Don’T Get Caught By Your Husband! [EN]: Chapter 117

Don’t Get Caught by Your Husband! 117. Stamina for Love (117/130)

#117. Stamina for Love

2024.06.05.

Belladonna, utterly drained from being stuck in bed with Escalio all morning, finally emerged from her room in the late afternoon.

“I’m hungry…” As she descended the central staircase, Cindy, who was passing through the lobby, greeted her.

“My Lady! You’re awake?”

“Yes, Cindy.”

Hearing Belladonna’s languid voice, Cindy covered her mouth with one hand, her eyes widening. She even stamped her feet as she exclaimed,

“Oh my…! Your voice is so beautiful, no matter how many times I hear it!”

“Is it…?” Belladonna felt a little embarrassed and smiled.

After the trial and returning to Gribalta, Belladonna no longer hid her voice. The servants, initially surprised and awkward, seemed to have adjusted after about a week.

Except for Cindy, who was still perpetually astonished.

“The Lord is at the training grounds; shall I call him?”

Cindy approached Belladonna, who had fully descended the stairs, and asked.

Belladonna was once again amazed by his incredible stamina. They had been together all morning, yet he went straight to training as soon as he got up. *I almost lost consciousness and just slept…*

At this point, she wondered if she was the problem, not him.

“No, it’s alright. I think I heard him say he was going there in my sleep. More than that, I’m a bit hungry…”

“Ah! I’ll tell the chef to prepare a meal for you.”

Cindy hurried towards the dining room.

Belladonna watched her go, smiling slightly.

“My Lady.”

Just then, Volf approached and spoke to her. Belladonna, who had been following Cindy towards the dining room, turned to him.

“Yes? Volf.”

“A letter has arrived from the High Priest of the Imperial Palace.”

“A letter?”

Belladonna accepted the letter he offered. The pure white envelope was stamped with the Imperial Palace seal, along with the High Priest’s name.

“Since Prononce Brielle [the former Pope] has disappeared, he’s going to ask for my advice on matters of the Papal States; is it about that?” Belladonna tore open the envelope and changed her course again.

* * *

That evening, Belladonna sat on the bed, slowly reading the letter sent by the High Priest. Meanwhile, the door opened, and Escalio, returning from training, appeared.

He looked down at Belladonna sitting on his bed with a very satisfied expression and said,

“My wife sitting on my bed, it’s even better than I imagined.”

Escalio approached Belladonna and, grabbing her chin, kissed her. As the light kiss grew deeper, Belladonna pushed him away, saying,

“Go wash up!”

“I like my wife nagging, too.”

He playfully licked the corner of Belladonna’s lips. Belladonna squealed softly and pushed him away again.

A moment later, Escalio, having finished showering, flopped onto the bed, his upper body bare. He turned slightly towards Belladonna, who was still focused on the letter, and opened his mouth.

“A letter from the High Priest?”

“Yes, it’s about the Master of the Magic Tower. He seems to have been blackmailed by the former Pope. So he had no choice but to help him. There must have been some dirty dealings in the selection of the Master of the Magic Tower as well…”

Beyond that, it seemed the investigation couldn’t continue due to pressure from the Imperial Palace. *It’s a world full of corruption, no matter where you go…*

She clicked her tongue inwardly and turned another page.

“Next… they’re having trouble selecting the next Pope.”

Since the death of Prononce Brielle, the opinions of the priests seemed to be divided in the process of selecting a cardinal to become the new Pope.

“Originally, Cardinal Nicholas was the most likely candidate?”

“He was close to the former Pope, so that’s highly probable.”

“That would have been a disaster.”

Escalio raised an eyebrow and muttered.

“He’s asking for my recommendation too… but what do I know?”

Belladonna frowned, looking at the brief profiles of the cardinals written in the letter.

“Unfortunately, I don’t know any of them…”

During her time in the Papal States, she was often called to meals by the Pope and introduced to cardinals, imperial priests, and new priests, but she didn’t remember them properly.

In those days, she was so focused on not accidentally revealing her voice that all her nerves were on edge.

“Didn’t you say at the trial the other day that you had someone in mind for the next Pope?”

“That’s…”

Belladonna trailed off.

“I was just thinking about who would be a suitable person for the next Pope without any real thought…”

“Who was it?”

“It was Priest Timothy. I often wished that someone like Priest Timothy would become the Pope… But he’s just an ordinary priest, not even a cardinal, so realistically, it’s difficult for him to become Pope.”

“Timothy?”

Escalio frowned as if trying to remember the name.

“Wasn’t he the priest who was always with a little girl?”

“That’s right! I told you that Priest Timothy’s sister, Tina, also has divine power, didn’t I?”

“It would be good if the two siblings could lead the Papal States in the future.”

Belladonna nodded. That was the picture Belladonna wanted most.

