Working at a Haunted Mansion Chapter 27

Just a few hours ago, Lily had delivered a late-night snack to try and get back into Angela’s good graces.

And yet, as soon as the sun rose, she acted on her own again, so from Angela’s perspective, she must be thinking, Is this girl playing games with me?

A maid who had a history of sneaking out, entering the restricted main building without proper reports or permission, and randomly bringing back a broken candlestick.

That alone made her hard to like, but to top it off, lately she had been favored by the higher-ups and was now earning a salary far higher than Angela’s own. No matter how you looked at her, she was an irritating girl.

‘… Isn’t that what she must be thinking?’

Lily stared down at the floor. She actually wished Angela would sigh, get angry, or at least hand down a punishment.

But Angela still said nothing. It felt like she would leave Lily standing there forever.

The hands holding the candlestick started to tremble. She grew more afraid, wondering just what Angela was waiting to say.

Only after Lily’s back bent like a devotee offering a tribute did Angela finally give a short command.

“Straighten up.”

Trying not to look too desperate, Lily quickly straightened her posture.

Angela was looking at her with an incredulous gaze.

“The knights were stationed at the main building since yesterday. How did you get in?”

“I showed them the ring His Majesty bestowed upon me as proof.”

“A ring?”

Lily hesitated, moving the candlestick to one hand and pulling out the ring with the other.

“I escorted His Majesty to the Eastern Wing last night, and he gave it to me then.”

“And did Madam Dienta really request some documents?”

Lily couldn’t bring herself to lie about that. Adding more sins now would be too much to handle.

“Haah……”

Angela let out a deep sigh from the pit of her stomach and called her name.

“Lily Dienta.”

“Yes, head maid.”

“I know you’re hiding something from me. I also know that you’re sharing that secret with the aide and Madam Dienta.”

Lily’s eyes widened in shock.

I thought I covered it up perfectly!

Seeing her surprised face, Angela’s frown deepened.

“Did you really think no one would notice with you moving around so frantically? After you disappeared, strange things happened in the main building, the Aide’s odd behavior, and your talking to yourself—yes, your talking to yourself. Hoo……”

Angela sighed again, even heavier this time.

“Lily, I can tell you’ve tried hard, but the Duke’s castle has many ears. Several people have already come to me worried that you’re suffering from delusions because of stress over the ghost rumors. Some even volunteered to clean the main building in your place.”

“D-Delusions……”

Lily’s eyes darted back and forth. She recalled how unusually kind her coworkers had been recently.

I mean, I’m grateful you didn’t accuse me of heresy, but guys… was that why you were being so nice?

Seeing Lily standing there stunned, Angela shook her head briefly.

“Anyway, the reason I overlooked it until now is because the Aide was involved, and I believed it wasn’t something that would harm the Duke’s family. Also because you were still trying to uphold your duties as a maid. But lately, you’ve been really……”

She trailed off, staring at Lily. Lily dropped her head.

“I’m starting to wonder if we should even keep you employed as a maid. What do you think?”

“Please don’t fire me! You can’t fire me!”

Lily cried out in shock.

She desperately wanted to stay and see Aiden’s revival through to the end. Even if her only ability was to carry words, she wanted to help.

How happy would she be if she could witness him finally opening his eyes? More than any promises or rewards, Lily simply wanted to see those eyes for herself.

Besides, she had to protect this historic castle from the Duke’s wrath. If she got thrown out now, the entire castle might collapse into the ground this time.

Should I kneel?

Lily thought seriously.

No. That won’t be enough. What’s more serious than kneeling? Bowing until my forehead touches the floor?

If she had thought a little more clearly, she might have realized that Wolfram would object to her dismissal, but Lily was far too panicked.

Even Aiden seemed agitated, as the floor beneath them gave a faint, ominous creak.

“I didn’t mean I was going to fire you.”

Oh.

Lily and Aiden instantly calmed down.

“What I meant is, is it right for you to stay as a maid? At this rate, your actions might break the discipline of the entire staff.”

