I Became the Wife of the Hero Who Killed Me - Chapter 109

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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 109

 

* * *

 

“Phew, what a stress reliever!”

 

Crossing the finish line amidst the passionate cheers of the spectators, I looked back at the judges’ stand.

 

I had hoped to place within the top 10, but I was actually in 4th place.

 

There were still several competitors behind me, including Rosalind, so my final ranking would likely drop, but I had certainly saved face.

 

My horse seemed to have awakened to a new world as well, excitedly raising its head with pride.

 

“Ed, thank you!”

 

I patted my horse while waving toward Edwin in the distant spectator stands.

 

I wasn’t sure if my voice reached him, but he also smiled brightly and waved back at me.

 

Just then, Caterina approached me.

 

Having competed before me, she was currently in 1st place. Her equestrian arts were flawless, displaying both elegance and spirit.

 

“The cheers from the spectator stands were amazing! It was truly a magnificent performance.”

 

“Praise from a leading championship candidate? I’m honored.”

 

“Watching Elisia’s performance made my blood boil for the first time in a while. The others seemed to feel the same way.”

 

As if proving Caterina’s words, several competitors approached me.

 

Their eyes were all sparkling with excitement.

 

“Duchess Lombard! I’ve never seen such exhilarating horsemanship in my life!”

 

“I just realized that elegance alone might not be everything.”

 

“Actually, me too. Court life can be so stifling with all its rules, you know? I wondered if even horsemanship had to be that way…”

 

“I’d like to ride a Northern Horse following your example, Madam, and Lombard Horses are the best among Northern Horses, aren’t they? Could you perhaps arrange something for us?”

 

It seemed the spectators weren’t the only ones who had awakened to a new world.

 

However, Lombard Horses were considered the finest among war horses, making them difficult to take outside.

 

It was hard for me to decide alone, so I thought I should ask Edwin about it.

 

Even with this explanation, the ladies were extremely pleased.

 

“Who doesn’t know how devoted Duke Lombard is to you, Madam? If it’s a request from you, wouldn’t His Grace consider it?”

 

“I don’t know why those false rumors about your relationship being bad started. Seeing you in person, honey was practically dripping from His Grace’s eyes.”

 

“Oh my, exactly.”

 

I was scratching my chin awkwardly and Caterina was showing her characteristic hazy expression when it happened.

 

Someone threw cold water on the ladies’ cheerful atmosphere.

 

“Isn’t it too noisy in the arena?”

 

“Exactly. The rider was so rough that even the spectators got carried away… They all lack manners.”

 

Looking back, it was Rosalind’s ladies-in-waiting.

 

I hadn’t bothered to memorize the faces of the ladies-in-waiting, but I knew because Rosalind was standing in front of them.

 

It seemed her turn was next.

 

I didn’t want to engage in a pointless battle of wills with a hothouse flower, so I tried to pretend I hadn’t heard, but the noble ladies who had been smiling brightly just moments before stepped in front of me.

 

“What’s wrong with talking in the waiting area?”

 

“It’s disrupting Lady Rosalind’s concentration!”

 

“Don’t you know where tournaments originated? You all seem to want to parade through streets as quiet as a graveyard? It’s not like you’re some defeated army procession…”

 

“What did you say, defeated army?!”

 

“It’s better than disparaging the Duchess’s spirited performance as violent. Besides, you’re all ranked lower than the Duchess anyway, aren’t you?”

 

The ladies-in-waiting’s faces turned red and blue with distortion at the noble ladies’ merciless retort.

 

Rosalind, who had been watching the argument from a distance while pretending to be aloof, was no different.

 

When her ladies-in-waiting returned utterly defeated, she bit her lips tightly.

 

“There’s no need to deal with such inadequate people. Let’s all go.”

 

“Lady Rosalind, please show those rude people who don’t know manners a lesson!”

 

In fact, this place wasn’t the arena or waiting room, but outdoor stables where competition horses briefly stayed, so having conversations was perfectly fine.

 

Other competitors were also gathering in small groups enjoying conversations, yet they singled out only our side to pick a fight, so I really don’t know who’s being rude here.

 

‘Ha, the power of backing…’

 

She was a full sibling with Nigel, who was a strong candidate for the next Emperor, while also being second in line for succession herself.

 

Since Rosalind would certainly be at the center of imperial power both now and in the future, her ladies-in-waiting also spoke without restraint, backed by their mistress’s authority.

