I Don’t Believe in Ghosts, But I Make a Living by Exorcising Them! - Chapter 123

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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 123

What is this….

‘Should I be grateful that I didn’t ask the restaurant owner for a fork and knife?’

Until just a moment ago, Harman had followed me without any response, like a child tightly holding his mother’s hand.

Then he suddenly stopped.

“I smell something sweet from somewhere.”

“Pardon?”

“I want to try eating that.”

He pointed precisely at the chicken skewers.

And then came the current situation.

I looked at Harman, who had become serious because he didn’t know how to eat chicken skewers, and suddenly felt worried.

‘Will this really be okay?’

I know it’s funny to think this after already buying it, but he’s someone who’s lived eating only the finest food every day.

It would be hard for him to be satisfied.

It wasn’t that I was looking down on commoner food.

‘The spices that are naturally available at the Duke’s Estate aren’t here.’

It meant that even though it smells sweet, it might actually be quite bland.

…But if I don’t tell him, it seems like he’ll just keep staring until the chicken skewers get cold?

Seeing his hands desperately gripping the chicken skewers and his yearning gaze, I couldn’t hesitate any longer.

“Here, watch.”

I held my portion of chicken skewers diagonally and took a bite from the side.

“You just eat it like this. Easy, right?”

“Ah….”

He looked surprised.

As if asking whether that was all there was to it.

Harman stared at the chicken skewers again.

After hesitating for a moment, he took a bite. After chewing a few times, his eyes widened.

“It’s delicious.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Even more than the food at Monteville Ducal Estate.”

That’s quite unexpected.

Whether he was sincere or not, he continued to bite into the chicken skewers without saying a word.

This was the same person who used to nibble at his food when we dined together at the Duke’s Estate, and even at the finest restaurant we had rented entirely.

I stared at the scene, forgetting to eat my own chicken skewers.

This person standing in a corner of the festival street crowded with people, hurriedly eating chicken skewers….

Was Harman.

‘He seems like a different person.’

He was like a curious child who had discovered something new.

The blue eyes that I always thought were like the deep sea now looked like the shallow coastal waters.

If I think so, what about the Guard Knights watching?

‘They’re probably clicking their tongues saying it doesn’t suit him at all.’

They might be rubbing their eyes, convinced they were seeing hallucinations.

I smiled contentedly to myself while having these silly thoughts.

Meanwhile, Harman had apparently finished his chicken skewers cleanly and was staring at me blankly.

“Hati, are you done eating?”

“…Yes.”

He answered shyly, as if he had just come to his senses. Feeling incredulous, I examined his face and caught one flaw.

‘That dot-like thing at the corner of his mouth, that’s sauce, isn’t it?’

It was unimaginable for someone who would have received perfect education in dining etiquette and manners, second only to the Imperial Family in the Empire.

“Ani. Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Just a moment.”

So this is why I carry a handkerchief with me every day.

I took out my handkerchief and stood on my tiptoes toward Harman, who hadn’t noticed yet.

The moment the handkerchief touched his lips, Harman’s body stiffened.

That was only for a moment.

He smiled shyly.

“…Thank you.”

The sauce was so small that it could only be seen when looked at closely.

While wiping just that, I lowered myself from my tiptoes very slowly.

Even while folding the handkerchief, I had no intention of avoiding the gaze I met with Harman.

‘Harman, this is the kind of date you wanted, right?’

Very ordinary and simple, like what other people do.

The kind of date where your heart flutters even without doing much, and you feel good just looking at each other’s faces.

It was what I wanted too.

“One week, would you meet with me for just one week.”

But why does your gaze become wistfully colored every time our eyes meet?

Somehow, it feels like you’re going to leave for somewhere.

“…Tsk.”

The Emperor, sprawled on the long sofa, clicked his tongue. His face was filled with irritation.

“Your Majesty. I clearly told you that the Exorcist’s existence would help our plan.”

