Working at a Haunted Mansion Chapter 40

This chapter is sponsored by NoodLuver~

‘All of them? You want me to send all of them?!’

Lily asked with her eyes, and Aiden, ever so kindly, repeated slowly and clearly:
[For Madam Dienta. All of them]

Sending them to Julia could only mean one thing—he wanted her to translate them. Lily turned back to the shelves.

Even though this section was small compared to the entire library, it still filled three full shelves. Just by estimating, it had to be several dozen books, and he wanted to send all of them, regardless of type?

Lily was at a loss. In the office, they’d never discussed needing more books about the Solmon cult.

This visit to the library was clearly Aiden’s spur-of-the-moment decision.

“Miss Dienta?”

The librarian looked at her in confusion. Lily herself was just as confused.

Was she really supposed to send all these books to Julia? But why? These weren’t banned, and apparently, they didn’t even directly concern the cult. Was there some hidden meaning in Aiden’s request?

Aiden prodded her.

[What are you doing, Lily? You have to deliver my words. That’s your job.]

He was completely serious. No hidden motives—just an absurdly straightforward order.

Lily was more bewildered than ever.

‘Why? Seriously, why for no reason at all?’

As she stood silent, the librarian, growing impatient, asked:

“Should I deliver all the Solmon books to Madam Dienta, then?”

Aiden didn’t retract his command. Unbelievable as it was, his intent was clear. Lily had no choice but to follow the duke’s orders.

She had once sworn to serve faithfully as the Duke of Kashimir’s right hand, rising from maid to assistant secretary in one fell swoop. She’d even signed and stamped the contract.

As long as Aiden’s orders during work didn’t put her body or property at risk, she had to obey.

Reluctantly, she answered:

“Yes, please do that.”

“Understood. I’ll have them delivered today.”

Lily bowed and exited the library.

As she walked, she turned the ridiculous command over in her head—until she finally realized she’d been caught in a trap from the start.

She leaned in and whispered quietly enough for only Aiden to hear, mindful that they were outside:

“You never planned to let me go, did you?”

[What are you talking about?]

Aiden played innocent.

“I mean going to the capital. You told me to go after Grandma finished her work—but you never intended to let her finish it, did you?”

What other reason could there be for sending Julia that ridiculous number of books?

Finishing all of them would now take years. At this rate, going to the capital was practically impossible.

Aiden smiled with his eyes.

[You misunderstand, Lily.]

Misunderstand, my foot! He didn’t even try to hide the fact that she was right.

Lily was dumbfounded. Since when had she been serving a fox of a duke?

[I just want to gather as much information as I can about the Solmon cult. You said yourself that you’d need all the knowledge you can get to face the cult leader.]

“Those books aren’t even banned, and they don’t relate to the cult at all!”

[I never said I’d only have her translate banned materials. Besides, if we’re preparing to confront a religious leader, it’s short-sighted to only focus on doctrine.]

Aiden continued smoothly, without a hint of shame.

[If you understand Solmon’s culture, it might help you connect with Manus. You might avoid offending their taboos, or it could help you carry yourself well enough that the Imperial Court takes you seriously. After all, only noble families of wealth have had access to Solmon’s culture through the generations. With all that value, should we really let the materials just sit and rot?]

His smooth talk flowed like a river. Lily could only gape.

[Don’t worry, Lily. I’ll keep my promise. Once Madam Dienta finishes the translations, go with Julius. Until then, let’s focus on finding a way here at the estate.]

Lily murmured in a hollow voice,

“Is it even possible to finish the work? If she translates all those books, then it’s over? Are we sure some new ones won’t just magically appear out of nowhere?”

[I didn’t think that far ahead… You really are clever.]

Aiden said it with sincere admiration. And Lily was on the verge of exploding.

 

 

 

****

 

 

 

“You never planned to let me go in the first place?”
Do we really need an answer to that?

Just the fact that Aiden had allowed her to act as a so-called soul healer and go back and forth to see Julius had already tested the limits of his patience.

