I Don’t Believe in Ghosts, But I Make a Living by Exorcising Them! - Chapter 82

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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 082

 

‘Wait, you’re not about to suddenly bring up Harman here, are you?’

 

It was strange that not a single line about my date with Harman appeared in the news, but since things turned out this way.

 

I hoped they’d just let it slide.

 

As I watched with an anxious heart, the pink young lady gently cupped her cheeks and asked.

 

“Miss Siena. There are rumors that an Imperial Court Ball will be held soon.”

 

“An Imperial… Court Ball?”

 

This was the first I’d heard of it.

 

From how Rudian flinched as soon as the ‘Imperial Court Ball’ was mentioned, it seemed she already knew about it.

 

Actually, if I had to be honest, I also knew that an Imperial Court Ball would be held.

 

The Imperial Court Ball was where the Female Lead Grace would fatefully meet the male lead.

 

‘But this timing wasn’t right, was it?’

 

Definitely not.

 

I remember there being a description about an Imperial Court Ball held during a season of lush greenery or something like that.

 

Right now, far from being lush with greenery, maple leaves were falling all around us.

 

It was the kind of time when we’d need to wear thick outer garments soon.

 

That aside, I couldn’t understand why they were telling me this.

 

Now that I’d become a commoner, I wasn’t even qualified to attend noble banquets, let alone an Imperial Court Ball!

 

It was a place you could only attend if you received an invitation from the Emperor, or became the partner of a noble invited by the Emperor.

 

Then the other young ladies began adding their comments one by one.

 

“Duke Monteville may not attend other banquets, but he always participates in the Imperial Court Ball.”

 

“Yes, that’s why we could only see him about once a year.”

 

“His Grace has never brought a partner to the Imperial Court Ball before, has he?”

 

“By any chance, Miss Siena, have you heard anything from Duke Monteville?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Me?

 

I blinked my eyes blankly.

 

I understood why talk of the Imperial Court Ball came up at a tea party.

 

‘But suddenly me?’

 

I didn’t even understand why Harman’s partner was mentioned, but me?

 

Don’t tell me these young ladies.

 

‘Are they the group of young ladies who were with the pink young lady that day?!’

 

By the time I realized this, all the young ladies at the tea party were staring at me intently with expectant looks.

 

Even Rudian!

 

I unnecessarily brushed my hair aside.

 

“I haven’t heard anything, haha.”

 

“I see…”

 

Everyone’s shoulders drooped simultaneously.

 

Why are they disappointed?

 

Someone who had never brought a partner before would bring one this time?

 

Of course, I wanted to enter high society too.

 

Since I wanted to stand beside Harman, I was working hard to gain the reputation needed to fit in among the nobles.

 

But.

 

‘In my current situation, it would be difficult to even get invited to a regular noble banquet, let alone the Imperial Court Ball.’

 

If it weren’t for Grace, it would have been difficult to even discuss whether I could attend today’s tea party.

 

Going to the Imperial Court Ball as Harman’s partner was currently an impossible, dream-like affair.

 

I had to do what needed to be done while thinking of the hopeful future that might come someday.

 

Moreover, if things continued like this, someone might bring up Harman again.

 

So for now…

 

“Rose Maiden. You said strange sounds were heard from your estate’s vault and there was a foul smell, right?”

 

“Pardon? Oh my, yes! That’s right!”

 

The pink young lady, no. Rose Maiden opened her eyes wide with a moved expression.

 

I was right after all.

 

She had just revealed herself to be the eldest daughter of House Rose, ‘Floren Rose.’

 

‘Even though I wrote most of my replies to requests quite similarly.’

 

I still remember who sent each request and what their story was.

 

I was smiling contentedly, satisfied with my memory, when Rose Maiden’s eyes became misty.

 

As if tears would spill out with just a slight touch.

 

“Miss Siena. I’m hesitant to say this at a tea party, but our family members are losing sleep at night. Every night we hear strange women’s crying sounds from the vault area.”

 

“As expected, hmm. I see.”

 

I hardened my face seriously, thinking to show that I was listening earnestly.

 

“A ghost must have attached itself to one of the items in the vault. Just opening the door produces a foul smell, and sometimes we feel strange gazes… Oh, you probably already know this, I’m sorry.”

 

The sigh Rose Maiden let out trembled faintly.

 

I realized now that the young lady’s eyelids were so dark that even heavy eye makeup couldn’t cover them.

 

I stroked my chin pretending to think.

 

What was my schedule for next week, I even muttered to myself deliberately before speaking as if I’d made a firm decision.

