I Became the Wife of the Hero Who Killed Me - Chapter 72

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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 72

Without realizing it, I was looking down at Edwin when he seemed to sense my gaze and lifted his head.

I felt embarrassed for no reason and quickly turned my head away.

“A-anyway, have you decided on the next governor?”

“We’re reviewing several options.”

“It’s certainly a matter that requires careful consideration, but I think it would be better to think about a successor quickly. For Bellamare’s stability as well.”

The citizens of Bellamare had lived under oppression and fear for many years.

That’s why I wanted to personally observe and contribute my opinion to the decision about the next governor while I remained here.

“Preferably someone capable who knows Bellamare’s situation well.”

“Are you considering someone from the local area?”

“Not necessarily, but…”

Actually, I was thinking about how Ramon might do as Governor of Bellamare.

Compared to the former governor who was from a branch family of Lombard, he lacked justification, but this would be the same no matter which family we brought in.

His lack of tact was a flaw, but he had the advantage of excellent administrative skills and drive.

Of course, if he left, elderly Bertol would be crushed under the mountain of official duties, but there was no other suitable candidate.

“Actually, there’s something I’d like to discuss with Elisia.”

“Please tell me.”

Edwin, who had slightly lifted my dress hem to check the bandage condition, arranged it properly and stood up to sit across from me.

His face looked serious for some reason, so I also hardened my expression—

“I’m thinking of changing Bellamare into a duchess’s direct territory.”

“…?!”

I almost spat out the tea I was holding at this unprecedented nonsense I’d never heard before.

This man looks fine on the outside, but has he already gone senile!

“D-duchess’s direct territory? What do you mean by that? Surely the duchess you just mentioned isn’t me, right?”

“Where else is there a duchess in Lombard besides Elisia?”

“No, no no! There’s no law saying I’ll be duchess for life. Something could happen to me and I could die early…”

Honestly, directly governing Bellamare myself wasn’t bad.

The hardship would fall to the bureaucrats who’d have to travel back and forth between the castle and Bellamare, and if the situation wasn’t favorable, I could appoint my representative as mayor.

The problem was the next duchess.

I didn’t know how I would step down from the duchess position, but sooner or later, a new duchess would come to Lombard.

How could I guarantee that she would be as capable in administration and considerate of people’s livelihood as I am?

‘The former duchess, Edwin’s mother, was also a good person.’

But sometimes mistakes made without malice bring even greater catastrophe.

While I was lost in thought, Edwin’s expression hardened.

“That won’t happen.”

“Excuse me?”

“I will never let go of Elisia’s hand first. So please don’t say such things. I’m begging you.”

A bitter light spread in Edwin’s eyes. He seemed to have misunderstood something from what I just said.

‘Even I don’t think Edwin would confine or abandon me at this point…’

However, if I died without living out my full lifespan, Edwin would welcome a new wife.

Or I might live longer than Edwin and pass the position to the next duke’s wife.

That’s all I meant, but Edwin seemed to have taken it completely differently.

‘Well, our relationship has changed a lot from the beginning.’

The start was literally an ill-fated connection.

I was wary due to memories from my previous life, and Edwin due to his father’s death, and we growled at each other.

But after going through various incidents, my thoughts about Edwin changed a little.

Ironically, the person who saved me in the most dangerous moments was always him. Desperately, as if he would run to the ends of the earth…

That bitter look in his eyes bothered me for the same reason.

Feeling unnecessarily embarrassed, I grumbled and changed the subject.

“W-who told you to talk nonsense?”

“It’s not nonsense. I really think Elisia will do well.”

“That’s not the problem right now!”

Unless my lifespan was about a thousand years, I should never bring up such nonsense as a duchess’s direct territory again.

I rattled off a long lecture to change the serious atmosphere—though with quite a bit of sincerity mixed in.

“Do you understand?”

“If that’s what Elisia thinks…”

Edwin looked genuinely disappointed. He pretended otherwise, but his lower lip was sticking out.

