I Became the Wife of the Hero Who Killed Me - Chapter 108

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#Episode 108

 

I couldn’t stand it any longer.

 

I threw a blanket over the face of the wildly thrashing creature and mounted the saddle in one swift motion.

 

The horse twisted its body roughly as if trying to throw off the unfamiliar rider.

 

Straw flew in all directions and the sound of hooves rang out loudly. It was enough to make the other competitors turn around in surprise.

 

“Lady Elisia, are you really going to be alright?!”

 

“Northern horses are naturally like this. They’re very wary, but once you tame them, they’re more loyal and brave than any other horse.”

 

The resistance was much fiercer than Pijuki, who hadn’t cared whether anyone rode him or not, but for me, who was born and raised in the Northern Region, this was actually more familiar.

 

I gripped the reins of the creature engaged in a battle of wills with me tightly and squeezed its waist firmly with both legs.

 

It was a method of controlling the horse to break its stubbornness and take the lead.

 

After about fifteen minutes, as expected, the creature stopped resisting and completely accepted the rider’s commands.

 

“Neigh…”

 

“That’s right, good job. You’re so well-behaved.”

 

I gently stroked the creature’s neck.

 

Caterina questioned whether that was really what a well-behaved state looked like, but I nodded confidently. The snorting looked very healthy.

 

‘Edwin really must like me.’

 

How could he be so thoughtful?

 

How did he know my heart that prefers bigger things and send me such a perfectly fitting gift?

 

When I mounted the saddle, I felt refreshed and exhilarated along with the much higher field of vision.

 

“Yes, this is how a horse should be!”

 

When I tried running around the stable courtyard as a test, powerful vibrations transmitted throughout my entire body.

 

Suddenly, old memories of galloping across the vast Lombard Mountains came to mind.

 

The faster the horse ran, the quicker I could reach my destination, finish work, and go home, so back then I was truly obsessed with speed.

 

But these days, with nagging people hanging around everywhere, I couldn’t run freely at all.

 

Even if I picked up just a little speed, pleas to please ride slowly would pour out.

 

‘Yes, this is exactly it.’

 

The thrill I had forgotten came rushing back all at once. Yahoo!

 

Meanwhile, Caterina, left alone in the stables, just blinked blankly, wondering what on earth was happening.

 

“Lady Elisia seemed to have a bit of a wild look in her eyes just now…”

 

Is this really okay?

 

But Lady Elisia was always a bit wild to begin with, so maybe it’s fine.

 

A friend’s sigh followed like a bonus behind Elisia’s rapidly disappearing back.

 

* * *

 

At the same time.

 

Edwin had secured a prime spot in the arena even before the competition began.

 

It was to show as many people as possible that he had come to cheer for his wife.

 

If rumors spread that the couple had a good relationship, the flies buzzing around Elisia would decrease—Edwin had been handling this behind the scenes until now—and politically, no one would dare treat her carelessly.

 

Of course, the biggest reason was to lift Elisia’s spirits.

 

As he rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought, a boy approached him.

 

“Excuse me. Are you Duke Lombard?”

 

The boy held out Elisia’s handkerchief.

 

Recognizing that he was a messenger sent by her, Edwin nodded. Gareth, who had been blocking the way, immediately stepped aside.

 

The boy, nervous in front of the Empire’s hero, continued with a tense expression.

 

“The Duchess of Lombard asked me to tell you that she received your gift well. The Duchess was truly delighted.”

 

“…?”

 

Edwin unconsciously tilted his head.

 

What on earth does this mean?

 

Actually, he did have a gift prepared separately for Elisia.

 

When she first saw the Heidelberg horse, her disappointment had been obvious—she tried her best not to show it, but unfortunately her opponent was Edwin—so he immediately prepared a new horse.

 

It was a Lombard horse, considered one of the finest steeds in the northern continent.

 

This time, he had instructed them to consider Elisia’s preference for large, sturdy horses as much as possible, but instead choose one that was gentle and obedient to people.

 

The order would have reached Lombard territory by now.

 

Once the castle selected candidates, he planned to have Elisia choose one herself.

 

‘But I haven’t given her a gift yet?’

 

That was exactly the problem.

 

He hadn’t even mentioned what the gift was yet, but according to the messenger’s explanation, that ‘gift’ was apparently a large-framed northern horse.

 

Edwin, who had panicked and forgotten his dignity, soon regained his usual expression.

 

There were many watching eyes.

 

“Thank you for delivering my beloved wife’s message.”

 

“Th-thank you!!”

 

When he handed over a gold coin as payment for the errand, the boy’s face lit up and he bowed repeatedly.

 

He had a personality that showed his emotions on his face.

