I Became the Wife of the Hero Who Killed Me - Chapter 131

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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 131

 

“Well, of course—”

 

Since Geumhwa couldn’t swim, she was about to give different answers depending on the water depth.

 

But before she could even ask how deep the river was, Edwin’s gaze became even sharper.

 

So I quickly set aside my curiosity and hurriedly corrected my answer.

 

“O-of course I should save you first, right?”

 

“…”

 

“…?”

 

Edwin hesitated for a moment, then muttered weakly.

 

“…I don’t have the confidence to ask about Nero.”

 

“Good thinking.”

 

Edwin’s gaze turned to the letters piled up like a mountain on the table.

 

These were the love letters I sent to Nero daily, which I had arranged to be read aloud to those left behind at Lombard Castle.

 

But lately, I couldn’t send them because I was pretending to be collapsed, so several had already accumulated.

 

As I counted the letters, I felt it was about time to gradually end my happy bedridden life.

 

Right now the Emperor was temporarily stepping back due to Rosalind’s matter, but this peace wouldn’t last long.

 

“Woo, I don’t want to be separated from my bed.”

 

“If that’s what Elisia wants, you can do so as much as you like.”

 

“Still, well… life outside isn’t that bad either. There’s satisfaction from cleaning up trash, and it relieves stress too.”

 

How many opportunities would there be to legally(?) stomp on trash heads?

 

Actually, I wondered if it was really legal, but since no one dared to complain and only begged for their lives, I decided to think it wasn’t illegal.

 

Edwin added with a serious expression.

 

“As I always say, please be careful. In any situation, you must prioritize safety.”

 

“I’m sorry for making you worry because of me…”

 

“A simple ‘thank you’ is enough.”

 

“I love you.”

 

Hearing my answer, Edwin smiled with genuine happiness.

 

* * *

 

At the same time, Ramon was reading an intelligence report that arrived from the Imperial Capital while smiling contentedly.

 

According to Agent No. 4—Berry’s—report, recently the Lord and Madam’s relationship had grown noticeably closer.

 

Wherever they went, they naturally held hands, and when they sat down, they comfortably leaned against each other and exchanged playful banter.

 

Most importantly, the way they looked at each other was so sweet that honey seemed to drip from their eyes, making everyone who saw them happy.

 

“Hehe, what peaceful times.”

 

Ramon rested his chin on his hand and smiled contentedly.

 

Now if only the Lord’s modesty could be resolved, he had a feeling that the day when children’s laughter would echo through Lombard Castle wasn’t far off.

 

As a capable official, he had already arranged for an acupuncturist to be on standby at the castle.

 

‘If it’s a child who takes after both of them, Lombard’s glory will continue for a long time.’

 

Then suddenly, the image of a second child with Madam’s temperament combined with the Lord’s imposing physical attributes flashed through his mind, sending a chill down his spine…

 

Soon he decided to think the opposite way.

 

What if a child was born who inherited the Lord’s calm personality and was the spitting image of Madam’s overwhelming beauty?

 

Well, yes.

 

It was just then, as he was spinning his hope circuit as much as possible.

 

A plump figure sneaking out of the castle keep came into Ramon’s view.

 

It was Count Baron.

 

‘Huff huff, at this rate I’ll die from overwork! I’m really going to die!’

 

Recently, he had been continuing a relay of all-nighters that had never been part of his destiny, guilty of being the duchess’s trusted retainer.

 

Ramon had unleashed Spartan-style education on Count Baron, saying that as much as he received the mistress’s favor, he needed to possess abilities befitting that status.

 

Thanks to this, the dark circles under the Baron’s eyes never had a day to fade.

 

‘Abilities and whatnot… I just wanted to succeed by clinging to the right rope, so why do I have to suffer like this?!’

 

Just because Madam wasn’t here, to work people so harshly!

 

He even began to suspect that Lord Ramon was trying to assassinate him, Madam’s trusted retainer, through overwork and monopolize that position.

 

As expected, he should follow Madam to the Imperial Capital.

 

It wasn’t too late yet. Surely Madam was also eagerly waiting for him…!

 

A long shadow fell over Count Baron’s head as he earnestly attempted his escape with quick steps.

 

“Where are you running off to?”

 

“…”

 

A line that would probably get censored if the spacing were changed could be heard.

 

When he turned around with an ominous premonition, sure enough, Lord Ramon was smiling cheerfully.

 

However, his eyes holding an empty document file weren’t smiling at all.

 

Count Baron hastily made an excuse.

 

“I, I urgently need the restroom. Haha!”

 

“The restroom wouldn’t be in this direction, would it?”

