I Don’t Believe in Ghosts, But I Make a Living by Exorcising Them! - Chapter 108

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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 108

It was only after the carriage had been traveling for quite some time that such a thought occurred to me.

‘Come to think of it, he hasn’t mentioned Bokdeungi at all.’

Last time when he came to my estate, he was so eager to see Bokdeungi.

Today, Bokdeungi had come near the main gate, wagging his tail to see me off. What a shame.

‘Well, today the Imperial Court Ball is what’s important, not anything else.’

I had stayed up all night. Wondering what on earth was going to happen.

Actually, even now I felt so nauseous I thought I might die. Thank goodness the carriage cushions were soft, otherwise I might have already fainted.

I had even made quite a tremendous resolution just before boarding the carriage.

‘What kind of conversation will I end up having with the Emperor…’

It would be nice if I could find out something there.

‘But since it’s a good carriage, there’s no rattling sound from the wheels either.’

Should I get a carriage too, I was having such trivial thoughts while wistfully looking out the window.

At some point, I felt an obvious gaze piercing my profile.

When I rolled my eyes slightly, sure enough, Harman’s lips twitched.

“Lady, I’ve been curious since earlier. Where is your guard knight? I don’t think I saw him at the estate either.”

I straightened my body that had been leaning diagonally against the window.

“Ah, yes. That’s right. Sir Zeros went as Count Helkene’s partner for the banquet.”

“…Then, you’re saying there’s no guard knight assigned to you today, Lady?”

“Yes. Anyway, since I’m going to the Imperial Court Ball today, there won’t be any danger. I’m also the Duke’s partner.”

I deliberately emphasized ‘the Duke’s partner.’

What dangerous situation could there be at an Imperial Court Ball hosted by the Emperor and swarming with nobles?

Though there might be a very small chance that something could happen taking advantage of a chaotic situation.

‘But we couldn’t get a guard knight, so what can we do.’

Rudian had tried to send one of Count Helkene’s knights instead of taking Sir Zeros as her partner today.

But none of them were willing to go, apparently.

Something about not being able to abandon the pride of Count Helkene’s knight order.

I heard Rudian was extremely angry, but honestly, they had a point, so I said it was fine and stopped her.

‘Harman came to visit my estate personally, and the Monteville Ducal House has plenty of guard knights too.’

Three had been following me around at the estate, and today there were three attached to each side of the carriage.

I had been a little worried, but with this much, there seemed to be no need to worry.

However, Harman seemed to think differently from me, as his expression was becoming increasingly serious.

“May I ask if that guard knight has to return to Count Helkene?”

“Yes. She sent Sir Zeros temporarily because she was worried I might face retaliation from Baron Alderton. Since the contract will end soon, he’ll be going back.”

“…”

“Baron Alderton was released from prison but nothing happened, right? It’s been quite a while already. So it should be fine.”

Harman flinched slightly, then silently rubbed his face. Only after a long while did he speak with a deep sigh.

“…I’m glad I brought more guard knights today.”

Haha, I think so too.

Nothing will happen anyway.

Since I was only receiving help, I didn’t really have anything to say. I’ll just smile.

But Harman’s stern face showed no signs of relaxing. He covered his mouth and moved his eyes busily.

What on earth is he thinking about to look so serious?

After quite some time, he spoke with determination.

“First, I’ll assign three of my guard knights to you today, Lady.”

“What?”

Weren’t we going to stay together the whole time?

“And I’ll need to find a knight to guard you in the future as well. I’ll look into it as soon as possible, so please don’t get too attached to your current guard knight anymore. If you become too close, it will only hurt your feelings, Lady.”

At-attached?

Was it something that would go that far…?

“Please answer me, Lady.”

“Ah, I understand.”

Only after hearing my definite answer did Harman lower the hand that had been covering his mouth.

His serious expression disappeared and he smiled brightly.

‘Really, how ridiculous.’

Are you feeling better now?

If I laughed out loud here, we’d both be embarrassed. I deliberately turned my head toward the window to hide my expression.

‘Well, if he’s going to find me a guard knight, that’s good for me.’

Harman saying ‘as soon as possible.’ Somehow it sounds reassuring, like he’ll really find one quickly.

‘He’s the person who confidently brought signature menu items that people line up from dawn and can’t get, and secured prime seats.’

Though he vehemently denied making reservations to me.

That’s when it happened.

A suddenly lowered voice lingered around my ear.

