Working at a Haunted Mansion Chapter 48

Even if being tired made sense— could a ghost really feel shoulder stiffness?

Still, he didn’t seem to be lying. His faint smile as he looked down at her was clearly tinged with exhaustion.

Lily informed Wolfram of their outing. There was no need to ask for permission. Lily held that kind of status now.

Aiden’s protective charm, kept in a secret vault, was placed into a small pouch and hung around Lily’s neck.

She tucked it carefully inside her shirt so it wouldn’t stick out, then headed to the castle’s guard post to request an escort.

Officially, Lily could take up to two soldiers as escorts anytime she wished. It was a right granted for when she carried Aiden’s protective charm.

Though the guards were following Wolfram’s orders as acting lord, they had no idea what was going on, so it must’ve seemed very odd to them.

But, like many other parts of the “Lily Dienta-Related Operational Guidelines,” there was a strict order not to question the reasons behind any of it—so they stayed silent.

Her request was approved immediately, and a soldier began to follow her at a short distance.

Feeling a prickle on the back of her head, Lily whispered quietly so it wouldn’t be heard behind her.

“Where should we go?”

[Let’s go to the rear garden.]

Since coaxing her outside, Aiden hadn’t moved like someone with stiffness at all. Only then did she realize she had been thoroughly tricked.

If anything, he seemed a little excited. As always, he carried himself with elegance and poise, but his steps were curiously light.

She was watching his calm hair, unaffected by the breeze, when she realized he’d stopped walking—and she stopped too.

He frowned slightly, but still had a smile on his lips as he asked:

[Why are you walking so far behind?]

“It just felt more appropriate somehow.”

Lily answered politely. She still hadn’t recovered from her recent reminder of the weight of power.

‘He might look back once his feelings change and think, “That maid—actually, she was quite insolent. Should I cancel her reward?” Better behave now, just in case.’

Besides, they needed some physical distance anyway.

She continued sweetly.

“Or would you prefer I lead the way? Since it’s been a while since you’ve been out, you might lose your sense of direction. The castle is so big that I even get lost sometimes.”

It was a comment meant purely to flatter. In truth, she knew the layout of the castle like the back of her hand— she’d once delivered midnight snacks alone in the dead of night.

Aiden burst out laughing and said:

[What are you talking about now? Unless you want me to walk behind you, just come to my side. Or was I walking too fast? I did try to match your pace, but maybe it wasn’t enough.]

“No, not at all.”

In fact, his pace had been slowing down steadily. She had assumed he was simply enjoying the scenery, but he had actually been adjusting to her.

[Then I’m glad.]

Aiden fully turned toward her and waited.

She moved to his side, as if pushed by an invisible hand, unable to resist. Aiden smiled softly.

[Shall we continue?]

It wasn’t fair! She was trying so hard to behave like a maid, but this man showed no intention of behaving like a duke!

Far from helping her let go of her feelings, that face— that treatment, half-serious and half-flirtatious—only made her heart burn more.

Lily was so frustrated, she was almost resentful.

Who started all this, anyway? Who made her harbor such arrogant desires?

If only he had acted more like Wolfram— or even just treated her as nothing more than a useful tool to the end— then her heart wouldn’t be such a mess.

But no, he had to be kind, flutter around like a spring breeze, and now the man who had once pretended to be weak was clearly forming a real bond—and she could see it happening right before her eyes.

And yet, clueless as ever, he smiled brightly and said:

[The weather’s so nice, I love it.]

As if that perfectly sunny face weren’t enough— it made it all the more obvious his whole “I’m tired” excuse had been a total lie.

The weather was indeed dazzling, and the garden, so carefully maintained by the gardeners, was bursting with life in the sunshine.

They walked deeper into the rear garden.

[Come to think of it, we’ve never had a proper outing together.]

“No, I suppose the circumstances didn’t allow for it.”

[A walk like this should’ve always been possible, but things kept piling up, and I forgot.]

That made it sound like he’d wanted to go on walks with her before.

[Not long ago, I thought I’d never be able to leave the main building again…]

Aiden drifted into the past for a moment, then cheerfully continued.

[Shall we rest over there for a bit?]

Where he pointed stood a dazzlingly white stone pavilion. The benches and table were also carved from white rock.

As they approached the pavilion, Aiden suddenly looked a little dismayed.

[Hm, nothing’s been prepared. Of course.]

Lily immediately understood what scene he had imagined.

If a noble or guest hinted at wanting to enjoy the garden, the steward would quickly dispatch servants to prepare cushions, fruit baskets, flower vases, and so on.

That was simply the norm for nobles, so Aiden had probably pictured such a well-prepared, elegant setting without thinking.

But this outing had been completely spontaneous, and no matter how special Lily Dienta might be, she wasn’t the sort of person to be waited on like that.

‘We really do live in different worlds.’

That thought sprang up suddenly. Before Lily could dwell too much on the distance between them, Aiden spoke again.

[I should’ve brought a handkerchief to lay out. I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?]

Lily wasn’t even surprised anymore. She was exhausted by how much a person could change in a single day. No—that wasn’t it. He hadn’t changed; he’d simply become more of who he already was.

Aiden Kashimir was behaving like a noble playboy who enjoyed the company of women—and, to be honest, he seemed exceptionally good at it.

And she was utterly helpless, like a moonflower wilting in the midday sun.

She didn’t respond to the outrageous and absurdly sweet words he’d just said. Instead, she simply sat down on one of the benches.

Not the one right next to him—she granted herself the mercy of sitting on a separate bench. Aiden, noticing that, spoke slyly.

[You seem really tired.]

You! It’s because of you! It’s all because you’re like this!

Watching Aiden feign a shy, apologetic expression, his eyes slightly downcast, Lily wanted to slam her fist on the table.

Instead, she smiled and denied it.

“Tired? Of course not. Thinking like that would bring down divine punishment. That would make me someone who doesn’t even appreciate grace.”

She hoped her lips trembling ever so slightly was just her imagination.

[Strictly speaking, you’re the one giving grace. I’m the one receiving it.]

The Duke of Kashimir—how did he even come up with lines like that? Was he trying to drag noble dignity through the mud just to woo a woman? He seemed very self-aware, and yet…

Before Lily could rein in her expression, her disbelief had already shown in her eyes. So much for holding onto a professional smile—it now looked more like a grimace of unease.

Even though he must have clearly seen her stunned expression, Aiden pressed on without hesitation.

[I’m eagerly waiting for the day I can repay that grace.]

His eyes, clear and cool like the bluish glow of his soul, looked softly but deeply into hers. The message behind his words—dressed up as “gratitude”—was all too obvious.

A sharp ache spread through her chest. This wasn’t just figurative—she physically felt it, like something was squeezing tightly inside her.

They both clearly had feelings for each other. And the way he looked at her—it was so openly warm, so unmistakable—that it should have made things easier.

But instead, she had to pretend it was nothing, dismiss it, as if it were just another passing thought.

Lily forced her gaze outward, away from the pavilion. In the distance, she could see the back of the soldier posted to watch over them.

He stood with a strict, disciplined posture, faithfully carrying out his duties— but honestly, it felt like overkill. What danger could possibly be lurking in the garden of a sick noble’s estate? Aside from the occasional bird or insect…

Well, maybe a deranged aide pretending to be working while actually playing hooky…

Thanks to that brief mental detour, Lily regained her composure. She smiled a little brighter and replied:

“Thank you for saying that. That alone already feels like repayment enough.”

[If words alone can repay grace, then I’m getting a very good deal.]