What is this……?

Faced with unexpected content, Belladonna read and reread the short sentences repeatedly.

‘What’s this, something that looks like a debt collector demanding repayment?’

Could it be that Escalion… is giving his liver and gall to Scarlet?

Is he the type to secretly fret over his woman?

As all sorts of imaginations filled her mind, footsteps presumed to be Cindy’s gradually approached from across the hallway.

Belladonna quickly stuffed the letter she was holding back into the envelope and tossed it onto the table before returning to her spot.

“My lady! I’ve brought your meal.”

Just as she sat down at the dressing table, the bedroom door opened and Cindy entered carrying a tray full of food.

Belladonna rose from her seat with a smile.

“Sirlenia certainly has many ingredients that can’t be found in Griblata! Today’s meal is fish mainly caught in the Liti River of Sirlenia, prepared and steamed…”

Though Cindy enthusiastically explained, it went in one ear and out the other.

Belladonna nodded halfheartedly while mentally repeating the short sentences from Scarlet’s letter.

“It must be delicious, right? Please try it!”

Nod, nod.

Belladonna moved to the table and looked at the food Cindy was laying out.

It looked appetizing, but her mind was still consumed with thoughts about the contents of Scarlet Leyton’s letter.

At that moment, Cindy clapped her hands and exclaimed excitedly.

“Oh right, my lady! Did you hear? The Griblata Knights are arriving in Sirlenia tomorrow!”

The Griblata Knights? To Sirlenia?

But shouldn’t the Griblata Knights remain in Griblata to protect the territory…?

When Belladonna turned with a puzzled look, Cindy added an explanation.

“Not all of them are coming! Most will remain to protect the territory, and a small unit consisting of a few selected members and newly hired mercenaries will come down. It took a bit longer since they couldn’t take the portal we used. They need to guard the villa where the lord and lady are staying here, and also do some new training or something? That’s what Mr. Wolf told me.”

Cindy, you’re the only one.

Escalion doesn’t tell me these things…

Belladonna nodded, feeling somewhat bitter.

“To be honest, I’m a little excited! The Griblata Knights are famous for being handsome and well-built, right? And with the lord joining them, it’ll be quite a sight!”

Cindy said shyly, covering her cheeks with both hands.

Famous for being handsome and well-built?

‘Is that so?’

Belladonna fell into thought.

During her stay in Griblata, she had encountered many knights wandering around the castle or greeting her, but not a single one of them had caught her eye.

‘No matter how I think about it, there didn’t seem to be anyone more handsome or better built than Escalion…’

“Anyway! Sneaking peeks at the knights training was the joy of us maids in Griblata, so I’m glad they’re coming here! Since Sirlenia is hot, they’ll probably take off their outer clothes more often, right? Kyaa!”

“……”

Belladonna silently looked at Cindy.

“Why, why are you looking at me like that, my lady…!”

Huh? What did I…

Belladonna subtly averted her gaze.

“Honestly, we’re probably not the only ones welcoming the Griblata Knights coming to Sirlenia. I bet all the unmarried women in Sirlenia are looking forward to it too!”

Cindy exclaimed in an aggrieved voice.

“What woman wouldn’t like a man who shows off his muscles, easily wields weapons as big as my body, and drips with shining sweat on his healthy face?”

Hmm. If it’s like that… I might understand.

Belladonna vaguely recalled Escalion training and slowly nodded.

Indeed, when he trained with the knights, he exuded a much more wild and rough charm than usual.

His arms thickened from exertion, his rough breathing, his sharp gaze, and even the beads of sweat trickling down his jawline…

“Anyway! The knights will be staying at a temporary training ground set up in one corner of the villa, so don’t be surprised if it gets noisy from tomorrow, my lady.”

Belladonna nodded again.

That night, Belladonna lay alone on the wide bed, staring at the ceiling.

‘He said he’d come before bed.’

Escalion hadn’t returned late into the night, perhaps because he was very busy.

Belladonna turned her head to look at the tightly closed door.

“Is he busy trying to gather 300 gold coins……”

She muttered softly.

300 gold coins, and firewood. It didn’t look like something one would say to a lover, no matter who saw it.

“Did he really incur a debt to that woman, or what……”

At that moment, something quickly flashed through Belladonna’s mind.

Belladonna sat up abruptly from where she was lying and blurted out to herself.

“Could it be some kind of code that only the two of them can understand?”

It seemed plausible.

The sentence that looked like nothing more than a debt collection or order to others might be a love cipher that only the two of them could decipher, she thought.

‘300 gold coins, as quickly as possible. Firewood is also lacking.’

Then how exactly are those words deciphered?

“Is he saying love is lacking? So come back to Griblata quickly……”

Belladonna continued to mutter.

