After I Died, My Husband Went Mad [EN]: Chapter 63

The conversation flowed smoothly, a testament to their mutual honesty. Claude admitted to being an Inverness family member but stopped short of revealing he was Dihart’s youngest uncle.

After his name was stricken from the family tree, Claude became a non-entity within the Inverness lineage. Explaining his existence would necessitate delving into the circumstances surrounding Dihart’s parents’ death—a narrative Claude deemed unnecessary for Sebelia.

‘She’s someone who even staged a funeral to escape Hillend Hall.’

There was little point in burdening someone who fled Inverness out of sheer aversion with the intricacies of his past. Instead, he offered a carefully crafted introduction:

“I am the son of Count Bairen, and uncle to the late Duke Gilland. Though illegitimate and excluded from the family tree, I spent much of my youth with Dihart.”

“Ah, that explains it.”

Sebelia nodded, picturing the two men who appeared to be of similar age. Their close bond, akin to brotherhood, clarified Dihart’s distress during his illness.

Sebelia’s gaze shifted, now tinged with understanding. Sensing her scrutiny, Claude tilted his head, then exclaimed as if struck by a sudden realization.

“You likely needn’t worry about the knights stationed in Suppredy.”

“Really? Don’t tell me…”

“Dihart has instructed them not to search for you. Your concerns are unfounded.”

Claude’s smile held a hint of bitterness. Relief washed over Sebelia, and she took a steadying breath.

“That’s a load off my mind.”

“Were you planning a trip to Suppredy?”

“…….”

Sebelia hesitated, then nodded slightly. Claude sighed. This pair—or rather, former pair—possessed a unique talent for causing headaches.

“You must understand the dangers of traversing the forest and mountain alone, Miss Bella.”

“I wouldn’t be reckless. Besides, I’ve decided to postpone my trip until I’ve fully recovered.”

Sebelia shrugged. Claude frowned, his gaze scrutinizing her before shaking his head in resignation.

“Alright, the matter is settled. When do you intend to go to Suppredy?”

In truth, Sebelia’s travel plans were of little consequence to Claude. However, Dihart’s silent command loomed large.

‘Stop staring. You’ll get caught, you bastard.’

He glanced at Dihart, whose figure was barely visible through a gap in the curtains, before quickly averting his eyes. Sebelia was outlining her plans.

“You intend to visit the post office? I see. I was planning a trip to Suppredy myself. Let’s travel together in two days, perhaps have lunch there.”

As Sebelia expressed her gratitude and turned toward the storage room, Dihart vanished from behind the curtain with astonishing speed.

“Tsk…….”

Forget any resemblance to Gilland. Claude clicked his tongue and headed toward the mansion.

* * *

Having confirmed Sebelia’s entry through the back door, Dihart silently returned to his seat, his breath heavy.

“Bella.”

Dihart’s eyelashes fluttered as he uttered ‘Bella’ instead of ‘Sebelia.’ A fleeting sadness flickered in his golden eyes, hidden in shadow.

Five days had passed since his last glimpse of Sebelia. Contrary to her assumptions, he wasn’t merely wallowing in unrequited feelings.

Dihart was dedicating himself to ensuring that she, now choosing to live as Bella, could safeguard her future.

“But I can’t suppress the urge to see her.”

He swallowed a bitter smile and picked up a pen. He couldn’t fathom his past behavior, the mental state that allowed him to pursue her so relentlessly. He was a sinner, and how could he so brazenly disregard that fact and attempt to claim her as his own?

Sebelia’s final words, coupled with the reports from Illei and Claude regarding the situation at Hillend Hall, had brought him to this realization.

‘Even if she forgets everything, I won’t.’

Gren, Rasch, and Flora—the sinners who, after him, had harmed Sebelia and driven her to her demise. He couldn’t allow them to escape Hillend Hall unscathed.

And…….

‘No. Don’t indulge in such thoughts, Dihart.’

His priority was not sentimentality. He couldn’t afford such luxuries. Dihart gritted his teeth.

* * *

The day for the trip to Suppredy arrived. Sebelia, her heart pounding, packed her wallet and letter and waited for Claude in the living room. He had gone to the laboratory, mentioning he had to pick something up from Wartz.

“No, come here!”

