After I died, Everything Changed - Chapter 65

“……”

It had only been a few minutes.

We’d ridden back at full speed to where Abel and I had been, so not much time could’ve passed.

“…What happened here?”

But when we arrived, Abel was gone.

“Who… who tore the monster apart like this?”

The toad-like creature that had once been alive and moving was now nothing more than a pile of shredded flesh, cut cleanly into pieces.

“I thought you said Sir Abel didn’t have a weapon?”

“…That’s what I said.”

“Then how… How is this even possible? Can a person really do this with their bare hands?”

Elliot was in disbelief, his voice filled with awe.

And honestly, I was just as shocked.

Could a human really do something like this?

No.

There was no way.

I had studied monsters extensively. Lately, nothing had consumed me more than this research.

“Elliot, I should return Abel’s sword to the villa.”

“What? Oh—yes. Of course.”

It had become… unnecessary.

I had come here searching for answers, but instead, I left with a bigger mystery.

And just like that, Abel disappeared without a trace.

Back at the mansion, Chloe was still strutting around as usual, and Grandfather’s condition remained unchanged.

Day after day, it felt like the warmth was leaving him, little by little.

I visited the Bahel estate more frequently than my own in Mergen, always thinking—wondering if there might be another way.

Would it be possible to go up against the Imperial family?

But then, fate gave me an answer.

“Ta-da! The very thing you were hoping for.”

In Lahan’s hand, a small glass vial shimmered.

The antidote.

“Lahan!”

I’d been wasting time in the drawing room when he appeared out of nowhere, holding that bottle. The moment I saw it, joy surged through me.

A bright smile spread across my face before I even realized it.

“Wait.”

But then Lahan looked at me—and suddenly took a step back.

“Your Grace…?”

Confused, I called out to him, only to watch as he turned and walked right back out the door.

What was that about?

Then, confidently, he opened the door again and walked back in.

“…?”

I tilted my head in confusion. Lahan let out a soft sigh.

“Why won’t you show me that smile a second time?”

“…Seriously?”

So that’s why he pulled that little stunt?

I shook my head, exasperated.

Then, I held out my hand.

“Give it to me.”

I was the one who needed it.

But Lahan crossed his arms and refused to hand over the vial.

My eyes sharpened immediately.

“Let me come with you.”

“…What?”

Why was Lahan trying to involve himself in the affairs of House Mergen?

“It won’t look good if the Grand Duke gets involved in my family’s business.”

“And yet, I can’t help but worry.”

“Well, that’s your problem, not mine.”

I reached out again.

But Lahan didn’t budge.

“If you walk into that house with this antidote, do you really think your stepmother will just let you go?”

“What, are you worried she’ll kill me?”

“There’s no guarantee she won’t.”

“……”

Now that I thought about it, Lahan seemed to know our family far better than I expected.

“Mergen is a battlefield right now. You can’t get anything done unless you’re willing to risk your life.”

“Then use me as your shield.”

“I have no intention of using you as a shield. And maybe it sounds strange, considering I’m the one asking for help, but…”

Lahan slowly lowered his arms.

“…I’ve never thought of you as weak.”

His expression turned unexpectedly serious.

“I’m not cold-hearted enough to laugh at those who fight desperately to live.”

“…Is that so?”

I couldn’t help but let out a faint smile.

“And besides… you’re a warrior.”

“A warrior?”

“You’re fighting, aren’t you? Fiercely.”

It always felt like the Grand Duke lived in a world very different from mine—a world brighter, more colorful, more vivid.

Maybe he just had a vivid imagination.

“But still, my decision hasn’t changed.”

Lahan reached out and took my hand.

He placed the antidote into my open palm.

Then, he gently folded my fingers over it, making sure I held it tight.

“But just this once… won’t you accept my help?”

“…But—”

“Then I’ll give up on going to the island with you.”

He said it with a sorrowful look, like it was truly a shame.

“In return, just for today, let me be the one to support you.”

I’ve never liked others getting involved in what I do.

Too many opinions always lead to problems.

But… the way he was asking…

“Why are you so invested in Mergen’s affairs, Your Grace?”

I asked, one last time.

“It’s not about Mergen. It’s about you. Irene.”

