DGCBYH 43

Chapter 43. Sharing Rings

“Ma-madam…? Oh my, what happened here!!”

Belladonna slowly opened her eyes at Cindy’s loud voice.

Cindy, I just fell asleep… You’re so loud in the morning…

As Belladonna blinked, Cindy got even more excited.

“Madam! Did you and the lord finally get to exchange rings?”

Belladonna didn’t answer.

“No wonder the lord came out of your room so late today! Kyaa! Oh my goodness!”

Belladonna frowned at the noise and looked down at her body.

She wasn’t wearing anything, and her skin was covered in marks. Anyone could tell she’d spent a passionate night with her husband.

Belladonna nodded, embarrassed.

“Eek! Congratulations! Where are the rings? Wait! I’ll go tell Wolf right now!”

Cindy, wait…

But Cindy was already bouncing out the door before Belladonna could stop her.

“…Whatever.”

Left alone, Belladonna buried her face in the pillow and went back to sleep.

She opened her eyes again four hours later.

It was already past noon by the time Belladonna finally got up, washed, and went downstairs to eat.

“Good afternoon, madam!”

“Have a nice day, madam!”

Everyone greeted her with extra bright smiles.

Am I imagining things? Belladonna felt awkward and shy, smiling back as she entered the dining room.

‘I’m hungry…’

She opened the dining room door, but what she saw inside was nothing like usual.

The room was packed with strange knights—big, rough-looking men with dark faces.

What…? Belladonna was startled and backed away, not sure what to do.

Some of the knights saw her.

“Oh, madam?”

“Oh, madam! It’s mealtime for you! Sorry!”

Some faces were familiar, others were new, but all seemed to know Belladonna. They smiled or bowed to her.

Belladonna just blinked, feeling lost.

If you all fill up the dining room, what about my food?

“Madam, sorry if we surprised you.”

One knight stepped forward. Belladonna recognized his face and dropped her guard.

Hazel…?

She pointed at the crowded room, her face asking what was going on.

Hazel quickly explained.

“Ah, maybe Wolf didn’t tell you. The knights just arrived in Sirlennia today. Did you know we were coming?”

Belladonna nodded. She’d heard about it from Cindy yesterday.

“We rode a long way and didn’t have a proper meal, so we came here to eat. We didn’t realize you hadn’t eaten yet.”

I did come down really late…

Hazel started to lead the knights out.

“We’ll leave so you can eat in peace, madam. We’ll come back later.”

No, wait!

Belladonna waved her hands. She didn’t want all the knights to leave just for her.

She gestured for them to stay and eat, lowering her hands to show it was okay.

“Madam!”

Suddenly, the back door burst open and Wolf rushed in, out of breath.

He sighed when he saw the crowded room.

“Ah, I’m late. I wanted to tell you earlier, but I couldn’t wake you…”

Belladonna smiled at Wolf to show it was fine.

Wolf nodded, then remembered something.

“Oh, madam! Cindy told me about the rings. I’ll get them right away.”

“Rings?”

When he said “rings,” Belladonna saw all the knights, including Hazel, prick up their ears.

No, not here!

Belladonna’s face turned red as she blinked quickly.

Wolf, not noticing, smiled proudly.

“Yes, everyone! Our lord and madam have finally exchanged rings.”

“Really?”

“Rings? Wow! Congratulations, madam!”

“Finally! You’re truly husband and wife now! I’m so happy for you!”

The knights all cheered, clapped, and congratulated her.

The whole dining room was full of celebration and laughter.

Haha… Belladonna fanned her red face and smiled.

“Exchanging rings, huh.”

A big knight sat beside Escallion on the steps.

He had gray hair and a gray beard, looking like a seasoned mercenary.

Escallion glanced at the man, took a drink from his canteen, and nodded.

“Congratulations. It’s been weeks since your wedding, and there was no news. I thought maybe you weren’t a real man after all!”

The man laughed, grabbing Escallion’s canteen.

Escallion frowned.

“Where’s your canteen, Graham?”

“I drank it all. It was a long ride. I went to Griblata looking for you and had to chase you all the way here. At least I could join the knights coming here.”

Escallion clicked his tongue but looked more relaxed, seeing his old friend.

Graham looked around.

“So, where’s your wife? I’ve heard about the Saintess of Astanya, but never met her. I missed the wedding.”

“You can’t just meet my wife whenever you want.”

Escallion answered sharply.

“They say she’s really beautiful.”

“That rumor is right.”

“Is it true she can’t speak? Not even a word?”

Graham asked without thinking about manners, but Escallion didn’t mind. He remembered last night and replied,

“She doesn’t.”

“Wow… She must seem like a doll just sitting there. Doesn’t it bother you?”

“Better than your wife—you two only argue.”

“Ouch, that hurts.”

Graham blinked his big eyes as Escallion got up and stretched his arms.

Graham put down the canteen and said,

“What about her power? Can she really heal? I need that—my body aches everywhere.”

Escallion looked back at him.

“Why don’t you use her holy power? The people here would love it, and it would help you rule your land.”

Escallion frowned.

“Are you telling me to act like the Pope?”

“What’s wrong with that?”

Escallion thought of the sly Pope and shook his head.

“My wife is not a Saintess anymore. She won’t use her powers unless it’s special.”

“That’s a waste…”

“Stop worrying about my wife. Here, take this.”

Escallion tossed Graham a wooden sword.

“What’s this… Wait, are we sparring?”

“Come on. I need a workout.”

“Hey, take it easy! I just came from Griblata! You didn’t even let us use a portal…”

Escallion picked up another sword and charged.

“I’m not waiting for you to get ready. Did a battlefield ever wait for you?”

Escallion smiled as he swung the sword down.

“Madam! The knights are training in the yard right now!”

Cindy yelled, looking out the window.

Belladonna looked up from her book.

Training? What does that have to do with me?

Cindy nervously danced in place.

“Would you like to go cheer for them? It’s the first training since they arrived. Your presence would mean a lot.”

Cheer for them…?

Belladonna didn’t feel like it. She was still embarrassed after Wolf talked about the rings in front of everyone.

Cindy noticed her reluctance and added,

“If you go, the lord would be so happy!”

Escallion?

Belladonna narrowed her eyes at Cindy, suspicious.

Do you just want to watch the knights?

“I swear, I just thought it would be nice! We could bring drinks and snacks, too. The knights would love it!”

But that’s what Wolf or the other staff should do, not me.

“Let’s go, please! Watching their training will be fun for you, too!”

Cindy grabbed Belladonna’s hand and pulled her along.