I Don’t Believe in Ghosts, But I Make a Living by Exorcising Them! - Chapter 58

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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 058

 

[Yes, the day after tomorrow is fine, but after that would be difficult.]

 

‘…Thank goodness!’

 

Did my detailed explanation of the situation work?

 

Harman suggested dinner again, not for tomorrow but for the day after tomorrow!

 

This time it was a reply that came incredibly fast without any need to worry.

 

‘If I had known this would happen, I should have said from the beginning that any day except tomorrow would work.’

 

I didn’t expect him to suggest meeting tomorrow right away.

 

It’s my fault for not explaining properly, but I feel a little wronged.

 

What’s a bit strange is….

 

[I hope the emerald plates won’t fade away.]

 

It sounds strangely sarcastic.

 

No, right?

 

‘Yeah, it can’t be.’

 

Someone as kind as Harman wouldn’t be sarcastic.

 

‘But what is this gaze I’ve been feeling for a while now.’

 

I had been staring at the letter as if I might get sucked into it, then suddenly lifted my head without warning.

 

“…!”

 

I immediately made eye contact with two people.

 

The Former Countess and Rudian, who had been leaning their upper bodies toward me from both sides, sneaking glances at the letter.

 

“Oh my, I wasn’t trying to look!”

 

“Ahem, ahem!”

 

The two hurriedly pulled back their bodies while rolling their eyes around.

 

Anyone could see they were people who got caught secretly looking.

 

“If he postponed twice, he must be a very kind person. I almost misunderstood.”

 

“They say he’s mysterious and rarely comes out of his estate. Miss Siena must have really caught his fancy.”

 

It wasn’t even secretly anymore.

 

With me between them, they were having a heated discussion about Harman’s psychology.

 

You two are quite shameless.

 

Was it my imagination that they seemed like a mother and older sister worrying about their youngest?

 

‘No, but this is supposed to be a secret!’

 

Actually, it was already hopeless to hide it from the moment the Monteville Ducal House’s messenger bird came flying in so conspicuously.

 

The letter envelope and the family crest stamped on it were obviously from the Monteville Ducal House.

 

Still, just in case, let me get a confirmation.

 

“I won’t say anything about you secretly reading the letter, but in exchange, please keep it secret that my appointment today is with Duke Monteville.”

 

“Of course, of course.”

 

“Of course. What do you take us for?”

 

The two of them promised, even placing their index fingers firmly on their lips.

 

Then Rudian suddenly hardened her expression. As if she had remembered something she had completely forgotten.

 

“Miss Siena, wasn’t Duke Monteville the first one to come asking you to investigate ghosts? And there… just how many ghosts are there?”

 

“I think I’ve exorcised about three so far.”

 

That meant I had done cleaning and received payment a total of 3 times.

 

“Th-there were that many?”

 

“I need to go more. I’ve only seen the first floor so far.”

 

“…Good heavens!”

 

Next to Rudian, who covered her mouth, the Former Countess let out a sigh.

 

This time, even the Former Count, who had been quietly sipping his tea, flinched.

 

Sir Zeros, who was standing somewhere between me and Rudian, was the same.

 

‘Were they all pretending not to listen while actually being curious?’

 

I raised one eyebrow. However, no one paid attention to me.

 

The people of Count Helkene’s house had already gathered in a circle and started whispering!

 

“Well, if there are that many ghosts in the manor, it makes sense he’d keep looking for her.”

 

“But would he invite her to a meal for that?”

 

“He called her even after postponing twice, not just once. This should definitely be seen as expressing interest.”

 

It was even too loud to call it whispering.

 

This is about me. Why are you all seriously discussing this?

 

…I thought for just a moment.

 

“Miss Siena, come here.”

 

“Yes? Ah!”

 

Rudian grabbed my shoulder firmly. I was pulled along without a chance to refuse.

 

I bent my upper body and looked up bewildered, only to meet eyes with the Former Count couple who had serious expressions.

 

Suddenly, I was forcibly included in Count Helkene’s family discussion.

 

No, I mean, why am I in your family discussion…!

 

“Miss Siena, Duke Monteville definitely seems interested in you.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

However, it was too pleasant a story to be bewildered about.

 

“Yes, absolutely. If he only wanted exorcism, the enormous payment would have been enough. He wouldn’t have bothered inviting you to a meal.”

 

Hearing the detailed reasoning made me feel a bit embarrassed…

 

I fidgeted with my fingers under the table.

 

“Right, who wouldn’t like someone so kind and pretty? You can tell just by how you’re friends with our Didi♡.”

 

“Oh, Mother!”

 

“The Duke suggesting a meal probably means he wants you to eat better. Miss Siena, no matter how I look at it, you’re too thin!”

 

Did my embarrassment show? The Former Countess smiled warmly and stroked my back.

 

“Miss Siena doesn’t dislike him either, right?”

 

“…Yes, of course. But it’s just about the level of having a good impression.”

 

Even though this was the first time I had brought up such a topic with someone, strangely the answers flowed out smoothly.

