After I Died, My Husband Went Mad

By the time Roman arrived, the fire had been somewhat contained. Nevertheless he couldn’t help but stare at the blackened mansion with bewildered eyes.

 

This can’t be happening.

 

Inverness was the pride of the North and his pride.

 

The grandeur of the mansion, to which he had dedicated himself for generations, was the foundation of his pride.

 

Yet, such a terrible thing had occurred!

 

He was furious, and his anger naturally turned towards the culprit.

 

“Who the hell did this?”

 

With a trembling voice and a flushed face, Roman looked as if he would strike the culprit if they were right in front of him.

 

Gross looked at him with a stern expression and said with a sigh,

 

“……It’s the Duke.”

 

“…….”

 

Gross took Roman, who was suddenly less talkative, to the building spared by the flames on the eastern side. As they passed through the corridors, the faces of the servants they encountered were filled with tension and fear. Gross, with a solemn expression, addressed Roman.

 

“You must have noticed that the atmosphere in the mansion has been unusual lately.”

 

“…….”

 

Roman nodded in response to Gross’s observation.

Then, the butler sighed and continued speaking.

 

“It seems an old curse has resurfaced, affecting him negatively. That’s why Lady Gwen and I have been trying to talk to him, but he won’t listen… He’s acting strangely.”

 

At these words, Gross frowned deeply.

 

Yes, his master had indeed been acting strangely. There was no other way to describe it. Otherwise, he wouldn’t willingly risk getting trapped in the flames and dying.

 

[It’s quite a humorous expression you are making, Gross. Go and worry about my beloved aunt as you do so sincerely. She seemed to have taken in quite a bit of smoke.]

 

Gross gritted his teeth at the voice ringing in his ears.

 

[I cannot leave. I don’t understand what you’re saying. This is where I belong.] The butler had answered.

 

The image of Dehart bursting into empty laughter  in the middle of the gradually collapsing room, came to mind.

 

[Ah, Sebelia. My wife. Yes. I knew it would come to this. Luck is like a distant hope that I can never possess…] he had whimpered before turning his body and reaching for somewhere, perhaps aiming towards the flames.

 

[You, what… Ugh!]

 

And seizing the opportunity, Ryan who had been watching, immediately struck and knocked him down. 

 

Even now, recalling that moment sent shivers down his spine. 

 

There’s no doubt that the master has completely lost his sanity.

 

It was the curse descending upon Inverness through generations. 

 

The ancient curse that drove those with great power into madness. It was clear that it had manifested. Otherwise… Dehart wouldn’t have attempted to leap into the flames of his own accord. 

 

The man he knew was not the type to do such a thing.

 

Moreover, the eerie words he murmured while unconscious were…..

 

[Were you waiting for me, my love.]

 

Yes. He must have been babbling in confusion.

 

Gross deliberately ignored Dehart’s statements that seemed to yearn for Sebelia and redirected his attention elsewhere.

 

After all, she deserved to die. Her disappearance was beneficial not only for Dehart but the entire family. Therefore, Inverness should not be shaken just because she’s gone.

 

Yes. Clearly, the curse is tormenting him.

 

Gross’s convictions were as firm as they were narrow and prejudiced. To the extent of turning a blind eye to his master’s suffering. 

 

“We’ve arrived.”

 

Before they knew it, they’ve reached their destination.

 

The butler opened the door and showed Roman the unconscious Dehart.

 

 “…It’s serious.”

 

In addition to the severe burns on his back, he had inhaled so much smoke that his airways and lungs were damaged.

 

As Roman, now wearing a grave expression, retrieved medical equipment, Gross quietly observed him. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he spoke up.

 

“Come to think of it, there’s a new doctor in the lower town. Seems like he’s not working today.”

 

“Really?”

 

“His name is Peter Hanson.”

 

At the unfamiliar name, Roman’s movement suddenly stopped for a while.

 

Then after the moment of surprise passed, he started to administer medication to Dehart’s wounds, Gross spoke with a pained expression.

 

“Many servants required urgent medical attention, so we had to call in other physicians in addition to you. But the new doctor who supposedly moved in wasn’t there. I thought colleagues in the same profession would help each other out.”

 

Does he think they are colleagues just because they work in the same field? Where does such logic exist in the world? Roman thought, feeling annoyed by the narrow-minded comment but restrained himself for the moment.

 

“I haven’t heard anything about a new doctor arriving.”

 

“…Is that so? It can’t be. Perhaps you’ve just been cooped up inside your house for too long.”

 

Feeling that his patience was wearing thin, Roman was about to snap at the butler. However, his heart sank at the following words.

 

“That doctor was the one who signed the death certificate for the deceased lady of the house.”

 

“…What?”

 

“You refused that day, saying you were afraid of the ghost’s curse. So, we had no choice but to bring in another doctor.”

 

The casually muttered words somehow felt ominous. Roman couldn’t shake the feeling that the duty he had thoughtlessly abandoned had suddenly become a trap.

