After I Died, My Husband Went Mad - Chapter 12
Meanwhile, Sebelia had no idea that Dehart would be suspecting her. She was carefully studying Flora’s bracelet, who stood proudly before her.
I may only have it in my memory as a list. I haven’t seen it with my own eyes, but I’m sure.
Sebelia was certain. The bracelet woven with gems and gold, an assortment of fruits and leaves. It was an item Nelia, following the latest trends, had picked during her private consultation with Inverness. Moreover, it was a rare find in the Northern region which didn’t really follow the trends of the Capital.
There was no way Flora would possess such an accessory. Sebelia had been reprimanded by Dehart several times before her arrival due to her excessive extravagance.
Why did she suddenly come all the way to this secluded room just to walk all over me?
Sebelia looked at the bracelet and realized why.
She’s tampered with the property I brought. That’s why she’s trying to keep me out of the underground vault, which only the Duchess should have access to.
Sebelia swiftly processed the situation in her mind. She abandoned her plan to send a letter through Denisa to Dehart. What’s the point of asking to go into the vaults if what she wanted to get wasn’t there, she thought quickly. Now that she knew the dowry was in Flora’s hands, she needed a new plan.
“Hmph. Looks like you’ve run out of things to say.” Flora had suddenly perked up. She glanced around and harshly closed the open curtains.
Without even daring to meet Sebelia’s gaze, she whispered towards her, “Keep doing what you’ve been doing, alright? Just keep yourself buried like the dead.”
“…”
“When are you ever going to realize that you only make things worse.” Flora’s fingers stroked a long line down Sebelia’s cheek.
I should have killed her back then…
Flora sighed heavily, filled with regret.
The day the marriage between Dehart and this half-breed bastard had been finalized was the day her shining future with him shattered into a dreadful mess. How much excruciating pain she had felt in that gut-wrenching moment.
[Why, why on earth? Why should my brother be sacrificed for such stupid things!]
She had ranted, disregarding the foolish treaty set by the previous Duke. Her mother, too, had also spoken up for her. However, Dehart coldly pushed her away.
[Asking a reason for doing my duty – truly immature, Flora.]
Even saying so, Dehart wasn’t in the best shape either, looking like he was about to burst into flames. He appeared disheveled, even disastrous. Yet, he climbed aboard the carriage heading towards the Capital.
To welcome his bride, whom he barely knew.
To carry on the legacy of his father, whom he barely remembered.
[The Duke has returned!]
He brought along a clueless-looking woman, just as she had expected. A repulsive illegitimate child with round eyes and lips that screamed ignorance.
[…]
Flora pushed down her rising anger and tried to greet him, and would have done so if she hadn’t seen the look in her brother’s eyes at the bastard.
[Madam, can you even walk properly when you’re so distracted?]
He had never looked at her the way he gazed at Sebelia. It wasn’t the consideration for a younger sister, nor the indifference towards family. That terrible spark that leapt like a fire between a blossoming fondness and an intense wariness.
And she had no choice but to see it.
* * *
Flora sighed as she swept back her red hair. That was all in the past. After Sebelia’s audacious betrayal came to light, her brother never looked at her the same way again. Those cold eyes of hers, with no regard for family, no consideration for flesh and blood!
Suppressing the urge to burst into laughter, Flora grabbed Sebelia’s shoulders. “After everything I’ve told you…I’m going to assume you’ve gotten the message, Sebelia.”
This should serve as a warning.
Flora patted Sebelia on the shoulder, feeling lighter. She was about to leave the room, feeling triumphant for the first time in a long time.
“Flora.” Sebelia called out to her in a clear voice, a first-time occurrence that Flora never expected.
The lethargic tone grated on Flora’s nerves. “Did you just call me?”
Flora opened her eyes wide and turned around, finding Sebelia looking straight at her. She realized she hadn’t misheard.
“While you’re here, why not have a little chat with me before you leave?” Sebelia was getting up from her seat, approaching her with an air of ease, devoid of any servility.
“How dare…” Anger flickered in Flora’s pale golden eyes. “A conversation. Ha, a conversation. Unbelievable.”
“…”
“Such things are for people with equal social standing, not you and me.” Flora swiftly approached and jabbed Sebelia’s chest with her finger.
Then she turned and stalked out of the room, letting out a mocking laugh. “She thinks she’s a proper Duchess now.”
“…”
Sebelia stared at her retreating figure with sunken eyes. Her cold eyes, devoid of emotions like anger or injustice, briefly lingered on the wide-open door before sinking deeply into the void beneath the surface.
After a moment, Sebelia stepped out of the room. Ignoring the passing servants, she proceeded down the long corridor. Lined along one side of the corridor were portraits of past dukes and duchesses.
“…It’s you.”
Finally, her steps halted in front of the most massive portrait, placed at the innermost part of the corridor. It depicted a woman with long flowing black hair and a man standing guard behind her. It was the portrait of the first Duke and Duchess of Inverness.
“The Cursed Duchess…”
Sebelia quietly smiled while gazing at the portrait of the first Duchess.
Belita Inverness.
The terrible being who was said to have cursed the last living Duchess to death.
She was the one who would return her stolen dowry, the angel who would chastise Flora’s shameless nature.
“I entrust this to you, Belita.”
A faint wisp of smoke rose from Sebelia’s fingertips.
