Working at a Haunted Mansion Chapter 92

The Emperor, standing before his sworn enemy, carried himself with complete superiority. From such a high place, perhaps everything truly did seem laughably small.

At that moment, Lily felt grateful that Aiden held the second highest rank in the Empire.

Had he been only a viscount or a baron, she was certain he would already have been falsely accused and dragged away on the spot.

“Lily Dienta, raise your head.”

She obeyed, and her eyes met directly with the Emperor’s. He had been staring at her intently all along, his face full of visible curiosity.

“Welcome.”

He rose from his throne and personally descended the steps. Coming right up to her, he peered into her eyes as though measuring something.

His face was as youthful as Aiden’s, yet in his gaze there was a depth beyond guessing his age.

With eyes full of expectation, the Emperor smiled faintly.

“There is something I want to show you.”

Without waiting for an answer, as if it were only natural she follow, he turned and walked ahead.

If she could, Lily would have run away that very moment. But as a helpless, powerless subject of the Empire, she could only follow without a word.

As Aiden passed beside her, the back of his hand brushed against hers.

It was a rather daring gesture, given how many eyes were watching, but only then could Lily let out a breath. She clung to that fleeting warmth like a charm and forced her feet to move.

The chamberlain also went along with them. When their eyes happened to meet, he gave her the same look as in the waiting room—his signal to remain unnoticed and act ordinary.

But could she truly manage that by will alone? From the very beginning, the Emperor’s gaze had been fixed only on her.

What business could he possibly have with her?

She was nothing more than a humble counselor. She had no right to be treading the halls of such exalted buildings, much less to stand among people of such rank.

She was confident in helping others, but being made the focus of attention herself frightened her.

‘Where are you taking me? What are you planning to do?!’

Lily imagined the possibilities: taking her hostage to torment Aiden, torturing her to force out his weaknesses, prying into how she had helped him recover… Not one of these possibilities was anything but terrifying.

Suddenly, the Emperor stopped and pointed to a nearby door.

“The Duke may rest here.”

“I thank you, Your Majesty, but I will remain by her side.”

The Emperor regarded him silently. His brow creased, then he let out a brief, scornful smile.

“You will have nothing to do.”

They walked on a little further. Finally, the Emperor halted in front of a certain room. The guards announced his entry and opened the door.

What was it, then, that he wished to show? Lily tensed her shoulders and peered inside. For how deep they had gone into the palace, it was only an ordinary-looking chamber.

Inside, a young lady bowed low in greeting.

“Raise your head. And how is the lady faring?”

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s grace, she has grown much better.”

The lady dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief.

At the worried voice, Friesen gave a small gasp, “Oh my.”

Lily gave a slight nod. Then she bowed toward Friesen.

“I’m sorry. Seeing the Countess reminded me of a past shock, and my body froze.”

“Oh dear. So you’ve had a similar experience.”

“Yes. Someone I served once fell into a coma. Thankfully, she miraculously recovered later, but…”

“I see.”

Friesen glanced sideways at Aiden. Lily offered her comfort.

“The Countess will surely recover as well.”

“Thank you.”

Her voice was forced but steadier. The two men before her must have given her a measure of hope.

Meanwhile, the ghost reappeared over Aiden’s shoulder. Having braced her mind, Lily showed no sign of fear. She didn’t sit there dazed; instead, she naturally shifted her gaze elsewhere.

If she had expected there to be a ghost inside, ignoring it from the start would have been easy. The problem was facing it so suddenly.

This wasn’t her fault. Who could have guessed the Emperor would bring them before a patient?

And to add, that the patient’s spirit had slipped out due to being unconscious? There was no way she could have known.

At last Lily understood the Emperor’s intent. This was all a test to confirm her abilities.

‘Could it be… could he have noticed? Just how awkwardly did I act?’

She stole a glance at the Emperor, then quickly dropped her eyes to the floor. Even though she had looked for less than a second, the image lingered vividly.

The Emperor, with eyes curved round, was watching her closely. He had recognized that her reaction differed from everyone else’s. Lily bit her lip.

Soon, others in the room also sensed the Emperor’s strange attitude. In the awkward silence, only the spirit spoke, as though matters of the living had nothing to do with her.

[Please, tell my daughter. Tell her I love her, and not to grieve too much…]

The spirit stepped softly across the floor on her translucent bare feet and drew close to her daughter. She caressed Friesen’s cheek with her palm and pulled her into an embrace.

Friesen, of course, felt nothing. She only grew uneasy at the heavy silence. Watching her daughter like that, the spirit gave a tender smile.

[Live well, my dear.]

Then she turned to Lily and said:

[You must tell her.]

Lily blinked. Whatever she had meant by that, the spirit smiled all the brighter. She kissed her daughter’s forehead one last time, then lifted her gaze upward.

[Thank you for waiting, Lord Lumion!]

Her face was utterly unburdened, free of any lingering regrets. Certain of her farewell, she entrusted herself into the hands of the Divine.

The moment she accepted the end, her form scattered like smoke struck by the wind.

Unknowingly, Lily turned her head toward the bed.

The woman lying there looked no different than before. But Lily alone knew the truth. She swallowed hard.

Should she act? Or not? If the Emperor had already seen through everything, would it even matter how she behaved now?

“M–Miss, the Countess, she…”

As she stammered, Friesen turned her head in puzzlement.

“Mother?”

She approached the bed. Her steps faltered halfway, then broke into a run.

“Mother!”

Her face pale, she cried out, shaking the Countess’s shoulders. Aiden restrained her and checked the woman’s pulse. A few seconds later, he whispered softly into Friesen’s ear.

Her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the floor. The chamberlain gave orders outside, Friesen sobbed, people rushed in…

Amidst the chaos, the Emperor was still watching Lily. His gaze burned hot enough to sear her cheek.

Lily remained frozen, still facing the bed. Confused about what to do, she bit her lip.

Honestly, she wanted to do nothing at all. She wished time would simply pass.

If she could just hide herself against the wall until a priest came to take the body away, and until Aiden came to her, saying it was all over now, let’s go…

But the Countess’s dying words kept echoing in her ears.

‘Stay still.’

Lily scolded herself.

‘It may already be ruined, but there’s no need to make things worse.’

If she so much as moved a finger, the Emperor would take it as proof. And what good would come from fulfilling the wishes of the dead in such a situation? Staying silent was clearly the right choice.

‘Yes, that’s right. But still…’

A white cloth covered the Countess’s face. Friesen, supported by a priest, sat down in a chair. Her face was drenched in tears.