After I Died, My Husband Went Mad [EN]: Chapter 127

After returning from his covert mission in the Marlene district, Chateian’s first news was that the Emperor himself would host a banquet.

The Emperor even expressed his intention to attend, despite his failing health, which made Chateian scoff. It was clear this was meant to bolster the position of Empress Il, the true star of the banquet, and Prince Dillian.

Therefore, Chateian, despite being the Empress’s legitimate son, felt quite displeased the next day, as he had yet to be promised the title of Crown Prince.

“I don’t want to work.”

He shuffled through documents, slumping back in his chair with a listless expression. Ludmil sighed beside him.

“You must deal with these quickly to dismantle Empress Il’s faction, Your Highness.”

“I know that, so don’t nag me.”

Chateian grumbled and collapsed onto his desk. Ludmil shook his head at his ever-changing demeanor. He would have preferred clinging to Balak’s trouser leg and returning home with him.

Oblivious to his feelings, Chateian began to play with his hands. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting various shadow shapes on the desk according to his gestures.

A butterfly, a fox, and a bird. Chateian, who had been flapping his hands, suddenly stopped. His red eyes slowly moved towards the large window facing the garden.

A slender figure was faintly visible beyond the white curtains.

‘I will go,’ Ludmil signed, having silently walked to the desk. Chateian slowly shook his head and rose from his seat.

As he flung open the door, a soft exclamation echoed. Chateian recognized the uninvited guest and raised his eyebrows.

The innocent-looking woman with long, unkempt black hair cascading down her shoulders was the one he had seen yesterday when he went to check on Prince Hares’ antics.

‘Wasn’t she said to be the only daughter of a rural baron [a nobleman holding a relatively low rank]?’

The woman who followed Prince Hares, the Third Imperial Prince, with hurried steps, wearing a large hat pulled low. He had heard from his informant that Hares had met her while traveling and brought her back after falling in love at first sight, but it sounded too romantic to be believed.

“You seem to have lost your way, Miss. This is the Red Crystal Palace, not the Silver Lily Palace where the Third Imperial Prince resides.”

“Ah, so you know me.”

The woman exclaimed. Chateian paused for a moment before speaking gently.

“Hmm. How could I not? You are soon to be marrying my brother.”

The woman blushed at those words, then seemed to realize who he was. There were only two people who could refer to Prince Hares as their brother.

“I have committed a discourtesy to Your Highness. My name is Rosaline Valerie.”

Chateian’s eyes narrowed slightly at her graceful demeanor, even as she lowered her head. It was too natural a bearing for a mere daughter of a rural baron.

He turned his head and called for Ludmil.

“Escort the Lady to the Silver Lily Palace.”

“I couldn’t possibly impose. It was my carelessness that led me to stray.”

“Aren’t we about to become family? And I trust you will understand my situation, as I cannot send you alone.”

The woman’s eyes widened, and she covered her mouth with her hand. Although she was the one who had gotten lost, she worried that this sight might be misinterpreted by others, leading to uncomfortable rumors for both of them.

“Then I shall ask for your favor, Your Highness.”

She tilted her head slightly, seemingly embarrassed by her belated realization. Beneath her slender eyelashes, her eyes sparkled in the sunlight.

“Not at all, it’s only natural.”

Chateian smiled and saw her off. He continued to smile for a while even after the woman had left.

‘A brazen provocation, or a clumsy warning?’

Chateian, who had thrown himself onto the long sofa, blinked languidly. The sun-like eyes remained vivid in his mind. Suppressing another burst of laughter, he slowly closed his eyes.

One heading to the Silver Lily Palace can never reach his palace. Because the princes’ residences are located far from the Empress’s palace.

Therefore, the Lady’s visit today clearly had a purpose.

‘Could it be….’

Was it not a coincidence that their eyes had met that day? Chateian’s eyes gleamed with interest as he recalled the golden eyes that had been gently shining beneath the wide hat.

* * *

The news that the Emperor, who was currently ill, would personally host a banquet was officially announced. This caused a great stir among the nobles. Everyone knew that the Imperial Family was doing this to distance themselves from the Weden Marquis family’s scandal, but they didn’t seem to dislike it.

On the other hand, the families of the victims were mostly displeased. However, when Chateian stepped forward to support the Emperor’s decision, the discontent quickly subsided. He said that he was able to easily capture Neithan because the Emperor had entrusted the case to him.

“What would have happened if my brother had been in charge of this matter?”

Saying that, there was nothing they could do. People accepted the forced rest given by the Emperor. In fact, they were secretly getting tired of it.

So, people didn’t pay much attention to the person the Third Prince brought back with him after finishing his foreign travels. The Third Prince had less presence compared to his older brothers.

“His fiancée?”

“Yes, he seems to be deeply in love.”

