Chapter 39. Sirlennia Town (3)
“Excuse me, where can I buy envelopes?”
Back in the bustling town, Escallion stopped a passing man and asked the question outright.
The man, chatting animatedly with his friends, looked up at the much taller Escallion, flinched, and ducked his head in surprise.
“O-over there… There’s a shop selling stationery…”
He pointed somewhere behind him and quickly hurried away, melting into the crowd of his friends.
That man looked terrified…
Belladonna watched him go with a look of sympathy before glancing up at Escallion beside her.
He really is… intimidatingly big.
Especially when his face was blank, without his usual teasing smile—he looked even more formidable.
Belladonna reached out and tapped his hand.
Why does he look so stern? He was fine just a moment ago. Is he upset about something?
But as soon as her hand touched his, his expression softened.
He returned to his usual playful self, grinning as he took her hand in his.
“Looks like there’s a stationery shop that way.”
So he wasn’t angry after all?
Belladonna nodded, a little embarrassed.
The way his fingers interlaced with hers and his thumb slowly caressed the back of her hand made her hyper-aware of their touch.
It’s… almost ticklish…
Trying to distract herself, Belladonna shifted her attention as they walked on.
“Careful.”
It was busier than usual, perhaps because it was the weekend.
Escallion naturally pulled Belladonna closer, tucking her under his arm.
Belladonna ended up bumping against his hard chest, only to hastily pull away.
“There really are more people here than in Griblata, wherever you go.”
His hand on her shoulder, his solid chest right next to her, his scent lingering at her nose… she couldn’t ignore any of it, but Escallion seemed completely unfazed.
As people pressed in, he drew her even closer.
Is it because I realized I like him?
Belladonna looked up at him and blinked slowly.
All they were doing was walking side by side, but everything felt awkward and uncomfortable.
At the same time, Scarlett Rayton’s name floated up in her mind again and wouldn’t leave.
…I hate this feeling.
She’d promised herself to forget, but now, seeing him, thoughts of Scarlett just kept coming back and tormenting her.
Annoyed, Belladonna banged her forehead into his chest.
Ow! That hurt. What did I do that for…?
It was like hitting a rock—her face twisted in pain. Above, she heard a low chuckle.
Escallion lifted a hand and gently rubbed her forehead.
“You do the oddest things sometimes.”
“I wonder what you’re always thinking in that little head of yours.”
“Excuse me…!”
A small hand suddenly grabbed Belladonna’s.
She looked down at the source of the warmth.
“Um… would you… buy this?”
A little girl, not even seven, stood there holding a flower basket nearly as big as her head.
Inside the basket, colorful, freshly-picked flowers were arranged neatly.
Flowers?
Before Belladonna could answer, Escallion bent down and asked,
“What’s this?”
The girl, meeting his fierce golden eyes, squeaked and darted behind Belladonna, clutching her skirt, peeking out with a terrified face.
“How will you sell anything if you’re so scared?”
It seemed Escallion was used to children being intimidated by him.
The girl just clung tighter and shook her head.
“I… I wanted to sell flowers to the beautiful lady…”
“A beautiful lady, huh? Looks like you’re right. Go on, have a seat over there.”
Smiling slyly, Escallion led Belladonna and the girl away from the crowd to a nearby bench.
He pointed at the flower basket with his chin.
“Take your time and explain. What are these?”
“These are…! Flowers my mom and I picked together!”
“Where did you pick them?”
“Over there!”
She pointed energetically.
How cute…
Belladonna watched, beaming.
Escallion, also amused, continued to chat with her.
“Oh, so I could just pick them myself. I guess I don’t need to buy any, then.”
“Huh!”
The little girl gasped in despair, as if her world had ended.
Stop teasing her!
Belladonna poked Escallion’s side with a small smile.
“Why? It’s funny.”
Escallion smirked.
Belladonna shot him a not-so-angry glare, then reached out to take the flower basket from the little girl.
I’ll buy it!
“My wife seems to like it.”
“Wow…!”
The girl’s eyes sparkled as Belladonna smiled kindly.
“You know, miss, you look like an angel! Just like the ones in fairy tales!”
“Right again. This kid has a good eye, huh?” Escallion teased.
“Hehe.”
Stop it!
Belladonna glared at him again.
Escallion only shrugged and pulled a gold coin from his pocket, handing it to the starry-eyed child.
“Thank you for the flowers. You and your mom did a great job.”
“It was nothing! These flowers are perfect for you, miss!”
“Anything beautiful suits my wife.”
“I think so too! Bye!”
The girl had no idea the coin was worth so much, but she dropped it in her pocket and turned to go.
After a moment’s hesitation, she looked back and asked,
“Um… miss, can’t you talk? Why do you only smile?”
It was a child’s innocent question, without any malice.
Belladonna was startled; she’d never been asked this before—not in Astanya or Griblata, where everyone knew the mute Saintess.
And after accidentally revealing her voice to Escallion earlier, it stung all the more.
What should I say?
She was so flustered she couldn’t even smile or answer.
Then Escallion answered for her.
“Because she’s beautiful.”
“Huh?”
The girl stared up at him, and Escallion replied, perfectly straight-faced,
“Her voice is so beautiful, an angel in heaven borrowed it for a while.”
“Wow…”
“It’s a shame, since even her husband can’t hear it, but there’s nothing to be done. They said they’d return it someday, so don’t worry.”
“I see!”
It was the perfect answer—one that protected the child’s innocence and made everyone feel good.
Watching the girl nod as if she understood, Escallion smiled gently.
Belladonna found herself staring at his profile.
Despite his rugged, warrior’s exterior, he had this surprisingly gentle side.
And that, more than anything, unsettled her heart.
Why do I feel like this…?
“Thank you for telling me! Bye!”
The girl bowed deeply and ran off, cheerful now that her hands were empty.
“Well, I suppose heaven’s angel will return my wife’s voice soon, huh?”
Ugh… Belladonna averted her gaze.
Now that her secret was out, she just knew he’d tease her like this all the time. It was exhausting just thinking about it!
With a mischievous grin, Escallion rummaged through her basket.
“These are all different, and whoever trimmed them did a good job. The kid’s mom must be handy.”
“Maybe we could put them in a vase at the villa. There really are more kinds of pretty flowers here than in Griblata.”
Since when did you care so much about flowers?
She looked at him in surprise.
He looked a bit sheepish.
“Not for me—so you can look at them as long as you like. Women like flowers, right…?”
There it is, the playboy moment again.
But she couldn’t really hate it.
In a much better mood, Belladonna picked out the biggest, prettiest flower and tucked it behind Escallion’s ear.
She thought it would look ridiculous, but the wild, dark-skinned knight and the delicate flower made a strangely perfect match.
Maybe it’s just because he’s so handsome. Ha, it’s cute.
“You having fun?”
He grinned too, somehow looking even softer with the flower behind his ear.
Belladonna nodded enthusiastically.
It suits you—keep it there, flower boy!
She half-expected him to yank it out and toss it, but he stood up, leaving it right where she’d put it.
“Come on, let’s go. You still need to buy your envelopes.”
He offered his hand.
Belladonna smiled and took it.
