After I died, Everything Changed - Chapter 68

“It felt so good to see the retainers speechless! That means you’re the heir now, right, milady?”

“Nothing’s been decided yet. It could all change at any moment.”

Grandfather had made it clear that he intended to name me as the successor—but life rarely goes as planned.

Until it’s officially in my hands, I can’t afford to let my guard down.

“Now no one will dare mess with you! You’ve completely humbled those arrogant people!”

“Yes. So if anyone gives you trouble, let me know. You belong to me.”

“Just imagining the way Lady Chloe’s maids used to strut around at the washing area… they must be shrinking in fear now. It’s a little satisfying, honestly.”

Karlin let out a delighted giggle.

“You’ve gone through so much because of me too, haven’t you?”

That’s what weakness does.

It doesn’t just affect you—it wears down everyone around you.

But now, Karlin and Elliot won’t have to suffer because of me anymore.

“I’m really glad I became a maid for House Mergen. To me, you shine like the sun, milady.”

Karlin praised me with an overly dramatic gesture.

But I didn’t mind.

Actually, it made me smile… I suppose I really do like Karlin.

“Alright. Let’s get going. There’s a lot to do.”

“Milady’s only flaw is that you’re way too much of a workaholic.”

Karlin pouted instantly.

I felt a little bad, but there was too much on my plate.

I had to choose temporary replacements for the retainers who were about to be dismissed.

On top of that, there was the matter of Chloe’s punishment, the mystery of Abel’s disappearance, and a whole mountain of other unresolved issues.

At least for now, I was going to be incredibly busy.

A few days passed in a flash.

Then—trouble hit.

“What on earth happened with the security?!”

“There was a sleeping agent in the water. Everyone fell asleep… and they vanished without a trace.”

One night, Chloe and Roosevelt, who had been locked in solitary confinement, disappeared.

“Oh no, milady… what’s going on?”

Karlin followed me in, looking completely pale.

“I’ll send out the soldiers.”

“Where could they have gone? I thought Chloe had cut all her ties.”

Chloe had lost her parents early on and had no real family to speak of.

Aside from being from Belluge, there was little known about her background.

Maybe… she went to find Abel?

“We’ll have to search in every direction.”

Honestly, maybe letting Chloe vanish from Mergen without a trace wouldn’t be the worst outcome.

The border of Hecla was once again under my responsibility.

I had to fill in for Abel, who was now missing.

For the record, Grandfather said he wouldn’t expel Abel or Nehrzhu.

Whether that came from sympathy or simply sentiment, I couldn’t say.

Or perhaps Grandfather still believed they could serve a purpose within the house.

“It’s getting hotter by the day.”

Spring had passed, and summer was creeping in.

The Hecla border, with its proximity to the desert, became unbearable in the summertime.

“Please be careful. The terrain is rough.”

“I’m actually getting pretty good at riding now, you know?”

I responded to Elliot’s concern with a hint of pride.

Though I’d fallen off my horse not too long ago—that was a secret I’d rather keep.

“I don’t think the one who made Jamie scream has any right to brag.”

“You knew about that?”

“Did you really think I wouldn’t notice whether your horse was alive or not, milady?”

“……”

I thought I’d handled that quietly. Guess not.

Or maybe Elliot’s just that sharp.

“The Hecla border’s been quiet lately.”

“That’s because of the weapons you and His Grace developed. The monsters have almost completely disappeared.”

“But it feels different. Their appearances are dropping off altogether.”

“Now that you mention it, it’s not Mergen that’s noisy lately—it’s the southern region.”

“Something must be shifting.”

As we spoke, we reached the desert outpost.

“Either way, if things are stabilizing, that’s good news.”

“Agreed.”

“Then let’s go take a look.”

We dismounted and began inspecting the Hecla border.

“This won’t be the end of it.”

That venomous voice echoed in my memory.

Are some people truly fated to cross paths again and again?

There, at the Hecla border—I came face-to-face with Chloe and her group, sneaking off in the shadows.

“…Chloe.”

She was trying to cross the desert.

Had she felt so threatened that she’d rather risk the monsters than stay?

“Call all the soldiers—now!”

Elliot immediately took up a battle stance.

They had quite a few people on their side too.

“So, this is how it ends… with swords drawn and a fight.”