“Lady, there’s one more thing I need to tell you.”

It was so much lower and heavier compared to his voice just moments ago that I was startled.

It was the voice I encountered whenever I found myself suspecting Harman for some unknown reason.

A voice that strangely felt like a villain plotting schemes in a novel.

‘But nothing has happened so far.’

Besides, it was only a few hours ago that I resolved not to suspect Harman.

Due to the unnecessary tension, I pulled my back away from the backrest where it had been loosely resting.

When I slowly turned my head, he was wearing his characteristic gentle smile.

“…Yes, please tell me, Duke.”

“I can’t tell you the detailed circumstances, but Lord Rose’s family accumulated wealth through corruption.”

“Lord Rose’s family?”

“Yes.”

Lord Rose’s family, where rotten fruit came out of the vault?

But why is this story suddenly coming up?

“We’re going to confiscate all their assets and revoke their title. Naturally, everyone in the family will be locked up in the underground prison.”

“…”

Why… are you telling me this?

I was so flustered I couldn’t say anything.

It was shocking news, but should I really be hearing such things?

I had only been involved with Lord Rose once through an exorcism request, and we weren’t that close.

Moreover, it wasn’t really the atmosphere for such talk, was it?

‘Why are you telling me about destroying an entire family right now?’

Both the atmosphere and the conversation topic were somewhat bewildering. Not knowing what kind of response I should give, I kept my mouth firmly shut.

Harman stared intently at my closed lips, then lowered his eyes.

“I’m sorry, Lady.”

He whispered very quietly.

I mean, his voice was really too soft.

Sorry, but I didn’t hear any of it.

“Could you please say that again-“

I was about to ask when the carriage stopped and the door opened.

Harman quickly got out of the carriage and extended his hand to me, offering to escort me.

“…”

I stared blankly at the black gloves.

It was exactly the same scene as when I saw him just arriving at the estate today.

‘It was probably just him talking to himself, right?’

Even if it wasn’t, it was probably something I didn’t need to know anyway.

‘Maybe while investigating Lord Rose’s family, he saw records of my visit there, something like that.’

I don’t know why he brought up the House of Rose on our way to the Imperial Court Ball.

But I decided to trust him.

I chose to believe it wasn’t anything important.

“H-His Grace Duke Harman Monteville and Lady Siena are entering!”

All eyes turned to us along with the trumpet fanfare announcing our entrance.

Fortunately, thanks to diligently handling exorcism requests before the ball, there were quite a few familiar faces.

‘It’s been a while, Young Lady.’

Most were young ladies I’d seen at tea parties and their parents, so we naturally exchanged nods of greeting.

I had worried they might pretend not to know me at the banquet hall, but that wasn’t the case.

Though they didn’t approach me directly.

‘It’s probably because Harman is beside me, making it difficult for them to come over.’

But there was one thing that bothered me as soon as we entered.

‘Why is he staring so intently?’

I naturally avoided Lord Rose’s gaze.

‘I must be imagining it, right?’

I was probably just being sensitive because I’d just heard Harman say he’d throw the House of Rose in prison.

‘Right, that can’t be it. Unless the Baron has suddenly gone mad.’

It might be different if it were another noble.

I walked with dignity, calmly receiving the openly piercing gazes of the nobles.

‘They probably hate that I’m here at all.’

The nobles’ thoughts were obvious.

While they could hire me as an exorcist, they didn’t see me as someone to socialize with.

That’s why they were whispering while looking at me like that.

‘Still, I suppose I should be grateful that they at least show me courtesy when they make eye contact with Harman.’

I squeezed Harman’s hand and turned my head to see Grace, elegantly dressed, looking our way.

‘Miss Siena, it’s been so long!’

‘Miss Grace, how nice to see you.’

Since we were quite far apart, we exchanged greetings through lip movements. Noticing this, Marquis Fainen also nodded to me in greeting.

The pink diamond necklace around Grace’s neck.

All the sad stories that had emerged when I returned it came flooding back, making me feel wistful for a moment.

In that moment, I couldn’t feel the sharp gazes of the people around me at all.

“Lady. If it becomes too difficult, we can go to the terrace—”

“Yeah, go ahead and stare all you want. I’ll stare right back.”

“….”

Harman seemed to have said something, but I didn’t have time to pay attention right now.

I opened my eyes wide and slowly looked around. My gaze met with someone who was staring at me.

1, 2, 3….

You lose the staring contest.

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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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