I Became the Wife of the Hero Who Killed Me - Chapter 123

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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 123

 

Chapter 6. The Scoundrel Duke’s Wife Beats Trash Instead of Testing the Bridge

 

* * *

 

Time passed quickly, and the day of the poorhouse inspection arrived.

 

When I encountered Mariana outside the palace after such a long time, I was shocked. She had visibly lost weight, likely suffering greatly during her house arrest.

 

But before I could even open my mouth, Mariana let out a scream.

 

“Good heavens, Elisia? What happened to that beautiful face of yours!”

 

Following their horrified mistress, her maids also screamed.

 

“We heard rumors, but we had no idea you were injured this severely. Are you alright?!”

 

“No matter how I think about it, the Imperial Army was definitely in the wrong! Anyone who sees this face and still claims the Duchess was at fault first deserves to die!”

 

“Wait, everyone move to the right side when you speak! Didn’t you hear Lady Mariana’s instructions!”

 

“Right, right! We’re so sorry…”

 

“It’s okay…”

 

Mariana’s maids were exhausting in a different way from Rosalind’s maids.

 

While Rosalind’s maids would pick fights with me over every little thing, Mariana’s maids were, as I had felt before, the ultimate emotional types.

 

Already two or three of them were tearing up at the sight of my bruised face.

 

Sensing my confused state of mind, Isabella intervened.

 

“Still, she’s much better now. At first, her condition was so severe that even I was moved to tears just looking at her.”

 

“My niece was injured to this extent, and I couldn’t be of any help…”

 

“Please don’t feel too sorry. After all, it wasn’t all bad things that happened to me.”

 

The bruised wounds still hurt.

 

Thanks to Brother Matthew, my recovery had quickened, but my left ear still didn’t hear well.

 

However, this injury became the catalyst for Edwin’s confession to me, and then…

 

“Oh, um, you really do seem that way.”

 

“I’m glad Elze was pleased, at least.”

 

Seeing my ears turn red, Mariana and Isabella exchanged that particular look.

 

Actually, Caterina was the best at making those knowing smiles.

 

Perhaps thinking the same thing, Mariana asked.

 

“How is Princess Caterina doing?”

 

“Yes, she’s staying at our family’s townhouse. She was quite disappointed that she couldn’t accompany us on today’s inspection.”

 

“Unable to do this or that, the situation is truly frustrating.”

 

From the moment the talk of Karl II and Rosalind’s royal marriage came up, we had been anticipating that Caterina’s position could become even more precarious than it already was.

 

Initially, I had tried to protect her, but House Lombard currently had too many eyes watching it.

 

Under the judgment that the Ferang Family, which had stepped back from the situation, might be safer, Isabella, as her relative, came to take care of her.

 

“Well, let’s save the detailed conversation for later.”

 

There were too many watching eyes at the moment.

 

Since it would be difficult for the Empress, who was overseeing the social event, to hold lengthy conversations with just one or two people, Mariana turned away, promising to talk later.

 

The noble ladies who had gathered in small groups spotted the Empress and paid their respects.

 

“The poorhouse inspection will be conducted over two days. Though it will be a demanding schedule, helping the poor is our important duty, so please each of you approach it with sincere dedication.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty the Empress.”

 

The inspection content was simple.

 

Since the actual administrative work was handled by palace officials, the Empress and noble ladies only needed to check if the poorhouse was running well and occasionally distribute meals.

 

And finally, make a donation—my precious gold coins, nooo!

 

In short, it was an event for show, both internally and externally.

 

‘Unlike the Lombard inspection, my mind is very much at ease.’

 

Lombard’s administration had been haphazard until I got my hands on it.

 

Though it had improved a lot recently, there were still occasional incidents that made me want to grab the back of my neck.

 

But I had heard that the Imperial Palace had strict procedures and regulations, with thorough audits that made individual embezzlement by officials virtually impossible.

 

They even informed us of the Empress’s visit schedule in advance, so even if there were any problems, there was plenty of time to prepare.

 

What could possibly come out of investigating such a place?

 

I crossed the threshold of the poorhouse with a very light heart.

 

“It is truly an honor to serve such distinguished guests!”

