I Don’t Believe in Ghosts, But I Make a Living by Exorcising Them! - Chapter 104

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I Don’t Believe in Ghosts, But I Make a Living Through Exorcism! Episode 104

‘If only she hadn’t said that, it would have been perfect.’

I’m sure she didn’t mean to mock or ridicule me, but it sounded twisted to my ears.

I could somehow manage the other moves by applying the basic movements Emily taught me…

But the leg splits weren’t easy yet!

‘If I practice until the banquet, I’ll manage somehow.’

After all, I only needed to do the leg split move once.

The slight problem was that it came at the climax of the song and dance.

‘…’

Still, except for the leg splits, the dance practice was going very smoothly, so I should consider that fortunate.

As I got the hang of it, I had some breathing room. I kept glancing at Harman whenever I had a chance.

‘Honestly, it wouldn’t be proper to call the Empire’s only Duke here just for dance practice and send him away.’

Just this morning, I had said the servants were too excited about preparing to receive Harman.

But now I was thinking the exact same thing.

Yes, honestly, I didn’t want to send him away yet.

I had several things I wanted to ask him about.

Just then, the last practice song ended and we took our bowing positions to each other.

‘If I’m going to say it, it has to be now.’

If I hesitate any longer, I might miss the chance.

I lifted my head and opened my mouth. My heart was pounding nervously.

“Duke. If you have time, would you like to have tea time after dance practice?”

Harman lifted his head more slowly than I did.

All sorts of worries rushed through my mind – whether he had other appointments, whether my request was too sudden.

“That sounds good.”

…Thank goodness.

Despite my worries, he readily agreed. I quickly signaled to Bella and Emily with my eyes.

Since we had prepared everything in the morning, the tea time table was set up quickly.

“Duke, please sit here.”

“Thank you.”

While dancing, we had been so close and facing each other, but I was focused on the movements and didn’t really notice.

Harman’s clothing and hair were slightly disheveled, unlike usual.

Listening to his rough breathing with a clear mind made me so embarrassed my eyes were spinning.

I was hesitating about what to say first.

“Lady. Excuse me, but there’s still no sign of Bokdeungi anywhere.”

“…Ah!”

Right, that’s right.

I glanced sideways at Sir Zeros, who was standing pressed against the wall as if he were part of the reception room.

Sir Zeros shook his head and moved his lips silently.

‘I’m sorry, Miss. I couldn’t find Bokdeungi.’

…Is this for real?

But even if the estate is large, how could they still not find Bokdeungi?

Did he escape outside like last time?

“I’m sorry, Duke. Bokdeungi seems to have gone outside on his own.”

“Ah… I see.”

His disappointment was evident.

But it wasn’t like I could conjure up Bokdeungi from thin air.

He’ll probably show up before Harman leaves.

‘Since it’s come to this, should I bring it up naturally?’

One of the reasons I had detained Harman was to bring up the topic related to Bokdeungi…

Before Harman’s expression could become even more gloomy, I hurriedly spoke up.

“He’s gone out of the estate on his own before. I told you about that incident, didn’t I? When Bokdeungi appeared with rotten fruit in his mouth that he found in a noble residence’s vault.”

Harman’s head snapped up.

“That time too, Bokdeungi had just wandered there on his own.”

I let go of the teacup handle I had been gripping.

I leaned forward slightly as if about to share something secretive, moving closer to him.

“But doesn’t something seem strange about it? How on earth did Bokdeungi get there?”

For a moment, his blue eyes wavered.

I was staring intently at Harman and didn’t miss this.

He was definitely interested in the story about Bokdeungi.

“At that time, Bokdeungi was taking a walk with my servant when he suddenly broke his leash and disappeared, then appeared at that noble residence where I was.”

Back then he was outside to begin with, and now he disappeared from inside the estate, so the circumstances were a bit different.

But it was the same in that Bokdeungi had disappeared from where he was supposed to be.

“It was a distance that took an hour even by carriage. Really strange, isn’t it?”

It was strange when I thought about it alone, but saying it out loud made it even stranger.

‘Coincidences can happen repeatedly, but can coincidental events continue to this extent?’

As I became lost in thought while speaking, silence fell between us.

Harman, who had been listening quietly, spoke up a little later.

“Lady. I believe you mentioned before that Bokdeungi once sorted letters according to exorcism requests.”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“I’d like to hear more details about that story as well.”

