I Don’t Believe in Ghosts, But I Make a Living by Exorcising Them! - Chapter 12

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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 012

Being led along without any will of my own, I made eye contact with dozens of servants who were watching with bewildered expressions.

Feeling embarrassed, I scratched my nose.

‘Well, it would be strange to just leave like this anyway.’

The Duke himself is asking to have tea time together!

How could I possibly refuse this?

That wouldn’t be proper etiquette. Yes, going is the right thing to do.

Since I don’t know what might happen in the future, I need to make a good impression even more.

…Rationalizing it this way, I confidently followed Harman.

“A greenhouse garden, I’m really looking forward to it.”

“You should be able to look forward to it.”

Harman answered without even looking at me.

Strangely, he didn’t glance at me even once the entire way to the greenhouse garden.

He only looked straight ahead as he walked, and his steps seemed somehow hurried.

‘Harman must be looking forward to tea time too.’

Well, having the nickname “Mystic Duke” means he has almost no interaction with other people.

Even though I left my family behind, I still know how to conduct myself with noble etiquette.

I’ll give him an amazing tea time… well, that might be difficult.

I was looking at his profile when I realized something and glanced down.

The high heels that Bella had insisted I wear came into view.

If I had known this would happen, I should have worn comfortable shoes.

“Miss, absolutely not! Going to the Monteville Ducal Estate in those shoes!”

What Bella handed me in horror were high heels so tall they could be called pointed shoes.

I wondered why I had to wear high heels even in this situation.

If I had refused, she probably would have grabbed my pants and pretended to cry until I got in the carriage, so I wore them.

‘I didn’t know I’d have to walk this long.’

This is the worst.

By now the garden would be completely soaked from the water the gardener had sprinkled.

Thinking about the heels sinking deep into the dirt path made me feel a bit gloomy.

But this was also my first time having tea time with someone other than Bella.

Moreover, it was natural to feel excited about seeing one of the few greenhouse gardens in the Empire with my own eyes.

I gently grasped the hem of my dress as it swayed in the light breeze.

The sound of my shoes clicked cheerfully.

Walking forward with anticipation for the greenhouse garden and tea time.

I had no idea that Harman was sending me a cold gaze at some point.

* * *

The greenhouse garden was located not far from the main gate.

‘I thought it would be modest since it’s called a greenhouse garden.’

Usually, greenhouse gardens were typically just collections of flowers that were difficult to grow in cold weather.

Moreover, I knew that they were usually built modestly since the maintenance costs were considerable.

‘Well, this is a ducal house after all.’

Seeing how large it was, comparable to the outdoor gardens, it was a moment when I truly realized that the man beside me was Duke Monteville.

Hah, I took a deep breath.

The air was mixed with the rich scent of grass and some moisture. A subtle floral fragrance tickled my nose.

“I want to be alone with just the two of us, so no one else should follow us in.”

…But my appreciation ended in an instant.

I perked up my ears at the voice that caught my attention.

‘It’s not like I have a hobby of eavesdropping.’

Did he just say he wanted to be ‘alone with just the two of us’? Really?

Subsequently, I heard what I presumed to be the butler’s voice.

“But Duke, you said you wanted to have tea time.”

“…Ah, that’s right.”

Harman hesitated for a moment with his head slightly turned.

Honestly, I wasn’t certain. I was just guessing.

All I could tell was that the two of them were secretly whispering about something.

Because of the sudden sound of wind, I could no longer hear their voices.

‘Where is this wind coming from?’

Why is there wind in a greenhouse?

Are there windows or something?

I unnecessarily looked around to both sides and even up above.

But the greenhouse garden was entirely made of transparent glass in a round dome shape.

I couldn’t see any windows, so what was this?

A chill circulated through the interior that had been warmly comfortable just moments before.

Could there be a problem with the temperature control magic stone?

Feeling slightly cool, I lightly rubbed my arms.

“Ah, right. In 30 minutes. Prepare tea time and send only one maid.”

“Understood.”

Thud! I heard the sound of the door closing without hesitation.

When I turned around, my eyes met directly with Harman who was leaning against the door.

There was no one else around.

So suddenly, only the two of us were left in the greenhouse garden.

‘…’

That thing about wanting to be ‘alone with just the two of us.’

I guess I didn’t mishear it.

I couldn’t hide my awkwardness.

It was fortunate that the interior was spacious, otherwise it would have been quite an ambiguous situation.

Harman didn’t approach.

He still stood leaning against the door with his hands behind his back. His gaze looking at me was clear.

“Lady Siena.”

“Y-yes?”

“Do you know something?”

“What are you referring to?”

“That there are only a few nobles in the Empire who have greenhouse gardens.”

“Ah…? That’s truly impressive.”

What’s this? Is he bragging?

I already knew that without him having to brag about it.

Rather than there being restrictions, it was because the magic stones needed to maintain a greenhouse garden were extremely, extremely expensive.

They even had to be replaced with new ones every month.

I glanced at Harman. I didn’t think he was the type to suddenly show off his wealth.

But far from looking proud, he was frowning as if displeased.

He wasn’t even looking at me.

His gaze seemed somehow off, so when I looked closely, he was staring at some point in the empty space behind me.

“Did you know that each greenhouse garden in the Empire has ridiculous rumors attached to it?”

“Rumors?”

“The rumor about my greenhouse is that flowers were planted using the blood of people who died in war as fertilizer.”

‘You can’t use that kind of thing as compost, you ignorant nobles…’

As if plants would grow from sprinkling that kind of thing.

Look at the quality of these plants – it’s obvious they grew up eating only premium fertilizers, not blood of unknown composition.

When I stiffened, Harman smiled lightly.

“I’m joking. Surely, it couldn’t be real.”

“Haha, that’s an interesting joke.”

Actually, it’s not funny at all.

You’d better not try comedy or anything like that.

The fortunate thing was that maybe because he was a handsome man who gave off a cold impression even when just standing expressionlessly.

His charm wasn’t diminished by making such jokes.

‘Go ahead and make unfunny jokes all you want.’

Looking at your face makes it entertaining again.

I laughed “haha” as much as possible to keep the atmosphere from becoming awkward.

It was around the time when the tail end of my laughter was fading.

“Ah, this greenhouse garden has one more rumor.”

What kind of chilling joke was he going to pull out this time? I felt a bit gloomy.

He, who had been leaning against the door for a while, slowly approached.

There was nothing to be afraid of, but for some reason I instinctively stepped backward.

It was an instinctive movement.

However, I was quickly caught up by him as he strode forward.

Now the distance between us was so close that there wouldn’t be room left if you put two fists between us.

This is, too close…?

“Since they’re plants that grew feeding on blood, there are rumors that they crave human blood. There are also stories going around to be careful not to get caught by the plants.”

“What does that mean… Ah!”

The moment I took another step back.

Something wrapped around my ankle.

‘Flower vine?’

A vine with bright red flowers was wrapped around my ankle.

Huh, wait a moment.

My eyes widened.

This flower.

“It’s really pretty, isn’t it? Where did this flower come from?”

It wasn’t flattery, but genuine. It would be nice to plant some at my estate too, wouldn’t it?

I looked down at my ankle with curious eyes.

I had only misstepped, but I loved how the vine seemed to have intentionally caught me, tangled as it was, and the gorgeous petals.

“…Flower?”

However, what came back wasn’t an answer but a question.

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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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