That made me even more frustrated.

He was really thinking of doing it?!

“From now on, you must discuss with me first before deciding anything. Absolutely, understand?”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

“Don’t just give good answers, put it into practice!”

“Of course I’ll do that since Elisia wants it.”

Around this time, I briefly wondered if I had fallen into a trap.

I suspected he might be scheming to dump official duties on me while pretending to accommodate my preferences.

But Edwin’s expression as he looked at me was utterly sincere.

He didn’t seem to fit with the word “scheme” at all.

‘Hmm.’

It must be an unnecessary thought after all.

Shaking my head to dismiss the impure suspicion, I continued speaking.

“Before deciding on the next governor, we should first examine the public sentiment in Bellamare.”

“That’s a good idea. Then I’ll dispatch an investigator.”

“There should be a suitable person in the government office…”

Actually, there were historical reasons why previous generations had left Bellamare as an autonomous territory.

But times had changed, and there was a high possibility that public opinion among citizens who had suffered under the governor’s tyranny had shifted in another direction.

Well, the more careful the decision, the better.

“I’ve thought too much and my head hurts. Let’s stop here for today and go back.”

“Is your ankle alright?”

“Of course. Someone took such good care of me that my feet barely touched the ground.”

Actually, most of my headaches came from incompetent bureaucrats who couldn’t properly follow orders.

The bureaucrats at the castle keep improved when I disciplined them, but the Bellamare officials became increasingly hopeless no matter whether I disciplined, coaxed, or appeased them.

How did such idiots become bureaucrats?

I was so afraid of how rotten the internal affairs might be that I couldn’t even look at anything except the most urgent documents.

“Edwin?”

I stretched out both hands, meaning for him to quickly pick me up.

I wanted to return to the mansion that had officially become mine and rest without thinking about anything. I desperately needed the comfort of a soft bed and smooth blankets.

While I was at it, I also wanted to see the portrait of Nero that Berry had sent.

“Elisia, you really…”

But why was this happening?

Edwin stared at me intently for a long time, then sat down right where he was. As if feeling dizzy, he kept his head down and let out a long sigh.

The tips of his ears gripping the chair armrest were slightly red.

“Edwin, are you okay? Are you running a fever from overexertion?”

“No. I’m, um, fine anyway.”

Only after a long time had passed and he seemed to have calmed down a bit did Edwin lift his head.

“I have official duties left to handle. Unfortunately, it seems Elisia will have to go back first today.”

“Don’t worry and take care of your work. I’ll ask Sir Gareth.”

“No, I want to at least carry you to the carriage myself.”

Saying this, Edwin gently lifted me up.

With his height nearly reaching 2 meters, my line of sight was raised quite high, but strangely, I didn’t feel anxious about falling.

Exhausted, I comfortably rested my head against his broad shoulders.

* * *

Edwin came out to the entrance and waved his hand until the departing carriage turned the corner and disappeared from sight.

Ramon, who had been seeing off the duchess together with him, quietly rolled his eyes.

“Your Grace, why didn’t you go together with Madam?”

“It seems like she can’t muster up courage when I’m around.”

“Hmm? Who needs what kind of courage?”

In truth, Ramon, like the other bureaucrats, harbored great fear toward the Duke.

His overwhelming martial prowess that seemed inhuman, his emotionless and merciless personality—while he didn’t engage in tyranny, he didn’t particularly care for the territory either.

Though it was a terribly irreverent expression, sometimes Ramon wondered if he wasn’t a living corpse.

He couldn’t sense any of the emotions that all humans should possess—desires, joy, anger, sorrow, pleasure, anxiety, fear, and such.

But after Madam married into the family, His Grace began to change little by little.

Ramon thought it was a good change. He was truly pleased by this.

‘But sometimes I still don’t understand him at all.’

Recently, his relationship with Madam had visibly improved, and they seemed like they were on a honeymoon, yet now he wore such a gloomy expression again.

As if reading Ramon’s thoughts, Edwin murmured quietly.

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

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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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