Episode 10 : To Our Castle
Belladonna swallowed her saliva once and extended her arms to Escalion.
Seeing her make him satisfied smile, he grabbed her waist and gently lowered her down.
‘Wow…..’
As soon as she stepped onto the floor, her feet sank into the white sand. It felt as if soft sand was pulling at her feet.
Belladonna were taken aback and quickly moved her legs.
I think i’m going to fall….!
Escalion, who was looking at her, chuckled.
“If you fall completely, I will save you, so you can move around as you please.”
Little by little, Belladonna got used to the sand and slowly took steps towards the sea.
Where it makes cool sounds and the waves crash.
It was as if the sea was calling to her.
“If you were so brave and approached it, you would definitely get your dress and shoes wet.”
Really?
At the sound of Escalion’s voice coming from behind her, Belladonna stopped her steps.
Now that I think about it, the waves rushing towards me couldn’t easily predict it’s movements.
She wanted to get closer, but she felt like she might squish and wet the dress and shoes that Cindy had worked so hard to prepare for her.
If i wear wet clothes, it might be cold when i go back…..
Escalion, who had tied up the horse in its proper place and came to her side, bowed down to her.
‘Huh? What is he doing?’
Escalion took off his boots and rolled up his trousers, exposing his firm, smooth calves.
He looked up at me for a moment, baring his teeth and grinning as he lifted her up.
Arghhhhh!!
Belladonna, startled, struck his chest.
If I’m with this man, my heart won’t go away! If this continues, I’m really going to scream!
“Ouch.”
He spoke in a calm voice that didn’t seem to be very painful.
Escalion picked her up once more as she struggled, and with her unstoppable steps set off towards the sea where the waves crashed.
What?
Belladonna stopped punching her and just watched him do it.
As he walked towards the sea, the waves continued to come, soaking Escalion’s bare feet, and then rising higher and beginning to soak his calves.
However, he did not stop his steps.
‘How far do you go in?’
Belladonna looked down at the waves lapping beneath her with a worried face.
Finally, Escalion stopped at a place where the sea water was lapping at the top of his knees, where he had rolled up his trousers, and gently lowered her, who was holding him in his strong arms.
“If you want to touch it, touch it.”
Escalion said, looking down at her.
Belladonna looked up at him, blinking her wide open eyes.
So now…….
‘Did you come all this way yourself to keep me dry?’
Bella didn’t take her eyes off him, just staring at him with her blue eyes.
“If you’re just going to stare at you husband’s face like that, i will think i brought you in for no reason. You should look at the sea, not me.”
At his voice, Belladonna was startled and turned her head.
Below, there was lapping sea water.
Belladonna carefully stretched out her hand and touched the sea water.
‘Oh, it’s cold!’
Belladonna quickly withdrew her hand in the sea water, which was icier than expected.
however……it’s fun.
Bella took a deep breath from her and she reached out her hand again.
Slap, slap, slap.
She moved around on her surface, splashing the sea water, scooping up her hands full of water and pouring it back out.
Wow, amazing! I felt like I was in a huge bathtub.
“You look like a child who likes to play with water.”
Escalion spat out.
Hmm…….
Belladonna, feeling somewhat playful, raised her hand soaked in sea water and waved it in front of his face, splashing it.
Escalion closed his eyes and laughed.
“fun?”
yes. Man, it’s fun.
Feeling better, Belladonna opened her mouth and smiled.
It was not the usual elegant and pretentious smooth smile, but a smile that came from the heart for the first time in a long time.
Escalion’s face sank solemnly upon checking her.
“You know how to laugh like that.”
huh?
Belladonna, who was looking down at the sea again, turned her head at the sudden sound of her low voice.
But his face had returned to its usual smirk.
“If you’ve seen enough, let’s go. The sea breeze is colder than you think, so you can’t let down your guard.”
Although she was a little disappointed, Bella nodded her head.
Without hesitation, Escalion turned and went out into the sea, just as he had come in. Belladonna looked at the wide open sea behind his shoulders.
When he finally reached the sandy shore, he laid her down lightly.
Bella again moved her feet playfully, looking down at the sand eating away at her feet.
Beside her, Escalion picked up his boots and walked away.
“Come on.”
What kind of dog am I?
Although grumbling, Belladonna faithfully followed after him.
He strode across the sand with her bare feet to where her horse was tied up, threw back his boots, grabbed her by the waist, and lifted her onto the saddle.
“hand.”
what. Do you think it am a real dog?
Belladonna held out her hands to him.
He held her small hand tightly with his own large hand and blew hot air on it.
