I Became the Wife of the Hero Who Killed Me - Chapter 24

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

#Episode 24

 

 

‘Wait, wait, is it really worth bringing soldiers just because I touched a man’s chest?!’

I was about to scream in shock, but Ramon’s shout was faster.

“Madam! There’s an urgent matter to report!”

Ramon, who had stopped in front of me, was breathing heavily. He and the soldiers seemed to pay no attention to Brother Vincent’s presence.

Feeling awkward, I hastily straightened my appearance and asked back.

“What’s all this fuss about?”

“It’s about Clayton Viscount…”

Only then did Ramon glance at Vincent behind me.

I drew my hand across my throat a few times. It meant to give a brief report.

“Multiple problems have been discovered in the construction projects that Count Clayton and his son were in charge of. Particularly, the investigation results show that the Third Bridge in the south shows signs of collapse.”

“I see.”

“Uh… aren’t you surprised?”

“I expected it, which is why I ordered the investigation.”

I answered calmly since this was already known information.

Instead, Vincent, who was listening to the conversation, seemed more restless. I felt a bit sorry for that timid priest.

Ramon cleared his throat and continued.

“A-anyway, but this wasn’t the first time.”

“What do you mean?”

“Reports about the collapse risk had already been delivered to the Civil Engineering Inspection Department several times. However, Clayton Viscount, who was responsible, repeatedly concealed this fact.”

“…”

“At this rate, the bridge will really collapse!”

I recalled the past.

Horses and carriages, supplies, and countless people crossing the bridge were all swept away in an unexpected collapse.

After a life-threatening search, the corpses barely retrieved from the frozen downstream were so severely damaged that their forms were barely recognizable.

The bereaved families, who had desperately waited for the missing persons to return alive, lost their sanity at the sight of the gruesome corpses and wailed like beasts.

Before the catastrophic economic damage, there were citizens who had lost their families so meaninglessly.

“We’re going to the Third Bridge.”

“What are you planning to do?”

“I’ll see for myself and judge. The decision comes after that.”

 

* * *

 

The atmosphere at the construction site wasn’t much different from usual.

Ramon explained that to prevent confusion, he had kept the collapse risk confidential, and controlled people’s access under the pretext of bridge maintenance.

Since construction was happening all over Lombard, there was plausibility to the reason for control.

It was a fairly decent judgment, rare to see from the Castle Keep.

“Where is Clayton Viscount?”

“I sent soldiers for him, so he should arrive soon.”

As Ramon reported, before long an escort carriage carrying Clayton Viscount came to a stop.

He was dragged down by the soldiers’ hands with an obviously anxious expression, but as soon as he spotted me standing at the site, he brightened up as if he was saved.

His eyes quickly became confident.

“I pay my respects to Madam who governs Lombard!”

Clayton Viscount’s intentions were transparent.

Since the highest authority in Lombard, to whom he had connections, had personally come forward, he clearly thought this was to help cover up the incident.

Clayton Viscount roughly shook off the soldiers holding him and immediately knelt before me.

“Ah, for the precious Madam to personally grace such a humble place with her presence, how can I express this gratitude in words!”

His kneeling face came to just the right height.

Since he was looking up at me, the angle was also appropriate.

“Hold him.”

“What? Suddenly what…!”

Smack!

Clayton’s head whipped to the left.

Before he could protest, I slapped his cheek once more.

As he tried to get up in anger, the soldiers quickly forced him back down on his knees. This time I hit his other cheek.

“You should hold your head up properly, shouldn’t you?”

In fact, I was furious to the top of my head.

I thought it had collapsed without any warning, but in fact, collapse signs had already been reported multiple times.

It must have been the same in the past. They would have known it was dangerous. There were definitely chances to prevent it, but they ignored them.

Because of this greedy pig bastard, citizens who didn’t need to die had died.

My hometown Lombard, which didn’t need to be harmed, was wounded.

“M-Madam! How can you do this to me?! Didn’t you make a promise to me, Madam?!”

“What promise? That pittance of four thousand gold coins?”

Ramon, who had been holding his breath beside me in my anger, emphasized ‘pittance’ and sneered quietly.

Clayton Viscount, who was quick-witted despite being blinded by greed, muttered.

“No way.”

“That’s right, Madam came to us and harshly reprimanded us, saying she couldn’t stand that the pittance you offered was too insulting.”

“That’s ridiculous! How can four thousand gold coins be a pittance?!”