Ah… huh?

‘So he’s not interested in dogs in general, but specifically interested in Bokdeungi?’

Our Bokdeungi is indeed very cute and smart.

Next time I should take some pretty pictures of Bokdeungi to send him.

“When request letters arrive, sometimes Bokdeungi barks and sometimes he doesn’t-“

I was speaking excitedly when I suddenly stopped.

‘Why?’

I had a strange premonition.

Why on earth…

Did I feel like I shouldn’t tell him any more?

“Yes, please continue. Lady.”

Harman urged me on.

He was urging me with a gentle, calm voice.

Since bringing up Bokdeungi, he had been staring at me intently without blinking even once.

Perhaps because of that, I couldn’t say anything at all.

Looking closely at those eyes.

For some reason, they were very similar to the look he had when he first visited my estate and looked down at me.

It was the same back then.

Certainly, on the surface, they were beautiful enough to make me unconsciously mesmerized…

‘Something’s unpleasant.’

An indescribable, strange unpleasantness welled up inside me.

The air around us had subtly changed.

The cool air felt menacing. As if it would immediately transform into a sharp sword pointed at me.

‘Why am I suddenly feeling this way?’

Just moments ago we were having a natural conversation.

While I still couldn’t say anything, as if my mouth were sealed shut.

Harman stood up without warning.

“Lady Siena.”

“Y-yes?”

Flustered, I stammered and leaned back.

Because he was striding closer to me!

But since I was sitting in a chair, there was nowhere to retreat further back.

I couldn’t flee from this suddenly arising situation, nor could I just sit still.

My current state was clearly one of panic to anyone who looked.

However, Harman didn’t stop there.

‘What on earth is this?’

He bent his upper body forward. His face slowly approached.

Finally, he came close enough that our noses would touch if I just lifted my head.

So this wasn’t some romantic situation like a kiss or anything…

“…”

I squeezed my eyes shut.

Because I still couldn’t handle the cool aura I felt near Harman.

That’s when it happened.

“Lady, your body is very hot.”

“…!”

I snapped my eyes open.

Harman’s hand brushed past my bangs.

More precisely, it seemed like he had tried to touch my forehead or cheek.

Since his hand was still hesitating and hovering nearby.

Harman slowly tilted his head.

His eyes looking at me were full of worry.

“As I thought, practicing dance longer than usual must have been too much. Since Lady’s condition doesn’t seem good, I should take my leave now.”

His voice was dripping with concern.

He ordered Sir Zeros, who was standing by, to take care of me. Then he headed toward the door as if he really intended to leave.

I hastily grabbed Harman’s sleeve.

“…Lady?”

A puzzled gaze fixed on me.

But I found his reaction even more puzzling.

‘I’m not hot at all right now though?’

It wasn’t a joke.

Rather, I would have understood if he said I looked cold.

Since my shoulders were slightly trembling from the aura I felt near Harman.

After practicing dance to our heart’s content and readily agreeing to teatime.

‘Why… is he talking like he needs to leave urgently?’

Using my perfectly fine physical condition as an excuse, no less.

‘Even setting aside the Bokdeungi story, I still have things left to ask.’

Right, I couldn’t let him go yet.

Wasn’t I determined to ask what kind of relationship Harman had with the Emperor today!

The only banquet Harman participates in is the Imperial Court Ball.

Just from the fact that the Emperor directly told him he’d like me to be invited, you could tell the two had a close relationship.

However, the story I heard from the Previous Count and Countess Helkene kept bothering me.

I had to know for certain.

Moreover, the reason I had to ask today was.

‘There won’t be another chance to ask.’

For the time being, on days I met with Harman, we’d have to just do what we needed to do and part ways without teatime like today.

Both our schedules were packed tight, making it difficult to even meet.

Especially with the Imperial Court Ball coming soon, once that day arrived, there really wouldn’t be any opportunity to ask.

Harman sent me a puzzled look but didn’t move an inch.

He stood completely still as if frozen solid, while his eyes rolled sideways to look at my hand gripping his sleeve.

I blinked as fast as possible and spoke pleadingly.

Hoping my eyes would sparkle in the light.

“Duke, couldn’t you at least finish the remaining tea in your teacup before you go?”

“…”

Harman hesitated.

He froze once again and turned his head very slowly.

Soon, our gazes met.

His blue eyes were wavering.

Very severely, as if conflicted about something.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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