Chapter 32. Should I Comfort You?
Fabion saw Cindy running over like an excited child and bowed to Belladonna.
“I guess today isn’t the right time, Madam. There will be other chances. No matter what happens, I hope you’re always happy.”
Before Belladonna could respond, Fabion pulled up his hood and quickly walked away toward the garden.
He didn’t look back as he made his way to the entrance.
Huh…
Belladonna just stared after the mage, watching him disappear in the distance.
Right then, Cindy hurried over, placed the hat on Belladonna’s head, and tied the ribbon under her chin.
“Looks like the mage said goodbye, Madam! He was old, but still pretty good at magic, right? There! It suits you! Let’s go over there, Madam!”
Belladonna nodded.
Letting Cindy lead her, she glanced back one more time to where Fabion had disappeared.
Can I really trust that mage?
It was unsettling and tense that he could tell right away she wasn’t the real Saintess, but at the same time, Belladonna felt a faint sense of relief.
Knowing that someone else in this wide world knew her secret somehow made her feel less alone.
Maybe… Maybe I’ll be able to find out why this happened to me through him…
Belladonna gazed at where Fabion had vanished for a long time before finally turning away.
It felt like a small storm had just passed.
But she felt like an even bigger storm might be coming next.
“It’s so hot I could die.”
Escallion tossed off his thin shirt and grumbled.
Even in cold Griblata, he sometimes slept without anything on.
There was no way he could ever get used to the higher temperatures here.
Inside the new bedroom of the Sirlennia villa, Escallion reached out and pulled Belladonna’s hand to his cheek.
“How can my wife be so cold, even in such a hot place?”
Belladonna stared at him, feeling like she’d turned into a cold, damp towel.
Escallion played with her hand and slowly moved closer.
“Hug me. You’re a big part of why I feel so hot.”
Without hesitation, Belladonna wrapped her arms around him.
His broad, hot shoulders easily filled her small embrace.
Held in her arms, Escallion pressed his lips to her neck and mumbled gently,
“Why are you so sweet today?”
Belladonna closed her eyes and hugged him even tighter.
Ever since she met Fabion, a strange anxiety had been eating away at her.
If she didn’t cling to Escallion like this, she felt like she wouldn’t be able to hold herself together.
“Did something happen?”
Escallion noticed how fast and loud Belladonna’s heart was beating.
His worried, gentle golden eyes looked straight at her.
Looking into his beautiful eyes, Belladonna suddenly felt so sad.
She’d gone through pain and death, and woken up in the Saintess’s body.
It could have been seen as a blessing—a kind of miracle.
The Saintess’s life wasn’t happy, but at least she was alive.
Belladonna had just kept living, unable to die or truly become the real Saintess.
At least it’s better than my old life. Even if I go back and die again someday… it wouldn’t be so bad.
But after meeting Escallion, she began to want more.
She never wanted to go back to Astanya or the Pope.
She wanted to run away from everything that was heavy and painful.
When you look at me like that… I keep getting new feelings I never had before.
Belladonna took a slow breath, trying to calm her heart.
“Why are you crying?”
Escallion asked quietly, seeing the emotion on her face.
Huh? I’m not cry—
Drip.
Without realizing, tears had welled up and now slipped down her cheeks, landing on his hand.
Escallion stared at the teardrop on his hand, then looked back up at her.
“Who was it? Did that mage say something again?”
His face started to grow hard. Belladonna quickly shook her head.
Ah, why am I crying now…
She sniffled.
“Then what? Is it because this place isn’t what you hoped for? Just wait a few days—I’ll change it all for you, however you want…”
Escallion lifted his hand and gently wiped away her tears.
His rough, calloused palm awkwardly moved across her face.
Belladonna reached up and placed her hand over his, rubbing her face into his palm.
She leaned on him, and his warmth made her feel calmer.
At least for this moment, while Escallion held her, her worries faded away.
She wanted to hug him even tighter, to jump right into his arms.
“Bella,” Escallion said softly.
“When you cry, I don’t know what to do.”
