I Became the Wife of the Hero Who Killed Me - Chapter 89
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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 89
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Could there be a more perfect paradise than this in the world?
From the moment I entered the bookstore, I couldn’t close my gaping mouth.
Despite being a bookstore for free citizens, the scale of its collection overwhelmed Lombard’s library. Even freshly published new books were lined up in rows.
“Ha, calm down. Just calm down.”
Even as I said this, I had no idea where to start looking.
It was the perfect timing to finally execute the ‘I’ll take everything from here to here’ that I’d only imagined.
But having my eyes spin from witnessing paradise for the first time in my life, I completely forgot about this and just stuck to the bookshelf, panting heavily.
“Oh my goodness, this is Sermont’s new publication?!”
It was a book I had wanted to read in the past but had given up on because there was absolutely no way to obtain it in the north.
Sermont was originally a writer famous for provocative metaphors and satire, but this book contained even more politically bold content and was designated as a banned book immediately upon publication.
All printed copies were collected and burned.
However, some were secretly smuggled out, and their contents were only passed from mouth to mouth among people.
“I can’t resist this.”
I hurriedly put the book in my shopping basket.
Just in case, I put in two copies. One for actual use, the other for collection.
While thinking I should go back to the mansion and read it slowly, I couldn’t resist and opened the first page.
[Incompetent power is the most dangerous violence.]
The first sentence was more provocative than I had imagined, making me gasp involuntarily.
Fortunately, I was the only customer, and most of the employees had apparently gone out to watch the festival, leaving only one who was dozing off at the counter.
Relieved, I quietly added another book to my basket.
After thoroughly combing through the new publications section and gathering books in heaps, I moved on to the bestseller section.
“Dear God, all of Marquise Ferang’s books are here?”
I could no longer maintain my sanity.
Especially when I discovered , my excitement reached its peak.
I didn’t care if I was branded a pervert now. I was clutching my heart and panting heavily when someone carefully grabbed my arm.
“Miss, are you alright?”
“….”
At the sudden presence, I just blinked blankly.
I had let my guard down thinking the bookstore was single-story, but apparently there was another floor above. I could see stairs hidden behind a pillar.
“You don’t seem to be feeling well. How about resting upstairs for a moment?”
“Ah, I am….”
Her attire was modest, but her posture was elegant and her voice and manner of speaking carried deep experience.
Like me, she was wearing a mask so I couldn’t see her face, but she felt like a middle-aged woman from a fairly wealthy free citizen family.
Though new printing techniques had been developed, books were still luxury items.
A truly ordinary person wouldn’t have dared to come to a bookstore.
“Miss?”
Since I was hesitating, she tilted her head.
Would I be branded as a pervert excited about books, or would I become someone who was simply unwell?
Since I planned to visit this place like a sparrow frequenting a mill during my stay in the capital, I tearfully chose the latter.
“Thank you for your consideration, Madam.”
“Don’t overdo it, take it slowly.”
I climbed the stairs with the madam’s kind support.
The upper floor seemed to be a space for regular customers, structured mainly with comfortable sofas and tables rather than display stands.
It seemed designed so people could comfortably read the books they purchased.
The madam led me to where she had originally been sitting—unfortunately, it was a spot overlooking the entire first floor. I hope she didn’t catch me being a pervert—.
Naturally, the second floor was also completely empty except for the madam and me.
I looked down at the book lying face-down on the table.
“Oh, this is Sermont’s new publication?”
“He’s my favorite author. I heard he released a new book to coincide with the festival period, so I rushed right over.”
“You like Sermont too, Madam!”
A delighted voice came out naturally.
Then I quickly added.
“Ah, but please don’t tell me the content yet. I’ve only read the first line so far.”
“Incompetent power is the most dangerous violence?”
“Wait a moment, Madam. My heart is racing….”
I lowered my voice, conscious of the employee downstairs.
But the madam laughed as if it was fine.
“The bookstore owner is an acquaintance of mine. He’s truly an ardent fan of Sermont. Enough to be the first to stock new publications with this kind of content.”
“Then I’m relieved.”
Actually, I didn’t completely trust the madam’s words.
I was just somewhat at ease because of the titles of other books on her table, and above all, because the mask and wig thoroughly protected my identity.
“Do you like Sermont too, miss?”
“Yes, but I have a different favorite author.”
“I’m curious about which authors are popular among young people these days.”
“I don’t have many friends, so it’s more my personal taste than a trend… I’ve admired Marquise Ferang since childhood. I especially love ‘Human Mirror.'”
“Oh my.”
The madam covered her mouth as if my answer was unexpected.
She seemed surprised.
“Wasn’t Human Mirror published quite a while ago? Don’t you think the content is a bit outdated?”
“Good books don’t discriminate by era! There’s much to learn even from classics from a thousand years ago, so saying a book from just a few decades ago is outdated is absurd.”
Marquise Ferang is outdated?
Good heavens, I never thought I’d hear such ignorant words with my own ears.
I had hoped this would be a good encounter, but she had properly gotten on my nerves to just ignore and let pass.
“I haven’t seen any author who pinpointed the essence of rulers as accurately as Marquise Ferang.”
“Do you think so, miss?”
“Of course! I don’t think sharp expression is the criterion for a good book. The sharp insights hidden in calm sentences are precisely where Marquise Ferang’s true value shines.”
I explained in detail how great her writings were, filled with admiration for Marquise Ferang.
Fortunately, she wasn’t someone completely impossible to communicate with.
The more I continued the conversation with the madam, the more I realized we got along quite well.
The madam’s insight and perception were even incomparably deeper and richer than mine, still wet behind the ears.
I couldn’t hide my excitement.
‘The Imperial Capital really is different.’
Though Lombard was the greatest place in the north, in the Imperial Capital you could meet such outstanding intellects even in ordinary bookstores in the city district.
If only my face weren’t famous, I would have wanted to immediately throw off my mask and beg to be taken as a disciple.
‘Thanks to this, I even declined Marquise Ferang’s invitation, what a damn shame….’
Why does Elisia live with such terrible character and make me sad!
As I was lamenting repeatedly in my heart, I heard footsteps coming up the stairs.
It was the employee who had been dozing at the counter.
Still trying to get into the festival spirit, he was properly wearing a mask and even a headband.
“Excuse me. Sorry to interrupt your conversation, but it’s closing time for the bookstore.”
“Oh my, has it gotten that late already?”
The madam looked out the window in surprise.
The festival commotion had completely died down, and only the occasional ramblings of drunkards wandering the streets could be heard.
I was just as surprised.
Not only was I unaware that so much time had passed, but I belatedly remembered Edwin’s existence as he waited outside.
I had been so engrossed in my conversation with Madam that I had completely forgotten about him!
“Please ring up all the books in the shopping basket. I’ll come down right away.”
“Oh, if it’s about payment, that gentleman over there has already taken care of it.”
“What?!”
I hurriedly got up from my seat and stuck my head out over the railing.
Edwin was standing in front of the cashier waving his hand, though I had no idea when he had arrived.
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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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