DGCBYH 33

Chapter 33. How to Tease Your Husband

Comfort…

You always comfort me, and now you want to do it even more?

Belladonna slowly blinked and nodded her head. Escallion’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard.

He took a deep breath, then lowered his head quickly toward her neck.

He pressed his hot lips firmly to her skin.

“…!”

Belladonna felt a dizzying sensation and wrapped her arms around the back of his head.

“Haa…”

“…”

Her mind turned completely blank.

Escallion let out excited breaths, showering her with kisses.

Her lovely neck, her collarbone, her round chest, even down to her flat stomach…

He wanted to leave his mark everywhere he could touch.

“…”

Barely hanging on to his self-control, Escallion suddenly stopped moving.

The little whimpers he heard from above had suddenly gone quiet.

“Bella.”

He lifted his lips and raised his head.

Belladonna, cheeks flushed, was looking down at him with both hands clamped tightly over her mouth.

Her teary eyes only stirred up his dangerous instincts even more.

Damn…

Escallion grabbed her hands and gently bit them.

“Don’t hold your breath. And don’t close your eyes.”

Belladonna’s eyelashes fluttered at the ticklish feeling.

Staring at her blankly, Escallion frowned.

He was barely controlling himself. He wanted to rip off her nightgown and make her his, right now.

“Ha, Bella…”

He realized it was dangerous to keep going and forced himself to look away.

He closed his eyes and tried to calm down, thinking of anything but her.

He couldn’t hurt his wife when they weren’t ready.

“…”

Once he felt his emotions settle a bit, he opened his eyes.

He slipped his hand under her nightgown, which had already bunched up to her thighs.

He pressed his hand on her soft, pale thigh, leaving a mark.

He started to lift her dress—

But then noticed something strange and stopped.

“Snore…”

No way. It can’t be.

“Bella…?”

Escallion blinked in disbelief, his voice cracking.

He cleared his throat, leaned in, and moved closer to Belladonna.

“Bella, are you asleep? No way, right? Bella?”

“Snooore…”

Belladonna had fallen asleep with her eyes closed and her mouth slightly open.

A strong smell of wine drifted from her lips.

“Bella…? Wake up just for a second. Did I take too long? Just a bit… ha, damn.”

Escallion swore and dropped his head over her.

He felt urgent, but he couldn’t do anything to someone asleep.

He raked his fingers through his hair, frustrated. Damn, why did I stop in the middle…?

“Haa…”

He sighed and sat up.

His wife was asleep, legs exposed, looking so defenseless he almost felt resentful.

Still, she looked cute and pretty sleeping so soundly.

He watched her for a long moment, then gave a wry smile.

“Well, as long as you were comforted, that’s all that matters.”

He rolled over and lay down beside her.

Listening to Belladonna’s steady breathing, he whispered softly,

“…I’m never letting my wife drink again.”

He figured he wouldn’t be getting any sleep tonight.

Ugh, my head hurts… I feel like it’s going to split open…

The next morning, Belladonna woke up holding her aching head.

So this is a hangover? It’s awful…

She frowned and slowly sat up, her stomach feeling queasy.

“Drink this.”

Just then, a steaming cup of hot tea appeared in her blurry vision.

She slowly looked up and saw Escallion standing nearby, looking a little grumpy and holding the teacup out.

Ah, thank you…

Belladonna weakly took the cup and brought it to her lips.

“It’s really hot, so don’t gulp it down like you did last night.”

“…Cough.”

Startled by his loaded words, Belladonna choked a little on the tea.

Escallion turned away, grabbed some tissues, and handed them to her.

Thanks for that too…

Belladonna wiped her lips and looked up at him.

“All this from just two glasses of wine? Anyone would think you drank two whole bottles.”

“…”

“My wife’s never allowed to drink in front of me again.”

“…”

Belladonna sipped the hot tea, eyes rolling.

I really thought I could hold my liquor…

If hangovers are this bad, I’ll never drink again!

