After I Died, My Husband Went Mad - Chapter 199

In truth, his presence in the capital was partly out of responsibility as her mentor but also because Sebelia reminded him of his past self.

“If they threatened you, don’t hide it—be honest.”

“That’s not it.”

Sebelia shook her head lightly, glanced at Dehart with concern, then turned back to Claude. He had shed the appearance of Karl Appenz and now shone with golden eyes just like Dehart’s while watching her intently.

The worry and concern in those eyes made Sebelia’s heart flutter slightly. The gaze was something she had never even received from blood relatives, and for a moment, her eyes stung.

“Tell us quickly.”

Claude pressed again, and Dehart nodded silently beside him. Sebelia took a deep breath and began.

“They didn’t realize the marriage with Duke Inverness was so unbearable. They said such forced marriages won’t happen anymore, and if I return, they’ll welcome me warmly.”

“What?! Ha…!”

“Unbelievable, isn’t it? I expected ridiculous things, but I never imagined hearing that.”

“Ha.”

Dehart let out a short laugh, sharp and cutting through the heavy silence. His face was grim as he clenched his teeth. The faint crackle of sparks could be heard.

Sebelia forced herself to look away from him. Lowering her head, she stared at her clasped hands and continued.

“From what I gathered, they don’t seem interested in reviving the ‘Sebelia Wheddon’ identity. They kept emphasizing a new identity, a fresh start… When it became clear I wouldn’t accept, they laid out unexpected conditions.”

“There’s no way they have any terms to hold you back.”

Dehart’s sharp remark made Sebelia smile coldly and lift her head. Her icy blue eyes held a hopeless gleam as she stared at Dehart.

After a long silence, heavy words finally slipped from her lips.

“They said they’d tell me about my birth mother.”

“…”

“Now, of all times.”

Her throat tightened. Inside her, a filthy fire flared up, swelling and scorching everything.

Sebelia closed her eyes and calmly let the pain wash over her.

“They made sure I never even dreamed about her… and now, at this late hour…”

To her, ‘mother’ was a word and presence taken away when she was very young. In fairy tales, mothers were always warm embraces, gentle eyes, and unconditional love. Naturally, Sebelia had pictured her mother as such.

Someday, when mother returns, I’ll be loved like that too. Maybe I’ll feel that warm embrace and hear that gentle voice.

But those sweet hopes and expectations were mocked and crushed by Silas.

[Your birth mother was a cruel and terrible stranger. It’s shameful you ever had any affection for such a witch.]

[Don’t you get why she abandoned you? Wanting maternal love is foolish—just like her bloodline.]

Shattered dreams tore Sebelia’s heart apart. Since then, she never once wondered about her birth mother. Or rather, she couldn’t.

To me, mother was a cruel witch who abandoned her young daughter.

And now, to use that as bait? Sebelia couldn’t even laugh. Besides, she already had the means to find her birth mother without their help.

Thinking of Watts returning to his room, Sebelia steadied her emotions and lifted her heavy eyelids.

Two men watched her with worried faces.

“If you’re tired, maybe you should stop talking and head back to your room.”

“Dehart’s right. I’ll tell them to warm up your bedroom, so why don’t you go?”

The two men, with just a slight difference in hair color, looked solemn yet somewhat comical, their fuss contrasting with the situation. Sebelia couldn’t help but smile faintly.

“I’m fine. More importantly, can you tell me about a famous tea house nearby? One with private rooms would be best.”

“A tea house? When I briefly visited the capital a few years ago, ‘Lake Osla’ was the most popular. I don’t know if that’s still true. Why do you ask?”

Claude tilted his head curiously. Sebelia replied in a gentle voice.

“I’m meeting Nelia again. I’m the one deciding the time and place.”

“Just the two of you? No matter who chooses the time and place, it’s dangerous.”

“It’ll be fine. And… since they’re even saying they’ll tell me about the mother who’s been cursing me all my life, I need to know why they want to reclaim me.”

If there’s something they desperately want so badly they’re willing to pick up a discarded piece on the board again, then destroying that hope would be the most meaningful revenge.

Sebelia swallowed the rest of her words and smiled softly.