I Became the Wife of the Hero Who Killed Me - Chapter 31

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

#Episode 31

“Is that so? If you insist on attacking, I’ll gladly face you.”

[Wh-wh-who’s attacking?! Be-besides, I’m bound by a contract right now!]

Though anyone could see the contract was just an excuse, the great demon continued his rambling excuses earnestly.

[Of all things to make a contract with…]

Half-cat, half-demon.

The soul of the great demon Morcatus had settled into the body of an ordinary cat named Nero.

Even Edwin was slightly surprised when he first encountered this being. He had seen synthetic demon beasts a few times, but a half-cat, half-demon was unprecedented.

Edwin had initially planned to eliminate it the moment he realized his territory had been invaded by a demon.

But his wife loved Nero.

Though this was the great demon Morcatus, half of its soul was nothing more than a small, pitiful cat that had wandered the desolate snowy mountains.

So Edwin ultimately couldn’t bring himself to harm it.

Instead, he set conditions.

“Protect her well. I only allow your existence for that purpose.”

[Don’t order me around.]

“If you can’t keep the conditions, then no longer…”

[Ev-even without your orders, protecting that woman is part of the contract! Damn it, just try laying a hand on me! You’ll see that woman crying and collapsing in tears!]

In truth, it was Edwin who had destroyed Morcatus’s physical body.

Just receiving his gaze made his body instinctively shrink—it couldn’t be helped.

But the cunning demon had learned through past experience how to scratch Edwin’s nerves appropriately, within limits that wouldn’t harm himself.

[You don’t know how much that woman loves me, do you?]

“Not you, but Nero.”

[Unlike you, I sleep in that woman’s arms every night and wake up receiving her gentle touch. I’ve also marked various parts of that woman’s body with my pheromones. Do you know that woman’s body is thoroughly soaked with my scent?]

“Not your pheromones, but Nero’s.”

[We’re one anyway, aren’t we?]

As Edwin’s brow furrowed deeply, Morcatus openly sneered.

[Anyway, I personally eliminated the most annoying human, so what will you do about the rest? If you’re going to kill more, give them to me—I want to eat them.]

“Don’t interfere anymore. Humans have human methods.”

[Ha, humans my ass.]

Unfortunately, the rare feast seemed to end here.

Having finished grooming himself, Morcatus turned and leaped onto the terrace railing. The cat’s form that had jumped into the air soon disappeared like a mirage.

“…”

Left alone, Edwin leaned his head back against the sofa and closed his eyes.

‘No… open your eyes. Please, please look at me. I was wrong. I was too late… Please, no… Aaaahhh!!’

His lips twisted bitterly.

A long night awaited him, one where sleep would not come easily.

* * *

When the soldiers burst in, Lady Olden had already vanished without a trace.

She must have been in such a hurry that she left behind all her clothes, jewelry, and even the servants she had brought from the Imperial Capital, barely escaping with just her body.

Thanks to this, the diocese’s position became awkward—they had planned to quietly cover up Lady Olden’s embezzlement out of consideration for my reputation.

For an ordinary noblewoman to escape so perfectly, accomplices were essential.

In other words, since there was a high possibility that seditious groups remained within Lombard, investigative authority had transferred from the diocese to the Duke.

Lombard Castle continued to maintain a tense atmosphere day after day as they rooted out those who had been touched by Lady Olden’s influence.

In this situation, what did I do—

“Let’s go to the outer walls!”

I took only Count Baron, my lackey, and fled… no, visited the Outer Wall Monastery.

The servants had lost their focal point with Lady Olden’s escape, and they accepted harsh punishment without any resistance before the enraged Duke.

Up to this point, things went as I had hoped, but the problem started from here.

Lady Olden and the servants who had guarded my surroundings like an iron wall had disappeared.

This meant that Lombard people could now freely come and go around me.

‘Since Madam has been married into Lombard for quite some time, wouldn’t it be good to start social activities?’

‘There’s an urgent matter regarding castle regulations that I’d like to discuss with you.’

‘A request has come in asking Madam to arrange a marriage between vassal families. I think it would be a good opportunity to increase Madam’s influence…’

‘Madam, please listen to my unjust story!!’

Outside my inner chamber was in constant chaos with people seeking me out.

When before, they used to avoid me like the plague if our eyes even met!

Even Bertol and Ramon, who had been reluctant(?) about the duchess’s interference in internal affairs, couldn’t stop this, and even false rumors began circulating that they were encouraging these visits.

The temple construction was finished, but I was being worked harder than when I served as an official.

Finally, unable to bear it anymore, I asked the Duke for help—to confine me to the Confinement Tower for about a month—but he didn’t even pretend to listen and flatly refused!

Such a cold person…

Anyway, while seeking ways to survive, I recalled what trainee Joseph had said.

It was a request to stop by since they were planning a modest thanksgiving dinner.

“I’m not running away! I’m merely visiting to personally observe the people’s lives!”

“Very wise words, Madam!”

“Since I want to know the people’s lives in more detail, I’ll stay a few days while I’m there!”

“Very wise… huh? I’m the type who’s sensitive about sleeping arrangements though?!”

I let Count Baron’s protests go in one ear and out the other as I licked my lips.

The castle meals with young veal, rich butter, savory cream and sugar used generously were certainly luxurious and delightful.

But as they say, silkworms eat mulberry leaves—I missed the simple home cooking I used to eat.

Especially the monks’ cooking skills were truly exceptional.

“Hurry so we’re not late!”

“Hieek…!”

At my shout, Count Baron quickly grabbed the carriage handle.

The coachman demonstrated a frenzied gallop and the shaking became even more intense, but regardless, my mind was filled only with thoughts of the dinner.

* * *

“Everyone stop for a moment! Ma-Madam has arrived!”

“What?!”

Late in the evening, the monastery erupted in chaos.

Though Joseph had spoken to Madam, they hadn’t really expected her to actually come, but a carriage crossed the forest path and stopped in the clearing outside the monastery.

It was Madam’s carriage, now familiar to everyone.

Those who had been busy preparing the meal rushed outside and bowed their heads.

“Raise your heads. I’m sorry for coming without notice.”

“No, not at all! Just having Madam grace us with her presence is an honor beyond our worth.”

Unlike during the completion ceremony, Madam wore simple outdoor dress with no jewelry—a modest outfit.

Even so, she immediately captured everyone’s attention.

Her appearance adorned with exquisite jewels and abundant lace had been dazzling, but the restrained outfit actually made her elegance and beauty stand out even more.

She didn’t seem like the Madam they usually knew.

Just as everyone was awkwardly fidgeting, Brother Vincent, who had come outside upon hearing the commotion, helped Madam down from the carriage.

Vincent, firmly grasping her pale, slender hand, curved his eyes into a smile.

“Have you come, Elisia?”

“Seeing you so often, you feel like family now, Brother.”

The Duchess exchanged casual greetings even with the lower priest.

I had heard that during the temple construction process, she received help in various ways from Brother Vincent, who was well-versed in civil and canon law, and seeing them so friendly with each other was pleasant to witness.

And to be honest, both of them were truly dazzlingly beautiful man and woman, rare to see in the countryside of Lombard, so it was inevitable that idle fantasies would arise.

If spoken aloud, the higher-ups would have a fit, but surely one could think such thoughts?

Several nuns nodded with secretive smiles.

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