After I Died, My Husband Went Mad - Chapter 318

It had only been three days since their search began, but their efforts were so relentless that the end of the trowel was already dented.

“This dusty little cat…”

Sebelia suppressed a bitter smile at how much Rosalyn’s mannerisms were starting to resemble Dehart’s.

Once again, the two of them were scouring every corner of the estate in hopes of finding the bookmark Maya had hidden.

Doreen had said there was no need to return it, but now that her departure was set, Rosalyn just couldn’t leave it unresolved. At first, Sebelia had suggested asking the staff for help, but Rosalyn didn’t want to give them extra work when they were already so busy.

So here they were.

“I really wanted to return it before leaving for the North.”

“Don’t be discouraged. We’ll find it before then. Here, drink this—you’re sweating too much.”

Sebelia handed her a cold drink.

“Thanks.”

While she drank, Sebelia glanced behind her. Aside from some large rocks and tree roots near the upturned earth, there was nothing of interest.

“I had no idea there were so many holes around here.”

“Seriously. Dig a little more and even a child could crawl through.”

“No way.”

Rosalyn protested, shaking her head in disbelief. After finishing her drink, she regained her resolve.

“Let’s check the next spot!”

Sebelia nodded and followed after her. She watched the ribbon on Rosalyn’s sunhat flutter like a butterfly in the wind, thinking how glad she was to have come along.

The simple act of following Rosalyn eased the tension that had been weighing on her, and her heart, which had been racing for no reason, finally returned to its usual rhythm.

It’s not like anything is particularly hard…

There was no abusive family, no servants treating her with contempt. These days, she is surrounded only by good people. It was a peace and happiness she never could have imagined in the past.

That article must be nonsense, anyway.

So, in truth, nothing was wrong at all. Still, a vague anxiety lingered inside her, making her restless for reasons she couldn’t name—like she was carrying around worries that refused to be resolved.

Sigh.

People who’ve gone through big upheavals in life often struggle with stress even after everything settles down. Sebelia found herself thinking that Watts was right—again.

How long until they come back?

Watts seemed to have fully settled into life in Lockwood, and sometimes Sebelia would recall Claude’s complaints in his letters and smile to herself. They hadn’t spent much time together, but the intensity of their shared experiences meant she felt their absence keenly.

Whenever loneliness crept in, it was as if Claude and Watts could sense it; they’d take turns sending her letters filled with nagging reminders about her health and well-being.

I kind of wish I could ask them for a good remedy.

But Claude and Watts had outright rejected her suggestion, telling her she was probably just overthinking things and that it would be better to simply keep moving. Their advice—pursue a simple goal and pair it with straightforward physical activity—wasn’t bad, considering how long Sebelia had worked as a doctor’s assistant.

And so, she insisted on searching the estate with Rosalyn, politely turning down the eager staff who offered to do it for them.

Still, even repetitive physical labor meant to soothe her nerves started to wear them out by midday. Both women had been sick before, so the color drained from their already pale faces as fatigue set in.

“The sun’s strong today. Should we head inside, Rosalyn?”

“I think we just need to check one more spot…”

Just then, Prince Shateian showed up, tipping the balance between their bodies’ pleas for rest and Rosalyn’s guilt over her friend’s lost item.

“What, are you two playing in the dirt?”

Without any warning, the Crown Prince appeared, looking like he’d just slipped away from a party—he flung off his heavy, ornate jacket and strode across the sunlit lawn in nothing but a light shirt.

“Looks like fun. Mind if I join in?”

Standing there in just his shirt, he looked so out of place that Sebelia was stunned into silence. Rosalyn was no different.

“Ugh…”

“Rosalyn!”

“Oh no—”

Just as Rosalyn was about to collapse, Shateian caught her.

“Let’s get her to the sitting room.”

Under Sebelia’s swift command, Rosalyn was brought into the cool sitting room. She was about to send for a doctor, but Shateian stopped her.

“The imperial doctor came with me.”

“What?”

“He’s in the carriage. Have a servant fetch him.”

A servant soon returned with the imperial doctor. It was all a little suspicious, but Sebelia let it go for now—the situation was more pressing.

Thankfully, the diagnosis was simple: Rosalyn had just collapsed from heat exhaustion. With some rest and water, she’d recover quickly. Still, Shateian clicked his tongue, clearly displeased she’d pushed herself so hard.

The two stood in silence, watching over Rosalyn, until Sebelia finally spoke.