I Became the Wife of the Hero Who Killed Me - Chapter 46

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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 46

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“Meow.”

I slowly opened my eyes to the warmth of a small creature burrowing into my embrace.

Dawn was breaking through the wide-open window. True to the northern winter where nights were exceptionally long, the sky was still dim.

With a small sigh, I looked down at my chest.

Amber eyes sparkled in the darkness.

“Nero, being clingy from the morning?”

“Meow, meow meow, meow—”

Nero slipped between my arms and rubbed his forehead against various parts of my body.

Nero had always been affectionate, but as I spent more time away inspecting Bagr Mountain and the surrounding territories, he became even more clingy.

When our eyes met, he would slowly blink.

“Ah, really, you’re too dangerous for my heart.”

“Meow?”

“My most adorable baby in the world!”

I pulled the little one who had been nuzzling my chin into a tight hug and showered him with kisses.

What else could be heaven? Rolling around in a warm bed with my cat—this is true paradise.

After spending a long time cuddling in bed, I finally pulled the bell cord when the sun had fully risen.

I expected Berry to come in as usual, but today there was an unexpected person with her.

“Madam, did you sleep peacefully through the night?”

“Bertol.”

“Meow.”

Following my greeting, Nero wagged his tail gently.

Berry’s breathing became as rough as a wild beast upon seeing that cute and lovable sight, but both Bertol and I pretended not to notice and continued our conversation.

“It’s unexpected to see you here from the morning when you should be by His Grace’s side. Is there some business?”

“How about having breakfast with the master today?”

“Breakfast with His Grace?”

I didn’t hide my reluctant feelings.

Normally, I would have refused without needing to hear more, but yesterday’s events at Barg Mountain made me hesitate.

They say unnecessary curiosity brings trouble, but I had become curious about why the Duke had done such a thing.

As if sensing my psychology, Bertol subtly recommended once more.

“Aren’t important guests coming from the Holy Capital soon? It would be good to discuss reception methods while having breakfast together.”

“That makes sense.”

Bertol was right.

Even setting aside my aversion to the Inquisitor, considering diplomatic issues, there should be no negligence in welcoming guests from the Holy Capital.

I also needed to understand exactly why they were coming.

While I was at it, I wanted to ask how the search for Brother Vincent was progressing.

“Fine, I’ll have breakfast with His Grace. I’ll come down shortly.”

“Understood, Madam.”

The Elderly Chamberlain’s expression brightened.

* * *

Edwin’s daily routine was always monotonous.

He would wake before sunrise, finish his dawn training, wash, then enter his office.

The chamberlain would then present the breakfast prepared in advance for his master.

Since he didn’t particularly enjoy eating, it consisted of salted ham and cheese between buttered rye bread, accompanied by a cup of warm herbal tea.

“What are you scheming, Bertol?”

But today was different from usual.

There was nothing on the office table.

The chamberlain, receiving his master’s gaze, continued with a composed expression.

“How about having lunch in the dining hall today?”

“Bertol.”

“The wind is harsh. It would be better to hurry so as not to keep the delicate Madam waiting too long.”

A fierce snowstorm was raging outside the window.

But regardless of the weather, the interior of Lombard Castle was always kept warm.

It had always been a wealthy territory. Moreover, since Elisia’s marriage, the Duke had ordered special care for spaces the Duchess frequently used.

Expensive sandalwood and frankincense were burned, filling every space where the Duchess stayed with pleasant fragrance.

Edwin couldn’t be unaware of this, yet he was already hurriedly leaving his office.

Administrative Chief Ramon, who happened to be entering, smiled slyly.

“Well now, how youthful.”

“You’ll be struck by lightning if the master hears such words.”

“Is that something the person who pushed His Grace’s back should say?”

“Ahem, I don’t know what you mean.”

Ramon was a noble, but his cheerful and good nature made him get along well even with the citizens of the outer castle walls.

Curious about the Barg Mountain inspection situation, he had rushed straight to the miners’ guild yesterday to find Bolik.

And he heard unexpected news.

