I Became the Wife of the Hero Who Killed Me - Chapter 148

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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 148

 

* * *

 

Perhaps it was thanks to God’s help.

 

As time passed, Joseph began to show signs of gradual recovery.

 

The Imperial Physician said that although red spots still remained, the noticeable drop in fever was a sign that he had safely passed the crisis.

 

One more day passed, and a diagnosis came that the isolation could be lifted.

 

Mariana, who had been pacing the corridor since early dawn, came rushing in.

 

“Joseph! Oh God…!”

 

“Mother!”

 

She embraced Joseph and shed tears of joy.

 

Seeing life return to the cheeks of the child who had been dying, Mariana caressed his face several times and offered thanks to God.

 

As the ladies-in-waiting who followed also wiped away tears, Mariana, having finished the emotional reunion, called to me.

 

“Elisia, thank you so much.”

 

“You must have worried so much, didn’t you?”

 

“You’re the one who suffered. I heard from the Imperial Physician how devotedly you cared for Joseph. I really don’t know how to thank you… I owe you a debt I can never fully repay.”

 

As Mariana tried to kneel, I was startled and stopped her.

 

“P-please don’t do that!”

 

“But I have nothing I can do for you. A person must have dignity. Saving Joseph is the same as saving my life.”

 

“Aunt, we’re family, aren’t we? Family should live helping each other.”

 

“Elisia…”

 

Mariana still looked like she wanted to do something, but when I firmly dissuaded her, she reluctantly rose from her position.

 

Having stayed in the Imperial Palace for five days due to unexpected circumstances, it was truly time to leave now.

 

Her eyes reddening, she clasped my hands.

 

“I heard from Duke Lombard. You’re preparing to return to the Northern Region?”

 

I nodded silently.

 

Before entering isolation, I had informed Edwin in advance in a letter about what I wanted him to do while I stayed at court.

 

Hearing the situation Mariana conveyed, it seemed he had done well.

 

“I would like you to stay in the Imperial Capital for a long time, but fate is separating our family. Take care of yourself in Lombard too. Stay healthy.”

 

“You take care of yourself too, Aunt.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

I still couldn’t guess the new Emperor’s true intentions.

 

As for me, once I returned to the Northern Region, even Nigel would find it difficult to act rashly, but the situation of the mother and son who had to remain in the Imperial Capital would be different.

 

After exchanging silent glances with Mariana, I changed my expression and grasped Joseph’s hand.

 

“Don’t get sick anymore. Do you know I almost had a heart attack thinking something happened to you?”

 

“Thank you for saving my life. Please tell me more interesting stories next time!”

 

Joseph, who had gotten up from bed, knelt and bowed.

 

When he was sick, he cried and clung while acting spoiled, but now he had returned to being a spirited and dignified prince.

 

I helped Joseph up and smiled brightly.

 

* * *

 

After parting with Mariana and her son, I immediately headed to St. Pamelo Monastery.

 

It was to keep my promise with Nigel.

 

To clearly show that I had tried to mediate the dispute, I borrowed an imperial carriage, and even brought along trustworthy diplomatic officials that Edwin had arranged in advance.

 

Cardinal Nonna, who spotted me and my party, approached with a welcoming face.

 

“Duchess! I’m glad we could meet before you leave.”

 

“Thank you for welcoming us so warmly, Your Eminence.”

 

The atmosphere of the monastery was unusually bustling.

 

They said those from the Holy City were also preparing to leave the Imperial Capital, just like me. If I had been just a few days later, we might not have met.

 

Cardinal Nonna got straight to the point as soon as she sat down.

 

“The crime of smuggling out the sacred relic is grave. Normally, I wouldn’t have agreed to dialogue, but since you personally came to mediate, I couldn’t ignore it.”

 

“The incident at the plaza is regrettable in many ways. I apologize on behalf of the Baldin Imperial Family.”

 

“Aren’t you also a victim, Madam? I didn’t say that to receive an apology, so please don’t mind it.”

 

Cardinal Nonna gestured to her accompanying aide.

 

“Let’s have the working-level staff handle the practical discussions. We’re just figureheads anyway, aren’t we?”

 

“I always feel like Your Eminence and I think alike.”

 

I also signaled to the diplomatic officials.

 

The working-level staff from both sides, familiar with such situations, greeted each other and left to find a conference room.

