Don’T Get Caught By Your Husband! [EN]: Chapter 72

#72. Clue (2)

May 11, 2024

Thump, thump.

“……”

Thump, thump. Thump.

A rhythmic knocking sound grew clearer.

Belladona woke, listening to the sound as it gradually sharpened in her ear.

What is that sound…?

“Saintess, are you inside?”

Ugh, my back!

Belladona, rising from the hard floor covered with a thin carpet, frowned as her entire back throbbed.

Did I fall asleep like this last night?

Regaining her senses, Belladona blinked, taking in her appearance.

I didn’t even wash, and I didn’t change my clothes?

As she looked down, still sleepy, she heard the voice again from outside the closed door.

“Are you still sleeping? Saintess, you must wake up now!”

Huh!

Belladona snapped to attention and quickly stood.

W-wait a minute… Could I be late for breakfast with the Pope? Belladona quickly turned to the clock on the bedside table.

‘That’s not it……?’

The promised meal with the Pope was still far off.

It was early morning, near the dawn service.

Listening carefully, she recognized Rosie, the female priest who always woke her and helped her prepare.

There’s still so much time left, so why is Rosie looking for me so early?

Belladona hurried to the dressing table and looked in the mirror.

After roughly combing her disheveled hair, she saw the room’s reflection and was surprised again.

Huh, wait!

The disastrous sight of books pulled from the bookshelf late into the night, scattered randomly on the floor, was plainly visible.

‘I was so tired yesterday I just fell asleep, and I didn’t know Rosie would come so early!’

Belladona blinked, unsure what to do.

“Saintess?”

Even amidst this chaos, Rosie was still desperately calling for Belladona.

Ah, I’m going crazy, really? Belladona stomped her foot.

If she rashly opened the door and Rosie saw the mess, she might think the Saintess was secretly throwing a tantrum with the bookshelf. And if Rosie gossiped, the story could reach the Pope’s ears.

Then the quick-witted Pope would quickly realize I was looking for something…!

Thump, thump.

Rosie was clearly determined to wake Belladona and take her somewhere.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t be this persistent.

Ugh, really…!

Belladona moved her stiff body, opened the closet, and quickly changed into something resembling pajamas.

She couldn’t be caught still wearing yesterday’s clothes.

Changing into the first pajamas she grabbed, she diligently pushed the books on the floor to one side.

I need to clean up at least this much…!

“Rosie, what are you doing? Hasn’t the Saintess woken up yet?”

Another thick voice spoke from outside.

Could someone else have come? To be caught by anyone but Rosie, I’m really going crazy!

Belladona frowned and grabbed her head.

“Yeah, I think she was very tired yesterday, so she can’t wake up yet? I was wondering if I should just open the door a little.”

Rosie, who had been constantly knocking and shouting, replied.

Open the door? Belladona startled.

That can’t happen…!

“No, seeing as she can’t wake up, she must be very tired. Why don’t we just go back and tell the Pope?”

Fortunately, the other person stopped Rosie’s idea.

Rosie agreed.

“Is that so? Well, if we suddenly call her like this, it would take a while for the Saintess to get ready anyway, so she’d only arrive when the dawn service is over……”

Dawn service? It seemed the Pope had changed his mind and wanted her at the dawn service.

Anyway, the Pope is no help at all…….

Belladona cursed the Pope in her heart and nodded towards Rosie.

Yes, Rosie! Just go back for now…! I haven’t woken up yet!

“I can’t help it! I’ll have to tell him today. She probably hasn’t forgotten about breakfast with the Pope anyway, so she’ll wake up soon.”

Rosie’s footsteps moved away.

“Timothy, you’re going to the dawn service too, right? Let’s go to the chapel together.”

“Ah, shall we?”

The other person’s voice sounded familiar; it seemed to be Priest Timothy.

‘Since returning to Astagna, I seem to be meeting Priest Timothy often.’

But thinking back, it might have been like that before.

At that time, I didn’t have enough time to look around…….

Anyway, the two priests gave up and began to leave.

The sound of footsteps faded and disappeared.

‘Hah, they’re gone…….’

Belladona sighed in relief and turned around.

Before someone else visits, I have to clean up these books quickly.

‘Ugh! Muscle pain……!’

Before she could lift a book, her arms, aching all night, screamed in pain.

The Saintess’s books were so heavy that lifting them to the bookshelf made her arms numb and sore.

Belladona barely placed the first book on the highest shelf and massaged her arm.

At this rate, will I finish by noon……? No, let’s cheer up!

Determined, she bent down, lifted a few books, placed them, bent down again, lifted more, and felt muscle pain all over.

‘W-wait, I need water……!’

Panting, Belladona turned to the door.

She opened it a crack, peeking into the hallway. Is anyone around…….

She was going to ask someone for water.

“……?”

Then, she made eye contact with someone very close.

Ah!

Belladona, facing someone right at the door, startled and shook.

Timothy, even more surprised, quickly grabbed her arm.

“Saintess!”

What! Why is he here! I’m sure he went to the chapel with Rosie!!

Belladona looked up, wide-eyed.

She clearly heard footsteps moving away, but didn’t know when he’d returned.

Timothy, embarrassed by Belladona in her thin pajamas, blushed and blinked before holding the door.

“Are you alright? I’m sorry for surprising you……”

Timothy, about to push Belladona into the room, stopped, seeing the messy interior.

Confusion filled his eyes.

Soon, grasping the situation, he hardened his face.

“What is all this…… Did someone break into the room?”

What? Break-in?

“Saintess! Please wait! I’ll get the guards! The intruders probably haven’t gone far.”

Belladona barely stopped Timothy, whose face was white and who was about to run for the guards. N-no!

She shook her head and smiled awkwardly.

I did all of this…… I…….

“Yes? Why would the Saintess do this…… Did you have a change of heart?”

It couldn’t be helped, having been caught. Belladona grabbed his wrist and pulled him inside.

Well, you’re stronger than me anyway……? Now that I’ve been caught, I’ll use Timothy’s strength and stamina.

“Ah, are you saying you want me to help you clean this up?”

Nod, nod!

Timothy’s eyes lit up with fighting spirit.

“I understand! Please wait, Saintess. I’ll clean it up quickly. I have experience cleaning my younger sister’s messy room, so I’m confident!”

Belladona stepped back.

Watching him resolutely pick up the books, she thought it fortunate that Timothy, not someone else, had been caught.

“Saintess, is there a special order for the books on the bookshelf?”

Dori dori [Shaking head]. Belladona shook her head.

There might have been an order set by the original Saintess, but she couldn’t know.

“Yes, then I’ll aim to clean everything up for now.”

Belladona nodded and picked up a book or two to help.

Huh? Three small keys near Timothy’s feet caught her eye.

Ah, right! I left the keys on the floor last night and fell asleep……!

If this continues, Timothy could step on them and notice.

Belladona swallowed and moved closer.

It’ll be complicated to explain if I get caught for no reason……!

“Huh, Saintess?”

Timothy, raising his head, and Belladona, approaching, made eye contact.

His face turned red seeing Belladona’s blue eyes so close.

But that wasn’t important to Belladona.

Her gaze was only on the keys.

“Ah, I’m, I’m sorry.”

Timothy belatedly turned his head away.

It’s okay! More than that, can you move your feet a little?

Belladona smiled and gently pushed him.

But Timothy, sturdier than she thought, stood firm.

“I, I didn’t know we would get this close……”

Timothy still stammered, head turned.

But Belladona frowned, looking at his legs.

I said it’s okay? More than that, move your heavy feet! I think you’re about to step on my keys!