 

“Uh…”

 

Forget it, I don’t know anymore!

 

Count Baron shook off the hand gripping his shoulder and attempted to escape, but unfortunately his legs were too short.

 

Count Baron, recaptured within one second, struggled desperately.

 

“L-let go of this! I’m going to Madam! I’m going to stick right next to our Madam!”

 

“Let’s work overtime. Let’s have enjoyable overtime♡”

 

Indeed, the path of a true trusted retainer is long and arduous.

 

Count Baron’s screams echoed through the blue sky of the Northern Region.

 

* * *

 

My ears are itchy.

 

After scratching my ear canal for no reason when nothing came out, I opened the carriage door.

 

I resumed official activities that had been suspended for a while after the poisoning incident.

 

The first place I chose was a plaza prayer meeting for atonement, officiated by Cardinal Vincent of the Congregation for Evangelization.

 

“It’s, it’s the Duchess!”

 

“Duchess Lombard has arrived!”

 

As I got out of the carriage with Gareth’s support, the citizens who had arrived early to wait for the prayer meeting recognized me and came rushing over in a crowd.

 

The surroundings were instantly filled with people.

 

“We heard you collapsed and were really worried. Duchess, are you feeling alright now?”

 

“My goodness, you look so haggard.”

 

“Damn those Imperial bastards! The Duchess was poisoned and collapsed, but only the lackey died while the real culprit was smoothly sent abroad…!”

 

Voices mixed with worry and anger poured out from all directions.

 

But in truth, I didn’t look haggard – I had just applied makeup thicker than usual to hide my plump face from eating and sleeping well.

 

My dark expression was because I was greatly saddened about having to part with Geumhwa soon.

 

Anyway, I smiled awkwardly and spoke to the people.

 

“Thank you for your concern.”

 

The crowd that had been chattering away fell silent like magic at my single word.

 

While I was confident in beating up trash one-on-one, receiving the gaze of thousands simultaneously triggered stage fright I didn’t even know I had.

 

At this crucial timing, my voice trembled.

 

“Though there were difficult times, with God’s help I was able to rise from my sickbed… Today through this prayer meeting, I wish to atone for past transgressions.”

 

The plaza stirred for a moment.

 

“My goodness, how much mental anguish you must have endured…”

 

“Please don’t cry, Duchess!”

 

“That’s right! There are other criminals who should be crying, so why do you blame yourself, Noble Lady? You have committed no sin!”

 

No, that’s not it.

 

It was just ordinary stage fright…

 

The people seemed to mistake it for me getting emotional while recalling past hardships.

 

Anyway, seeing how comfortably the citizens approached me, I could truly feel how much public opinion about me had changed.

 

‘Now I wonder how the Imperial Family will respond.’

 

The accident at the tournament and the events that followed had spread beyond what the Imperial Family could handle.

 

The citizens learned that the Emperor had tried to cover up the incident by killing the patients.

 

The deep-rooted corruption of the poorhouse managed by the Imperial Family was a great shock to the public, and the attempted poisoning on the grand festival day and Sermont’s new publications solidified that shock into distrust.

 

Now there was no one anywhere who would stand on the Emperor’s side.

 

“Noble Lady, please go to the front.”

 

“That’s right. You’re already unwell, so it would be difficult to sit among the people.”

 

When I tried to enter among the crowd, the citizens actually stopped me.

 

This was because separate seating was prepared for the nobles.

 

But I shook my head.

 

While this was partly because I wanted to hear the citizens’ voices more closely, honestly there was some calculation involved too.

 

‘The head table is too exposed.’

 

The more conspicuous the position, the easier it was to become a target for attacks.

 

On the other hand, if I mixed in among the people, even if someone targeted me, it would be difficult for them to act rashly.

 

I crossed the plaza where crowds had gathered and stopped walking at a suitable middle position.

 

Before Gareth, who had followed me, could even remove his cloak, the citizens each took off their coats and aprons and laid them thickly on the spot where I would sit.

 

“You mustn’t sit on the cold ground when you’re unwell.”

 

“Though humble, if you would sit on our clothes, we would consider it a lifelong honor for our family.”

 

These people must have worn their finest clothes to attend the prayer meeting.

 

They offered such clothes without hesitation, and I couldn’t bring myself to refuse their hearts.

 

“…How could I refuse your sincerity.”

 

When I took my seat, the people’s faces brightened considerably.

 

Just as we were all waiting together for Cardinal Vincent’s arrival.

 

Someone came running breathlessly onto the empty podium.

 

“T-terrible news! The Emperor, the Emperor is moving toward Parliament!”

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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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