After I died, Everything Changed - Chapter 70

Why…?

This wasn’t what I imagined rest would be like.

“With Your Grace sitting here, how am I supposed to rest properly?”

“What do you mean? I’m simply here to check on a patient.”

“…What kind of patient can rest peacefully with the Grand Duke right next to them?”

“I’d say you are more than capable of doing just that.”

When I woke up after taking my medicine, I found Lahan sitting in my room.

“Who let you in?”

“Your very capable maid?”

“If Karlin suddenly disappears, it’ll be because Your Grace caused her to lose her job.”

“Haha. Then I suppose I’ll have to take responsibility.”

“Responsibility…?”

“I’ll give her a position at my estate, of course.”

“She won’t like that.”

“And you’re so sure because…?”

“Because… never mind.”

Why was I even arguing about this?

Besides, there’s no way Karlin would trade someone like me for the Grand Duke.

“Did you really come here just to check on me?”

“Most people who sit quietly at a patient’s bedside are usually here for that reason.”

“Hmm.”

I gave him a suspicious look.

“Did Grandfather call you here?”

At my question, Lahan’s shoulder twitched—just a little.

“I knew it.”

“How are you always spot-on like that?”

“Try lying to someone else. So? What did he say?”

“He said you’re officially under a ‘no work’ order for today.”

“Let me guess… my very capable maid again.”

It had to be Karlin.

She probably gave him a full report—every detail, like she always does.

“He didn’t say much. Just told me to thank you.”

“He knows you helped create the antidote. Did he give you anything else?”

“Why? Do you think I was rewarded?”

“If it were my grandfather? Yes.”

“You’re frighteningly accurate.”

Lahan shook his head with a faint smile.

As he did, his black hair swayed gently.

“He wants to expand the military supplies project. Offered me a good deal—I suppose the antidote had something to do with that.”

“You should take it. Grandfather doesn’t offer favors often.”

I sat up in bed.

As I moved, Lahan shifted, like he was about to stand.

“It’s fine. I can do it myself.”

At my words, he leaned back into the sofa again.

“He’s a meticulous man. Even with the house in chaos, he still knows how to show proper gratitude.”

“There’s always someone who profits, even during war.”

As I sat up, the robe over my shoulders slipped slightly.

I reached up to fix it—

And ended up locking eyes with Lahan.

“…That was a bit obvious.”

“Ah—my apologies.”

He casually looked away, completely unbothered.

A moment of silence passed.

“Your room suits you. It’s quaint—very much like you.”

Lahan glanced around the room with a small smile.

“It’s all Karlin’s taste, not mine.”

“Do you not have preferences of your own?”

“I’ve never really had opinions about little things like this…”

“Hm.”

Lahan pouted slightly, looking oddly displeased.

“By the way, there’s something I wanted to ask you.”

“What is it?”

“Do you remember the monster that came out of that village we visited together?”

“How could I forget?”

Lahan nodded.

“What do you think about humans turning into monsters?”

“You mean those rumors?”

“They call it monster mutation, right?”

The name Abel had given it came to mind.

“Humans turning into monsters… huh.”

Lahan’s normally smooth brow creased into a frown.

“It would be a disaster.”

At his words, I rubbed my forehead. My hair fell in soft strands to the side.

I suddenly remembered the creatures that had appeared around Abel in the desert. And that strange thing—whatever it was—that shoved Elliot and me out of harm’s way.

They hadn’t seemed like wild monsters. It was almost as if… they were following his will.

Human monster mutations. And Abel.

Could there really be a connection between the two…?

My head ached just thinking about it.

“If someone really were to turn into a monster, what would you do?”

“I’d kill them.”

Lahan didn’t hesitate even a second.

Was it really that easy of a decision to make?

“What if… that someone was me?”

“……”

I thought he’d answer right away again. But this time, he paused.

A long silence.

He must’ve been trying to imagine it—me as a monster.

“Could you describe exactly what you’d look like in that case?”

That’s it. I’m done talking.

“Forget it. Let’s not go there.”

I shook my head, and Lahan chuckled under his breath.

