After I Died, My Husband Went Mad [EN]: Chapter 102

The social circles of the capital were buzzing with the appearance of Bella Appenz. The main topic, of course, was whether she was truly the lost daughter of the Weden Marquis or simply someone who resembled her.

But an even more intriguing issue was Dihart’s intentions in keeping someone who looked like the late Duchess by his side.

Was he truly consumed by grief? Had he become some kind of eccentric, seeking solace by keeping a woman who mirrored the deceased Duchess, driven by regret and lingering affection?

However, his behavior towards her was too proper, and his demeanor too composed for such a theory to hold water. Moreover, Bella even had a respectable guardian, her uncle.

As speculation intensified, three days passed since the encounter at the grand theater. Nelia, meticulously dressed early that morning, entered the tea house, basking in the attention she drew.

“Oh my, it’s Lady Nelia. How unexpected; she hasn’t been seen much outside the Imperial Palace lately.”

“Perhaps she wanted a more private rendezvous with the First Prince.”

“Indeed, she’s clearly put extra effort into her appearance. Look at the jewelry she’s wearing. That appears to be the ruby necklace the First Princess Consort recently acquired…”

Subtle whispers reached Nelia’s ears, laced with envy. Sensing this, Nelia smiled radiantly, as she always did. Receiving attention was always gratifying, especially when it was fueled by envy and jealousy.

“It’s been a while, ladies. I trust you’re all having a pleasant time.”

Nelia greeted each person whose gaze met hers, maintaining an air of nobility as she proceeded to a private room. Her light steps reflected her buoyant mood.

[You’re the only one for me, Nelia.]

When she informed her father that Sebelia had been swayed by the mention of their shared parentage and had agreed to meet in three days, her father praised her in a gentle voice. Silas rarely offered praise, making Nelia particularly proud of her accomplishment.

‘I must bring Sebelia back with me today.’

Nelia thought, recalling the small vial in her bag, suppressing a triumphant smile. The new drug, a potent hallucinogen mixed with rare foreign medicinal herbs, could control a person’s actions with just two drops.

‘I hope Sebelia will become a good girl again.’

Thinking of the colorless drug with its unpredictable side effects, Nelia paused before the private room.

“Hoo.”

Feeling her heart pounding, she composed a kind smile—the smile young Sebelia had always adored.

Memories flooded her mind: Sebelia, crying and hiding under the bed after their father scolded her; Sebelia, being dragged by Neitan by the hair, reaching out to her when she found her—foolish, pitiful Sebelia.

[If you had behaved from the start, this wouldn’t have happened. Right, Sebelia? When you stop crying, drink some warm milk and apologize to Father.]

[Yes, Sister……]

The hopeless Sebelia would stop crying as if nothing had happened when patted on the back with a kind smile, accepting her mistakes. And the adults would shower her with praise.

Nelia truly enjoyed that.

Clatter.

So, Nelia wasn’t at all bothered that Sebelia didn’t rise to greet her, instead merely sipping tea.

“It seems I’m on time.”

Because a sweet reward always awaited her after disciplining her pathetic younger sister.

* * *

Nelia, arriving an hour late, smiled as she opened the door and declared,

“It seems I’m on time.”

Sebelia was so taken aback that she didn’t respond. Instead, she took another sip of the tea she had ordered for the third time while Nelia was absent. Even as she did, Nelia stood by the door, staring intently at Sebelia.

Sebelia already felt drained by the intense gaze that seemed to demand an immediate greeting.

‘At this rate, all my energy will be depleted, and I won’t have any left to create an illusion.’

She was already sleep-deprived from the rigorous training she had been undergoing with Claude for the past few days. Sebelia suppressed a sigh, hoping the sensory sharing with the illusion would function properly.

That way, the illusion she had secretly planted on Nelia’s side as a spy would be able to relay all their inner thoughts to her.

While Sebelia gathered her composure, Nelia, her patience wearing thin, said sharply,

“Oh my, Sebelia. I didn’t even expect you to offer me a seat, but not even a greeting? What on earth is wrong with you?”

“Ah, I’m sorry. Please, sit here. I’ve already ordered refreshments, so they’ll be out soon. By the way, it’s been a while, Lady Nelia.”

Forced to offer a greeting, Nelia smiled, appearing pleased. She then launched into a series of condescending remarks.

“Lady? You should call me sister. Your dullness remains unchanged. I suppose some things can’t be fixed, even with hardship. So, are you feeling any better now?”

Nelia made a fuss, stopping as she attempted to sit across from her, realizing there was no servant to assist with her coat and bag.

Her hand, which had momentarily hovered in the air, hesitated before placing the bag next to her. Sebelia’s blue eyes flashed momentarily, but Nelia didn’t notice.

