After I Died, My Husband Went Mad

It had been nearly two weeks since she had left Hylend Hall.

 

When she had just left, Sebelia hadn’t even realized she was tired, the exhilaration had taken over her entire body. However, as soon as the tension eased, fatigue and numbness pounced on her as if they had been waiting.

 

“Ugh…….”

 

After waking late again today, Sebelia reached for her pills through half-open eyes before quickly swallowing them up. The medicine she’s been prescribed by the doctor in Ulshik was way more effective than the one she’d been using before.

 

“Whew… … .”

 

Feeling her mind gradually clearing up, she stood up and placed both feet on the floor.

 

“Ahhhh……!”

 

But the very next moment, she had to kneel down on the rug. Her ankle had suddenly gave out.

 

Oh no!

 

[As you already know, your symptoms are similar to those of Rheumatoid Arthritis, and currently, it’s an incurable disease.]

 

The doctor’s calm and dry voice immediately echoed in her mind.

 

[Right now, your internal organs are slowly losing function, but… as time passes, your hands and feet will also become unable to move as you want them to.]

 

Sebelia had already heard those words from the doctor Denisa had brought over back at the manor, yet it chilled her to the core.

 

This was going to be her future after all.

 

That’s why I wanted to leave.

 

 With her body slowly stiffening, unable to do anything, she didn’t want to face death in that cold mansion while receiving the contempt of others. 

 

Sebelia blinked softly as the sunlight streamed in through the window. The midday sun gently enveloped her hands. As if to tell her not to worry.

 

[“In fact, the reason I brought up such pessimistic words first… is because I was afraid you might hold too much hope for what I’m about to say.”]

 

 After saying this, the physician took off his glasses and sighed, a thought momentarily crossing his mind; Is this the right thing to do?

 

But soon, as if he had made up his mind, he put the glasses back on and looked straight at Sabelia.

 

[“It’s a very slim possibility, but it might not be Rehees disease. Most patients typically have accompanying skin lesions…”] 

 

The physician’s gaze moved to Sebelia’s cheeks, neck, and exposed wrists.

 

Her skin was clear and free of common blemishes.

 

[“You don’t seem to show such symptoms. Moreover, the progression of the disease is very slow.”]

 

In that moment, Sebelia had found herself unconsciously gripping her knees.

 

[“I’ll write up the medical report for you now.”]

 

[“What?”] She had asked back without realizing.

 

[“Actually, this is my first encounter with a Rehees disease patient.”]

 

The doctor, in a careless attitude, took out a piece of paper from the drawer and dipped the pen tip into the ink.

 

[Let me introduce you to one of the leading scientists on rare diseases, including Richter’s disease. He is also the one who discovered a new disease that was previously misdiagnosed as Roach’s disease.]

 

Then he put his pen down, sprinkled something on the written report and sealed it with wax.

 

[He’s not usually very welcoming to people, but if I send him a patient, I think he’ll let them in.]

 

Clatter!

 

A halo of light appeared and disappeared over the green wax seal.

 

[Alright, here’s the report and a note on how to get there, and the materials you’ll need. Now, the rest is up to you.]

 

Sebelia blinked at the report and the little note the doctor had handed her.

 

[If you want to live, if you still have the will to seek treatment, take this and go find out.]

 

And back in the present, Sebelia was sitting on the floor, mulling over the doctor’s words.

 

“The will to live,” she chuckled bitterly as she drew her legs close.

 

The moment the doctor confirmed that there was a possibility that her illness could be cured, strangely, Sebelia had felt perplexed instead of happy. Her daily life had already been rearranged under the assumption of death.

 

The reason I could abandon everything was because I believed that I didn’t have much time left.

 

Death was going to take everything away from me regardless of my will anyway, so I was able to let go and leave.

 

But now, to think that a choice could be placed back in my hands.

 

 I’m not unhappy about it. But…

 

Resting her chin on her knees, Sebelia sighed softly and closed her eyes. 

 

Is this fear that I’m feeling?

 

Anxiety started to creep in as the carefully constructed routine she had built seemed to be shaking from the ground up.

 

“Denisa will surely tell me to find the person the physician recommended. “

 

This was the very essence of the mixed news she had sent to Denisa. The possibility that the disease, which was progressing slowly but surely, might not be incurable. The vague hope that her life might not come to an end at such a young age.

 

But what if that hope is shattered once again?

 

What if the first diagnosis proved to be correct, despite the absence of skin lesions?

 

What if I just end up wasting what little time I have left?

 

“Ah,” a long sigh escaped as she unfolded her legs and slowly stretched out on the rug.

 

“Let’s wait until Denisa’s reply arrives.”

 

After all, she couldn’t leave Ulshik until she received an answer from her old  nanny. 

 

Sebelia blinked slowly under the warm sunlight, feeling like she was sinking into deep, warm water.

 

* * *

 

Meanwhile, back in the capital, Denisa was failing to follow Sebelia’s advice to spend more time with her friends and family, as they enjoyed others’ tragedies too much.

 

“I heard you came back, Denisa. The person you were serving left so suddenly…… you’ve been having a tough time lately, haven’t you?”

