After I Died, My Husband Went Mad [EN]: Chapter 149

The Emperor, who had thought that simply removing Silas Weden from power would be enough, was greatly surprised, indignant, and even enraged. However, Sebelia’s calm words gave him pause.

[Your Majesty, I can delve into people’s memories.]

The Emperor immediately summoned the chamberlain and knights to test Sebelia’s abilities. She proved her power with a perfection that was not only outstanding but also unsettling.

[Your ability alone isn’t enough as evidence, but you said you can find clues that could become evidence. Very well, show me what you can do. However, whether I accept your findings is solely my decision.]

With that, the Emperor ordered the First Empress to be brought in, leading to the present confrontation.

“Whether it’s slander or not is something we’ll only know after verification, Your Imperial Highness,” Sebelia said.

Sebelia rose from her seat with a small smile. The First Empress, seeing her seemingly mocking demeanor, hardened her expression and glared.

“I don’t know what kind of sorcery you’re using….”

“You were once so desperate for my abilities, but now you pretend not to know?” Sebelia asked with a chilling voice, taking a step towards the First Empress.

“What? I don’t know what you’re talking about. When did I ever want someone like you?”

“The Weden Marquis’s residence has already been searched, Your Imperial Highness,” Sebelia said, placing her hand on the First Empress’s cheek and looking into her hardening eyes.

“Don’t worry. Soon, the knights will be visiting your palace as well.”

*Whoosh!*

A blue light stretched from the floor to the ceiling of the reception room. The beautiful color, like the southern sea, dyed the room, and soon a clear voice echoed throughout.

[Marquis, let’s be clear. I postponed the plan, trusting only your word that I could seize the throne without a hitch if I got that girl. Give me an answer to the trust I’ve shown you soon.]

[Haa, Your Highness. I am trying. However, it seems it will take a little time….]

[Excuses bore me, Marquis. Not to mention the time it takes to bring in the poison. Remember, the Emperor must pass away within half a year.]

With an elegant smile, the First Empress covered her mouth with a fan and disappeared, leaving the reception room enveloped in silence.

“Ha.”

A burst of hollow laughter, like a sigh, echoed through the reception room. Everyone froze at the Emperor’s laughter.

“Yo-Your Majesty. This is sorcery! I swear to the gods, that is not me…!” The First Empress, barely regaining her senses, knelt and begged. Pearl-like tears fell on her dignified face, but the Emperor’s gaze towards her was cold.

“The head of Ashrent came and already clarified the suspicions.”

“What does that….”

“He informed me about the illusionists who have maintained their lineage in Rookwood for a long time, their abilities, and that he himself is an illusionist.”

The Emperor said, staring at the First Empress who was blankly looking at him.

“Besides, in the past, the Empress asked Dillian to hand over the illusionist who was by Shateian’s side. Did you believe his ability was sorcery back then too? If you believed he was evil, like Bella Apentz is a witch, why did you make such a request?”

“I, I….”

“Your words don’t add up. Your soft lips have always been filled with lies and flattery. The only reason I’ve overlooked it until now is because I thought your intentions aligned with mine.”

The Emperor gritted his teeth and stood up.

“But not anymore.”

“Your Majesty!”

“I order the confinement of the First Empress and her son, First Prince Dillian. The Imperial Knights are to confine them in the North Palace and collect evidence of treason. Also, tell those searching the Weden Marquis’s residence to find out what other schemes the First Empress conspired in, and whether yesterday’s attack was also her doing!”

“Ah, no! I really don’t know anything about what happened yesterday. Your Majesty, please! Believe in my loyalty, my heart for you!” The First Empress did not stop pleading as she was dragged away, but the Emperor resolutely turned away from her.

“We will find out in due time whether your words are false or not.”

“Your Majesty!”

“Enough! I will no longer listen to the Empress’s words. Chamberlain, bring the Second Prince Shateian. I need to know more about what happened yesterday. And you.”

The Emperor turned to Sebelia and sighed. He seemed to have a headache from the series of events.

Sebelia was just as overwhelmed. Since the previous evening, she hadn’t even had a sip of water or closed her eyes, and now she had to face the Emperor.

“I will call you again once things are settled, so you may return for now.” The Emperor rubbed his forehead and waved his hand. As Sebelia was about to rise from her seat, Dihart placed his hand on her knee.

“Dihart?”

“Your Majesty, there will be points that cannot be revealed no matter how much you investigate the First Empress and the Weden Marquis’s residence.”

“…What words are you going to use to trouble me this time, Duke?” The Emperor stared at Dihart with a tired face. The wariness and hostility he had shown him until yesterday were long gone.

The Emperor, betrayed by someone who had been by his side for so long, did not hide his weary and wounded heart and asked, “Tell me. Is there anything else I need to know?”

“Setar.”

The air in the reception room trembled at the quietly spoken word. Not only the knights but even the chamberlain standing behind the Emperor gasped.

“I have evidence that the Eastern forces, led by the First Empress, have been exploiting the Empire for a long time using an underground organization called Setar.”