 

“Well then, carry on. After His Grace’s treatment is finished, go see Lady Flora.”

 

Then, after patting his panicked back, the man left the room.

 

Goodness, why bring that up now?

 

Roman tried to push down the turmoil in his chest and focus on his work, but when his gaze met the glittering golden eyes that were locked on him, he realized that his fleeting hope had shattered into pieces.

 

“…So. The family physician was afraid of the curse.”

 

“Y-Your Grace.”

 

“Explain slowly, Roman. I’ll give you as much time as your father spent serving me.”

 

The voice was low and chilling, sharp enough to cut one’s throat at any moment.

 

***

 

And the result was exactly this.

 

“P-Please… spare me…”

 

Roman was floating mid-air as Dehart grabbed him by the collar. His legs flailed in the air.

 

“I can’t understand. No, that’s not it. In fact, I have no reason to understand you in the first place.”

 

Dehart, muttering to himself while glaring at Roman with flashing eyes, was terrifyingly eerie.

 

He’s for sure gone mad because of the curse…!

 

The doctor regretted not immediately leaving the moment the butler informed him of Dehart’s condition. But it was already too late. 

 

“My wife was even insulted on her final journey. Because of that petty curse, she was driven out to the cottage and died alone, and you all..…” Dehart whispered into his ears.

 

The rapidly muttered words flowed through Roman’s ears like a rushing river.

 

“Please, come to your senses my Lord…!”

 

“No, Roman. That’s not what you should be saying.” Dehart replied before throwing him on the ground.

 

He then brushed off his flowing hair as he chuckled like a madman.

 

“You should apologize to her. Kneel down and bow your head to her…”

 

Is he asking me to apologize to a corpse buried in the ground and rotting? Roman thought.

 

After listening to Dehart’s words, he was now the one on the brink of madness. 

 

It no longer mattered to him whether the other party was a Duke or not.

 

From the moment Dehart set fire to this venerable mansion and abandoned his duty, the respected Duke of Inverness was as good as dead. And so, when Dehart picked him back up, Roman couldn’t hold back the sincerity he had been holding in and let it all out.

 

“Wasn’t she a spy sent by the capital?” 

 

And as his words fell, the heated atmosphere instantly cooled down.

 

“If she didn’t end her life herself, someone else would have probably done it. She wasn’t someone worthy of being served but a traitor that should be monitored.”

 

The fog shrouding Dehart’s mind momentarily dispersed at the doctor’s retort.

 

Sensing his hesitation, Roman continued with determination and shouted.

 

“That woman betrayed Inverness first. She deceived you! Don’t you know that? That’s why we treated her so poorly!”

 

Facing the frozen Dehart, Roman lamented more.

 

“Why are you doing this now? She was a traitor who didn’t even deserve pity. Have you forgotten how that woman betrayed your trust?”

 

“…….”

 

“Even so, she still had an honorable death. So please, snap out of it. Stop trampling on your people’s pride for Inverness …!”

 

Those words were not only Roman’s but a sentiment shared by other servants as well.…

 

And as he listened to them, Dehart’s face went even more rigid, and pale.

 

His fingertips that had reached out to grip Roman’s throat trembled faintly.

 

I… I’ve made them think like this.

 

It was an undeniable fact. He had been deeply wounded by Sebelia’s supposed betrayal, and made everyone sympathize with him.

 

He had ignored her, turned away from her, and deprived her of her rights.

 

He had isolated her within this immense mansion.

 

He had made it so that she could only her rely on him.

 

“…”

 

Was that what pushed you over the precipice in your moment of crisis?

 

If she had been a beloved Duchess, everyone would have tried to help her the moment the curse appeared. But the mansion’s servants did not do so; they had long been united with him, ignoring and mistreating her.

 

But regretting it now wouldn’t change anything.

 

“Ahhh…” a shaky breath escaped Dehart’s lips as the sins he had piled up came crashing down on him once again.

 

Cold and sharp, they pierced straight to his heart.

 

Forcing him to realize once again that he had committed deeds that could not be undone, and that she could never return to his side.

 

“Sebelia.”

 

I… to you…

 

Dehart collapsed on the spot, clutching his chest.

 

“Your Grace!!!”

 

He couldn’t breathe.

 

***

 

Riding a shared carriage for the first time was an incredibly fascinating and enjoyable experience.

 

Sebelia managed to not fall out of the window while admiring the ever-changing landscapes and the people.

 

They would occasionally wave at her, and each time, Sebelia would shyly wave back.

 

It’s fascinating.

 

The carriage was now leaving the village, passing through fields bathed in golden light.

 

At that moment, a middle-aged woman sitting opposite her asked with a gentle smile,

 

“Where are you headed, miss?”

 

“Ah.”

Realizing the question was directed at her, Sebelia was a bit flustered before she smiled back and replied,

 

“I’m heading east.”

 

As the ribbon on her neatly tied hat fluttered in the wind.