Working at a Haunted Mansion Chapter 62

 

Thank you Amy for the kofi^^

 

Once the commotion settled, Aiden moved.

“Your Excellency, it’s dangerous.”

“Well. I don’t think Julius was that much of an idiot.”

Just as his sanity was about to slip again, Julius flinched. Even now, the late emperor was still cursing him as a fool in his ear—so on what basis was Aiden Kashimir saying that?

Yes, he hadn’t originally been such a fool. Before he was consumed by murderous intent, he at least knew how to act in his own interest.

He forced his hazy mind to function. It was clear—killing Aiden now would be a foolish move.

Because Aiden was acting in a way that benefitted him. He vaguely remembered the things that female healer used to do.

Just like the day before, Aiden poured holy water over the ring and left. He showed no other interest—his only focus was purifying the ring.

Days passed like that. Julius gradually forgot his anger. Instead, he began to question what Aiden’s true goal was, and how long this would continue.

Unlike the idiot Julius Sheiwertz, Aiden had been acknowledged by the late emperor. Someone like that couldn’t possibly have failed to realize that Julius was behind it all.

Then why was he purifying the soul of his enemy?

‘What’s his angle?’

Julius decided to watch how things played out. He didn’t stop the servants who came in to clean the inside of the annex.

And so, when the annex remained spotless even after a night passed, Aiden finally sat in a chair in the reception room for the first time. Julius took the seat across from him.

By then, Aiden had recovered much of his health. His body had filled out with muscle, and his gaunt face had grown smoother. His hair and nails were carefully trimmed and neat.

‘Is he going to a ball or something?’

But the spite in his jealousy vanished when their eyes met.

Seeing his emotionless face made Julius feel like they were back in the imperial audience chamber, discussing state matters.

But the reality was a one-sided conversation between a man still alive and a soul in despair.

Aiden asked,

“Why did you kill me?”

The question, asked without any greeting, left Julius speechless.

[I… I…]

Why had he killed him? It was a simple reason. He had wished for a long time that Aiden Kashimir would disappear, and when the chance came, he took it.

So if asked why, he could only answer: because he had always wanted to.

“Did I not show enough loyalty to satisfy you?”

Julius shrank back. Even if he lied, he couldn’t claim Aiden had been disloyal.

Duke Kashimir had become the emperor’s sword, soaked in blood, brought rivals to their knees, and was a backing no one could ignore.

“Or did you think I’d start a rebellion?”

That wasn’t it either. Aiden remembered the grace granted by the previous emperor, and never desired more than he was allowed.

“Regardless of your hatred for me, I believed you could accept me as emperor, which is why I remained loyal. Wasn’t it the same for you? You despised me, but still judged I could be a useful tool, and so you used me, didn’t you?”

They truly had been useful tools to one another. No one in the empire dared oppose the alliance of these two powerful men.

“Then why did you kill me?”

[That’s…]

“Because of some rotten, old hatred.”

Aiden continued, as if the answer was obvious.

“Inferiority complex, lack of love, jealousy, unresolved childhood trauma… And probably just because you felt like killing me.”

[Aiden.]

“It’s hard to believe someone would commit such a thing for such pathetic reasons, but if I don’t believe it, what else can I do? The fact that you made that choice doesn’t change.”

Aiden’s calm tone carried no mockery. That, more than anything, made Julius feel humiliated. Every petty corner of his heart had been laid bare.

But… what was Aiden Kashimir’s goal in doing all this?

Thanks to the ongoing purification, Julius had regained some clarity. For the first time, he began to think like himself again.

Aiden Kashimir wasn’t the kind of man who’d come just to mock someone.

There had to be a purpose behind investing holy water and showing off his healthy body.

‘Instead of showing off and acting smug, just get to the point.’

Julius ground his teeth. At that moment, Aiden pulled a slip of paper from his pocket and unfolded it.

“By the way, it seems the Empress is in a very difficult situation.”

Aiden began reading the paper aloud.

It was a letter from Themis, written to Aiden. In short, she and her son were locked up in a villa, starving to death.

She begged him, for the sake of their old connection, to please help her and her child.

 

 

 

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“If you don’t believe it, check the handwriting yourself. It was so hard to make contact. Who knew the Pesar summer palace had become a fortress?”

Julius hurriedly scanned the letters with his eyes. It was unmistakably Themis’s handwriting. The horrific story Aiden had read was exactly as written, without exaggeration.

Before he could read to the very last line, Aiden took the letter back.

“I’ve looked into what’s been happening. Just as the letter says, the situation is very bad. It must be a shock. You loved Themis dearly… She couldn’t fill all your voids, but at least because of her, you managed to act normal on the outside. I know that.”

He folded the letter, calling the Empress by name outright. But this wasn’t the time to care about etiquette. That didn’t matter anymore.

She’s starving. The mother of the empire is digging through the garden for roots to eat.

