Don’T Get Caught By Your Husband! [EN]: Chapter 61

Don’t Get Caught by Your Husband! Episode 61. Conversation (61/130)

#Episode 61. Conversation

2024.04.30.

A boisterous noise drifted from downstairs.

Belladonna, standing in the second-floor hallway, perked up her ears, focusing on the sound.

Incomprehensible words echoed through the castle hallway like indistinct muttering.

‘Just like corrupt priests…….’

The people of the Papal States, including Pope Pronounce, were known to enjoy wine.

They even cultivated grapes in a field on one side of the Papal States’ grounds, maintained a large brewery, and meticulously managed the wines produced in a vast underground warehouse, organizing them by year.

Even if dietary choices were a matter of personal freedom, shouldn’t excessive indulgence be restrained?

Belladonna frowned and turned away.

Cardinal Nicholas enjoyed alcohol the most, so tonight’s welcome banquet was sure to continue late into the night.

‘Escalion is…….’

Belladonna, on her way back to her room, paused.

Come to think of it, she had never seen Escalion drunk.

He might have a glass or two of wine during meals, but he never seemed to get drunk.

Besides, there hadn’t been a formal banquet since she arrived in Griblata….

“Madam? What are you doing here?”

Cindy, coming up the stairs, noticed Belladonna and asked.

Belladonna turned her head to see Cindy approaching, holding a tray with a simple meal in both hands.

“Are you sure you don’t want to have dinner with everyone downstairs? It might be nice to spend time with people you haven’t seen in a while….”

Belladonna slowly shook her head.

“If you’re not feeling well, I understand.”

Cindy said, and Belladonna offered a small smile as she headed to her room.

Cindy placed the meal on the table in Belladonna’s room, continuing to chatter.

“You know, Madam, they brought out all the rare wines from downstairs! It seems the Lord is determined to bring out the good stuff.”

*Nicholas must be very excited.*

Belladonna snorted inwardly.

Cindy continued to share what she had seen and heard, perhaps feeling sorry that Belladonna couldn’t join the others.

“This is the first official visit to Griblata, so the Lord seems quite invested. Once the harsh winter passes and the weather warms up, these banquets might become more frequent, right? Though this dinner is small to be called a banquet.”

*How was the meal?*

Belladonna, grateful for Cindy’s thoughtfulness, decided to engage.

Belladonna raised her hands and mimed eating rice, and Cindy quickly responded.

“Ah, today’s main course is a delicious turkey dish. The chef really showed off his skills for the first time in ages! I even tore off the best part and brought it up for you to try!”

Cindy held out a plate with a thick, steaming turkey leg.

Belladonna took a fork, poked the tender meat, and offered it to Cindy.

“Huh? Ah, I’m okay! Please, you eat it, Madam.”

Cindy widened her eyes and waved her hands.

However, Belladonna insisted, offering the fork again.

The sous vide [a cooking technique where food is cooked in a water bath at a precise temperature] and seared turkey dish was so luxurious that even the servants, except for the Lord and his wife, rarely got to taste it.

She had always wanted to share a small celebration with Cindy, who worked so hard for her.

Belladonna pretended to have a sore arm with an exaggerated expression, and Cindy hesitantly accepted the fork.

“Ah…….”

In the meantime, Belladonna scribbled on the notepad next to her.

[Shall we have our own little party?]

“Ha, but Madam…….”

[I want to join in the fun too. Besides, it’s too much for me to eat alone.]

Belladonna said this on purpose, worried that Cindy might feel uncomfortable, and Cindy nodded, sitting down reluctantly.

“Then I’ll just have a little!”

Belladonna smiled, watching Cindy, who couldn’t hide her anticipation.

Cindy continued to move food to Belladonna’s plate and took a small portion for herself.

“Oh, I brought a bottle of wine just in case. Would you like some?”

Belladonna hesitated for a moment but soon nodded.

It wouldn’t hurt to have a little to enjoy, rather than drinking too much and getting drunk like last time.

Cindy, pouring wine into Belladonna’s glass, smiled and said.

“That’s right! The Lord seems to be in a slightly better mood today; he’s emptied quite a few wine bottles.”

*Escalion?*

Belladonna, chewing and swallowing the soft tomato, looked up with interest, and Cindy nodded.

“He’s usually composed, but today his skin is a little red, and his eyes are a little…! Ah, oh dear. I’m speaking too freely.”

Belladonna smiled, indicating it was okay, and shook her head.

It was nice to hear about Escalion, even secondhand.

[It’s okay; please, tell me whatever you like. I always enjoy hearing your stories. And you should have a drink too. It’s no fun drinking alone.]

“Ah, well, if you insist…….”

Cindy blushed for a moment, then filled her empty glass with wine.

She lightly clinked glasses with Belladonna and then gulped down the wine.

*That was faster than I expected.*

“Wow, it’s delicious…….”

[Drink more.]

