After I Died, My Husband Went Mad [EN]: Chapter 121

The black carriage passed through the gates of the Imperial Palace that morning.

“That’s Duke Inverness’s carriage.”

“I heard he’s been poking around regarding Nathan Weden…”

The eyes of people leisurely strolling through the palace gardens followed the carriage. Amidst the rising whispers, the carriage drove purposefully toward its destination.

Second Prince Shateian, now alone after the Empress’s passing, resided in the Red Crystal Palace. As they approached the rose-colored roof, Sebelia turned her head to look at the opposite side.

Recognizing her gaze, Dihart raised his head. A hint of inquiry flickered in his golden eyes, and as if waiting for her cue, he spoke.

“Are you uncomfortable?”

“I couldn’t be more comfortable.”

Sebelia looked down at the cushions, which were so soft she felt like she was sinking into them. “I could sleep here,” she whispered softly. Beside her, Claude chuckled.

“I agree. I almost fell asleep as soon as I got in the carriage.”

“You too, Claude?”

“Of course. But I was afraid someone would kick me out of the carriage, so I tried hard to keep my eyes open.”

Dihart’s eyes narrowed at Claude’s playful tone.

“Bella isn’t feeling well, so this much preparation is only natural.”

“Who said anything? I just said it’s so fluffy I could fall asleep.”

“……”

Dihart raised an eyebrow, and Claude raised both hands in surrender. Dihart sighed softly. Sebelia had been running a fever several times since manifesting her ability. His concern was entirely justified.

“Bella, don’t mind Claude. If you’re tired, it’s better for your health to take a nap. I put a blanket under the seat, so cover yourself with it.”

“Are you sure? I think Prince Shateian just looked at us from the window.”

Sebelia glanced out the window, and Dihart replied with an unconcerned expression.

“So?”

Sebelia blinked rapidly. Dihart tilted his head at her unreadable gaze.

“If you want, we can take a tour of the Imperial Palace and come back, or we can go back because you’re tired. I can meet him whenever I want.”

The calm voice and composed eyes spoke only the truth. He was the head of the Inverness family, leading the North, and a man of considerable authority. Compared to him, Shateian was merely a prince, albeit born of the Empress, who had not yet ascended the throne.

Even though Shateian was in charge of the investigation of this case, in terms of power and strength, Dihart was overwhelmingly superior.

‘He’s been cooperative so far, but you never know.’

Unexplained kindness is often viewed with suspicion. Dihart’s attitude towards Shateian was cynical.

“So, what do you want?” Dihart asked, ready to turn the carriage around at any moment. Sebelia looked at him with strange eyes and shook her head.

“We need to make a good impression; there’s no need to provoke hostility.”

“Understood. But you must keep in mind that if your condition worsens, we will return immediately.”

Sebelia had taken antipyretics [fever-reducing medication] that morning as well. Dihart scanned her with worried eyes. Sebelia bit her lip involuntarily at his gaze.

“Bella? Are you… not feeling well after all?”

“No!” Sebelia leaned back as if recoiling and waved her hands. Dihart scrutinized her with suspicious eyes. Sebelia fidgeted with her fingertips, desperately avoiding his gaze.

“Really?”

“Yes. Oh, look. Prince Shateian is coming to greet us in person.”

Sebelia forced a smile and turned her head to the window, beads of sweat forming. She felt Dihart’s gaze following her, but she didn’t have the confidence to meet it.

Sebelia sighed inwardly.

‘I don’t know how it came to this.’

She had been like this ever since she realized her lingering feelings.

“I don’t see the guest who’s supposed to be accompanying us. Do we have to go inside to meet them?”

Claude’s clear voice broke the tension. Meanwhile, the carriage passed the large fountain in front of the palace and slowed down.

“There’s no turning back now.”

While Dihart clicked his tongue, Shateian slowly descended the stairs. His white hair, neatly tied back, brushed his shoulders.

“As expected, a lively group. Welcome.”

His red eyes swept over the inside of the carriage and curved gently.

* * *

The palace had a unique atmosphere. Sebelia couldn’t help but be captivated by the exotic busts and ceramics that decorated the interior.

‘His mother was a princess of Rubradi [a fictional kingdom].’

A beautiful empress from Rubradi, located south across the sea. Sebelia recalled her as she watched Shateian’s white hair ahead of her.

