Working at a Haunted Mansion Chapter 115

Part 15. Soul and Flesh

The duke summoned Lily Dienta and asked her to write the letter. Pen in hand, Lily glanced at Saul, her eyes uncertain as though asking how she ought to handle this. He gave no reaction, simply accepting the sealed letter once it was finished.

“The outcome of your cooperation will be pleasing to you as well. Still, I suppose your country estate will need some attention.”

In other words: Your crimes will be buried, but remaining as steward will be difficult—prepare yourself.

Though he was about to lose the power he had clung to all his life, Saul felt less empty than he had expected. In fact, he felt satisfied, as though his authority was finally being used in the way he had always wanted.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

He bowed to the duke and left the room.

On his way to the entrance, Julia was nowhere to be seen. To meet her again, he would have to wait until everything was safely concluded.

Saul pressed down on the hollow ache in his throat as he departed the mansion.

 

 

 

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The next morning.

“You’re saying you won’t be going too?”

Aiden spoke in disbelief to Lily, who had come to him early, already prepared.

“Well, I did write that letter yesterday.”

Lily clearly remembered the letter upon which a few drops of water had fallen.

[I’m sorry. I was wrong. Your Majesty, I will come to the palace. I’ll come tomorrow without delay. I’ll obey anything you say. So please, send a physician to treat Aiden. Surely the palace doctor won’t be like that useless one brought by Baron Burnet. If this goes on, he truly will die. Let his soul return to my sight again—I beg you, a lowly servant. I’ll see you at noon tomorrow.]

Every line of that letter—even the struck-through sentences, as though begging him to read them—had been edited under Aiden’s guidance. And now he wanted to take it back?

“Aiden, you did say it. That tomorrow, we’d go to the palace together.”

“Yes. Together with the Empress.”

“Oh… So you didn’t mean the Empress, you, and me?”

Aiden laughed lightly.

“Of course not.”

“I thought it was so obvious I’d be going that it was left unsaid. I even practiced how to act in front of the cult leader…”

“Don’t even dream of it.”

Lily sank into her chair.

Yes. She had thought it a little strange. It was good to be relied upon, but hadn’t his attitude changed too much, too suddenly?

Aiden came closer, idly playing with the ends of her hair. Lily watched him for a moment, then leaned into him.

“Be careful.”

“I will.”

“I’ll wait patiently.”

Lily tilted her head up, gazing at Aiden. The faint smile on his face slowly faded as his features drew nearer.

She closed her eyes.

Even if her heart was consumed by worry and unease, she had to trust and wait. Staying safe, praying to the Lord—that was the best way to help Aiden.

Born with special eyes, perhaps her prayers would carry a little more power.

As they kissed, Lily prayed with all her heart.

 

 

 

****

 

 

 

Coming out of Aiden’s room, Lily also stopped by the Empress. She wanted to check on her condition once more and offer encouragement.

Themis had shed her rags and returned to her appearance as Empress.

She was staring down at the child in her arms with a pensive look when Lily entered, and she lifted her head.

“Your Majesty, did you sleep well?”

There was no need to hear the answer—Lily could tell right away that the Empress had not slept a wink.

Her eyes still flickered with unease and hesitation. After all, a person’s heart wavers until the very last moment.

The Empress fixed Lily with a stare and asked,

“Are you not afraid? Why are you so certain? How can you smile? If the duke’s plan fails, you will not escape punishment either.”

Lily could hardly say, “I’m just pretending to be cheerful to lift Your Majesty’s spirits!”

Folding her hands, she answered politely,

“My grandmother taught me that if you sink into gloom and give up early, even things that might have gone well will fail. And since this is something that absolutely must succeed, I’ve tried to keep my spirits up.”

“And what is your reason?”

Was the Empress simply someone who couldn’t stand others being optimistic?

Even as she debated whether she should change her approach, Lily’s lips spoke honestly.

“Because Aiden’s safety and mine are at stake.”

Their secret romance had been exposed long ago. By now, no one in the household was confused about her relationship with Aiden.

Since the Empress would find out soon enough, Lily confessed openly.

“I truly wish for the two of us to live in peace and happiness without fear. I would do anything for that—just as Your Majesty thinks of the young prince.”

The Empress’s eyes widened. Then she gave a faint laugh and muttered,

“At least I won’t have to scold you for aiming to be the duke’s wife. Knowing His Majesty’s temperament, he might sneer and ask if you’re after becoming the duke’s mistress.”

“No.”

Lily corrected her gently.

“His Majesty will cast off such worldly worries and ascend to the Lord’s paradise.”

The Empress soothed the baby in her arms for a while. Since she hadn’t dismissed her, Lily remained standing there.

Then the Empress suddenly said,

“If we meet again, I won’t forget your efforts.”

Before Lily could thank her, the Empress waved her hand, weary.

“Now, go. I need some rest before the departure.”

Lily obeyed, intending to return to her room and recite some prayers.

But just as she reached the main building, she heard commotion. Pressing herself against the outer wall, she craned her neck toward the entrance.

Narrowing her eyes to focus, she quickly recognized the visitors.

Imperial knights!

Her eyes widened. Two imperial knights, a man carrying a large bag, and Wolfram were at a standoff.

Wh-what? I was supposed to go—so why did they come here? Should I hide? What do I do?

Just then, one of the knights turned his gaze on her. Without hesitation, he walked straight toward Lily. Wolfram followed, looking dismayed.

“Are you Miss Lily Dienta?”

“Yes, I am.”

She answered calmly. A lie never crossed her mind—the man was already certain of her identity.

“His Majesty praises your decision and has personally sent the imperial physician and a carriage. Please come with us.”

“I wrote in the letter that I would come at noon…”

“His Majesty, in his generosity, wished to send the physician to Duke Kashimir without delay.”

The solemn-faced physician also spoke up.

“Where is His Grace? I heard he was pierced by a sword. Treatment is urgent.”

Lily exchanged glances with Wolfram. Lingering any longer would not be wise.

It had been Lily Dienta herself who said she would go to the palace. To hesitate and delay when an escort had come would only invite suspicion.

“I am deeply grateful for His Majesty’s grace!”

She exclaimed with a look of heartfelt emotion.

“Never could I have dreamed that such care would be shown to someone as disloyal as me. Please allow me a moment to greet my grandmother and change my attire, and I will come right out.”

“Very well.”

As Lily headed for the door, the knights moved to follow. But they were stopped by the household guards.

Wolfram spoke firmly,

“The mansion is under high alert. Until the assassin is caught, even knights of His Majesty may not enter. The same applies to physicians. Until our own physician inspects his belongings, you must wait here.”

“This is an insult to His Majesty!”

“I am simply following the duke’s orders on behalf of the family.”

Seizing the moment, Lily interjected,

“P-please don’t fight because of me! You’re only wasting time. Just a few minutes—five minutes! I’ll be right out.”

The knights exchanged glances and nodded.

Lily quickly slipped back inside. Wolfram also passed through the door, saying he would fetch the family physician. Together, they walked swiftly away.

“Why were you out there? You were supposed to be at the townhouse!”

Wolfram scolded her in a low voice. She whispered back in protest,

“I just wanted to lift Her Majesty’s spirits! Anyway, I have to go.”

“Yes, there’s no reason left to refuse.”

“And the imperial physician?”

“He’ll be detained until this is all over. For now, go and keep your composure. The cult leader won’t do anything to you right away. We just need to stall until His Grace arrives at the palace and finds the cult leader’s body.”

Wolfram’s face was twisted as he said it.