Chapter 75
After I Died, My Little Groom (Complete English Translation)
Nadia, still in Heinrich’s arms, tried to lift her head.
She wanted to see more clearly what kind of emotion was wrapped around him.
But Heinrich placed his palm gently over her eyes, completely blocking her view.
“What do you mean, you lost?”
Nadia couldn’t understand his words and grew anxious.
Did that mean he would allow her to stay by his side?
Heinrich took a few deep breaths before finally speaking.
“There’s already an excellent strategist in Baldwin. A trustworthy secretary too. Even the maids and stablemen are all competent people. There’s no place there for you.”
His voice trembled, and Nadia mistook it for anger.
After all, the emotion she saw most vividly in him had always been resentment.
So the words that finally came from Heinrich’s lips were something Nadia could never have imagined.
“If there’s only one vacant position left, it’s that of the Duchess.”
Nadia gasped.
Heinrich’s voice was so cold, it hardly sounded like that of a man proposing—it carried a note of despair.
“If I ask you to marry me right away, any woman would run away. So… let’s try what we did before.”
“Before…? You mean, being lovers?”
“That’s right. But this time—not a contract. Let’s be real lovers.”
Heinrich removed his hand from her eyes. His expression seemed calmer now, as if he’d managed to rein in the storm of his emotions.
Still, there was tension—and something like sorrow—lingering in his gaze.
Nadia looked up at him, bewildered.
“Why… why don’t you just be with the woman you really want?”
At her question, Heinrich gave a low, bitter laugh.
“The woman I want…”
He cupped her face in his large hand. Nadia’s eyes shimmered like a lake holding sunlight.
Only someone she chose could ever step into those waters.
Heinrich lowered his head until his lips brushed hers.
“There’s only you.”
“Your—”
Startled, Nadia tried to step back, but Heinrich softly pressed his lips to hers.
Her lips felt soft and warm, but her body froze like she’d been struck by paralysis.
She couldn’t breathe or even close her eyes.
Heinrich, seeing his own crimson eyes reflected in her wide pupils, gently caught her lower lip.
Chok.
A faint wet sound lingered as their lips parted, and Nadia’s face flushed scarlet, hot enough to burn.
She raised her hand to her lips, then dropped it, touched her arm, then her chin—utterly lost.
Heinrich gazed down at her and asked quietly,
“This is what lovers do. Can you do that?”
Ripples trembled through her golden eyes.
It was hard enough to believe that Heinrich had kissed her—harder still to believe the resignation she sensed in him.
He didn’t seem to expect her to accept his offer at all.
The man she’d always thought perfect… didn’t even hope for that?
Inside Nadia, two hearts warred—one that longed not to live as Rivenia, and another that fluttered every time she looked at Heinrich.
And before she realized it, the latter had grown stronger. Her heart made excuses for her faster than she could stop it.
“Becoming Heinrich’s lover doesn’t mean living as Rivenia.”
But to make that true, she’d have to turn away from many things—from what she had achieved as Rivenia, from the people she had loved and hated in her past life, and most of all, from the truth she’d have to keep from Heinrich for the rest of her life.
Because he, more than anyone, was the one who made her Rivenia.
And yet, Nadia reached out and wrapped her trembling arms around his neck.
Pressing her lips softly against his cheek, she whispered,
“I will.”
She decided to stay by his side—not as Rivenia, but as Nadia.
Inside her, the voice of Rivenia screamed to confess the truth, but Nadia squeezed her eyes shut.
Heinrich stood there, stunned, as if unable to believe it. Then suddenly, he pulled her into his arms, holding her so tightly her waist nearly bent.
“You chose this.”
“…Yes.”
“Even if you regret it later, it won’t matter. You’re the one who said you wanted to stay by my side.”
When Nadia nodded firmly, Heinrich finally loosened his arms slightly.
Just then, the sound of galloping hooves echoed in the distance.
“Your Grace!”
Silhouettes appeared over the ridge, surrounding the area and calling for Heinrich.
As his subordinates arrived, Heinrich reluctantly released Nadia—but his brow furrowed, and he seized her wrist, pulling her to his side, as though afraid she might run away.
Nadia tried to take his hand in reassurance, but each time she moved, his grip only tightened.
Finally, she stopped resisting, and he eased his hold, his fingers resting gently around her wrist.
Heinrich gestured to the men on the ridge, and several approached, including his secretary, Allison.
Not being a knight, Allison looked pale and exhausted from the recent skirmish.
“Ah, Baroness Hess—no, the Lady Hess.”
“Nice to see you, Allison.”
Even though Allison had clearly noticed the awkward closeness between them, he pretended not to, as any skilled secretary would.
After the two greeted each other, Heinrich gave his orders.
“Ensure the young lady’s maid, coachman, and that girl are moved safely.
The Little Duke of Flang is injured—contact the Flang family and keep him under care until they arrive.
Also, secure the unidentified body.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
The subordinates moved swiftly.
Nadia watched a female knight lift the young Marquess Desmond and whispered to Heinrich,
“Please make sure that girl isn’t exposed to others.”
“Why? Have you gotten yourself involved in another dangerous matter?”
“Another…?”
She couldn’t quite deny it, and her voice trailed off weakly.
Thankfully, Heinrich only sighed deeply and didn’t press further.
Instead, he immediately offered his help.
“Do you need to protect her—or send her somewhere?”
“Ah… send her. To Her Highness, the Princess.”
His hand tightened slightly around her wrist.
“Your Grace, plea—”
“I’m not angry. If you did that now, it must have something to do with Baron Hess.
You probably had no other choice—I understand.”
He turned to her, his tone calm and steady.
“But next time, come to me first.”
“I had a way to handle it myself.”
“I know you’re independent. But if that way risks your life, then it’s no way at all.
As your lover, I won’t allow that.”
He emphasized the word lover, and Nadia’s shoulders flinched.
“Why? Regretting it already?”
His voice turned cool, and Nadia quickly shook her free hand.
“No, not at all. Thank you.”
Even as she thanked him, her face was blank with disbelief.
They had only been lovers for a few minutes, and yet Heinrich already acted the part perfectly.
“I’ll take the girl to the Princess myself tonight. Don’t think it’s a burden.
Between lovers, this much is nothing.”
He said it firmly, not giving her any room to refuse.
Overwhelmed by his decisiveness, Nadia simply nodded.
Before long, three large carriages arrived—brought by Heinrich’s men.
The knights of Baldwin loaded Vivian, the coachman, the young girl, and Arcis into the carriages.
Some knights joined them to ensure their safety.
Heinrich waited until Nadia had seen everything with her own eyes, then suddenly lifted her into his arms.
“I can walk, Your Grace!”
Startled, Nadia protested, but Heinrich ignored her.
“You need to see a doctor immediately. Don’t test my patience.”
Heinrich had already granted her every wish—
He hadn’t forced her to abandon the others, he promised to protect the young lady of Marquis Desmond,
and, most of all, he’d allowed her to remain by his side.
So Nadia decided to grant him this small request.
“All right. Honestly… I think I’ve reached my limit, too.”
Even with all the magic that had shielded her, the tumble from the carriage had left her body aching all over.
When she stopped resisting, Heinrich immediately climbed into the carriage, holding her carefully in his arms.