 

“Rose Maiden, I can’t just sit still after hearing such a story. I’ll visit next week.”

 

“R-really?!”

 

“Yes, of course.”

 

Rose Maiden’s complexion brightened instantly.

 

I needed to gain the young ladies’ favor when such an opportunity to talk arose.

 

That way I could get invited to other tea parties and raise my recognition!

 

But it seemed more than one or two people had been secretly listening.

 

The young ladies glanced around cautiously before carefully joining in.

 

“Miss Siena, I’m sorry, but could you check my estate too?”

 

“Recently our estate’s servants have been saying they saw ghosts…”

 

Listening to them, they were all from families that had already sent me exorcism requests.

 

This makes the conversation easier!

 

“You must all be having such a hard time. I’ll contact each of you starting next week.”

 

“Th-thank you. Exorcist! I mean, Miss Siena!”

 

It seemed they’d all been wondering when to bring up exorcism with me.

 

Grace was smiling warmly as she watched the young ladies brighten up one by one.

 

‘Right, we all have our purposes for this tea party.’

 

Suddenly my schedule for next week was filled with about 3 appointments. And 3 more for the week after that.

 

It was just a few days ago that I told Bella I would work while taking as much rest as possible.

 

Moreover, I could feel Sir Zeros glaring at the back of my head…

 

‘Well, what can I do?’

 

I shrugged my shoulders at Sir Zeros as if to show off.

 

I didn’t know then.

 

That something truly unbelievable, dream-like would happen to me.

 

* * *

 

On the way back after the tea party ended, Rudian didn’t say a word.

 

As soon as she got in the carriage, she just gazed wistfully out the window.

 

‘Why is she acting like this now?’

 

She spoke well during tea time and didn’t fight with anyone, so why is she like this now?

 

‘I feel like I’m going to get indigestion.’

 

The bumpy carriage ride was already difficult enough.

 

A silence I had never felt even once when with her usual self was choking me.

 

The atmosphere wasn’t cold, but still…!

 

‘At this rate, I’ll have to watch Rudian’s mood all the way back.’

 

For two whole hours in this atmosphere? I’d rather just faint.

 

I threw a question at Rudian, who was lost in thought like someone with a deep story.

 

“Count, was today’s tea party not to your liking?”

 

“Hm? Ah, did I look that serious?”

 

Yes, extremely so.

 

Rudian hesitated for a moment, keeping her arm lowered from the window.

 

“No, it wasn’t bad. It’s just the first time the young ladies have treated me like this, so I was a bit flustered.”

 

“Ah, everyone seemed to treat you comfortably.”

 

“But I couldn’t be careful myself. I found myself speaking bluntly as usual without realizing it.”

 

Did… she?

 

“Count, please feel free to call me ‘Haldez’ from now on!”

 

“…Haldez? That sounds like a name from my parents’ generation.”

 

“What?”

 

“Ah, it’s nothing. Pretend you didn’t hear that, Young Lady.”

 

Hmm, now that I think about it, that might have been the case.

 

Maybe because I’ve been with Rudian too often, I’ve gotten used to her way of speaking too.

 

For a moment, I thought that level was okay.

 

Rudian looked at me with an awkward expression and slowly closed and opened her eyes.

 

“Each time I thought ‘oops,’ but strangely the young ladies didn’t seem very interested in my way of speaking. Turns out everyone’s attention was subtly directed toward you.”

 

“…”

 

“Miss Siena. Today’s tea party protagonist wasn’t that commoner, no. It wasn’t the Viscountess of Faynen, but you.”

 

Her piercing gaze took my breath away.

 

I knew she wasn’t saying this to scold me, but sudden guilt struck me hard.

 

I clearly knew how much Rudian had looked forward to the tea party, and that’s why I suggested we go together.

 

But at the actual event, I was so obsessed with my immediate future that I didn’t pay any attention to Rudian at all.

 

Rudian’s dress, which had been sparkling so brightly I had to shield my eyes, somehow seemed to have faded a little.

 

“…I’m sorry, Count.”

 

However, Rudian didn’t look hurt at all.

 

“No, what do you have to be sorry for? Actually, I was happy. Today was the first time I didn’t fight with anyone at a tea party.”

 

Instead, she smiled, pulling up the corners of her mouth to her cheeks.

 

“Thanks to you, Miss Siena. Thank you so much.”

 

“…”

 

I couldn’t even manage the polite response of “don’t mention it.”

 

A bright smile with no trace of loneliness whatsoever.

 

Somehow it seemed like Rudian’s smile before entering society, that is, before becoming an adult, would have always been like that, and it left me speechless.

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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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