IWIAHC Chapter 15

When Lily returned to the carriage, the atmosphere inside was rather frosty. Julia and Wolfram were conversing with businesslike expressions, but they opened the door as soon as they saw Lily approaching.

She announced cheerfully, "It went well!"

"That's a relief."

"We've just finished our discussion as well. Let's head straight to the office."

They ascended the stairs. Having glimpsed the interior situation while conversing with Aiden, Lily asked worriedly, "Is it safe to go in?"

"The interior is a mess, but the important items are still inside. At least the fourth floor suffered minimal damage, so we can gather what we need from the office."

Wolfram hesitated nervously before the last step. However, Aiden paid him no attention.

[This person?]

"Yes, she's my grandmother."

[She resembles you.]

"Thank you for saying so."

Reassured by Lily's usual response, Wolfram resumed walking.

After Lily introduced Julia and Aiden to each other, she entered the building. The further she walked, however, the more her words failed her.

The interior was even more spectacular than what she'd glimpsed. Starting with the shattered chandelier, there wasn't a single undamaged spot.

Everything had either toppled or shattered, strewn about far from its original location.

'How, how are we supposed to clean all this up?'

Lily was aghast. Artisans could be summoned for repairs, but organizing the interior would fall to the castle's servants.

The second and third floors were in the same state. Through open doors, utterly ransacked rooms were visible. It wasn't just the corridor that was a disaster.

Lily fell silent at the dizzying volume of work ahead.

[Don't be frightened.]

Aiden attempted to soothe her.

[I won't act strangely anymore. I'll behave like an ordinary person.]

He seemed to have misunderstood something.

What terrified Lily wasn't the supernatural phenomena but the murderous quantity of work awaiting her.

However, the moment he said with his own mouth that he would behave like an ordinary person, Lily was reminded anew that he was indeed a ghost.

An existence defying natural order, wandering the earth with resentment and rage. Luring humans in, only to bring them misfortune in the end...

A chilling coldness seemed to emanate from the shoulder where he stood.

[Hm? Lily.]

"I'm fine."

Lily muttered, avoiding Aiden's gaze.

[Ah, you're terrible at lying. Believe me. This will never happen again.]

Aiden behaved pitifully once more.

Lily swallowed a sigh. She was well aware he could destroy objects without lifting a finger.

She also believed his repeated promises not to cause such a disturbance again.

But she couldn't help feeling distant. One simply couldn't feel entirely comfortable around an existence that demolished buildings merely for being angry.

She'd been afraid of ghosts from the beginning. It had taken days just to adjust to his translucent appearance. She needed time to settle her mind.

Ignoring this psychology, the ghost beside her kept pestering her with Believe me, Lily.

Even when she answered that she believed him, he'd ask again, claiming he couldn't sense her sincerity.

He finally resorted to pulling rank.

[You're probably the only maid who's ever ignored a duke this thoroughly.]

"Oh, please, Your Grace. I believe you. I said I believe you..."

Her irritated response stopped the moment the office door opened. Her gaze fixed on the ball sitting in the middle of the floor.

The cloth ball with bells inside bore no damage whatsoever.

The area around the ball was remarkably clean. Not a single sheet of paper had fallen there. As if something had protected it, it had escaped all harm.

As though this alone could not be destroyed.

While Wolfram went to his desk and rummaged through drawers, Lily picked up the ball.

[Why?]

"Um... just because."

Unable to admit she was moved beyond surprise, Lily mumbled vaguely.

Aiden asked with anxious eyes.

[You're not taking it away, are you?]

"No. I gave it to Your Grace. But it seems odd to keep it here permanently."

[Then take it to my room.]

"Your room?"

[Yes. That would be better.]

Lily tilted her head.

"Considering its intended purpose, wouldn't it be better here? Actually, no—the aide could just carry it around."

[That's unnecessary. I don't want to work with Wolfram even when you're not here. Or are you planning to leave me alone again? To create another moment when I need the ball?]

