After I Died, My Husband Went Mad [EN]: Chapter 150

“So, it has been decided that Silas Wedden, who dared to kill a member of Ashrent, will be handed over to Rookwood. In truth, it’s just that His Majesty the Emperor and the ambassador’s interests aligned in wanting to secure more rare medicinal ingredients.”

“……Pardon?”

What am I hearing right now? Sebelia quickly swallowed the bitter herb jelly and stopped Claude, who was about to launch into another story.

“Wait, just a moment. My father… I mean, where did he go?”

“Rookwood. Hmm, you have a face that doesn’t understand. It seems you haven’t listened to a word I’ve said.”

“I’m sorry, I’ve been out of it. Explain everything from the beginning. And one more thing, you regained your status, right?”

The Claude in front of her was not Carl Offentz but his original self. He had even been roaming the mansion with Rosalyn in that form and talking with Ilay, so it was impossible not to be surprised.

“Am I right? I don’t know what happened, but your name has been cleared, hasn’t it?”

At her trembling voice, Claude seemed to consider something, then pulled a chair closer to the bed.

“Yes, let’s start from the beginning. Actually, there’s something you need to know regarding the clearing of my name…”

So, Claude recounted the trials that had shaken the capital during the week Sebelia was unconscious.

Some of the trials were very vivid and exciting stories, as he had been a direct witness, but to summarize:

“In the first trial, the collusion between the Eastern forces, led by the First Empress, and Setar was revealed. Lady Gren and Marquis Wedden were named as accomplices of the First Empress.”

That day, Dihart presented materials seized from Setar’s base, shocking everyone. In addition, the oaths found in the First Empress’s palace and Marquis Wedden’s mansion had all their names written on them, swearing to enthrone Prince Dillian.

“The most impressive was His Majesty the Emperor. It was hard to believe that he had been suffering from illness for so long; he was frighteningly angry.”

The Emperor, revitalized with the help of Wartz, showed the same vigor as in his prime, driving the criminals into a corner.

Thus, the heinous crimes committed over the years to assassinate the Emperor and enthrone Prince Dillian were all revealed before the people.

The First Empress and Marquis Wedden vehemently denied it, but it was useless. The oaths they had written, born from their mutual distrust, had ensnared them.

“The First Empress has been sentenced to death and is now in the underground prison. The First Prince… is still confined to the palace, but it’s only a matter of time before his life is forfeit.”

Claude said in a calm voice, meeting Sebelia’s gaze. It was as if he was going to stop the story there and continue another time.

But the main point had not yet been revealed. When Sebelia urged him with her eyes, Claude let out a soft sigh.

“Among the schemes the First Empress devised using Setar, there was the assassination of the late Duke and Duchess of Inverness.”

“…Wait a minute. That story…”

“It was a meticulously planned plot. Lady Gren passed on the Duke and Duchess’s schedule to the First Empress, and the First Empress used Marquis Wedden to recruit my friend.”

Sebelia was speechless, staring at him. Claude smiled bitterly and ruffled his hair.

“Foolish me, I didn’t even know my friend had betrayed me and rushed into the trap with excitement, taking my whole family with me. But their plan was only half successful.”

“Because Dihart and you, and Rosalyn, survived.”

Claude nodded at Sebelia’s murmur.

“They realized early on that my body was not at the scene. So, they were afraid that I might come back and reveal the truth, so they framed me. In Dihart’s case… they tried to bury the memories of that day.”

The truth that was revealed belatedly was terrible.

“After it was revealed that they were the ones who killed the late Duke and Duchess of Inverness, Prince Shateian offered me the restoration of my status. Thanks to that, I was able to attend other trials as a witness as Claude Inverness. For example, regarding what happened when I rescued Rosalyn on the welcome day.”

Sebelia, who had clenched her hands in an indescribable feeling, suddenly raised her head at a thought that flashed through her mind.

“Claude, if I heard correctly, the person who bribed your friend was definitely…”

Claude nodded with a sad smile. Sebelia felt as if she had been shot in the heart with an arrow.

“My father… he killed Dihart’s parents.”

“Bella.”

Claude called her urgently. Sebelia waved her hand as if she knew what he was going to say.