“Thank you, Madam!”

*Was Cindy very tired from work?*

Belladonna stared at Cindy, who had emptied her glass again with a bewildered expression.

But she continued to speak with surprising clarity.

“When I went to the kitchen to prepare Madam’s meal, there were already more than four empty wine bottles on the table.”

*Four bottles?*

*Was it just Escalion and Cardinal Nicholas at dinner?*

“I couldn’t tell who drank more, the Lord or the Cardinal… But they both seemed quite tipsy. Cardinal Nicholas, in particular, seemed to be in a very good mood!”

“…….”

“The kind and benevolent smile from the afternoon had vanished, and he kept giggling with silly laughter, which somehow felt a little more approachable.”

*Approachable? He must just be terribly drunk…….*

Belladonna sighed, her expression darkening.

“I couldn’t hear clearly because I was bowing my head and passing by quickly, but it seemed they were mainly talking about the Papal States—what the Pope is thinking and how he will lead the Papal States in the future.”

*Did Nicholas give some kind of sermon while drunk? Anyway…….*

“I didn’t know the Lord was so interested in that. He kept asking questions about the Pope, you know?”

*Escalion?*

It was unexpected that Escalion was the one asking questions, not Nicholas, who was drunk and likely rambling.

*Was Escalion so interested in the Pope or the Papal States?*

If not, perhaps there weren’t many common interests between them, so he was bringing up a topic the other person could easily discuss.

*Escalion, maybe he’s more sociable than I thought?*

“Anyway, I was a little surprised that the Lord was drunk. The Lord when he’s drunk… What should I say? He’s still composed, but he seems rougher and more raw than usual?”

*It seems that Cindy, not Escalion, is the one who feels rough and raw…….*

Cindy, whose eyes were already glazed over and who kept giggling, wasn’t afraid to use blunt words.

“Hmm…… Or did something upset him?”

“…….”

“The Lord’s profile, as he kept pouring and drinking wine, seemed lonely today…….”

The drunk Cindy muttered incoherently.

*Something upsetting……? Could it be because of me?* Belladonna lowered her head, worried.

Perhaps Escalion really wanted to send her to Astagna with Nicholas for good this time.

Thinking about it, a bitter taste rose in her mouth.

Belladonna raised the glass of wine Cindy had poured and wet her lips.

* * *

“Ugh…….”

“…….”

“Ugh……. Don’t touch me…….”

Several hours later, Belladonna shook Cindy’s shoulder with a troubled expression, as Cindy had collapsed on the table.

*Cindy! What are you going to do if you pass out first!*

She turned her head and picked up the wine bottle, which was already empty.

*I didn’t even drink a glass; did Cindy drink the rest?*

It was difficult to clean up the dishes with Cindy sprawled out on the table.

Belladonna had no choice but to get up and leave the room.

She was going to ask the servants to help her clean up not only the dishes but also Cindy.

Just then, she heard someone coming up the stairs.

*Help me!*

‘Uh…….’

Belladonna, reaching out and quickly approaching the staircase, stopped walking abruptly when she saw who was coming up.

It was none other than Escalion.

Escalion, his face redder than usual, stopped walking and looked up at Belladonna.

“…….”

Escalion stood there silently for a long time, then started walking again.

He hadn’t taken many steps, but he suddenly appeared in front of her.

As he got closer, the smell of alcohol wafted out, creating a somewhat unfamiliar sensation.

“Dinner.”

“…….”

“Ah, I forgot you can’t speak.”

Escalion chuckled and moved past Belladonna. He turned slightly and brushed past her.

Belladonna impulsively turned and grabbed his arm.

Even with Belladonna’s weak grip, Escalion stopped immediately.

“Go to your room.”

“…….”

“You’re not going to say you can’t even hear, are you?”

Escalion twisted and pulled his arm free.

Belladonna followed Escalion, who had already started walking again.

She could hear him sighing as he walked, but she tried to ignore it.

Before Nicholas took her back to Astagna, she needed to talk to him.

Escalion reached his room, opened the door without hesitation, and went inside.

Belladonna followed him into the room.

“Ha…….”

Escalion, entering the room, crossed his arms, took off his clothes, and tossed them aside carelessly.

The slightly reddened curve of his shoulders caught Belladonna’s attention.

Escalion, not even glancing at her, went straight into the bathroom, and soon the sound of water running filled the room.

Belladonna stood there blankly for a moment, staring at the bathroom door where he had disappeared, then slowly sat down on the bed.

‘Why did I follow him all the way here…….’

She felt frustrated by his actions, which completely ignored her.

Moreover, since she couldn’t speak, she was at a loss as to how to start the conversation.

After sitting and waiting for a few minutes, the sound of water stopped, and the bathroom door opened.

Belladonna quickly raised her head.

“You’re still not gone?”

Escalion, wearing a gown, appeared through the doorway, white steam swirling around him.