Working at a Haunted Mansion Chapter 58

Part 8. The Landlord

Lily Dienta’s new beginning started exactly three weeks after she submitted her resignation, in the capital city.

She had taken on the role of managing a townhouse owned by the uncle of a friend of a cousin of a distant relative on the maternal side of Duke Kashimir’s family.

The landlord’s name was Mark Idyrins, who was said to be passionate about world travel and had just set off on another journey.

Once he left on a trip, he would often be gone for years at a time, leaving only the minimum number of staff. While searching for an honest and diligent caretaker, Lily Dienta was the one who ended up with the job.

“It’s truly fortunate we were able to find someone with a recommendation from His Grace the Duke.”

The butler said this as he helped carry her luggage.

No other staff were in sight. The butler explained that he too would be leaving soon after the handover and led her up the stairs.

Mark Idyrins’ townhouse was a well-maintained, antique building, showing signs of age and care from the very entrance.

Even the few pieces of furniture in the hallway were in a stately classical style, seemingly untouched since the home’s first owner had placed them there.

“The third floor is the caretaker’s residence. That’s where you’ll be staying, Miss Dienta.”

“Ah, please call me Lily.”

“I couldn’t possibly do that.”

The butler politely declined. Lily was impressed. So this was capital city culture—respect even from subordinates. How gentlemanly.

Watching his back, she made a firm resolution in her heart.

I’m going to work hard. I’ll never find a heavenly job like this again. When the landlord returns, I’ll make sure he says I was such a great caretaker that he’ll want to keep me on forever.

At the top of the stairs, a door unexpectedly appeared, blocking the way to the third floor. Lily sniffed the air quietly. It smelled of fresh wood and recently applied varnish.

“From here on, everything is yours to use freely.”

The wording struck her as odd, and Lily tilted her head in confusion as the butler opened one of the doors.

“This is your bedroom.”

Lily’s eyes widened.

It looked like a room fit for the daughter of a wealthy merchant. The bedding embroidered with blue thread was clearly made of high-end fabric, even without touching it.

There were delicate wall decorations, a warm-toned rug, and a modern vanity with a mirror attached.

The atmosphere was completely different from the antique feeling of the lower floors, giving the impression that everything had been newly set up…

And the surprises didn’t end there. She was shown a sitting room, a private study, a bathroom with plumbing, and even a dressing room with a few lady’s outfits hanging inside.

“These clothes were purchased by the master as a gift for the new caretaker. Please feel free to wear them. Now, let’s head to the study so I can explain your duties.”

Following the butler, Lily’s pupils trembled slightly.

A gift… Sure, who can understand the minds of the rich? But this is practically an entire house to myself. Does that make sense? Am I misunderstanding something?

She asked the butler:

“All of the spaces you just showed me—are they all for the caretaker? You said I’m free to use them?”

“Yes, as I mentioned, the third floor is the caretaker’s residence.”

Lily simply couldn’t make sense of it.

“Then… before I arrived, you must have been using this space?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

The butler said it with a surprisingly straight face. But it didn’t make any sense. This space was clearly made for a refined young lady.

If Lily were a middle-aged male butler assigned this space, she would’ve started by changing the curtains.

“People often say I have a surprisingly girlish taste.”

“A-ah, no! It suits you very well.”

Lily replied instinctively. She’d instantly become the kind of person who jumps to conclusions based on gender. But still… still…!

When they arrived at the study, the butler picked up a stack of papers from the desk.

“Now then, let me explain the duties you’ll be taking on, Miss Dienta.”

The work was simple. She was, quite literally, in charge of the townhouse’s overall management.

The documents the butler handed her contained almost everything about running the house—seasonal checklists, information on regular merchants and their visit dates, a local area map, emergency contacts, and more…

All she had to do was follow what was written in the manual.

As she listened to the butler speak, the shock from her tour of the “caretaker’s quarters” began to fade. She’d just happened to land a job under an eccentric employer, that’s all—it was still a normal housekeeper’s job.

“All expenses will be recorded in the ledger and paid by the main estate. If any unexpected costs arise, you may withdraw funds from Saint Forecal Bank. Your salary will also be deposited there on the 2nd of each month.”

“Um… may I ask how much my salary is?”

“You haven’t heard?”

“Well, no, haha…”

Lily had packed up and left the estate with Julia immediately after leaving that letter for Aiden.

Thanks to Wolfram pulling strings, Julia’s old boarding house was still available. Lily had stayed there for a little over a week while waiting for her letter of recommendation—then she had come to the capital.

She hadn’t asked in detail about the job she’d be taking. She felt too uncomfortable even being in the same room as Wolfram.

“500 gold.”

“Excuse me?”

“500 gold.”

“I think I misheard…”

“No, you heard correctly. You will be paid five hundred gold every month.”

This was a scam.

Lily instinctively took a step back. She scanned the room with sharp eyes. Did they think she was some kind of fool just because she used to be a maid…?

There wasn’t a noble in the entire empire who would pay 500 gold for managing an empty house.

Her salary as a low-level maid had been 2 gold a month. As an aide assistant, she had earned 250. But 500 gold for doing almost nothing? If you’re going to lie, at least make it believable.

This townhouse had to be a giant trap. Her thoughts raced through possible crimes: a front for a criminal syndicate, a base for illegal trade, a setup to drag her into a scheme.

The ringleader? Who else—it must be Mark Idyrins himself.

She wouldn’t even be surprised if he suddenly canceled his trip and came back tomorrow to resume some shady operation.

“Excuse me, I’m sorry, but…”

Just as she began to voice her concern, the butler caught on to her tone and cut in first.

“The amount may seem high, but it’s less than what the master spends on a single afternoon tea. So please don’t feel burdened.”

Just like during the house tour, he said it without batting an eye.

“The master has high hopes for you, Miss Dienta. The previous caretakers embezzled and stole, but since you come recommended by Duke Kashimir, he believes you’re different. Speaking as a fellow servant, how you carry yourself will also reflect on the Duke, who vouched for you.”

Only when the duke’s name came up did Lily finally calm down.

Right… Aiden’s the one who arranged this.

No matter how betrayed she had felt, he wouldn’t have dumped her into a den of criminals. This was a “promise” guaranteed by him.

With that thought, even the outrageous 500 gold salary started to feel more welcome.

With 500 gold, she could do everything she’d ever dreamed of—and still have money left over.

“For your reference, your first month’s pay has already been deposited based on the days worked. Now then, moving on…”

The shocking fact that her salary had been paid in advance was delivered as casually as anything else. Then the butler moved on to other matters.

She was free to live as she pleased, but personal guests weren’t allowed. She could go out, but not spend the night elsewhere. There were a few other minor rules.

When he finished, the butler gave her a full tour of the 1st and 2nd floors, plus the basement. Then he left her with all the keys and departed.

Lily saw him off and locked the door from the inside. She turned and stood with her back to it for a moment.

From the basement to the third floor, she was alone in this huge place. The faint sounds from outside only made the reality feel more distant and surreal.

This is bad.

Lily was scared.

Not because she feared some mysterious presence hiding in the empty house—but because of the sticky, heavy feelings that crept in whenever she was alone.

Don’t think about it. Whatever you do, don’t think about it.

She quickly headed up to the third floor.

Since leaving the estate, she had been trying hard not to think about Aiden. Once he came to mind, a wave of sorrow would take over, and she wouldn’t be able to do anything.

But in truth, trying not to think of him only made her more aware of him.

It was like being told not to think about a red apple—and then seeing nothing but that image in your mind.

So lately, Lily had been constantly sad and lethargic.