I Became the Wife of the Hero Who Killed Me - Chapter 39

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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 39

“But I can’t just leave everything to the Duke either.”

The Duke seemed very displeased that I had been sued.

It was a natural reaction since a mere minor lord from the borderlands had dared to challenge Lombard, the hegemon of the north, but the problem was that I couldn’t guarantee the Duke would help me to the end.

‘If I leave it to him to handle and he pulls out halfway through…’

I felt it would be more comfortable to handle it myself after all.

“How can I live quietly and peacefully, staying holed up in my bedroom for the rest of my life?”

The best strategy would be to make Count Alnor withdraw the lawsuit on his own.

So that there would be no trial from the beginning.

Of course, this wasn’t as easy as it sounded. This incident involved many conflicting interests.

From the minor matter of compensation for contract breach to the major issue of the safety of two cousin houses.

The Count had no choice but to stake everything on this lawsuit.

“But I have no intention of letting Clayton Viscount go, nor of paying breach compensation.”

If you commit a crime, you must be punished.

I carefully examined the documents Ramon had prepared for me.

Everything from the Count’s petition to the detailed records of Alnor’s administration and finances was meticulously documented.

“This is really a complete mess.”

While it would be difficult for Alnor to have high-level officials like Lombard, even considering that, the situation was serious.

As I was letting out a bitter laugh, my gaze stopped on one page.

It was the part where the Count’s full name was written.

[Douglas Coco La Alnor]

“What? Marquis Taobalt was Count Alnor?!”

A name that once seen, could never be forgotten.

A first name that evoked a brave soldier combined with a middle name like a cute three-year-old girl’s nickname.

He was definitely someone from my past life’s memories, but I had only recognized him now.

I remembered him by his new surname, Taobalt, which he received after offering massive political funds to the Emperor.

The fact that he was still called Count Alnor meant that he hadn’t yet political funds to the Emperor.

“Ah, I do love the phrase ‘one plus one’ the most.”

It was the perfect word to describe my current situation.

The corners of my mouth curved up meaningfully as I looked down at the documents.

* * *

Currently, Count Alnor’s party was heading toward Lombard Castle.

They had received an invitation in Lombard’s name to visit the castle within a short time.

On the surface, it appeared to be a simple invitation without any coercion, but the moment the condition ‘within a short time’ was attached, the meaning contained within was clear.

It meant to stop whatever they were doing and come immediately.

“The Duchess must have made her move.”

“That must be it.”

“Damn it, this is the first such humiliation in my life. That cursed Imperial Capital wench!”

As the plaintiff, going to visit personally was undignified, but unfortunately, the opponent was Lombard.

Despite his crushed pride, the Count had no choice but to board the carriage.

“What about Duke Lombard’s movements?”

“According to our investigation, he was quite enraged.”

“Even so, it’s the Duchess who was sued, so surely not to that extent. Didn’t you investigate incorrectly?”

“That possibility isn’t entirely out of the question, but…”

Alnor lacked the ability to plant spies in Lombard.

The Count was very incompetent, and there was no one willing to risk antagonizing Lombard for his sake.

Originally, his cousin Clayton Viscount had played a significant role, but now he had no choice but to rely on rumors like everyone else.

The Count was completely unaware of this reality, however.

“It’s hard to conclude it’s wrong either. Our territory is under comprehensive pressure. Didn’t I submit a report about this?”

“How would I know when I can’t read!”

“That’s why I explained it to you as well…”

He went in one ear and out the other again.

The strategist, who was the most intellectual among them, clicked his tongue at the Count’s stupid retort.

The tariffs imposed on Count Alnor Territory had skyrocketed overnight.

They had apparently pulled various strings with Marquis Roxcron, who led the Administrative Council, and the pressure to withdraw the lawsuit was intensifying from that side as well.

If the Marquis, a representative moderate from the north, was this anxious, it was no ordinary crisis.

While the retainers who didn’t know the details pressed daily to withdraw the lawsuit quickly, Count Alnor couldn’t do so.

‘This is all because that wench interfered. If only that Imperial Capital wench hadn’t been there!!’

They had never had any problems until now.

When Clayton took the lead in signing contracts with Lombard, they would return a certain percentage to Clayton as a token of gratitude, helping each other mutually.

But suddenly, someone calling herself the Duchess interfered, arbitrarily canceled the contract, and completely ignored even legitimate compensation demands.

With their source of income cut off, Alnor was in a literal state of emergency.

Even the firewood brought to his bedroom as the lord had been changed to low-grade coal of much inferior quality…

Just thinking of that acrid smoke made his irritation surge again.

“Didn’t you say Duke Lombard regarded the Duchess as a thorn in his side!”

“Although it failed, he was famous for stopping at nothing to try to prevent the marriage with the Duchess.”

“Then why on earth!”

“Whatever the circumstances, the Duchess is now a Lombard. I thought we might have a chance if we only targeted the Duchess, but it seems a great noble is still a great noble.”

At the strategist’s words, the Count was filled with anxiety.

Clayton was still maintaining silence, trusting in their rescue, but the moment he gave up and opened his mouth, Alnor would be finished.

If they withdrew the lawsuit, the desperate Clayton would speak up, and if they continued with the lawsuit, Duke Lombard’s pressure would only intensify.

Count Alnor, clutching his head, muttered quietly.

“Would it be better to withdraw the lawsuit even now?”

“It’s already too late. We’ve already stirred up the hornet’s nest – do you think the wasps will quietly retreat just because we stop? They’ll chase us to death.”

“Then what am I supposed to do?!”

“There’s only one way. You must throw away all your pride and grovel before Duke Lombard.”

The Count frowned as if he absolutely refused.

Although Alnor was a small territory, within it the Count had reigned like an emperor.

No one dared to go against the lord’s mood, and having grown up his entire life in such an environment, the Count had never bowed his head to anyone.

“The Duke is angry because he perceives Lombard’s authority as having been disrespected. You must somehow resolve that issue.”

“Even so!!”

“Currently, everything related to the lawsuit is being handled entirely by the Duke’s side. If the Duke pulls out, what will happen to the Duchess?”

The retainer’s whispered words sounded quite plausible.

Only then did the Count manage to suppress his rising irritation.

“If that happens, the Duchess would have no way to respond to my attacks.”

“Exactly. The Duke must also want to show that arrogant Duchess a lesson at least once, don’t you think?”

“Indeed.”

The Count nodded and muttered.

“In the Imperial Capital, everyone probably treated her like a princess, but this is the north, and the north is my domain.”

“That’s right.”

“You’re right. I’ll somehow persuade the Duke to withdraw from this matter!”

“If we can just get the Duchess to stand in court, everything afterward will go according to our wishes.”

Not only would she bear massive compensation, but this incident would deal a major blow to her reputation, ensuring no noble in the north would deal with her.

Having lost all her foundation, the Duchess would have no choice but to submit to any future demands.

“Keke, excellent!”

I’ll show this Imperial Capital wench who grew up in a greenhouse what a true Northern knife-wind feels like!

The Count’s lips curved upward with satisfaction.

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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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