 

After saying that, things began to form in my mind one by one.

 

The reason I had developed feelings for Harman, which I had never really thought deeply about.

 

‘It’s quite a simple reason, but Harman’s face is exactly my type.’

 

On top of that, I had never seen anyone so polite and gentlemanly.

 

It was heartbreaking just knowing that such a handsome and kind person would go mad in the future.

 

Certainly, that’s how it started.

 

It was also true that the more we met, the more those feelings continued to grow.

 

But…

 

“Hmm, I find him a bit cold though.”

 

“You stay quiet!”

 

“Ahem.”

 

The Former Count spoke up for the first time, only to be immediately scolded by his wife.

 

But the Former Count was right.

 

Sometimes I did sense an inexplicable coldness from Harman.

 

While I definitely had feelings for him, there was some unknown wall that prevented me from going beyond that.

 

A wall that wasn’t put up by me, but by him.

 

‘It’s like when I try to get closer, he pulls away, and just when I think we’ve gotten a bit closer, he suddenly pushes me away coldly.’

 

Rudian, who had been uncharacteristically quiet and listening, crossed her arms.

 

“What’s so great about a duke? If you really don’t like it, just quit exorcism and live doing trade with me. Miss Siena, you have quite a talent for trading, don’t you?”

 

“Didi, don’t speak so carelessly again.”

 

“What’s wrong with this? It’s a compliment, isn’t it?”

 

Rudian completely failed to understand despite her mother’s hint and continued grumbling.

 

The Former Countess smiled without responding, as if she had always dealt with such situations.

 

Her hand was now gently stroking the back of my hand.

 

‘…Ah.’

 

That rough touch was so warm that I almost fell into the ridiculous illusion that I had become a member of this family.

 

* * *

 

The people from Count Helkene’s house finally got up only after having dinner at my estate.

 

Of course, the Former Countess handled all the cooking.

 

Bella, who had assisted from the side, founded a religion after they left, saying ‘The Former Countess must surely be the goddess of cooking!’

 

That’s how fast her cooking speed was and how incredible her skills were.

 

Anyway, the people from Count Helkene’s house kept looking back with regretful faces right until they left.

 

I likewise came out beyond the main gate to see them off.

 

“Miss Siena, how about we go shopping together and look at accessories next time?”

 

“Yes, I’ll formally invite you.”

 

“Oh my, how wonderful.”

 

The Former Countess laughed while covering her mouth. Actually, she had made a sad face saying my estate was too empty.

 

Rather than asking her to come all the way to the capital outskirts, it seemed like she should frequently visit my estate to fill up the interior, or something like that.

 

‘What am I that she treats me so well.’

 

I had visited Count Helkene’s estate and the former Count couple’s manor to remove items that were supposedly… haunted by ghosts.

 

‘They’re treating me so warmly just for that?’

 

I didn’t know the exact reason, but I kept feeling emotional.

 

Someone might dislike this kind of attention, calling it unnecessary meddling.

 

But for me, it was the first time receiving such care.

 

It was different from the worry that Bella gave me.

 

The Former Count who listened quietly while seeming indifferent, the Former Countess who comforted me while gently organizing the situation.

 

And even Rudian, who had a bit of a bad temper but was kind at heart.

 

I felt a sense of… belonging somehow.

 

It might just be my excessive imagination.

 

While I was suddenly becoming sentimental and letting my imagination run wild, the three people got into the carriage.

 

“Then have a safe trip!”

 

Though they couldn’t have read my inner thoughts, I felt embarrassed for no reason and scratched my nose.

 

Rudian, who had been waving goodbye, opened the door again just before it completely closed.

 

“Oh, Sir Zeros.”

 

“Yes, Count Helkene.”

 

I could feel Sir Zeros, who had been standing motionlessly behind me, flinch.

 

“Even though I sent you away so suddenly, you seem to be doing well, which is really fortunate. Seeing your face puts my mind at ease.”

 

“….”

 

“Well then.”

 

Rudian smiled and closed the carriage door. The carriage carrying the three people departed like that.

 

I stared at the rolling wheels for a moment, then quickly turned around.

 

“Sir Zeros! You should have talked to the Count as much as possible!”

 

No, this person is really frustrating.

 

The person he has a crush on specifically stopped at the end to talk to him, and he didn’t say anything?

 

But Sir Zeros’s reaction was somehow strange.

 

He buried his gaze in the empty ground, then clenched his fists tightly.

 

What? What did he feel from that conversation just now to act like this?

 

“Lady Siena.”

 

Why is his voice so serious again?

 

It almost sounds like he’s about to cry.

 

I tilted my head slightly and approached stealthily.

 

Though it became pointless when he suddenly raised his face.

 

“Oh, you startled me.”

 

“What the Count just said means I should continue living here since I seem to be doing well, right?”

 

“…Huh.”

 

“Of course, it doesn’t mean Lady Siena dislikes it.”

 

Sir Zeros’s voice was increasingly tinged with moisture.

 

Why is this person always so extreme?

—————
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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