IWIAHC Chapter 27

It had been merely a few hours since Lily had attempted to regain Angela's favor by delivering a midnight snack.

And now, barely after sunrise, she'd gone off on another solo mission. From Angela's perspective, the girl must seem to be making a mockery of authority.

A maid with a history of unauthorized absence, who had entered the restricted main building without proper reporting or permission, only to return with a broken candlestick of all things.

That alone would be objectionable enough. But recently, higher-ups had taken the girl under their wing, resulting in wages far exceeding the head maid's own. From every conceivable angle, she was an irritating little creature.

'...That's what she must be thinking, isn't it?'

Lily stared at the floor. She hoped Angela would sigh, or grow angry, or at the very least assign some form of punishment.

However, Angela remained silent. She seemed prepared to keep Lily standing there for eternity.

The hand holding the candlestick began to tremble. Whatever words were being prepared in that weighted silence filled Lily with dread.

Only after Lily had bent like a worshipper offering tribute to the candlestick did Angela issue a brief command.

"Straighten up."

Lily carefully lifted her posture, trying not to appear as though she'd been waiting desperately for permission.

Angela regarded her with an expression of utter disbelief.

"The knights have been blocking entry since yesterday. How did you get into the main building?"

"I showed them the ring His Majesty bestowed upon me as proof."

"The ring?"

Lily's lips worked soundlessly before she shifted the candlestick to one hand and produced the ring with the other.

"I received it last night after escorting His Majesty to the east wing."

"And Mrs. Dienta truly requested those materials?"

Lily found herself unable to commit to that particular falsehood. Adding more transgressions to her account would exceed her capacity for managing consequences.

"Haaa..."

Angela exhaled a sigh drawn from the very depths of her lungs before addressing her.

"Lily Dienta."

"Yes, Head Maid."

"I'm aware you're hiding something from me. I also know you share that secret with the aide and Mrs. Dienta."

Lily's eyes widened in shock.

'I thought I'd concealed it perfectly?'

Observing that startled expression, Angela's frown deepened further.

"Did you genuinely believe no one would notice with all your bustling about? Your disappearance and the incidents in the main building, the aide's peculiar behavior, and furthermore your muttering—yes, your muttering—good heavens..."

Angela released another heavy breath.

"Lily, you may have made efforts by your own estimation, but the ducal castle has many listening ears. Several people have already consulted me, concerned that stress over ghosts has driven you to mental disturbance. One even volunteered to take over cleaning the main building."

"M-mental disturbance...?"

Lily's eyes darted left and right. She thought of her colleagues, who had been remarkably kind lately.

'I suppose I should be grateful they haven't reported me as a heretic. But girls, is that why you were being so sweet?'

Observing Lily's dazed state, Angela shook her head briefly.

"In any case, I've turned a blind eye until now because the aide's involvement suggested your secret couldn't be against the ducal house's interests, and moreover because you've made efforts to maintain a maid's proper conduct. But recently, you've truly been..."

She paused, studying Lily quietly. Lily lowered her head.

"Should I continue employing you as a maid? The question suddenly troubles me. What are your thoughts on the matter?"

"Please don't dismiss me! You can't dismiss me!"

Lily cried out in alarm.

She wanted to see Aiden's revival through to the end. Even if her only capability was conveying messages.

How wonderful it would be to stand beside him when he finally lifted his eyelids. Beyond promises and compensation, Lily desperately wanted to see those eyes with her own.

Furthermore, she had to protect this venerable castle from the duke's wrath. If she were expelled now, the entire structure might collapse from its very foundations.

'Should I kneel?'

Lily considered this seriously.

'No. That won't be sufficient for forgiveness. What's a stronger form of apology? Prostrating myself with my forehead touching the floor?'

Had she thought for even a moment, she might have realized Wolfram would oppose her dismissal. But Lily was in a thoroughly panicked state.

Aiden grew agitated in sympathy, causing the floorboards to creak ominously.

"I don't intend to dismiss you."

Oh.

Lily and Aiden calmed instantly.

