Chapter 5. To His Territory
“Sir Escallion Diete? What’s wrong with him? He didn’t just look like a war hero today—he looked almost like royalty.”
“That’s true… I haven’t seen a man with that kind of looks and presence in a long time.”
After the women spoke, a nobleman’s voice followed.
“He’s big and looks like a statue. Standing next to the Saint, they looked like a painting.”
“I agree, they look good together. But…”
The nobles’ voices dropped.
“…He’s from a commoner background.”
Hazel clenched his teeth at the words, almost ready to burst through the wall to defend Escallion. But Escallion stopped him with a quick arm.
The nobles continued, not knowing Escallion was just on the other side.
“I heard he has no parents. That’s why he got the duke title right away.”
“No parents? How could they let someone like that marry the Saint?”
Hazel looked nervously at Escallion, expecting him to be angry. But Escallion just scratched his chin, looking more amused than upset.
“It’s all thanks to the Pope’s generosity, isn’t it?”
“What do you mean?”
While Escallion and Hazel listened behind the wall, the nobles kept talking.
“The Vatican doesn’t discriminate by birth. By marrying the Saint to a war hero from a commoner background, they’re showing the Empire that everyone is equal.”
“Oh… is that it? Well, maybe it’s something to celebrate, then. I’m happy for them.”
A man chuckled.
“Are you really happy? The only reason I come to the Vatican is to confess my secrets. Now that the Saint is leaving, the only reason nobles visit and give donations is gone. It’s surprising the Pope would give up his best card so easily.”
“Exactly. Now who will listen to my secrets? I’ll miss that.”
“Who can understand the Pope’s real thoughts? Let’s go.”
The nobles’ footsteps faded away.
Hazel stood there, worried, glancing at Escallion.
“C-captain…”
Escallion brushed his hair back with no expression.
“…So that’s what my wife meant to the nobles. I thought everyone loved her from their hearts, but I guess not.”
“Captain, that’s not important. They’re talking behind your back—”
“They’re not wrong. I’ve seen plenty of noble secrets before.”
He rubbed his eyebrows as if bored.
Suddenly, Escallion remembered a conversation from a few weeks ago with the Emperor:
<Sir Escallion Diete.>
<Yes, Your Majesty.>
<How would you feel about marrying the Pope’s daughter, Belladonna Briel?>
He remembered the Emperor summoning him from Griblata to the capital, telling him to marry the Pope’s daughter. The Emperor, with his gray eyes, looked annoyed. Escallion knew the Emperor was unhappy that a commoner like him had so much support, so instead of marrying him to a noble family’s daughter, he chose the Saint—a match that looked good on the outside.
Back then, Escallion hadn’t cared and just agreed.
He also remembered visiting the Vatican to decline the marriage later.
<This is my only daughter, Belladonna. I think she was stunned by your looks.>
He thought of Belladonna’s trembling blue eyes and the way, somehow, his mind changed without him realizing it.
Lost in thought, Escallion spoke:
“Hazel, we’re leaving now.”
“Huh?”
“I changed my mind. Let’s go to Griblata right now.”
Hazel was surprised, but Escallion gave a playful smile.
The carriage rattled as it moved.
Belladonna felt a little dizzy and sick.
“Are you feeling sick?”
Escallion sat across from her, arms folded, looking out the window, but glanced over.
Belladonna slowly shook her head.
Right after the wedding, without any rest, they’d left in the carriage for his territory. She looked at him with some resentment.
‘Why did he insist on leaving so soon?!’
“Don’t say you’re fine. Your pale face is even whiter than before,” he said, clicking his tongue. He stuck his hand out the window and stopped the carriage.
He felt a little guilty, since it had been his idea to leave for Griblata right away.
“Let’s rest here for a bit.”
As the carriage stopped, Belladonna’s headache eased a little.
Escallion got out first, then reached in to help her out.
“Come out and get some fresh air.”
Belladonna nodded and took his hand.
Outside, the cool breeze blew her hair back.
‘The fresh air feels nice…’
Looking around, she saw many knights and servants watching her with concern.
She was already thin and pale, but seeing her even paler after the carriage ride surprised them.
They were used to their tall, strong master, and now seeing him with his small, delicate wife was a shock.
A maid, who had traveled with them, hurried over and asked:
“Are you all right, my lady?”
‘My lady? Me?’
Belladonna blinked.
The maid quickly bowed.
“I’m Cindy. I’ll be serving you from now on. I was going to introduce myself at the manor, but here we are.”
Cindy was a cute, bright girl with a calm air.
Belladonna used her last bit of strength to give her a kind smile.
“Ah…”
Cindy blushed, happy to have such a beautiful mistress.
Escallion, still holding Belladonna’s hand, said gruffly:
“Enough with the introductions. Lay out a blanket for my wife. She needs to rest.”
‘I’m fine…’
Belladonna tried to stop them, but Cindy was faster.
She quickly laid out several thick blankets under a tree.
“My lady, please rest in the shade.”
Belladonna thanked her with a smile and sat down on the blankets.
She looked up awkwardly at Escallion, the knights, and servants who were all staring at her.
‘Um… everyone looking at me like this is a bit uncomfortable…’
Escallion noticed her distress.
He put his hands on his hips and turned to the group.
“If you’re done staring, go take a break.”
“Y-yes!”
The knights and servants quickly disappeared from view.
Finally, Belladonna could stretch her legs and lean against the tree.
‘Phew…’
Escallion dropped down next to her.
“Is this your first time traveling so far?”
Belladonna nodded.
She’d never traveled long distances by carriage, not in her past life or since becoming the Saint.
“It’ll be hard, but hang in there. My territory is all the way at the northern border, the farthest from Astanya.”
He grumbled:
“If they wanted to reward me, the Emperor could have given me a better territory. But that greedy old man kept all the good ones and gave me the worst.”
Belladonna’s eyes went wide.
‘Is he… talking about the Emperor?!’
But Escallion just shrugged.
“What’s the big deal? People used to tell you everything anyway, right?”
“Well, now you’ll only have to listen to me for the rest of your life.”
At those words, Belladonna’s heart skipped a beat.
‘Only she and the Pope knew this marriage would only last three months. Escallion had no idea.’
“What are you thinking about?”
Escallion’s large, warm fingers touched her forehead.
Belladonna blinked as he gently pushed her back to lean against the tree.
He took his hand from her forehead and covered her eyes.
“If you’re tired, get some sleep.”
‘I’m not sleepy…’
Belladonna shook her head and pushed his hand away from her eyes.
“Are you stubborn?”
Escallion studied her, rubbing his chin.
‘No, I’m not…’
Belladonna looked away, avoiding his hot gaze, and stared at the sky.
‘The sky is pretty…’
“If you’re not sleepy, I’ll sleep, then.”
He lay down and rested his head on her lap.
Belladonna stared in shock.
‘What is he doing?!’
“You’re too skinny, so it’s not a soft pillow.”
‘I’m not a pillow!’
“I’m going to nap. Marriage is more tiring than I thought.”
He soon went quiet, breathing evenly.
‘He’s really sleeping? He’s heavy…’
Belladonna shook her head.
‘Better for him to sleep than keep talking and drive me crazy…’
A gentle wind blew, making the branches above sway. A light green leaf floated down, moving softly through the air before landing on the ground.
‘Free…’
For a moment, Belladonna felt free.
Maybe it was because she’d left the cramped, dirty farmland of her old life. Or because she’d finally escaped the suffocating Vatican that had always pressed in on her, filled with secrets.
Belladonna let out a quiet breath.
