Chapter 30. Was It Worth This Much Thanks?
Escallion took her hand and led her outside the castle, where the servants had gathered in a circle, excitedly surrounding something.
For the people of Griblata, seeing a mage create a giant portal was a rare spectacle.
“Ah, my lord!”
Wolf spotted the master and mistress coming and called out. The servants quickly made room for them.
Is that the mage?
Belladonna, walking alongside Escallion, approached the mage, who stood with his back turned, hooded in a robe.
“Favion.”
“Yes, my lord. Thank you for calling me.”
When Escallion called his name, the mage—Favion—pulled back his blue robe and turned.
…Huh.
At a glance, he looked easily over a hundred years old, an old man with white hair.
Belladonna, surprised by how elderly the mage was, looked up at Escallion.
How could you ask such a frail grandpa to create a portal? Isn’t this too much, Escallion? Isn’t it elder abuse?
Favion, bowing to Escallion, spoke in a faint, frail voice.
“Um… I’ll make it around here. The open space is suitable.”
“Go ahead.”
“Wow…”
“He’s starting!”
The servants, having somehow heard the old man’s tiny voice, buzzed with excitement.
Favion turned and, with his staff, drew a large circle in the air. Clearing his throat, he closed his eyes and murmured something in a language no one understood.
Blue flames began to rise from where the circle was drawn.
“Look at that…!”
“Wow!!”
The cheers grew louder.
The blue flames swelled and soon grew large enough for a carriage to pass through with ease.
Belladonna stared, eyes wide, at the portal.
Right now, it looked like nothing but a roaring blaze, but if she closed her eyes and stepped through, a whole new world would be waiting on the other side.
Wow… I’ve never seen a portal this big before!
“Is it done?”
Escallion asked, sounding bored.
Favion, looking even older now—perhaps having spent too much magic—nodded slowly.
He seemed completely exhausted.
“Good. Everyone, get ready.”
Escallion, still unimpressed, gave the order. The gathered crowd slowly started to disperse.
Belladonna turned to look for Cindy—
But suddenly, someone grabbed her wrist with surprising force.
“W-wait!”
Huh?
Startled, she turned and saw the mage, out of breath, staring at her intently.
Belladonna looked down in shock at the old, thin hand gripping her wrist.
Favion frowned deeply and spoke.
“Saintess…?”
“Do you need something from my wife?”
Escallion quickly knocked away Favion’s arm, his golden eyes suddenly sharp and cold.
But Favion didn’t seem to care, still staring at Belladonna.
“This is strange… Are you really the Saintess?”
Beneath his wrinkled skin, his eyes shone with intensity.
What is this old man talking about?
Does he know I’m not really the Saintess?
Belladonna froze, unable even to blink.
It felt like his gaze was pinning her in place.
“What is this insolent mage babbling about?”
Escallion stepped in front of Belladonna, voice dark and menacing.
Only then did she manage to breathe again.
“If you’ve been paid, do your job. Stop bothering another man’s wife.”
“Ah, s-sorry. I must have been mistaken.”
Cowled by Escallion’s glare, Favion finally bowed and stepped away.
Belladonna, now hidden behind Escallion, pressed her hand over her pounding heart and watched Favion head back to the portal.
Does that mage really know something?
“Are you all right?”
As soon as Favion disappeared, Escallion turned to her, lifting her wrist and examining it closely.
“That old fool… He didn’t grab you too hard, did he?”
Belladonna shook her head. Favion didn’t have the strength for that.
“If you’re even a little bit hurt or bruised, forget the portal—I’ll make that mage pay. They said he’s experienced, but he’s clearly just senile.”
Escallion muttered, jaw tight, then gently wrapped his arm around her shoulders and led her toward the carriage.
“Get in first. We’ll be leaving soon.”
After seeing her inside, he went up front to talk with Wolf.
Belladonna quickly moved to the window and opened it. She could see Favion still lingering by the portal.
Should I try to talk to him?
Will I have the chance?
The massive portal wouldn’t last even an hour. They’d have to go through quickly, and once they arrived, the mage would surely return home.
“Sigh…”
As she let out a small sigh, Escallion finished speaking with Wolf and climbed into the carriage, sitting down right beside her.
He stretched out, his much longer and thicker thigh filling the seat.
“When we step through that portal, we’ll arrive in the village of Titisie. From there, the mage will make another portal, and after passing through, we’ll reach Sirlennia.”
“Unlike the short public portals, this one might make you dizzy. You might as well just sleep.”
He shifted his seat, pulling Belladonna toward him.
With no resistance, she found herself using his thigh as a pillow.
She blinked, lying on his rock-solid thigh.
Escallion clumsily stroked her belly.
“Sleep.”
“…?”
Sleep?
His actions, as if tucking in a child, made Belladonna burst into laughter.
Shaking silently with laughter, she looked up at Escallion, who quickly turned his head to look out the window.
Her laughing face was so beautiful, he wanted to look forever—
But it was so beautiful, it almost hurt.
Unfamiliar feelings pressed down on his chest.
Even wearing a thin shirt, he felt hot.
“We’ll depart now! Carriages at the front, please go through the portal in order!”
Wolf’s voice rang out from outside.
Escallion reached out to tidy Belladonna’s hair.
Their carriage soon rolled forward.
Just as Favion had said, they reached Sirlennia in less than half a day.
Belladonna stared at the villa before her, having come through two portals in no time.
“Are you dizzy?”
Escallion, seated next to her, asked.
She shook her head. There was a brief moment of discomfort, but she hadn’t gotten sick.
Satisfied that his wife was all right, Escallion looked out at the villa growing closer.
“It’s been a while. Did it always look like that?”
Unlike Griblata’s fortress, with its heavy, dark brick walls and cold, sharp impression, the Sirlennia villa was made of smooth marble and looked like a beautiful townhouse.
Belladonna admired its clean, simple design.
Should have come sooner! It’s beautiful!
“If I’d known you’d like it so much, I would have brought you here sooner.”
Escallion, seeing her sparkling eyes, chuckled.
Embarrassed, Belladonna turned to look at him.
His golden eyes came so close, filling her vision.
“If you’re grateful, give me a kiss.”
…What? Belladonna’s eyebrows shot up.
Did I hear that right?
Without changing his expression, Escallion repeated,
“I hired people to fix up the villa, summoned a mage to make the portal, and even made time to come along despite being busy. Don’t you think I deserve some praise? So, come on.”
“….”
“You won’t?”
He grinned slyly.
So shameless. Who asked you to come along?
As she wondered how to say no, the carriage slowed to a stop.
Nice timing! Now I can get out!
Belladonna pushed at his chest with both hands.
But he didn’t budge.
“You’re not getting out unless you do.”
Escallion spoke like a rock, staring at her.
“I mean it.”
Outside, the servants were already unloading the carriages.
Wolf might soon knock on their door, wondering why they hadn’t gotten out.
Ugh… Cheater… Fine, I’ll do it!
Belladonna, deciding to just get it over with, leaned in and pecked his lips.
Smack!
She tried to pull away quickly—
But—
“……!”
He grabbed the back of her head and tilted it, as if he’d been waiting for this.
Startled, her parted lips were invaded by his thick tongue.
Belladonna glared at his tightly shut eyelids and thumped his chest with her fist.
This slippery snake…!
Escallion bit her lower lip teasingly, then pulled away.
He wiped their mingled spit from his lips with the back of his hand and smiled.
Even the corners of his eyes were flushed red.
“Was it worth this much thanks?”
“….”
“Say something.”
