I Don’t Believe in Ghosts, But I Make a Living by Exorcising Them! - Chapter 56

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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 056

 

That Thing, which had been sitting on Harman’s desk swinging its legs, trembled all over.

 

It brought its clenched hands to its chin. The excitement mixed in its voice couldn’t be hidden at all.

 

【Harman, today’s finally the day! I’m so excited!】

 

“Yes. It’s actually fortunate that it was postponed. I had some things I was worrying about before.”

 

Harman looked at That Thing reflected in the mirror and smiled coldly. For once, it was a gentle voice without any thorns.

 

【…Harman!】

 

That Thing, moved to tears, clung to Harman.

 

Come to think of it, that bastard Harman. He looks particularly handsome today.

 

Did he put effort into it? He even styled his hair and his face seems to be glowing.

 

Just when Harman took a step back, disgusted by That Thing’s somehow lecherous expression,

 

The flustered voice of the butler could be heard from beyond the office door.

 

“Y-Your Grace! A letter has arrived!”

 

“…A letter?”

 

That point was extremely puzzling.

 

Today was truly the day he was supposed to have lunch with Siena.

 

There was nothing else scheduled, so what could there be to panic about.

 

Besides, wasn’t the butler always punctual as clockwork.

 

“Well… Lady Siena sent it, saying it was urgent.”

 

“She was supposed to come today, but she sent a letter now?”

 

Harman tilted his head almost to the point of cracking it and snatched the letter from the butler who had rushed in.

 

Then, without even looking for a paper knife, he immediately tore open the envelope and hurriedly pulled out the letter to read it.

 

[Your Grace, I’m truly, truly sorry!

 

I was just about to leave when suddenly Count Helkene came to visit…

 

I tried to tell her that today absolutely wouldn’t work, but the Previous Count Couple happened to come with her, so I absolutely can’t leave.

 

I’m so sorry. Ah, I was really looking forward to it, but I never thought it would turn out like this-]

 

He didn’t even read to the end. Somehow an unpleasant déjà vu arose.

 

His face, which had been filled with strange anticipation, rapidly turned cold.

 

“I’ll have today’s meal in the office.”

 

“Pardon? But you were supposed to dine with Lady Siena in the restaurant-”

 

“It’s been cancelled.”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

Harman left the shocked butler behind and walked without hesitation, sitting back down in his office chair.

 

That Thing, which had been pressed against the wall beyond the door, opened its mouth awkwardly, then hurriedly flew toward Harman.

 

【Harman, could it be that Count Helkene knows something? They say she has the fastest information network in the Empire?】

 

“…”

 

Judging by his face that had turned cold in an instant, touching the wrong nerve right now might lead to disaster.

 

That Thing, who had been reading the situation, slyly added more words.

 

【I knew about the day you first went to that woman’s manor too.】

 

“Today’s dinner appointment wasn’t announced anywhere. It’s something that shouldn’t be known in the first place, isn’t it.”

 

【Mmm, well, that’s true. Then is it a coincidence.】

 

When a sharp gaze returned, That Thing quickly lowered its chin, pretending to ponder.

 

Harman checked the letter paper in his hand again. He read the bottom part and frowned.

 

[No matter what happens, I’ll definitely come next time! If you schedule it again, I’ll absolutely go!]

 

…Right, tomorrow.

 

Let’s consider it fortunate that he had one more day to think about it.

 

He roughly scribbled the letter.

 

‘Ah, a good idea came to mind.’

 

Then he infused light magic into his messenger bird.

 

A sinister smile gleamed from within the black gloves that covered his lips.

 

* * *

 

‘Haah…’

 

I swallowed a sigh along with tears inwardly.

 

‘Today especially, I miss the sharp cry of the snow-white bird.’

 

I’d understand even if it pecked at the top of my head with its beak. Please, won’t you come? Hm?

 

I looked at the window desperately, but I couldn’t see even a feather, let alone the Monteville Ducal House’s messenger bird.

 

It had already been an hour since I sent the letter to Harman.

 

Naturally, as expected, no reply had come back.

 

I slowly rubbed my face. Then small and large noises I had been ignoring pierced from all directions.

 

Things like the clattering sound of teacups bumping into each other.

 

“You said your name was Bella?”

 

“Ah, yes!”

 

“Yes, Bella. You don’t need to be so nervous. Among the servants I’ve seen for decades, this is the first time I’ve seen someone so skilled, so I was amazed.”

 

“Th, thank you…!”

 

In the kitchen, the Former Countess, who had already put on an apron, was chatting with Bella and preparing tea time.

 

‘They’ve already become that close?’

 

I let out a sigh mixed with bewilderment. This time, murmuring sounds came from the left side.

 

“Sir Zeros, surely assisting Miss Siena is much more comfortable than indulging our Didi’s… ahem, Rudian’s whims, right?”

 

“Haha, I like both of you.”

 

The Former Count and Sir Zeros were lifting boxes that hadn’t been completely moved to the kitchen yet while having trivial conversation.