"My point is whether it's appropriate for you to remain a maid. At this rate, you'll undermine discipline among the entire household staff."

Lily understood the concern, but what capacity could she possibly occupy in the castle if not as a maid? Assisting the duke remained strictly a secret mission, and she possessed no particular skills worth displaying publicly.

Observing Lily's blank, wide-eyed stare, Angela sighed.

"I'll discuss this matter with the aide. For now, you may go. Spend today attending to Mrs. Dienta."

"Thank you, Head Maid."

Angela waved her hand dismissively. Lily discreetly placed the candlestick on the desk and backed out of the room.

She exhaled. Her insides felt uncomfortable. She'd avoided dismissal, but disciplinary measures remained suspended.

If the head maid pressed firmly for even minor punishment to maintain household discipline, Wolfram would have to accept it to some degree.

Unless someone higher up intervened. She whispered urgently to Aiden.

"Y-Your Grace, you heard that, didn't you? As you know, this was all for your sake. Normally I follow rules perfectly and never cause problems. So please, I'm begging you to help resolve this smoothly. Please, not reduced wages or additional duties..."

[I absolutely won't let that happen.]

The solid promise brought relief. What remained was meeting Wolfram before Angela did and preemptively addressing this matter.

"Speaking of which, where will you be now? I need to wait in Grandmother's room."

[I want to stay with you.]

She'd expected as much.

"Grandmother might be startled, so I'll explain first. Please wait just a moment."

Lily positioned Aiden outside Julia's door before entering alone. Julia had already begun her work.

"Good morning, Lily. What brings you so early?"

"The head maid instructed me to look after you today, Grandmother."

"Oh? How lovely."

Julia answered lightly, unaware of the detailed circumstances behind this arrangement.

"But Grandmother, there's something I need to mention. His Grace is currently at the door. May I invite him in?"

Julia repeated the question with evident confusion.

"His Grace? I thought he couldn't leave the main building?"

"It's rather a long story. Last night I happened to encounter His Majesty and guided him, and then..."

She laid out in detail everything that had transpired from last night until moments ago. The ring, Julius's ghost, infiltrating the main building, smuggling out the protective charm, deceiving the knights, and so forth.

She didn't omit her injury from falling. Mentioning pain might earn sympathy votes, she reasoned.

"...And that's what happened."

Lily studied Julia's expression. Julia's face had drained of color, rendering her speechless. Lily anticipated a scolding.

'Even I think it was rather reckless. Though every single thing was unavoidable.'

Even if she returned to the past a hundred times, she would take identical actions in all hundred instances.

Being scolded was simply an inevitable consequence of those actions, and she was prepared to endure it.

However, Julia's lips trembled before she buried her face in her palms rather than expressing anger.

"My childhood fears for you have finally materialized. When you suggested fleeing, I should have properly escaped with you then. You wouldn't have been injured. You wouldn't be entangled in such dangerous matters... I should have ensured you pursued a different profession entirely, rather than becoming a castle maid."

Her voice, overwhelmed by emotion, carried a damp quality. Lily exclaimed in alarm.

"Oh, Grandmother! I'm perfectly fine. I'm barely hurt at all, and my knee—that was just my own carelessness. It had nothing to do with ghosts!"

Why was she blaming herself rather than scolding? Lily found watching Julia's sorrow far more agonizing than receiving a reprimand herself.

"I'll be truly careful from now on. I promise."

Lily fidgeted anxiously while offering a handkerchief. Julia dabbed at her tears with it, unable to regulate her emotions for some time.

Lily couldn't bear watching her continue and averted her gaze. That's when she noticed Aiden standing at the door with wide eyes.

'Why, why did you come in already? How long have you been there!'

Lily glanced between him and Julia. Before she could properly inform Julia of Aiden's presence, Julia lowered the handkerchief and spoke.

"I came along as your guardian only to display such weakness. Yes. What use is regret? The sooner we resolve this situation, the safer you'll be. That was my purpose in accompanying you originally, yet I'd already grown complacent."

Julia's gaze sharpened with determination.