I Became the Wife of the Hero Who Killed Me - Chapter 146

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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 146

 

The general situation that Nigel told me was as follows.

 

Lady Perez felt great anxiety about Vittorio IV’s arrogant and reckless behavior.

 

So from the time the Emperor was considering conversion, she had been making contact with southern nations in preparation for any emergency.

 

So that she could flee into exile at any time if necessary.

 

At the same time, to ensure the Emperor wouldn’t lose power, she also took on the role of strategist while Nigel was away.

 

The foreign army the Emperor brought in this time was also Lady Perez’s scheme.

 

“To think such a cunning woman was manipulating the Imperial Court is truly tragic. It’s fortunate that we were able to expose her crimes and arrest her just as she was about to flee after the Former Emperor’s passing.”

 

“….”

 

“So I’m thinking of holding a public execution in the plaza today. Would you like to watch together, sister?”

 

Nigel appeared genuinely sorrowful, but I wasn’t unaware of the hidden agenda beneath.

 

He probably needed bait to throw to the citizens who were still seething over Vittorio IV’s tyranny.

 

Someone to redirect the arrows of resentment toward.

 

Though she deserved severe punishment if her espionage activities were exposed, I didn’t particularly want to see such a spectacle, so I shook my head.

 

“I’ll pass. I’m sick and tired of blood by now.”

 

* * *

 

After parting with Nigel, I headed straight to the Empress’s Palace.

 

Though the ending was unsatisfying, Mariana had suffered mentally for a long time because of Lady Perez, who had monopolized the Former Emperor’s favor.

 

Before leaving, I planned to see her face-to-face to comfort her and say farewell, wishing her well for the future.

 

If not today, it seemed there would be no opportunity to see Mariana and Joseph’s faces.

 

‘But what’s with this atmosphere?’

 

Since Lady Perez had fallen from grace, I thought there would be some relief if not outright celebration, but the atmosphere in the Palace seemed ominous.

 

Just then, one of Mariana’s ladies-in-waiting who was passing by recognized me and came running.

 

“Duchess! How much you must have suffered all this time. I heard you were quite unwell – is it alright for you to be moving around already?”

 

“Thank you for worrying. I’m fine. But why is the atmosphere like this?”

 

“Well, that’s….”

 

The lady-in-waiting rolled her eyes with a troubled expression.

 

According to her, Joseph had been running a fever of unknown cause for two days, putting the entire Empress Palace on high alert.

 

At first, they thought it was just a simple cold.

 

But since the fever wouldn’t subside despite medication, they suspected it might be some other infectious disease.

 

On the Imperial Physician’s strong recommendation, even Mariana was forbidden from entering the child’s bedroom.

 

“I need to see my aunt. Where is she now?”

 

“Seeing you would put Lady Mariana’s mind at ease somewhat.”

 

I hurried along with the lady-in-waiting.

 

* * *

 

Mariana, spotting me, quickly rose from her seat.

 

“Elisia! Are you feeling better? Is it alright for you to be moving around already?”

 

“I’m fine. Are you alright, Aunt? What happened to Joseph? What did the physician say?”

 

“I don’t really know. No matter what we try, the fever won’t break….”

 

Mariana said a patient shouldn’t stand for long and led me to the sofa.

 

Only after sitting down did I notice the deep shadows cast over her face.

 

According to what I heard from the lady-in-waiting, she had suffered considerable mental anguish over my being branded a heretic and imprisoned.

 

Just when she thought she could breathe easy with the heresy issue resolved, Joseph’s fever began that very evening.

 

And the next morning, Vittorio IV suddenly passed away and Nigel ascended to the throne.

 

Mariana let out a deep sigh and muttered.

 

“I don’t know what’s what anymore. I don’t even have time to feel distressed.”

 

“With so many watching eyes, His Majesty won’t be able to treat his brother Joseph carelessly. For now, we can only hope Joseph pulls through safely.”

 

“You’re right. Joseph’s wellbeing is what matters most.”

 

Mariana said she couldn’t just sit idle and got up, saying she should at least go pray in the chapel.

 

Just as I was about to join her, the Imperial Physician rushed in urgently.

 

“I pay my respects to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager.”

 

“Never mind the greetings. What’s the sudden matter?”

 

“Well….”

 

The Imperial Physician hesitated, unable to speak easily, before finally managing to state his business with difficulty.

 

“Red spots have begun appearing on His Highness the Prince’s body. In my opinion, it appears he has contracted measles.”

 

“Measles?!”

