I Became the Wife of the Hero Who Killed Me - Chapter 145

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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 145

 

* * *

 

I slept and woke up for two full days.

 

When I opened my eyes, I saw Edwin by my bedside, looking haggard with worry.

 

Even though he had experienced what happens when he lacks sleep, he still seemed terrified of me just sleeping.

 

The same man who cut off the head of an enemy general who invaded the Imperial Capital without batting an eye.

 

I whispered while looking at my selectively timid husband.

 

“You know, Edwin. I was imprisoned and dragged to a heresy trial, but I wasn’t scared at all.”

 

“Elisia!”

 

Edwin quickly approached me when he realized I had woken up.

 

I pressed his furrowed brow with my fingers, smoothing out the worry and concern.

 

“Because I believed you would never let me get hurt. What would I have to fear when the strongest man on the continent is protecting me?”

 

“….”

 

It should have been a moment to feel proud, but Edwin’s expression remained dark.

 

It seemed like being overprotective was his nature in this life. How could the same person be so different?

 

When I playfully poked Edwin’s cheek and grinned, his expression finally softened a little.

 

“So I said everything I wanted to say to the Emperor.”

 

“That was well done.”

 

Even thinking about it again felt satisfying.

 

When I rattled off all the words I had been holding back, the Emperor’s face turned bright red, looking like he might burst a blood vessel and die at any moment.

 

When I turned my gaze, the familiar mansion scenery came into view.

 

“The Emperor must have been scared of you too. I thought he might capture and imprison me again after I scratched him up so much, but I’m home. So is everything over now?”

 

“Of course.”

 

Edwin nodded cheerfully and told me about what had happened while I was asleep.

 

And I was shocked.

 

In just two days, the owner of the Empire had changed.

 

* * *

 

All the political problems surrounding me had been resolved.

 

There were some suspicious aspects, but that was the case for now.

 

The problem was Caterina. The warrant issued for her had still not been withdrawn.

 

I immediately got dressed and headed to the Imperial Palace.

 

After barely managing to shake off Edwin who was worried about my physical condition—I wasn’t a patient, I had just slept well and woken up refreshed—I requested an audience at the Solar Palace.

 

The fact that my political standing had been elevated proved true as I was able to meet Nigel right away.

 

“Elisia of Lombard pays her respects to His Majesty the Emperor, the Sun of the Empire.”

 

“Sister, didn’t you just get up from your sickbed? It would be better to skip the formalities.”

 

Nigel immediately helped me up as I knelt.

 

He said he wanted to have a comfortable conversation and dismissed everyone except for one chief chamberlain to prepare refreshments.

 

Sitting on the sofa, he smiled awkwardly.

 

“Well, I never thought I’d hear formal speech from you in my lifetime, sister. It’s a bit awkward.”

 

“….”

 

A lie.

 

For that to be true, all the coronation procedures had proceeded too smoothly.

 

Since distancing himself from the Emperor who was rushing toward ruin, Nigel must have been steadily gathering his forces and preparing for this moment.

 

‘He pretends to treat me as royal family, but it’s all just a pretty facade.’

 

Appointing me as a Privy Council advisor was probably considering that it would be difficult for me to be deeply involved in politics once I returned to Northern Lombard.

 

Granting me southern territory was the same.

 

That place was a region entangled with the interests of great nobles, so I knew his intention was to have the surrounding nobles check me without him having to step forward directly.

 

Of course, I liked the territory itself. It was almost the only thing I liked among what I received this time.

 

I received a ducal territory! How much would this be worth in gold coins?!

 

‘Anyway, I have no intention of getting involved in politics.’

 

So whether Nigel checked me by himself or not was of no concern to me.

 

“By the way, I’m curious about why you came to the Solar Palace, sister.”

 

While I was lost in brief thought, the chief chamberlain brought out simple refreshments.

 

I didn’t beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

 

“Your Majesty, please withdraw the warrant for Princess Caterina. Since the Princess is an Orthodox believer, it’s right for us in Baldin, as a fellow Orthodox nation, to protect her.”

 

“That’s just like you, sister. Still so straightforward.”

 

Nigel pretended to be pleased as he stroked his chin.

 

But contrary to his words, his expression looked somewhat troubled.

 

“I’ve given much thought to Princess Caterina’s treatment. Personally, I think her situation is truly pitiful.”

 

“Then there’s no problem at all, is there?”

 

“But there’s Rosalind in Pavia. Thinking of my sister living alone in a distant foreign land, I want to avoid anything that might create enmity with Karl II if possible.”

 

He slipped away like a well-oiled eel.

 

When Rosalind was confirmed as the culprit in the poisoning incident, he was faster than anyone to distance himself.

 

Inwardly snorting, I immediately presented a solution.

 

“Then what if I bear Pavia’s resentment?”

 

“What do you mean by that?”

 

“I want to protect the Princess in Lombard. Your Majesty would only need to turn a blind eye to her crossing the gate of the Imperial Capital.”

 

“….”

 

“If the Princess lives in exile in Lombard, wouldn’t that be good for Your Majesty too? You wouldn’t have to be unnecessarily swayed by Pavia or worry about the Holy Capital’s opinion regarding the Princess’s custody.”

 

Nigel looked surprised.

 

He seemed to have never expected that Caterina would cross over to the north, far from Pavia.

 

The Imperial Capital was geographically close to Pavia, but Lombard was not.

 

That meant the connection with the remaining Pavian nobles in the Imperial Capital would be severed.

 

With this much, Nigel should be able to bear Karl II’s resentment.

 

He asked cautiously.

 

“Has Princess Caterina also agreed to this matter?”

 

“I need to get her agreement now. I think the Princess would choose to live freely in Lombard rather than live suffocatingly like a prisoner in the Imperial Capital.”

 

“….”

 

Nigel fell silent again.

 

In fact, after arriving in Lombard, Caterina was thinking of returning to Pavia through Bellamare to stage a restoration.

 

But if I told the truth, he would never allow it, so I presented the pretext of moving her place of exile to Lombard.

 

Pretending it was my unilateral request without consulting Caterina was also for that reason.

 

Fortunately, it seemed to work well as Nigel, after pondering for a moment, soon proposed a deal.

 

“The late His Majesty had some friction with the Holy Capital over an unfortunate matter.”

 

“What do you have in mind?”

 

“I heard that you have a close friendship with Cardinal Nonna, the Secretary of State. If you could resolve this matter amicably, I would be willing to bear Pavia’s resentment.”

 

He really was a cunning snake.

 

Moving Caterina’s place of exile would be good for Nigel too, yet he deliberately inserted a deal.

 

But it wasn’t particularly difficult for me either.

 

I pretended to consider for a moment before answering.

 

“I’m not a diplomat. I don’t even know how to persuade them. But I could try mediating at least.”

 

“I’d appreciate it if you could hurry before the ministers leave the Imperial Capital.”

 

“I’ll do that. I need to return to Lombard soon anyway.”

 

Only then did Nigel narrow his eyes with satisfaction.

 

“Good. Since you’re working so hard for Baldin, sister, it’s an offer I cannot refuse.”

 

“I somehow feel like I’m getting the short end of the deal. Then I’ll take it that you’ve agreed to the matter of the Princess’s custody.”

 

I was also about to wrap up the conversation with some playful banter when—

 

Nigel added as if he had just remembered something.

 

“Sister, are you free this evening? There’s going to be a public execution at the Plaza.”

 

“A public execution?”

 

“Lady Perez and Count Germano. It turns out they’ve been leaking confidential matters of our Imperial Court to the Southern Protestant States all this time.”

 

It meant they were charged with espionage.

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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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