After I Died, My Husband Went Mad [EN]: Chapter 9

After the news spread about the alleged appearance of the first Duchess’s ghost, a palpable gloom settled over the mansion. Ironically, Severia’s treatment improved noticeably. She found the situation rather amusing.

She ran a hand through her hair, recalling the elaborate meal the maid had personally served her that morning.

“It was more effective than I anticipated.”

It had been quite some time since she had tasted meat so richly seasoned.

“It’s proof that everyone is taking the curse seriously.”

Belita Inverness, the first Duchess. To be honest, Severia struggled to comprehend her as a vengeful spirit.

Belita Inverness, beheaded by her beloved husband. Yet, she couldn’t relinquish her love for him. Ultimately, she transformed into a twisted, malevolent spirit, fueled by both hatred for her husband and an inability to let go of her affection, even in death. Belita, who became a parasitic spirit within the mansion, manifested across generations, cursing and killing innocent people.

Knock, knock.

“Madam, I’ve brought your tea.”

“Ah, come in.”

“…Yes.”

The maid entered with a sullen expression, as if she hadn’t fully overcome her resentment.

She hesitated intermittently, seemingly regretting her actions, but eventually completed her task.

“I’ll be on my way, then.”

Before Severia knew it, the small table was laden with a lavish spread, fit for a fancy tea time.

Dishes with gold-trimmed edges and dainty, exquisite refreshments. And a teapot filled with fragrant tea.

Faced with this stark change in treatment, Severia felt more emptiness than joy.

“Fear trumps hatred.”

The Duchesses who succumbed to Belita’s curse sometimes became vengeful spirits themselves, influenced by her.

In the end, the servants feared dying and becoming another malevolent spirit, dragging them down with them.

“A dead Duchess wields more influence than a living one.”

Severia chuckled softly before taking a sip of tea.

“It smells lovely.”

A timely tea time was a luxury for her, who had been treated as an unwelcome presence in the mansion. Considering she had to be cautious even to request tea just days ago, this was a significant improvement.

‘That’s how terrifying the first Duchess is.’

She recalled Belita’s portrait hanging in the hallway.

Happily smiling at the viewer, her long, night-sky-black hair flowing down as she held her husband’s hand placed on her shoulder. Oblivious to the fate that awaited her. Still, she was better off than Severia herself.

‘Because she was loved, even if only for a moment.’

It was a love that ended in tragedy due to misunderstanding, but it was still love nonetheless.

‘But I didn’t even have a chance at that.’

Before she could even imagine what love might be like, she was deprived of all possibilities.

[I will never trust you as a person again.]

By the man who looked down at her with arrogant golden eyes.

[You know best why. So… give up your futile dreams.]

[Dihart, please….]

[The day we sleep together like an ordinary couple will never come.]

Severia gazed into the bottom of the teacup, recalling the man who dismissed her with indifferent eyes. The dried tea leaves seemed to mock her unfortunate life.

* * *

“We need to find out who used their influence to get such trashy content published.”

Dihart, leaning back in his armchair, said to Ryan.

“There’s no way they would publish such ridiculously provocative content without careful consideration.”

Dihart sneered coldly. The names of several nobles flashed through his mind.

Ryan nodded and wiped his face repeatedly with a damp towel.

The dried blood didn’t come off easily. Ryan sighed and splashed water directly on his face.

“You’re splashing water.”

“I’m sorry.”

Ryan roughly wiped the water off with a towel in response to Dihart’s annoyance.

“By the way, it’s a very low-class trick for those who pretend to be so refined.”

“That’s how those guys are.”

Dihart sneered as he cut a cigar.

“Why are those central guys so obsessed with perfume? It’s because they reek of rot all over their bodies.”

The voice whispering leisurely was like a swamp filled with poison. Dihart, who took a deep puff of the cigar, exhaled smoke and looked out the window. Just in time, the bell announcing the morning was awakening the city.

“Oh.”

Between his disheveled hair, his golden eyes narrowed.

“By now, those trash should have been discovered too. Go and check it out.”

Ryan nodded and left the room. Dihart was about to unfold the newspaper when he turned his head at the feeling of being watched.

“…….”

He made eye contact with a nameless bird. He exchanged glances with its green eyes for a moment before turning his head again.

And not long after, Ryan returned.

“Master.”

“Oh, Dihart.”

“…Uncle.”

With an unexpected guest.