 

At this thunderbolt diagnosis, Mariana turned pale in an instant.

 

The faces of the attending ladies-in-waiting weren’t much different.

 

Joseph was only six years old. He wasn’t old enough to properly endure such a terrible disease as measles.

 

Moreover, measles was highly contagious.

 

The patient had to be immediately isolated, and those without immunity couldn’t enter the same space.

 

As expected, the Imperial Physician continued.

 

“From now on, those without immunity must not come near His Highness the Prince’s bedchamber. This disease spreads through the air alone. If we’re not careful, it could spread throughout the entire Imperial Palace.”

 

“Dear God! What sin could that young child have committed to deserve such punishment!”

 

“Then is His Highness the Prince alright?!”

 

“He’s still conscious, but his fever is too high. He seems to be struggling and is desperately calling for Lady Mariana….”

 

Mariana, who had been sobbing in shock, went wild at the Imperial Physician’s words.

 

“I don’t care about my life. I’ll nurse Joseph myself.”

 

“Lady Mariana, please calm down!”

 

“How can my safety matter now! Didn’t you say Joseph is calling for me?!”

 

While Mariana and the ladies-in-waiting argued, the Imperial Physician who had long served her gave objective and calm advice.

 

“Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, please compose yourself. If by any chance measles spreads throughout the Palace, His Highness the Prince’s already precarious position will become even more dangerous!”

 

“….”

 

The Imperial Physician was right.

 

Nigel, Joseph’s half-brother, had ascended to the throne.

 

Since Rosalind had lost succession rights by converting to Protestantism, Joseph was currently Nigel’s greatest political rival.

 

Until Nigel had an heir and the imperial power was completely stabilized, the mother and son had to be careful even about breathing.

 

“Then what should I do…. My child is dying and desperately calling for his mother, but I can do nothing.”

 

Mariana had no immunity to measles.

 

The same was true for the ladies-in-waiting, and even Mariana’s personal physician lacked immunity and was scheduled to be replaced by another Imperial Physician.

 

There was no one trustworthy.

 

After brief consideration, I finally stepped forward.

 

“I have immunity to measles. I’ll take care of Joseph.”

 

“Elisia?”

 

In childhood, ‘Elisia’ had once suffered from measles while staying at the southern villa.

 

Fortunately, she recovered completely without major aftereffects, making me the most qualified person here.

 

But Mariana’s expression remained dark.

 

“Will you be alright? Didn’t you just get up from your sickbed after your ordeal in prison? Nursing is very taxing on one’s strength, and I have no shame in asking you to take on such arduous work.”

 

“When one is sick, family warmth becomes all the more precious. How much more so for young Joseph.”

 

Suddenly, memories from childhood came flooding back.

 

On nights when I was sick and burning with fever, I was crushed by a heavy sense of loneliness.

 

Because the fact that I was alone in the world felt more vivid than ever….

 

That day was the same.

 

I repeatedly fell asleep as if fainting from exhaustion and high fever, thinking of my deceased parents’ touch, then woke up again.

 

Then it was when I opened my eyes at dawn.

 

I naturally thought no one would be there, but Edwin was sitting by my bedside, carefully changing the wet towel.

 

‘…Sob.’

 

‘E, Elze? Are you in pain? Are you okay?!’

 

The moment I saw his face, tears suddenly burst forth.

 

What could have made me feel so sorrowful at that time?

 

Just the fact that someone was by my side might have caused all the loneliness and sorrow I had been desperately suppressing to pour out at once.

 

I cried loudly as if throwing a tantrum, and Edwin comforted me, not knowing what to do.

 

After crying to my heart’s content like that, my body felt refreshingly light the next morning.

 

‘Though the end of that friendship was a brutal betrayal…’

 

I awakened from my reverie with cynicism.

 

Anyway, it was now difficult to turn away from a child who was only six years old.

 

Mariana, knowing there was no other solution, silently gripped my hand for a long time.

 

“I’m truly ashamed to face you…”

 

“Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of Joseph.”

 

* * *

 

I left a letter explaining the situation to Edwin and entered Joseph’s bedroom.

 

But from the moment I crossed the threshold, something felt very strange.

 

‘What is this?’

 

I heard that the makeshift quarantine due to suspected infectious disease had started last night.

 

There were supposedly two Imperial Physicians with immunity to measles, but looking at the state of the bedroom, I didn’t get the feeling that the child was being carefully nursed at all.

 

The air was stuffy as if not properly ventilated, and Joseph’s shirt and bed sheets were soaked with cold sweat.

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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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