After I Died, My Husband Went Mad - Chapter 260

The reports that began around midday finally wrapped up by evening. After organizing the documents Ryan had sent via Eli, Dehart let out a long sigh.

As Eli reviewed the new instructions, he glanced at Dehart and spoke up.

“So, regarding the underground organization, I’ll continue to leave everything to Sir Ryan. I’ve told him not to send any sensitive updates by mail, but to use one of his knights to deliver them in person. That should prevent any leaks.”

“Good. Thank you for your work.”

With a wave of Dehart’s hand, Eli quietly left the study. The silence that followed was immediately broken by a splitting headache.

“Ugh.”

He hurriedly opened a drawer, the clatter of things knocking around echoing in the room. But no matter how he searched, he couldn’t find what he was looking for.

It was only then, through the persistent pain, that he remembered: he’d been forbidden to use any sedatives or similar medication. That miserable reality.

This is crazy.

He squeezed his eyes shut and then forced them open, but the pain was just as fierce. There are things in life you just can’t will your way through. Clicking his tongue in frustration, he braced himself on the side table and tried to stand.

That’s when the pain in his head exploded, flaring up like wildfire. The next thing he knew, the room was tilting.

Ah.

I can’t let myself get hurt. I’ll get scolded again. Even as such a ridiculous thought crossed his mind, his body simply collapsed. No matter how much he struggled to regain control, it was pointless.

His body, worn out from days of stress, wasn’t about to cooperate.

“Dehart!”

When he finally came to, he saw Sebelia’s pale, stricken face hovering over him. Only then did he realize that the vines he’d seen at lunch were now wrapped around him.

What’s happening right now? With sluggish thoughts, he tried to process the situation.

“Ah.”

So she caught him when he collapsed, just like she did with Claude earlier.

“Haha.”

A faint, powerless laugh escaped him, and in that moment, Sebelia truly understood what it meant for her heart to burn with worry. She looked at him, her eyes full of helplessness.

“I’m sorry.”

He apologized immediately, knowing he was at fault. He hadn’t meant for any of this to happen, but seeing her looking so troubled stung in a way he couldn’t explain. Sebelia shook her head.

“It’s fine. But you really ought to eat something.”

“Honestly, what I really need is some medicine.”

As he became aware of what had just happened, the pain returned with a vengeance. Was it just nerves? He gritted his teeth to stifle a groan.

“Eating on an empty stomach will only make you sicker. I’ll call for someone to bring food, so try to hang in there until then, all right?”

“I’ll… try.”

With a glum expression, Dehart tilted his head back. Frowning, Sebelia snapped her fingers. The vines holding him loosened, carefully setting him down on the long sofa before vanishing without a trace.

“What would you have done if I hadn’t come in?”

“Hmm.”

Regaining his freedom, he tried to get up, only to find Sebelia right in front of him. She looked at him as if she had a thousand things to say, and Dehart started to speak but then bit his tongue.

“Dehart.”

Murky gold eyes looked up at her.

“I’m sorry. Let’s call for someone later. Could you just stay with me for a bit?”

His voice was low and tinged with exhaustion. With a heavy gaze, Sebelia walked closer.

She hadn’t realized he was pushing himself so hard. Or maybe, deep down, she’d always known but hadn’t dared to reach out—afraid that meddling would ruin the fragile balance between them.

I should have been braver.

That boldness she’d learned—she should have applied it with him, too, but she just couldn’t bring myself to do it.

She was afraid of touching the raw wound that was his family. She worried that if she tried to comfort him, if she got too involved, she’d push their fragile relationship past the breaking point. She was afraid of something so small.

Am I still this insecure?

With Claude, whose relationship to her as mentor was unshakeable, she could act however she pleased. But with Dehart, she couldn’t do a thing. She was scared that if she pushed too hard, he’d just disappear—like a bubble bursting—and so she settled for being content as long as he was somewhere within her sight.

Or maybe it’s that I just can’t bring myself to trust him?

Bitterly, she smiled and gently stroked Dehart’s cheek. As her hand warmed his skin, he slowly closed his eyes, surrendering himself to her. Even at a glance, he looked gaunt, with hollow cheeks and a sharp jaw from just a few days of neglect.

She sighed silently as she traced the lines of his face. All this time, she’d been circling around him, not realizing that even the smallest touch could bring him comfort.

“……”

Sitting beside him, she let him rest his head in her lap. Dehart closed his eyes and breathed out, finally at peace for the first time in ages.

“Haa…”

Watching him, Sebelia finally spoke.

“Maybe it’s time to just talk about it. About the inheritance, too. If you explain that you had no other choice back then—”

“And what good would that do?”

Dehart’s eyes snapped open, his tone suddenly cold.

“That’s…”

“Should I tell her, ‘Of course we didn’t look for you, we all thought you were dead. It was only natural for me to become the Duke’? Should I just pile on excuses like that?”

The words tumbled out, sharp as blades. Dehart bit his lip, surprised at his own reaction.

Sebelia was startled, but not particularly hurt.