?”

Belladonna rolled her blue eyes and then pulled his palm towards her.

‘Le. arn. a. bout. ma. na. ging. the. man. or. from. Wolf.’

“Why bother with that? Wolf does a good job on his own, doesn’t he? Let’s go out and play with me today.”

Escalion said with an attractive smile. His golden eyes began to shine mischievously.

Belladonna narrowed her brows and pondered.

In truth, learning about manor management from Wolf wasn’t particularly fun.

‘Besides, Wolf takes care of everything on his own anyway, and I only do the final confirmation…’

Escalion raised his finger and gently rubbed Belladonna’s brow.

He kept smiling, seemingly in a good mood, and said.

“Call the maid who ran away in surprise earlier. Tell her to dress you warmly.”

Belladonna, dressed in several layers of clothes, came out into the hallway with Cindy.

Through the window visible from the second floor, she could see Escalion in the distance, leading a horse out of the stable.

‘Is he planning to ride a horse today as well?’

Feeling vaguely excited, she was heading down to the first floor when a commotion was heard from the kitchen area on the right.

Huh? What’s that sound?

As Belladonna stopped in surprise, Cindy quickly grabbed her arm and pushed her towards the castle gates.

“Let’s go quickly, my lady!”

“I am wronged!!”

At that moment, the kitchen door burst open and someone tumbled out, falling at her feet.

Oh my!

Startled, Belladonna stepped back. Cindy blocked her way.

The man who had fallen, with dark bruises on his face as if he had been severely beaten, crawled on his knees towards her and bowed his head.

“My lady! Please listen to me! I have been wronged!”

“You bastard? Don’t speak carelessly in front of the lady! Get out of here right now!”

“That’s right! You don’t even know that letting you leave on your own two feet is a kindness, how dare you…!”

What on earth is going on here?

Belladonna turned her troubled gaze to look at Cindy.

But Cindy, like the other servants surrounding the man, was only looking down at him with cold eyes.

Growing desperate, Belladonna grabbed Cindy’s skirt.

But, but shouldn’t we at least listen to what he has to say…? He looks so wronged…

Cindy looked at her once, then sighed and pulled her towards the castle gates.

Belladonna looked back at the pitiful man still prostrate on the ground as she was dragged away by Cindy.

‘What happened…’

“My lady, don’t even glance in that direction!”

Cindy standing beside her said firmly.

For Cindy to be this stern, it seemed certain that whatever wrong this man had committed, it must have been very serious.

“That man committed a grave sin. And it’s the mistake that our lord hates the most! Our lord, while having a surprisingly warm side, there’s just one thing! One thing he absolutely never forgives.”

What could it be?

Belladonna looked at Cindy.

What mistake could he have possibly made to be cast out like this?

Cindy slightly bowed her head to Escalion approaching them from afar, then quickly opened her mouth.

“Betrayal.”

Cindy’s face was still cold.

“Our lord never forgives when his own people betray their loyalty. That man was caught communicating with another nobleman, deceiving our lord. It wasn’t a big matter, but just the fact that he turned his back on our lord is enough for that man to deserve punishment.”

Belladonna felt cold sweat running down her back.

Be-betrayal…?

“Our lord hates it the most when people smile brightly to your face but do other things behind your back.”

Escalion, unaware of anything, was approaching her.

Belladonna gave him a beautiful smile while quickly racking her brain.

Did, did I hide the letter from Astanya well…?