I Became the Wife of the Hero Who Killed Me - Chapter 29

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

#Episode 29

* * *

Except for the small commotion that occurred on the podium, the completion ceremony ended successfully.

After the evening banquet, I stayed overnight in the VIP guest room that the Archbishop had personally prepared.

Though it fell far short compared to the inner chamber of Lombard Castle, it was luxurious like heaven compared to the narrow, old house where I used to live in the past.

After all, they said it was the finest guest room in the Lombard Diocese Cathedral.

Nevertheless, Lady Olden expressed dissatisfaction and questioned whether there wasn’t a better guest room, making everyone around feel awkward.

“Duchess, may I have a moment of your time?”

While I was preparing for bed with the help of my servant, a gentle voice came from outside.

When I gave permission, the one who entered was Sister Godelina.

“The Archbishop wished to express his deep gratitude to you personally, but since it’s late now, he sent me, a priestess, in his place.”

“Isn’t this greeting rather too late?”

Lady Olden, who had been organizing my dress and jewelry, stopped her hands and smiled elegantly.

It wasn’t wrong.

For such a donation, it would have been proper etiquette for someone of the Archbishop’s rank to come personally to pay respects.

However, perhaps because of the high-handed attitude hidden behind the lady’s smile, Godelina showed signs of difficulty, so I opened my mouth to send Lady Olden away.

“Sister Godelina, would you hear my confession?”

“Of course, Duchess. Please say anything. God is always waiting for confessions.”

“You all may step out for a moment.”

“We shall do so.”

Even Lady Olden found it difficult to resist before the justification of confession.

After the servants left and only the two of us remained, the Sister’s expression became heavy. It was clear she had come with a topic that was difficult to bring up.

I personally prepared tea so she could ready herself mentally.

“Ah, thank you.”

“I’m not sure if it will suit your taste.”

“How could tea personally prepared by the Duchess not suit my taste?”

Even until the steam rising from the teacup had somewhat subsided, Godelina couldn’t easily open her mouth and seemed to be organizing her thoughts.

However, she seemed to find me more intimidating than expected, so I finally spoke first.

“You know that confession is just an excuse. Knowing that the Archbishop isn’t someone who would send someone at this hour without reason, I’m curious about why you’ve come to see me on this late night.”

“First, please know that I’m not saying this to harm you, Duchess.”

“I know.”

“Duchess, you are someone so devout that you inspected the temple first as your initial official duty upon marrying into Lombard. Everyone in the temple knows well that the malicious rumors surrounding you are not true.”

Godelina laid the groundwork very softly and generously.

At this level, even if one fell naked from the castle wall, not a single hair would be harmed, but she emphasized my faith and devotion to lay the groundwork even more securely before getting to the main point.

“Please don’t trust Lady Olden too much.”

“…What do you mean all of a sudden?”

At my question, Godelina carefully took out an envelope she had brought in her bosom and offered it to me.

“Before I speak, it would be better for you to see this directly, Duchess.”

It was the envelope used for today’s donation.

Since the wax seal was already open, I immediately took out the check inside and read it.

As expected.

“The amount is different.”

The amount I originally wrote was five hundred gold coins.

This was a considerable level even compared to other great nobles’ donation amounts, and in secular value, it could buy an entire small territory and castle.

But the amount written on the check was fifty gold coins.

This was also by no means a small amount, but it was quite shabby for a great noble’s donation.

Especially on a day when I received everyone’s applause through the Archbishop’s special consideration.

If the amount became known, troublesome gossip would surely follow.

Godelina also pointed out this aspect.

“Do you remember that there was a small accident when you stepped onto the podium today, Duchess?”

“The decorative tassels of the podium cover got caught on my dress decoration.”

“I am both the Archbishop’s assistant priest and also serve as the ceremonial priest in charge of major events. So after today’s service ended, while preparing a new podium cover, I discovered pen nib marks on the podium.”

Godelina unavoidably learned of the Duchess’s donation amount because of the pen nib marks.

The problem began after hearing the check amount from the Archbishop.

The explanation continued that it would be a mistake to think it was someone else’s pen nib marks, since that podium was always kept covered with cloth, so there was no other day when marks could have been left except today.