“It’s like my head stops working. What should I do? What do you want me to do so you’ll stop crying?”
Belladonna blinked slowly. She didn’t need anything special—just being together with him was enough.
“Just tell me what you want, okay?”
At that moment, Belladonna noticed the wine bottle Wolf had left on the nightstand.
<Wolf: “It’s wine made from Sirlennia grapes. I heard it’s really good.”
Escallion: “Leave it here.”
Wolf: “Yes, sir.”>
Wolf had brought it earlier, just to check that everything was okay in the new room.
Belladonna slowly pointed at the wine bottle.
Escallion frowned.
“Wine? You want to drink wine?”
Belladonna nodded.
Why not try it…
Escallion looked down at her, not convinced.
“Do you even know how to drink? I doubt the Pope ever let his only daughter have wine.”
She’d never tried it… Belladonna looked away.
Maybe it’s like grape juice? If not, that’s fine too.
“…All right. Sometimes you just need a drink when you’re upset.”
Escallion sat up, pulled the nightstand closer, and grabbed the bottle.
He popped the cork.
Pop!
A sweet grape scent drifted into the air.
Wow…
Escallion poured wine into two glasses with practiced hands.
He handed one to Belladonna, watching her with concern.
“Don’t drink it all at once. Smell it first, then just wet your tongue.”
Belladonna held the glass in both hands, looking at it seriously.
She was about to take a sip when Escallion stopped her.
“Wait. We have to toast first.”
Oh, right!
She quickly bumped her glass to his.
Escallion laughed at her cute behavior.
Belladonna watched to make sure he drank, then copied him.
Sniff, sniff.
The scent was much richer and stronger than grape juice.
Belladonna’s eyes sparkled as she tasted it.
It’s delicious!
The taste was deep and full—nothing like regular juice.
She quickly took another sip.
“Aren’t you drinking too fast?”
Escallion had already finished his glass and set it down.
But you finished yours too…
Belladonna, feeling competitive, gulped down the rest of her wine.
Ahh… This is just yummy juice! Maybe I’m good at drinking?
“Do you like it?”
Belladonna nodded eagerly.
“So my wife is a natural drinker after all,” Escallion said, smiling and pouring himself more.
Give me more too!
Belladonna pushed her empty glass toward him. He looked surprised.
“You want more? Why not just go to sleep?”
She shook her head.
“You get tipsy so easily, and you’re still stubborn about more wine?” Escallion said, touching her now-warm cheek.
Belladonna shook her glass until he poured her another drink.
“Fine, have it your way,” he said, pouring for her.
Belladonna grinned, happy, and lifted her glass again.
“Look at your silly smile. You look just like someone drinking for the first time.”
Belladonna ignored him and finished her wine.
Just like he said, her eyes glazed over, her smile grew, and she felt lighter and happier.
Maybe this is why people drink! She felt like she was floating, and her worries seemed far away.
Belladonna let out a long breath and blinked.
“That’s enough now.”
Escallion took her glass away.
Belladonna looked at him with a pout.
“So why did you cry earlier? Tell me.”
He held out his palm.
Belladonna stared at his big hand, then instead of taking it, rested her cheek on it.
Escallion, surprised, supported her.
“Bella, are you drunk?”
“….”
Belladonna rubbed her hot cheek on his palm.
She loved his rough hand, which just a moment ago had given her comfort.
“…All right, let’s just sleep.”
His resigned voice floated down as Belladonna leaned against him.
She looked up. Escallion was looking down at her, face a bit red and awkward, his golden eyes still so gentle.
Suddenly, her emotions overflowed again.
Belladonna’s lips trembled, and Escallion, startled, hurried closer.
“What is it? Did I do something wrong? Is it because I won’t give you more wine?”
She shook her head.
Maybe this is what being drunk feels like—her feelings were all over the place.
But this time, she cried not out of sadness, but because she was grateful and happy for him.
Belladonna slowly took his hands and put them to her cheeks.
Their shaky gazes met.
“Bella.”
“…Should I comfort you?”
