After I Died, My Husband Went Mad - Chapter 27
It was nearing Dehart’s birthday. Sebelia stared at the cross necklace in front of her and fretted, an impulse purchase she’d made because she thought it would look good on him.
Did I act too hastily?
Sebelia rested her chin on her hand, gazing at the blue jewels on the cross with a troubled expression. The sparkling gemstones, illuminated by the light, shimmered like rolling waves. Though the jeweler had deemed it an ordinary item, Sebelia found herself rather taken with it.
It seems like it would suit him.
Summoning her courage, Sebelia decided to go through with it. It had been just over six months since her marriage to Dehart. Now that he’s starting to smile when he sees her… Maybe this gift would take their relationship to the next level.
Well, I doubt he’d throw it away.
Sebelia smiled bitterly, remembering Nathan. When she was young, she had saved up money to buy a birthday present to impress her older brother. Of course, that gift had gone straight to the trash can in front of her.
At least my relationship with Dehart isn’t like that.
As a married couple, their relationship was austere, but as a strategic marriage, it was quite decent. Sebelia made up her mind and rose from her seat, placing the necklace inside the box. Dehart was waiting for her in the garden, where the spring flowers were in full bloom.
* * *
“I wasn’t expecting this.”
Sebelia swallowed a sigh as she looked calmly at Dehart sitting across from her. For some reason, he was significantly more well-dressed than usual. He usually found it burdensome and disliked it, yet today his hair was neatly combed over. He even had gloves on as he flipped through the newspaper. Wearing a jacket over his shirt, his well-built physique, usually concealed under a loose shirt, exuded masculinity.
He wasn’t like this yesterday.
Her hand clutching the necklace box twitched awkwardly.
Dehart disliked feeling constricted by formal attire and often preferred casual wear within the estate. He reminded her of a boy she’d known as a child, which made her feel comfortable approaching him. However, suddenly, an inexplicable distance seemed to envelop him. Amidst the unfamiliarity, Sebelia realized something she had been forgetting.
Right. He’s the Duke of Inverness. A man who would never have had a bastard from the Capital in his mansion.
He was just tolerating her presence, she thought. She wondered if she was getting ahead of herself. Sebelia felt her heart sink for a moment.
They say delusion is a sweet disease.
Recalling the words of an old sage, she carefully concealed the box within her sleeve.
Ah, delusion was indeed a frightening ailment. A single pane of colored glass placed over the eyes made everything seem beautiful.
“You haven’t said a word today.”
The frosty voice pierced through her. She lifted her gaze to find a pair of glittering golden eyes staring back at her.
“You’d better get back to your usual rambling if you don’t want rumors that we’re feuding circulating among those gossipmongers.”
Dehart’s words were uttered casually, his hand passing over her like a sharp bird of prey. It was as if he was searching for something. Sebelia fidgeted with her hands, afraid that he might see her gift. But his beastly intuition soon alerted him to her suspicious behavior.
“Come to think of it, I heard you bought something yesterday.”
“…”
“Unless you’re buying jewelry to wear, I don’t see why you’d spend money.” Dehart set down his teacup and tapped the table twice with his finger. “Tell me, my Lady. It’s my duty to ensure you’re not spending frivolously.”
His golden eyes, seemingly focused, pierced through Sebelia. After a moment’s hesitation, she sighed softly and placed the small box she had been hiding on the table. It was a tiny box big enough for only one necklace. For a brief second, a sense of satisfaction flashed across Dehart’s eyes. It was so fleeting that Sebelia didn’t notice.
“What is it?”
“It’s nothing much, just… Your birthday is coming up.”
Dehart caught Sebelia’s hand again as she tried to take the box away.
“Hmm.”
He casually opened the lid, glanced inside, and effortlessly slipped it into his pocket.
“It’s not really my style, but I’ll tolerate it. Maybe I’ll use it one day when I feel like becoming a cleric.”
She wasn’t sure whether that meant he liked it or despised it. Sebelia felt perplexed. However, seeing that he didn’t even try it on, it seemed he probably didn’t like it.
I shouldn’t do things like this in the future.
Unaware of her regret, Dehart rose from his seat. “Let’s go. It’s already getting chilly. Why do you keep sitting until your face turns blue every time?”
The relentless tone was icy. Sebelia trudged back to the mansion, weighed down by dejection.
That night, Dehart was holed up in his study, having a silent battle with the necklace.
