Chapter 41. Why Do You Need a Reason to Kiss the Girl You Like?
What is this…?
Belladonna read the short sentence again and again, surprised by the contents.
‘What is this? It sounds like a debt collector asking for money.’
Could Escallion… be giving everything to Scarlett? Is he the type who acts all nervous with his girlfriend?
All sorts of thoughts filled Belladonna’s head. Just then, she heard footsteps in the hallway—probably Cindy getting closer.
Belladonna quickly put the letter back in its envelope and tossed it onto the table before sitting back down.
“Madam! I brought your dinner!”
As soon as Belladonna sat at her vanity, the door opened and Cindy came in carrying a tray full of food.
Belladonna stood up and smiled.
“There are so many foods in Sirlennia you can’t find in Griblata! Today’s meal is made from fish caught in the Liti River here in Sirlennia, steamed nice and hot…”
Cindy explained with excitement, but Belladonna wasn’t really listening. Her mind was stuck on Scarlett’s letter.
She nodded as if she was listening, but all she could think about was that short sentence from Scarlett Rayton.
“It looks delicious, doesn’t it? Please try it!”
Belladonna nodded again.
She sat at the table, looking at the food Cindy set out. It looked tasty, but all she could think about was the letter.
Then Cindy clapped her hands and said excitedly,
“Oh right, Madam! Did you hear? The Griblata knights will arrive in Sirlennia tomorrow!”
The Griblata knights? Coming here?
But shouldn’t they stay in Griblata and guard their land?
Belladonna looked confused, so Cindy added more:
“Not everyone is coming! Most of them are staying to protect Griblata, but a small group—some chosen knights and new mercenaries—are coming here. They couldn’t use the same portal as us, so it took them longer. They’ll guard this villa, and also do new training. That’s what Wolf told me.”
Cindy, you’re the only one who tells me these things.
Escallion never tells me anything like this…
Belladonna nodded, feeling a bit down.
“To be honest, I’m kind of excited! The Griblata knights are famous for being handsome and fit! If the lord is there too, wow, it will be amazing!”
Cindy blushed, covering her cheeks with her hands.
Famous for being handsome and fit?
Is that true?
Belladonna thought for a moment. She’d seen the knights walking around the castle or greeting her in Griblata, but none of them ever caught her eye.
‘No one was better looking or more impressive than Escallion.’
“Anyway! It was always fun for us maids to sneak peeks at the knights training in Griblata, but now they’ll be training here! Since Sirlennia is warm, they’ll probably take off their coats more too!”
Belladonna just stared at Cindy.
“Why are you looking at me like that, Madam…?”
Huh? Did I do something…?
Belladonna looked away.
“To be honest, I think all the unmarried women in Sirlennia will be happy to see the Griblata knights, not just us! Who doesn’t like strong men swinging huge swords, with sweat shining on their faces?”
Hmm. I guess I get it.
Belladonna remembered seeing Escallion training with the knights. He always looked even more wild and attractive then—strong arms, heavy breathing, sharp eyes, sweat running down his chin…
“Anyway! The knights will stay in the training area next to the villa, so don’t be surprised if it gets noisy tomorrow, Madam.”
Belladonna nodded again.
That night, Belladonna lay alone on the big bed, staring at the ceiling.
‘He said he’d come before bed.’
Maybe he’s really busy. Escallion hadn’t come back, even though it was late.
She glanced at the tightly closed door.
“Is he busy getting three hundred gold coins…?”
She whispered to herself.
Three hundred gold coins, and firewood. It didn’t sound like something you’d say to a lover.
“Is he really in debt to her or something…?”
Suddenly, a thought flashed through Belladonna’s mind.
She sat up.
“What if it’s a secret code only the two of them understand?”
It could be. Maybe it looked like a demand for money to everyone else, but to them, it was a love code.
‘Three hundred gold coins, as soon as possible. We’re short on firewood.’
So how would you decode those words?
“Does ‘not enough firewood’ mean not enough love? Maybe it means, ‘Come back to Griblata quickly…’”
Belladonna kept muttering to herself.
“Maybe firewood is about their burning love or something…”
Suddenly, the bedroom door swung open and Escallion came in.
Belladonna froze and quickly shut her mouth, watching him.
Even though he already knew her voice, she still had to be careful.
“Weren’t you asleep?”
He looked surprised as he came in, then walked straight to the bed and took off his shirt, crossing his arms.
Since coming to Sirlennia, taking off his shirt in front of her had become normal when they were alone.
But it’s still winter—how can he be so hot…?
“Can’t sleep?”
Escallion climbed onto the bed and put his big hand on her cheek.
Belladonna almost leaned into his touch, but caught herself and stiffened her neck.
I almost let myself get close!
She still had Scarlett Rayton in her mind, so being with Escallion felt awkward and uncomfortable.
“I had to work late today. Sorry for leaving my wife alone so long.”
“…”
“I thought for sure you’d be asleep, but I’m glad to see you awake.”
Escallion smiled, looking very charming.
Even if she was upset in her head, seeing that smile made her heart race.
Belladonna couldn’t show that she was annoyed, but she also couldn’t smile back. Her eyes darted around.
“You have a lot of expressions tonight.”
Escallion said, watching her.
He couldn’t guess what she was thinking, but just having his wife in bed with him was enough.
He gently pulled her face closer.
By now, they were used to this kind of closeness.
Without any hesitation, he leaned in to kiss her.
But instead of her lips, his lips met something else—her palm.
“…What’s this?”
Belladonna had put her hand up to block him, with a firm look he hadn’t seen before.
She shook her head, clearly saying no.
“No kissing?”
“…”
“Can I kiss you somewhere else?”
He grinned playfully.
Of course not! Belladonna shook her head again.
“But I want to.”
“…Why?”
She asked in a very small voice.
“Why?”
Escallion frowned.
“Why would it be wrong for me to kiss my wife?”
Belladonna just looked up at him, wanting to know his true feelings.
He scratched his eyebrow.
“I don’t know what to say. Maybe because my wife is attractive?”
“…”
“Because you’re lovely and cute?”
“…”
“Damn, just tell me what kind of answer you want. I grew up with guys, so it’s hard to know what women want to hear.”
All I want is to know how you really feel… Belladonna’s face fell.
Escallion saw her expression and gave a small sigh, bowing his head.
“Why do you need a reason to kiss the girl you like?”
His ears and neck turned bright red.
His flushed skin looked even more handsome and charming.
“That’s all I have to say. I like you. Damn it, I really like you.”
“But if you don’t feel like it tonight, that’s okay.”
He spoke with his head still down.
Belladonna gently lifted his face with both hands. She felt his warmth on her palms.
“Bella.”
Escallion whispered, his golden eyes shining.
He looked so sincere and full of love that Belladonna’s heart melted.
‘This is enough…’
She smiled.
All her thoughts about Scarlett faded away. Only Escallion’s honest feelings mattered now.
‘As long as he really likes me…’
Even if he didn’t like only her, as long as he showed her this much of his true heart, Belladonna felt she could answer him.
‘…I don’t know anymore.’
She met his eyes, her heart aching but steady.
‘Staying with him is so much better than going back to Astanya…’
This is enough. This is really enough.
Belladonna repeated this to herself and looked down at his lips.
Escallion noticed her gaze and quickly moved closer.
He held her chin and pressed his lips softly to hers.