“To Madam, it’s a pittance. You should be smart about who you offer bribes to, you fool.”

Count Baron, who had joined the conversation, clicked his tongue.

He had been quietly behaving like a dead mouse all day, but only after Clayton’s downfall was confirmed did he start eagerly adding his words.

He was true to form as an icon of sycophants who never disappointed expectations.

Thanks to Baron’s finishing blow, my image seemed to have irreversibly become that of a lunatic, which made me a bit sad, but anyway.

“Clayton Viscount, do you know how many territory residents died because of you?”

“D-died, you say? The bridge is still fine though?”

“How dare you talk back to me.”

Clayton desperately gestured toward the bridge that stood firmly, but regardless, I slapped him every time he protested.

When my hand started hurting, I kicked him with my foot, and when I still lacked strength, I breathed heavily and commanded.

“Take him away for interrogation. Make him confess all the corruption he’s committed so far.”

“Yes!”

“Also, from now on, all construction cost details must be processed with my approval. However, since excessive documentation hinders work efficiency, I permit omission for matters under fifty gold coins.”

“M-Madam!”

Ramon’s eyes widened as he had been silently cheering while I was beating up Clayton Viscount.

Perhaps displeased that I had broken my promise not to interfere in Castle Keep affairs, his pupils looking at me were slightly trembling.

I added to reassure him.

“Don’t worry. This is the only time I’ll interfere in Lombard’s internal affairs.”

“That’s not it…”

“I don’t want to work either. Who would like it? Next time I won’t do it even if Duke Lombard orders me to.”

Despite my personal assurance, Ramon’s lips pouted.

He didn’t like it even though it was just once – he had a decent build but was unexpectedly narrow-minded.

 

* * *

 

The entire Castle Keep was stirring at the hastily delivered news.

It was right after the fact spread that Clayton Viscount, a vassal who had devoted himself to Lombard for generations and was considered a power in the Civil Engineering Inspection Department, had been imprisoned in the underground prison.

It was already uncomfortable enough that the Duke’s consort from the Imperial Capital was interfering in Lombard’s internal affairs, but now she had even laid hands on a vassal.

The bureaucrats, who judged this could no longer be overlooked, finally came to Edwin.

“The Duke’s consort has ordered Clayton Viscount’s interrogation. This is clear interference in internal affairs by someone from the Imperial Capital!”

“You must immediately revoke the full authority granted to Madam!”

Edwin continued polishing his sword, looking down indifferently at those clamoring below.

While the Duke’s temperament had always been unpredictable, he had shown little enthusiasm for domestic affairs as a lord and usually remained passive, letting the castle keep decide most matters.

This time would likely be no different.

Moreover, hadn’t the Duke been so averse to the marriage with Elisia?

The bureaucrats raised their voices, venting the frustration they had been holding back.

“That’s not all! Madam ordered the temple renovation, and not only did she arbitrarily break existing contracts, but she even included the temple by the outer castle walls where only lowly citizens pass in the construction.”

“While we acknowledge the need for renovation, considering the budget, the construction scope should be reduced to the inner castle walls.”

“Twenty thousand gold coins is excessively excessive!”

Despite several people taking turns pouring out complaints, the Duke said nothing.

His gaze looking down at the bureaucrats remained indifferent and cold.

“Is that all you wanted to say?”

A heavy silence fell over the office.

Golden eyes as vivid as melted sun slowly swept over the bureaucrats who had been raising their voices just moments before.

“I gave the duchess full authority.”

“…”

“Ignoring this is the same as ignoring me, the master of Lombard.”

A low, cool voice echoed through the office.

Though he had merely murmured quietly, each of his words carried an overwhelming pressure that none dared approach.

Like mice before a snake, no one dared open their mouth.

“Do you have more to say?”

It was a clear dismissal.

The Duke, who had always been cynical and indifferent, had changed.

Just a few months ago, he had used any means necessary to prevent the marriage, but now for some reason he was protecting the duchess.

‘Did that woman from the Imperial Capital finally manage to win over our lord…?’

She was quite a woman in terms of beauty.

They had thought the rumors were exaggerated, but seeing her in person left them speechless.

Skin as smooth as porcelain, a graceful and slender figure, doll-like delicate features, and captivating crimson lips.

It was an appearance that could shake any hot-blooded young man at least once.

‘Even His Grace, who had no interest in women, seems to have finally succumbed.’

Then it would be difficult to touch the duchess right now.