Clearly, it was Setar who directly killed the Duke and Duchess, and it was the First Empress who ordered it. But the fact that Marquis Wedden was involved in their deaths was undeniable.

“The person who killed his parents… Ha.”

That the culprit who took away your childhood, one of the people who made you struggle alone in suffering for so long, was my father.

I felt like my blood was running cold and my heart was freezing. Various emotions and thoughts swirled in my head, and I couldn’t even utter a proper word.

It wasn’t her fault. Silas had never been a proper father to Sebelia, so she didn’t even need to feel indebted for his actions.

But people couldn’t be entirely rational.

‘If only I had known sooner… no. No.’

What could I have done even if I had known in advance? If I had known the truth, I wouldn’t have dared to ask Dihart to help me with my revenge.

Her head was a mess.

Claude handed something to Sebelia, who was swallowing a groan. It was a letter from Rossel.

“He asked me to give it to you when you woke up.”

Sebelia silently accepted the envelope he handed her. If her prediction was correct, the letter was likely about Marquis Wedden’s transfer to Rookwood.

One way or another, he was definitely the most troublesome person in her life.

Sebelia bit her lip and pressed her fingernails into the edge of the envelope.

“You probably haven’t fully recovered yet, so get some rest. Wartz will come to examine you again later, so try not to fall asleep.”

Claude left the room, leaving Sebelia, who was nodding blankly like a broken record. Left alone in the silence, Sebelia barely lifted her drooping head and looked out the window.

The view from the newly decorated room on the first floor was the freshest and most beautiful she had ever seen. Lush petals flaunted their colors, glistening with dew, swaying in the breeze in a peaceful scene.

Looking at the perfect scenery to shake off troublesome thoughts, Sebelia slowly got up.

*Click*, the window opened, and a sweet fragrance carried by the wind gently brushed her nose. Sebelia took a deep breath and leaned against the window frame.

‘The flowers are blooming so beautifully.’

She knew whose handiwork it was without asking. She fiddled with the envelope in her hand, her eyes filled with anguish.

*Rustle*. Her trembling hand opened the envelope. The sparkling powder that came off her fingertips and scattered in the wind was beautiful.

Sebelia was a little surprised to see the unexpectedly concise letter. The light blue stationery was as light and thin as the envelope, but it was scented with a soft fragrance.

It was when her blue eyes were reading the friendly greeting that a knock and a low bass voice came through the crack in the door, reaching Sebelia’s ears.

“Bella, may I come in?”

“Ah.”

Sebelia quickly slipped the letter she was holding between the books on the table and neatly combed her hair.

“Just a moment.”

Dihart faithfully waited for permission. Sebelia checked her complexion one last time to see if she looked okay and told him he could come in.

The man who opened the door seemed somehow brighter than he had been that morning.

Dihart, who had completely removed the dark shadows under his eyes and had a smile on his lips, held up something he was carrying in his arms with the happiest face in the world.

“I got permission from the doctor. He said you can eat as much as you want, so don’t worry and eat everything.”

With that, Dihart strode over and picked up the table by the window. Sebelia worried that the books on it might fall.

“These are from a famous confectionery in the capital. The ones in the other bag are from the bakery we went to last time. And finally, this extravagant box is from the Second Prince Shateian, or should I call him the Crown Prince now.”

Dihart clicked his tongue and pushed the gold-crafted box away, continuing.

“The imperial chef showed off his skills, but well, if they’re that good, it’s okay to eat them later.”

Sebelia stared blankly at the box on the book hiding the letter, then turned her head at the gaze tickling her cheek. Dihart, with a slight frown, was staring at her.

“…Why haven’t you said anything since earlier? Did I do something to upset you?”

“Ah, no. Really, it’s not that. I’m just… out of it.”

“Is that so? Hmm, you don’t have a fever.”

The hand that approached without ceremony stroked her cheek and caressed her forehead. Sebelia felt dizzy. Her heart pounded, but she was suffocated by his nonchalant attitude.

You must know.

That my father, Marquis Wedden, killed his parents and tried to kill him too. That endless greed and malice ruined his life—you must know that now.

But why are you acting like nothing happened?

In a confusing mix of expectation and fear, overwhelming joy and guilt, Sebelia carefully took hold of the hand stroking her cheek.