She understood the situation, but if not as a maid, under what title could she remain at the castle? Helping the Duke was supposed to be a secret mission, and she didn’t have any special skills to show off in public.

Angela sighed, seeing Lily staring blankly like a lost chick.

“I’ll discuss this matter with the aide. For now, you may leave. Today, tend to Madam Dienta.”

“Thank you, head maid.”

Angela waved her hand dismissively. Lily quickly set the candlestick down on the table and backed out of the room.

She let out a sigh. Her stomach felt heavy. She had avoided being fired, but her punishment had only been put on hold.

If the head maid strongly insisted that some form of disciplinary action was necessary to maintain order among the maids, even Wolfram would have to partially agree.

Unless the higher-ups objected, that is. She fervently whispered to Aiden:

“Y-Your Grace, you heard that, right? As you know, all of this was for you. I usually follow the rules and never cause any trouble. So please, please make sure this ends peacefully. No salary cuts or extra work assignments, please…….”

[I’ll make sure that never happens.]

The firm promise eased her heart. Now, all that remained was to find Wolfram before Angela could and get ahead of the situation.

“By the way, where will you be now? I have to stay by Grandmother’s side.”

[I want to stay with you.]

She had a feeling he would say that.

“Then, wait just a moment. I’ll explain everything to Grandma first, so she doesn’t get startled.”

Leaving Aiden standing in front of Julia’s room, Lily slipped inside alone. Julia was already busy at work.

“Good morning, Lily. What brings you here so early?”

“Head maid told me to look after you today.”

“Did she now? That’s good.”

Julia answered lightly, unaware of the details behind it.

“But Grandma, there’s something I need to tell you. His Grace is standing just outside the door. Would it be alright if he came in?”

Julia, looking puzzled, asked again.

“His Grace? Wasn’t he unable to leave the main building?”

“It’s a long story, but last night, I happened to meet His Majesty by chance and guided him, and then……”

Lily began to explain everything in detail — the ring, Julius’s ghost, sneaking into the main building, stealing the protective artifact, fooling the knight, and even the fact that she got hurt from falling.

She didn’t leave out a single thing, thinking maybe mentioning the injury would earn her a bit of sympathy.

“… That’s how it all happened.”

Lily carefully studied Julia’s expression. Julia, face pale as a sheet, couldn’t speak for a moment. Lily braced herself to be scolded.

Yeah… when I think about it, it was really reckless. Even though none of it could’ve been helped.

Even if she went back a hundred times, she would have made the same choices a hundred times.

Being scolded was simply the inevitable consequence she had to accept.

But instead of getting angry, Julia’s lips trembled, and she buried her face in her palms.

“In the end, the fears I had when you were little have come true. When you wanted to run away back then, I should’ve just taken you and fled. If I had, you wouldn’t have gotten hurt, you wouldn’t be caught up in such dangerous things… I should’ve helped you find a different job, not one in the mansion.”

Her voice, thick with emotion, was damp with tears. Lily, shocked, cried out:

“Grandma, I’m fine! I’m barely even hurt! I scraped my knee just because I was careless, not because of any ghost!”

Rather than getting scolded, seeing Julia blaming herself was much harder to bear.

“I’ll really be careful from now on. I promise.”

Fidgeting nervously, Lily offered Julia a handkerchief. Julia, unable to control her emotions, dabbed at her tears for a while.

Lily couldn’t bear to keep watching her and turned her gaze away. That’s when she noticed Aiden standing at the doorway, his eyes wide open.

W-Why are you already inside? When did you come in?!

Lily glanced frantically between Julia and Aiden. Before she could even alert Julia to his presence, Julia lowered her handkerchief and spoke.

“I followed along to protect you, and yet here I am showing such a disgraceful sight. But… what’s the point of regrets now? We have to solve this quickly if we want to keep you safe. That was my reason for coming here in the first place, yet I’d already grown complacent.”

Julia’s eyes sharpened with new determination.