Working at a Haunted Mansion Chapter 119

Though it was phrased as a question, the meaning was as good as an order to go and find her.

For Aiden, it was exactly the command he wished for. It was only natural for a nobleman to follow the Empress’s word, yet he did not let himself lose focus.

“My men will find her.”

“It would be better if you led them yourself.”

“They are all trustworthy.”

Themis’s brow furrowed ever so slightly.

“So calm. And I hear you’re deeply involved with that girl.”

Aiden gave her a strange look.

“Did Lily tell you that?”

“She did. She said she’d do anything for your happiness, and hers.”

He pictured Lily saying those words, her shy smile paired with eyes sparkling with determination.

And he knew she would keep her word, no matter what.

Aiden spoke slowly.

“The cult leader will only use Lily, not harm her. Under those conditions, she will be able to make full use of her abilities. Eliminating Manus’s body as soon as possible is the right choice.”

“Even now you prattle about what’s ‘right.’ You truly are the man of reputation. You’ve lost a weak girl who can’t even fight, and that’s what you have to say?”

Aiden stared at the Empress in silence.

It was as if she were itching to poke at the emotions he had forced down.

He couldn’t understand it. How much did she actually know about Lily Dienta, to speak as though she had the right?

Lily had certainly treated her with care, but that was only to win her over into their plan.

If not for necessity, she would never even have met her. To see Themis acting like she alone cared for Lily turned his stomach.

“To save Lily, going to the palace is the right move. If we rush to her now, all that will happen is a direct confrontation with the Emperor. Better to cut off the cult’s hidden throat than stab at the Emperor.”

He explained calmly, never forgetting he was speaking to the Empress.

“The outcome might look the same, but the consequences are very different. In the first case, Lily would be branded a rebel. In the second, we could disguise the Emperor’s collapse however we wished.”

With a bitter but unshakable conviction, he added,

“And to call Lily ‘a weak girl who cannot fight’ is an insult. She has her own strength. If she said she would succeed, then she will, one way or another.”

Themis looked at him, then turned to the window. She clearly had no desire to continue the exchange.

The carriage thundered down the cobblestones at an unlawful speed. Though the scenery outside blurred past beyond recognition, it still felt unbearably slow to Aiden.

At the gate, the Empress’s face alone was enough to let them pass within the palace walls.

Before the news of her return could even spread through the palace, Saul Oats was already there waiting for them.

Aiden wanted to remind the old man of their shared risk.

Was it not for what they each wished to protect that they had begun this? If Lily was not safe, then Saul must be ready to pay with everything he had.

But Aiden only lowered his eyes for a moment, containing his feelings.

Rage was meaningless. Accusations, threats—just petty indulgences.

When the truth was laid bare and something had been lost, then Saul Oats would suffer the same.

Words were unnecessary.

Saul greeted them with practiced composure. The Empress, pale with unease and nausea, said,

“It’s been a while. I’m tired, I want to rest right away.”

It wasn’t entirely an act; her face was drained of color.

“I’ll see you to your chambers, Your Majesty. As for the Duke of Kashimir…”

“No. The Duke is my benefactor. I would have him escort me all the way to my chambers.”

The grand hall became a stage, the walk to the Emperor’s chambers their play. Their audience: guards, servants, attendants scattered throughout.

Questions would surely arise.

Why had the Empress, famously distant, returned with Duke Kashimir? Why did she have him escort her to her chamber? And why call him her benefactor?

No one knew the exact answers, but all would sense he had done something significant for her.

Even when they arrived at the Emperor’s chamber, Aiden did not release her arm. Saul, flustered, said,

“Your Majesty, perhaps now it is time to dismiss Duke Kashimir. With His Majesty absent, unpleasant rumors could spread.”

“The Duke has long seen to my convenience. I owe him gratitude, and we have matters to discuss.”

“Then I’ll prepare a drawing room—”

The Empress frowned, her voice sharp.

“Since when do you gainsay me? If rumors concern you so, then you may join us. Yes, Sir Baiden, you as well.”

When even the knight who had followed them from the hall was summoned, Saul had no choice but to relent.

“…As you wish, Your Majesty.”

The door closed, and Themis sank into a chair. Long deprived and weakened by captivity, her strength had not yet returned.

Still, she carried out her role flawlessly.

“Chamberlain. Open the escape passage.”

“How did Your Majesty—?”

“I have intelligence that the cult leader hides there.”

“What? Impossible! Wasn’t he executed?”

“The source is reliable.”

Saul’s act was impeccable. He looked genuinely shocked, glancing between the Empress and Aiden.

“But the cult leader couldn’t possibly know of it!”

His eyes suddenly widened. “Unless… Sir Lamond…” he muttered.

“Sir Lamond?”

“No, forget it. Just my speculation. But… very well. If Your Majesty insists so firmly, I must obey. Please, turn away.”

And so his collaboration was washed clean, while hinting at the cult’s infiltration of the palace.

As Aiden took the lit lantern, the Empress ordered the knight,

“Sir Baiden, this is of utmost importance. Assist Duke Kashimir.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

They entered the passage. Moving carefully, they found traps laid at irregular intervals, cunningly set.

They avoided them and pressed on. Soon, a storage chamber appeared, just as Saul had said.

The knight drew a sharp breath.

At the far end lay an old man, eyes closed, wrapped in fine bedding as though in sleep. It was Manus, once dragged under heavy guard to the underground cells.

Aiden looked down at the wrinkled face. He recalled the moment the man first became a wraith, and the path that had led him here.

But what he felt was neither disgust nor relief.

He was only worried for Lily.

“The sword.”

Aiden spoke curtly. Nobles entering the palace could not carry personal weapons.

He could have used any object at hand, but for clean work a well-sharpened blade was best. That was why the knight’s presence mattered.

Without a word, the knight handed him the sword. Aiden carried out his vengeance without error and took the cult leader’s head.

 

 

 

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Aiden Kashimir, holding back his fury as he nearly passed through the palace walls, ran with all his might and crashed into the cult leader with his whole body.

The sudden surprise attack staggered the cult leader.

“Ugh.”

Seizing the moment he faltered, Lily snatched the hammer and quickly backed away.

“How many times do you plan to repeat the experiment if it fails? What kind of nonsense is that! If you were lucky enough to get the Emperor’s body, you should be grateful!”

She shouted at the top of her lungs.

“Lily Dienta.”

“What!”

Lily swung the hammer to keep him from coming any closer.

Now it was do-or-die. A person was about to be killed right in front of her—what was there to fear?

Besides, it wasn’t such an awful situation that she must cowardly hold back.

The cult leader couldn’t possibly bring himself to kill her — not when her eyes were at stake — and Aiden would soon pierce that man’s heart.

If things went badly, limbs might break or blood might flow. But he wouldn’t die, right?

Sometimes in life you must accept sacrifice to save someone!

If she dawdled and that man died or became disabled, she would regret today until the day she died.

Lily gripped the hammer tightly.