Maybe, somewhere deep down, we had hoped things could end with a bit more dignity—less blood, more words.

Chloe seemed to have spotted me too.

I stepped forward—and though her eyes were locked on mine, she didn’t flee.

That was when it happened.

Chloe took a bow from the guard beside her.

“Well, this isn’t good.”

I had anticipated swords—but not arrows.

This was bad.

Even if I turned and ran… hmm…

While I hesitated, Chloe had already nocked an arrow and was drawing the string.

“Milady!”

Elliot rushed over and grabbed my arm.

“What are you doing just standing there?! Fall back—now!”

“Wouldn’t it be better to move sideways to avoid the shot?”

Even now, I was being too calm about this.

“She’s gaining on us.”

At Elliot’s words, I turned to look—Chloe and her guards were indeed closing the distance between us.

“Horses run surprisingly well in the desert.”

The idle thought slipped out, and Elliot sighed.

“The ground’s still firm for now. Just keep riding, milady.”

Even without his urging, I was already galloping at full speed.

But then, arrows started raining down beside us.

They were close—close enough to hit.

And then—

Whiz!

“Ah!”

An arrow grazed my leg, and I tumbled off my horse.

“Milady! Are you hurt?”

Elliot quickly came to check on me, drawing his sword.

“Wait, Elliot.”

There was no way he could handle all of them on his own.

I raised my hand to stop him—and soon, Chloe’s riders had surrounded us, cutting off every escape route.

Chloe rode up to us at a steady, almost leisurely pace.

“I knew I liked you from the very beginning. And now, you’re giving me such a gift, even at the end.”

She let out a full, hearty laugh.

The red scarf wrapped around her head and face fluttered wildly in the desert wind.

Her red eyes gleamed with a joy that sent chills down my spine.

“You came all this way to die—on your own two feet, no less. There’s no need to wait for next time, is there?”

What were the chances of this?

Of all days, Chloe happened to flee across the desert today, the very day I came here.

Normally, I’d suspect it was all planned—but judging by her reaction, maybe it really was coincidence.

If it was a coincidence, I might just cry from sheer frustration.

“Urgh!”

One of the men dismounted and viciously kicked Elliot to the ground.

I had one thought.

If I used the explosive, I had on me…, would I die too?

If I had to guess—it was highly likely.

And I wasn’t ready to take anyone down to the afterlife with me.

“At the very least, I can take your life with me.”

Chloe aimed her bow and drew the string tight.

The arrowhead looked massive from where I lay.

Elliot got up and stepped in front of me.

“What are you doing?! Stop this right now!”

It was no use.

To die like this—powerless and cornered—it made me angry.

Step. Step.

“…?”

Someone appeared in front of us.

Parting Chloe’s guards and walking straight toward us—a lone figure in a black cloak.

No way… you?

With a flick of his cloak, he stood before me.

It was Abel.

“Abel.”

Chloe’s voice, as she called his name, was cold.

“Why are you standing in my way?”

“Please… stop this.”

“You! Where have you been all this time? Now you show up—to stop me?!”

Her voice was shaking with rage.

I glanced at her. The corners of her eyes were trembling.

And then—chaos.

“Aaah!”

“Monsters!”

“Run! We have to run!”

Guards began to fall, one after another.

Tentacles burst from the sand, attacking them.

“What in the world…?”

I couldn’t make sense of what was happening.

Elliot and I held our breath, tense, ready.

“It’s over now, Mother.”

A sudden gust of wind tore through the desert.

Chloe’s red scarf was ripped away, fluttering into the storm.

And beneath it—her face was a wreck.

Gone was the elegant, made-up image she always maintained.

She looked older. Worn down.

Just a few days had aged her so terribly.

Her mind—her obsession—had twisted her.

“So it was you all along, Abel. You were the cause of everything.”

Her voice trembled with deep resentment.

It wasn’t just anger—it was betrayal, rooted and bitter.

I hadn’t expected this.

Had her entire plan really fallen apart just because Abel wouldn’t follow her will?

“Do you not see that your own greed is what created this monster?”

“Monster? I’m the one who kept you from becoming one!”

Their exchange—what did it mean?

“I’m not the one who ruined you. She is.”

And once again, the fire turned on me.

“You think I didn’t know? That you fell for her?”

“….”

The air went cold.

A heavy silence descended over all of us.

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