After I Died, My Husband Went Mad - Chapter 120
Claude’s misunderstanding of Dehart’s change in attitude wasn’t entirely his fault. Dehart had started to act as if he had accepted his advice. He no longer lingered around Sebelia, nor was he moping over her, as he had been before.
Two days passed like that.
As Claude was about to head to the backyard, Dehart stopped him and handed him a letter to send to Eli.
“Please make sure it gets there as soon as possible.”
“I thought you were going back to join your group in Suffredi.”
Claude’s voice trailed off as he took the letter. He had assumed that Dehart would head back to Hillend Hall immediately to address the confusion.
“Uncle Limms will insist on having his way. No matter how noble the person you’ve chosen to represent you is, they won’t be able to match him.”
“If you’re concerned, I’m happy to accept it. But if it’s advice, I don’t need it.”
Dehart spoke firmly, locking eyes with Claude. At his sharp tone, Claude’s eyes widened for a moment.
“Claude, you knew I had regained some of the memories from that day, yet you still refused to tell me the truth. You acted as though I was a child who should never get involved in that event.”
“….”
“If you had considered me an equal, you would have defended my innocence, revealed the truth about that day, and asked for my cooperation. But instead, you chose silence. You turned away from me with pitying eyes, as though I was too young to hear such horrific truths.”
Claude felt his throat dry up. Dehart had seen through him completely.
He had known from the start that he still thought of him as the helpless child he was, someone to be protected. Yet, he had closed his eyes to it all this time, pretending otherwise.
“So, you may worry about me, but you can’t give me advice. You see me as a fragile child, not as the master of Hillend Hall or Inverness.”
With one final sharp look, Dehart turned and left. Claude let out a hollow laugh and tucked the letter Dehart had left into his coat.
“Alright, I’ll follow your orders. Duke.”
He shook his head with a wry smile. It seemed that blood could never be hidden. Dehart just now had reminded him so much of his late brother, Gilland.
* * *
Three days passed since Claude’s conversation with Dehart. During that time, Sebelia hadn’t come face to face with him. To be precise, she hadn’t had the chance to meet him since he hadn’t come down from the third floor.
“Should I say I’m relieved?”
Sebelia lay on the clearing in the woods, looking up at the sky with a wry smile. She is no longer obsessed over practicing illusions. With everything revealed now, there was no need to sneak around avoiding his gaze while making trips to the lower village.
“Should I ask Mr. Claude to look into it, or go down there myself?”
There were still doubts about Claude’s true identity, but they didn’t trouble her as much as they used to.
The important thing was Dehart. If he could let go of his obsession with her, everything would fall into place.
He’s been quiet for three days, so maybe he’s sorting things out.
It was probably the final words she left him with that hit hardest.
“I’m generous with those who know their place…”
And I believe you are one of those people. Don’t disappoint me, Dehart.
When Sebelia had spoken of her ‘expectations,’ she meant that he should stop clinging to her with false hope. She had told him to recognize her as Bella, not Sebelia Inverness.
Over the past three days, Dehart had done well to meet those expectations.
“Yes, this is a good resolution.”
Considering how chaotic their relationship had been, this was a fairly good way to end things. Sebelia hugged Maya, who had nestled herself into her arms, and repeated her thoughts.
“Now all that’s left is to finish the treatment and meet up with Denisa.”
Sebelia smiled softly, dreaming of that day.
* * *
Far to the north, in the remote Hillend Hall, an unexpected scene was unfolding.
“Baron Enhai has arrived. Quickly, escort him to his room and bring his luggage!”
“Lady Perrin is looking for the dress she entrusted for alterations. Who’s in charge of it?”
Dozens of servants were running up and down the stairs, while maidservants rushed around the hall, holding things in their hands.
It was the eve of the grand banquet, the first held since Marquis of Limms had forced open the tightly closed doors of Hillend Hall.
“Over here, Baron Enhai.”
“Mm.”
The invited nobles had already begun arriving at Hillend Hall, mingling and socializing with one another until the grand banquet began. This was exactly what Limms had hoped for.
“The noise is quite refreshing. It’s nice to see that knight, who used to prattle on as if he was the master, finally keeping his mouth shut. It feels satisfying.”
In the end, the deciding factor was momentum. Making everyone feel who held control over the place.