With a thump, Maya descended the stairs like a furry projectile, moving too fast for Sebelia to track.

“Muck!”

Maya, proudly uttering the strange sound, settled onto her lap, glancing at Dihart on the landing as if in triumph.

“…….”

“…….”

A silence, thick and heavy, descended upon the living room. Neither spoke, neither even considered it.

They simply gazed at each other, each absorbing the other’s presence without pretense or disguise.

The sound of Claude’s return from the underground laboratory broke the spell. Dihart’s face, which had been fixed on Sebelia, crumbled.

“Then, goodbye…….”

Surprised by his own words, he covered his mouth with his hand and retreated up the stairs. Sebelia watched his retreating figure before turning her attention to Maya.

“…You little troublemaker.”

With a gentle smile, she stroked Maya’s head. With a clear ‘yaong,’ Maya spat out an object and lay on her back, exposing her belly.

The saliva-covered object fell under the sofa with a soft thud. As Sebelia reached for it, Claude called out.

“Miss Bella, let’s go.”

“Ah, yes.”

Sebelia casually picked up the object, wiped it with a handkerchief, and followed him. Only then did she recognize the familiar item.

‘Wait, this is…’

Sebelia stared at the shining cross in disbelief. A silver cross adorned with a blue jewel—the birthday gift she had given Dihart.

‘Why does he have this?’

“Miss Bella, let’s go!”

Claude’s voice echoed from outside the door. Sebelia hastily pocketed the cross and followed him, her eyes briefly flicking toward the spot where Dihart had stood.

* * *

Claude halted at the edge of the safe zone, where the Nightmare Forest began. Sebelia, trailing behind, stopped as well.

“Mr. Claude?”

“Ah, um. Just a moment.”

Claude covered his mouth, looking flustered. He had forgotten that he usually traveled to the village alone, disguising his appearance with illusions. This time, however, Sebelia was with him.

‘What should I do?’

Claude crossed his arms and groaned. He should have anticipated this, but he had been preoccupied. He clicked his tongue and turned to face her.

“Miss Bella.”

“Yes.”

Sebelia tilted her head, looking up at him. His serious gaze made her uneasy. Not knowing what he was about to say, Sebelia grew nervous.

She was taken aback by his next words, nearly dropping her bag.

“Miss Bella, I apologize for not disclosing this sooner. The truth is, I’m being pursued for… complicated reasons. I need to prepare before we continue.”

“Yes?”

“Could you wait here for a moment? It won’t be long.”

Claude decided on a direct approach, even if it seemed audacious. He trusted that Sebelia, based on her behavior thus far, wouldn’t carelessly reveal his secrets.

He left Sebelia and disappeared behind a thick tree. Moments later, a middle-aged man emerged in his place.

Startled, Sebelia exclaimed,

“Mr. Claude?”

“It’s me.”

Claude casually walked toward her. Even his voice had changed.

“I didn’t realize you were a wizard.”

“Um, well…. It’s not something I advertise.”

In reality, it was illusion, not magic, but Claude glossed over the detail. Confessing that he was also an illusionist seemed awkward now.

‘Besides, I won’t see her again once she leaves the laboratory.’

Sebelia would likely depart as soon as she recovered. With her relationship with Dihart seemingly over, nothing would keep her here.

‘Yes, this is a fitting end.’

Claude picked up the bag Sebelia had dropped and resumed leading the way, a faint light emanating from the pendant around his neck, illuminating their path.

Sebelia quietly followed, then suddenly asked as if struck by a thought,

“Is that why you were embarrassed when I called your name that time?”

“When are you referring to?”

“When you hurried down the stairs and almost fell. After I helped you to your room, you seemed surprised when I called you Claude instead of Cardy.”

“Ah…….”

Claude nodded, recalling the incident.

“Miss Bella’s guess is correct. There are individuals who hold me in low regard for various reasons. I conceal my real name as a precaution.”

“I understand. I’m sorry, you must have been startled.”

“No, it’s alright.”

“But in a way, it’s quite remarkable. It turns out we were both concealing our names.”

‘What’s truly remarkable is that we are both illegitimate children and illusionists.’

Claude suppressed the truth and chuckled softly. Sebelia followed him, oblivious. Their footsteps echoed through the dimly lit forest.