“I thought about pretending not to know and letting it pass, but I was worried that someone might misinterpret your intentions, Duchess, not that the donation amount itself was the problem.”

“Such a thing happened…”

I muttered as if I had no idea.

But in fact, this was all exactly as I had expected.

Since I was from an administrative background and familiar with accounting, I had long ago realized that the amounts actually spent in the inner chamber and the amounts in the ledger didn’t match at all.

The only ones with this level of authority were either me, the Duchess, or Lady Olden.

In other words, she had been stealing my precious companion gold coins.

‘If Lady Olden had only touched something other than my cute and lovely gold coins, I would have overlooked most things… Though the poison was a bit severe.’

Looking at the Duke’s attitude, it seemed I wouldn’t have occasion to conceive anyway. After all, we hadn’t even had our wedding night yet.

Seeing how it was in the past too, there might be some functional problems.

‘Ahem, ahem.’

Feeling embarrassed, I quickly recalled the main point.

Anyway, Lady Olden’s embezzlement methods didn’t exceed a beginner’s level.

She only used simple and basic methods of adding or subtracting numbers from existing expense items.

So expecting the same method this time too, I deliberately dropped the podium cover and then pressed hard with a pen nib that I had sharpened to a point.

So that it would be impossible not to notice when laying a new podium cover.

Though I didn’t expect her to boldly remove a zero from the donation amount.

“…Thank you. If not for the Sister’s careful consideration, I would have become a laughingstock.”

Only after I said this did a look of relief appear on Godelina’s face, who had been tense all along.

Though I had tried my best to act good throughout the ceremony to make it easy for her to speak, it seemed the existing rumors had remained quite deeply rooted.

Godelina muttered that I was so different from what she had heard, then continued speaking.

“Duchess, may I ask how you wish to handle this matter?”

“Since Lady Olden stole from God, it would be proper to follow the law.”

“The Archbishop said he would prioritize your wishes above all, Duchess.”

“I’m grateful for his consideration, but my answer remains unchanged.”

“Are you really sure about this?”

At Godelina’s question, I pretended to find it hard to bear and turned my head away.

When I dabbed at my eyes, the Sister who had hesitated for a moment carefully offered me a handkerchief.

“As you may know from the rumors, Lady Olden was like a foster mother to me. She cared for me from childhood after I was left alone due to an unfortunate accident.”

“Yes, I heard so.”

“I was blinded by old affection and didn’t even know the lady was harming me. I had no idea at all.”

I trembled my hands as if holding back a sense of betrayal.

Anyway, I had to continue living on Lombard territory.

If Lady Olden was punished for this incident, I as her master couldn’t avoid disgrace either, but precisely because of that, my judgment was that it would be better to draw a line between the lady and myself.

I diligently dabbed at my completely dry eyes with the handkerchief.

“Though a mere priest cannot fully understand God’s will, perhaps this incident too is God’s arrangement to make you stronger, Duchess.”

The Sister who stood up took both my hands and comforted me sincerely.

I nodded while avoiding Godelina’s eyes.

I couldn’t let her discover my completely dry eyes.

But perhaps finding my behavior even more pitiful, Godelina patted my hands more firmly and continued speaking.

“I’ll ask you one last time, Duchess. Tomorrow at dawn, the Diocese Audit Office will officially begin their investigation. Since the evidence is clear, Lady Olden’s embezzlement will be revealed within a day or two. Are you really sure about this?”

“…”

After a moment of silence, I called for someone with a composed expression.

Those who had followed Sister Godelina bowed their heads.

“Call the soldiers. Have Lady Olden confined to her bedroom.”

“What?! What do you mean by that all of a sudden? Why the Lady…!”

A servant who had overheard the order pushed through the priests and cried out in shock. She too was from the Imperial Capital.

I cut off the servant’s protest before it could continue.

“You’ll learn the reason within a few days, so don’t make this tiresome and withdraw.”

“But Madam!!”

I turned my head coldly, and Godelina and the priests left the guest room to confine Lady Olden.

However, when the soldiers arrived, Lady Olden had already fled.

As if she had never existed in this world at all, without leaving any trace behind.

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