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Chapter 9
The Shining Blue Sea
After a late breakfast, Belladonna went back to her room with Cindy’s help, washed up, and changed into fresh clothes.
Today, she was going to tour the castle and learn about the territory with Wolf’s guidance.
“Good morning, my lady. Did you sleep well?”
Belladonna nodded and smiled.
“Last night, an unexpected north wind made it much colder. I’m sorry we didn’t give you extra blankets. I hope you weren’t too cold?”
Too cold?
Belladonna remembered last night.
With Escallion pressed up against her, she felt hot and trapped, not cold at all.
She shook her head and smiled again.
“I’m glad to hear it. Please, this way.”
Wolf led her outside with a kind smile.
“Griblata is a cold region. The harsh north wind makes it hard for delicate plants to grow.”
Belladonna looked down at the land below the castle.
It really was a barren place, with little sign of green.
“That’s why our farmers plant only crops that survive in bad weather. Other food is brought up from the south by traders.”
So, trade must be important here.
Belladonna pointed toward the faraway, sparkling blue sea.
That’s the sea…
“Yes. Luckily, the sea is not far, and our port is busy with merchants.”
Wolf went on, explaining the region’s culture, climate, history, and people.
Belladonna couldn’t remember it all, but she realized this place had more variety than just cold and empty land.
“This way, my lady. Here are the guest rooms, and over there is the stable. We recently bought more horses, and a foal was born a few months ago.”
Oh, I should ask to see the foal later!
Belladonna loved animals.
“If you go further, you’ll find the smithy…”
Wolf stopped suddenly.
Turning the corner, they heard men’s voices and the sounds of training.
“Ah! They must be doing morning practice. This is the training ground for the knights.”
Belladonna saw rows of knights swinging wooden swords.
Some were familiar from Astanya, but others were new faces.
Among them…
“Today, the lord himself is helping train the young knights. It’s an honor for them.”
There was Escallion, swinging his sword and looking as relaxed as ever.
‘He’s always like that…’ Belladonna thought, sighing inside.
As a lord who came from common birth, he felt different from the noble-born knights—more free, less stiff.
She watched him easily block a young knight’s attack and tap the boy’s head with the wooden sword handle, smiling all the while.
How long had she been staring?
Suddenly, Escallion looked in her direction.
Did he see me?
Belladonna, embarrassed, tugged on Wolf’s sleeve.
“Yes? Oh, would you like to see more, my lady?”
“Did you eat breakfast?”
What?! When did he get here?
Escallion had appeared right next to Belladonna, a little out of breath.
“I’ll leave you now, my lady.”
Wolf, noticing the mood, bowed and quickly tried to leave.
Belladonna held on tightly to Wolf’s sleeve and nodded at Escallion.
“My lady?”
Wolf looked puzzled.
Don’t go, Wolf! You’re supposed to give me the tour!
Belladonna smiled sweetly at Wolf.
Escallion looked down at her, eyes crinkling with a smile.
“Oh, you want to tour the castle with me instead? Then let me show you around.”
No, not you! Wolf! I want Wolf!
“You heard her. Please let go of my sleeve, my lady…”
Wolf looked sadly at his wrinkled sleeve.
Belladonna shook her head, not letting go.
No, the lord is busy!
“I’m not busy,” Escallion answered right away.
Are you reading my mind?!
Even so, Belladonna stubbornly kept looking at Wolf.
She was still uncomfortable, unsure if Escallion knew she could really speak.
And she wanted to avoid getting too close if she was going to keep rejecting him.
“My wife is stubborn,”
Escallion said, pulling Wolf’s sleeve from her grip.
Ugh…
“Go on, Wolf.”
“Yes, my lady. I’ll leave you now.”
Wolf hurried away.
Belladonna watched him run off, then took a step to follow.
If that’s how it is, I’ll go too…
“Where are you going? Didn’t you want a tour?”
Belladonna glanced at the training ground.
“Those boys can train without me. I only came out because I was feeling stiff today.”
“….”
“I’m not such a cold husband that I can’t make time for my wife’s first tour of the castle.”
He grabbed her hand and started walking.
“What did Wolf already show you? What’s left to see?”
I can’t talk, you know…
Belladonna glared at his back.
But he looked happy, and it didn’t seem like he expected an answer.
“Have you been to the stable?”
She shook her head. Wolf had pointed it out but she hadn’t gone in.
Escallion immediately led her to the back of the castle, past the smithy, and into the stable.
“Lord, my lady, good day!”
Servants moving hay stopped to greet them.
Escallion waved a hand in reply and led Belladonna inside, all the way to the biggest, scariest-looking black horse.
At last, he let go of her hand.
Wow, it’s huge…
“Careful,”
he said, standing by the horse’s side.
Huh?
Suddenly, Belladonna felt herself lifted into the air—
In a moment, she was on top of the horse, staring down at Escallion in shock.
Afraid of falling, she grabbed the horse’s neck.
“If you do that, you’ll scare him more.”
She straightened her back.
Belladonna’s face showed how nervous she was, but Escallion looked calm.
He watched his horse and his wife with a proud face, then grabbed the reins and started walking.
The horse followed, its hooves echoing inside the stable.
‘Wow…’
It was Belladonna’s first time riding a horse.
Her eyes shone as she touched its shiny mane.
So cool…
Escallion kept checking on her, then led the horse outside.
“Going out, sir?”
“Yes. We’ll be back soon.”
“The roads aren’t frozen yet, but there are still some rough patches. Please be careful!”
The workers waved and bowed.
Outside, Escallion jumped up on the horse behind her.
Belladonna froze as she felt his body pressed close behind her.
‘W-we’re riding together…?’
“Let’s go!”
He took the reins and shouted, and the horse sped up.
Belladonna leaned back against his chest, startled by the sudden speed.
Wow, that surprised me.
“If you get cold or dizzy, tell me.”
His deep voice rumbled through her back.
Belladonna nodded.
‘But this isn’t a castle tour! Where are you taking me?’
The horse soon left the castle grounds and sped into the open.
Escallion turned the horse, heading for the far side of the territory.
Wind whipped Belladonna’s hair everywhere, and she tried to look around for clues.
‘Ah.’
Finally, when she saw the sparkling blue water getting closer, she realized where they were going.
‘…The sea.’
Escallion slowed the horse as they reached the soft, sandy shore.
Belladonna stared at the wide, shining ocean.
“Have you ever seen the sea?”
She shook her head.
This is the sea…
Belladonna gazed at the endless waves, crashing in and rolling out, sparkling in the sun.
Strange birds called nearby, and the salty smell of fresh fish tickled her nose.
“Whoa, whoa.”
Escallion stopped the horse and jumped to the ground.
He looked up at Belladonna and held out his arms.
“Want to come down?”
