After I Died, My Husband Went Mad - Chapter 323

“Bella?”

“Oh, Rosalyn. You’re up too? Didn’t you get any sleep?”

Rosalyn appeared at the bottom of the winding stairs, wrapped in a light shawl and looking distinctly flustered. Sebelia quickly realized why.

“Don’t tell me you went searching for that bookmark again?”

“Well, um…”

“I told you not to wander around alone, Rosalyn.”

After her bout with heatstroke the other day, Rosalyn had been put on something of a house arrest. Still, she’d insisted she could look for the bookmark after sunset, and had gotten in the habit of quietly sneaking around the mansion in the evenings.

“You could just ask the servants for help, you know.”

Rosalyn didn’t answer, her stubbornness written all over her face. Sebelia sighed. They really were siblings through and through.

There’s nothing I can do about it.

Rosalyn wasn’t a child, and it wasn’t like she could force her to stay put forever. At the very least, she could make sure Rosalyn didn’t catch a chill. She draped her own cardigan over Rosalyn’s shoulders.

“Here, wear this.”

“I’m fine, really.”

“Hush. People who stay up all night sneaking around lose their right to protest.”

Even after being treated like a child, Rosalyn only pouted, not really complaining. She just lingered awkwardly by Sebelia’s side.

“Do you have something else you want to say?”

“Ah, um, well…”

Rosalyn glanced down the stairs, biting her lip hesitantly. Sebelia followed her gaze, noticing for the first time that the noise from below had gone silent.

With her face a little more relaxed, Rosalyn dug into her pocket and pulled something out.

“Actually, I found the bookmark today.”

“Really? Oh, congratulations!”

“But… I found something else, too…”

Maybe that’s why she’d seemed so hesitant. She lowered her hand holding the dusty gold-leaf bookmark—and in her palm, a pair of earrings sparkled.

“These are…”

Rosalyn delivered the final blow.

“I think these must be part of the set Maya stole, don’t you?”

Sebelia’s head spun. Grabbing the banister, she let out a weak groan. Rosalyn quickly moved to steady her.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, just a little dizzy.”

“I’ll walk you back to your room.”

Rosalyn’s heart was pounding hard enough for Sebelia to feel it. She gave a faint smile and gently shook her off.

“No, it’s fine. I just need a cup of tea.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to rest?”

“No, I might as well get some air.”

She figured she wasn’t going to get back to sleep anyway. Maybe she could use this chance to check on the annex one more time. Saying goodnight to Rosalyn, she started down the stairs—but Rosalyn blocked her way.

“Rosalyn?”

“Bella, there’s something I really need to tell you.”

“Now?”

“Yes, right now—”

Just then, a metallic clatter and a muffled groan came from downstairs. And with that, Rosalyn’s first and most important task from Dehart—to keep Sebelia occupied—ended in defeat.

Tap tap tap.

Sebelia raced down the stairs and stopped in shock at the sight that awaited her in the entryway, hall, and parlor. The whole space had been utterly transformed.

“What is all this?”

The words just slipped out. The knights who had been moving quietly froze in place, each of them holding something: flowers and wreaths, porcelain ornaments made of colored glass, empty birdcages, soft feathers…

Feathers?

“Oh!”

A golden-feathered bird that had been circling above swooped up toward the stairs. Sebelia hunched her shoulders in surprise as the bird landed atop the chandelier, giving a little chirp.

“You saw everything.”

Dehart emerged from the parlor, letting out a heavy sigh and waving off the embarrassed knights.

He looked seriously flustered, running his hands over his face again and again.

“Sigh…”

At this point, it would have been weirder not to realize what was going on. Sebelia fought the urge to run away and forced herself not to look at Dehart. That just made the details on the first floor come into even sharper focus.

Oh, gods, what now…

It was obvious to anyone—this was a proposal in progress. There were even boxes of decorations stacked unopened by the front door.

Well, there’s no use pretending now…

At this point, feigning ignorance would just be torture for Dehart. She decided she’d have to face things head-on.

Marching quickly down the stairs, Sebelia grabbed Dehart’s hand and tugged him along.

“As of this moment, the meeting ban is officially lifted.”

His golden eyes, dulled with fatigue, now sparked with surprise. Sebelia didn’t give him any time to think, tightening her grip on his hand.

“Wait, where are we going?”

Dehart asked but Sebelia led him without a word. He soon realized they were heading for the garden.

“Does this mean the ban on the annex is lifted too?”

“Shh.”

She opened the door, and a rush of fresh air swept in, thanks to the lush green trees decorating the entryway. As Dehart tried to say something about how different it looked, Sebelia pushed him into the parlor.

He was speechless at what he saw.

“What… is all this…?”

His voice trembled at the end, echoing softly in the grand room. Just as Sebelia had instantly understood the scene in the foyer, Dehart took it all in at a glance.

Across from them, at the altar where eternal love was promised, the place for the couple stood empty. Dehart let out a quiet, almost incredulous laugh and turned to her.

“Should I put the ring on you myself?”

His voice, trembling with anticipation, was full of hope.

“You… to me?”

His golden eyes glistened with tears in the early morning light. Staring at a sight she’d never grow tired of, Sebelia stepped forward, laying her gentle hand over his heart.

“If you’ll say yes.”

Dehart, as if struck to the core, opened his mouth—then let out a breathless laugh.