After I Died, My Husband Went Mad [EN]: Chapter 13

I had an ominous feeling today.

Sevelia, who was inspecting the illusion that would become her corpse, lifted her head, feeling uneasy.

“Something’s wrong.”

Under the bright sunlight, the air, which should have been warm, was flickering ominously. She left the fake corpse on the bed and got up. Then, she slowly approached the window. Peeking out through the lowered curtains, her chest rose and fell rapidly.

‘That’s…’

It was a shaman.

A man in a gray robe was loitering around the detached building. Thanks to his unusual attire, Sevelia was able to recognize his identity at once.

‘Why a shaman? Ah…!’

Sevelia realized that the curse plaguing the mansion had finally brought them here.

Their worries and fears had reached their limit.

“Damn it…”

Sevelia quickly recalled what she knew about shamans and sighed in relief. Fortunately, shamans didn’t have much contact with illusion magic. Their domain was mainly limited to curses, barriers, and herbs.

“But I can’t just sit back and watch.”

Sevelia carefully observed the shaman, changing her position so that he wouldn’t spot her. Fortunately, he was just circling around the detached building today, perhaps for a check, without any special tools.

Shamans wielded powers that were different from illusions. He might not be able to see through the illusion magic, but… she could end up being trapped in the detached building if she wasn’t careful.

‘They might imprison me under the pretext of lifting the curse.’

Reaching that thought, Sevelia quickly ran down the stairs and grabbed Denisa, who was preparing dinner.

“Denisa!”

Denisa, who was stirring the ladle, turned around in surprise. Seeing Sevelia’s urgent expression, Denisa was startled and threw off her apron.

“What’s wrong?”

“We’re going to execute the plan tonight.”

“Yes?”

The scheduled date was two days later, but Sevelia sensed it. Tonight was the night to end everything.

“I’m sorry for changing the plan, but there’s a shaman outside. Contact the people we’ve secured right away.”

“Understood.”

Denisa, who immediately understood the situation at the word ‘shaman,’ grabbed her coat and left the detached building. Sevelia, left alone, clasped her pale fingertips together and took a trembling breath.

“It’ll be alright.”

She thought of the fake corpse lying upstairs and the things she had prepared for her escape.

“I can do it.”

Pressing her forehead against her clasped hands for a long time, she soon got up and went to her room. With a determined expression, she began to write something on a piece of paper.

The final stage of a successful death was writing a will.

* * *

“Dihart, calm down. I don’t understand why you’re doing this.”

Inside a room surrounded by thick walls.

Lash, leaving the man who had been beaten to a pulp behind, spoke in a trembling voice. He was greatly surprised by Dihart’s actions, who had suddenly broken down the door without a word and turned the man into a bloody mess.

“Yes, I understand. You must be very disappointed that I frequent such places. But, you see, I have my reasons.”

Lash suppressed his resentment deep inside and continued to make excuses.

He interpreted Dihart’s violent behavior as simply being worried about him. He firmly believed in Dihart’s affection and trust towards him. After all, he was like a father who had raised him himself.

‘I need to get him out of here before that guy wakes up…’

Lash, swallowing hard, quickly glanced at the sprawled guild master.

It was at that moment.

“Uncle.”

Dihart, who had been silently listening to his excuses, called out to him. Lash’s heart leaped up and then sank.

“Y-yes.”

The moment their eyes met again, Lash realized that something was terribly wrong.

“I gave you a chance.”

“What are you… Ugh.”

Coldly burning golden eyes, with a clear white light at the edges.

He was furious.

‘Could it be…’

Lash involuntarily took a step back. Something was wrong. Dihart was on the verge of exploding. The degree of anger was beyond what would be caused by a mere disappointment that his uncle was frequenting strange places. If Dihart, who trusted him like a father, was this angry, then the reason must be…

Gulp.

Lash’s Adam’s apple moved roughly. It was a realization that came too late, but the opportunity was already gone.

Dihart smiled gently at Lash, who was as pale as a frog in front of a snake.

“You taught me swordsmanship when I was young.”

“Dihart, don’t do this. We’re family…”

“Because we’re family, I’m taking care of you this much.”

With a boyish smile, he grabbed Lash by the collar.

* * *

After parting with Dihart, Ryan returned to his lodgings and packed his bags. Instead of a horse exhausted from the forced march, he bought two sturdy-looking horses on the spot and immediately left for the North.

‘Too slow.’