 

“It’s just so-so,” Denisa answered 

 

“Oh, dear. If you’re having a hard time, just say it. It’s shameful to be dishonest at your old age.”

 

Gazing at the person who wouldn’t accept anything said to them, Denisa sighed inwardly. 

 

How often has this happened ever since her return to the capital? Using concern as a pretext, those around her had steadily undermined her situation to the point where it was now difficult to count on one hand how many times this had happened. 

 

So, now she merely let the other person ramble as much as they wanted. 

 

“Look at me talking. It’s already this late.”

 

Then, after the woman spent a long time speaking nonsense, her eyes went wide with shock before giving a casual farewell. 

 

“See you later. Don’t dress so depressed next time.”

 

However, Denisa neatly ignored her words and went on her way.

 

Yeah, this is what the capital is all about.

 

Despite being born and raised here, Denisa never quite assimilated into its unique atmosphere. Nevertheless, there was a reason why she was staying here.

 

Miss should have already made it to Ulshik  by now, and be preparing for what’s next.

 

Lately, Denisa had been feeling that her decision to part ways with Sebelia, to divert attention so that Sebelia could reach her destination safely in case of any unforeseen danger, had been the right one.

 

I keep feeling like someone is watching me.

 

Denisa turned her head to scan her surroundings. Apart from the usual neighbors passing by, there was nothing suspicious. However, she still needed to remain cautious. Just a few days ago, she had definitely felt someone following her.

 

Should I buy at least one self-defense item? But is it okay for a grieving maid to buy something like that now that the person she was serving has passed away? I heard they were selling pens with sleeping poison… If I had known, I would have bought one for Miss too. 

 

Denisa frowned.

 

Her concern for Sebelia naturally led to worry about her untrustworthy friend.

 

“Peter, that guy, he said he’d send me news, so why haven’t I heard from him?”

 

Peter was the doctor who diagnosed Sebelia’s terminal illness and wrote her death certificate. He said he was going down south when he left, but there has been no contact since then.

 

“I keep worrying about him because he’s a weird guy who does silly things.”

 

Still, it was thanks to that personality of his that she was able to convince him to help them.

Denisa sighed and turned down an alley. At that moment, children selling newspapers passed her, scattering dozens of palm-sized copies.

 

“Extra edition, extra edition!”

 

“Something strange has happened in the North!”

 

“The cursed duke has finally gone mad!”

 

Denisa’s brow furrowed as she heard that bizarre scream.

 

“…The duke has gone mad?”  she asked out loud.

 

With a skeptical look on her face, Denisa bent down to pick up a sheet of paper when a subdued cry escaped her.

 

…Following the duchess’s funeral, Lord Inverness has reportedly set the mansion on fire…..Finally, a few days ago, Hylend Hall closed all its venues.. People’s screams are heard every day, spreading fear.

 

 Denisa’s face paled with shock. 

 

“Good grief, what in the world is happening?” 

 

Her eyes flicked around anxiously.

 

* * *

 

Although everyone’s attention was currently focused on Hylend Hall, Dehart, the owner of the place, was casually resting his hands on his knees as he watched Gwen.

 

“I’m not sure why you’ve taken offense to my suggestion that we spend some time together reminiscing about Sebelia.”

 

Like a predator playing with a cornered prey, he gave Gwen some space.

 

“After all, she was my wife and your niece-in-law.”

 

Gwen stared into the golden eyes, which held a clear light, and felt his despair begin to stretch in a different direction. Up until now, he’d been so consumed by Sebelia’s death that he’d acted without thinking.

 

But right now……

 

He looks like someone sharpening his sword for revenge; she thought.

 

Gwen trembled under the azure flames brushing over his golden eyes. But she didn’t easily back down. After all, there was no evidence anywhere that she was involved in Sebelia’s death.

 

“Of course not because I didn’t kill her!”

 

Her indignation was palpable

 

She admitted to having harassed and cornered Sebelia in the past, but it was all for the family’s sake.

 

Besides, she had only thought about  killing her; she hadn’t actually done it.

 

What’s so wrong about a bastard bitch being swept away by a curse, and driven to suicide due to her weak mind and lack of wisdom.

 

Gwen really couldn’t understand Dehart. But for now, it seemed better to lie down.

 

Let’s get out of here first, then think about it.

 

Having finished organizing her thoughts, she raised her hand to cover her face. Seconds later, a faint sob was heard, followed by a sigh that echoed through the ground.

 

“Oh, Dehart. Please… Don’t you understand how your delusions and suspicions are ruining Hylend Hall, and the people here?”

 

“…”

 

“That child committed suicide. It wasn’t at anyone else’s hands. No one doubts that fact. Please, believe me.”

 

A long silence ensued, then Gwen raised her eyes expectantly and looked toward Dehart.

 

“Ahhhhhh……!”

 

“Well then, what about this?”

 

Dehart was holding two pieces of paper in his hand. 

 

One was Sebelia’s suicide note that was supposed to be in Gwen’s jewelry box, and the other was…

 

“It just came out of your drawer.” 

 

It was the letter she had almost sent, ordering Sebelia’s murder.