 

When he returned to the servants’ quarters, people would surely ask what had happened, and then the conversation between Elisia and himself would naturally spread throughout the court.

 

After the boy withdrew, Edwin hardened his expression.

 

“I told you to keep a close watch on Nigel, didn’t I?”

 

“There was no sign of anything at the Prince’s Palace. It seems the culprit is someone else.”

 

Gareth murmured quietly so others couldn’t hear.

 

In fact, no noble had dared to take a seat near Duke Lombard, the Empire’s hero.

 

After thinking for a moment, Edwin soon came up with an answer.

 

“Rosalind….”

 

She was a woman who depended on her elder brother for everything.

 

All the various art gatherings hosted in her name were entirely Nigel’s work, and Rosalind had only added a teaspoon to them.

 

But lately, with Nigel being cautious, she must have become anxious and stepped forward herself.

 

‘Ha.’

 

Rosalind’s reason for switching the horses was obvious without even looking.

 

But Edwin felt a subtle emotion—worried yet not worried at the same time.

 

First of all, Elisia was good at horsemanship.

 

And since she had always ridden borrowed horses, she could skillfully handle even a horse she was riding for the first time without much difficulty.

 

His worry lay in something entirely different.

 

‘Elisia…’

 

Had a tendency toward reckless riding.

 

Was it because her life as an official had been so stifling?

 

Whenever she grabbed the reins, she would get excited and increase speed, jumping over dangerous obstacles as if they were nothing.

 

Especially when she encountered a bad-tempered horse, her reckless riding would double like meat meeting water.

 

He was aware that he was being overprotective beyond necessity, but from his perspective as a spectator, it was always nerve-wracking.

 

That’s why Edwin had specifically chosen a Heidelberg horse.

 

He had hoped that such a pretty and elegant horse might awaken Elisia to new preferences.

 

Something like the pleasure of leisurely, slow walks…

 

But after going round and round, they had ended up back where they started.

 

‘This plan was a failure.’

 

Just as Edwin let out a regretful sigh inwardly, someone sat down next to him.

 

“I heard rumors throughout the Imperial Capital that our great-granddaughter had obtained a very precious horse.”

 

“…”

 

“I came to the arena with great expectations, only to find her riding a completely different horse. Don’t you think an explanation is needed for how this came about?”

 

It was none other than Grand Duke Heidelberg.

 

Edwin pretended to belatedly realize his arrival and straightened his posture.

 

“My apologies. It seems she fell victim to rose thorns.”

 

“Tsk, she’s been pestering me for a horse since long ago, and jealousy finally made her act out.”

 

Contrary to his words, the Grand Duke seemed not particularly bothered.

 

No matter how precious a horse might be, it was nothing compared to the prosperity of House Heidelberg.

 

In truth, the Heidelberg horse had been a kind of bait to attract people’s attention.

 

“Just because Elisia rode a different horse doesn’t mean our promise has changed, does it?”

 

“Of course not, Your Grace.”

 

Right after receiving the Emperor’s invitation, Edwin had realized the necessity of creating connections within the Imperial Army to prepare for any eventuality.

 

Thus, he had approached Grand Duke Heidelberg, who held real power in the military.

 

The Grand Duke was a very devout Orthodox believer, and upon hearing information that the Emperor was secretly planning to convert, he became greatly enraged and expressed his willingness to cooperate with Edwin.

 

Of course, when politicians move, not only faith but other practical considerations come into play as well.

 

Since frequent meetings between the two men without a plausible reason could arouse suspicion, they had created the pretext of the Heidelberg horse.

 

“In any case, I’m counting on you.”

 

“Take care, Your Grace.”

 

Shortly after the Grand Duke left to watch his granddaughter’s competition, it was finally Elisia’s turn.

 

Edwin watched the arena with anxious feelings from the moment she took her position at the starting point.

 

But making his worries seem pointless, or perhaps proving his worries right—

 

Elisia demonstrated the ultimate level of reckless riding that was incomparable to the previous competitors, joyfully navigating through various complex and dangerous tracks as if playing in a playground.

 

Edwin unconsciously pressed his hand to his forehead.

 

“Elisia…”

 

Anyway, she safely crossed the finish line amidst the people’s passionate cheers.

 

The judges’ discussion took longer than usual.

 

And the moment the scores came out, Edwin couldn’t help but groan once again.

 

“Ah, my headache…”

 

Elisia’s ranking was an incredible 4th place.

 

While there were considerable deductions in the elegance category, she received some bonus points in the technique section, and unprecedented bonus points in the speed category in history!

 

The spectators, who were thrilled by her otherworldly sense of speed, erupted in cheers once again.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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