After I Died, My Husband Went Mad - Chapter 193

“You can’t exceed the number of imperial knights. The Emperor is wary.”

Nobles nesting in the capital had no real private armies, but other regions did. The imperial court especially feared northern knights.

Though lacking justification to revoke knight appointments, the imperial court constantly looked for opportunities to reduce northern forces. The same went for nobles elsewhere.

Dehart scoffed.

“That’s why I call them cowards.”

Glancing out the window, he draped a blanket over Sebelia’s knees.

“It’ll be a long trip, so sleep if you get tired.”

Meanwhile, outside the carriage, Eli was arguing with the capital’s inspectors. Though it was more a fierce battle of wills than a mere quarrel.

“Why so many attendants? I heard the Duke has been under psychological stress lately—is this an increase in meal servants?”

“I heard noble folk who have never stepped outside the capital need attendants to serve desserts—but sorry, our Duke’s attendants wield swords, not forks.”

Eli silently cheered at the inspector’s bulging vein. He was annoyed too. They had deliberately left knights behind to keep numbers right, yet here was this ridiculous complaint.

“Hmph…”

The inspector glanced unhappily between Dehart’s carriage and Eli. Having wasted nearly an hour on the Duke, he probably felt he’d saved the capital’s dignity.

“Welcome to Lang Elisa. I hope you enjoy the capital’s unmatched atmosphere before you leave.”

With a proud voice, the inspector gestured, opening the way. Eli smiled grimly, bared his teeth in a farewell, and took the lead on the carriage.

Clop clop clop. The sound of hooves striking the white stone echoed cheerfully. The black carriage drawn by four horses silently entered the capital.

The news soon spread throughout the capital by evening.

* * *

The Duke of Inverness’s arrival in Lang Elisa was officially his second, unofficially his third time. He had slipped in secretly to evade inspectors and capture Denisa once before.

The only noble aware of this was Silas, who expressed pleasure at the news brought by a servant.

“There must be something more urgent than housekeeping.”

Slowly stroking his chin, he picked up a newspaper from the pile on his desk. Every paper contained the same advertisement.

An ad he himself had placed, searching for his lost daughter.

“He went mad after losing Sebelia. Could it be that he found hope in this?”

Unaware of who Sebelia was with, he guessed the situation on his own. He chuckled imagining how amusing it would be if Dehart clung to Sebelia’s twin.

But that amusement vanished when Nathan handed him a letter. His face hardened.

“Is it serious?”

Nathan asked cautiously. Silas didn’t answer but sat down, a deep furrow between his brows revealing his troubled thoughts.

“Father.”

“……”

“Please say something. If it concerns the family, as the heir, shouldn’t I know?”

Nathan protested. His eyes didn’t leave the envelope Silas had tossed aside. What could be in this letter from the insignificant town of Suffredi that his father wouldn’t even glance at him?

When impatient Nathan’s neck flushed red, Silas finally folded the letter and set it down. A fierce emotion surged briefly in his pale blue eyes before fading.

“Nathan.”

“Yes.”

“Bring Nelia here.”

“Nelia? What good is she except for running around the salon? Leave it to me…!”

Cooled by the harsh glare, Nathan fell silent. Bowing his head, he said in a subdued voice,

“…She can’t come right now. She left early this morning to meet the Crown Prince.”

“What a nuisance.”

Silas clicked his tongue. He had been the one urging to build relations before announcing the engagement to the Crown Prince. He frowned and mentioned,

“Think of a new name for Sebelia. Since she came to the capital without my knowledge, I must act quickly.”

“Yes?”

Looking confused, Nathan met Silas’s cold smile.

“The Duke of Inverness has returned with my daughter, who went missing in childhood.”

Silas clenched his teeth as Nathan gaped in shock.