 

‘I’ve seen many people fall to ruin acting like that.’

 

Whether abandoned by those in power or when power itself collapses.

 

But since it wasn’t my business, I just waved my hand dismissively as if telling them to get lost quickly.

 

At this, Rosalind and her ladies-in-waiting became indignant, but then Rosalind’s name was called from the arena.

 

It was her turn.

 

“Hmph, Her Imperial Highness will claim victory, so just wait and see!”

 

“Lady Rosalind, there’s no need to get further involved with such people. Let’s go quickly.”

 

“Let’s do that.”

 

After they came first and picked a fight with us.

 

We just shrugged our shoulders while watching the triumphant retreating figures of Rosalind and her ladies-in-waiting.

 

* * *

 

Rosalind mounted her horse and took position at the starting line.

 

The judges were making final inspections of the course and checking the stability of the obstacles before the start.

 

Rosalind gripped her riding whip tightly and steadied her breathing.

 

‘Just wait and see. I’ll flatten that bitch Elisia’s nose today.’

 

Originally, she had been the sole queen of social circles.

 

Even noble ladies of high status dared not raise their heads before her, and the dresses and jewelry she wore immediately became trends in the Imperial Capital.

 

Everyone envied her and paid attention to her every move.

 

This atmosphere began to change little by little after Elisia, who had been driven away to marry in the Northern Region, reappeared.

 

That woman pushed her aside and stood at the center of rumors.

 

It wasn’t the mocking atmosphere of before either, but talk about what the Duchess of Lombard wore, who she associated with, where she appeared…

 

It was all irritating stories.

 

‘Hmph, what difference could it make anyway.’

 

Rosalind arrogantly lifted her chin and looked up at the head table.

 

Under the shade of the canopy, His Majesty, her elder brother, and Lady Perez sat side by side.

 

‘Rosalind, don’t make any mistakes in today’s competition. His Majesty has special expectations.’

 

Seeing how Elder Brother had warned her not to make any mistakes before the competition started, it seemed he had given the judges some degree of ‘hints.’

 

Some might call it underhanded, but Rosalind thought this was perfectly natural.

 

It was the proper order for the most noble to occupy the best position!

 

Nevertheless—

 

Rosalind wanted to claim victory with dignity.

 

She would clearly prove to everyone that a beggar princess who fled her homeland or a duchess banished to some distant frontier couldn’t even reach her toes.

 

‘Speed? That’s nothing—I can just increase mine too.’

 

The starting signal rang out.

 

Rosalind raised her horse whip high.

 

* * *

 

It was Rosalind’s turn, the final event of today’s competition.

 

As she appeared, enthusiastic cheers erupted from the spectator stands.

 

Caterina was still in first place, while I had dropped one rank to fifth.

 

Since the more skilled competitors were placed later in the order—naturally, social status was also considered—my maintaining fifth place until the end was better than expected.

 

Caterina beside me murmured.

 

“I wasn’t expecting to win, but now that it’s come to this, I’m nervous.”

 

“I hope you win while you’re at it, Lady Caterina.”

 

I leaned comfortably against the stables and watched the arena.

 

Since I had perfectly achieved my modest goal of placing in the top ten and had relieved all my stress, I wasn’t particularly interested in whatever Rosalind did.

 

In contrast, Caterina, being a championship candidate, couldn’t hide her inner tension.

 

Seeing that expression, I quietly straightened my upper body from my relaxed position.

 

“Lady Rosalind has started!”

 

The other gathered competitors also turned their gazes toward the arena one by one.

 

I had heard her equestrian style focused on elegance and technique, but today her speed was noticeably fast from the start.

 

“As expected of Lady Rosalind!”

 

“Her skills are incomparable to certain others.”

 

The people who claimed they didn’t want to get involved were glancing this way repeatedly while chattering more enthusiastically than anyone.

 

I pretended not to hear and casually picked at my ear.

 

‘But the horse seems a bit unstable…’

 

Though I wasn’t qualified to comment on others’ horsemanship, the riding posture looked somewhat strange.

 

Even during the competition, the horse couldn’t seem to concentrate as its ears moved around, and its breathing appeared excessively labored.

 

There was no way Rosalind couldn’t sense this.

 

It was the moment she struck her whip down even harder to correct this.

 

The horse suddenly reared up on its hind legs and twisted its body at the very top of the steep slope.

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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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