After I Died, My Husband Went Mad - Chapter 24
Before leaving Inverness the day before, Sebelia was overcome with peculiar emotions.
“How strange.”
She was conducting a final inspection of the fake corpse. In the midst of dozens of vials that would surely exceed a lethal dose if consumed, Sebelia’s apparition lay, clutching an empty sleeping pill bottle, blood trickling from her lips.
Denisa curled her hands into fists as she watched. It was a sight both serene and chilling. Sebelia unfolded her bent knees and turned toward Denisa. They stood in the doorway, staring at the fake corpse and thinking the same thing.
“My Lady…”
This is what it will look like when I die.
Sebelia shivered, envisaging the impending future that awaited her. But strangely, it wasn’t out of fear. Rather, Sebelia felt an odd sense of anticipation swelling within her. The certainty of a foreseen future somehow reassured her.
I don’t want to die like this in that stifling and lonely mansion.
A desolate and lonely demise. A solitary end with no one by her side. To be trapped in despair and eventually end one’s life by their own hand—that kind of existence was unbearable to her.
Staring at the fake Sebelia who met her demise confined in the guest house, she gathered her resolve.
I will never die like that. I will break free from this place and end up somewhere new, as a wholly different person. And I’ll have Denisa by my side and the many people I’ve come to know in that new place.
Sebelia clasped her chilled fingertips, taking a deep breath. Denisa overlaid her own hands onto hers, meeting her gaze with a faint smile.
“Do you remember where the rendezvous point is?” Denisa said, pulling on her coat as they made their way downstairs.
“Yes. Along the lake, take a right on the forest path. Underneath the tree with the yellow scarf, right?”
“That’s right. You remember it well, my Lady.”
Denisa patted Sebelia’s head gently, as if rewarding a good child. Sebelia smiled in spite of herself.
“I’ll follow after everything is done.” Denisa looked at Sebelia with resolute, shining eyes. It was her duty to ensure that Sebelia’s body wouldn’t be revealed as an illusion until the funeral was over.
“…You must come.” Sebelia hugged her tightly, whispering with a trembling voice. “I’ll wait for you. I believe you’ll come to fetch me again this time.”
Sebelia hadn’t forgotten. She recalled Denisa’s arrival at the solemn, lonely monastery—her cheeks flushed from the cold, her hands frozen stiff. But as soon as their eyes met, the embrace she pulled her in was so warm.
Just like it is now.
“Of course.” Denisa exclaimed, her voice strong as she held Sebelia close. “I’ll be sure to come get you after ten nights, so don’t worry about anything.”
With memories of Sebelia’s childhood surfacing, Denisa opened the door.
It was time to leave.
* * *
Returning to the present, Ryan found himself in a very difficult situation. First, he had gone straight to the butler after learning of Sebelia’s death.
“There’s no way you’re conducting a funeral without the Duke’s approval! Stop this at once.”
“I can’t halt a funeral that’s already commenced, Lord Ryan. You do understand that, don’t you?”
Grose showed no signs of yielding to Ryan’s warning. Instead, he pressed on with Glenn’s backing, who had essentially become the de facto ruler of Inverness.
“And how dare you tell us how to handle the Duchess’s funeral? I’ll have you know, this was personally permitted by Lady Glenn.”
“That means nothing. As far as I am concerned, the late Lady Sebelia’s husband…”
Grose stiffened and cleared his throat. “Both Viscount Rems and Earl Bane have also granted permission.”
Viscount Rems and Earl Bane were relatives who held sway even over Duke Dehart. They were the brothers of Dehart’s grandfather. Possessing significant influence within the family, they especially favored Roger and Glenn for their devotion to the house. It was natural for such individuals to consider sacrifices for the family as a given.
“Lord Ryan, I believe you’re not unaware of the precarious position Inverness currently finds itself in.”
“…”
“Don’t you realize that in a situation like this, the sooner we break free of the shackles of the Capital, the better.”
Faced with the names of Rems and Bane, Ryan could no longer argue any further.
“…Very well.”
“Don’t forget to greet Lady Glenn on your way back.”
Grose maintained his assertive demeanor until the end. Eventually, Ryan had to hold onto his churning thoughts and scribble out a telegram to Dehart in secret.
[The Duchess is dead. Please return soon.]
After pocketing the pen, Ryan envisioned the map of the lower town in his mind.
Where was the post office again?
Nervously, Ryan hoped that Dehart had remained in the village they had been staying in.
We mustn’t get our paths crossed.
If he rushes here without hearing the news and only the determination to meet the lady, what on earth will happen if he witnesses the funeral…?
“This is giving me chills,” Ryan muttered to himself.
He didn’t exactly know if that day would bring a fresh wind of change to Inverness. Pale-faced, he dashed to the stables and saddled his new horse.
He needed to send the message before the post office closed. At that moment, a melodious voice caught his attention.
“Lord Ryan?”
“…Miss Flora.”
As he turned, he saw Flora, her red hair beautifully arranged.
“You just returned, why not take a rest instead of rushing off again? Let the knights handle whatever it is.”
Perhaps Grose had informed her he was here, or why else would a dozen knights be accompanying Flora?
“This has become quite complicated.” Ryan frowned and took two steps backward.
“Ryan, let’s not make this an embarrassing situation for us. Alright?”
“Apologies, Miss.”
“You must understand that this is all for my brother’s sake.” Flora squared her shoulders, and commanded, “Seize him. I don’t care if he gets hurt a little.”
Glancing at the more junior knights running towards him, Ryan sighed wistfully. “You haven’t got a clue.”
Soon, screams echoed from the stables.