Severia’s eyes widened in surprise. She had heard that the woman the Third Prince had met and brought back during his travels was the daughter of a humble rural baron family.

She had heard that she was talented in painting and had come to the capital to get support, but it seemed there was another purpose.

“A rural girl and a prince’s meeting. It’s a very romantic story.”

Besides sensational scandals, this kind of heartwarming story was quite popular in the capital. Dihart nodded in agreement.

“Everyone was secretly expecting something, so the atmosphere is welcoming. The Third Prince has been known to have no desire for imperial power from the beginning, so it feels like it turned out well.”

“Ah, so the world was already guessing about their relationship?”

“The rumor that Empress Il personally takes care of her has spread widely.”

“Oh my.”

Severia was a little surprised. Empress Il was a passive person with no ambition and rarely left the palace. If such a woman openly took the baron’s daughter around and showed her affection, she must have liked her very much.

“I’m looking forward to their wedding. I guarantee that afterwards, the bookstores will be filled with fairy tales about them.”

Her blue eyes sparkled. Dihart, who had been quietly watching her, suddenly looked up and checked the time.

“It’s almost time for people to arrive.”

“Is it already that late?”

It was a banquet hosted by the Emperor. It was natural to have new clothes made. Severia got up from her seat with a slightly weary expression. The only good thing was that Denisa was away.

Severia hoped that Denisa would return as late as possible and slowly left the reception room. Dihart watched her leave for a long time before lowering his eyes as he felt a tug on his sleeve.

Tweet-.

“……?”

It was Severia’s familiar [an animal companion with magical abilities], Etira. Dihart frowned as he looked at the small bird that had not yet learned to speak, despite being given a name.

“What is it?”

The bird, which had been scurrying on his hand, spread its wings and flew up, landing familiarly on Dihart’s head. Before Dihart could let out a bewildered laugh, Etira pulled on his hair.

“Ugh!”

As if directing him towards the door, Dihart had no choice but to grit his teeth and open the door. He was met by Ilay, who was walking down the hallway with a tense expression.

“Duke.”

“What’s wrong?”

Dihart asked, barely containing Etira in his hand. Ilay approached him, unable to relax his stiff mouth. A low whisper reached Dihart’s ear.

“Mrs. Gren has appeared.”

In the meantime, Gren had taken refuge in the Rims Marquis’ territory and had not stepped out of the mansion. She remained holed up inside, summoning key figures from the Inverness family and plotting something dark among themselves.

For her to suddenly come out of the mansion, it must be a very important matter. The face of Roden flashed through Dihart’s mind.

“I couldn’t watch closely, so I didn’t capture the exact circumstances, but could it be that she realized Roden was caught?”

Ilay also had the same thought. Hearing his words, Dihart paused to organize his thoughts.

‘If so, that means her informants have spread to the capital. Did Mrs. Gren have that many subordinates?’

The calm golden eyes disappeared beneath his eyelids. A burnt letter envelope came to his mind. It was Gren’s letter that she had tried to send to the underground organization to instigate Severia’s assassination.

‘I need to investigate Gren’s surroundings more deeply, and…….’

Dihart suddenly scanned Ilay up and down. Ilay tilted his head at the gaze that seemed to be measuring something. Dihart opened his mouth with a hmm.

“Come to think of it, I heard you’re quite skilled at horseback riding.”

“Ah, did Sir Lyon say that? I’m embarrassed, but I’m quite good at it.”

Dihart said, watching Ilay accept the unexpected compliment as if he had been waiting for it.

“That’s reassuring. Then four days should be enough to get to Hillend Hall.”

“……Yes?”

Dihart tilted his head, staring intently at his pale face.

“Didn’t you say you were good at it?”

Ilay hesitated. His superior gave him tasks that were exactly at his level of ability. With his skills, four days would be enough to get to Hillend Hall. The problem was that it was only possible if he ate, slept, and rested on horseback and ran like crazy.

“This is something only you can do. Immediately run to Hillend Hall and tell Lyon to start investigating the underground organization that colluded with Lord Rasch. There are already secured evidence, so it won’t be difficult.”

Dihart smiled and grabbed Ilay’s shoulder. As if not giving him time to worry, his steps towards the office were firm.

“Lo, Lord.”

“I believe you can do it, Ilay. Lyon wouldn’t have pushed a cousin who couldn’t even do that much to my side. Wouldn’t he?”

He was completely caught. Dihart smiled, raising the corners of his mouth, glancing at Ilay’s pale face. Etira, who had already climbed onto his shoulder, wagged its tail feathers as if enjoying it.

* * *

A few days later, the day of the banquet that the entire capital had been waiting for arrived. Dihart waited for Severia in front of the carriage. After a while, the sound of a small bird chirping and footsteps were heard.

The moment Dihart raised his head, Severia’s blue eyes froze.

“……!”