After I Died, My Husband Went Mad - Chapter 322

Having dismissed all the maids who usually handled the daily cleaning—and even issued a temporary ban on anyone entering—Sebelia was up to something suspicious in the annex.

“We need more people.”

“That’s not happening.”

“At the very least, let the servants help move things.”

Denisa insisted, pointing at the shimmering illusions floating in the air. Sebelia avoided her gaze.

“I’m fine now, really. This is nothing.”

“Who uses illusion magic just to move things?”

“Plenty of wizards do it, so why pick on me…”

Ever since illusionists started making a name for themselves, she’d received meeting requests from all sorts of wizards. Of course, she hadn’t met them all, just a few who’d been personally approved by the Crown Prince for tea. Every one of those wizards had used their magic to take care of trivial tasks as much as they liked.

“It might look silly, but practicing control over your magic in daily chores is part of effective training.”

Sebelia gave the excuses she’d picked up from other wizards. She moved to the window, where delicate white lace—embroidered instead of curtained—let in soft light.

“Looks like we’ve taken care of most of the little stuff, don’t you think?”

The sitting room, warm and softly lit, was now filled with so many beautiful, glittering objects that anyone wandering in by mistake might think they’d stumbled into a wedding hall: three-branched candelabras, handwoven lace from the priests, corsages made from silver and pale blue cloth, even silver branches and flowers.

“We’ll do the fresh flowers last. Then it’ll be perfect.”

Sebelia, looking energized, declared today’s work complete. Denisa, still sitting on the couch working on her embroidery, let out a deep sigh.

“What you should be worrying about last isn’t flowers, it’s the ring, miss.”

“……”

“The Crown Prince’s courier said he’ll be here tomorrow, right on time.”

Sebelia waved away Denisa’s worries, snatched the embroidery from her hands, and gently pushed her out of the annex. The evening air was brisk as it brushed her cheeks.

“Time to go home for the day.”

Sebelia waved Denisa off, who was leaving with a face full of complaints—muttering that the Duke should realize just how lucky he was and that Sebelia shouldn’t be the one handling all this.

“Good grief…”

Unlike Sebelia, Denisa still hadn’t quite forgiven Dehart. She didn’t hate or resent him like she once had—sometimes she’d shoot him a disapproving look, but she no longer objected to him being around.

If she really hated him, she would’ve protested when I told her my plan.

On her way back toward the house. She happened to glance up and spotted someone standing behind a half-drawn curtain.

Their eyes met for just a moment. Dehart, looking startled, almost stepped back, but then seemed to reconsider—meeting her gaze with open confidence.

It’s just a coincidence.

His lips silently mouthed from behind the glass.

Sebelia smiled at the glow from his window, shining alone in the dark like a lighthouse.

I know.

When she mouthed her answer back, she saw his stiff expression relax. Shaking her head as if to say hopeless man, Sebelia continued walking.

Yes, coincidence had brought him to her.

Originally, Dehart was meant to marry Nelia, and Sebelia had only stepped into that place by accident. Their marriage had started by chance and had been painful—so painful that she’d run away, even tried to erase her own existence.

But Dehart had found her—no matter how far she’d run.

He’d endured his own hell of loss and desperation until, finally, he’d reached her. By pure chance, or perhaps by some blessing, in that city, at that moment.

That’s why Sebelia didn’t believe in his supposed change of heart. No matter what strangers gossiped about, her trust in him wouldn’t break. She knew that her absence was his hell.

But I can’t let those rumors go on forever.

Their happy days had been hard-won. But this was no mountain retreat—they couldn’t just hide away forever in their private paradise.

If that was the case, then she’d simply have to ensure there’d be no more ugly rumors to spread.

Click.

Entering her room, Sebelia reviewed her plan once more. Tomorrow, as soon as the Crown Prince’s ring arrived, she’d invite Dehart to the annex and propose to him herself.

I can’t wait to see his face…

She was so excited her heart wouldn’t stop racing, and she barely slept that night.

* * *

She awoke at dawn, not because she’d slept well but because a commotion downstairs had jolted her from her light sleep.

With a frown, she pulled on a long cardigan and marched down the hall to investigate.

The sky outside was a pale, indistinct blue—neither night nor morning. Annoyed that her perfect day had been disrupted, she couldn’t smooth her expression.

Downstairs, the strange noise continued. It sounded like someone was trying to move quietly but failing—bumping into walls, stifling their breaths until it burst out in loud sighs.

Why on earth are they doing this at this hour?

If it were a burglar, Dehart would have dealt with them already. More likely, it was servants or knights, organizing the things brought from the north. But why in the world were they doing it while everyone else was asleep?

Lost in thought, Sebelia found herself at the landing—just as voices drifted up from below.