Working at a Haunted Mansion Chapter 91

After reading it all the way to the end, Lily asked in bewilderment,

“We have to go to the imperial palace? And tomorrow, at that? Did I read that right? Hmm… the date shows it was sent a few days ago.”

She stared hard at the letter.

“I just have a bad feeling about this. It’s a relief at least that Your Grace will be with me, but still……”

Aiden gazed steadily at her.

Had she said something odd? But there wasn’t anything she could pinpoint.

Since she couldn’t figure it out, Lily looked back at him. At last, Aiden quietly corrected her.

“Your Grace?”

Only then did Lily realize her mistake.

“I mean—it’s a relief Aiden will be with me……”

As their secret relationship grew longer, Lily often got confused about what form of address to use. “Your Grace” had become such a habit that she sometimes used it when she should simply call his name.

Aiden never let mistakes like that pass. Even now, he began to put on a sorrowful expression.

“It hurts when you keep doing that.”

Lily knew that mournful face was crafted on purpose.

If he were truly hurt, he wouldn’t bother drooping his brows like that—he would have scolded her with a straight face instead. He would have warned her that if she did it again, there would be consequences.

A protest like this, with words alone, was nothing more than an excuse to tease her.

It should have been annoying to have such a persistently demanding lover, but once again today, Lily’s heart raced.

Every time it happened, she wondered seriously if being with Aiden was awakening some strange side of her.

But she couldn’t help it. How could she resist, when he acted like a bowed flower just because she hadn’t called his name? Her heart thrilled at his unwavering love!

Because of that, even in such frustrating moments, Lily managed to smile. Without him, she would surely have been lost in endless gloom and anxiety.

Aiden flicked her nose lightly with his finger.

“Your lover says he’s hurt, and yet you look so pleased.”

“Aiden.”

“Hm.”

“Aiden, Aiden, Aiden.”

At last, he relaxed his face and smiled. “Yes, Lily.”

‘Ah, I love this,’ Lily thought as she saw that unguarded smile. The melancholy, lily-of-the-valley look suited him, and so did the face that hid his feelings—but what she loved most of all was when he was genuinely happy.

After a bit of playful back-and-forth, Lily had relaxed quite a bit. She read the letter carefully again.

“Last time, they told me to stay away, and now they’re asking me to come along. I don’t understand what they’re after.”

“Seems the two of them don’t share the same opinion.”

“The Emperor and the Chief Chamberlain? Aren’t they on the same side?”

“Considering that Count Oetz concealed his identity in the warning letter, I’d say that was his personal action at the time.”

Lily’s eyes went wide. Up until now, she had lumped the Emperor and the Chamberlain together, assuming the latter turned a blind eye to the former’s ideals out of greed for money.

But if Aiden was right, then this was good news for them.

“Could it be that they’ve split? Maybe the Count finally realized that the country will collapse if things go on like this!”

“Hmm. Judging by the letter he sent, it seemed less about stopping the Emperor and more about……”

Aiden trailed off and closed his mouth. Then, slipping the letter back into the envelope, he changed the subject.

“I sent several refusals, but they insisted I not miss the appointed date. They even said that if I’m unwell, I should at least send you in my place.”

“I’ll be fine.”

Lily spoke bravely. Aiden brushed a soft kiss against her cheek.

“I will never let you be in danger.”

It sounded more like a vow to himself than a promise to her.

Lily gazed at him quietly. Many thoughts crossed her mind, but she pushed aside all the needless words and answered simply:

“I believe you.”

Aiden smiled gently. His joy made her just as joyful.

 

 

 

 

*****

 

 

 

 

The day changed, and Lily arrived at the imperial palace. At her side stood Aiden, dressed in his formal uniform.

Under the bright sunlight, the palace revealed its majestic figure. It looked completely different from how it had during the banquet at sunset.

Inside, they would meet the Emperor.

‘I need to stay sharp. Do this properly.’

Lily clenched her fists so tightly that her palms hurt.

They were first led to the audience waiting room. Just beyond one door was the place where the Emperor sat.

Realizing that the greatest villain was just a step away made her hands tremble anew. She almost wanted to ask Aiden to hold them, just for a moment.