“Ha.”

The Emperor slumped back into his chair. His face, hidden under his hands, looked decades older in that brief moment.

But the next moment, when he removed his hands from his face, a burning gaze was revealed. It was like a flame that would never go out.

“You said you have evidence.”

“Yes.”

“Then tell me what you want, Duke. I know you wouldn’t do this for me out of simple goodwill.”

Dihart smiled gently, nodded, and said what he wanted.

“All I want is for the Second Empress and the Third Prince not to appear before Rosaline. They dared to take my sister’s precious people hostage and demand marriage from her, so they must pay the price for it.”

At his words, the Emperor frowned and sighed as if dumbfounded.

“It’s absurd. But yes, if it’s revealed that the First Empress was trying to commit treason, would the Second Empress be any different?” The Emperor rubbed his head and groaned, then continued.

“But first, bring the evidence to support your claims. I will examine them with my own eyes in front of you tomorrow before making a decision.”

Thus, well past dinner, Sebelia was finally able to leave the Imperial Palace.

“Ah….”

Sebelia, who had been gazing at the sunset sky for a moment, suddenly felt all the strength leave her body. Dihart quickly caught her as she almost fell down the stairs.

“Bella!”

Sebelia, regaining her senses at the trembling hand, slowly blinked her eyes. Her pale cheeks were already flushed red with a slight fever.

“I’m sorry. Wake me up when we get to the mansion.”

It was because the tension had been released. Dihart bit his lip and nodded with an anxious face.

“Don’t worry about anything. When you open your eyes again, there will be nothing to worry about.” Dihart muttered in a broken voice that she could sleep for a week if she just woke up. Sebelia chuckled softly at his seemingly wishful tone and closed her eyes.

* * *

Could it be that Dihart’s wish really came true?

Sebelia did not regain consciousness until long after returning to the mansion. It was only natural, as she had overworked her body to the point where the illusionary mana was being reverse-summoned [magical energy flowing back into its source due to overuse].

Two weeks passed like that.

During that time, the trial for the treason of the Eastern forces, centered around the First Empress imprisoned in the underground dungeon, was concluded. The prison warden, public security officials, and Roden, Dihart’s former doctor, who had been bribed by Silas, were punished.

While investigating the actions of the deceased Gren, the deeds committed by Rash Inbernes and Flora Inbernes were also revealed as a side note. However, as they were not directly involved in the treason, their trial was handled in the North.

Meanwhile, the Second Empress and the Third Prince were imprisoned in a tower on the outskirts of the capital on charges of threatening the Inbernes Ducal Lady and attempting to force her into marriage.

The succession structure of the Empire was thus streamlined, leaving only Second Prince Shateian.

While everyone was busy recovering from the chaos, Sebelia finally emerged from her deep sleep and returned to reality.

“Ah….”

It felt like she had a pleasant dream. Sebelia unconsciously smiled and opened her eyes, feeling a soft, fluffy sensation enveloping her whole body. For a moment, she didn’t recognize the situation, so she opened her eyes wide.

The blue eyes blinked a few times in confusion, and then a quiet sigh escaped her lips.

‘Right, I came back to the mansion.’

I wonder how many days have passed. Sebelia smiled bitterly at her body, which wouldn’t move properly, and tried to raise her upper body. At that moment, she heard a sound of someone sharply inhaling in the distance.

It was Dihart.

“Bella.”

How long had he been there? Dihart, who was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, watching her with dark eyes, called her name a few more times as if he couldn’t believe it, then rushed over as if falling.

“Ah.”

Before Sebelia could let out a sigh at the warmth that suddenly enveloped her body, Dihart’s hot breath brushed against her ear.

“Haa. You’re awake, that’s all that matters. Are you hungry? Wait a moment.” He let out a sigh filled with relief, then smiled with an undisguisable smile and kissed Sebelia’s forehead and cheeks repeatedly before getting up. Then, he disappeared from sight in an instant.

“Um…. Huh?”

Sebelia touched her cheeks with a dazed face.

After that, Sebelia had to welcome many visitors. But she was so flustered by the kisses that she couldn’t remember anything properly.

‘I think Wetz came for an examination and left feeling proud, saying that my condition was better than he thought….’

Sebelia was splitting a cookie with a hazy face, not even remembering when she had received it, when Claude came in with a lot of food.

“No, you still haven’t finished that one?”

“Ah.”

Come to think of it, Claude had come with Rosaline earlier and left a lot of things.

‘That’s right. Miss Rosaline also seemed to be in better condition than I thought.’ The Rosaline in her memory had multiple wounds and had abused her powers, so it wouldn’t have been strange if she had died immediately. But today, she looked much healthier than herself for some reason.

‘As expected, Mr. Wetz’s skills are the best.’

Sebelia let Claude’s nagging, as he handed her various things to eat, go in one ear and out the other with a dazed face.

The problem occurred when she poured a handful of herbal jellies, which were said to be good for her health, into her mouth.