Chapter 22. With Feelings
Belladonna rode slowly on the horse, going up and down, lost in thought.
Escallion was a man of loyalty.
That was probably his nature, and after so many years as a knight, it had become his way of living.
‘That’s why he’s so good to me, his only family and wife…’
It was easy to understand, but also a little sad, that his kindness was just because of loyalty.
‘Even about his lover, maybe he’s slowly ending things behind my back…’
Maybe, when it’s all finished, that’s when he’ll tell her everything.
Belladonna let out a complicated sigh. Her breath showed white in the cold air.
“Are you uncomfortable?”
Escallion noticed her sigh and asked from behind.
Belladonna quickly shook her head.
“Are you cold?”
She shook her head again.
She was not cold at all, because Escallion was hugging her close from behind.
He laughed softly and made the horse go faster.
Belladonna looked back at the village, which now looked small like a dollhouse.
Where are we going?
They kept riding for about twenty minutes, far away from the village. Escallion finally stopped the horse deep in the forest.
Belladonna looked around, wondering why he brought her here.
The white snowy forest looked like a winter kingdom.
Escallion jumped off the horse and turned to her with his arms open.
“Be careful.”
Belladonna carefully put her arms around his shoulders, and he lifted her down safely to the ground.
Standing on the hard ground, Belladonna felt like a happy child looking around.
‘This is the first time I’ve seen a place like this…’
The forest was full of pointy trees, ones she had never seen in Astanya.
Belladonna reached out and touched a sharp-looking leaf.
The soft leaf bent under her hand.
“Let’s go that way.”
Escallion took all the bags off the horse and put them on his shoulder, then started walking the other way.
Wait for me!
Belladonna quickly followed after him.
She was looking at his broad back when suddenly her feet stopped.
‘Wow…’
She had come through the trees and now saw a bright lake shining in the sunlight.
A beautiful lake, shining so brightly it almost hurt her eyes.
It felt like a magical lake from a storybook she read as a child.
“Come down carefully.”
Escallion, already by the lakeside, turned and reached out his hand.
Belladonna, staring at the lake, took his strong hand and went down.
He checked that she was safe, then stomped his foot on the edge of the water.
He smiled.
“It’s completely frozen.”
Frozen?
Belladonna looked at the ice under his feet.
Yes, the lake was solid ice—maybe that’s why it shined so much.
Escallion stepped all the way onto the ice and started sliding around like he was skating.
He walked from the edge to the middle and came back smiling.
“It’s thick enough. Want to come here?”
Belladonna’s eyes sparkled as she carefully stepped onto the frozen lake.
Astanya never had snow, even in winter.
Even the river in Astanya never froze.
This was her first time standing on such a huge frozen lake.
‘It’s slippery…!’
She took a step like she was on normal ground and almost fell.
Escallion quickly caught her.
Belladonna stared at him with wide eyes.
How do you walk on this?
“Our elegant Saint doesn’t know how to walk on ice, I see,” he joked.
“Don’t try to walk, just slide, like I did.”
Like he did?
Belladonna tried pushing her feet forward, sliding on the ice.
“You’re good! Just don’t go too far.”
His voice sounded proud from behind.
Belladonna couldn’t hide her smile as she slid across the ice.
Ah, this is fun!!
Escallion watched her from far away, noticing her real, happy smile.
It wasn’t like the fake smile she always wore—it was a true, innocent smile.
Maybe, that was why he brought her all the way here—to see that smile again.
Belladonna stopped, suddenly noticing she had gone to the middle of the lake.
Escallion said the ice was thick, but what if it broke? She couldn’t swim.
She felt stiff with fear.
‘Come help me!’
She waved her arm at him.
Escallion moved quickly with his long legs and reached her fast.
‘Whew, thank goodness…’
Belladonna grabbed his arms tightly.
Escallion smiled, looking down at her.
He took her hands and started walking backwards, pulling her to the shallow part.
“Were you scared? I thought I married a brave wife, but you’re really just a scaredy-cat.”
Belladonna looked down as she was dragged across the ice.
Under the clear ice was deep, dark water.
Yes, I should just play near the edge…
As Escallion was moving her, suddenly Belladonna’s toe caught on a sharp bit of ice.
‘Ahh!’
She lost her balance and fell forward, flailing her arms.
Escallion reached out to catch her, but then realized his hand was about to touch her chest, so he pulled back—and he lost his balance too.
Bang!
Ouch… Wait, it doesn’t hurt?
She thought she would hit the hard ice and hurt her nose or knee, but instead, she landed on something soft.
Belladonna opened her eyes.
What is this?
“…!”
Escallion’s face was right in front of her.
Belladonna’s eyes widened.
He looked shocked too.
She realized she had landed on top of him.
She started to move to get off him.
Sorry…
“Ugh.”
Escallion groaned.
Oh no! Did I hurt you?
Belladonna lifted her knee and tried to move but lost her balance again, falling on his chest.
Escallion grabbed her and stopped her from rolling away.
“Ha…”
He sighed deeply above her.
Belladonna was so embarrassed, she couldn’t look at him.
She just buried her head in his chest and listened to his heartbeat.
Wait… a heartbeat?
She thought it was her own, but it was much louder and faster.
Belladonna listened quietly.
The fast, loud heartbeat was coming from Escallion’s chest, not hers.
Realizing that made her face heat up.
Belladonna blinked quickly, not knowing what to do.
“Bella.”
She heard his low voice, vibrating through their close bodies.
“I’ll sit up now. You might slip a little.”
Right away, Escallion pushed himself up with his strong arms.
Belladonna slid down and landed sitting in his arms.
So embarrassing…
She couldn’t look at his face.
She kept her head down.
“…Look at me.”
Escallion reached out and lifted her chin.
Her eyes met his.
He cupped her red cheeks in his big hands.
Maybe they were red from the cold, but his hands felt real heat.
Her long eyelashes shook, making Escallion feel even more nervous.
He swallowed.
Belladonna blinked, her heart racing.
She could feel strong heat coming from his body.
His ears were red.
His tan skin was turning red too. She thought it looked pretty.
Belladonna slowly looked into his golden eyes.
Their heated gazes met in the air.
Escallion swallowed again and slowly leaned toward her.
Belladonna shut her eyes tight, her eyelashes trembling.
Their breaths mixed in the cold air.
Escallion’s big hand pulled Belladonna’s head closer.