If it were Timothy, who is kind, sincere, and devout, and Tina, who was chosen by God and possesses divine power, they seemed like the most suitable people to be the leaders of Astagna [the Papal States].

Belladonna pondered, holding the letter.

“It’s unrealistic, but should I just tell him my thoughts as they are? Actually, there isn’t anyone I know on the list the High Priest sent…”

“Since he asked for your opinion, you should say what you think.”

“I guess so?”

At Escalio’s words, Belladonna nodded and picked up a pen.

As she was about to head to the table to write a reply to the High Priest, Escalio grabbed her.

“Yes?”

Belladonna looked back at him. Escalio, leaning back, was looking up at her, one hand holding her wrist and the other propping up his chin.

“Why…? Do you have something to say?”

“Bella, the bedroom is for sleeping. Not for working.”

“Is that all you have to say…?”

Belladonna recalled how he always brought work back to the room, made her sleep first, and then worked late at the table.

*It didn’t seem like something her workaholic husband should say, even if no one else could.*

“I’ll just quickly…”

“Do it tomorrow. Focus on me now.”

Escalio tightened his grip on Belladonna’s wrist.

Belladonna was pulled and plopped down on the bed. Escalio raised his upper body and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.

Belladonna blushed and muttered softly.

“Th-then, let me go so I can sleep.”

“Hmm?”

Escalio ignored Belladonna’s words and pressed his hot lips against the back of her neck.

“You said this is a place for sleeping! You have to let me go so I can sleep!”

“Bella, I forgot to mention something.”

Still burying his lips in her neck, Escalio mumbled. Each time he spoke, his hot breath tickled Belladonna’s neck.

“This is a place for sleeping, but it’s also a place for making love.”

“You’re just doing whatever you want…!”

She was about to open her mouth to protest, but Escalio naturally turned her head and kissed her lips. Belladonna’s voice was helplessly swallowed by his mouth.

* * *

The next morning, Belladonna lifted her heavy eyelids.

She couldn’t tell what time it was, but the sunlight coming through the window felt quite high, indicating it was late morning. *I overslept again…*

Escalio, seeing that she was awake, turned and handed her a glass of water from the bedside table.

As he gracefully twisted his waist, his dark, sculpted muscles tightened sharply to one side.

Belladonna stared at it for a moment, then simply reached out and took the glass of water he offered.

She had no strength in her body.

“Shall I help you up?”

Belladonna slowly nodded, and Escalio slipped his hands under her arms and lifted her up to a sitting position. Belladonna leaned against the head of the bed and brought the glass to her lips.

Her throat felt sore, probably from making noise all night. She moistened her aching throat with water and opened her mouth.

“You haven’t left yet? I thought you had training today.”

“I have somewhere else to go today.”

Having said that, Escalio got out of bed. He walked to the closet, opened the door, and took out a thick women’s dress and coat.

Belladonna, watching him, asked,

“Did your taste change all of a sudden?”

At her words, Escalio raised an eyebrow and turned his head. He chuckled and said,

“Of course not. These are your clothes.”

“Why are my clothes in this room?”

“Because I asked the maid to bring them.”

“But why…?”

She looked up at him with a still uncomprehending expression, but Escalio didn’t seem to have any intention of answering her question properly.

He took out the dress and coat, still on their hangers, and came back.

Looking down at Belladonna, who still had a sleepy face, he asked in a serious voice,

“It’s getting warmer, but do you need a scarf or gloves? And maybe earmuffs if you need them.”

“Am I going outside?”

“Yes, so hurry up and get ready. Shall I call a maid for you?”

Belladonna sat blankly, blinking her eyes. She couldn’t quite understand what he was saying, perhaps because she wasn’t fully awake yet.

“Where am I going?”

“The mountain behind Gribalta Castle.”

“Why?”

“After spending time together, it seems my wife’s stamina is too weak. I think I should take you out from time to time to build up your strength.”

“But why?”

“Because you faint every night.”

Belladonna, looking up at Escalio as he answered nonchalantly, finally felt herself slowly waking up.

*So, he’s saying… let’s go out?*

Belladonna turned her head towards the window. Thick ice and snow were melting in places, but it was still harsh weather for her.

“…I don’t want to go. You go alone.”

“Bella, didn’t you hear me just now? This isn’t just a walk; it’s training to build up your stamina. So I can’t go alone.”

“Where in the world is there a husband who trains his wife…? Kyaa!”

As if he couldn’t help it, Escalio reached out and lifted Belladonna off the bed in his arms. Belladonna, suddenly lifted high, flailed her legs and tightly grabbed Escalio’s shoulders.

Escalio patted her back and said,

“Are you pouting and asking to be washed?”

“Put me down!”

“You want me to use warm water? Of course. My wife gets cold easily.”

He playfully tugged at the corners of his lips and strode into the attached bathroom. Belladonna had no choice but to prepare for a walk from early in the morning.