Working at a Haunted Mansion Chapter 49

For a moment, the conversation was cut off. The ball had passed to Lily, but she kept her mouth shut with a polite expression.

It was Aiden who had brought her outside, and Aiden who led the conversation. If she didn’t respond, it would all fall apart in the end.

‘Just like with feelings.’

Lily lowered her gaze and stared at the surface of the table.

‘Even if someone knocks on the door from outside, I can just pretend I didn’t hear and not open it. People get tired eventually.’

Lily knew that it was an extremely passive way. But what else could she do?

If he had confessed in person, she would’ve properly turned him down, but he hadn’t. And it wasn’t like she could cut ties and change jobs at this point either.

More than anything, the scale in her heart stubbornly stayed balanced, not leaning to either side.

If Aiden Kashimir were a bookstore owner, a brick factory manager, or an executive in the merchants’ guild, she might not have been so troubled.

Or if she were just a little simpler. If she were the kind of person who threw everything into love, not thinking about consequences, enjoying the moment.

If, like when she ran to the main building with her mind blank, she could focus on just the one most important thing…

[I know I’m not much help.]

Aiden said, with a self-deprecating tone. Lily replied automatically without lifting her head, “Not at all.”

Either way, it was thanks to Aiden that they could find a lead. That Wolfram no longer looked down on her, and that she wasn’t fooled by Julius’s tricks.

But to Aiden, Lily’s response must have sounded completely insincere. He didn’t react at all and simply went on.

[All I’ve got is this body, and even that I can’t use properly. What woman would think well of a man whose biggest help is sitting quietly and not being a bother?]

Ah, so he’s just going to lay it out like that so she can’t dodge it?

She couldn’t help but lift her head. She had to see what kind of face could say something like that.

And Aiden Kashimir, when she looked, was just smiling. It was the kind of expression the word “gently” was made for—he used the one thing he had so well it was almost impressive.

[But listening to your voice while sitting here—I can do that better than anyone. So if you ever want to vent or lighten your burden, think of me. Anytime, anywhere.]

Lily quietly stared at his kind and full-of-warmth face.

Why was he so confident?

If she really started complaining, he’d probably get tired of it right away.

Right now, he’s a ghost with time on his hands and nothing to do, so he’s volunteering to be someone’s emotional dumping ground.

But no one likes someone who constantly complains. Isn’t that right? How long do you think parents can put up with a child who whines all the time? If even guardians can’t take it, how much patience could strangers possibly have?

Without even understanding something so simple, when did he supposedly develop such deep feelings? Since when has he been watching her? What does he even know so well about her…?

‘If you insist, then shall I unload everything, just like you want?’

Lily thought with a bitter edge.

‘I like Your Excellency, but you seem like a tree too high to climb. Are you planning on a love for the ages with a commoner way below your level? Are you confident? How long do you think you can love a woman who eats with just a fork, who’s more used to kneeling and scrubbing than admiring jewels?’

She folded her calloused, short-nailed hands together on her lap as if to hide them.

‘If I said I get jealous to death of the fair-skinned girls with smooth hands every time I stand before you, wouldn’t that cool your heart a little? How long could we stand being stared at like some strange curiosity? No, really—how far ahead have you thought this through. You’re not planning to make me a duchess or anything, are you?’

The reason some people are always happy is because they only look for things that make them happy. If you want to smile, be cheerful, and upbeat, then just fill your heart with things that suit that.

Turn away from unreachable dreams and things beyond your means, and be satisfied with what you’re given. Then you’ll be rewarded with small but certain peace—the joy of a humble life.

Or maybe… think about the destination?

She was running toward Aiden Kashimir’s recovery. She’d give it her all, throw herself in without hesitation. If her effort bore fruit, that would be a happy ending.

But love with Aiden Kashimir—its ending…

Lily liked fairy tales, but she didn’t think her life was one.

‘Running toward an ending that’ll just turn out to be a dream is madness. You get that? It’s madness. And look at you. Sitting there, blaming everything on others—look at yourself.’

Like soothing a collapsing sandcastle, she repeated it over and over, really over and over, trying to teach herself again.

‘If you know what’s right, then just act on it. Why are you hesitating? You’re acting like this because deep down, you don’t truly want it badly enough to risk everything. If you lack resolve, then at least move quickly. Stop dithering and go on to the next action. Are you only going to come to your senses after everything’s already fallen apart?’

After harshly scolding herself, Lily finally felt like she might be able to put an end to this torment.

She opened her mouth to speak the truth.

“Your Excellency, the truth is…”

At that moment, Aiden’s face lit up. It wasn’t a fake polish—it was a brightness sprinkled with the powder of joy.

“Why… why are you looking at me like that?”

[Hm? What do you mean?]

He asked back with the same bright face, like he didn’t understand what she meant.

“You just look really happy…”

[Ah. Was it that obvious?]

He rubbed his cheek once. Even so, the joy and embarrassment didn’t fade—it lingered softly.

Aiden laughed lightly.

[I’m just happy I get to use my only skill already. So, the truth? You really did have something on your mind, didn’t you?]

He calmed down a little. Even someone who’s not a noble knows it’s bad manners to be too happy about hearing someone else’s worries.

“Well…”

Lily trailed off. His sudden happiness made her shrink back like a ghost who stepped in holy water.

Should I look into a marriage partner for Your Excellency? Is there a noble lady you’ve been thinking about?

In her mind, she could say the words clearly. She had made up her mind. But the words stuck in her throat.

[Actually, I already know.]

“You do?”

[And I think I’ve found the right answer.]

“You’ve found… the answer?!”

She jumped in surprise. Aiden’s mouth began to open, and to Lily, it felt like it was happening in slow motion.

A strong urge hit her to shut that mouth. She had thought it would be fine—if this would all end like a dream, then let him find someone else. But in truth, she wanted to delay this relationship for as long as she could.

She didn’t want things to be defined so suddenly, so clearly…!

[You couldn’t give up on going to the capital, right? Isn’t that it?]

Aiden completely missed the mark but asked in a very thoughtful tone.

“Yes, yes, yes. That’s right.”

Lily nodded quickly.

[You originally wanted to go, but I stopped you and made you give up. And now that you’ve heard about the High Priest’s weakness today, you must’ve seen a new possibility.]

“Then… the answer you said you found is…”

[I’ll go to the capital too.]

Her first thought was that their relationship would continue for a while—but that hope quickly faded. Aiden’s answer wasn’t very realistic.

“His Majesty said I must go alone. Besides, there’s a lie I told him… remember? He thinks your soul has lost reason and is being corrupted. If the lie is exposed, he’ll lose all trust in me too.”

[I can make up an explanation. Just like I did with Julius—like your treatment worked on me too, or you’re being used against your will. If you’re still nervous, I’ll follow you in secret with Wolfram.]

It was clearly a shallow plan, but Lily still ran through all the possibilities in her head.

But she knew. That this was all a long way around the most likely and obvious solution right in front of them.

She even felt guilty for making Aiden say something like this.

And in that moment, Lily realized.

‘That’s right. He knows too.’

He knows how to return to his body—even tonight, if he wanted. Everything she knew, he knew too…

And yet he was still saying she should go to the capital. Saying they should go together. Willing to take unnecessary risks?

Lily asked before she realized it.

“Will you be okay with that?”