But if Clayton Viscount couldn’t withstand the interrogation and confessed everything, they too would…

‘Damn it.’

The bureaucrats left the Duke’s office as if being chased and immediately began planning their next move.

They had to strip the duchess of her authority by any means necessary.

They would latch onto even the smallest flaw to ensure that Imperial Capital woman couldn’t even come near domestic affairs.

She was just a woman with decent looks but an empty head, so it would be easier than eating cold soup.

The bureaucrats laughed, unaware of the future that would soon befall them.

 

* * *

 

Meanwhile, Edwin stood by the window, looking down at the bureaucrats leaving the building in groups.

“The prisoner?”

“We’ve confined him in the underground prison. He awaits your orders, my lord.”

Edwin clicked his tongue low upon hearing his aide Gareth’s response.

“From now on, there’s no need to wait. Do as the duchess wishes.”

“Pardon? But…”

Gareth looked somewhat confused.

And rightfully so, as Edwin was an excellent warrior and iron-blooded ruler respected throughout the Northern Region, but he had never shown much interest in domestic affairs.

The fact that he had paid attention to Clayton Viscount’s matter was itself exceptional.

Gareth, who had been hesitating, finally spoke carefully.

“My lord, forgive me, but there are some rather embarrassing rumors circulating. That you have feelings for the duchess…”

“Everyone’s quite perceptive.”

“Pardon?”

A sneer escaped before he could stop it.

Edwin leaned his head against the wall with a tired expression.

“You’re right, my eyes keep being drawn to her. Even when I try not to look, seeing that small body running around trying to change Lombard.”

“…”

“Isn’t it amazing? She even manages to turn around the feelings of people who used to hate her. Who else could do that?”

Not caring about Gareth’s presence, Edwin murmured his inner thoughts like talking to himself.

“This is troublesome. It’s become too different from what I initially thought.”

“I am too dull to understand what the problem is. Since this Lombard is your territory, my lord, if the duchess’s actions are bothersome, couldn’t you simply correct them?”

As expected, Gareth provided a textbook-perfect orthodox answer.

Though he was completely wrong, it wasn’t his fault. After all, there would be no one in this world who could understand him.

Edwin chuckled.

“I’m not trying to compete with my wife for power. For all our sakes, I mean to watch over things as they are for now.”

“…?”

“That’s just how it is.”

He was honest to the point of seeming dull. It was also the reason why the wary Edwin kept Gareth by his side.

Edwin lightly patted the shoulder of his aide, who was still tilting his head in confusion.

 

* * *

 

In the dead of night when everyone was asleep, the servant who had been surveilling Elisia all day entered the meeting place.

Lady Olden, who had arrived first, turned her gaze toward him as if she had been waiting.

“How was it?”

“There were no problems.”

The servant glanced around and continued speaking secretively.

“Madam seemed not much different from when she was in the Imperial Capital. Even though she married into this unfamiliar Northern Region land, she remains the same, which is impressive in a way.”

“Tell me in detail.”

The servant had followed Elisia all day.

He had lingered nearby at an appropriate distance where he wouldn’t be detected by anyone, observing the situation.

Midway through, he saw some bureaucrat and soldiers rushing over in a group, so he increased his distance and couldn’t hear the subsequent conversation in detail, but he could guess the situation from the atmosphere.

“First, it seemed Madam had made a lover.”

“A lover? Already?”

“Yes, it was a man presumed to be a lower priest belonging to the Lombard Diocese. Even from a distance, he was tall and well-built, so their relationship was obvious to see. They looked very intimate with each other.”

Elisia and the priest continued their date under the pretense of inspection.

They looked at each other and laughed so warmly that their conversation never seemed to end. To think he would see ‘that’ Elisia’s smiling face – at first he thought the sun was rising in the west.

Then at some point, the atmosphere suddenly reversed.

The young priest suddenly grabbed Elisia and pulled her into an embrace, creating a strange atmosphere.

Elisia’s touch caressing his firm chest and her wavering gaze were still vivid in his memory.

The priest even held Elisia’s waist in his arms for quite a while without letting go.

‘Actually, I felt like the priest had seen right through where I was hiding… but that must have been my imagination. How could an ordinary priest notice surveillance? He’s not even a trained warrior.’

Lady Olden, who had heard the servant’s explanation, muttered.

“I knew it. With that lazy personality, it was strange that she went out for inspections every single day without fail, but there was such a reason.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————