After I Died, My Husband Went Mad [EN]: Chapter 134

What on earth was going on? Sebelia tried to relax her tense body.

Just then, one of the young ladies, seemingly the ringleader, stepped forward and said dejectedly.

“We’re sorry for causing trouble. We know it’s a restricted area, but we heard rumors of ghosts and got carried away without thinking. There haven’t been any decent banquets or festivals lately…”

“I understand perfectly well, young lady. I’ll speak to each of your families about this separately.”

Ludmill calmly chided the young ladies, pinching the bridge of his nose. However, he was quite surprised inside.

‘Why is Rosaline Inverness here?’

She was practically Hares’s betrothed, only lacking the wedding ceremony. He had never heard of her associating with other young noble ladies.

‘I need to wrap this up here for now.’

Something didn’t seem right about how things were unfolding. He glanced at Dihart, trying to dismiss the situation, but Rosaline smiled brightly and opened her mouth as if to be seen.

“Did you all come to see the ghost too?”

“Young Lady Rosaline, I’m sorry, but that’s not something we can tell you. And it would be best if you and your friends returned now. You know this is a restricted area, don’t you?”

Sebelia tried to end the conversation, remaining vigilant. However, Rosaline showed no signs of giving up. She glanced at the stiff Dihart and turned back to Sebelia.

“Why are you being so stiff, Bella? When you think about it, we could be the closest of relations, couldn’t we?”

“If you don’t stop, I’ll call the Public Security Bureau [the local law enforcement agency].”

Unable to watch any longer, Claude snapped in a rigid voice. Rosaline smiled, crinkling her eyes.

“Oh, how scary. You’re acting like there’s really something here. Could it be that the ghost is a phantom summoned by Bella?”

In response to the probing words, Sebelia offered a formal smile instead of answering. Rosaline didn’t seem to expect an answer either, chuckling softly as she continued.

“Well, that can’t be. Lady Celia said she saw a man, not a woman…”

“Enough.”

A heavy voice echoed through the banquet hall. The shoulders of the young ladies, who had been watching the argument with great interest, flinched at the man’s thunderous tone.

However, only one person, Rosaline, looked at him with a defiant gaze.

“Stop it and return with your group, Rosaline.”

At the same time, Dihart moved. He stepped forward as if to shield Sebelia, placing himself directly between her and Rosaline.

“I wouldn’t think you’d fail to understand such a clear dismissal.”

The bleak gaze and dry voice were as indifferent as if he were addressing a stranger, not family. Rosaline blinked and tilted her head.

“Is this how siblings talk? How novel. It’s almost like receiving an order.”

“If that’s how you took it, I can’t help it. But it’s not wrong either. If you were truly my sister, following the head of the family’s wishes would be the principle.”

“Ah, you mean the rights of the head of the family that you stole while I was away.”

Rosaline clapped lightly, her eyes sparkling as if she had heard something amusing.

“How intriguing. Hares said he’d give it to me as a wedding gift before the ceremony, and my expectations are slowly rising.”

Rosaline smiled throughout, never backing down against Dihart. On the other hand, Dihart was increasingly losing his composure. Although others couldn’t see it, Sebelia, standing close behind him, could tell.

“Bella?”

Surprised by the warmth of a hand gripping hers tightly, Dihart turned his head. Sebelia, who had moved to his side, smiled as brightly as Rosaline and said,

“This isn’t a good place to have such a leisurely conversation. Why don’t you visit the mansion when we have more time?”

“Pardon?”

“I thought Young Lady Rosaline would be sad to see her family member, whom she hasn’t seen in a long time, leave like this. Was I wrong?”

Dihart was bewildered and could only stare blankly at the two of them, unsure of what was happening. Meanwhile, Sebelia took the lead in the conversation and pressured Rosaline.

“I believe there may be misunderstandings regarding that inheritance right. So I definitely want to arrange a proper meeting.”

“That’s…”

Rosaline, who had been sparkling with energy and launching a full-scale war against Dihart just moments ago, now showed a weak side. As she furrowed her brow slightly, searching for an excuse, a commotion arose.

“Rosaline, you were here.”

The one who appeared, pushing aside the following Public Security Bureau officials, was the Third Imperial Prince, Hares. Following behind him, Shateian appeared with a troubled expression.

“Let’s go back now.”

