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Chapter 15
A Kiss for a Favor
Escallion’s golden eyes shone in the dark.
“Why are you so surprised?”
Does he mean he wants the ring ceremony soon…?
Belladonna was flustered. Escallion smiled, “If you like this room better, I’ll just move here.”
No, that’s not it!
Belladonna quickly shook her head. She started desperately thinking about how to delay sharing a bed with him.
He looked amused, “You’re such an easy woman to read.”
“With that face, how did you ever keep so many secrets as a saint?”
He poked her cheek with his finger, laughing, “Don’t worry, I’m not going to eat you.”
Belladonna stared, confused.
“The doctor said you’re naturally weak. If you push yourself, you’ll just get sick again. You should focus on getting healthy and maybe gain some weight.”
Escallion’s poking stopped, his tone gentle,
“I wish things were different, but we have plenty of time. So stop worrying and get some sleep. That’s the best way to recover.”
He gently lay her down and tucked her in. Belladonna’s heart felt heavy and guilty, since she planned to end the marriage in three months.
I hope the three months go by quickly…
As days passed, the north wind grew stronger, and Griblatta was getting ready for winter.
“Madam, are you cold?”
Wolf (the butler) stood nearby, holding a warm blanket. Belladonna shook her head with a smile. He wrapped the blanket around her shoulders.
“The hallway is chilly. There’s something I want to show you, if you have a moment?”
Belladonna nodded. Wolf took her to his office and handed her a thick ledger.
“This is the expected wood usage and cost for the winter.”
He explained that, from now on, he wanted her opinion on managing the estate.
Belladonna read carefully. Wolf was very precise—every bit of firewood was accounted for. As she read, she noticed something strange:
Some expensive wood was being sent to a place outside the castle, addressed to:
[Scarlett Rayton]
Belladonna’s heart sank.
So she’s the one…
Scarlett Rayton—the woman who had the ruby necklace in Escallion’s room.
His mistress.
Belladonna was upset and annoyed, but tried to hide it. She wrote on a piece of paper:
[Everything looks good. I trust you. Please continue as planned.]
Wolf looked relieved and grateful.
Later, Cindy came in, shivering, and put more firewood on the fire.
“Madam, are you warm enough?”
Belladonna nodded.
Then Cindy’s eyes sparkled,
“Did you hear? Next week is Griblatta’s biggest festival!”
“Before it gets colder, everyone gathers to pray to the snow goddess Elieza and give thanks for the year. Would you join the lord at the festival this year?”
Belladonna remembered Astanya’s end-of-year festival—a rare happy memory.
Cindy insisted,
“Our lord actually likes festivals! Last year, he even went in plain clothes to enjoy himself. Please, go together this year!”
Belladonna nodded in surprise.
That evening, when Escallion came into her room, she used her finger to write on his palm:
‘Next week, festival.’
Escallion was unimpressed,
“It’s different from Astanya’s festivals. You’ll probably be disappointed.”
But Belladonna looked at him with hope.
He frowned,
“You’re still not fully healthy. If you stay out in the cold, you’ll just get sick again. That would really annoy me.”
Belladonna pouted and nodded, disappointed.
Escallion noticed and spoke again,
“Why do you give up so easily?”
Belladonna was surprised—he was right. She was used to obeying the pope without question.
“You’re very obedient, my wife. But sometimes you should beg or act spoiled.”
Belladonna just blinked.
Escallion leaned in, grinning,
“But I won’t say yes so easily. If you want a favor, you need to give me a kiss for it.”