A strong wind was hindering his movement. Ryan hesitated and turned the reins towards the forest beside the road. It was dangerous, but it was the only way to shorten the time. Quickly cutting through the dark forest, he thought of the Duchess.

Golden hair as beautiful as a field in autumn, blue eyes like a lake.

Even the expression full of anticipation and excitement as she looked at her master.

But the dream of spring was shattered in an instant. The flower bud was cruelly trampled and could never bloom again.

‘It was a terrible thing.’

Due to his wife’s betrayal, Dihart completely closed the door to his heart that he had barely opened. But Ryan knew.

That he had closed that door with Sevelia in his heart.

And that he was suffering all along.

“I hope this will be an opportunity…”

Ryan urged his horse and hurried his schedule. Even if he ran all night, he would barely reach the vicinity of the North.

Caw-

Hearing the ominous cry, Ryan thought of the bird that Dihart cherished.

That picky bird with beautiful light golden feathers.

“What on earth is going on?”

“Lord Ryan?”

And Hillend Hall, which he barely reached, was all black.

“The attire is definitely… Could it be!”

People who had heard the news of Sevelia’s death were gathering behind him as he ran out.

It was none other than the Duchess’s funeral.

* * *

Time goes back a few days.

The morning after the shaman arrived, the body of the Duchess, who had committed suicide, was found in the detached building. The first discoverer was her maid, Denisa, who lived with her, and the cause of death was suicide due to an overdose of sleeping pills.

“My lady, sob…”

Denisa cried sadly, but no one comforted her. Rather, they frowned.

“She died before setting up the barrier?”

“Then we can’t be relieved…”

Everyone tried not to go near the detached building. Naturally, the doctor also strongly refused to confirm her death.

“What if the curse is transferred to me?”

In the end, Denisa had to bring one of the town doctors to write a death certificate, and everyone thought this was a natural measure.

To be honest…, they felt relieved that the thing they had been waiting for had finally happened.

“Now that the Duchess is dead, there will be no ghosts appearing.”

“The days of being ignored for serving a mistress who didn’t know her place are over. It’s a win-win situation.”

Leaving behind the chattering of the servants, Gren quickly organized the situation. First, she immediately took gold coins from the vault and left the place. She obtained a silent promise from the servants not to reveal the fact of death until the funeral was over.

“Don’t forget who has been watching over you closely.”

The servants who had been receiving her orders while the Duke was away obeyed as a matter of course.

Flora, who heard the news late, ran over and hugged Gren.

“Mother, finally…!”

Gren calmly handed her the death certificate.

“Look here. It’s a death certificate.”

“Oh my.”

Flora held Sevelia’s death in her hands and smiled more happily than ever. Gren looked at her daughter with admiration and clapped her hands.

“The coffin is already prepared, so there’s no need to drag it out. Let’s end it like this.”

Gren smiled calmly and thought about her future plans. It was truly perfect.

At that time, the butler came in and handed her something. Gren’s brow furrowed slightly as she received it.

“A will?”

At her words, Flora raised her voice and mocked.

“It’s amazing that the crazy woman had the mind to write a will.”

“Indeed.”

Leaving Flora, who was discussing with Gross what to wear to the funeral, Gren quickly read the will.

“…….”

Her expression hardened subtly. She gestured to Gross and said.

“Thank you for your hard work. I’ll keep this. Gross, please pay attention to the funeral preparations.”

“Mother, call Father and Brother quickly.”

Flora said as if she had just remembered. Gren shook her head.

“Honey, there’s no need to do that.”

“Yes? But…”

“There’s no need to bring a busy child and give him unnecessary shock. Father is also busy right now.”

Gren spoke to Flora in an authoritative tone.

“It’s better for us to solve this among ourselves. This is the best for Inverness.”

Gren elegantly turned her back, imitating Lash’s habit.

“Your father will also follow my will.”

The reason for trying to get through the funeral quickly without Dihart was simple.

If Sevelia is officially declared dead, the peace agreement between the North and the Center will naturally lose its effect. So, of course, they can’t wait until Dihart comes.

“I’m sorry for the child who passed away… but we’re doing the right thing for the family.”

Gren put her hand on her chest, feigning a pitiful expression.

Just in time, Gross returned and handed her the documents needed for the funeral. Gren leisurely read through the documents and opened her mouth.

“Flora.”

“Yes?”

“Go and get a new dress made for the funeral.”

“Yes!”

Flora ran out happily. Gren smiled silently.

It had been a long time since she had felt so at ease.

And that was the same for Sevelia.