After I Died, My Husband Went Mad - Chapter 274

Sebelia wasted no time and hurried toward the first-floor lounge. On the way, she caught the eye of one of Inverness’s knights, disguised as a guest. The knight moved to approach her in surprise, but she stopped him with a raised hand.

Go get Dehart. Bring him to the first-floor ladies’ lounge.

She mouthed the words silently, and the knight nodded before quickly vanishing up the stairs. Sebelia gathered up her cumbersome skirts and rushed on.

“Where… There you are.”

Without hesitation, Sebelia grabbed the doorknob—but no matter how she rattled it, the door wouldn’t budge. Just then, a single blue feather slipped out through the gap, and with a soft click, the lock turned.

Thank you.

She silently told Etira.

Opening the door, she slipped inside. The blue bird let out a soft chirp and nestled into her sleeve.

“What in the world—?”

Her blue eyes widened in shock as she took in the scene.

The lounge, large as a small theater, was thick with swirling mist. Just then, a loud bang sounded behind her. Sebelia spun around—only to find the door had vanished without a trace.

It’s fine. Stay calm.

She’d already called Dehart. As long as he was coming, nothing too terrible could happen. Cautiously, she began to explore the mist-filled lounge. Rosalyn had to be in here somewhere.

Should I call her name?

But no, that could put Rosalyn in even more danger. Instead, Sebelia slipped Etira from her sleeve.

Listen closely, Etira. If you find Lady Rosalyn, don’t make a sound—just let me—

Suddenly, a flash of lightning lit up the room from behind one of the partition walls.

“…!”

Sebelia immediately moved toward the source of the light. Now, for the first time, voices became audible in the fog.

“Ugh…!”

“My, you’re good at running away, Lady!”

“Get away from me!”

“Oh dear, how frightening.”

She didn’t recognize the voices perfectly, but there was no doubt who was under attack: Rosalyn.

“Tch!”

“Why don’t you just give up, Rosalyn? Fine, I’ll admit you’re the real lady. Who else would lose their mind and chase all the way in here just because someone mentioned a keepsake from their mother?”

There was a burst of mocking laughter, followed by a choking gasp.

“You’ll pay for this.”

“Yes, yes. Go right ahead. Not like you’ll be leaving here alive anyway.”

Sebelia moved slowly, silently toward the voices. As the fog thinned, shapes began to take form. She crept closer—then suddenly froze.

“Ugh…”

Someone had a rope around Rosalyn’s neck, strangling her.

“You’re only useful to anyone when you’re dead, Rosalyn.”

In that instant, Sebelia felt something snap inside her mind.

Vwooom—

“Aaah! What’s happening?!”

“Cough!”

The pressure on Rosalyn’s throat vanished. Eyes brimming with tears, she staggered upright, dazed.

“…!”

In the distance, a faint light pierced the fog and spread outwards, clearing her vision. Rosalyn’s mouth fell open in shock as she spotted something darting through the air.

It was Lady Fria, the one who’d been strangling her.

“Aagh!”

With a heavy thud, Fria was hurled against the opposite wall and collapsed to the floor, unmoving. Whether she was unconscious or simply stunned, she didn’t stir.

Rosalyn trembled at the sight of the electric-blue energy still crackling around her attacker.

What on earth just happened?

Was someone here to rescue her? Or… She tried to summon another lightning bolt, but her strength failed her.

Damn.

The strange, poisonous mist had rendered her powerless. Then—

“Lady Rosalyn.”

A voice, cool and clear as ocean spray, made Rosalyn gasp. She looked up in disbelief, her lips quivering as the face emerged from the mist, glowing in the light.

“Are you alright?”

“Y-you… cough—!”

“You don’t have to say anything. Dehart is on his way. Let me help you up.”

“No, we have to get out—!”

Rosalyn’s eyes grew impossibly wide. Behind Sebelia, Lady Fria had regained consciousness and now held a gleaming dagger poised at Sebelia’s back.

When did she—?

Everything seemed to slow down. The blade, dark blue and flickering with energy, descended toward Sebelia’s neck.

No! Rosalyn reached out to shove Sebelia aside—but it was too late.

The tip of the dagger touched Sebelia’s skin.

BANG!

A blinding light exploded, flooding the room with a golden brilliance different from the blue lightning that had cut through the fog just moments before, unfurling in front of Rosalyn.

“Aaaaah!”

Fria shrieked and collapsed, shielding herself.