After I Died, My Husband Went Mad [EN]: Chapter 164

Side Story 2-1

The Lockwood delegation visited Belkram around the time the news of Duke Inverness’s marriage was widely spreading. At that time, Maya was deeply engrossed in her new hobby of jumping into piles of fallen leaves scattered around the garden, turning the mansion into a mess each time, much to Dihart’s dismay, who would then flee to the annex. In reality, it was obvious he was going to see Sebelia, but no one mentioned it.

However, Balak, who had come to see his only cousin, was displeased with everything, especially since her marriage partner was her ex-husband.

So, Balak squeezed a visit to Inverness Mansion into his already busy schedule and came to see Sebelia every day.

“Is it really necessary to get married? It’s fine if you just live together as you are.”

It had been a while since she had informed him of the marriage news by letter, but Balak still hadn’t given up. The arguments he brought up were starting to repeat themselves.

Sebelia paid no attention to his words and continued with her work. As she skimmed through the trade company establishment documents Balak had brought, she picked up Maya, who had started poking her arm, and handed her over to Balak.

“Now, don’t bother your busy sister and go to your uncle.”

Balak frowned but didn’t push Maya away. He laid the warm little girl on his lap and said with a sigh.

“It’s not like you’re at an age where you need to rush into marriage, and it’s not too late to decide after seeing more of the world. I heard a ship going to Rubradi is setting sail this time.”

“Brother, it seems like a signature is missing on this document.”

“What? That can’t be. Show it to me for a moment.”

Balak skimmed through the document Sebelia handed him and frowned, discovering that there was indeed a missing signature as she said.

“That Ludmil, he begged me to take care of it.”

Before he knew it, the thought of interfering with the marriage had disappeared. Sebelia watched Balak, who had started examining the remaining documents with a fiery gaze, and suppressed a laugh.

‘He doesn’t really want to interfere.’

If he were serious about interfering with her marriage, he would have shown it with actions rather than words. For example, insisting that Dihart was not to his liking and that they should consider restoring diplomatic relations.

But that didn’t happen. Balak was someone who wanted her happiness as much as he valued the years they had missed.

And so was Rossel.

‘Once this is over, I’ll be going to Lockwood as planned.’

Before Balak came as an ambassador, Rossel had requested that she visit Lockwood before the wedding. It was to prove that ‘Bella Ashrent’ was alive in her home country before marrying Dihart.

‘Actually, there’s a bigger reason than that…’

As Sebelia was lost in thought, Dihart returned after finishing his work. As a result, Balak learned of Dihart’s arrival even before she did.

“Ugh.”

Balak stayed put, not even bothering to smooth out his crumpled brow. Not long after the servant brought the news, Dihart appeared as if he had been waiting.

“Are you here again?”

It seemed they were both equally displeased with each other. Balak scoffed at the rebuke that came before a greeting.

While the two were engaged in a silent war of nerves, Sebelia came to her senses.

“Dihart, when did you get here?”

“I arrived a little while ago. Oh, you don’t have to get up.”

The gentle man approached and placed a kiss on Sebelia’s cheek. Patting her shoulder, adjusting her blanket, and checking her temperature with the back of his hand were all familiar gestures.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine. Why do you ask all of a sudden?”

When Sebelia avoided his gaze, Dihart let out a soft laugh and gently stroked her hair. He looked at Sebelia with eyes full of love, then straightened his back and turned to Balak as if nothing had happened.

“So, when are you leaving?”

Balak was speechless at the clear difference in tone compared to when he was treating Sebelia.

“Don’t you think you should stop bothering someone who isn’t feeling well and constantly complaining? What kind of cousin are you being?”

Balak was taken aback by the look of disdain. ‘Who is looking at whom with disdain?’ Complaints rose to his throat, but since it was true that Sebelia wasn’t in good health, Balak had to settle for twisting his lips.

“You know I skipped lunch, but I guess you don’t know I’m invited to dinner.”

Balak gloated as he watched Dihart’s eyes narrow.

“Don’t do this and let’s go inside.”

As always, Sebelia mediated.

“Alright.”

