After I Died, My Husband Went Mad - Chapter 309

“Don’t you remember?”

“Hmm.”

When Sebelia averted her eyes, Dehart let out a sigh. Running a hand through his hair in frustration, he looked up and fixed her with an intense gaze—as if he wanted to peer straight into her heart.

“Every time we went out together, if we saw a happy family, you’d always say something like that without realizing it.”

Whenever she saw close siblings or children cherished by their parents, Sebelia would unconsciously murmur that she was envious. She might not have noticed it, but Dehart—always by her side—remembered every single instance.

And he couldn’t help it. That was a kind of happiness he could never give her. He could promise to be her only lover, to love her forever, but he could never give her the bond of a sibling or the affection of a parent.

In the midst of their peaceful days and happiness, it was his one quiet sorrow.

“I know how this sounds. It probably makes me look awful. But…”

He bit his lip, the words tinged with pain.

“Is it so wrong to just be satisfied with me?”

So, without realizing it, he found himself pleading again. Pouring affection into his voice, longing in his gaze, whispering close to her ear, knowing she’d falter.

As expected, Sebelia seemed flustered, her cheeks growing warmer with every moment he drew nearer.

“D-Dehart…”

“If there’s anything you want, I’ll give it to you. Just… don’t envy anyone else, Bella. Okay?”

He pressed his lips to her wrist, leaving a tiny mark, his expression as eager as a puppy looking for praise.

The gentle nip sent tingles through Sebelia, making her whole body shiver.

“What are you doing? Stop that.”

She whispered quickly, and Dehart pouted.

“No.”

“Why are you being stubborn?”

“Promise me. Then I’ll stop.”

“Dehart!”

“……”

“The servants will be bringing dessert soon.”

Avoiding his eyes, Sebelia tried to hide the flush on her ears. Dehart’s sharp gaze followed her every move, but finally, with a sigh of regret, he sat back, putting a little distance between them.

“Sorry for being unreasonable.”

He apologized, though after doing exactly as he pleased, it was hard not to find it a bit ridiculous. Sebelia quickly tucked her wrist—with its growing scatter of red marks—inside her sleeve and shot him a glare.

But Dehart, by then, had already composed himself. Watching him eat his dessert as if nothing had happened left Sebelia a little exasperated, and—much to her own annoyance—a little charmed.

“Sigh.”

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing.”

Sebelia took a spoonful of sorbet and quietly sighed. Clueless, Dehart just blinked and tilted his head in confusion.

She was contemplating a walk in the garden when, at that very moment, Eli arrived.

“Forgive me for interrupting your meal. This is urgent, so I had no choice but to intrude.”

“It’s all right. What is it?”

“A message has arrived for the Duke—very urgent.”

It seemed it really was urgent; Eli looked tense as he leaned in to whisper to Dehart. Whatever he said, it was serious enough that Dehart’s brow furrowed.

“Bella, I’m sorry, but may I be excused?”

“Of course.”

She’d been about to finish eating anyway. After apologizing again, Dehart left the room with Eli. Sebelia herself stepped out of the dining room, but suddenly paused, struck by a nagging thought.

Hmm?

Even as she’d watched them leave, something had felt off. She remembered the way Eli had glanced at her, whispering the news only to Dehart.

Strange… he’s never been so secretive, even with confidential news.

Today, though, Eli had clearly been careful to keep her out of it. The odd feeling made Sebelia bite her lip, then resume walking. Now there was a wave of inexplicable disappointment.

No, there’s nothing to be upset about. It must really be serious.

Reassuring herself, Sebelia pushed open the door to the garden, determined to clear her mind with a bit of work in the herb beds.

“Oh, I almost forgot to stake up the flower stalks.”

She muttered to herself as she surveyed the garden—so luxurious it hardly looked like a vegetable patch. Thanks to her careful selection of easy-to-grow, beautiful herbs, the beds were as much a flower garden as anything else.

Hmm, what should I do…

She’d need to stop by the Marlen District for materials to stake up the flowers. Stretching her back, Sebelia glanced at the sky to estimate the time. With so many people passing through Marlen, even a short errand there could be exhausting.

I’ll just go tomorrow.

She was about to take off her gloves when something brushed against her foot. Looking down, she spotted Maya.

“Maya, what’s up?”