Working at a Haunted Mansion Chapter 67

Lily finally took the bait.

“What are you planning to do about the Emperor?”

“I’m going to try to bring him back, for now.”

“That man?”

Lily raised her voice, then realized she’d gotten too worked up and lowered her head.

Her shoulders rose and fell with her sharp breaths—it was hard not to look. Aiden wanted to rest his head there and rise and fall along with them.

Eventually, Lily let out a long sigh. As she turned her body back toward him, Aiden quickly reined in the desire in his eyes.

Though her breathing had steadied, her cheeks were still flushed. The idea of restoring the Emperor clearly filled her with bitter frustration.

Even so, she drew a line with her words.

“This really isn’t any of my business. And I’m sure Your Grace already knows what to do.”

“You’re right. That’s why I’ve tried to handle things myself without relying on your help. I’ve secured the people I need and made arrangements to transport the ring…”

Lily’s eyes widened.

“Don’t worry. I brought it safely.”

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She denied it, but still scanned Aiden up and down. Her cheek twitched in displeasure again.

“To get to the point, I need an inside helper to deal with Julius. Someone who can keep track of the cult leader’s movements and let me know the right time to recover the body.”

“You need my help for that? Unless you plan on sneaking me into the palace as a maid, what could I possibly do?”

Lily looked genuinely puzzled.

And she wasn’t wrong. Technically, her help wasn’t absolutely necessary.

But unless he asked like this, she would never agree to see him. That’s why Aiden had deliberately chosen a method that required at least a small part of her involvement.

Hiding those scheming thoughts, Aiden asked politely.

“I’ve already found the right person. But he’s slow to open up. I’d like you to deliver Julius’s message to him.”

Curiosity flickered across Lily’s face. She was clearly wondering who this person was.

But the stronger thought was that she didn’t want to get involved—her lips stayed tightly shut.

Aiden wasn’t planning to give too much away just yet. A little ambiguity would hold her interest. He also needed a hook for their next meeting.

He clasped his hands calmly, in a way that wasn’t overbearing, but with just enough concern to seem sincere.

“He also senses something is wrong with the Emperor, but he doesn’t fully trust me. He even suspects I’m working under the Emperor’s orders to sniff out traitors.”

Lily was already deep in thought, listening closely.
She was still the type to throw herself into a problem the moment one was handed to her.

Aiden added more to draw her in emotionally.

“I can’t just go around talking about spirits and body-snatching. That’s not exactly a great way to earn someone’s trust. So I need undeniable proof.”

“Undeniable proof…”

“Exactly. If I give him information that only Julius would know, he’ll believe me. And as you know, for that—I need your help.”

Lily didn’t respond right away. That alone was already a win.

The fact that she didn’t reject it outright meant she was, to some extent, acknowledging what he said.

His carefully laid reasoning was full of logic, and Lily Dienta was the kind of person who couldn’t turn away from someone in desperate need.
That made things even more favorable for him.

He could already picture her thoughts—her mind filled with the idea of helping, imagining herself delivering Julius’s words.

Now it was time to gently give her a push.

“Lily.”

At the sound of her name, Lily flinched.

“I know I make you uncomfortable. I know showing up like this puts you in a difficult position. But please… help me. One more time. Only you can do this.”

Lily stared at him, deeply troubled. His heart clenched beneath her gaze.

He hoped, truly hoped, that his appearance still had the same effect it used to—that it softened her resistance.

And he hoped her compassion would win over her coldness.

If she would just take this bait, he was confident he could lead things to the next step.

 

 

 

*****

 

 

 

“So it ends like this, after all.”

Lily thought with a sense of resignation.

When she first sensed that things would go the way he wanted, it left a bitter taste in her mouth—but now that she had given in, she actually felt oddly at ease.

Well, it’s not like she ever really stood a chance against Aiden. He had come with a flawless reason. And even if it hadn’t been flawless…

“He wants it this badly—how could I possibly keep saying no?”

Wasn’t he doing it all knowingly? Lily, defeated, stared at Aiden.

Ah… those eyes. So beautiful. His voice, warm like a spring breeze, and the courteous tone fit for a fine lady—everything about him stirred her longing.

Aiden Kashimir’s affection hadn’t changed one bit. That fact was dangerously tempting. So much so that she wanted to scold him for being so ridiculously earnest.

If only… if only he had changed just a little—even a single strand’s worth.

If Aiden had come to her purely with the intention of using her, she might have cried into her pillow for a few days, but she would have moved on, started a new chapter in her life.

But, sadly, Aiden was still the same. And Lily—well, she still wanted to do anything and everything for him.

Because she, too, hadn’t changed. This silly situation, living in Mark Idiris’s townhouse, was proof enough.

Still, there was one thing she could not yield on.

“I have one condition.”

Lily looked down at her clenched fists.

“After this, I never want to see Your Grace again. For any reason.”

Saying something that cruel was hard, no matter how determined she was. But she didn’t want to leave even the tiniest bit of room.

She could bear seeing Aiden this once. But again after this? She didn’t trust herself.

If he kept coming to her with that same unwavering sincerity… How long could she keep turning him down?

Her wavering heart would eventually leap into a miserable ending. Better to put a clear stop to it now.

If he refused, she was prepared to say something even harsher, more direct. She was even ready to be cursed at by him.

But Aiden said nothing. There was a silence so complete she couldn’t even hear him breathing.

Lily kept her eyes on her fists, biting her lips. It felt like she might suffocate from the tension.

Then—pffttt, a faint laugh.

As if entranced, she looked up. Completely out of place, there was a small smile on Aiden’s face.

“Lily, did you know?”

His voice even had a hint of amusement. Lily wondered if the man had lost his mind from all the rejection.

“W-What are you talking about…?”

“I never said anything except to ask for your help. Not once, since the moment that front door opened and we came face to face. Think carefully.”

He smiled, spinning the moment around her, staring straight into her eyes. Like he had no thoughts of his own and Lily was the only one making this awkward.

Lily’s face flushed red.

“So what, it doesn’t count just because you didn’t say it out loud? You’re telling me you never had any intentions—none at all—when you came here? You tried every trick in the book to tempt me! You really think I can’t read a single look in your eyes? You arrogant—shameless—!”

A stream of insults rose to the back of her throat—none of which she could actually say to a duke.

“Anyway, thank you for agreeing to help. That’s all I came for today.”

“I’m not done yet!”

Lily rushed to speak, but Aiden was already rising from his seat.

“Sorry, but I have another appointment right after this—I can’t stay any longer. As for your condition…”

He seemed to count dates in his head.

“…Let’s talk about that tomorrow. I’ll send a carriage. We can go over the plan in detail and talk through your concerns. If we put our heads together, I’m sure we’ll come up with something.”

He moved straight into a farewell, leaving no room to protest.

“Well then, I’ll be going. No need to see me out.”

Aiden gave a casual nod, and left the parlor with the light, confident steps of someone who had never limped a day in his life. No sound of a cane followed him down the hall.

Lily stared blankly at the space he had just vacated, trying to process what had just happened.

He had been perfectly elegant, but in truth—it was as if he’d run away before she could object again.

In the end, Lily was now involved in Aiden’s affairs once more… and she hadn’t even gotten a clear answer about the finality of their parting.

She’d been completely swept away by his momentum.

She buried her face in both hands. A long sigh escaped between her fingers.