“I’ll take the blanket.”

At the gentle voice, the two men made a peace treaty as if nothing had happened. Sebelia chuckled at the sight and got up from her seat.

That’s how a sweet time slowly passed.

In the meantime, the pile of fallen leaves under the wall was cleared and piled up again several times, and Balak was about to return after completing all his duties as an ambassador.

And to coincide with that day, Sebelia and Dihart tried to clear their schedules for the next few months.

However, strangely enough, unlike Sebelia, who cleared her schedule without difficulty, Dihart’s plans were almost overturned several times. Oddly, as the departure date approached, incidents and accidents overlapped, and he almost couldn’t leave for Lockwood, but he seemed to have managed to handle it with superhuman measures.

‘He doesn’t seem to have slept properly.’

Sebelia thought of Dihart with a worried look. He had taken on not only the work of the North but also the affairs of the Imperial Family, and he had been held by the Imperial Family until dawn today. It was because of the Emperor’s grumbling, who was worried about him leaving his seat.

‘I thought I was going to go alone.’

But contrary to her worries, he arrived at the mansion on time for departure. Although he was gaunt and had dark circles under his eyes, it seemed like he would get a good night’s sleep throughout the trip.

“Tsk.”

When she turned her head at the sound of someone clicking their tongue, Balak was there. When he met Sebelia’s gaze, he had a kind face as if nothing had happened.

“……?”

As Sebelia frowned at the sense of discomfort, Balak gestured to a servant to call a carriage.

“I’ve made thorough preparations to make you comfortable while going to Lockwood.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a carriage as big as a house appeared as if it had been waiting. Just in time, Dihart, who had changed his clothes, came out to the front door.

“And the escort-”

“I will take care of the escort.”

Dihart said, hugging Sebelia’s shoulders. The haggard look from a while ago was gone, and he looked neat and handsome.

“Ilay.”

When he snapped his fingers, Ilay, with a grinning face, led the knights and lined up. They were all holding reins in their hands, connected to the jet-black horses next to them.

Despite the tight schedule, it was impeccable preparation.

“Hmm.”

But force exists to be used in such situations. Balak, with his arms crossed, said with a worried look.

“Will just one horse be enough? The road to Lockwood will be rough, unlike the peaceful journey within Belkram. Besides, it’s everyone’s first journey, so I wonder if they can properly distribute their stamina.”

“Even if it’s their first time, it’s just a road where people come and go. Besides, they are the knights of Hillend Hall, not just anyone. The air there is more intense there than in Lockwood.”

After a fierce battle of words, the two men stared at each other with smiling faces.

“…….”

“…….”

It was Sebelia who broke the tense atmosphere.

“The carriage looks very nice. Are these horses perhaps from Lockwood? I’ve never seen such pure white horses before!”

Fortunately, Balak didn’t seem to want to fight any further and quickly chimed in with her words.

“Bella, I knew you would recognize them. Can’t you feel the distinct difference from the rough ones in Belkram?”

When Sebelia nodded with an ambiguous face, Balak continued with a delighted face.

“Look at this elegant figure. It’s a beauty that only horses with ancestors from the Frost Forest can possess.”

‘It wasn’t just medicinal herbs that were famous in the Frost Forest?’ Sebelia looked at the horses again with a fresh perspective.

“The mane containing the light of dawn is a characteristic. Thanks to that, you don’t need a separate lamp even at night.”

Somehow, she thought she saw a faint light flickering in the mane, so she must not have been mistaken. As Sebelia admired the horses with admiring eyes, she heard a voice lowered from behind.

“They’re the perfect horses to be targeted.”

“Dihart?”

“Horses that shine at night. You prepared this and tried to leave me out. It’s absurd.”

The softly whispered words were not heard well. As Sebelia turned her head, wanting to hear what he was saying, Dihart grabbed her shoulders and made her look forward.

“Well, it’s a failed attempt anyway. You don’t have to worry, Bella.”

“What are you talking about?”

When Sebelia asked, not knowing what he meant, Dihart put on a friendly face. He put on a soft smile and said in a trustworthy voice.