 

Sir Zeros’s gaze inadvertently turned behind me, then quickly looked away.

 

From his immediately reddened cheeks, it was obvious who he had looked at.

 

‘To be so obvious about it.’

 

Even in my troubled state, I couldn’t help but laugh.

 

It turned out that Sir Zeros’s feelings were completely obvious to see.

 

Does Rudian really not know?

 

Well, I didn’t know at all until Sir Zeros confessed that he liked Rudian, so maybe you only see what you know.

 

Soon I felt weight on the sofa where I was sitting. I spoke without even turning around.

 

“Count Helkene, when you come, could you please let me know in advance-”

 

“Do we need to announce ourselves between us?”

 

“What?”

 

What exactly is this “between us” supposed to mean?

 

Despite trying to act sulky, I immediately turned around.

 

I saw Rudian leaning back comfortably against the backrest, and even crossing her legs.

 

This is really absurd.

 

“And I told you. I came a day earlier than that commoner, so I won.”

 

“….”

 

Is that something to say while boldly lifting your chin?

 

…Right, let’s think of it as a natural disaster. A natural disaster named Rudian.

 

Since I discovered yesterday’s letter late, it was already ruined.

 

It really was unavoidable.

 

The Previous Count Couple said they woke up at 3 AM to prepare to come to my estate today.

 

They came all the way here by carriage from the capital outskirts!

 

‘No wonder the Former Countess’s hands were surprisingly cold.’

 

The weather was still cool enough to go out wearing a light dress.

 

But the reason her hands were so cold was because the two of them, filled with anticipation to see me, came with the carriage windows open, getting hit by the outside wind!

 

‘Why did people of their age push themselves so hard…!’

 

How could I coldly tell them to go back?

 

My inner self from a previous life born in a Confucian country strongly rebelled, saying I absolutely couldn’t turn them away.

 

So, canceling my promise with Harman was unavoidable.

 

I didn’t cry. Rather than my own expectations, I worried about how bad Harman must feel.

 

Though it was an excuse, I explained today’s situation in great detail and apologized profusely.

 

I asked if another day would work and added that I would definitely come no matter what!

 

However….

 

No reply letter had come back.

 

“Come on, everyone! Let’s have tea time!”

 

Just as my fingernails habitually touched my lips from anxiety, the Former Countess and Bella approached pulling a tea tray.

 

A three-tier tea tray packed so full with desserts and tea that there wasn’t a single empty space.

 

‘Hmm….’

 

This is supposed to be tea time, not a meal, right?

 

* * *

 

The empty estate was bustling for the first time in a while.

 

But I couldn’t properly join the conversation and kept repeatedly gripping and releasing the innocent teacup handle.

 

I felt a profound gaze from somewhere, so I looked to the side. The Former Countess whispered quietly as soon as our eyes met.

 

“Miss Siena, did something happen?”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

How did she know.

 

“May I ask what happened? Actually, I’ve been worried because your expression has looked troubled since we arrived. Is it something we shouldn’t know about?”

 

“Ah, well…”

 

Clank! Just then, Rudian set down her teacup loudly. All eyes immediately focused in that direction.

 

She was looking at me with an extremely excited face, as if she had made some strange misunderstanding—

 

“Don’t tell me you’re upset because you wanted to have tea time with that commoner tomorrow first, but ended up having it with us instead?”

 

As expected.

 

‘But seriously, what are you talking about?’

 

In the past, she would have looked like a growling beast, but now she didn’t seem that way at all.

 

What’s so scary about a cat with trimmed claws, no matter how much it puffs up its fur trying to look fierce?

 

“…”

 

I didn’t want to burden their hearts by telling them unnecessarily.

 

But the words slipped out without me realizing it.

 

“Actually, I had a lunch appointment today.”

 

“What?”

 

Rudian shot up from her seat. The Former Countess nodded as if she had expected this.

 

“It’s fine, I sent a letter asking to postpone the appointment. The scheduled time has already passed anyway.”

 

The current time was 1 o’clock.

 

An hour had already passed since the scheduled time. The reply letter still hadn’t come…

 

Though I spoke calmly, my expression kept growing gloomier. Perhaps because of this, the Former Countess pulled her chair closer to me and asked in a whisper.

 

“When did you send the letter saying you’d cancel the appointment, Miss Siena?”

 

“Ah, I sent it right when everyone arrived. That was around 10 o’clock.”

 

“Did you receive a reply?”

 

“No, it hasn’t come yet. You don’t think my letter didn’t get delivered properly, do you?”

 

I was glad I had spoken up after all.

 

Just by voicing what I had been worrying about alone in response to her questions, I felt much more at ease.

 

“Miss Siena.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“From what I can see…”

 

The Former Countess’s breathing deepened.

 

It felt like some tremendous advice born from experience was about to come. I held my breath and concentrated.

 

Soon her lips opened slowly.

 

“That person is sulking right now.”

 

“…”

 

…Pardon?

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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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