“Maybe firewood refers to their burning love……”

Slam.

At that moment, the closed bedroom door opened and Escalion appeared.

Belladonna was startled and quickly closed her open mouth, watching his reaction.

She had to be careful even after her voice had already been heard.

“You weren’t asleep?”

He asked, raising his eyebrows in surprise as he entered the room.

He approached the bed where she was sitting and crossed his arms to take off his top, tossing it aside.

Since coming to Sirlenia, it had become routine to take off his top when they were alone.

Even though it’s winter here too, is it that hot…?

“Can’t sleep?”

Escalion climbed onto the bed and placed his large hand on Belladonna’s cheek.

Belladonna was about to naturally lean into his hand but quickly came to her senses and stiffened her neck.

I almost leaned in without realizing!

With Scarlet Leyton still on her mind, being with him felt uncomfortable and awkward.

“It took longer than expected to handle things, so I left my wife alone for a long time.”

“……”

“I thought you’d be sound asleep, but I’m glad to see you awake.”

Escalion smiled, pulling up the corners of his mouth freely.

Though she hated him in her mind, seeing him smile so charmingly right in front of her made her heart start racing on its own.

Belladonna couldn’t clearly show her displeasure, nor could she face him and smile along, so she darted her eyes around.

“Your expressions are particularly varied today.”

Escalion remarked as he watched her.

He had no idea what his wife was thinking with her small head, but the fact that she was in bed with him at this hour was satisfying enough in itself.

Escalion naturally pulled Belladonna’s face closer.

They were now a couple accustomed to a certain level of skinship.

He lowered his face to hers without a moment’s hesitation.

Just as he was about to press his lips to hers, something else touched his lips instead of the soft, plush lips.

“…What’s this?”

Belladonna’s palm had reached out first, blocking his lips.

Escalion raised one eyebrow and asked.

Belladonna was blocking her mouth with a firm and resolute face that couldn’t be seen usually.

Shake, shake! Belladonna expressed a clear sign of refusal.

“No lips allowed?”

“……”

“Is somewhere else okay?”

Escalion asked playfully, pulling up the corners of his mouth.

As if somewhere else would be okay? Belladonna shook her head again.

“I want to.”

“…Why?”

Belladonna asked in a very small voice.

“Why, you ask?”

Escalion immediately furrowed his brow upon hearing her voice.

“I don’t understand what you’re asking at all. Are you saying it’s wrong for me to kiss my wife?”

Belladonna looked up at him silently.

She wanted to know Escalion’s true feelings.

The true feelings of the man who seemed to cherish his wife greatly, but in reality had a mistress hidden in his territory.

Escalion, who had been quietly gazing at Belladonna as if she wanted an answer, raised one hand to scratch his eyebrow.

“I don’t know what answer I should give. Because my wife is attractive?”

“……”

“Because she’s lovable and cute?”

“……”

“Damn it, tell me what answer you want. I grew up among men since I was young. It’s not easy for me to figure out what women want.”

I just want to know your true feelings… Belladonna’s expression sank.

Watching her, Escalion let out a low groan and bowed his head deeply.

“What reason is there for wanting to kiss a woman you like?”

Escalion’s earlobes and nape were bright red as he bowed his head.

His reddened skin blended well with his tanned upper body, appearing aesthetically beautiful and very attractive.

“I have nothing more to say. That’s all. I like you. Damn it, I like you.”

“……”

“But if you’re not in the mood today, we don’t have to do it.”

He said, still with his head bowed.

Belladonna, who had been sitting still, reached out both arms and lifted Escalion’s bowed face.

A warm sensation quickly spread through her palms.

“Bella.”

Escalion whispered softly, raising his eyes to her.

Golden eyes that seemed both excited and deeply subdued gazed at her.

It was a loving gaze full of clumsy sincerity.

The moment she faced him, Belladonna felt her heart quickly melting and becoming soft.

‘Yes, this is…’

Belladonna pulled up the corners of her mouth and smiled.

At this moment, thoughts of Scarlet Leyton faded, and only his awkward sincerity was knocking at her heart.

‘He says he likes me…’

Even if Escalion didn’t like only her, if he showed this much feeling, there was no reason for her not to respond to him.

‘…I don’t know anymore.’

Belladonna met Escalion’s eyes, which were now looking at her with an intensified gaze.

It was painful, but if he showed this much sincerity when he was by her side…

Belladonna felt she could endure everything else.

‘At least staying by his side is much better than going to Astanya…’

This is enough, this is.

Belladonna kept telling herself this as she lowered her eyes to look at his lips.

Noticing her gaze, Escalion closed the distance in an instant.

He grabbed Belladonna’s chin and pressed his lips against hers.