‘Madam was right on target. There’s a very high possibility of good ore veins in Barg Mountain. Count Alnor is the only one who got fooled.’

‘Oh, so you’re starting work right away? I won’t be seeing your face for a while then.’

‘Well, about that…’

The story Bolik shared, asking him to keep it to himself, was truly surprising.

There were orders to start work in spring since the mountain was frozen and dangerous now.

The wages were set more generously than other worksites, and since they couldn’t work during winter, they would receive advance payment of part of their wages.

Bolik emphasized keeping it secret again and again, but loose-lipped Ramon spilled everything to Bertol.

“Madam is the real deal, Sir Bertol. She’s truly the real deal.”

“…You’re right.”

Now he really had to acknowledge it.

Lady Elisia possessed more than enough ability and qualifications to become the mistress of Lombard that had been vacant for so long.

They had vaguely thought so before, but now both men were certain.

By any means necessary, they had to tie her heart to Northern Lombard.

If the Duchess who married from the distant Imperial Capital came to love this place like her hometown where she was born and raised, Lombard would develop as much as the great territories of the Southern Granary Region.

They could almost see Lombard’s wealthy and glorious future.

But Ramon soon sighed.

“For that to happen, the husband needs to do well first. His Grace is rather lacking in that area…”

“I don’t think that’s necessarily the case.”

Others might not know, but Bertol had his suspicions as a close retainer.

The Duchess was indeed a beauty, and since his usually indifferent master mercilessly dealt with anyone who caused her even the slightest harm, it wasn’t difficult to understand his feelings.

As if reading Bertol’s thoughts, Ramon clicked his tongue.

“What good are feelings if he can’t show them at all in front of her?”

“Now, Ramon.”

“Romance isn’t assassination. First you have to be discovered before anything can start or not. Isn’t that right?”

When facing the Duchess, he became stiffer than a thousand-year-old log, so at this rate, nothing would happen between them even if they died and came back to life—that was Ramon’s analysis.

It wasn’t wrong, but it was still irreverent, so Bertol coughed awkwardly.

“That’s why we need to work harder.”

“We? Sir Bertol, I think you’ve forgotten one important fact.”

“Something.”

“We’re both single with absolutely zero romantic experience…”

That was true.

Bertol had missed his chance at marriage while devoting his entire life to serving House Lombard.

And Ramon, though known for being smooth-talking and sociable, had such a peculiar personality that whenever he was in front of someone he was interested in, he would freeze up like a metal plate and spout nonsense before getting rejected.

Bertol, who belatedly realized the reality, sighed.

“Ah.”

* * *

In the heavy silence, only the sound of clinking utensils echoed.

I stopped my fork and looked down at the dining table.

Today, as usual, home-style dishes that I liked were prepared. They looked simple yet neat and required a lot of care to make.

And the Duke was eating them as if it were nothing.

Finding it strange that I had stopped moving, the Duke glanced up at me.

“Is it not to your taste?”

“No, that’s not it…”

The Duke I remembered basically enjoyed high-calorie protein dishes.

It was because his rigorous training caused him to burn through a lot of energy.

While there were times when he’d eat carelessly out of laziness, at formal dinners he would consciously try to eat high-calorie meals.

The servants of Lombard Castle knew this well too.

‘Could it be—’

A thought crossed my mind that anyone would surely mock as delusional.

My face flushed hot with embarrassment.

“My lady?”

“No, it’s just… it’s a bit warm.”

I turned my head toward the blazing fireplace to avoid the Duke’s gaze.

Having been born in Lombard, the bone-chilling cold was practically a part of life.

In my childhood, Edwin would often bring me firewood or ointments, but after he became an official, I was the first to refuse since it could be seen as factional rather than friendship.

Since I couldn’t afford to buy coal with my meager salary, when cold waves hit, I had no choice but to endure it.

But now that I had become Elisia, everywhere I went was filled with warm, pleasant heat.

‘Ah, the life of a duchess is truly luxury itself.’

Just as I was beginning to feel sorry for my past self, another pitiful existence came to mind.

The poor Brother whose hands had only ever held scripture and a pen.

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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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