I Became the Wife of the Hero Who Killed Me - Chapter 68

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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 68

Edwin was afraid.

He was someone who wouldn’t even blink an eye when demon hordes came charging, or when the earth split before his eyes and flames erupted.

But the anxiety that he might lose Elisia like this kept gnawing at his mind.

To be honest, he wished Elisia wouldn’t suffer anymore.

He hoped she could indulge in luxury and pleasure like other noble ladies, or read her favorite books and peacefully fall into afternoon naps under the sunlight.

But if that wasn’t possible, he at least wanted to be by her side. He wanted to protect her by any means necessary so she wouldn’t get hurt anymore.

Though he knew that even this wish was ultimately selfish desire.

“Please open your eyes, please…”

It had already been three days since Elisia collapsed.

It meant that three days had passed since Edwin barely slept and kept watch at her bedside.

Edwin roughly washed his face, then stoked the fireplace to kindle the fire, and carefully wiped Elisia’s forehead with a freshly changed wet cloth.

Then, just as he was about to sit down again and sink into endless self-reproach, he heard low sounds of people from outside.

Edwin’s eyes were sharp as he turned his gaze.

When he closed the door and went out, Gareth was waiting on his knees in the middle of the corridor.

“I report to you. Governor Bellamare, Count Dorva has died.”

“The body?”

“The citizens burned everything completely, leaving no trace to be found.”

Though it was the terrible end of his only uncle, Edwin felt no emotion whatsoever.

Rather, his anger was directed elsewhere.

Even after several days had passed, Elisia’s wretched appearance as she still hadn’t regained consciousness was branded in his mind like a mark that wouldn’t be erased.

“Get up.”

“Yes.”

In an instant, Edwin’s fist struck Gareth’s cheek hard.

Though Gareth possessed outstanding martial prowess, Edwin’s anger was overwhelming. He was sent flying helplessly to the corner with a loud crash.

Despite the sudden situation, Gareth wasn’t surprised.

Since he had failed to fulfill the command to protect the Duchess, he was actually prepared to lose an arm, a leg, or somewhere according to military law.

Or even his life.

“If something happens to you, my wife will blame herself.”

“…”

“You kept your life today thanks to the Duchess. Don’t forget that grace.”

“I’m sorry.”

Gareth, who staggered to his feet, bowed his head once again.

Edwin, who had been looking down at him coldly, soon withdrew his gaze and straightened his disheveled appearance.

Then he moved his heavy steps toward the room where Elisia was staying.

As if nothing had happened.

* * *

Gareth trudged down the inn stairs.

Originally they had rented only one floor for use, but after his lord came and madam’s true identity was revealed, the inn owner gave them the entire inn without a word.

Of course, their status was the biggest reason, but listening to the owner’s words, there was another reason.

It turned out that the sardine… no, Gibson was an old friend of the owner couple.

“Excuse me, are you alright?”

“More or less.”

“It sounded like the entire inn was collapsing.”

The personal physician sitting at a table on the first floor of the inn asked subtly.

Instead of answering, Gareth spat out a broken molar.

At this, the shocked personal physician came running while pouring out all sorts of nagging, but Gareth himself felt bewildered.

“Oh my, oh my, this definitely needs extraction. Once a tooth is broken, it won’t reattach, so why do such things?”

“…”

He had failed to follow his lord’s command, yet the punishment was just one punch.

“Excuse me, are you listening? I said it will fester if left alone?!”

“Then extract it.”

“Do you think extraction is such a simple matter? First, we need as much painkiller as possible, but since treating madam is my top priority, I’ll have to get your share newly from the market. And since teeth aren’t my specialty, I’ll have to seek out a new physician…”

The headache-inducing nagging continued endlessly.

Gareth thought it would be better to just find a barber and have it pulled out at once, so he left the inn.

But the process of finding the barbershop wasn’t so smooth either.

When he left the inn, citizens who had been lingering around hesitantly approached and asked about the Duchess’s well-being.

“Sir Knight, how is madam doing?”

“I heard she lost a lot of blood… Is the Duchess safe?”

That sardine fellow, they say he once ruled the western market floor, and rumors spread fast indeed.

Gareth shook his head meaning not yet.

But since the citizens looked so worried, he unconsciously added a word.

“The personal physician is doing his best, so there should be improvement soon.”

“Is that really true?”

“He’s a physician personally chosen by madam. They say he’s one of the top skilled in Northern Lombard.”

Though his flaw is having annoyingly much nagging.

As Gareth muttered to himself and was about to ask for the barbershop’s location this time, someone carefully stepped forward from among the citizens.

It was a face familiar to him too.

It was the man who had made him work in the cave with the logic that those who don’t work shouldn’t eat.

The man, who had stepped forward but hesitated for a long time unable to continue speaking, hurriedly opened his mouth when Gareth was about to turn away.

“My, my lord, that is, I… I committed great rudeness by not recognizing the two noble persons the other day. If you would please show mer, mercy just once…”

Gareth stared at the man intently.

Wondering why he was suddenly acting like that, he belatedly recalled the fact that this place wasn’t Lombard Main Castle.

If he had been a citizen living within the outer castle walls, there would have been no reason for such pleading in the first place.

‘Ah.’

And he suddenly realized.

That madam, an unwelcome guest from the Imperial Capital, was changing not only Northern Lombard but also his own way of thinking.

“You’re worrying about useless things.”

“Yes, yes?”

“If I laid even a fingertip on you for what happened in the cave, my neck would fly the next day. Madam cherishes the citizens of Lombard above all else.”

“Then…!”

“I mean it’s literally a useless worry.”

Lombard is a great noble of the north.

So the retainers serving Lombard were also from families that matched their master’s status, being among the notable houses in the north.

Gareth’s family, Varken, was like that too.

They had already made quite a name in the north, but after Edwin personally appointed Gareth as chief aide, they literally walked on a smooth path.

There was no occasion to exchange even a word with the citizens of the outer castle walls.

Not because they were lowly, but simply because they were people who didn’t exist in Gareth’s world.

From the beginning.

‘Is the woman from the Imperial Capital bringing transformation to Lombard.’

Having lived his whole life holding only a sword, he didn’t know much about politics.

Even when people around him raised their voices and quarreled over political issues, Gareth would empty his head and just stare blankly out the window.

But now he seemed to understand.

Chief Chamberlain Bertol, Administrative Chief Ramon, even his lord. The reason they tried to protect madam like a precious jewel, worried she might break if touched or fly away if the wind blew.

‘Because I want to do that too now…’

The mistake in the cave was painful.

At that moment, Gareth finally disobeyed Elisia’s orders amid the continuing melee and revealed his true abilities.

He swept away the endlessly surging soldiers with a single stroke and followed Madam deeper inside.

But he was absurdly blocked along the way.

They had entered a small crevice on the side, not the large corridor that Gareth had explored.

It was so low and narrow that only small-framed women or children could barely pass through, making it impossible for not only Gareth but even the young men who had volunteered as guides to get through the gap.

They had no choice but to exit the cave and take a detour around the mountain.

The delay in that process nearly put Madam in danger.

‘It’s a miracle that my Lord spared my life.’

He was still an outsider when it came to politics.

He didn’t know exactly what Madam was trying to accomplish.

But if he were given just one more chance, he would protect Madam even if it meant sacrificing his arms, legs, or even his heart.

With that resolve, Gareth asked.

“Where is the barbershop?”

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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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