I Don’t Believe in Ghosts, But I Make a Living by Exorcising Them! - Chapter 111

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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 111

‘Already suspicious.’

How could this atmosphere come from people who are supposedly close?

That’s probably why I felt suddenly angry.

‘I couldn’t even properly thank Harman.’

Thanks to him, I was able to finish the dance safely, and I wanted to thank him for helping me practice dancing all this time and for helping me relax even when we came to the banquet hall.

Right after the dance ended, the Emperor appeared, so I couldn’t even say such basic words.

He was someone I disliked from first impression.

“Fine, whatever. Let’s go together.”

The Emperor agreed to Harman’s request. Though he didn’t hide his reluctant attitude.

Even while following, I didn’t forget to be wary of the Emperor.

The large reception room attached to the banquet hall.

Even after sitting on the sofa, the Emperor stared at me silently for a long time.

As if he was observing me thoroughly from head to toe.

‘Didn’t he call me because he had something to say?’

He told me to sit comfortably, but how am I supposed to be comfortable like this?

At least Harman was next to me. If it had been a private meeting, I would have already fainted.

While waiting for the Emperor to speak in the suffocating silence, I suddenly realized.

‘Could it be that he wants me to check if there are ghosts in this reception room?’

…A kind of test?

“So, exorcist. I heard you can see ghosts. Is that true?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Your Majesty.”

Just then the Emperor’s mouth opened, and I straightened my back and answered immediately.

Only then did I realize.

‘In the past, I would have been crying inside, absolutely denying it.’

Not anymore.

I’d been pondering the existence of ghosts for a while now. I couldn’t deny it as definitively as before.

The Emperor leaned back loosely on the sofa.

“What a remarkable ability. A rare ability that’s hard to find in the Empire.”

“Haha, thank you.”

That’s a compliment, right?

He was clearly smiling kindly, but his tone seemed strangely sarcastic, making it difficult to understand.

‘This is the first person since Harman whose true intentions I can’t gauge to this extent.’

I rolled my eyes inconspicuously. Meanwhile, the Emperor threw out dryly.

“The day Baron Alderton came out of the underground prison, his title and property were confiscated and the Baron was expelled from the Empire.”

“…”

Huh?

“He was bringing in illegal goods through trade from the provinces. Moreover, he had been committing domestic abuse for a long time, so he was banished according to Imperial Law.”

It wasn’t a particularly surprising story.

That bastard would have done more than enough to deserve it.

‘Then I’ll never have to see him again.’

That’s really good.

But why is he telling me this story?

Earlier at the banquet hall too, he deliberately showed that he knew I was Baron Alderton’s daughter.

It meant he wanted something from me.

The Emperor continued.

“But he died on the ship leaving the Empire.”

“…What?”

This time I had no choice but to ask back.

He died? Why? As if reading my questions, the Emperor shrugged.

“I don’t know how he died either.”

The way he spoke about someone’s death without any emotion, as if reading a book, was somehow eerie.

“Someone might have murdered him.”

For a moment, I held my breath.

What does that mean…?

“Lady Siena. I also recently heard the news of Baron Alderton’s death. I apologize for not telling you in advance.”

Harman, who had been silent until now, suddenly poured out words rapidly. My head became dizzy.

I looked to the side and met worried blue eyes, then turned away from them.

Somehow, I felt like I shouldn’t look at Harman right now.

The Emperor continued speaking.

“I did order an investigation into Baron Alderton, but he investigated more enthusiastically than I expected. Like someone who really wanted to get rid of the Baron somewhere.”

“…”

I pressed my throbbing head.

There’s a saying like that.

The saying that you only want to hear obituary news about that person.

Baron Alderton was that kind of person to me.

After he came out of the underground prison, I worried every day that he might come looking for me for revenge.

‘I was so worried that I even had nightmares about the Baron coming after me.’

Even though now I have Sir Zeros to protect me, and Bella and Emily are here too.

That’s probably why, when I heard about the Baron’s death, rather than shock, I felt a strange sense of liberation.

And then next.

‘Why is the Emperor telling me this story?’

I became curious.

Clearly at the banquet hall, he had a subtle atmosphere with Harman.

I followed him while being very suspicious that he was a suspicious person, but now he’s showing me some inexplicable goodwill.

No matter how I looked at it, it was a story that he deliberately investigated Baron Alderton for my sake.

‘But I shouldn’t completely let my guard down.’

The flow of conversation had already tilted to his side. For now, it was important not to get entangled with the Emperor.