“…Then I suppose I must take my leave. Lady Bella, thank you for the invitation, but I live with such a worried man that it seems impossible for me to go outside the palace.”

Rosaline gently declined Sebelia’s invitation, linked arms with Hares, and left the banquet hall as if she had been waiting for this moment. Shateian shook his head with an incredulous look, as if wondering what he had just witnessed.

He sighed and said loud enough for everyone to hear,

“So, I’d like someone to explain to me what’s going on.”

The young ladies, huddled in a corner of the banquet hall like abandoned ducklings, pressed their lips tightly at those words. Ludmill approached Shateian with a look of realization.

“That is…”

While Ludmill explained what had happened to him, Sebelia examined Dihart.

“Your hands are cold.”

“…Your hands are trembling.”

Dihart placed his other hand over Sebelia’s hand, which was tightly gripping his, and spoke. As if pained by the fact that she was trembling, he sighed deeply and whispered softly.

“I’m sorry for not stepping forward sooner.”

“You know you have nothing to apologize for.”

“…….”

“Rather, I thought you were amazing. Having the courage to stand up in front of siblings who hate you—I know from experience that it’s not easy.”

Blue eyes, shining like transparent jewels, gazed at him steadily.

“You even felt guilty towards her. It must have been harder since you weren’t burning with revenge like me, so don’t blame yourself.”

Sebelia raised her hand and gently stroked his cheek. His blue eyes shone like jewels, gazing at him. The worry and concern contained within were so clear that Dihart felt breathless.

“Let’s go now. There’s no point in staying here any longer.”

Sebelia greeted Shateian, saying she would leave first. Shateian stopped talking to Ludmill and said,

“Alright, I need to sort things out too, so go back for now. Don’t forget to come to the palace again tomorrow.”

He was referring to the interrogation of Nathan Weden.

“I won’t disappoint you.”

“Reliable as always. Then, see you again.”

Sebelia didn’t let go of his hand and left the palace with Dihart. Claude followed silently behind them.

By the time they came out of the palace, it was already evening. She looked at the deeply colored sky and sighed softly.

“I hope I don’t have to come back here again.”

Dihart silently nodded at her words.

* * *

The way to the Silver Lily Palace wasn’t far, but Hares insisted on bringing a carriage. As Rosaline sat down with his escort, the door soon closed and the carriage departed.

“…….”

“Was it a pleasant outing?”

Golden eyes, which had been gazing out the window, turned to Hares. Slender eyelashes covered them a few times, and soon a beautiful smile appeared.

“It was a much more enjoyable time than I expected.”

“I’m glad you were satisfied. But you should stop ditching your maids.”

Hares crossed his arms, showing his displeasure. He believed in Rosaline’s unwavering love and blind loyalty towards him, but apart from that, he hated any actions that escaped his control.

“How can I help it if they make me feel suffocated? And if you want to associate with young ladies, you have to indulge in childish things like today.”

Rosaline casually brushed off Hares’s words with a smirk, treating them like nagging. From the start, it was his idea to win over the young ladies of the neutral faction and create opportunities to meet their parents, so he had nothing to say in rebuttal.

“Alright, I’ll let it slide this time. Promise me you’ll be careful in the future.”

“Of course.”

With a submissive smile, a habit she had since childhood, Rosaline gently took his hand.

“I’ll be careful not to upset you.”

* * *

“Be careful getting down.”

“I’m fine now, you know?”

Sebelia smiled and chided Dihart. Her body, which had been trembling slightly when they left the banquet hall, had regained its composure. But Dihart’s eyes were serious.

“Just in case, let’s have Wartz give you a quick checkup before we eat.”

“…I think you’re worrying too much. Then you should get a checkup too. Having ice-cold hands is also one of the warning signs of health problems.”

“Alright.”

Sebelia was rather taken aback by the ready agreement. But since she couldn’t take back the words she had already spoken, the two headed to Wartz’s laboratory and examination room.

It was the room that had been set up to create the antidote last time, and after Dihart confirmed the success of the antidote, he gave Wartz the key, telling him to use it as he pleased.

A brief moment of silence passed as they walked down the hallway. But soon, Dihart opened his mouth.

“Actually, there’s something I’m curious about.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“Earlier, I mean. Why did you say those things to Rosaline at the banquet hall?”

Dihart spoke, clearly showing in his expression that he had no intention of scolding her.