DGCBYH 59 🌻

Chapter 59. Meeting Eyes

Wolf watched Escallion, who was muttering curses under his breath, and spoke carefully.

“Lord, what’s going on? Did you two fight…?”

“Be quiet and just do your job.”

“Madam seems very hurt…”

Wolf remembered Belladonna’s face just before—a slumped posture and sad eyes. He had no idea what Belladonna could have done to lose the lord’s favor. She had only barely returned alive, kidnapped by shameless, ungrateful people.

“You said she’s hurt.”

Escallion muttered quietly.

“Did she eat dinner?”

“Lord! I really don’t understand. You completely ignore Madam, but you keep asking me about her…”

“Just answer my question. Why aren’t the wounds on her face healing? Are you using the medicine right? Those bastards—I should execute them right away.”

“Her skin is so delicate, so it’ll take more time. Lord! Instead of asking me, you should go see her yourself…”

Escallion interrupted with an irritated, low voice.

“Be quiet. Go get the divorce papers.”

He thought maybe if he wrote up the divorce, he could steady his heart.

“Huh? Divorce papers…?”

Wolf’s eyes widened in shock.

Escallion leaned back in his chair and stretched his legs out in front of him. Even after a long nap, he still felt tired and weak.

Early the next morning, Belladonna tried to speak, forcing her throat to make a sound.

“…”

Nothing came out.

Ugh! How many days has it been? Is my voice really never coming back?

Belladonna clutched her head in despair.

After a while, she remembered Escallion from yesterday—how he had pushed her up against the wall, his face looking so hurt as he turned away.

Let’s try one more time.

She couldn’t just give up. She had no intention of returning to Astanya. She had to clear up the misunderstanding and stay by her husband’s side.

“Oh, madam? Where are you going? It’s pretty cold outside!”

Cindy came into the room and saw Belladonna hurriedly pulling on any clothes she could find.

“Are you going out? You can’t go out dressed like that!”

With a firm face, Cindy walked to the closet and pulled out a rabbit-eared hat—the one Belladonna wore during the festival with Escallion.

No way, not that one…! Belladonna shook her head hard.

“But it’s so windy! Nothing’s better for keeping warm!”

Cindy looked at her in disbelief.

Belladonna grabbed the thick coat hanging nearby and forced herself into it instead.

This is fine, right?

Cindy still didn’t look happy, but nodded anyway.

Belladonna went down the stairs, through the lobby, and out the door—then instantly regretted her choice.

It was freezing. This was nothing like winter in Astanya… her ears hurt from the cold! Suddenly, she almost missed that silly rabbit hat.

She pulled her coat tightly closed and started walking slowly.

Where could he be today…?

She checked Escallion’s room and office as she passed, but he was nowhere to be found.

This castle is just too big sometimes…

As she wandered along the castle wall, she stepped onto a patch of ice and suddenly slipped.

Oh no—don’t fall!

She flailed her arms and managed to grab onto a part of the wall, barely keeping her balance.

That was close… Her heart was pounding. Hopefully no one saw.

Belladonna glanced around and looked toward the stables in the distance.

She remembered riding with Escallion a few months ago—seeing the sea for the first time, going to the frozen lake in the woods.

So many memories…

She got up, deciding that if she couldn’t find Escallion, she’d at least visit the horses they’d ridden together.

“Neeiiigh!”

As she got close to the stable, the strong smell of animals hit her nose.

She stepped inside to get out of the wind and saw the horses moving their heads between the bales of straw.

Belladonna ran over quickly. The horses bobbed their heads up and down at her.

Are they cold? Or hungry?

She wondered what they wanted and slowly watched them.

In my previous life… I took care of horses for pay once.

She stroked their necks and manes with a practiced hand.

There must be feed somewhere…

She looked around and found a box of feed neatly arranged in a corner.

Without thinking about her hands getting dirty, she scooped up a big armful of feed and put it in the horses’ trough.

Eat up, you guys! This cold must be even harder on animals.

She stroked each horse as they eagerly munched the feed. Where is the stable hand anyway?

Then she noticed the water trough—all the water inside was frozen solid.

If the water’s all ice, they can’t drink…

Belladonna picked up a shovel hanging on the wall.

I’ll break it for them! She lifted the shovel high and brought it down hard.

Clunk!

Nothing happened—the ice didn’t even crack.

Feeling embarrassed, Belladonna looked around to see if anyone had seen.

So many embarrassing things today… hopefully no one’s watching…

“…?”

Kyaaa!! Someone was right behind her! She screamed inside her mind.

For once, she was actually glad she had no voice—otherwise, her scream would have echoed through the whole castle.

She flailed and slipped, landing on her backside.

“What are you doing?”

Escallion, wearing his training clothes, stepped forward with a raised eyebrow.

Belladonna sat on the ground, looking up at him.

Why are you here…?

“Get up.”

Escallion frowned and held out his hand.

He clearly didn’t like seeing her sitting on the cold floor.

Thank you… Belladonna took his hand and stood up. For a moment, she wanted to hold his hand just a little longer, but he let go and turned away right away.

That’s a shame…

“Did you really think you could break the ice with that little strength? The ice probably didn’t even feel it.”

He walked to the stable entrance and came back with a bucket of steaming hot water.

He must have noticed the frozen water and brought hot water to melt it.

“Move.”

Escallion walked past her and poured the hot water onto the ice.

The ice quickly began to melt.

Belladonna stood there, fidgeting, and watched him.

Once he’d poured hot water into all the troughs, Escallion turned to look at her.

“What happened to you…”

He looked her up and down, muttering. Her hands and coat were covered in dirt and straw.

Belladonna looked down and realized her coat was a mess—probably from moving the feed earlier. And now her skirt was dirty from falling.

Ah… She quickly took off her coat in embarrassment.

Escallion hurried over and grabbed the coat by the collar to stop her.

“That’s enough—don’t take it off. Just keep it on…”

But Belladonna was stubborn, twisting around to get the dirty coat off.

Escallion tightened his grip, looking flustered.

“I said don’t take it off…!”

Let go! I want it off!

They struggled for a moment, tugging back and forth.

Escallion, careful not to hurt her, let out a sigh and raised his other hand to help.

At that moment, Belladonna spun around, stepped on some ice, and slipped again.

No—!

Crash!

The bucket rolled loudly across the floor as she fell.

Belladonna opened her eyes slowly.

…All she could see was Escallion’s golden eyes, filling her vision.

Wait, am I… lying on top of him?

She looked down and realized Escallion was under her.

Sorry…

“Bella.”

Escallion, lying beneath her, whispered softly.

His calm voice made her remember the moment they had their first kiss.

They were just as close then…

Belladonna looked up at him with trembling eyes.

Was he thinking the same thing? She saw emotions filling his golden eyes.

Her gaze drifted to his lips.

Her mouth went dry.

“Bella.”

Escallion spoke again, saying her name.

As he stared straight at her, Belladonna quietly gazed back.

They held each other’s eyes for a long moment. Then Belladonna slowly closed her eyes, wishing he would lean in and kiss her.