DGCBYH 29

DGCBYH | Chapter 29

Posted by Ruby, Released on October 25, 2025

Chapter 29. To Sirlennia

“Madam, are you awake?”

As expected, Cindy came in carefully and asked.

Belladonna lifted her face from the pillow and sat up.

“You’re up! I was worried because you got up later than usual today.”

Despite saying she was worried, Cindy looked at her with eyes full of anticipation. Most likely…

‘She’s trying to see if Escallion and I finally exchanged rings.’

Since the master and mistress would soon be living apart for a few months, the servants probably wished they would hurry up and exchange rings for the sake of stability.

But sorry, Cindy…

Belladonna felt embarrassed and a little guilty as she stepped down from the bed.

“According to Mr. Wolf, the carriage to take us to the townhouse will arrive soon. That means we should be able to depart tomorrow morning as planned.”

Wolf really is fast at getting things done.

Belladonna nodded, newly impressed.

“I’ll get a hot bath ready for you. Wouldn’t it be nice to warm up before breakfast?”

That’s exactly what I wanted! Cindy, you’re the best!

Belladonna smiled softly and nodded.

After washing up in warm water, she went down the central staircase. The servants were busy, moving about.

They were loading up the wagons outside with piles of fabric, food supplies, and wooden materials.

“We’ve barely used the townhouse in Sirlennia, so we don’t have much there. We’ll need to get it ready, but for now we’re bringing everything we possibly can,”

Cindy explained, walking beside her.

In the first-floor lobby, Wolf stood with sharp eyes, checking everything the servants carried out.

“Sirlennia isn’t that cold, right? I don’t think we need these thick fabrics.”

“Oh, really?”

“And those food supplies—better to leave them behind. In warm places, things spoil quickly.”

“All right, understood.”

Most of the servants had grown up in Griblata, so they didn’t really know what Sirlennia was like.

“It was really difficult for the maids to decide who would follow you to Sirlennia, and who would stay with the lord in Griblata.”

When Belladonna looked at Cindy, wondering why, Cindy sighed and slumped her shoulders.

“Everyone wanted to go to Sirlennia… The cold in Griblata is brutal for us, too.”

Belladonna glanced at the servants on the first floor.

Somehow, she felt guilty, like she was running away to someplace warm and nice by herself.

“It would be so nice if the lord came, too… Then most of us could follow!”

“……”

“Madam, couldn’t you ask him to come? Please?”

Cindy looked at her with hopeful eyes.

Belladonna glanced away, avoiding her gaze.

Wolf, who had been giving orders to the servants, noticed her.

“Oh, Madam! You’re here.”

Belladonna smiled kindly at Wolf. He gestured at the luggage and explained briefly.

“We’ve packed as simply as possible. If there’s anything else you need, we can buy it there or call for the carriage again.”

Simple…? This is simple?

Belladonna was amazed at Wolf’s idea of “simple” as she watched the mountain of luggage continue to grow.

Cindy, equally surprised, asked with wide eyes,

“Is Sirlennia really that empty? And why do we need so much fabric and food?”

“Well, it’s for both of you, so it can’t be helped.”

“Both of us?”

Both of us?

Belladonna and Cindy turned their heads at the same time. Wolf smiled brightly.

“Just now, the lord said he’d go too. I suppose he doesn’t feel comfortable letting you travel alone.”

“Kya! Really? The lord’s going too?”

“That’s right.”

Wolf nodded, and Cindy jumped up and down, turning to Belladonna.

Wait… what?

“Madam! The lord is going, too! That’s great! Can we all go, then?”

“If you both go to the townhouse… we’ll leave just a skeleton crew to manage the castle, and the rest will go with you. What do you think, Madam?”

Both Wolf and Cindy stared at Belladonna.

So Escallion is coming to the townhouse in Sirlennia too?

Why… why?

If he’s coming, isn’t the whole point of escaping to the south ruined? We’ll just end up closer together!

