Chapter 57. I Told You Not to Let Anyone In
“Madam?”
The person who came in was not Escallion, but Wolf.
When Wolf saw that Belladonna was awake, relief filled his eyes.
“Cindy said you were awake, and it was true…! Thank goodness!”
Wolf put his hand on his chest and nodded.
Belladonna felt a small sense of disappointment as she forced herself to smile.
Was Escallion… not back at the castle yet?
“You finished your meal… You did well! Is there anything that feels uncomfortable?”
Wolf came close and checked the empty bowl next to her bed as he kindly asked.
Belladonna shook her head.
Except for feeling weak and really being unable to speak, she wasn’t too uncomfortable.
Wolf nodded in relief, then stood awkwardly in place.
Huh? Does he have something to say?
Belladonna looked up at Wolf, who was fidgeting in front of her, with a confused face.
Wolf scratched the back of his head, avoiding her gaze, then slowly spoke.
“The… lord has returned.”
Hearing Wolf’s words, Belladonna’s lips lifted just a little.
“Amy and her partner were hiding at an old inn near the harbor. They were probably planning to leave Griblata by ship.”
“…”
“The lord caught them himself and locked them in the castle’s underground prison. They’ll go through a trial and be punished, so you don’t have to worry. Under Griblata’s law, they’ll get the worst punishment, since they touched the lord’s wife and property.”
Belladonna was a bit curious about their punishment, but right now, she wanted to hear more about Escallion.
So, where is Escallion now?
“Anyway, that’s how things are. So please don’t worry and just focus on getting better.”
Wolf bowed deeply, about to leave.
Wait, just a moment…! What about Escallion?
Belladonna quickly grabbed the hem of Wolf’s suit.
“W-why, madam?”
Wolf turned his head awkwardly, his clothes held by her. Belladonna quickly picked up a notepad and pencil from the table.
[Where is my husband?]
“The lord… is in his office.”
[Did you tell him I woke up?]
“Of course, he knows.”
He knows…
After hearing Wolf’s answer, Belladonna slowly lowered her hand.
“…”
He must be really busy…?
Even though he knows I’m awake, he hasn’t come to see me. He must have a lot of work.
Yeah, that’s probably it…
Belladonna tried to convince herself and gave Wolf a small smile to show she understood.
Wolf, looking unsure what to do, bowed his head and left the room.
She hoped his urgent work would end soon.
But that day, and the next day, and the day after that, Escallion still did not come to see Belladonna.
Now that her body had almost recovered and she could get out of bed, Belladonna stood in front of the mirror, quietly looking at herself.
Do I look too pale or messy?
“…”
No matter how long she waited, he didn’t come. So she had no choice but to go find him herself.
We live in the same castle, but he hasn’t shown up at all…
At this point, she was sure he wasn’t just busy—he was still angry with her.
‘But I’ll just explain everything.’
Belladonna swallowed dryly and made up her mind.
She would explain what the Pope wanted from the start, how she felt when she came to Griblata, how she changed living with him, and what her true feelings were now…
That would be enough.
Finally, Belladonna straightened her wrinkled skirt and turned around.
She carefully left her room and headed for Escallion’s office.
Knock, knock.
‘…Is no one there?’
She knocked again, but there was no voice from inside.
Belladonna pressed her ear to the door, trying to hear something.
“…”
No sound at all. Where is he?
Slowly turning, Belladonna looked down the empty hallway.
Maybe he went out to check the territory, or was training with the knights. Maybe he was in the underground prison with Amy and her partner, or eating in the dining room…
Belladonna hurried to check all the places she could think of.
‘He’s not here…!!’
But nowhere in the castle could she find Escallion.
Sometimes servants passed by and greeted her, but she had no notepad or pencil with her to ask where he was.
Where could he be?
After searching everywhere and going back to the second floor, Belladonna saw Wolf in the lobby, watching workers repair tiles.
She quickly went to him.
“Oh, madam! You’re able to walk around now. That’s great.”
Wolf looked back at her and smiled brightly.
Belladonna nodded, then pointed toward the castle with her eyes.
If anyone would know, it would be Wolf—he was always quick to understand.
“Uh… the, the lord?”
Yes!
Belladonna nodded eagerly.
But Wolf scratched his cheek, looking uncomfortable.
“Well… the thing is…”
Wait… what’s this reaction?
She stared at Wolf with a puzzled face, but before he could answer, one of the workers laying tiles looked up and spoke.
“Um? The lord? I heard he’s resting in his room.”
“You—hey!”
In his room? Why didn’t I think of that? Belladonna’s face brightened up, glad to learn where Escallion was.
But Wolf scolded the worker, then quickly watched Belladonna.
Huh…? Am I not supposed to know?
The worker, looking confused, asked,
“Wolf, what’s wrong? I just heard…”
“Quiet!”
Wolf quickly turned back to Belladonna.
“Yes, madam. The lord is resting in his room because he’s very tired from all his work. But…”
Wolf slowly added,
“He… he said he’s too tired… and told us not to let anyone in.”
“He said not to let anyone in.”
Belladonna’s head slowly dropped.
Now, she could tell. Escallion was obviously avoiding her.
Wolf watched her carefully and spoke softly.
“I’ll tell him you came to see him when he wakes up. So please don’t wait for him—just rest in your room, madam.”
Belladonna walked slowly up to the second floor. She was about to go into her room, but turned her head.
Down the hall, Escallion’s door was closed.
“…”
She almost went back to her own room, but changed her mind.
Even though Escallion didn’t want to see her, she missed him very much.
If he wouldn’t meet her while awake, maybe she could at least see his face while he was sleeping.
‘Just for a moment… a very short moment…’
Belladonna quietly walked down the hall.
She gently put her hand on the doorknob of his room.
Should I really do this? But she shook her head.
Carefully, so she wouldn’t make noise, Belladonna turned the doorknob and opened the door.
As soon as the door opened, Escallion’s familiar scent hit her.
‘It smells like Escallion…’
Belladonna blinked back tears and looked into the room, full of his things.
“…”
On the big bed, Escallion was lying face down, shirtless.
His broad, strong back moved up and down with each breath.
Click.
Belladonna quietly closed the door behind her.
‘He must be really tired…’
Normally, he would notice if someone entered the room, but now Escallion was still sleeping.
Belladonna swallowed nervously, then slowly walked toward the bed.
The closer she got, the more she could hear Escallion breathing and smell his scent.
After looking at him for a while, she sat down carefully on a chair near the bed.
‘Watching someone sleep like this… I must look like a stalker…’
But even just sitting there, watching him sleep from afar, made her feel calm.
Belladonna slowly leaned back in the chair.
‘He saved me…’
She had been kidnapped and left in a cave, attacked by a bear, and almost died.
At the last moment, she thought she saw Escallion.
She felt both thankful and sorry toward him.
“Mm…”
Then, Escallion made a small sound and turned over.
Oh no, he’s waking up! Is it because of me? Belladonna held her breath and watched him.
Lying on his back now, Escallion slowly opened his golden eyes and stared at the high ceiling.
“…”
After blinking a few times, his gaze suddenly shifted to her.
Belladonna was startled, but Escallion didn’t seem very surprised.
But…
Unexpectedly meeting his eyes, Belladonna’s cheeks turned red.
His strong, bare chest, sleepy eyes, and messy hair all made him look strangely attractive.
No, stop! Don’t think like that now!
While Belladonna was blushing over her silly thoughts, Escallion spoke in a low voice.
“I told you not to let anyone in.”
