Chapter 191
Claude shook his head in disbelief. Just minutes before, when Sebelia had candidly shared her situation in a farewell, Claude had almost screamed aloud.
“I’m really fine. I’m not going alone…”
Sebelia glanced subtly at Dehart, but Claude was resolute. Swallowing hard, he said,
“Bella, truly… You’re still so innocent. No one would be relieved and send you off happily hearing you’re going out for revenge.”
“…”
“Still, it’s a relief in one way. Who would send such an innocent person alone with Dehart? Right, Watts?”
“Claude’s right. Besides, Miss Bella promised me something. We wouldn’t be able to do this properly if we split up.”
Watts was talking about finding Sebelia’s maternal relatives somewhere in Lockwood. Sebelia bit her lip lightly at the flaw he pointed out.
I never intended to make things this complicated.
The thought that they might be doing unnecessary things and getting caught up in avoidable troubles weighed heavily on her heart. Seeing her shadowed face, Dehart swallowed hard.
“Bella, don’t worry too much.”
Kneeling habitually before Sebelia, he placed his hand over hers and spoke kindly.
“If things get complicated, I’ll personally drive them away from the lab. You just focus on your revenge.”
“Look at him. Does he know that without me, Bella can’t even register as a citizen?”
Claude groaned, clutching the back of his neck. Despite seeing this, Dehart stubbornly ignored him.
“If it weren’t necessary, I wouldn’t even consider taking you.”
Gritting his teeth, Dehart replied. When Claude had first insisted on going to the capital with them, Dehart had flatly refused. Then Claude had pulled out a sweet bait.
[Even though I can offset Silas’s dirty tricks?]
Claude’s bait was powerful: introducing Sebelia as the niece of Karl Appenz would help counter Silas’s dirty tactics.
Claude stretched his arms triumphantly, as if inviting Sebelia to embrace him.
“Miss Bella—no, Bella, my niece. Uncle would ever allow such a villain. So leave that dark fellow alone and come here.”
“I’ve been keeping a dog in the family, not a person. And what a barking dog at that.”
Dehart growled but couldn’t say anything harsher, knowing Claude’s plan was plausible.
If Sebelia was registered under Karl Appenz, she could at least be legally protected. Silas might try to invalidate it with every possible excuse, but it was still helpful.
Watts, watching the Inverness family like a scene from a play, glanced at the clock on the wall and stood with a blank expression.
“I’ll consider things somewhat settled and leave first. Unlike the others, I haven’t packed yet.”
“Oh, now that you mention it, I have something to pack too.”
Claude rose and gestured to Sebelia before leaving the study. Leaving behind Dehart clinging like a whining puppy, Sebelia moved toward the door.
As she drew near, Claude smiled and whispered softly into her ear.
“Alos has returned.”
“…!”
“So you can call the bluebird now, Bella. You don’t have to watch your step anymore.”
Claude gently patted Sebelia’s head, then left the study. Sebelia stood silently for a moment before finally turning around.
So you knew.
Sebelia had secretly felt responsible for what happened in the canyon. Unlike the unharmed bluebird, Alos had shattered to pieces. It felt like blaming her own incompetence.
After returning to the residence, she had sent the bluebird away and never called it again.
Claude noticed but didn’t tell her she didn’t have to do that. Instead, he waited for Alos’s safe return and then informed her.
She didn’t have to suffer so much. No one was blaming her. Alos’s reverse-summoning wasn’t her responsibility.
“What did Claude say?”
Looking up at Dehart standing before her with a worried face, Sebelia almost smiled unconsciously.
After regaining composure, she lightly shook her head.
“Nothing much.”
Clenching her hands, Sebelia whispered. Blue light flickered faintly between her interlaced fingers.
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