Working at a Haunted Mansion Chapter 97

13. The Invitation

In the Empire, the Solmon faith was forbidden. Even after the Emperor’s soul had changed, there had been no news of the ban being lifted.

In other words, if anyone were caught with ties to Solmonism, the punishment could range from fines at the lightest to flogging at the worst.

But “fines” were hardly light at all—since they meant donating one’s entire estate to the temple.

“Who would pull a prank like this?”

Lily looked up at Marie.

“It’s lucky I was the one who brought it to you. If someone else had seen it, there would’ve been a huge uproar. Maybe even…”

After some hesitation, Marie finally said,

“There might already be a faction in this mansion supporting that woman.”

“A faction?”

“Because of her background, there are probably fools who think it’s better to serve her as the lady of the house rather than you.”

Marie clenched her fists in outrage.

“To think there’d be such idiots in the Duke’s household! My lady, you stay put. I’ll get to the bottom of this and report them to His Grace.”

“Thank you, Marie…”

Lily’s heart swelled at her friend’s precious loyalty. Yet joy aside, she knew she had to stop Marie here.

“But I don’t think it was anyone in the household. I think I know who sent it.”

“Who was it?”

“Mm… someone whose name alone would put you in danger if you knew.”

Marie blinked, then lowered her voice cautiously.

“My lady… don’t tell me you’re entangled with real heretics? Are you all right?”

“Yes. Don’t worry. I’ll discuss it with His Grace.”

At that, Marie’s expression finally relaxed.

“It’s really fortunate that your man is the Duke himself.”

Lily’s eyes sparkled. Having someone acknowledge her relationship with Aiden lightened her mood immensely.

Of course, given the circumstances, she couldn’t allow herself to get carried away. Still, it was a far cry from their secret affair, when she had been unable to show her feelings to anyone.

Lily tucked the ominous things back into the envelope. Then, standing tall, she headed straight for him.

 

 

 

****

 

 

 

 

Lily carefully pushed open the office door. Inside, Aiden and Wolfram were there.

“Excuse me. Are you busy?”

The moment he saw her, Aiden rose from his seat.

“No, it’s fine. Come in.”

Instead of waiting at his desk, Aiden strode over to take her hand and lead her in. It was far too warm a welcome. Lily, embarrassed, instinctively averted her gaze from Wolfram…

“This is the first time.”

His voice cut through her awkwardness. He sounded elated.

“Wh-what do you mean?”

“That you came to me first.”

“Did I really?”

“Yes, you did.”

Aiden beamed, his smile pure and full of joy—not the kind meant to shake her heart as usual.

But his words weren’t true. After a brief pause to recall, Lily said,

“That’s not entirely right. Back at the palace, I always came to you first.”

“I was under restrictions then. And all of that was part of official duties.”

Aiden guided her to the sofa and motioned for Wolfram, who began tidying up the desk.

“For you to come to me on your own… it makes me truly happy, Lily.”

The flowerlike smile that had briefly dimmed as he glanced at Wolfram bloomed again toward her.

Lily felt guilty. She was grateful that he wasn’t annoyed by her sudden visit, but instead happy. Still, he seemed to be misunderstanding.

She had come because of a problem. Once again, this visit was about business.

Wolfram finished straightening the desk and started toward the door, but Lily quickly stopped him.

“Advisor, you mustn’t leave!”

Wolfram froze, puzzled. Aiden’s face showed the same confusion.

Lily pulled her hand free from Aiden’s grasp and drew an envelope from her left sleeve.

Her sleeve was the best hiding place she had thought of.

It would have been absurd to carry such a dreadful letter openly for anyone to see. Pockets weren’t safe either—what if it slipped out without her noticing while walking? She couldn’t leave even the slightest risk.

Aiden’s smile had vanished, and he was staring at the envelope. He didn’t look surprised to see her pull something from her sleeve. Instead, as though he had sensed what it was, the air in the room grew heavy.

“Today, I received an invitation. I think it came from the Emperor.”