Wasn’t the whole point of sending them far away to protect their identities? Was he actually trying to kill them from the start?

Julius heaved even though he had no need to breathe.

Aiden continued in a tone that sounded like deduction.

“To be honest, isn’t that guy’s behavior kind of pathetic? If he was annoyed, he could’ve just sent bandits to wipe them out—why waste time like this? Hasn’t he taken full control of the capital yet? Is he just being cautious? Ah…”

He let out an exaggerated sigh of amazement.

“Maybe he wants to kill his enemy’s family in the most miserable way. Guess I’m next.”

Then, as if losing interest, he lowered his gaze. To him, this brutal tragedy seemed barely worth reacting to.

A bad feeling crawled up Julius’s spine. He called out to him urgently.

[Aiden.]

Aiden didn’t move.

The truth was, they weren’t really having a conversation. Julius was just helplessly listening to Aiden’s monologue.

“I’ve come up with a few scenarios.”

[Aiden!]

“One is to reveal the impostor acting as emperor in the capital, behead him, and then act as regent while the prince grows up. As a favor, I’ll let the boy grow up with someone by his side.”

Talking about kindness while planning to destroy someone’s body… he looked like the devil.

He went on slowly.

“Or I could send a group of bandits to the summer palace in place of the hesitant cult leader. Armed with imperial weapons… disguised poorly to resemble soldiers. I’d rush to Pesar upon uncovering the plot—but just a little too late. Because I haven’t fully recovered from the heretic’s curse.”

Aiden fiddled with the letter. The crackle of the paper made Julius feel sick.

“Then I’d take proof that the bandits were actually soldiers sent by the emperor and head to the capital. Expose the emperor’s conspiracy and identity, and have him executed—wouldn’t that bring peace to the empire? If I bury your ring with the royal family, the ending would be perfect. What do you think? Happy to be with your family?”

[Aiden, Aiden.]

“You would’ve picked this plan too. No loose ends when you get rid of the enemy’s child.”

[Duke Kashimir!]

Aiden Kashimir was truly capable of carrying out everything he said.

Julius quickly dropped to his knees.

[Spare Themis and Ottoman. Please. They’ve done nothing wrong. I’ll accept whatever punishment you decide for me—just don’t harm them.]

Aiden, unaware of the soul’s movement, kept speaking toward the empty chair.

“It’s unfortunate for me too. I lost a good ally. Didn’t I tell you many times? That the throne suited you. You always thought I was mocking you, but I meant it.”

[Yes. You were right. It’s true. You did say that, and I was the one who didn’t believe it. Aiden, please…]

“Just thinking about being tangled up in another power struggle already exhausts me. I wonder if there are any competent royals left.”

Aiden stroked his knee.

“This is really tiring… Serving a foolish emperor, constantly being suspected of treason… All I really want is to farm my parents’ land… It’s a dilemma. What should I do? What would be most beneficial to me?”

[I’ll do whatever you say. I’ll atone for the rest of my life. I’ll become the most useful card in your hand. So just once, just once, give me a chance. I’m begging you, please.]

Aiden said nothing. Of course he couldn’t—he couldn’t hear him.

Julius bit his lip.

When the baby had grabbed his finger, Julius had vowed to be a good father.

He hadn’t always followed through—but he had tried…

[Otto can’t even walk yet. He’s innocent. You liked him too, didn’t you?]

Only one person had committed a crime: Julius Sheiwertz.

[It was my fault.]

Julius begged.

[It was my fault, Aiden.]

If a miracle happened and Aiden could hear him, he’d explain in detail how deeply he regretted it, what he could promise, what benefits Aiden could gain.

No, Aiden should speak. Whatever he wanted—Julius would agree. If only his wife and child could be saved.

Then Aiden frowned.

“It’s frustrating not even knowing if you’re there. Did you actually hear me properly?”

[I heard you, Aiden. Every single word.]

Aiden sighed and got up from his seat.

“I guess I’d better send someone to rescue them soon…”

His profile, shaking his head, almost looked like it was smiling faintly.

Tapping his cane on the floor a couple of times, he spoke again toward the chair.

“Julius, for now, I’ll take you to the capital. I’ll save the Empress, too. If you want to see her again, stop with the tantrums. It’s annoying, and there are plenty of other ways to handle things. I’m not in the habit of carrying dead weight.”

Julius sat slumped on the floor, staring blankly at Aiden’s retreating back.

Aiden hadn’t discarded the card called Julius Sheiwertz. He still had some value.

Whatever Aiden would demand, if he played his role well, he’d get to see his family again. Hope began to fill Julius’s heart.

He repeated Aiden’s order in his mind.

Don’t make a fuss… Don’t be a burden…

Julius didn’t move from where he had collapsed. He couldn’t let Aiden decide that killing them all would be easier. He had to stay quiet… stay calm…

He remained like that for days. Waiting only for the day Aiden would return and take him to the capital.