I Became the Wife of the Hero Who Killed Me - Chapter 88

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

#Episode 88

* * *

The opening of the social season, the Spring Flower Festival, had a special custom.

At the start of the new year, people would wear masks as a symbol of temporarily setting aside their status and position to welcome new connections.

It began as an imperial palace banquet tradition, but the trend quickly spread throughout the entire Imperial Capital, and now even the citizens wear masks during the Spring Flower Festival.

For Edwin and me, famous figures of the Empire, it was truly a wonderful custom.

“Look at that! Isn’t it so small and cute?”

“Be careful not to fall, so walk slowly.”

We wore wigs to hide our identities and thoroughly covered our faces with masks before heading out to the streets.

The city district at sunset was bustling with crowds enjoying the festival. People’s laughter and the sweet aroma of fruit wine mingled pleasantly in the air.

The atmosphere was completely different from the strict Northern Region, and I couldn’t help but feel excited.

I stopped in front of a display stand among the street stalls lining the road.

“Look at this. Doesn’t it look like Nero from the cast… I mean, our house?”

“It really does.”

It was a very small craft item, not even half the size of a palm.

But from its bright, sparkling eyes to its tiny claws, the expression was so detailed it was almost identical to a real cat.

“Wow, you have excellent taste. This is porcelain imported all the way from the Eastern Continent!”

“I see.”

I had often seen items imported from the Empire’s Southern Region or the Western Continent, but this was my first time seeing something from the Eastern Continent.

I was so fascinated my eyes were spinning, but thinking of the original ‘Elisia,’ I shouldn’t get excited over something like this.

She would have handled all sorts of precious items at the Imperial Palace.

It absolutely wasn’t because I lost interest after seeing the price tag.

Really.

‘Damn commoner mindset.’

Even with all this money, I still couldn’t break my old habits.

But what could I do? As they say, those who’ve eaten meat know how to eat it better – something I couldn’t eat or use was ultimately just pretty trash.

I was about to grab Edwin’s arm and pretend I wasn’t interested while heading elsewhere, when he spoke to the merchant.

“Please wrap it up. And this and this too.”

“Ed… I mean, Nero?!”

I was so surprised I almost called him by his real name.

Before leaving the mansion, we had decided on aliases in case we needed to call each other’s names.

I somehow became Elze, and Edwin became Nero.

Anyway, I whispered in his ear.

“It’s fine, so put it down. Looking closer, it doesn’t really look like Nero.”

“It’s not for Elze.”

“Pardon?”

“Eastern Continent porcelain is rarely seen in the Northern Region.”

For someone claiming to buy it for himself, his touch in selecting everything from the box to the ribbon for packaging was remarkably meticulous.

He even added a light green ribbon I liked with cute charm decorations.

“Thank you…”

It was barely audible, but somehow Edwin heard it, and his eyes quietly curved into a smile.

Suddenly embarrassed, I turned around as if to escape.

Though I was caught right away anyway.

“There are many people. You might get separated, so it would be better to be careful.”

“I-I’m not a child…!”

I was being unnecessarily snappy out of embarrassment, but soon my eyes widened in surprise.

Edwin had grabbed my hand.

His long, firm fingers intertwined deeply between mine.

“Shall we go?”

I looked up at Edwin, meaning for him to let go, but he seemed to have no intention of releasing me.

Instead, he smiled mischievously as if asking what the problem was, then mixed into the crowd of pedestrians while firmly holding my hand.

At first I was a bit flustered, but Edwin’s large frame blocked the pressing crowd quite well, so before I knew it, I was comfortably walking around the city district holding his hand.

We shared snacks sold at stalls and looked at curious items. We also watched various performances among the crowds.

‘The Imperial Capital really is an enjoyable place.’

At first, I only wanted to return to the Northern Region as quickly as possible, but now I wanted to stay here as long as possible.

I was looking up at the darkening sky as the sun was setting when Edwin suddenly asked.

“Elze, doesn’t your ankle hurt?”

“Ah…”

Only after hearing Edwin’s words did I realize that I had been limping slightly at some point.

Although Brother Vincent had healed it, since it had been injured before, I should have been careful not to overdo it, but I was so excited today that I completely forgot about it.

Edwin muttered with a troubled expression.

“It would be better to move to another location for now.”

As the day grew darker, the number of people coming out to the streets kept increasing.

Every bench was occupied, and the railings near the fountain were also full of people taking brief rests.

“We’d have to go quite far to catch a carriage, wouldn’t we?”

“Yes, during the festival period, vehicle access is restricted, so it would be difficult nearby.”

We were standing in a corner with relatively fewer crowds, but as more people gathered, Edwin gradually moved closer.

Eventually, I was trapped in a narrow space between the wall and his arm, close enough for our breaths to touch.

“Ed… Edwin…”

My nerves were on edge from the heat and the sensation of firm muscles transmitted through the thin fabric.

Every time Edwin moved slightly or breathed as if troubled, my body jumped like a rabbit before a predator.

Suddenly, Edwin silently lowered his head.

When his lips came close, I squeezed my eyes shut while suppressing my heart that felt like it would burst.

‘What’s wrong with me? This is just, I mean, just…’

I felt like I should run away, but as if bewitched by something, my body wouldn’t listen.

All thoughts flew away.

But we’re married… yes, since we’re married, wouldn’t this level of physical contact be natural?

It was the moment when I was anxiously fidgeting with just my fingers while waiting for the warmth that would touch my lips.

“Elze, there’s a decent place nearby where we can rest for a bit.”

“…?”

“Elze?”

I opened my eyes.

Edwin was whispering in my ear to avoid the noise of the plaza.

So just now, I was the only one getting all worked up?

Edwin wasn’t thinking anything, he just came close because it was noisy and he was worried I couldn’t hear well, but I was the only one having strange fantasies?!

‘Aaahhh!!’

My face heated up instantly.

I wanted to jump into the fountain right now and die face-first in it.

* * *

Edwin carefully harvested the bright red Elisia and headed toward their destination.

Even she, who had been skeptical about whether there would be a place to rest in such chaos, immediately agreed upon seeing the sign.

[Bookworm’s Paradise]

It was a bookstore.

The entire city was bustling with exotic spectacles, so no matter how much someone loved reading, there couldn’t possibly be any eccentric who would want to read books even on a day like this—

“Wow!!”

…or so it seemed, but anyway.

As soon as Edwin spotted the sign, he ushered Elisia, whose eyes had begun to shine intensely, inside.

“Please go in first. I’ll come in a little later.”

“Just me? Then what about Nero?”

“I’m not really into books…”

“Ah.”

Elisia patted his shoulder, telling him to take his time coming in, then ran toward the bookstore without looking back.

Only after the small, light footsteps had completely disappeared did those who had been guarding the two from a distance reveal themselves one by one.

He was the continent’s strongest warrior, but when it came to protecting his wife, he was always cautious.

Moreover, this place was the Imperial Capital Bellenua, filled with enemies on all sides.

“Lord.”

“The target?”

“It’s been about thirty minutes since they went inside.”

“Perfect timing. Well done.”

When Edwin nodded, those who had been following them disappeared once again.

In truth, Elisia wasn’t the only eccentric in the Imperial Capital who wanted to read books even on a day like this.

Thinking that the world of intellectuals was incomprehensible, Edwin looked up at the sky where the sun had completely set.

“I hope you have a pleasant conversation.”

While hoping that the surprise gift he had carefully prepared would please his wife’s heart.

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