“Your Majesty, once my abilities become perfect, there won’t even be a need to worry about it. So it should be fine to just keep her nearby.”

The appearance of bowing his head and asking for permission was the same as usual.

Yes, if not for a slight flaw, he would have been completely fooled.

When he said ‘their matching appearance is unpleasant to see,’ what Harman showed him was definitely killing intent.

“….”

Does he not know who allowed him to inherit the ducal title as it was?

To try to betray him without knowing the grace of being raised all this time.

“Well, he’s connected to Aldimos bloodline after all. That blood won’t go anywhere.”

The Emperor muttered irritably. He had thought this day might come someday, so there was nothing to fear.

Even dozens of princes and princesses of the Aldimos Royal Family couldn’t dare overcome his magic.

What could a mere half-blood do?

In the Empire, and furthermore anywhere on the continent, there was no one stronger than the Emperor.

But for the timing to be this early.

“I’ll have to hurry a bit more.”

After the Imperial Court Ball, the Emperor had been staying in the underground research lab beneath the Imperial Palace.

“Heave.”

The Emperor rose leisurely and approached the large desk.

What filled the entire desk was a magic circle made of complex formulas.

The Emperor raised both hands over the magic circle and then hesitated. His expression suddenly became lively.

“Right, there’s no need for me to hurry, is there.”

A good idea had occurred to him.

“Those caught up in love games have such clear weaknesses.”

That’s quite amusing.

“It’s fortunate I didn’t kill her.”

Rather, Harman had ended up helping his plan.

He smiled wickedly and slowly stroked his chin.

“But Hati.”

“Yes, Ani.”

Harman quickly raised his head.

Round eyes, cheeks puffed up from chewing, and a yellow cat ear headband placed on his hat.

I had started the conversation, but I forgot to ask my question because I was too busy observing Harman’s face.

I glanced down slightly.

The warm sandwich in my hand and the mat I had hastily bought and laid out.

“The fireworks will start soon! The best spot is over here!”

It was when we were frantically running around the festival street.

We ran toward the voice as if enchanted by someone’s shout.

The best spot for fireworks?

How could we resist that?

“Oh, do you need a mat by any chance? A mat for two is 20,000 francs.”

Thanks to that, we did secure the best spot.

‘Though I think I got ripped off on the mat price.’

In the past, I would have trembled even at 10,000 francs, but I paid readily and only now I’m having second thoughts.

Somehow it feels unsettling.

“Ani?”

“Ah.”

Oops, Harman was still waiting for my question.

In the meantime, he had taken several more bites of his sandwich, leaving large teeth marks on it.

If I looked any longer, I wouldn’t be able to hold back my laughter. I forced myself to look away from the sandwich and asked.

“Why did you suddenly want to come to the festival?”

His mouth, which had been chewing diligently, slowed down. After swallowing his sandwich, he fell into thought for a moment.

“I read a book. It said that ordinary lovers enjoy meals together, exchange gifts, and go to festivals together.”

He spoke so casually that I almost let it slip by.

Did he just say lovers?

“I suddenly realized that we’ve never been to a festival together.”

“Ah.”

“…”

“…”

I scratched the back of my hand.

Even when Harman said we should eat balanced food with various nutrients for lunch, then went ahead and bought a bunch of street food.

Even when I mentioned there was a custom of throwing money into the fountain to make a wish, and Harman immediately threw in a 1 million franc bill.

Even when he persistently found a shop selling animal ear headbands and promptly put cat ears on me.

There hadn’t been any awkwardness at all.

It felt familiar and natural, as if we had always been like this.

But with just the word ‘lovers,’ I was suddenly pulled back to reality.

Clearly, we both knew we liked each other. This was our first time at a festival, but it wasn’t our first date.

‘But our relationship started with a contract, and strictly speaking, even the dates we’ve had were more like extensions of that contract.’

An ambiguous relationship, not quite official lovers.

Wait a minute.

Then, actually…

‘Is this an opportunity?’

Should I close my eyes and confess?

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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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