DGCBYH 34

Chapter 34. Palm Talk

Belladonna leaned against the wide headboard of the bed and looked at her husband.

Escallion was sitting at the round table, reviewing a thick stack of documents.

The table looked like a toy compared to his huge frame.

What kind of urgent paperwork keeps him working this late…

Not long after Escallion had come to the bedroom, Wolf had hurried in and handed him more documents.

<“My lord! Sorry, some files were missing earlier…”>

Belladonna silently blamed Wolf for not letting Escallion rest, and watched her husband’s side profile.

But still…

He looked different tonight—calm and serious, not his usual playful self.

His brows were slightly furrowed, golden eyes moving steadily as he focused.

Now and then, he pushed his hair back from his forehead with a nervous gesture.

He looks so different today…

Belladonna stared at his serious expression, almost holding her breath.

Does he always look like this when he works? I never saw that look on him before…

“What? You’re staring holes in me,” Escallion said, flipping a page.

Belladonna jumped in surprise when she realized he was talking to her.

Me? Me…?

Escallion set down the report and turned toward her.

“Is this a new way of teasing me? Attacking with your eyes?”

“…”

“It’s impossible to know what my wife wants sometimes.”

Belladonna looked away awkwardly. Was I staring too much?

Escallion watched her for a moment, then sighed and got up, coming over to the bed.

Belladonna felt nervous and a little excited, so she scooted aside to make room for him.

“I can’t concentrate in the bedroom anyway. I’ll just finish this tomorrow after some sleep.”

Escallion flopped down beside her.

Belladonna glanced at him, then shyly reached out her finger.

He understood at once and opened his palm wide for her.

She traced letters:

‘W-o-r-k. L-o-t-s. O-f.’

“A lot of work? All the paperwork from Griblata has to come here, then go back. There’s not much time for everything. I might have to return to Griblata soon.”

Escallion rubbed his tired eyes.

Return to Griblata soon…?

He saw her face and smiled faintly.

“Don’t look so worried. You were curious if I was busy? Or did you not like me reading paperwork in bed?”

He poked her furrowed brow playfully.

Belladonna jerked back, then sat up and wrote with her finger again.

‘I-s. i-t. o-k-a-y. n-o-w?’

Even though he probably knew what she was asking, Escallion let her finish.

He looked up at her.

“Why? Do you have something you want to do?”

He looked almost hopeful. Belladonna blinked, then started writing again.

‘W-a-n-t. t-o. h-e-a-r. s-t-o-r-y.’

“Story? What kind of story?”

He sounded disappointed.

What was he expecting? Belladonna wondered, but she wanted to hear his story more.

She traced again.

‘P-a-s-t.’

“My past…?”

Escallion frowned.

So suddenly, she wanted to know about his past? He couldn’t figure out why.

“…Ah.”

He glanced at Belladonna’s odd expression, scratching his head awkwardly.

Was she asking about Scarlet? Did she think he had an old lover?

If so, there was nothing to say.

“Uh… I’m not really sure what story you want. Aren’t you tired? Should I turn off the light?”

He was obviously trying to avoid it and started to get up.

But Belladonna was quicker. She grabbed his palm and started writing again.

But Escallion closed his hand around her finger.

“It’s late. We should sleep.”

Who is it that always keeps me up late, talking? Belladonna glared and pulled her finger free, writing again.

‘W-a-n-t. t-o. k-n-o-w. h-o-w. y-o-u. l-i-v-e-d.’

“You want to know how I lived?”

Belladonna nodded eagerly.

Escallion thought for a while, then sat back and looked at her.

“You suddenly want to hear about me? It’s not really an interesting story.”

No! I want to hear it! Belladonna turned her body to face him, eyes sparkling.

Escallion gently laced their fingers together, his warm hand wrapping around hers.

“I don’t know what you’re curious about, but I’m not good at talking. If you get bored, just go to sleep, all right?”

Belladonna smiled and nodded.

Escallion looked at her a moment, then started, a little embarrassed.

“I joined a mercenary band at eight, learned to use a sword, ran errands, got better, and woke up one day on a battlefield. I killed an enemy commander, and the Emperor gave me a title and land. The end.”

“…”

Belladonna, who had been so focused, blinked in surprise. That’s it? That’s really all?

“That’s it,” Escallion repeated.

“That’s really all I remember. All I know how to do is fight, and I never had much time to reflect on my life. I’ve always just wandered from place to place.”

Belladonna looked at him for a long moment, then nodded slowly.

Was his life really that simple, or did he just not want to talk about it yet?

I can’t just ask why his parents died…

But she wanted to hear more.

Belladonna thought a moment, then lifted her finger again.

This much should be okay to ask, right?

‘B-e-s-t. p-l-a-c-e. y-o-u. v-i-s-i-t-e-d.’

“The best place I’ve visited?”

A question like that would let her hear about his past and maybe about Astanya too.

If he really lived in Astanya, maybe it was near her old village? She remembered mercenaries often passed through…

But I never saw a mercenary this handsome in my village!

Escallion grinned after thinking for a bit.

“Of all the places I’ve been, Sirlennia is the best.”

He pulled Belladonna onto his thick thigh and looked up at her.

“No matter how I think about it, Sirlennia is my favorite.”

His ears turned red as he looked at her. His hand on her back felt way too hot.

Why Sirlennia? Does he really like warm places, like Cindy said?

Escallion smiled softly.

“Because I’m here with my wife. Anything is good when I’m with you.”

Belladonna drew in a tiny breath.

Ahh, this man…

Even a fool could tell what he meant.

He always gave her those warm, intense eyes and gently, but passionately, touched her. He truly cherished his wife.

“…”

Belladonna looked down at him with wavering eyes.

She couldn’t tell if the feeling washing over her was happiness or sadness.

“You’ve never really been outside Astanya, right?”

Belladonna nodded slowly.

In both her old life as a poor farmer’s daughter and as the Saintess, she’d never had any real freedom.

“If you ever want to go somewhere, just tell me. I’ll take you.”

Escallion said it simply.

Belladonna stared at him, then raised her finger.

‘Y-o-u-r-e. b-u-s-y.’

“No matter how busy I am, I can always make time for my wife. Just like how I followed you here.”

“…”

“Maybe then, my favorite place will change.”

He smiled, so charmingly.

“…”

Knowing Escallion treasured her made Belladonna feel excited and giddy.

But at the same time, the reality that she’d have to betray him and return to Astanya in a few weeks made her anxious.

…What if I just don’t go back?

The thought shocked her.

A few weeks ago, it had been just a tiny idea, but now it had grown big and was shaking her heart.

If she betrayed the Pope and the real Saintess and stayed with Escallion…

…Then what would happen?

Thump, thump.

A loud noise echoed in her ears.
She didn’t know if her pounding heart was from excitement, anxiety, or the fear that someone might notice her disloyalty.