Chapter 42. Wedding Night
Belladonna put her arms around Escallion’s neck and opened her mouth, letting him kiss her.
His thick tongue came inside right away.
The bedroom soon filled with the sound of their messy kiss.
Belladonna felt her whole body tense, so she hugged him even tighter.
Escallion pushed her gently down onto the bed.
“Ha…”
When the back of Belladonna’s head touched the pillow, Escallion lifted his lips for a moment and breathed hard.
“You didn’t drink, did you?”
“No.”
Belladonna shook her head with a smile, not sure if he was joking or serious. But when he heard her answer, Escallion looked relieved.
He stared at her with burning eyes and took her wrist, kissing the soft inside skin.
He sucked hard, and soon a red mark appeared on her white wrist.
“I’ll leave marks like this all over your body. Is that okay?”
He showed her the inside of her wrist.
Belladonna didn’t really know what he meant, but she nodded.
When he saw her answer, his eyes grew even darker.
He moved his body over her.
“Let me ask one last time. Are you sure you can handle it?”
He held her slim ankle with one hand and looked down at her.
Belladonna just stared back up at him.
His eyes were red, and he was breathing hard as he looked at her.
‘If I nod now…’
Belladonna swallowed hard and bit her lip.
They were finally going to spend their wedding night, and tomorrow she would wear a ring with him.
Before, she put off their wedding night because she thought about divorce, but now she wasn’t sure if she wanted that anymore.
‘Is this really okay…?’
She felt confused, but there was one thing she knew for sure—she never wanted to go back to Astanya.
‘And most of all…’
She wanted him very much.
Even if he had another woman, she didn’t care anymore.
“You’re not paying attention.”
Escallion moved his hand from her ankle and kissed her calf.
He gently bit her leg with his teeth.
Belladonna flinched and closed her eyes.
It was her first time, so everything felt new and a little scary.
“Answer me, Bella.”
Escallion whispered low.
Belladonna nodded, eyes still closed. She was too embarrassed to look at him.
“Open your eyes.”
He spoke firmly.
Belladonna felt like crying, but she opened her eyes.
His golden eyes looked at her, filled with excitement.
“Yes, I’m okay.”
“Good answer. You’re so good.”
Escallion smiled with satisfaction.
He moved his big body down and kissed her lips again.
As her vision blurred, Belladonna’s weak voice disappeared into his mouth.
Belladonna slowly opened her heavy eyes.
The sun was coming up, lighting the dark bedroom.
‘I didn’t sleep at all.’
After the storm passed, Escallion still wasn’t finished—he pushed her again and again.
Whenever she thought she’d fall asleep, he would reach for her again, so she had to stay awake all night.
Belladonna lay weakly on the bed, arms and legs limp, only blinking her eyes.
I’m so tired…
“Are you okay?”
Escallion was coming out of the bathroom with a round bowl of water when he saw Belladonna awake.
Belladonna just looked at him, barely moving her eyes.
Escallion put the water on the nightstand and started wiping Belladonna’s body with a towel.
“You don’t look like you can make it to the bathroom. Tell me if it’s too cold.”
Belladonna just let him take care of her, half out of her mind.
Escallion used a warm, wet towel to wipe her gently, then massaged her tired legs.
As he rubbed her sore muscles, Belladonna almost fell asleep again.
‘But…’
She watched him carefully.
Last night, she’d cried out loud, unable to hold back her voice.
Even though he knew her secret and seemed to understand, she knew she couldn’t avoid talking about it forever.
Belladonna lifted her hand and grabbed his arm as he moved over her.
“What is it?”
Escallion didn’t look away from her.
Belladonna hesitated, licking her lips but unable to speak.
Escallion looked at her and smiled.
“Do you want to kiss again?”
No…
Belladonna shook her head weakly.
They did that plenty last night…
Escallion smiled, tilting his head.
“Then what is it? Didn’t get enough last night?”
No way…
Belladonna shook her head again, then finally spoke:
“Um… I can’t explain everything right now… but can I keep not talking, even in the future?”
Escallion stared at her with his deep golden eyes.
Then he nodded.
“Of course. Do whatever you want.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“It’s nothing. At night, you let me hear you better than anyone, so I don’t mind.”
What!
Belladonna frowned and hit his shoulder with her hand.
But she was too weak for it to hurt.
Escallion chuckled and held her little fist.
“Stop worrying and just sleep, okay? I might not let you sleep tonight either.”
Belladonna stared at her too-energetic husband with her mouth open.
They hadn’t slept all night, but he looked just fine.
Escallion put the towel back in the bowl and lay down next to Belladonna, pulling her into his arms.
He let out a happy sigh and stroked her hair.
“I feel happy.”
“…”
“After making my wife feel good all night and cuddling her like this, I’m happy.”
He’s impossible…
Belladonna buried her face in his chest, trying to hide a smile.
She felt the same way, even though she pretended otherwise.
“By the way…”
While he gently stroked her head, Escallion suddenly asked,
“Are all the songs commoners sing at work kind of similar?”
“Huh?”
“The song you sang at the Vatican. Is it something everyone in the Empire knows?”
Does he mean the work song he caught me singing in the forbidden area?
Belladonna peeked up at his face.
“The song I sang?”
“Yes. And the songs the farmers sing here. The lyrics and rhythm change a bit depending on the town, but everyone sings along. I found it interesting.”
“Oh, they’re a bit different in each city… but most work songs are about wishing for good harvests or praising nature, so they sound similar.”
“I see.”
Escallion stared into space and spoke softly.
Belladonna watched him quietly.
“So the song you sang is the Astanya version?”
Oops! Belladonna almost answered yes, but stopped herself.
He might wonder how a Saintess would know a commoner’s song.
“Um, probably. I learned them from people working at the Vatican, so I picked it up.”
“I see. I haven’t heard one in a long time.”
Belladonna looked up at him, eyes wide.
‘Oh, right. Escallion once said he traveled all over the Empire…’
Escallion turned his eyes from the ceiling to Belladonna in his arms, then spoke slowly.
“I lived in Astanya once.”
I know… You sure told me quickly.
Belladonna kept listening, still nervous.
“Back then, I had no money, so I stayed in the villages with the farmers, not the city with the mercenaries. Hearing you sing that song made me remember that time.”
He shrugged his broad shoulders and looked away.
Belladonna was finally free from his deep stare and blinked.
‘If he lived in a farming village, maybe he really stayed near the place I lived before…’
Belladonna glanced at Escallion, who was breathing quietly with his eyes closed.
Where did he live exactly? Could we have even met back then…?
“Stop staring and get some sleep.”
What! You started the conversation! Belladonna buried her face in his chest, feeling a little annoyed.
She felt his chest move as he chuckled.
Belladonna closed her eyes in his arms.
‘Anyway, Escallion doesn’t seem to care much if I don’t talk. But I should keep being careful for a while.’
Even if her husband knew, it was still dangerous to let her secret slip in front of others. If someone else found out she could speak, they might suspect her holy power.
‘I think Escallion will keep my secret, but…’
I should still be careful about what I do next.
His warmth made her sleepy.
Belladonna pushed her complicated thoughts away and slowly fell asleep, listening to his steady breathing.