“At least you slept well. That means my comfort worked.”

Escallion sat on the edge of the bed, gently sweeping her hair back.

Belladonna silently repeated his words to herself.

Comfort…

Hmm…? Wait, comfort…?

<…Should I comfort you?>

<Haa…>

Suddenly, the spicy memories from last night filled her head.

Escallion kissing her over and over, breathing heavy against her skin.

His face flushed, making rough sounds near her ear…

Wait—what is this memory…?!

“Oh, you finally remember? Your face is turning red just like last night.”

Escallion grinned.

Belladonna quickly set her cup down and hid her face under the blanket.

She couldn’t bring herself to look at him.

“Getting shy now? I saw that red face plenty last night.”

Escallion teased, pulling down the blanket.

Stop it! Belladonna shook her head and burrowed deeper under the covers.

“There are all kinds of ways to tease your husband, Bella. Hm?”

“…”

“I couldn’t sleep a wink, you know.”

Escallion finally pulled down the blanket and looked her in the eyes.

Belladonna looked away, avoiding his gaze.

Escallion watched her, then smiled and tapped her cheek with his finger.

“Just kidding. As long as you slept well, that’s all that matters. If you want more wine next time, just ask.”

“…”

“But if you drink, there’s no comfort, so remember that.”

Belladonna nodded, and Escallion stood up.

“I just wanted to see you wake up. Wolf’s been looking for me.”

Ah…

Belladonna looked up at him, feeling a little sad.

So he’s leaving now…

Escallion frowned at her.

“Don’t look at me with those kitten eyes. It makes it hard to walk away. Go for a walk today. It’s a lot like Astanya here—you’ll enjoy it.”

Belladonna nodded.

He bent down, pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, and turned to leave.

“…”

Belladonna stared sadly at the closed door.

“The weather’s really nice, isn’t it?”

Cindy, crouched in the flowerbed, plucked a white flower and tucked it into Belladonna’s hair.

Belladonna smiled from the bench, looking out over the garden.

The white wildflowers, so common in Astanya, filled a corner of the Sirlennia villa’s garden.

Pretty!

She’d never seen these at the Vatican, where only expensive, bred flowers were allowed.

Belladonna bent down and softly touched the delicate petals.

“Madam, is it really this warm in Astanya all year round?”

Cindy turned her head, still playing with the white flowers.

Hmm, compared to Astanya, this place is even warmer, but it’s pretty close.

Belladonna nodded slowly.

“Wow, really? It must be so nice to live somewhere like this…”

Cindy’s eyes sparkled.

Compared to harsh, freezing Griblata, this warm place was definitely better.

“What about you, Madam? Isn’t this much better than freezing Griblata?”

Me? Well…

Belladonna thought it over, then shrugged.

Sure, Griblata was colder than Astanya, but it had its own charm.

The people in Griblata were always warm, even if the weather was cold…

She thought of Escallion, always radiating heat, and a little smile appeared on her lips.

Some people here are more than just warm—they’re hot.

“Actually, if the lord hadn’t been forced to take the northern lands, he probably would have wanted to live somewhere like this.”

Cindy mumbled, playing with the white flower.

Really? But Escallion said he hates the heat…

Belladonna tilted her head, and Cindy spoke again.

“I once heard Wolf and the lord talking, and he said Astanya was his favorite place. He must like warm weather.”

Astanya?

Belladonna’s eyes widened in surprise.

Escallion… lived in Astanya?

She realized she didn’t know much about Escallion at all.

She only knew he was born a commoner, became a knight, and was granted his title and land after the war.

Cindy, noticing Belladonna’s surprise, sat down beside her.

“He lost his parents young and joined a mercenary group. He traveled a lot, but spent a few years in Astanya. He said that was the most comfortable and happy time.”

He lost his parents? Mercenary group…?

These were all things Belladonna never knew.

She fiddled with her sleeve, feeling awkward.

No matter how much of a political marriage it was, is it really okay to know so little about your own husband?