After I Died, My Husband Went Mad - Chapter 192

Morning dawned over the silent city of the gods. Deep within the third hill’s mountain range, smoke was already rising in thin wisps. While people sweating under the sun dug into the earth to excavate ruins, Lycia woke up late from her sleep.

“Hah.”

It was that dream again. Gritting her teeth, Lycia wiped the cold sweat from her forehead.

Because of that mad duke, I’ve had to endure such humiliation.

Since being driven out of the residence by Dehart, Lycia had repeatedly relived that day’s events in her dreams. According to a doctor, the terror had been etched into her body and kept surfacing.

It was nothing short of humiliating.

As Lycia struggled to suppress her anger, a maid cautiously approached.

“Miss, your wash water is ready.”

Clenching her teeth, Lycia nodded. Gentle hands washed the sweat from her face and helped her change into her day clothes. During this, Lycia tried to shake off the fearful memories.

“Haah…”

Calm down, Lycia Suffredi. You are the one who will restore Suffredi’s honor. I will repay the Duke’s rude behavior in due time.

As she vowed revenge, her pounding heart settled somewhat. Two maids twisted her black hair into a glossy updo. It was almost time to go down to the dining room and start the morning with the newspaper laid out by the butler.

Suddenly, urgent footsteps echoed down the corridor, followed by someone knocking roughly on the door. Lycia frowned, but the maid straightened and raised her voice.

“What rudeness is this so early in the morning? Please return after Miss has finished her meal.”

“Apologies, but this is urgent news.”

The voice was clearly anxious. Sensing something was amiss, Lycia ordered the maid to find out what was going on. The maid soon returned with a grim expression.

Lycia felt a chill at the sight but hid it behind a haughty glare.

“What’s all this fuss about?”

The maid looked flustered—knowing she had to say it but hesitating. Pressed again by Lycia, she finally spoke.

“The Duke of Inverness left Suffredi at dawn three days ago.”

“…What?”

Lycia’s face was in disbelief, and the maid spoke in a timid voice.

“Since the day the Duke treated you disrespectfully, all the residence servants were replaced, so we only heard the news late. Moreover, several knights were deliberately left behind to make it seem as if the Duke had only stepped out briefly.”

“That’s enough excuses. Have you tracked where he went?”

“It was confirmed he slipped out through the south gate, but after that, his whereabouts are unknown…”

The maid bit her lip tightly and trailed off. Lycia’s eyes blazed with fury as she stood abruptly. Unable to contain her anger, she flung open the door.

“Miss.”

Standing there was not a servant but the butler, who managed the residence. His pale, drawn face held out a newspaper to Lycia. Without thinking, she took it and opened it.

Dominating a quarter of the front page was a portrait of a woman. Lycia’s green eyes widened sharply at the familiar face. Bold letters above the portrait read:

[Searching for the whereabouts of the late Sebelia Inverness’s identical twin.]

If the elegant woman with flowing golden hair were to cut it short and dye it brown… wouldn’t she be the woman who clung so closely to the duke?

“Hah!”

Crushing the paper, Lycia laughed shortly. The anger that had been burning inside her moments ago swiftly cooled.

I never imagined an opportunity for revenge would come this easily.

Whether or not she was truly the deceased Duchess’s twin didn’t matter. In fact, it was even better if she was. With a fierce smile, Lycia spoke to the butler.

“I must write a letter to Marquis Wheddon.”

“Excuse me? You mean—”

“My father should know that the mad Duke is coveting his dead wife’s twin.”

Her red lips curled arrogantly.

“And I’ll collect a hefty reward as a bonus—a win-win situation.”

* * *

Belkram’s capital, Lang Elisa, was the only region where the imperial rule still held firm, commonly referred to simply as ‘the capital’.

This meant that outside the capital, the empire’s influence was much weaker.

“So that’s why nobles who don’t reside in the capital always had such small entourages. I never knew.”

Sebelia couldn’t hide her surprise in her widened eyes.

No wonder it felt strange.

She recalled the attendants Dehart had brought when he came to receive her before the wedding. His party totaled barely twenty. It was quite modest for someone reputed to lead the north.

“You can hire more servants after coming to the capital, but there’s a limit to the number of knights you can bring.”

Claude added the explanation.