DGCBYH 48

Chapter 48. Back to Griblata

“What?”

Escallion pulled away from Belladonna, surprised.

He had been thinking about all the things she might like in Sirlenia, only for her to suggest leaving it behind.

She looked resolutely back at him and said,

“Griblata is still cold. It’s not the best place for someone as frail as me to stay…”

“But we can’t leave Griblata every winter. And this is the first winter since we married—if the Lady of the domain abandons it for her first winter, it won’t leave a good impression on the people. So, even if it’s a hassle, I think it’s better for us to return.”

Escallion folded his arms, looking displeased. If there really were any subjects thinking like that, he felt he’d like to throw them out of Griblata himself.

Belladonna went on,

“And when we’re back, please invite Scarlett. She’s your family. I’d like to have her at the castle for a meal with us.”

“Scarlett?”
“Yes. She’s your family, after all. I’d like us all to dine together.”

For a moment, Escallion looked at her with an unreadable expression.

Had she gone too far? Was it too much, when he still hadn’t fully opened up? She worried she might have overstepped her place.

But then Escallion nodded.

“Fine. If that’s what will put your heart at ease.”

“Thank you.”

Belladonna answered, relieved.

“Madam, I’m so sad to leave…”
Cindy plopped down as she packed, sighing.

Belladonna felt guilty, knowing that everyone—servants and knights—had to pack up and travel all over again because of her sudden change of heart.

But Cindy quickly smiled,

“Honestly, I was starting to miss Griblata anyway. The weather’s great here, but the food isn’t nearly as good. Griblata has so many rich flavors, but here everything’s either super salty or super sweet.”

Is that so…? Belladonna had never eaten much, and after a life of hunger in her past, nearly everything tasted good to her.

“And I was missing my siblings back home. Now I get to check if my father’s taking good care of them!”
Was she being sincere, or just trying to comfort Belladonna? Either way, Belladonna felt grateful for Cindy’s words.

“And we’re using a mage for the journey again, right?”
Belladonna nodded.

“Great! That portal made the trip so easy last time. Just, I hope it’s not that old mage again—he always made Lord Escallion nervous.”
Belladonna shook her head; this time Escallion had hired a younger, much more skilled magician.

Thinking of old Pavion, who knew her secret, gave Belladonna a strange feeling. Would she ever see him again? She wasn’t sure if she hoped she would or not.

With a little sigh, Belladonna finished her packing.

As soon as the carriage passed through the portal connecting Sirlenia and Griblata, Belladonna immediately regretted her decision.

A cold so sharp it seemed to cut through her bones slammed into her.

‘Wow… this is brutal.’

Clinging to Escallion for warmth, Belladonna watched the castle staff rushing out with thick coats.

She sniffled, already longing for Sirlenia’s gentle warmth.

“Madam! Please, put this on.”
“It was bearable last week, but it got so cold overnight!”

Right, I really did pick the worst time to come back…

Bundled up in a heavy wool coat, Belladonna entered the castle.

When she and Escallion stepped through the doors, the staff—lined up in two rows—bowed deeply.

“Welcome home, Lord and Lady!”
“Did you have a pleasant trip?”

Belladonna caught the staff exchanging pleased glances when they saw the matching rings on her and Escallion’s hands. Flustered, she hid her hand under her coat as she hurried up the stairs.

The next afternoon, Wolf visited Belladonna’s room.

After receiving permission, he sat down and spoke in a determined voice.

“I heard you’d like to invite Miss Scarlett Layton.”

Belladonna nodded. Wolf set a sheet of paper on the table.

“I see the Lord has finally told you the truth.”

He paused, as if gathering his thoughts.

“I apologize for never mentioning it myself, though I saw you were concerned about Miss Scarlett. But I couldn’t speak before Lord Escallion did.”

Belladonna smiled, letting him know she understood. Wolf continued,

“The Lord is always cautious about anything to do with Miss Scarlett. He hides her existence more than necessary, sometimes even ignoring her to the point of creating needless misunderstandings.”

So he knew… Did Escallion realize people took Scarlett for his mistress?

Belladonna let out a small sigh.

“But it was his way of protecting her,” Wolf said. “Before being granted Griblata, the Lord wandered the continent as a mercenary. Not only was pay an issue, but he had many enemies. To stand with one side meant being another’s enemy. Anyone could use Scarlett as leverage against him.”

‘So anyone outstanding—like Escallion—would have drawn attention and opposition, and enemies could’ve used Scarlett as a weakness.’

“Back then, he thought he didn’t have the strength or the right to protect a family. He kept his distance for her sake. He couldn’t be a warm, affectionate brother, and over time they became almost strangers. Now Scarlett only contacts him when she needs something.”

Belladonna could easily imagine how awkwardly Escallion must have treated his sister, trying to protect her by staying distant.

“From the side, it’s obvious they care for each other more than anyone, but neither of them seems to realize it…”

Wolf caught himself and waved his hand quickly.

“Ah, forget that last part, Madam. I got carried away.”

Belladonna shook her head.
Even just listening to Escallion, it was clear how much he cared for his sister.

Wolf cleared his throat and returned to business.

“Anyway, Miss Scarlett is living in a house the Lord provided for her. Shall I send the invitation there?”

Belladonna nodded.

76 Euphranga Street. Time to send her a letter.

With Wolf’s help, Belladonna carefully sealed the invitation with wax and studied the envelope.

‘Is this enough?’

She wondered how Scarlett would react. Would this help her and Escallion become closer—like real siblings?

She thought,

I want to give Escallion a real family, something he’s never truly had.

And for herself…

I want to be a real family to him, too. I want to stay by his side as his wife, not return to Astanya.

Her gaze shifted to a stack of envelopes on the desk—each stamped with the seal of the Papacy.

All letters from the Pope, addressed to her.

Seeing them, she sighed.
When she first arrived in Griblata, she’d answered every letter, always reminding herself not to forget the promise of divorce in a few months.

At that time, she’d believed she should go back to the familiarity of Astanya rather than try to adjust to a strange husband and a strange place.

And as a saint, she thought she should obey the Pope’s orders.

But recently…

Now, she wanted to stay with Escallion. She hadn’t replied to any letters from the Pope. Maybe that’s why he was sending more, growing impatient at her silence.

Belladonna shoved the unopened envelopes away.

I can’t keep ignoring the Pope forever.
He’ll demand a divorce after three months, claiming Escallion has some “flaw.”

But I haven’t found any flaws. He has no hidden fortune, no private army to rival the Pope or Emperor, not even any physical defect. Except, perhaps… Scarlett…

She remembered the Pope’s oily voice:

“Let’s aim for two birds with one stone—sympathy for a saint abandoned by her immoral husband!”

The Pope, too, thought Scarlett was Escallion’s lover. He’d want to publicize Escallion’s “unfaithfulness” to force her back to Astanya.

How can I stop that?

If she publicly revealed that Scarlett was Escallion’s half-sister, Scarlett herself might be hurt or targeted—exactly what Escallion feared.

There was still a month before the three-month deadline.

Belladonna eyed the pile of letters.

First, I need to find out what the Pope really wants.

She pulled out a blank sheet and a pen, planning to pose as if she were still on his side, hoping to learn his true intentions.