Working at a Haunted Mansion Chapter 83

The sweet atmosphere that had flowed so naturally when she’d opened the front door was now completely gone. All that remained in the room was a foolish man and an unintentional femme fatale, sitting awkwardly together.

“I know I’m being stupid.”

Aiden said it plainly.

“Relying on you would be the logical thing to do. If I were still a spirit, I wouldn’t have thought twice about it.”

And he probably wouldn’t have. There would’ve been no need for Wolfram to glare at him— he would’ve come up with countless ways to use Lily Dienta, pushing her into danger regardless of the risks.

The fact that none of that was present now… surprised her.

“You know what made me angriest when I was a spirit?”

The air was heavy, so Lily gave the question serious thought before answering.

“When I tried to run away during my vacation?”

The moment the words left her lips, Lily realized her mistake. Aiden’s eye twitched slightly, as though he were just now recalling the memory.

“Right… that did happen.”

He fell silent for a moment, clearly revisiting a long-forgotten grudge. But Lily had her excuses ready.

“T-That was self-defense! I seriously thought I was going to die. And that whole situation was your aide’s fault anyway. Besides, I didn’t even get away in the end!”

“I know. That’s not what I was going to say…”

Aiden stood and came to her side, gently taking one of her hands. He softly stroked her fingernails as he continued.

“The moment I had to watch you walk into danger on your own… That’s when I was the most frustrated. Remember? I couldn’t even open a door for you.”

“You really cared about that?”

“Yeah. A lot.”

His touch was careful, like he was handling delicate glass. He began to trace back his memories.

“Do you have any idea how shocked I was when you told me you faced the cult leader alone? Or what I felt each time I had to send you to Julius?”

Though he was smiling faintly, the light in his eyes had grown somber.

“I promised myself that once I got my body back, I’d never let you go through that again. So please—stay in peace. For me.”

He kissed her fingertips lightly.

It sounded like he was asking for something absurdly difficult,  but really… it was all for Lily’s sake.

It wasn’t surprising. Looking back, he’d always been consistent—obsessively so—about her safety and comfort.

‘Honestly… I’m grateful. It’s all because he cares about me…’

When someone you love desperately wishes something of you, the answer should be yes. All she had to do was accept a little frustration.

She was just about to tell him she’d go along with it—

—but in that pause, he misread her silence and sharply added:

“And don’t even think about secretly going to Wolfram.”

“…What?”

Lily blinked in surprise at the sudden accusation.

“Don’t go thinking it’ll be fine as long as it’s not too dangerous. Don’t try to act alone behind my back. If anything were to happen to you… I’d lose my mind.”

It was a shockingly accurate guess.
In fact, that had exactly been her plan just seconds ago.

Biting back a smile, she said,

“Okay, I understand.”

She squirmed the hand he was holding, linking her fingers with his instead.

“But in return, promise me this— If there comes a time when you really need my help, you have to ask for it. Don’t stubbornly refuse just to protect me.”

“I promise.”

“I know him too, you know. If anything feels off, I’ll ask Wolfram directly.”

“Got it.”

He answered with a face that had softened just a bit.

Lily ended up smiling. Seeing him look so relieved made her feel like she’d made the right choice.

He must have some kind of plan if he’s this confident. Maybe she’d been worrying too much.

“…So, when are you going to start calling me by name?”

“…Huh?”

She blinked at the sudden topic change.

Aiden touched her hair with his free hand. Lily flinched slightly.

Her hair had been braided into two loops, but they weren’t symmetrical today. She’d struggled to get them right.

“You got all cute today, and now that we’re finally a couple, you’re still avoiding saying my name.”

“Oh, you noticed?”

“Of course.”

Aiden’s hand lingered around her hair, occasionally brushing it gently— and then he began looping her ribbon around his fingers.

Compared to her delicate ones, his fingers were thick and strong, but they never once grazed her skin. Even so, the mere closeness of his touch made her neck tingle.

“I kept waiting for you to say it… figured it out on my own eventually.”

“It’s not that easy, you know.”

“Easier than grabbing my collar?”

“Yes! Much harder than grabbing your collar!”

She snapped, flustered by his teasing tone. But Aiden just laughed, clearly enjoying her reaction.

When she turned her head in embarrassment, he whispered,

“Lily, don’t be like that.”

Then he raised her hand again and pressed his lips to the back of it.

“Well? Come on.”

His voice and eyes were openly pleading, like he had to hear it.

Lily tried to think clearly.

Calling each other by name was normal for lovers. In fact, a name was the mildest form of endearment. Some couples used nicknames like “sweetie,” “darling,” “my little skylark.”

Compared to those, a name was nothing.

She swallowed.

“A…”

Aiden looked down at her intently. Whether intentional or not, he didn’t blink once.

Lily fumbled through a few more “Ah”s before bursting out,

“Did you eat breakfast?”

“Lily!”

He scolded her. She was on the verge of losing her mind. Why was this so hard? It was just a name!

She stole a glance at him. Even while pouting, Aiden’s face glowed with joy.

This love— sometimes familiar, sometimes impossibly distant—  seemed eternal.

As long as he kept shining like that, so would her heart.

Lily gently tugged her fingers. But their hands were so tightly interlaced, she couldn’t pull away.

Those eyes full of hope looked down at her. Really—why was a name such a big deal?

She tried to suppress her rising smile but eventually gave up.

“…Aiden.”

The name was spoken clearly. The involuntary eye smile, the flushed cheeks—it was obvious she was in love.

Aiden kissed her hand again. And again. Though the fluttering in her chest made her shrink away a little, she didn’t pull back.

Her heart was going to burst. This was real. Not a dream. Not a whim. It was hard to believe, but it was true.

‘I’m glad I found the courage.’

She thought sincerely.

Maybe, just maybe— the hardships really were nothing. Easily brushed away like dust. Or maybe they wouldn’t come at all. As long as they were together.

Soaked in happiness, Lily’s heart felt weightless.  She could even believe in a rainbow-hued future where everything turned out well.

The Lily Dienta of just a few days ago would’ve rolled her eyes and asked who this flower-brained girl was.

But what defines the boundary between possible and impossible, really? Spirits leaving and returning to bodies, conversations with ghosts— if all that was real, what could possibly be more “impossible” than happily ever after with a duke?

Being with him for life was entirely within reach. Even growing old together as sweet old grannies and gramps—possible.

“…Say it again.”

Aiden blinked, urging her. He had to know what effect those long, sweeping lashes had.

Lily pretended to be won over by his charm— and granted his wish.

 

 

 

****

 

 

Wolfram’s knock on the door brought their private moment to an end.

“Counseling session is over.”

No wonder he had taken so long to return—he’d given them extra time under the guise of counseling.

Lily pressed her hand to her cheek. It was burning. She hoped the blush would cool quickly and turned to Aiden.

“I’ll head back to the townhouse now.”

“Already?”

“There’s no reason for me to stay longer.”

He looked thoroughly displeased. Unintentionally or not, his cheeks even looked slightly puffed up—like a sulking child. But even if he inflated them like fluffy clouds, there was nothing she could do.

“If the counselor lingers too long, people will start getting suspicious.”

“You’re so cruel… On a day like today, all you care about is appearances…”

His words trailed off sweetly, making her smile without meaning to. But for Wolfram’s sake, it was probably best to end it here.

He looked like he’d just bitten into an unripe fruit—his face was going pale.