His expression resembled a puppy gazing plaintively at its owner.

Lily finally laughed. She'd thought she'd need at least two full days and nights to treat him as comfortably as before, but she'd been mistaken.

"Ahaha, please stop worrying! I'm not going anywhere. Really."

[Hm?]

"I won't leave Your Grace alone."

Aiden blinked with a dazed expression before responding, [Oh, okay.] The sight was so amusing that Lily chuckled softly again, shaking the ball.

Meanwhile, Wolfram had gathered his things. As Lily prepared to follow him out, she felt Julia's gaze.

Julia wore an exceedingly peculiar expression.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, it's nothing at all."

On the fourth floor, as Wolfram had said, there were undamaged rooms. There, Lily could hear about the 'discussion' Wolfram and Julia had conducted in the carriage.

In summary, it concerned a lightning promotion with additional allowances and unconditional safety guarantees.

Had Lily been the one at the negotiating table, these would have been tremendous demands she couldn't have voiced. She understood why the atmosphere in the carriage had been so frosty.

Julia said, "Furthermore, I'll inform an acquaintance of mine of my survival once a week. If I miss the deadline, that person will request an investigation from the temple. I won't reveal exact details, only ask them to file a report, so you needn't worry about information leaking prematurely."

Lily was flustered. Wolfram couldn't tolerate this sort of impertinent talk.

Until now he'd been humble due to his wrongdoing, but this time his pride might be wounded enough to provoke anger.

Contrary to her concerns, he accepted Julia's notification with a composed attitude.

"Thank you for informing me in advance. That eliminates unnecessary suspicions."

His sincerity in rebuilding trust was palpable.

Subsequently, Julia's working conditions, quarters, and lodging house matters were also methodically arranged.

Only the duke's approval remained.

"What do you think?"

Wolfram addressed the empty air. Lily also turned her gaze toward Aiden.

The moment she turned her head, their eyes met. She realized he was gazing at her with an expression similar to Wolfram's current one.

[What do you think? Can you feel secure now?]

His demeanor suggested he'd pull out one of the ducal estate's pillars if she said it still wasn't enough.

Lily spoke honestly.

"Yes, tremendously so. I think I'd regret refusing this position for the rest of my life."

Aiden smiled happily.

The contract was finally completed with fresh documents drawn up and signed by all parties.

Wolfram's expression lightened as he organized the contracts. He appeared relieved at having perfectly resolved his mistake.

He willingly accompanied Lily so she could place the ball in Aiden's bedroom. Thanks to this, they avoided suspicion from the guards and the chief physician.

The bedroom held the scent of an invalid. Aiden led her toward the bed, saying,

[Don't stare too much.]

Lily kept her eyes lowered, watching only the floor as she walked to obey her employer.

Then, while setting the ball on the bedside table, she couldn't resist her curiosity and stole a glance at him.

Long bedridden, his muscles had wasted and his face was rough and dry. Apart from that, he appeared to be sleeping very deeply.

[Lily, I'm embarrassed when you stare.]

She fled the room in surprise. Though she'd done nothing wrong, hearing Aiden's shy voice made her feel like an utter scoundrel.

Julia, who'd been waiting in the corridor, stared intently at Lily's face once more.

Leaving Aiden behind in the main building, the three headed to the guest room Julia would use. She would be staying at the castle to facilitate efficient research.

Wolfram himself carried her luggage and showed her the way.

"I'll inform the librarian, so please use the library freely. We have most books available."

"Thank you."

After offering various other accommodations, Wolfram departed. Julia caught Lily as she tried to follow.

"Lily, let's talk for a moment."

"I'll come by at dinner. His Grace told me to return immediately."

Aiden had repeatedly instructed that since it was still working hours, Lily must return right away after guiding Julia.

Having been away for two days, there would be accumulated work for her as well.

Julia's expression darkened further.

"Lily."

Julia called her name solemnly.

"What is your relationship with the duke?"