“It was completely frozen.”
ah.
I didn’t know, but the sea water seemed to be colder than I thought.
She just played with it for a while and that’s what happened?
I didn’t realize it until a little while ago, but after he wrapped me with his hot hand and blew hot air on it, I could feel that my hand was abnormally cold.
‘Ah, but…….’
At that time, Belladonna’s gaze turned downward.
The bottom of his trousers dripping with sea water and his bare legs exposed underneath.
‘If my hands are this cold, then Escalion’s legs are too…….’
Belladonna, who was looking down at his legs, which were a little redder than before, twisted the hand that was holding him.
When Escalion looked up at her in confusion, she raised her finger and pointed at his leg. Escalion lowered his head to see where she was pointing and smiled at her.
“Is the Merciful Saint concerned about my legs?”
okay. Why don’t you leave my hands alone and warm your legs?
“Maybe it’s because I played so hard in the northern battlefield, but this level of cold doesn’t even feel like cold. Who is worried about whom, huh?”
He blurted out casually and took her hand again.
Belladonna looked down at him, feeling somewhat sorry and uncomfortable.
Just because of me…….
“however…….”
Escalion, lowering his head with her clasped hands, opened his mouth.
“……I don’t feel bad.”
After she finished speaking, he pressed his lips down on the back of her hand.
At that gentle pressure, Belladonna unconsciously took in her breath.
What is this feeling…….
She shrugged her shoulders and looked down at the top of Escalion’s head.
Along the back of her cold hand, she could feel her heartbeat as it suddenly began to beat.
Eventually, Escalion lifted his head and looked up at her.
“Shall we go back?”
Belladonna couldn’t answer and just stared into his burning golden eyes.
When she stared quietly like this, she seemed to see her own reflection in his eyes.
Escalion’s eyes were special.
“Bella. To our castle…….Should I go back?”
He asked again.
Our Castle……?
No, it was strictly Escalion’s castle.
“…….”
But Belladonna couldn’t open her mouth to say anything.
Eventually, Belladonna slowly nodded her head, and Escalion tugged at the corners of her mouth, as if satisfied with her answer.
“I understand, saint. i will do as you are told.”
***
“Oh my, ma’am!”
By the time we ran diligently back to the castle, it had already become dark everywhere.
Cindy, who had been lingering at the castle gate holding a lit lamp, ran toward them as they entered the castle.
“Oh, are you here, my lord….? lady! The weather has become this cold, so what should I do if you go wearing only a thick dress? What are you going to do if you catch a cold?”
Cindy shouted, stamping her foot.
Belladonna smiled as if she were embarrassed.
That’s because she had just returned home in a warm state, hugged by Escalion on her back and not even a single ray of cold wind.
haha…..
“Hurry and take her in.”
Escalion jumped down and put Belladonna down.
Belladonna felt awkward for some reason and she turned her head away, unable to make eye contact with him.
“yes! Okay…..uh? My lord? bare foot……Are you barefoot? Where do you put your shoes…….”
Cindy asked, seeing Escalion dismounting from her horse with his bare feet.
The sight of Lord standing with his bare feet on the floor, with his wet pants rolled up, was unfamiliar and awkward.
Even though our lord says he is free-spirited……What on earth did you do to look like that?
Escalion brushed her hair from her forehead and casually opened his mouth.
“Never mind, take my wife and me inside quickly. The night wind has become very chilly.”
“Oh, yes, I understand!”
Bella also placed her soft fur, which Cindy was holding, on her shoulder and led her there.
Entering the warm light flowing into the castle, Belladonna only turned her head and glanced at him.
Escalion handed over the reins to the stable keeper who ran towards him and was giving orders.
“…….”
“lady? Come on and eat inside. if you stay any longer, you’ll catch a cold.”
Cindy, standing next to her, spoke again with a puzzled look on her face.
Bella also gave her a quick nod and her habitual smile.
“The cold weather in Griblata comes suddenly. There is still some time before winter arrives, but although it is warm during the day, the temperature can drop at night, so make sure to bring thick clothes!”
Nod.
Cindy is a bit of a nag.
Belladonna nodded and walked up the main stairs to her room.
The faint salty scent of the sea seemed to come from her waist-length hair. She felt like going to her room, taking a shower, and getting into a warm bed to rest.
Oh, wait…..however…..
She hesitated, leaving Belladonna at her crossroads as she climbed two floors up with Cindy.
To the left was the bride’s room, and to the right was my room.
‘Maybe I’ll go to the bridal room today too…..?’
• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
