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Chapter 11
What Kind of Person Is He?
Cindy, who always noticed things fast, grabbed Belladonna’s arm and led her to the right.
“The lord said you should just rest well tonight and not worry about anything!”
Don’t worry?
Belladonna looked confused, so Cindy explained more.
“Mr. Wolf said the lord has a lot of work piled up because of the wedding and being away. Yesterday was your wedding night, so he made time, but for now, he’ll be working late at night.”
I see…
Belladonna nodded as she walked to her room.
She felt relieved, but also a little sorry for him.
“Our lord always works until late. And he’s always the first one awake to exercise early in the morning,” Cindy said proudly.
“Everyone says our land, Griblata, is only this successful because of him! He made a new port, allowed free trade—he did all of it!”
Escallion did all that?
He always complained about getting the worst land, but it sounded like he worked really hard.
Belladonna went into her room, feeling a bit surprised.
Cindy took the fur cloak from her shoulders and opened the bathroom door filled with hot steam.
“He worked so much without a single woman here. We always wondered who would become the lady of the castle. Now we’re so happy it’s you, my lady!”
Suddenly, Belladonna’s mood dropped.
No women? Ha. Not one? More like three or four…
Did Escallion make them say all this?
Belladonna frowned, took off her dress, and dipped her feet in the hot bath.
Ah, so warm…
Her tiredness melted away.
“I’ll bring you some cold tea to drink, my lady! Please relax,” Cindy said and left with a smile.
Now alone, Belladonna kicked her feet in the water to vent.
‘What a playboy…’
Just seeing the sea with him and returning to the castle in his arms had made her feel so happy before. Now, all those good feelings fell apart.
‘It’s just his skill—he’s good at making women fall for him!’
She crossed her arms and glared at the bathroom tiles.
<So you can smile like that.> <…It’s not a bad feeling.> <Shall we go back to our castle?>
Hmph! Did he think I would fall for him so easily? I’m not just any girl!
Belladonna let out a sigh and leaned her head back.
Maybe it was good he was busy.
She hoped not to see him for a while.
She closed her eyes and tried to calm her mind.
‘I wish these three months would go by quickly…’
A few days later, Cindy came in with a bright smile.
“My lady, the most famous jeweler and dressmaker in Griblata have arrived to visit you.”
Belladonna nodded and followed Cindy down the stairs.
In the parlor, a short, plump jeweler and a tall dressmaker couple stood side by side to greet her.
Belladonna gave them her perfect smile.
They looked amazed at her, then quickly opened their bags.
“We brought the most popular jewels from Griblata!”
“And these are the latest dresses with special lace and linings!”
Whoa…
Belladonna stared at all the shiny things.
She’d never picked her own clothes or jewels before—someone else always did it for her.
‘The Pope or the maids would always choose for me…’
“What kind of style do you like, my lady?”
Style…? I don’t really know…
Cindy quickly stepped up.
“Oh, come on! Can’t you see? Anything looks beautiful on our lady! She’s the reason we brought only the best.”
“Ah… Yes! We’ll prepare only the finest for you!”
No, wait!
Belladonna quickly grabbed Cindy’s wrist.
Where would we get the money for that?
Besides, I’ll be gone in three months. I can’t let them waste money!
Something simple is enough!
“Um, okay… Got it…”
Did they really understand?
Cindy turned to them and spoke in a serious voice.
“She says to make it the best, and as quickly as possible, no matter the cost.”
Nooo!
Belladonna shook her head and squeezed Cindy’s wrist.
Just then, the jeweler flipped through his sketchbook and stopped at a page.
“How about making earrings with the high-quality ruby you bought last time?”
Last time?
Belladonna stopped.
Last time…?
“What do you mean?!” Cindy shouted, snatching the sketchbook. “Our lord never bought any ruby! Are you confusing him with someone else?”
The jeweler looked shocked and kept blinking at Belladonna.
“Ah, sorry! I made a mistake. It was a foreign merchant, not the lord… I got mixed up.”
“If you keep making mistakes like that, we can’t do business with you!”
“S-sorry! My memory is not good these days…”
Belladonna looked at Cindy, standing stiffly, and thought:
Cindy really can’t lie…
Belladonna pointed at the dressmaker’s pen.
The woman handed it to her, and Belladonna wrote on the jeweler’s sketchbook:
[I don’t need fancy things. Just some practical things to get through the winter.]
“But… my lady…”
[Take your time. Don’t overdo it.]
Cindy sat down and mumbled sadly.
Belladonna smiled her special, bright smile at the jeweler and dressmaker.
“If that’s what you want, Saint, we’ll be happy to do it…”
“You’re so thoughtful, my lady…”
Yeah, right…
Belladonna kept up her smile and nodded again.
Outside in the garden, Cindy watched Belladonna nervously.
“Please, don’t think about what the jeweler said, okay?”
Now I can’t help but think about it, Cindy…
Belladonna nodded tiredly.
“Our lord is not that kind of person…”
What kind of person is he?
Now Belladonna was really curious.
Who was the woman Escallion had bought the expensive jewel for and brought to the castle?
She looked up at the second floor window.
Is he even in the castle right now? Maybe he’s with that woman…
Belladonna stood there, staring up at the window, then slowly turned away.
‘It’s not my business…’
I’ll leave in three months anyway.
By then, everyone will know who the other woman is.
But…
‘Why do I feel so bad?’
“My lady, are you all right? Do you feel sick?” Cindy asked, worried.
Belladonna smiled and shook her head.
But—
No! I do feel bad!
He married me, but loves someone else?
That’s not right for either woman!
Where is his chivalry?
“My lady? Wait, you feel hot—” Cindy reached out to check Belladonna’s forehead.
Her hand felt cold and nice.
Belladonna really did have a fever.
Yeah, I’m mad! I’m boiling with anger!
But…
‘Why am I so dizzy?’
“My lady! Are you okay? Your body is burning up!” Cindy cried.
Even though Cindy was close, her voice sounded far away.
Belladonna blinked slowly, and her legs gave out.
“Kyaa! My lady! Someone help!” Cindy shouted as she grabbed Belladonna.
But everything faded into darkness.
