Working at a Haunted Mansion Chapter 35

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‘Why—why is he suddenly going berserk?’

Chewing her lip nervously, she cracked the door open just enough to peek out with one eye and survey the scene.

Julius didn’t seem to have the slightest awareness of her presence. No—he looked as though he’d forgotten she existed altogether.

[Themis! Ahh, Themis! When will I see you again! Themis!]

Lily quietly shut the door again. If things go south, I’ll jump out the window. It was the first floor—nothing dangerous about that.

She actually opened the window wide. Only after she’d moved a chair under it as a step stool, just in case she had to make a run for it, did her brain finally click.

Themis? Otto? Wait… oh!

Themis Sheiwartz, Otto Sheiwartz. The names of the Emperor’s wife and son.

Julius was crying out for his family like he’d never see them again. Anyone listening might think a funeral was underway—but the Empress and Crown Prince were very much alive.

No—actually, that might make it worse. Just imagine… the cult leader, posing as the Emperor, taking his wife and son into his hands. Or worse, doing something to them. No wonder he’s freaking out. Still… does this mean he’s mentally stable enough to think about his family again?

That fake “friend” who had waited for the right moment to betray him, was vicious enough to try to kill him. And yet, this same man apparently cherished his family deeply.

Lily recalled a line often repeated by a doctor character in a novel she’d read once: In healing, nothing is more important than the patient’s will.

Annoying as it was, his love for his family might make for powerful motivation.

After some hesitation, Lily stepped out of the bedroom.

Julius was still slamming himself against the door. The panels creaked, debris fell from the ceiling, and the newly cleansed parts of his form were darkening again.

Even though she thought she’d gotten used to ghosts, her legs trembled at the sight.

An unhinged spirit, completely overtaken, lashing out in a violent frenzy. She seriously doubted any words would get through to him.

Honestly, for a second, she wondered why she was even standing there. Wasn’t this just punishment for meddling in things way beyond her abilities? That silly satisfaction she’d felt while pretending to be a doctor… it felt like a lifetime ago.

Startled by her own weakness, Lily pinched the back of her hand hard. The sting through her thin skin snapped her back to herself.

‘Why? Because I’m doing this for His Grace! I’m going to win, no matter what. I’ll overpower that unhinged ghost!’

Lily pumped herself up with resolve. She slapped both cheeks until they flushed red, and then marched forward with pounding steps.

“Your Majesty! Ahhh, our poor Majesty!”

Crying out loudly, she collapsed to her knees at Julius’s feet. Then, for good measure, she bent forward completely, laying flat on the floor and pounding her fists as she sobbed.

“Uuuhuhuhu… Our poor Empress, our little Crown Prince… why, why huuuu…”

Conviction. This was a battle of pure conviction.

“Snnf… ngh… sob… Your Majesty, I understand your grief a hundred—no, a thousand times over! How dearly you must miss your family. Did that villain… did he dare defile the Mother of the Empire? Did he harm your young heir?”

She looked up with wide, shining eyes—and sure enough, Julius was staring at her in stunned silence.

“Your Majesty, you’ve been watching him. Tell me what you’ve seen. If he did anything, I swear I’ll go undercover and make him pay!”

Julius didn’t answer. He simply looked left and right, dazed, as if he was struggling to comprehend the sudden intrusion.

Lily didn’t miss a beat. She roared:

“That vile scum!!”

She sprang to her feet and stormed off to the bedroom. With dramatic flair, she grabbed the basket and stormed back into the room, her steps heavy.

“Your Majesty, it’s been a short time, but it’s been an honor to serve you. I’m sorry I couldn’t completely heal you and return you to your body. But as a citizen of the Empire, I can’t just stand by. I will avenge you.”

She stood tall, her shoulders back, proud and unshaken.

“I may be the only one in the Duke’s domain who can see souls, but that’s okay. Someday, another gifted person will appear. I don’t arrogantly believe I’m the only one, or that I’m special. So now… I pray the Lord grants you His grace!”

