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Chapter 14
What Married Couples Do
Cindy kept chatting, “When it gets too cold, northern nobles sometimes go to their southern townhouses for a few months.”
She really is a chatterbox…
Belladonna’s eyes brightened at the mention of a townhouse in the south.
Cindy noticed and got excited, “Our lord never goes—he doesn’t get cold and he’s always busy. But if you ask, he might go this time!”
Maybe Escallion has a house in the south…?
Belladonna nodded, interested. She really hated the cold, since she had always lived in warm Astanya, both before and after becoming a saint. Maybe he would listen if she asked…
Cindy apologized for talking too much and left Belladonna to rest.
Belladonna woke up in the dark. Did I fall asleep again?
After getting sick, she spent all day in bed and often woke up at night.
She turned in bed, rustling the blanket, and suddenly sensed someone behind her.
Who’s there?
She looked back carefully.
“Oh.”
Standing in the dark, Escallion was quietly unbuttoning his heavy coat.
“Did I wake you?” he asked.
Belladonna shook her head.
No, I just woke up on my own…
He looked awkward, then quickly went to the bathroom, saying, “It’s really cold outside.”
Soon he came out, his hair dripping. Without hesitation, he leaned over Belladonna and pressed his forehead to hers.
So close…!
His warmth and scent made her shut her eyes.
Wait, he’s so warm, not cold at all…
Maybe he washed so his skin wouldn’t feel cold to her?
He brushed her hair from her forehead. Belladonna looked up at him, puzzled.
Why is he being so nice to me? We’re married, but we’re not even close…
Escallion hesitated, then finally spoke softly:
“You… about your holy power.”
Holy power…? Belladonna’s heart dropped. She didn’t know how to use it at all.
“It hurts your body to use it, right?”
Belladonna slowly nodded.
I guess so… He says so, so maybe that’s right…
“Is that why you haven’t used it lately?”
She remembered: since she became the saint, no one asked her to use it. The pope only wanted her power for himself, and lately told her not to use it at all.
But there was no need to explain all that.
Belladonna just nodded again.
“Then don’t use it here, either,” Escallion said firmly.
“You’re not Astanya’s saint anymore. You’re my family and my wife now. If people ask you to use it, just ignore them. Only act as the wife of Griblatta’s lord.”
“If people keep bothering you, even after you refuse, tell me.”
Belladonna stared at him. So he’s worried about me…
She nodded.
Good. I can’t use holy power anyway, so this is fine!
Suddenly, Escallion stretched his neck, then pulled off his shirt in one quick motion.
Eh? What’s happening?
He left to the bathroom again. Belladonna tried to laugh it off.
Maybe my bathroom is just better…!
He soon came back, radiating warmth, and got into her bed.
Belladonna looked up at him in confusion, but he only looked back as if nothing was wrong.
“What? What’s wrong?”
He said, “This room is colder than mine. I have a lot of body heat, so sleeping together will help you get better.”
It’s so cramped…
His huge body took up most of the bed, making her feel squished.
And… he’s half-naked! Where am I supposed to look?
His dark, muscular, scarred torso was impossible not to notice.
“Don’t peek at me with such sneaky eyes. Just look all you want,” Escallion teased.
What? When did I…?
Belladonna glared at him.
“I have no one else to show but my wife anyway.”
He must have already shown everything to that woman with the ruby necklace… Belladonna thought sourly.
“If you want to fall out of bed, keep staying so far. Come closer.”
He pulled her into his arms. She tried to resist, but he was too strong.
Just like before…
It was definitely warmer in his arms, but her heart wasn’t comfortable.
I shouldn’t get used to this… I shouldn’t get closer…
She tried to pull away and wrote on his hand with her finger:
‘I’m fine, so go to your own room.’
But Escallion pulled his hand away and stubbornly looked at her.
“Are you kicking me out? Was my wife always this cold to me?”
Is it cold-hearted? Isn’t it normal to sleep in your own bed?
Belladonna smiled, trying to make it seem like she only wanted him to rest better.
“Then why?” Escallion pressed.
Belladonna tried to explain, but he refused to listen, pulling her close again.
“Married couples are supposed to sleep together.”
“At least, my parents always did, so that’s what I believe.”
Belladonna lay quietly in his arms.
“Oh, our noble saintess can’t understand that way of life? Sorry, but your husband was a poor commoner and that’s all he ever knew.”
I never said anything… Actually, I was a commoner too…
“You’re better now, so from tomorrow, sleep in my room with me.”
Belladonna shot up in shock and looked at him.
“Every night…?”
