Working at a Haunted Mansion Chapter 80

Lily bit her lip. That was a fear she had buried deep inside.

No matter how much time passed, she might never forget. She might end up regretting today’s choice for a long time…

“You’re the one who gave a ghost its body back. Even while trembling, you never gave up. Believe in that courage of yours—and in my promise. The hardship, scorn, and ridicule you fear will be nothing but dust.”

You think life’s that simple? Sure, say whatever you want while you’re drunk on love…

The pessimistic thought suddenly stopped.

Aiden was gazing at her while gently pulling her palm to his cheek.

He lifted the corners of his lips, perhaps trying to recreate the beautiful smile that always left her dazed.

But his face twisted slightly, unable to fully suppress the excitement.

Even though it lacked his usual grace, in that moment Lily felt as if she were holding not his face, but his heart. It was as though a raw, living thing—only visible by slicing open his chest—had been laid bare.

She could crush it or carefully soothe it to keep beating.
It was entirely up to her.

Lily gently applied pressure to her fingertips. Her skin pressed lightly against his, warming his fingerprint with her touch.

She was touching the real Aiden Kashimir— not a memory, not a fantasy, but someone truly here, truly dear.

As soon as he sensed the smallest flicker of willingness, he eagerly pressed his cheek against her hand.

Though he behaved obediently, like a beast lowering its head, he couldn’t hide the sparks in his eyes. His unwavering affection overflowed from her palm.

In that instant, something inside Lily snapped.

Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Fine, you’re right. You’re completely right! I feel the same way! Just thinking about being apart forever— thinking we’ll find someone else— it hurts so much I can’t even sleep!

Lily felt like crying. She couldn’t deny it anymore. She’d been swept up in his devotion. He had knocked down the door she’d firmly locked.

Maybe agreeing with him was the rational choice all along. Maybe it was fear that drove her constant avoidance—and that was the emotional response.

No—regardless of all that, she wanted to join him in the future he so confidently envisioned. She believed she could. If it was this man…

Lily took a deep breath, grabbed Aiden by the collar, and pulled him down.

The strong man bent at the waist just as she demanded, showing no sign of surprise at her sudden outburst.

With a trembling voice, she said:

“I’m betting my life on this.”

Letting Aiden into her life meant accepting the whispers, the labels, the erosion of her dignity.

“I’m throwing myself in with only love to believe in.”

Aiden blinked, then smiled in pure joy.

“Only your life? I’m a little disappointed, Lily.”

In a flash, he pressed his lips to her cheek and pulled back.

“I already bet everything I had.”

With eyes curved into a smile, he leaned in once again.

Lily instinctively shut her eyes.

The soft feeling on her cheek made her shoulders tremble. Before she knew it, Aiden had interlocked their fingers and was pulling her toward him. No matter how far back she tilted her head, she couldn’t escape.

Each kiss made a faint, indescribable sound. They weren’t wet or messy, more like the playful pecks given to a child— yet the heat was overwhelming.

They’re just kisses, so… Why do they make me feel like this?

Her eyes were clenched so tightly they ached, and her shoulders twitched with every touch.

Each time Aiden’s lips touched her cheek, it felt like a white bird flapping in her mind. The soft feathers tickled her heart.

The vivid sound echoed in her ears. Lily’s nails dug into the back of his hand. Still, Aiden showed no signs of stopping.

Just as she felt his lips shift in position— she couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“W-When are you planning to stop?”

Aiden let out a deep chuckle.

“Lily, your face is about to explode.”

“Whose fault do you think that is?”

“Hmm. I’m not sure. Still, this is serious. I think it’ll leave a red mark if I touch it again.”

He poked her cheek with a finger. Lily jumped back.

“W-What are you doing!”

“You’re not stopping me though…”

Mumbling nonsense, Aiden pulled her by the arm.  She didn’t have a chance to struggle before she was caught.

He muttered,

“I feel like a weight’s been lifted.”

Whispering that close was no different from asking her to listen. Lily looked at him, questioning with her eyes.

“When you said you’d never see me again, I honestly thought you were a cold-blooded person. Like you had ice water running through your veins.”

“I didn’t mean to—”

“Think your face could get any redder?”

Before she could finish, he began kissing her cheek again—over and over.

She couldn’t keep up.

Who is this man? Is this really Aiden Kashimir? He feels like a completely different person.

Lily squeezed her eyes shut again and waited for the dizzying rush to pass.

But then she felt him subtly move toward her lips— and quickly raised her hand to block his.

“Th-That’s really enough now!”

Aiden let out a sigh and leaned his face against her collarbone.

“Why?”

Lily Dienta had never in her life imagined the day would come when a fully grown man would curl into her arms and say, ‘Whyyy.’

His voice, vibrating just below her chin, felt far too unfamiliar. It made her too nervous to even open her eyes.

“We’re at the point where we can do this now, aren’t we?”

Considering how tall he was, he’d have to practically fold himself up to stay in this position.

And yet, Aiden’s voice carried not even a hint of discomfort.

All it held was joy, joy, and more joy.

Curious about what kind of expression he was making, Lily cautiously opened her eyes.

Eyes full of affection were looking straight up at her. They sparkled like those of a boy—so clear, so bright.

Lily spoke her heart.

“It’s so good, I think my heart can’t take it…”

Aiden burst into laughter. The sound could melt ears.

I thought the voice he used to seduce me in the parlor was the sweetest one he had…

Was something seriously wrong with his head? How else could a person change this much? All the nicknames he used to have would need to be thrown out.

Lily, who had treated him like a stranger, suddenly realized:

It’s because of me. I’m the one who made him this way.

Lily quietly opened her eyes again. The first thing she saw was his hair. Aiden was rubbing the side of his head against her nape like a cat.

Sensing her gaze, he suddenly lifted his head and smiled with his eyes narrowed.

With a faint blush tinting his cheeks, he was almost unbearably attractive. Lily reflexively closed her eyes again.

She could feel the vibration of Aiden’s chest through her. He gently kissed her chin and straightened up.

He wasn’t hiding his happiness at all. He looked like the happiest man in the world— as if every burden had vanished. As if nothing, no worry or problem, could touch him.

He’s literally glowing. Can someone really be this happy?

Lily, feeling ticklish inside for some reason, looked away. But she couldn’t stop the grin tugging at her lips. She was just as happy. So happy she could burst.

She followed him the few meters to the front door, though she didn’t need to. The candlestick she had been carrying was already taken from her by Aiden.

Even his footsteps sounded light. Meanwhile, Lily was deep in serious thought.

At the door, just one step from goodbye, she couldn’t hold back and asked,

“So, um… now that we’re, you know, dating… are we, like, going to make it obvious starting tomorrow? Like, an official announcement or… walking around together and stuff?”

She was pretty sure they would. Judging by Aiden’s current state, he’d probably explode if he didn’t tell the entire capital.

He might even ask her to stay at his townhouse tonight. He could drag her around to every hotspot in the city or send her mountains of gifts.

She had foolishly said she was betting her life, so he might not let this chance slip and push all the way to a wedding…

So the question was more like a final check— a step to brace herself for gossip and ready her game face.

“Just give me a little time.”

Lily stopped in her tracks.

“Wait.”

Aiden responded instantly.

“And don’t go imagining yourself as some tragic maid or secret lover who can never be the official one.”

“I wasn’t thinking that…”

Lily looked away— even though that was exactly what she had been about to imagine.