After I Died, My Husband Went Mad - Chapter 16
The day before Glenn’s visit, Sebelia felt her heart freeze upon hearing the news.
“Glenn Inverness…”
It was a bittersweet name. Glenn, with hair even redder than Flora’s and emerald green eyes. On the first day she arrived in the North, Glenn welcomed her as if she were her own mother.
[You’ll have a hard time adjusting, but don’t worry, this is a people’s country.]
She told him that she understood her struggle to adjust to the aloofness of the Northerners because she was an outsider like Sebelia.
[Why wouldn’t I understand your pain?]
In this way, little by little, Sebelia opened her heart to her. And then the incident with Dehart happened. Her father and the servants blamed her and shunned her. Everything was a mess. She couldn’t think properly, swept away by the torrent like a lost child. At that moment, Glenn approached her as if she were a saint, reaching out to rescue her from the abyss.
“That’s what I thought at the time.”
Sebelia covered her face with her hands, unable to keep the bitter smile off her face.
Glenn’s second betrayal shattered her soul more deeply than her father’s initial betrayal ever could.
[If you get this right, Dehart will look kindly upon you again. Besides, that boy likes compassionate people.]
However, that was a blatant lie. Sebelia was consumed by despair. Her fragmented mind couldn’t string together coherent thoughts. She couldn’t help but think it was all her fault.
She had neither the energy nor the composure to blame anyone but herself.
“Sigh…”
She gave her complete trust, and the wounds cut that much deeper.
Following the incident, Sebelia couldn’t step a foot outside her room for a while. It was only after Denisa’s devoted care that she finally recovered somewhat and met Glenn again.
[Oh, Sebelia. Darling, why have you become so thin? People will say things if you look so plain.]
[Me, I…]
[You’re not still holding onto old matters, are you? That’s no way to live, you know. Of course, you’re going to look so haggard.]
Her nonchalant criticism hit Sebelia so hard that she felt disoriented. Her depleted mind and body had hit their limit.
Now, recalling the past, she let out a bitter laugh.
“I didn’t expect I’d see that face again before leaving…”
Sebelia slowly closed her eyes.
* * *
Finally, she came, her red hair swaying. Her confident and regal demeanor resembled that of a goddess. In the past, Sebelia might have cowered before her. But now, it was different.
After all, I’m the one leaving.
Even this body breathing and moving would soon vanish from this earth. To Sebelia, in this predetermined future, Glenn was no longer a source of fear. The certainty about her future brought Sebelia a strange sense of security.
“Have a seat.”
“…Well, then, don’t mind if I do.”
Perhaps her apparent nonchalance didn’t sit well with her. Glenn sat down with a mocking demeanor.
“You’re looking quite well for someone who’s seen a ghost,” she said sardonically as soon as she sat down.
Sebelia raised her head, not lifting her teacup, and stared at Glenn.
“My daughter is so frightened she can’t even get out of bed, yet you seem unfazed.”
“…”
“Is it because you have a strong constitution, or is it your nerves that are thick? I’m curious what exactly it is.” Glenn grinned, her dark red hair gracefully framing her face. “Oh, come to think of it, none of the servants seemed to have fainted.”
Her crimson lips curved into an enchanting smile. “Such a stark contrast makes me even more curious. Don’t you think so, my dear?”
Staring into the persistent scrutiny of Glenn’s green eyes, Sebelia realized one thing: that question had a set answer.
I didn’t realize it before.
Gazing into Glenn’s dark green eyes, Sebelia recalled receiving similar questions before her falling-out with Dehart. She hadn’t realized it then, but Glenn’s condescending gaze spoke of only one answer.
It’s because you’re a lowly bastard. Can’t you see that yet?
Ah.
At that moment, Sebelia realized something she hadn’t known before.
You didn’t set me up just to grab power.
Glenn didn’t like the fact that Sebelia was an illegitimate child either. Staring at her reflection in those murky green eyes, Sebelia exhaled slowly.
Well, it’s probably for the best.
Yes, if that’s what she thinks, if that’s what she wishes to perceive…
I’ll just go along with your wishes. I don’t want anything more from you anyway.
“Perhaps it’s because I’m a bastard,” Sebelia casually responded and gracefully took a sip from her cup. “Well, I suppose we’re fortunate in this case. Unlike Miss Flora, who would faint no matter the adversity due to her gentle upbringing.”
Sebelia’s tone was far too gentle and comforting for someone mentioning their humble origins. There was no hint of shame or embarrassment, just a clean, serene demeanor.
Glenn’s eyes flashed like burning lanterns. “You…” She tried to appear nonchalant, but her lips trembled slightly.
If Sebelia’s words were flipped, they meant this: “It’s fortunate you’re not a commoner who faints even when faced with adversity like Miss Flora.” Glenn, who had never been compared to a bastard before, felt a flame ignite inside her.
“Sebelia, I didn’t know your mind was so twisted. How can you behave like that in front of someone who worries about you…”
“Thank you very much, dear Madam.” Sebelia briskly acknowledged, cutting off her gradually rising voice.
“…Excuse me?”
“I’ve been made aware of the fact that you’ve graciously taken over the family estate in my absence.”
At this point, even Glenn couldn’t help but feel that the current situation was odd.
What the hell is going on here?
She tightened her grip on the fan, suppressing her bewilderment. Outwardly, the situation seemed entirely in her favor. Sebelia was the first to bow her head and acknowledge her authority.
However…
“I understand that you’ve taken charge of managing the estate in place of the Duchess who betrayed the family. I trust you’ll continue to do so well into the future.”
For some reason, it didn’t seem like she was admitting to her or delegating the task. Yet, before Glenn could sort out the confusion within herself, Sebelia took the lead.
“So, what brings you to this insignificant place today?”
The control over the situation had subtly shifted to the other side. Recognizing this, Glenn squared her shoulders with determination.
I may have been taken by surprise once, but it won’t happen twice.
The unfamiliarity of her demeanor was disconcerting, but Sebelia had been no match for her from the start.
Glenn lifted her chin in a graceful, commanding gesture. “Go to the guest house.”
That was Glenn’s intention in seeking her out – to drive her away from the main manor to a far-off annex.
Then, naturally, the servants will be far away from the bastard’s influence.