I won’t smile or cry. I tried to make a serious expression.

I took a breath.

“Baron Alderton has… passed away. What a regrettable matter.”

“You don’t seem particularly sad. Even so, he was your biological father.”

Fortunately, it seemed to work well.

“It might be because it doesn’t feel real. But seeing how memories of him abusing me come to mind first, I guess I’m not sad.”

“…Hmm.”

The Emperor stroked his chin.

Since he already knew from investigating me that Baron Alderton committed domestic abuse, there was no need to hide it.

And sorry, but Baron Alderton is Siena’s biological father, not mine.

“Anyway, that’s what happened.”

The Emperor pulled the bell cord to call a servant.

“Bring tea again.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

My gaze suddenly went to the table. Come to think of it, we didn’t even drink.

One teacup already neatly emptied.

Two teacups untouched.

While the servants moved busily around the table, I heard rustling sounds from beside me.

Wondering what it was, I looked to the side…

‘Huh?’

It was the sound of Harman’s clothes rubbing against the sofa as he slowly approached me!

“Duke?”

Thinking this was the right moment, Harman leaned his face closer. His voice was full of concern.

“Lady. Are you really alright?”

“Yes? About what?”

“Alderton… I mean the Baron.”

He stammered without being able to look me properly in the eyes.

“Yes, I’m fine. He should have lived a long, long life, so it’s regrettable.”

“…”

“I’m joking.”

Harman visibly flinched.

I said it because he was worrying too much.

Well, isn’t hearing news of someone living with illness for a long time or suddenly hearing news of their death pretty much the same thing?

Even though I said it was a joke, Harman became dejected. He was flustered and restless, having lost his words.

‘This person seems to be getting more and more expressive with his emotions.’

I was smiling at him, feeling a bit less tense, when I noticed the teacup had been replaced at some point.

The Emperor, who had been observing us, suddenly smiled brightly. It was the kind of benevolent and radiant smile he would show when standing before the Empire’s citizens.

Feeling unnecessarily embarrassed, I straightened my posture a bit more.

“You don’t need to be so tense. Let’s have a cup of tea first and talk again.”

Then the Emperor casually rested his chin on the armrest and offered me tea.

The atmosphere completely changed.

Should I say the oppressive feeling I had been sensing in the reception room suddenly lifted?

“Hm? Go ahead.”

He even urged me gently with a soft smile.

“…”

I stared intently at the warm teacup.

I could feel a gaze staring down at me from above. As if he absolutely had to see me drink the tea.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

It was the moment I first held a teacup since entering the reception room.

I savored the aroma… hm? There’s no scent at all?

I couldn’t even smell it yet.

‘Was I that tense?’

I brought the teacup to my lips and tilted it. For some reason, a slightly unpleasant scent rose up-

Crash-!

I froze completely.

Still in the same position holding the teacup, unable to lower my hand, only my mouth moved slightly.

“…Duke?”

“I apologize, Lady. My hand slipped.”

I see.

I raised the corners of my mouth in a trembling smile.

You should say something that makes sense…

‘How does a hand slip in a way that makes a teacup fly over there?’

Looking at the shattered remains of the teacup that had flown far to the edge of the carpet, I opened my mouth in bewilderment.

Meanwhile, the two men glared at each other.

‘…’

I have no idea what kind of relationship these two have anymore…

I just wanted to escape this situation.

That’s when it happened.

“You should leave.”

“Lady Siena. I’m sorry, but would you mind stepping out first?”

Both of their gazes pierced me simultaneously.

Whether sharp or gentle.

It was an order to leave.

“Understood!”

I quickly stood up, bowed to the Emperor, and hurriedly left the reception room.

Only then did I catch my breath and lean against the wall.

‘Wow, I thought I was going to die from suffocation.’

What on earth is this situation?

I was tilting my head back, trying to figure something out, when someone approached and spoke to me.

“Lady Siena?”

It was a man with an unfamiliar face.

But his attire wasn’t a uniform suitable for a banquet, he was wearing armor?

“Yes. I am Siena.”

Looking down, he even had a sword at his side.

A knight?

“Duke Monteville ordered me to stay by the Lady’s side once you left the reception room.”

“…The Duke?”

“Yes. Oh, and he also said you must stay here and not go anywhere.”

He was so resolute, as if it were the Duke’s command.

I had no choice but to remain frozen against the wall for a moment.

‘Then Harman knew this would happen?’

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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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