 

“Please come this way. We have prepared everything so there will be no inconvenience during your inspection.”

 

The manager and staff members were already waiting at the entrance.

 

We listened to explanations about the various charitable works carried out at the poorhouse and first toured the management area where the sick stayed.

 

The sickrooms were clean, the floors had not a speck of dust, and the patients’ hygiene was also in good condition.

 

Next, we headed to the warehouse where ingredients for meals were stored.

 

Inside, flour sacks were piled high, and the manager opened several sacks with a proud expression to show us the contents.

 

“Our Imperial Poorhouse is on a different level from those rootless poorhouses outside.”

 

“Especially since His Majesty the Emperor places great importance on relieving the poor, we stock only good quality flour.”

 

“Indeed, it looks good.”

 

Mariana nodded with satisfaction.

 

Of course, it wasn’t the white flour that royalty or nobles ate.

 

The yellowish color suggested it had quite a bit of bran mixed in, but for flour distributed free to the poor, it was of fairly good quality.

 

It was the level that commoners living in the Imperial Capital ate on a daily basis.

 

But my expression only hardened further as I looked down at it.

 

‘Oh God! Why do you show me such chaos everywhere I go…’

 

I was crying out inwardly, but it must have shown on my face because Mariana called out to me.

 

“Elisia? Is there something strange?”

 

“You must be the Duchess of Lombard, the Empress’s niece. If there are any shortcomings in our poorhouse, please feel free to tell us anytime.”

 

The manager bowed and scraped before me like a fly rubbing its legs together.

 

But my gaze still remained on the flour sacks.

 

Though identical sacks were piled like mountains in the warehouse, instead of the savory smell characteristic of grain, there was a musty smell of earth.

 

Noble lords who had no occasion to enter warehouses might not know, but I knew this smell all too sickeningly well.

 

This was definitely the smell of embezzlement.

 

‘Should I pretend not to know?’

 

Honestly, I seriously considered it.

 

This wasn’t even Lombard territory, so what good would come from stirring up unnecessary trouble.

 

‘But if the already weakened patients keep eating this stuff, something will definitely go wrong.’

 

My damn conscience stuck in my throat like a thorn.

 

If I hadn’t known, it would be one thing, but now that I knew, I absolutely couldn’t just let it slide.

 

Damn it all, God…!

 

“I’d like you to open and show me the other sacks as well.”

 

“Of course. Being cautious is a good thing.”

 

The manager opened another nearby sack without hesitation. The staff members also randomly pulled out sacks and untied their openings to show us.

 

It was flour of the same quality as before.

 

Mariana felt relieved after confirming this, but I was different.

 

I called over Gareth, who had come along as my guard, and ordered him.

 

“Move all the sacks near the entrance outside.”

 

“Yes, Madam.”

 

Gareth, who had long since outsourced his thinking to me, began moving the sacks without much question.

 

Then the manager and staff members, who had been acting confident all along, panicked and rushed forward.

 

“D-Duchess Lombard? Please wait a moment! Haven’t you already sufficiently confirmed the quality of the flour?”

 

“Yes, yes, why would you need to mess up what we’ve organized so well?”

 

“…”

 

Mariana, who had been watching this situation in bewilderment, seemed to finally sense something was wrong.

 

She commanded the guards who had followed her.

 

“My niece’s will is my will. Clear away all the sacks at the warehouse entrance.”

 

“K-Knights! If you mess up all this flour, how are we supposed to clean it up!”

 

The manager and staff members stamped their feet as if they were truly in trouble.

 

The noble ladies who were close to Rosalind whispered deliberately loud enough to be heard.

 

“How does the Duchess plan to handle this situation?”

 

“Is there even a need to handle it? She’s His Majesty the Emperor’s only niece. Our feet will just get sore from standing here too long.”

 

Of course, I pretended not to hear them.

 

Not long after the knights stepped in, even the faint grain scent that had remained completely disappeared.

 

Now the damp smell of dirt was sharp enough to sting my nose.

 

“Give me your knife.”

 

“Here it is.”

 

Taking the dagger from Gareth, I slashed the side of a sack without hesitation.

 

Powder that was completely different in color from what we had seen before—a mixture of a little flour with lime and dirt—came pouring down onto the floor.

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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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