“Madam…?”

When she didn’t answer, Wolf tilted his head and asked again.

Belladonna, snapping out of it, nodded without thinking.

“Wow! Do the other maids know?”

“Just told Lucia, so by now everyone’s packing. You should get your things ready too.”

“Yes! Yay! Madam, please wait a moment!”

With a big smile, Cindy ran across the lobby toward the maids’ quarters.

Belladonna watched Cindy run off, then turned back to Wolf.

“With the extra people, our departure will be delayed. I’ll call for you again, so please rest in your room.”

Belladonna nodded and immediately turned toward the stairs.

But she wasn’t going back to her room. She had to find him.

That irresponsible lord who changed his mind at the last minute…!

On the second floor, she turned left and headed straight for his room.

Bang!

Flustered, she opened the door without knocking—and stopped in her tracks.

Uh… what?

Escallion was standing there, half-dressed, caught with his shirt halfway off.

“……”

Um…

His dark skin and well-built muscles, a striking contrast to the smooth white shirt he’d been wearing, caught her eyes.

Before she knew it, she swallowed.

Escallion stared at the intruder, then nonchalantly finished taking off his shirt and tossed it on the floor.

“What’s the rush this time?”

He walked over to the wardrobe, peering inside with a thoughtful look.

Belladonna was frozen, eyes wide.

I-I should apologize…

“It’ll be hot, so I guess I should wear something lighter.”

He started flipping through the clothes.

Ah, so you really are coming with me…

With that confirmation, Belladonna let go of the doorknob.

Escallion quickly changed into the thinnest-looking tunic he had and came closer.

He smelled clean and fresh, as if he’d just bathed.

“Why are you here? You didn’t come because you missed me, did you?”

Instead of answering, Belladonna looked down at her own clothes.

Not thick or thin—just a dress for the season.

Even if the south is warmer, it’ll still be cold traveling, so why is he wearing something that thin?

“Charging at me so fiercely before, now you’re all shy again?”

Escallion spoke with a playful tone.

He lifted her chin gently, making her look at him.

Belladonna pointed to his tunic.

This is no good! It’s too thin!

“Haha, are you worried about me wearing something so thin?”

She nodded! No matter how warm-blooded he is, it’s snowing outside—isn’t this ridiculous?

Seeing her concern, Escallion smiled.

“That look is cute, but haven’t you seen who’s downstairs yet?”

Who’s downstairs? she asked with her eyes. Escallion tucked her hair behind her ear and answered kindly.

“I called a mage. I asked him to create a portal so we can go straight to Sirlennia.”

A mage…?

“But I guess he’s not that skilled. The distance is too far for a single jump, so he’ll take us through a village on the way. It shouldn’t take even half a day to reach Sirlennia.”

Belladonna’s eyes shone.

When she’d come here from Astanya, she’d used public portals run by the Empire, but the distances were short, so it wasn’t all that new.

But a portal that goes all the way from Griblata to Sirlennia in just two jumps?

That might be an interesting experience, seeing the scenery change so dramatically.

…But wouldn’t a portal that size be expensive?

Her father, the Pope, was a notorious miser; she hadn’t been allowed such luxuries when she came here after her wedding.

Even if Escallion had saved a lot of money, would he really hire a mage just to go on a short trip?

As Belladonna’s face filled with worry again, Escallion smiled and said,

“Oh, now you’re worried about Griblata’s finances? Don’t worry. I’m not so poor I can’t get my wife a portal just because she’s running off to the warm south.”

He kissed her lightly on the forehead.

“Honestly, I just want to get there faster, even if it costs more. If we stay here any longer, my wife—who’s already turned white from the cold—might end up whiter than the snow.”

Where he kissed her still tingled.

Belladonna rubbed her forehead.

She’d come to scold him for changing his mind…

And yet, here she was, chatting affectionately with him instead.

Oh no. I got swept up by him again.

As she thought that, Escallion spoke again.