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Chapter 10
To Our Castle
Belladonna swallowed nervously and reached her arms out to Escallion.
He smiled with satisfaction, grabbed her waist, and gently set her down on the sand.
As soon as she stepped down, her feet sank deep into the soft white sand.
It felt like the sand was pulling her down.
Belladonna hurried to move her feet.
I might get stuck…!
Escallion watched her and laughed.
“If you get completely stuck, I’ll save you, so go ahead and walk around as much as you want.”
Getting used to the sand, Belladonna slowly walked closer to the sea.
The waves made cool sounds as they crashed.
It was like the sea was calling her.
“If you get any closer, your dress and shoes will definitely get wet.”
Oh, really?
Belladonna stopped, hearing Escallion’s voice behind her.
She realized that she couldn’t really tell how far the waves would reach, and she didn’t want to get her dress or shoes wet.
If her clothes got wet, she’d feel cold on the way back…
Escallion, after tying the horse, came closer and bent down.
‘Huh? What is he doing?’
He took off his boots, rolled up his pants, and showed off his strong legs.
He looked up at Belladonna and grinned before suddenly lifting her up.
“Aaah!”
Belladonna hit his chest in surprise. Being with this man would give her a heart attack someday!
“Ow,” Escallion said, sounding not bothered at all.
He held her tighter and walked straight into the sea.
Belladonna stopped hitting him and stared.
Waves splashed up and wet his bare feet and legs as he kept going.
‘How far is he going?’
Finally, when the water reached above his knees, Escallion stopped and gently set her down.
“If you want to touch the sea, go ahead.”
Belladonna stared at him with wide eyes.
He brought me here so I wouldn’t get wet…?
She couldn’t look away from him.
“If you’re just going to stare at your husband, I shouldn’t have brought you here. Look at the sea instead.”
Belladonna quickly turned her head to look at the water.
She reached out and touched the sea.
“Ah, it’s cold!”
The water was icy, so she pulled her hand back.
But… it was fun.
Belladonna took a deep breath and touched the water again.
She splashed the water, scooped it up in both hands, and let it pour down again.
“Wow, amazing! It feels like I’m in a huge bath.”
“You’re like a little kid playing in the water,” Escallion said.
Belladonna, feeling playful, flicked water at his face.
Escallion closed his eyes and laughed.
“Are you having fun?”
Yes, I’m having fun, you fool.
For the first time in a long while, Belladonna smiled with her whole heart.
Escallion saw her real smile and became serious.
“So, you do know how to smile like that.”
Huh?
She looked back at him, but his face was back to normal.
“If you’re done, let’s go back. The sea wind is colder than you think.”
It was a little disappointing, but Belladonna nodded.
Without hesitation, Escallion turned around and walked out of the water, carrying her just like before.
Belladonna looked over his shoulder at the wide blue sea.
When they reached the sand, he set her down.
Belladonna played with the sand under her feet.
Escallion picked up his boots and walked.
“Come here.”
Am I a puppy or what?
Still, Belladonna followed him.
Walking barefoot through the sand, they reached the horse.
Escallion put Belladonna on the saddle.
“Hand.”
What am I, a dog?
Belladonna gave him her hands.
He took her small hands in his big ones and blew warm air on them.
“Your hands are like ice.”
Oh.
She hadn’t realized her hands were so cold until he warmed them.
Just then, Belladonna looked down.
Escallion’s legs were red from the cold water.
She pulled her hands away and pointed at his legs.
Escallion looked and laughed.
“Is the Saint worried about my legs?”
Yes. Don’t worry about my hands, warm up your own legs!
“After so many battles in the north, I don’t even feel cold anymore. Who’s worried about who?”
He took her hands again.
Belladonna felt a bit guilty.
“But… it’s not bad. This feeling.”
He pressed his lips to the back of her hands.
Her heart pounded as she felt his soft lips on her cold skin.
Escallion looked up at her.
“Shall we go back?”
Belladonna stared at his burning golden eyes.
If I keep looking into his eyes like this, I feel like I can see myself in them…
His eyes were special.
“Bella. Shall we go… back to our castle?”
Our castle…?
No, it was clearly his castle.
But Belladonna couldn’t say anything.
Slowly, she nodded.
Escallion smiled as if satisfied.
“Yes, my lady. As you wish.”
Back at the castle, it was already dark.
Cindy ran out with a lamp as soon as she saw them.
“Oh, my lady! The weather is so cold and you only wore a dress! You’ll catch a cold!”
Belladonna smiled awkwardly.
She was warm, hugged tightly by Escallion, safe from the cold wind.
“Take her inside.”
Escallion jumped down and helped Belladonna down.
She looked away, feeling shy.
“Sir… are you barefoot? Where are your shoes…?”
Cindy looked at Escallion’s bare feet in surprise.
Escallion brushed his hair and spoke calmly.
“Don’t worry about me. Just take my wife inside, it’s getting cold.”
“Yes, sir!”
Cindy put a warm fur coat over Belladonna’s shoulders and led her inside.
As they entered the warm, bright castle, Belladonna glanced back at Escallion.
He was giving orders to the stable boys.
“My lady? Come inside, or you’ll catch a cold.”
Cindy urged her.
Belladonna nodded and smiled out of habit.
“Griblata’s winter can come suddenly. Even if the days are warm, it gets cold at night. Always bring warm clothes!”
Belladonna nodded as she went up the stairs.
She could still smell the salty sea in her hair.
She wanted to wash up and rest in a warm bed.
Wait… but…
Reaching the second floor with Cindy, Belladonna hesitated at the hallway.
To the left was the bridal chamber.
To the right was her own room.
‘Will I have to go to the bridal chamber again tonight…?’