* * *

Dihart, who didn’t expect to meet Rasch in a place like this, frowned slightly. On the other hand, Rasch looked at him with a worried expression on his wrinkled face. Ryan explained the circumstances of how the two met.

“I was watching the irredeemable guys from a distance, and Lord Rasch found me first.”

“I saw Ryan, who was with you, alone, so I came to see if something had happened to you. I had a hunch….”

Rasch drooped his shoulders as if recalling the scene he had seen on the street just now. For a moment, he felt the hardships of being an uncle from him. He soon wrapped his arm around Dihart’s shoulder and continued.

“Let’s change places for now. I can’t leave you alone in a shabby place like this. Would it be okay to move right now?”

Dihart stared intently at Rasch with golden eyes that didn’t reveal his thoughts. But Rasch just looked back at him with eyes that seemed to be worried sick about him.

“Hoo….”

Dihart, who sighed, swept his hair up and said.

“Okay. Go back for now. Tell Ryan the address.”

“Let’s go together now.”

“I have to pack my things.”

“I’ll send a servant to pack your things later.”

“No, I’ll pack them myself.”

Dihart, who spoke as if cutting off each word, removed Rasch’s hand from his shoulder and distanced himself.

“Don’t you hate other people touching your things?”

Dihart, who ushered Rasch out with an astonished face, closed his eyes with an annoyed expression. At that moment, a faint singing voice grabbed his attention.

“…….”

The gap between his closed eyes widened, and his golden eyes turned to the nameless bird.

Then, as if to show off, the bird made eye contact with him and sang.

‘Damn bird.’

How long has it been since I paid the price, and now you’re letting me hear the sound? Besides, such a faint melody in this situation. It was as if the bird was mocking him.

‘I thought it was just a similar color, but it really does resemble him.’

Recalling someone who couldn’t do a single thing to please him, Dihart lifted the birdcage.

* * *

“There’s a ghost in the mansion?”

Gren asked, staying by Flora’s side, who was confined to her bed. She had left to clean up what Rasch had done and had just returned. The maid lowered her head with a face that didn’t know what to say.

“Yes…. The ghost of the first Duchess has appeared.”

“You must have seen something that wasn’t there.”

Gren dismissed it with a wave of her hand. Then Flora, who was groaning in bed, opened her eyes wide and glared at her.

“Don’t you believe me?”

“Oh, Flora.”

Gren sighed, holding her head.

She didn’t know how to deal with her reckless daughter.

“Originally, when you have a fever, you hear strange things and see things you can’t see.”

“I didn’t hallucinate because of the fever!”

Flora shouted, throwing down the wet towel she had been holding to her forehead.

“It was really Belita’s ghost. And you, why don’t you tell the rest of the story? It came out a few more times after that.”

“Is Flora’s story true?”

Gren asked in a reproachful tone. The maid hesitated and nodded.

“Yes, I didn’t see it myself, but there were others who saw the ghost two or three times after that.”

“See, Mother.”

Flora, who had found a witness besides herself, raised her chin and said.

“I’m not scared of that bastard.”

“Hmph…….”

Gren’s green eyes swept past the maid and Flora.

“It’s too soon to say that.”

It was inevitable to suspect Severia’s actions.

Belita’s ghost, which had not appeared in previous generations.

Not only did the ghost suddenly appear in front of Severia, but it also exerted influence.

In the end, because of her frightened daughter, they had to open the vault and replenish Severia’s dowry that she had embezzled.

If it was just that, she wouldn’t have had to step in herself….

‘We must not let the servants become afraid and side with that bastard.’

The reason why she had left Severia alone until now was because she had no presence. But after the ghost appeared, the servants voluntarily began to treat her as ‘Duchess’.

It meant that her presence was growing. This series of events was very dangerous for her, who was acting on her behalf.

‘I shouldn’t have sent my husband away, tsk. I should have had at least one person stay in place.’

Anyway, she knew that he wouldn’t be able to respond properly even if he was there. Because he always wanted to entrust her with important tasks.

That’s how she was able to easily take over the duchy. Still, she couldn’t help but feel regretful. Gren, who frowned, got up from her seat and said.

“I think I’ll have to meet her in person.”

“You’re not saying you’re going to meet a ghost, are you?”

Flora muttered in a nonchalant tone. Then Gren replied cheerfully.

“It would be nice to meet her on the way. I’ve always been curious.”

“Mother!”

Gren laughed as if she was cute when Flora shuddered.

“Don’t worry. What you’re thinking won’t happen.”

“That’s a relief.”