The empress who passed away suddenly, leaving young Shateian behind.

‘So that’s why.’

The Red Crystal Palace was originally the Empress’s residence, not a place given to a prince. He must have fought a difficult battle to claim it.

Sebelia felt Shateian’s affection for his mother through the traces of her presence that remained throughout the palace. And she was surprised to find herself feeling melancholic.

‘Have I not let go of my feelings for my mother yet?’ Sebelia walked down the hallway with a dazed feeling. Before long, Shateian stopped walking.

“Before we go in, there’s something I want to tell you.”

Shateian turned around with a soft smile. Dihart glared at him with a displeased expression, but Shateian’s gaze was solely focused on Sebelia.

“Actually, the guest I wanted to introduce to you requested a private meeting.”

“Bella, we should go back now.”

Before Sebelia could react, Dihart stood in front of her.

“You should have told us from the beginning that this was your purpose, Second Prince. If you had, we wouldn’t have made a wasted trip.”

“That wasn’t the only purpose. His Majesty is very interested in what happened that day. Who wouldn’t be interested in the dead treading on the land of the living?”

Shateian shrugged, unfazed by the dark face of the man who suddenly filled his vision.

“However, I was just trying to be considerate of the lady. It was a shocking sight for anyone to recall. So, there’s no need to make the person involved relive that day’s memories.”

Shateian said with a languid smile.

“Especially when she has such a loyal advocate by her side.”

In other words, he wanted Dihart and Sebelia to spend time separately, with Dihart asking questions and Sebelia meeting the guest.

Dihart was dumbfounded. Shateian feigned innocence in front of him, who could only let out a hollow laugh.

“That’s enough. If you have any questions regarding that day, please ask me directly in writing,” Dihart said coldly, turning to leave with Sebelia and Claude. At that moment, Sebelia, who had been watching the situation, spoke.

“Why do you think that guest will be helpful to me, Your Highness?”

“Bella.”

Sebelia raised her hand to stop Dihart’s dissuasion and took a step forward. Shateian watched her with interest. Seeing that, Sebelia suspected that the guest might be more than just an illusionist.

‘There’s no way he would bring me here just to meet an illusionist.’

It was obvious if she thought about it. If he wanted to have an illusionist present, he would have brought him out from the beginning. But Shateian deliberately chose a complicated method.

Sebelia’s blue eyes quietly passed Shateian and stared at the door behind him. The person behind the firmly closed door was definitely not ordinary.

‘But at the same time, someone who will be helpful to me.’

Who could he be? And why does the Second Prince want this meeting? Questions arose in Sebelia’s mind. Then, Shateian’s beautiful voice echoed through the hallway.

“You weren’t the only one who was angry at the exhibition that day.”

“What are you talking about…”

“I’m talking about ‘her’ that Nathan Weden brought.”

Sebelia’s face hardened at Shateian’s mention of her mother. As she stopped breathing, Dihart’s eyes turned fierce. Shateian took a step back as if avoiding an excited beast.

“Oh dear, I clearly said, ‘someone who will be helpful to you.'”

Shateian said, tapping the door with the back of his hand. His lowered voice pierced her ears eerily.

“Decide, Bella Apentz. Whether you will live a peaceful life turning a blind eye to the truth, or whether you will once again throw yourself into the storm.”

“……”

The hesitation didn’t last long. Sebelia took a step forward. Her blue eyes, swirling like waves, moved, leaving a bright blue trail.

“Bella, are you sure?”

“I was fine even in that chaos.”

“That’s…. Haa.”

“I accept Your Highness’s offer.”

Sebelia, who had already arrived at the door, turned to Shateian.

“I must meet the one who shares the same anger as me.”

Shateian suppressed a small laugh at her bold gaze, which seemed to be telling him to open the door.

“Good, good.”

Her angry appearance resembled Balac. Shateian felt a small pleasure in the commonality he had found and placed his hand directly on the doorknob. He couldn’t leave such a pleasant moment to a servant.

“Well, then, have a good time.”

With a light push on her back, Sebelia was standing inside the reception room in the blink of an eye. While she was adjusting to the soft light that filled her vision, she heard a trembling voice.

“Bella, are you Bella Apentz?”

A man with navy blue hair and sky blue eyes was rising from his seat with a face that looked like he was about to burst into tears.