Chapter 303
“Where do you mean? Oh, are you talking about that new resort down south? I heard it’s been newly renovated. So you’ve heard about it too?”
Dehart tried to change the subject smoothly, which made Sebelia smile wryly. She knew exactly what he was trying to do, but she let it slide for now. She cupped his cheeks with both hands, forcing him to meet her eyes.
His golden eyes flickered up to her for just a moment before slipping away again.
“Dehart.”
“…”
“It’s already been over three months since everything wrapped up. If you count from the day you left Hillend Hall, it’s almost half a year now. I’m fine, so you really should go visit soon.”
For a moment it looked like Dehart was listening, but then he turned halfway and buried his face in her lap. Sebelia sighed, half amused, as he mumbled in a small voice.
“Everything’s fine here… do I really have to go?”
“Dehart.”
“…Bella.”
“I know you’ve been planning to go sometime this week, even if you pretend otherwise.”
Dehart stiffened, face still hidden in her lap. Sebelia pulled out her last card.
“I also know you kept postponing your trip north because something unexpected always seemed to come up.”
“…”
“There aren’t any more trials left, and you’ve already driven away all the people who kept coming to you with revenge or compensation claims. The Crown Prince is firmly settled on the throne now, so you don’t need to worry anymore—just go.”
She was right. The only reason Dehart hadn’t returned north was because he’d been so busy with the aftermath, not because he hated Hillend Hall.
People had started filing lawsuits for the remaining assets of Marquis Wheddon, who’d been sent to Lockwood. He’d had to deal with distant relatives and illegitimate children he hadn’t even known existed, not to mention rogue factions causing problems one after another.
While juggling all this, Dehart was also working between the palace and his home, helping to broker a new peace accord between the north and central regions, mending his relationship with Rosalyn, and planning for the future with the Crown Prince.
It was the kind of workload that would require three people, not one. So, it made sense to everyone that Dehart, who was losing his sanity, would find his only moments of peace at Sebelia’s side.
Even for someone who was the feared executioner of the central government, needed rest. But now that Sebelia herself was telling him to go, he couldn’t stall any longer.
“…Fine.”
Dehart said, finally sitting up. Leaning forward, he gave her a pitiful look at Sebelia.
“Bella…”
He looked at her as if begging her not to send him away, as if there was still time to change her mind.
Not a chance.
Sebelia thought, and tapped him playfully on the nose.
“Have a safe trip.”
“…”
She gently stroked the lines from his brow and continued.
“And don’t forget to bring me a present.”
“A present?”
“Yes, a present.”
Her fingers traced down from his brow to the bridge of his nose, then paused at his collarbone. There was a faint jingling sound. Dehart glanced down, noticing the thin fingers resting on her silver cross necklace adorned with a blue gemstone.
“Is there something special you want?”
“Hmm…”
Sebelia tilted her head, pretending to think. Dehart watched her closely.
“Anything is fine. Nothing really comes to mind… oh, how about a jewelry box?”
“A jewelry box?”
Dehart blinked in surprise. Sebelia wasn’t one to fuss over accessories, and most of what she owned were things he’d insisted on giving her.
A jewelry box, of all things…
Sensing his curiosity, Sebelia explained with a little laugh.
“Nelia once got a jewelry box as a souvenir from her father’s business trip. It just popped into my head when you mentioned a gift.”
Dehart’s expression turned oddly serious, but Sebelia didn’t notice and kept smiling, reminiscing about how she used to envy Nellia for it.
“Ha.”
“What is it?”
“I understand. I’ll bring you something even the Crown Prince can’t get his hands on.”
“What? There’s no need to go that far!”
She balked at his over-the-top promise, but Dehart just shrugged.
“Well, the buyer gets to decide what to bring, don’t they?”
“But—”
“I know, I know. I’ll bring you something you’ll really like.”
He pressed a light kiss to her cheek as he whispered. Only then did Sebelia finally relax and smile.
“I’ll be looking forward to it.”
“You’d better.”
Dehart left the room with a look of confidence. Gone was the man acting like a lovesick puppy just moments ago. Sebelia couldn’t help but chuckle at the change.
A few days later, as planned, Dehart boarded a carriage north with his knights. What Sebelia didn’t know was that the palace would send extra royal guards to keep watch in his absence.
And she certainly never expected Rosalyn to show up at their door alongside them.
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