After I Died, My Husband Went Mad - Chapter 219

Evening arrived before long. Sebelia waited for Dehart in the dining room but soon noticed his absence.

“Gone without a word…”

“Must be for a good reason. Since he left without notice, he probably plans to return soon. Let’s eat.”

Claude casually sliced his steak. Watts, sitting beside him, quietly enjoyed his meal alone.

Sebelia looked down, observing the two men’s calm demeanor, unlike her own anxiousness.

I wish he’d left at least a note.

She nibbled her food slowly. Noticing her poor appetite, Claude’s eyes widened.

“Bella? What’s wrong? Is the food bad?”

“No, no.”

She hurriedly waved him off as he tried to stand. She also stopped Watts, who was about to pull out a medicine bottle with a serious face.

“I was just distracted worrying about when I could name the blue bird.”

“Oh, you worry too much. Just relax and enjoy today.”

“I’ll try.”

Sebelia forced a smile and nodded. Dinner ended ambiguously. Claude went to his room; Watts retreated to the study as usual.

Sebelia wandered aimlessly.

“Where to next?”

Though the Inverness estate wasn’t as grand or historic as Hillend Hall, its size was impressive. Having explored the study yesterday, today she thought to visit the art studio.

To divert her thoughts from Dehart, she forced herself to walk—but that was where the problem arose. Dehart, who favored bright spaces, has his office near the art studio.

She hesitated, wondering if searching his office might reveal why he suddenly left.

But should I really do that?

Since breaking into his bedroom uninvited a few days ago, he had given her free access to his office and room. Yet, since that day, she hadn’t barged into either.

The reason wasn’t special. Mostly because, after all, they weren’t close enough to be so familiar.

Even when we were married, I never went directly to his office.

She recalled the past slowly. What she hadn’t done then, she couldn’t do now. That was simply unacceptable by her standards.

No choice…

Curious but resigned, she turned away. Just as she hesitated to step forward, she sensed a presence.

“Oh!”

Her shadowy blue eyes widened like lamps. There, arms crossed in the dim hallway, stood Claude.

“It’s about time.”

“Mr. Claude?”

“I told you to just call me Claude, but you won’t listen. So, do you want to come in or not?”

Caught off guard by his bluntness, Sebelia couldn’t answer. Claude sighed, got up, and walked out of the shadows, resting a hand on the office doorframe, looking down at her.

“Bella.”

“Yes?”

“I suddenly realized as your teacher that I haven’t taught you anything beyond illusion magic. That’s why I should be stripped of my teacher’s title. Maybe it’s my fault you still can’t find the familiar spirit’s name.”

Sebelia stared at Claude in disbelief. He ignored her gaze and raised a finger for emphasis.

“Bella, remember this: shamelessness and boldness are the most powerful weapons for an illusionist.”

“What on earth are you talking about?”

Sebelia began to pull away slowly.

“Mr. Claude, I’m sorry, but I don’t understand what you mean.”

“Hmm, sorry, I rambled. I just wanted to teach my only student that sometimes when things are unclear, charging forward is a pretty good answer.”

Sebelia frowned, looking up at him. Now he had a mischievous grin. Click. The sound of a key turning in a lock.

Creak…

The door opened behind Sebelia. A cool breeze swept the back of her neck, as if the window had been left open. Claude whispered with a note of amusement,

“Oh dear, the door’s open. What shall we do?”

“Uh…”

“Uh-oh, won’t the papers fly away?”

Startled, Sebelia dashed into the office. It was already too late; she had fallen into Claude’s trap.