Wolfram stepped closer. Lily emptied the envelope onto the table as she explained.

“It was sent under the embroidery shop owner’s name. This is the letter… and this is the talisman. I thought it was too dangerous for me to keep to myself.”

“The handwriting on the envelope and the letter are different.”

“The contents seem like something the Emperor himself wrote. That’s just my guess, though.”

The two men read through the letter quickly. Small wonder—it was short and its meaning plain.

Lily asked the question that had been on her mind all along.

“There are some things I don’t understand. First, what does he mean by saying lies are enough? I’ve never deceived the Emperor. This is the first letter I’ve ever received from him.”

“Hmm… In fact, ever since we returned from the Imperial City, the Emperor has been asking after your whereabouts every day. I told him you had no further need of consultation and had been sent back to the domain. The fact that he sent a letter like this means word must have leaked. Wolfram.”

“Yes, Your Grace. I’ll take care of it.”

“He was asking about me? Every day?”

This was the first she’d heard of it.

She had expected the Emperor wouldn’t let things go, but she hadn’t realized he was already making moves.

Well, of course he would.

Lily thought bitterly. She didn’t ask why he hadn’t told her.

He was not the kind of man to share troubling or dangerous things with her.

He would remove the thorns before handing her the rose. And if he couldn’t, he would burn down the entire rose garden instead.

How anxious must he have been when she was a ghost? How many times had he warned her not to get entangled in danger? Only now did she finally understand.

Lily turned her gaze from hopeless Aiden to Wolfram. But he, too, gave no answer—only looked away, pretending not to see.

At last, she resigned herself.

In a way, this is better. If I had gone myself, the Emperor would have seized me on the spot.

It was easier to think of Aiden as her capable steward.

Just as the head maid commanded her maids, just as Aiden delegated tasks to Wolfram, she would entrust all the harsh, dangerous matters to him.

Thinking of it that way, her lot wasn’t bad at all. To command the Duke of Kashimir as one’s servant—surely that was a privilege reserved only for an Emperor.

“Lily, I didn’t tell you because it was already dealt with, and I didn’t want to trouble you.”

“I know.”

She answered carefully, trying not to show any hurt. And it was true. She really did understand.

That was why she didn’t pry further or ask why the handwriting was different. Instead, she feigned revulsion and made a fuss on purpose.

“Anyway, what should we do with this dreadful thing? Burn it?”

“…Yes, that would be best.”

They immediately carried out the burning of the talisman. The procedure was simple: they placed it on a silver tray, the three of them prayed together, and then lit it with a match until it was reduced to ash.

As Lily watched the blackened matchstick and the ashes, she suddenly jumped to her feet.

“Anyway, I’ll leave it to you!”

“You’re going already?”

“Yes.”

Aiden hesitated, then gave her a faint smile.

“Next time… come to me with no business at all.”

Lily gazed up at him steadily.

This perceptive man pretended not to notice her dissatisfaction. He wanted to laugh and share joy with her in a world where hardships were hidden behind a curtain.

“…Yes. I will.”

She lifted her lips into the smile he wished for.

 

 

 

*****

 

 

 

Aiden pressed his lips tightly together and stared at the door. Even now, he wanted to run after her, to grab hold of her and beg her to wait—just a little, truly just a little longer.

And if he did, Lily would have only one answer. She would say she understood. That it was fine. That she could wait as long as it took…

It was, in truth, little better than coercion. Yet Aiden longed to hear it spoken in her own voice. If he did, perhaps the weight of his self-loathing would lighten, if only a little.

Fortunately, he still had just enough sense left not to stoop to such cowardice.

Wolfram spoke quietly.

“Wouldn’t it be better to share a little of the situation with her? At least the matters directly related to her. Since Miss Dienta knows how serious things are, she won’t act recklessly.”

Lily had been keeping her promise faithfully, staying quietly within the mansion until the matter was resolved.

At a glance, she seemed to have adjusted—lively, bustling about in her own way. Yet those who knew Lily Dienta could see it: the light in her eyes was no longer the same as before.