She grasped the doorknob.

[W-wait…!]

Julius placed his hand over hers. His face was twisted in shock, like he’d just been struck by lightning.

[I… I forbid it.]

“But…”

Lily trailed off, glancing at the doorknob. Julius, flustered by her hesitation, spoke again, more urgently.

[I forbid it.]

His voice was surprisingly clear. No stuttering, no dragging out syllables—just a forceful tone, the kind used by someone who had once commanded authority.

Of course. Shock therapy always works best.

Lily smirked inwardly.

Even a mad ghost is bound to feel intimidated when faced with someone even less sane than themselves.

And given the way things were going, Julius must’ve realized something wasn’t quite right. At this rate, he was about to lose his spiritual physician.

Even the proud Aiden Kashimir fretted over the possibility of losing Lily Dienta—their only communication link. For Julius, stranded in enemy territory, it went without saying.

For Lily, who knew her own worth, this wasn’t a gamble.

“If that is Your Majesty’s command, then as your loyal physician, I have no choice but to obey. I only regret that I won’t be able to avenge Her Majesty the Empress. No—I won’t give up. I’ll cure you, and then I’ll head for the capital myself.”

She boldly made promises she had no intention of keeping. She had neither the drive to return the Emperor to his body nor the conviction to take revenge on his behalf.

Now all that was left was the perfect final flourish. One last iconic line to seal his willing cooperation.

But Julius seemed to have something left to say. He forced his stiff tongue to move and said, with effort,

[Themis… was never… dishonored.]

Lily had to fight the urge to scoff.

How could that not be the case? The Emperor was the Empress’s husband.

Just as taking over the Emperor’s body made one the ruler of the Empire, the title of Empress came with it.

And the Sheiwartz couple was known for their strong marriage. They were famous for doting on their young son together.

If the cult leader had wanted to avoid suspicion, he would’ve played the part convincingly.

And maybe it was just Lily’s personal bias, but someone wicked enough to steal another man’s throne would probably see that man’s wife as a prize worth claiming.

That would only deepen Julius’s sense of shame and defeat.

So while Lily knew what he said couldn’t possibly be true, the fact that he wanted to protect his wife’s dignity was touching. She gave him a way to save face.

“Of course. I didn’t mean to suggest he harmed Her Majesty. What I meant was… just the fact that he’s pretending to be her husband is a disgrace in itself.”

Julius frowned and shook his head, looking frustrated—maybe even a little sad.

[He… never even met her.]

“He didn’t meet Her Majesty?”

[That’s right. Not once.]

“Realistically, though, they must’ve crossed paths at least once…”

Julius suddenly loomed in close, eyes wide.

[Not even once!]

“Ah—yes, yes. I believe you. I believe you.”

Lily flinched and stepped back. His terrifying appearance was more than she could handle, even with her bravado.

Still, if he was that adamant, then maybe it really was true—the fake emperor had never met the Empress.

Could a married couple truly go that long without meeting? It wasn’t impossible, but certainly unnatural.

“This sounds like an important clue.”

Lily checked the time. It was nearly time to leave. If she stayed much longer, the guard would break in through the window—and that might set off another ghostly rampage.

“Your Majesty, let me repeat: your willpower is the most important factor in your recovery. I wouldn’t dare claim to understand your despair and rage—but your family is waiting for you.”

She appealed to his emotions.

“You have to see your loved ones again. When things get hard, when you feel hopeless—hold on to that thought. Even after I leave, please keep meditating when you can. And try to remember anything that might help us.”

Julius listened quietly. Family had been the key. Lily felt a surge of pride.

“As your spiritual physician, I assure you: if you follow my treatment plan, it won’t be long before you return to your body. Yes, that’s already decided. It will happen.”

She spoke with confidence and flair.

She didn’t expect a few words to perform miracles, but a patient’s trust was everything. And nothing builds trust like a confident doctor.