And now, she wanted to set off to the capital—indefinitely—with only Julius? It wasn’t even a suggestion worth reconsidering.

Aiden looked at Lily Dienta with pleased eyes.

He had successfully stopped her without resorting to lowly tactics like invoking contracts or giving forceful orders.

Had she thought it through even a little more, she might have seen the trap. But his painstaking charm offensive had paid off.

Thanks to that, Aiden looked cheerful, while Lily, by contrast, wore a sulky expression. She still seemed far from convinced.

“Fine. Since I’ve already made the promise, I’ll put off leaving for now. But, Your Grace, really think about it. The emperor wasn’t entirely wrong. The real root of all this is the cult leader. In situations like this, it usually ends when you take out the enemy’s head.”

It was funny and endearing how, outside the office, she never gave proper responses when he spoke—but had no problem rambling when she needed something.

[Sure. Do that—once Madam Dienta finishes her work.]

“Your Grace!”

Lily scolded him under her breath, but Aiden pretended not to notice her glare.

As he made it clear this conversation was over, Lily finally gave up and shut her mouth.

She couldn’t help but pout, but that much he could overlook.

Aiden felt like he was finally starting to understand how to handle Lily Dienta.

Simply saying “no” didn’t work on her. If he did that, she’d find a way to sneak onto the carriage heading to the capital with Julius’s ring in hand.

She’d learn from past failures and craft an even more thorough plan. She might hide his rosary so he couldn’t follow her or even negotiate secretly with Wolfram for support.

Of course, Wolfram wouldn’t agree easily—he’d worry about Aiden’s wrath. But with Lily determined and persuasive, it was only a matter of time before he gave in.

Danger wasn’t what stopped Lily Dienta. In fact, danger only made her more determined to come up with clever ways to overcome it.

Had she ever listened when told to stay put, to be careful, to please not go?

No. She wasn’t someone who could be stopped by mere warnings. Aiden had to deceive her like he would an enemy.

“Taking down the cult leader will save both of us?”
What a joke.

Aiden recalled Julius’s explanation and scoffed.

Julius’s only real goal was his own recovery. Aiden could name at least two pieces of evidence from Julius’s own words.

Twisting old stories and making up sob stories to conveniently exclude Aiden from the mission—then boldly declaring he’d help with Aiden’s recovery?

The very idea that Julius cared about Aiden was proof enough it was all a lie.

Despite all the warnings Aiden had given her about Julius’s schemes and their strained relationship, it was deeply disappointing that Lily still fell for this nonsense.

What had misled her?

Aiden thought he knew the answer.

The reason she willingly closed her eyes to the possibility that it was all a lie, and ignored any hidden trap, was simply… to help him.

She was throwing herself into the thorny path for someone who, in the end, was practically a stranger to her. No one had asked her to.

Getting his body back was still Aiden’s top priority—but not to the extent that he’d risk Lily for it.

Even if it were urgent, Lily was the one person he didn’t want to sacrifice.
It was irrational, but the thought of it just didn’t sit right with him.

He stole a glance at her. Her brow was furrowed deeply as she tried to figure out what to do next.

Lily Dienta, so good it was almost absurd. A woman strung together with pearls of kindness, empathy, courage, and devotion—Aiden found himself unable to look away.

When she had listened to the fabricated sob stories about his childhood and, rather than questioning what was true, had offered quiet comfort… he had felt helpless.

She was too busy looking at the far horizon to notice the rocks beneath her feet. Someone had to be there to protect her.

He leaned in closer and whispered,

[Until Madam Dienta finishes her work, you must not leave the estate. Understood?]

He meant to sound like he was whining playfully, but the chill that slipped out in his tone surprised even him. He quickly checked her face to see if she looked afraid.

Her warm-colored eyes turned to him and curved gently.

“You really sound like a ghost when you say stuff like that.”

If she could see inside his ghostly self, she might not laugh so easily.

Because what lay inside could either shine like light—or cling like pitch—depending on her choice.

Aiden let out a soft laugh, playing along just enough.