Chapter 40. Scarlett Rayton’s Letter
“Lord, Madam! You’re back…”
Wolf, who had opened the villa door to greet them, trailed off as he caught sight of Escallion.
The lord… with a flower?
The huge lord stood there, a big, beautiful flower tucked behind his ear.
Wolf wondered if perhaps Escallion hadn’t noticed. He cautiously raised his hand and spoke:
“My lord, by your ear… there’s, um, something there…”
“Does it suit me?”
“Pardon? Well, that is…”
“My wife says it suits me well.”
That’s right! It looks perfect on you!
Belladonna, who was the culprit, smiled with satisfaction.
Escallion nonchalantly walked inside, arm around Belladonna’s waist and a contented smile on his face.
Wolf stared after the affectionate couple.
Did they really walk around like that all day?
Once inside, Escallion glanced at Wolf and gave instructions.
“Dinner in about an hour. Have it ready as soon as we’re done washing up.”
“Ah! Yes, understood!”
Wolf erased his puzzled look and hurried off to prepare dinner, thinking that as long as the couple was happy, all was well.
Belladonna collapsed onto the bed with a quiet sigh.
They’d been out longer than expected since breakfast.
“Whew… It’s hot in here.”
Escallion, following her in, went straight to the wardrobe and, with a cross of his arms, pulled off his shirt in one swift motion.
Belladonna swallowed hard at the sight of his sharply defined muscles.
No matter how many times I see them, I never get used to it. Those muscles are unreal.
He let the shirt drop to the floor, opened the wardrobe as if to look for a change of clothes—then abruptly turned and strode toward Belladonna.
Wait… he’s coming this way?
Startled, Belladonna’s eyes went wide. Is he coming to me?
“Hold on.”
He muttered in a low voice, reaching out his hand.
Belladonna tensed, but instead of touching her, his hand went for the pile of letters on the bedside table.
Oh… just the letters…
“Are these all for me?”
Belladonna nodded.
Escallion shot her a brief amused glance, then began flipping through the letters, checking each name.
…
Suddenly, she found herself tensing for another reason.
If he finds Scarlett Rayton’s name in there…
She was both curious and didn’t want to know how he’d react.
Belladonna watched his face as he went through the letters, but he showed no reaction at all.
From beginning to end, his golden eyes remained unchanged as he suddenly looked up at her.
“Bella.”
Huh…?
Belladonna, lost in her thoughts, flinched.
He was watching her with an unreadable look.
“If you’re tired, you can bathe first.”
“…”
“I’ll call a maid for you.”
Before she could answer, Escallion turned, opened the door, and issued an order to someone in the hall. Soon, Cindy appeared.
“Madam… I’ll help you bathe. I already drew the water.”
Cindy gently took Belladonna’s arm, her face still downcast.
Belladonna glanced back at Escallion, who was already sitting at the table, opening letters one by one.
…
His face was as impassive as ever, but she could tell he was paying attention to her.
So he’s sending me to the bath on purpose, huh… Is it awkward with me here?
With a sigh, Belladonna walked to the bathroom.
“Madam… I’m really sorry.”
As Belladonna leaned back in the steamy tub, Cindy gently poured warm water over her shoulders.
Belladonna looked up to see Cindy on the verge of tears.
“I guess I was too hasty. I should have checked you were following, but I just wanted to get you to the envelope shop as soon as possible…”
Belladonna reached out and patted Cindy’s shoulder in comfort.
Cindy had been apologizing for a while now. She really didn’t have to…
And besides, Escallion said he’d sent a bunch of knights after us anyway.
But Cindy’s face was still wracked with guilt.
“We could have been in real trouble… You’d be justified in dismissing me…”
Why would I ever do that!
Belladonna shook her head firmly.
“You really forgive me…?”
Belladonna nodded.
Cindy bowed her head, sniffling.
“Thank you, madam… I’ll be more careful from now on. Actually, before you left, you seemed down, so I was worried… But you two looked happy when you got back.”
“…”
“Oh, and the lord came back with a flower behind his ear, right?”
Cindy gave a teary laugh.
“No one but you could get him to do something like that.”
Maybe… but if it were Scarlett, she could do even more…
Belladonna felt a twinge of irritation.
“The staff had a great time seeing it.”
Cindy tried to lighten the mood, but Belladonna just stirred the water, feeling sulky for reasons she couldn’t quite name.
A few minutes later, clean and warm, Belladonna sat before her vanity.
Cindy stood behind, drying her long hair.
“Madam, dinner should be ready soon. Would you like to eat right away?”
Dinner… What about Escallion?
Belladonna looked in the mirror instead of answering, glancing toward Escallion.
He was still at the table, surrounded by letters.
“L-Lord, what about dinner?”
Cindy finally asked for her.
Escallion, noticing Belladonna watching in the mirror, stood and walked over, playing with her damp hair.
“Bella, go eat first. I’ve got something to take care of before dinner.”
Something to take care of before dinner…?
A sudden pang of disappointment struck her. Is it because of Scarlett?
He’d spent all afternoon with her, but at a single letter from that woman, he left her side. The thought left her gloomy.
“Why that face?”
Escallion bent down, concerned by her expression.
Normally, Belladonna would have forced a smile and brushed it off. But not today.
She felt anxious, sad, and stifled.
“Bella.”
He called her name, at a loss.
What’s wrong…? I promised to keep her secret…
He felt a wave of frustration.
…
Belladonna forced a smile and shook her head.
She realized there was no point sulking—it would help no one.
Cindy, seeing the awkward silence, quickly jumped in.
“Um, Lord! I think Madam’s just tired! She even nodded off in the bath, so maybe she should eat in her room tonight?”
Grateful for Cindy’s quick thinking, Belladonna nodded right away.
Yes, that’s right. I’m just sleepy. Just sleepy…
“All right. Have dinner in your room, then.”
Escallion’s face relaxed a little.
He studied her for another moment, then turned away.
“I’ll come before bed, so eat well. Make sure you have plenty.”
Belladonna managed a small smile and nodded.
When he left the room, Cindy set down the towel and smiled.
“I’ll bring your dinner up, Madam. Just wait a moment.”
Once she was alone, Belladonna turned slowly toward the table where Escallion had been.
…
I’m curious.
What did Scarlett write?
Belladonna stood, approaching the messy table full of letters.
She paused, took a breath, then cautiously reached out.
Should I really…?
She hesitated with her hand half outstretched, then glanced at the closed door.
If I’m going to look, it has to be now…
She swallowed nervously and hurriedly searched for Scarlett Rayton’s letter.
Quick… Quick…!
She couldn’t find it in the stack, growing more frantic, but finally—
Found it!
She pulled out the envelope with Scarlett Rayton’s name, and opened the letter in a rush.
She scanned the contents.
“Huh? Is that all?”
She’d expected something long and heartfelt, but Scarlett’s letter was surprisingly short and to the point.
In Scarlett’s elegant, flowing script, there was only one line:
[Three hundred gold coins, as soon as possible. We’re short on firewood, too.]