 

Since both sides were busy, our conversation wasn’t long either.

 

The reason I came to the monastery wasn’t simply for mediation.

 

It was to gauge the possibility of receiving support from the Holy City when Caterina would stage a coup.

 

Coincidentally, the Holy City was also showing interest in returning the heretical nation to orthodoxy.

 

There was a need to restore Argenbach’s prestige, which had been damaged by what Vittorio IV had done.

 

“His Holiness the Pope is also closely watching the persecution of believers happening in Pavia. It’s truly heartbreaking, but until now, we had no justification to intervene.”

 

“Princess Caterina is a devout Orthodox believer. If the Princess succeeds in her coup, I believe the Holy City will gain a reliable ally in Pavia.”

 

“Hmm, it’s about time we made a decision too.”

 

Cardinal Nonna, seeming to have made up her mind, made a proposal.

 

“To be honest, His Holiness wants to dispatch the Holy Knights for the suffering faithful of Pavia.”

 

“That means…!”

 

“However, before that, we want to confirm whether the Princess is trustworthy. Whether it’s worth having our precious Holy Knights shed blood.”

 

“Do you have something in mind, Your Eminence?”

 

Although Caterina and Cardinal Nonna were in the same city, they had no opportunity to contact each other while avoiding Nigel’s eyes.

 

But outside the Imperial Capital, the story would be different.

 

As expected, she spoke first.

 

“I heard that Princess Caterina plans to seek refuge in Lombard for a while. We want to attach one of His Holiness’s close retainers to the Princess’s side to observe directly. Would that be alright?”

 

“Of course.”

 

If the Holy City stepped forward, it would be of great help to Caterina’s coup.

 

It would also be a great comfort to the people of Pavia who had suffered from long persecution.

 

There was no reason to refuse. No, rather, I wanted to do anything if it would help.

 

I readily agreed.

 

With the important matter concluded, I recalled a question I had been keeping in my heart.

 

“Your Eminence, there’s something I’d like to ask.”

 

“What is it? Please speak freely.”

 

It was about Brother Vincent.

 

I had too many questions about the detailed circumstances of his arrival in the Imperial Capital, and how His Holiness’s letter was written.

 

When I asked Edwin, he just avoided answering, saying he didn’t know much.

 

“Well—”

 

Just as I was about to speak.

 

Cardinal Godric’s aide came requesting an audience with Cardinal Nonna, saying urgent contact had come from the Holy City.

 

In the end, I couldn’t bring up the matter and rose from my seat.

 

When I stepped into the corridor, the surroundings were more chaotic than before.

 

“Hey there, be careful moving that!”

 

“It’s too heavy for us to handle. Let’s call more people.”

 

Perhaps because such a large group had come, there seemed to be a lot of luggage to organize when leaving.

 

I wanted to grab someone and ask about Brother Vincent’s whereabouts, but there was no one suitable.

 

I was about to give up and leave the monastery when someone who had been walking hurriedly from across the cloister suddenly stopped.

 

“…Ah.”

 

At the shadow cast over my head, I reflexively looked up. And our eyes met.

 

After a brief silence, the other person spoke first.

 

“I finally found you.”

 

It was Brother Vincent.

 

* * *

 

We moved to a quiet garden.

 

And we heard everything that had happened from Brother Vincent.

 

From receiving Pope Leonel II’s special orders and combing through the Northern Mountains like hunting for lice, to the process of coming up to the Imperial Capital while maintaining close contact with Edwin.

 

Even though there were the Pope’s orders, Brother Vincent had also done his best to save my life.

 

Even as I listened, I couldn’t believe it.

 

At least in my perception, he was the furthest from anything involving saving people’s lives.

 

“You had no idea at all?”

 

“….”

 

“Duke Lombard really didn’t tell you anything?”

 

I nodded my head ambiguously.

 

That was because I thought I knew why Edwin hadn’t told me.

 

‘Timing? Wait, what timing? What is it? You’re hiding something from me, aren’t you?!’

 

‘…Later. I don’t want to talk about it right now.’

 

His sulky expression that I saw in the prison came to mind.

 

Our Duke Lombard, that man whose eyes were attached to the soles of his feet!

 

It was already infuriating enough that he got jealous over Ramon and Count Baron, but now he had gone and gotten jealous of even the Inquisitor, who wouldn’t have a speck of interest in the opposite sex.

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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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