I Became the Wife of the Hero Who Killed Me - Chapter 91
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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 91
Edwin stopped at the bedroom threshold and stared at me blankly.
He stood there without even the slightest movement, so even I, who had initially thought nothing of it, suddenly felt a pang of anxiety.
“Do, do I look strange?”
I reflexively looked down at my dress.
I fumbled with my fingertips to check if the ribbon on my chest had come undone and smoothed out the voluminous spread of my dress hem.
Thinking my hair might have gotten disheveled while putting on the dress, I also tidied the strands that had fallen below my shoulders to one side.
‘I don’t see anything strange about it…’
But it might look different to Edwin’s eyes as a great noble.
It was the moment I anxiously rolled my eyes and looked back at him.
“No, you don’t look strange at all.”
He cleared his throat and slowly walked over to stand behind me.
“Edwin?”
“You look even better than I imagined…”
Edwin’s breath touched the nape of my neck that was fully exposed.
Was it just my imagination? I was breathless at Edwin’s gaze visible through the mirror. I felt like a small rabbit standing before a predator stalking me.
Perhaps sensing that my body had stiffened with tension, Edwin silently lowered his gaze.
Clink—
A cold chain slid over my collarbone.
“What is this?!”
Around my neck hung a necklace so beautiful it was dazzling.
Centered around a sapphire of a size I had never seen before, diamonds and pearls were densely strung like flower buds.
I turned to look at Edwin in surprise.
Receiving my gaze, he smiled brightly.
“It’s a gift.”
“What?!”
“I happened to obtain a nice sapphire, and I thought it would suit Elisia’s eyes well, so I had it made into a necklace. Do you like it?”
Right now, whether I liked it or not wasn’t the issue.
How could I wear around such a necklace that screamed “I’m expensive!” with its whole being just by looking at it, when I’d be terrified of accidentally making even the smallest scratch on it!
“It’s pretty. It is pretty, but…”
“I’m glad you like it.”
Before I could say anything, Edwin gently grasped my shoulders and turned me back around.
My reflection in the mirror was… though it feels conceited to say this, truly beautiful.
Snow-white skin with abundantly flowing hair, a water-colored dress that shimmered subtly with every movement, and the gorgeous sapphire necklace as a focal point.
Even I, who had little interest in human beauty, found it hard to look away.
After standing there dazed for a while, I suddenly felt another gaze.
Beyond the mirror, Edwin was watching me with heated eyes.
* * *
Edwin had been contemplating since early morning, clutching a small box in his hand.
It was the box containing the sapphire necklace.
He hadn’t been able to give Elisia a proper wedding gift.
Though he had transferred the ownership of the Governor’s Mansion in Bellamare, that was hardly a gift… aesthetically, it was utterly terrible.
Setting aside the part where Elisia had been overjoyed, that was Edwin’s thinking anyway.
‘Your Excellency, the Eye of Blessing has come up for auction.’
It was around that time when he received information that a sapphire, a relic from an ancient kingdom, had appeared on the market.
Since it was such a famous gem, many influential families jumped into the bidding, and Edwin succeeded in winning it after considerable behind-the-scenes efforts.
He commissioned the finest jeweler to craft a necklace, providing Elisia’s portrait along with the request.
‘They say the eyes are the mirror of the soul.’
Though her appearance might have changed, her blue eyes and the warmth dwelling within them hadn’t changed one bit.
That’s why Edwin was all the more satisfied with the blue sapphire that resembled her eyes.
He had been eager to see Elisia wearing the necklace as soon as possible.
He had been constantly pondering how to present it to make her happy, when a good opportunity arose.
“Elisia, about today’s banquet schedule…”
The moment he thoughtlessly entered the bedroom, his breath stopped.
Though he had chosen the dress design imagining how she would look wearing it, she was truly dazzlingly beautiful.
Perhaps sensing the strange atmosphere, the servants who had been helping with her preparations quietly withdrew.
Only then did Edwin quickly clear his throat and approach Elisia.
He personally placed the sapphire necklace he had been carrying in his inner pocket around her slender, exposed neck.
‘Ah.’
Her gaze looking up at herself through the mirror while wearing the blue sapphire necklace.
Edwin found this moment strangely satisfying.
It felt like Elisia had truly become his wife.
“E, Edwin! Wait a moment!”
Had she noticed the passion in his eyes, or was it for some other reason?
Elisia quickly stepped back.
Whatever the reason, since he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable, Edwin immediately softened his expression.
“Elisia? What’s wrong?”
“This won’t do. I’ve already received so much from Edwin… this seems too excessive. I don’t have anything like this among my gems.”
It was truly a gem he had painstakingly obtained and a necklace crafted with utmost care.
But even at her refusal, Edwin wasn’t flustered.
Instead, he naturally offered the answer he had prepared in advance.
“You don’t need to feel burdened, Elisia. Such gems are commonly owned by great nobles.”
“Still…”
“And actually, it’s not that expensive a gem. The size is good, but the luster is somewhat lacking.”
Edwin held the sapphire up to the light.
Though it boasted a perfect, vivid blue color without a single impurity, he continued speaking nonchalantly.
“If you look closely, the light is a bit cloudy.”
“…?”
“I heard that Elisia has deep knowledge of gems. You probably know the sapphire’s value but are saying that to spare my feelings.”
She kept tilting her head in confusion.
Is this cloudy? To my eyes it just sparkles and looks pretty, but I can never understand the lofty tastes of great noble lords.
Her thoughts were clearly visible.
But if he didn’t do this, Elisia would never wear this necklace.
“Though the sapphire might not meet Elisia’s standards…”
“No! I, that is, um, wanted to say it’s too beautiful and I love it!”
“I’m glad you like it. Since it’s not a particularly valuable item, I hope you’ll wear it comfortably.”
“Does price matter? The sentiment is far more important to me.”
Having already compromised his dignity once, Edwin had nothing left to hide.
As expected, Elisia’s face became much more relaxed than before as she examined the necklace from various angles in the mirror.
Though not as much as when she discovered the bookstore in the city district, she seemed pleased with this rare gift.
Edwin also smiled with satisfaction.
* * *
What a fantastical world this was.
From the moment I arrived at the Imperial Palace, I couldn’t keep my mouth shut—only in my head, of course—and after entering the banquet hall, my eyes were practically spinning.
I began to suspect that I had died and come to heaven.
Everything that existed sparkled magnificently.
From the massive crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling to the clothes people wore, the glasses in their hands, and even the masks on their faces were dazzling with densely embedded gems.
Walking forward in a daze, I turned my head at the sound coming from the banquet hall entrance.
“Duke and Duchess Cavendish are entering!”
“His Excellency Marquis Herbert and Lady Cecilvain are entering!”
The Chief Chamberlain standing at the banquet hall entrance was loudly announcing the names of the distinguished guests as they entered.
It was a scene I couldn’t understand.
“If they’re going to do that, why bother wearing masks uncomfortably?”
“It’s just a common and pointless custom of noble society.”
“Good grief.”
At the Spring Flower Festival, masks are worn to symbolize temporarily setting aside status and position to welcome new connections.
Of course, I didn’t truly believe that, but I thought they would at least pretend to do so.
I approached the banquet hall entrance with Edwin’s escort.
Honestly, at first I was a bit worried about whether I could properly act as Elisia, but thinking that people are the same everywhere made me feel much more at ease.
The Chief Chamberlain who confirmed ‘Lombard’ written on the invitation immediately straightened his back.
“Duke and Duchess Lombard are entering!”
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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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