But this was the imperial palace, and her identity was that of Duke Kashimir’s personal counselor. She had to endure this alone.

In the carriage, Aiden had reassured her that nothing serious would happen, that she need not worry so much. Unfortunately, it hadn’t helped much.

The Emperor could no longer use spiritual powers, so all she had to do was keep her mind steady. But it was easier said than done. Her head was filled with worry.

More earnestly than ever before, Lily made the sign of the cross.

Not long after, the waiting room door opened. But it wasn’t the grand door leading to the audience chamber that Lily had been staring at—it was an inconspicuous door in the corner of the wall.

She hadn’t even realized there was a door there until Chief Chamberlain Saul Oetz emerged, making her eyes go wide.

He bowed to Aiden, then spoke.

“Before the audience, I will instruct Miss Dienta in basic etiquette.”

While Aiden stood at the edge of the room, watching them, Lily received a brief lesson from the chamberlain. All the while, she observed him.

‘So this is the man who tried to separate me from Aiden…….’

Count Oetz had pale gray hair swept back from his forehead. Despite his age, his back was straight, his posture like that of a mannequin in a tailor’s shop.

In a flat, emotionless tone, he taught Lily etiquette:

Stand where the mark on the floor is and bow, do not raise your head until the Emperor permits it, and so on.

Then, suddenly, he added something like a threat.

“His Majesty may order your head struck off on the spot.”

Was noble etiquette instruction always this harsh? Flustered, Lily glanced at Aiden.

“That sounds less like etiquette instruction and more like an unnecessary threat.”

“It was to emphasize the need for utmost caution.”

The chamberlain countered lightly, then continued addressing Lily.

“But if you conduct yourself unobtrusively, you will pass without trouble. Simply remain ordinary.”

On the surface, it sounded like simple instructions for behavior, nothing more. Yet his penetrating gaze hinted that she should understand the hidden meaning.

Lily swallowed hard. The chamberlain knew something. And he was warning her, urging her not to fall into danger.

His “etiquette instruction” had been a long preface. The real purpose was that single phrase: do not stand out.

Lily looked at the old man.

For the first time, she wondered if the warning letter he had sent through his retainer had been genuine concern for her safety.

And now, as if that weren’t enough, he had appeared in person to warn her again. She felt grateful—but why?

Sensing her stare, the chamberlain asked,

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Forgive me, but… have we met somewhere before?”

The chamberlain frowned, then dismissed the question as beneath answering.

His reaction only deepened Lily’s doubts. Why show her kindness when they had no connection?

Back at the Duke’s estate, he had treated her like a pebble on the ground—just another maid among many. If his attitude had changed, what had caused it?

Before she could find an answer, the audience chamber doors opened. The Emperor sat on the throne atop the dais.

Beside the throne stood Gray Payne, and along both sides of the path leading up to the dais were knights keeping guard. In the corner, gathered retainers fixed their eyes on the visitors.

Taking a deep breath, Lily followed behind Aiden. Though trembling, she managed to perform the greeting as the chamberlain had taught her.

“Rise.”

Even after straightening her back, she kept her gaze lowered.

The Emperor spoke to Aiden in a tone suited more for an unwelcome guest.

“So, you came as well?”

A trace of puzzlement and faint displeasure colored his voice.

It was a strange question. Why scold him for coming when he had been the one to summon them?

Aiden had taken back the invitation yesterday, but Lily remembered its final line clearly. It had said they were to enter together.

‘Come to think of it, the handwriting was far too elegant. I couldn’t even write like that myself.’

The head of the Solmon cult was still clumsy with the imperial tongue. He could not possibly have written a flawless letter in perfect script.

That meant someone else had written it for him, and in the process, wording that didn’t reflect the Emperor’s true intent might have slipped in. Someone with access and ability……

Lily fought to keep her gaze from drifting toward Count Oetz.

If even she could piece this suspicion together, Aiden surely had as well. Yet instead of addressing the invitation, he replied calmly,

“My counselor struggles with etiquette, so she has accompanied me.”

“There was no need for such concern.”

The Emperor spoke leisurely.