“As you wish. Then let’s decide now—would you want me to hide you? Or…”

His voice trailed off.

“…Would you rather I end it for you?”

His gaze, which had been fixed on the window, returned to me.

If I became a monster… would I want to live? Or would I rather die?

“Let’s make sure it never comes to that.”

At my answer, Lahan gave a slow nod.

“So, is that why you brought this up?”

He looked at me curiously.

But telling him… felt like too much.

It’s already enough for one person to carry this burden.

“No, it’s nothing. Did you eat before you came?”

At my question, Lahan shook his head.

“Then come on. I can’t let a guest go hungry, especially one who came to check on me.”

I rose from the bed.

“Lady Irene, you’re awake!”

“Shall I prepare your meal?”

“Good afternoon, milady!”

Were people in the mansion… always this nice to me?

It felt like everyone was suddenly welcoming me with open arms.

“Funny… I don’t remember being someone who grew up surrounded by affection.”

“Same here. I’m not exactly used to this kind of atmosphere either.”

Lahan, walking beside me, gave a small laugh.

“The world’s funny that way. Cold to the weak, and overly kind to the strong.”

“I can’t really blame it for that.”

“Right. The fact that people are treating you this way now… it just proves how far you’ve come.”

He gestured with his hand, starting from his stomach and raising it upward to eye level.

“Any advice for someone now living a life that everyone seems to welcome?”

When I asked, Lahan stroked his chin and thought for a moment.

“Hmm… just enjoy it.”

His relaxed smile made it clear—he was someone who truly did enjoy the attention and kindness.

“There are already rumors all over town that you’re the next heir of Mergen.”

“It’s amazing, isn’t it? How a few days is all it takes for gossip to spread across the empire.”

“It just shows how many people are interested in Mergen.”

“Heir…”

That word—so tiresome before—felt a little different today.

Like something was stirring in my chest.

Was I… actually starting to hope for it?

“If you become the successor, you’ll be the head of the house, won’t you?”

“Most likely, yes.”

“What kind of head do you want to be?”

“…I’m not sure.”

What kind of head… did I ever want to be?

At the very least, I knew this much: whatever I felt now was something Lahan couldn’t possibly imagine.

“A cruel and heartless one, maybe?”

“…That’s quite the ambition.”

I let out a soft laugh at Lahan’s dry remark.

“But you know,” he said, “being the bad one is always harder than being good.”

“Is it?”

“They say people are naturally inclined toward evil, but when given the choice between saving someone or killing them… most choose to save.”

“Depends on who the other person is, doesn’t it?”

“Let’s put aside revenge, for the sake of argument.”

Lahan often brought up thoughts I didn’t expect—random, curious questions.

But for some reason, I always found myself intrigued.

“Maybe it’s just fear,” I said. “Fear of what comes after choosing to kill.”

“And if there were no consequences? Would that change the choice?”

I simply nodded.

Though quietly, I thought—if there were no punishment, I might choose to kill.

That was a thought best kept to myself.

“Come on. Let’s get going.”

“Should I go inform someone?”

Inside the carriage parked outside the Mergen estate, Henry hadn’t moved to get out. He was still staring out the window.

Something had caught his attention.

There, walking through the gardens, were Irene and the Grand Duke.

“Wait.”

Henry watched in silence.

The two of them were deep in conversation, and now and then, Irene laughed.

Henry leaned an arm against the window frame, resting his forehead on his hand.

A loose strand of hair slid across his eyes, irritating him.

It didn’t feel good.

Seeing a side of her that he had never once been shown—seeing it come out so naturally with someone else.

“There’s a guest.”

His aide, Milles, had also spotted Irene and Lahan.

“Mergen seems to be attracting a lot of visitors lately.”

Henry tapped his forehead lightly with one finger.

“Forget it. Let’s head back.”

At his command, Milles hesitated, clearly unsure.

“But sir…”

“There’ll be a better day.”

Henry closed the carriage window with finality.

Left with no choice, Milles signaled the coachman.

And the carriage quietly rolled away from the estate.

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