After I Died, My Husband Went Mad - Chapter 38
Denisa and Sebelia decided to part ways temporarily as a precautionary measure. In case someone harbored suspicions about her death and investigated further, naturally, they would first seek out Denisa.
“Then let’s meet again in a month.”
“Yes. Actually, you could stay longer…”
Sebelia’s words sparked a flicker of concern in Denisa.
“You know I’ve spent more time with you than with my own family, right?”
“…I know, of course.”
Sebelia embraced Denisa with a charming smile. Truth be told, she was inwardly anxious. She’d never been away from Denisa for this long, except when she’d been abandoned at the monastery.
Sebelia earnestly appealed to Denisa, “Still, there’s no need for you to come back too early. Meet up with the friends you haven’t seen in the Capital…and then return.”
“That goes for you too, young lady. Don’t rush. Send a letter as soon as you arrive.”
“Got it.”
After bidding farewell to Denisa, Sebelia returned home, packed her belongings, and prepared to leave. Even if it was only for a short time, being here reminded her of what it was like to have a real home.
“Now I know what it’s like to have a home I want to go back to.”
She closed the window and locked the door with a look of pride on her face. Then, as Denisa had taught her, she boarded the carriage and set out on the road to the East.
“I have one relative in the East,” she said, “and it’s a nice place to live, where disasters don’t show up as often.”
Sebelia engaged in conversation with the middle-aged woman seated across from her just ten minutes ago, yet it felt as if they had been friends for a decade.
“She’s quite amiable,” Sebelia continued.
“Here, have some of this. You look too thin, miss.”
“Thank you.”
Sebelia willingly accepted a shiny, ripe apple.
This is a good start.
Despite Denisa’s worries, she had a hunch that only good things would come of this.
If only it could stay like this until we reach the East.
With an excited flutter in her chest, Sebelia smiled faintly. Sometimes she would cough up blood because of her illness, but…
Every day since leaving Hillend had felt like a dream.
* * *
The manor was a desolate sight in the dark of night. Not only had the Duke gone mad and set the mansion ablaze, but he also attempted to burn people alive.
“Ugh…”
Servants tossed and turned, moaning in distress. Some lay wide-eyed, unable to sleep. No wonder, so much had happened in one night.
“…”
While everyone else was plagued by their own nightmares, a man cautiously made his way through the silent east wing. It was Ryan. He walked slowly, his calm dark eyes scanning every corner.
Suddenly, he stopped.
“Sir Ryan.”
“Lucen.”
A knight on patrol approached him with a greeting. Ryan returned the salute without a second thought. For a brief moment, there was an awkwardness between them. Ryan was somewhat puzzled but soon realized the reason. Lucen was one of the knights who had tried to capture him on Flora’s orders.
“Well, then.”
However, Ryan bore no grudges. As a knight of the family, sometimes he had to do things against his will. Moreover, given Dehart’s current condition, there was no room to quibble over trivial matters.
“Well, Sir Ryan.”
But the man called Lucen seemed to have business with him. Ryan turned his head to look at him.
“What’s the matter?”
“…Lady Glenn is going to stay by Miss Flora’s side tonight. Miss Flora has been feeling restless and Lady Glenn thinks she shouldn’t be left alone.”
The words came out without context, and Ryan gave him a hard look. Lucen hesitated, clenched his fist, and bowed his head.
“I’ll finish my patrol then.”
Lucen turned and disappeared with a quick stride. Ryan briefly observed his retreating figure and then turned his head towards a certain direction – Glenn’s bedroom hastily arranged in the east wing.
* * *
It was only by chance that Ryan happened to see Glenn in a rush. It was on his way to clean up after barely subduing Dehart and ensuring he was safely placed somewhere.
“That’s…”
However, wasn’t Glenn supposed to be lying pale-faced, surrounded by maids and physicians in the main house, recovering from whatever had affected her?
She was definitely passed out the last time I saw her.
In that short time, she apparently regained her senses and went to the main hall of all places.
Ryan narrowed his eyes. Glenn emerging from the charred building was catching her breath. She was holding something tightly against her chest, stooping over slightly.
“Haah…ha…”
For a moment, a devilish grin tugged at the corners of Glenn’s mouth. Then she lifted her head, looking around to see if anyone was around.
Ryan immediately hid himself and observed her movements. On closer inspection, Glenn seemed to be holding something—a small jewelry box.
She went in and out of the still-smoldering building because of that?
It must have been as precious as life itself, otherwise the proud Lady Glenn would not have undertaken such a laborious task.
Ryan straightened his clothes and watched Glenn walk away as if nothing had happened, hardening his resolve.
That might be useful.