He said my name clearly, without hesitation.

And suddenly, I had nothing to say in response.

“…You don’t know everything, Your Grace.”

A thought crossed my mind.

If what Lahan felt for me was anything close to love… wasn’t I just deceiving him?

From the very moment he began calling me the young lady of Mergen… I’d been lying.

Interest, affection… feelings that might grow into something more.

I couldn’t take responsibility for that.

Because I wasn’t Irene.

And if what drew him in was simply this face, then all the more…

But…

Maybe I really was a terrible person.

Because part of me still wanted to use Lahan’s feelings, at least for now.

“I’ve always liked adventure. The more I don’t know, the more I want to understand.”

Lahan gave me a bright, carefree smile.

Beneath his dark hair, his red eyes—once a little intimidating—now sparkled.

“If you regret this later, I won’t take responsibility.”

And with that, I gently pulled my hand away from his.

“Sister, are you really going through with this?”

Roosevelt nervously followed behind Chloe, glancing over his shoulder as they walked down the corridor.

“Go find Abel. We can’t delay this any longer. Do you think the vassals are going to just stand there like puppets?”

“But still… using the family seal…?”

“We need to name the heir while he’s still breathing. Once he’s dead, rumors will spread. It could even spark a revolt.”

“Why… Why did you go this far?!”

Roosevelt raised his voice, unable to hold back any longer.

“Because I could read the family head’s intentions.”

Chloe’s red eyes gleamed ominously in the dim hallway.

“Irene is on the move. She’s going to ruin everything again. I can’t wait any longer.”

“Oh no… this is driving me mad. My heart can’t take it.”

He chewed anxiously at his thumbnail, rushing to keep up with Chloe’s brisk stride.

“I don’t know anymore. If Abel were here, maybe he could talk you out of this…”

“Are you saying you want out? If so, you’ll have to be ready to put your neck on the line.”

“W-Who said I wanted out?! I’ve always been on your side, Sister!”

“Good. That fine bloodline of yours… we share the same blood. So don’t betray me.”

Chloe’s crimson lips twisted into a bitter smile.

She arrived at the family head’s door and shoved it open forcefully.

“You could at least try not to break the door…”

“…Roosevelt.”

Roosevelt hurried into the room.

Following Chloe’s gaze, his eyes scanned the space.

“…Gasp.”

He was gone.

The family head was nowhere to be seen.

Chloe silently swept her eyes across the room.

It was empty—void of warmth, as if no one had been there at all.

Where could the man who couldn’t even move a single finger have gone?

“Find it.”

“…Excuse me?”

“The seal! Find the seal!”

Chloe shouted, and Roosevelt rushed to the box where the seal had been kept.

“Uh… It’s gone, Sister.”

At his words, Chloe let out a short, bitter laugh.

Then, she started laughing harder—like a madwoman.

But the laughter stopped just as suddenly.

“…Irene.”

It had to be that girl’s doing.

Chloe clenched her fists.

Her sharp nails dug into her palms, but she didn’t even think to release her grip.

We had moved Grandfather in secret.

Elliot arranged a hidden residence—one that no one knew about—and we smuggled Grandfather out of the mansion.

The antidote had been administered safely, and the physician said his prognosis looked good. He’d be visiting every hour to check on him.

“So this was your plan.”

“I didn’t think he could fully recover inside the mansion.”

Chloe had already crossed a line.

There was no telling what she might try next.

Could Grandfather really recover in a place filled with that kind of danger?

Not a chance.

If I were Chloe, I would’ve already gone through with the elimination I’d been putting off.

“I brought the seal with me, too.”

I held it up and gave it a little shake.

“Hahaha!”

The Grand Duke laughed so hard, for a moment I thought he thought I was performing for him.

“Please don’t laugh like that in front of a patient.”

No matter the situation, it felt wrong to laugh that loudly in front of someone who had collapsed from poisoning.

“But I played a major role in neutralizing the Mergen family head’s poison. Don’t you think he’ll forgive a bit of laughter?”

“Grandfather isn’t that kind of person. He’s someone who values principles.”

“Hah, sounds like a man with no sense of humor.”

Honestly… who else would openly say something like that about my grandfather?

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