Nelia grumbled and loosened her shawl.

“Oh my, you even chose a place like this for our meeting. Even if you have no taste, who would come to a place like this? I’ve already secured a renowned etiquette teacher. We’ll get you re-educated as soon as we return home.”

Nelia was already outlining her future plans as if Sebelia’s return was a certainty. Sebelia listened to the nonsense with a perfunctory smile before interjecting,

“How kind of you. We’ve only met twice, but I didn’t realize you cared so much about me.”

“Oh, really.”

‘Why do you keep talking as if we’re meeting for the first time?’ Nelia grumbled inwardly, dismissing Sebelia’s words. She waved her hand dismissively, as if embarrassed, and said,

“If you’re just shy, don’t be. We’re family. It’s only natural for a sister to care for her younger sister. Who else cares and worries about you as much as I do?”

At that moment, Sebelia felt a sharp pain in her chest, as if it were being torn apart by sharp teeth.

‘Take care of me and worry about me?’

That couldn’t be further from the truth. Sebelia scoffed inwardly. Unlike Neitan, Nelia had never physically harassed her, but that didn’t equate to genuine care.

To her, she was merely a tool to garner praise from adults as a kind and virtuous older sister.

‘So, the older I got, the less useful I became.’

When Sebelia ceased to be a troublemaking crybaby, Nelia completely lost interest in her, until the moment she took the medicine and committed suicide in Hillend Hall.

“…You cared so much for your sister that you didn’t even attend her funeral?”

Sebelia placed her teacup down and spoke in an unnervingly calm voice. Nelia, startled by the change in tone, looked up at her.

“How absurd.”

The cold gaze pierced Nelia’s composure. Feeling a chill, Nelia shuddered. She resented Sebelia for eliciting such a reaction and gritted her teeth.

‘Is this child truly insane?’

She had heard the story that Sebelia had faked her death and run away because she hated life in the North, but Nelia couldn’t understand why she was bearing the brunt of it.

However, she couldn’t ruin the atmosphere by scolding her now. She needed to keep Sebelia here until the time her father had specified.

Hiding her true feelings, Nelia looked at Sebelia with soft, affectionate eyes. She even leaned forward and took Sebelia’s hand.

“Sebelia, I know you’re angry, but what’s the point of dwelling on the past now? We’re simply doing what you wanted. You hated the name Sebelia and discarded it, so we’re just trying to accommodate you. Why are you misinterpreting Father’s sincerity?”

“Are you being sincere right now?”

“Stop venting and let’s go back. I’ve moved your room and redecorated it. I even put up the pure white cloud wallpaper you’ve been talking about since you were little. How about it? Don’t you want to see it right away? Huh?”

Sebelia was dumbfounded by the saccharine voice, as if she were coaxing a child. Even if the voice and attitude were like that, pure white cloud wallpaper… How old did Nelia think she was?

‘I’d rather deal with Neitan.’

Sebelia felt a headache coming on from trying to communicate with someone so unreasonable. It seemed best to cease arguing and proceed with her plan. Sebelia sighed and rose from her seat, steadying herself on the chair.

Whitish smoke emanated from her fingertips, transforming into a small feather, fluttering gently. It was an illusion sharing senses with Sebelia.

“I think I’ve been sitting for too long. I’m going to get some fresh air for a while.”

Sebelia nonchalantly hid the illusion under the table and walked out into the hallway. Even then, Nelia’s resentful gaze felt like it would bore a hole in her cheek, making her stomach churn.

* * *

The sound of Sebelia’s footsteps faded as she moved down the hallway. Nelia held her breath, waiting for her to completely leave the hallway. When the sound of footsteps disappeared, Nelia sighed, feigning disappointment.

“I really didn’t want to resort to this. Honestly, a child going through a late puberty is too difficult to handle.”

However, contrary to her regretful tone, she smiled brightly and retrieved the vial as if she had been waiting for this moment.

“I just hope you don’t become an idiot, my sister.”

Thud.

Nelia added two drops to Sebelia’s teacup and, just in case, instructed the staff to bring a fresh pot of tea. When the steaming teapot arrived, Nelia poured the remaining drug into it.

“Hoo.”

Just as the boiling steam began to dissipate, Sebelia opened the door and re-entered.

“I apologize for keeping you waiting so long.”

“No, I thought the tea might have gotten cold, so I ordered a new pot. It must have been chilly outside, so drink it quickly.”

Sebelia smiled softly and picked up the teacup. The sound of the moderately cooled tea traveling down her esophagus echoed in the private room.

“Oh my, you’re just like you were when you were little.”

A white feather flickered on Nelia’s neck, tracing a deep arc.