I Don’t Believe in Ghosts, But I Make a Living by Exorcising Them! - Chapter 84

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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 084

The next morning. Rudian grumbled at me as I was getting into the carriage.

“Lady Siena, aren’t you being a bit too excited?”

“What? That can’t be.”

I was so dumbfounded that I flung open the carriage door that was about to close.

‘Can’t you see these dark circles under my eyes right now?’

I’d been sitting here with the most serious face since dawn, and she says I’m excited.

Rudian stood with her arms crossed, looking sulky. She looked me up and down with disapproving eyes.

“You can’t fool my eyes. No matter how serious you pretend to be on the outside, I can see you’re grinning inside.”

…What is she talking about?

She’d been up since the crack of dawn pacing around while I was getting ready to go out, and now she followed me all the way here just to pick a fight.

‘Is she that displeased about me becoming Harman’s partner?’

Maybe the fact that I couldn’t be her partner was making her feel spiteful for no reason.

I closed the carriage door and deliberately pretended not to know anything as I cheerfully greeted her.

“Yes, thank you so much for seeing me off. Count!”

“You…!”

Rudian, who had been flustered and stammering for a moment, pointed at me through the window.

So what if she did? The carriage had already started moving forward.

I waved my hand at the receding Rudian and leaned back against the backrest.

Yesterday, Harman had sent a reply as if he’d been waiting for it.

[I’m truly delighted that you’ll come tomorrow.

I’ll prepare everything in advance so we can have tea time in the greenhouse.]

‘Honestly, it would be a lie to say I’m not excited about being invited as a partner to the Imperial Court Ball.’

…But it wasn’t just excitement I was feeling.

Thinking that I’d hear stories related to the Emperor made me so nervous I couldn’t sleep!

‘Haah.’

I leaned against the window and closed my eyes, listening to the rattling sound of the wheels.

* * *

“Lady Siena, I’ve been waiting for you.”

Why am I so nervous today of all days?

As soon as I got out of the carriage and saw Harman’s smiling face welcoming me, I felt so nervous that my breath seemed to stop for a moment.

Then my heart started beating like crazy, and I felt like this shouldn’t be happening…

Come to think of it, this happened every time I saw Harman, yes.

“I greet Duke Monteville.”

Having immediately realized the reason, I calmly paid my respects and accepted Harman’s escort.

‘Right, I’ve already come this far. What good will being nervous do?’

There’s no point worrying about what’s going to happen anyway. …Though I’d already worried plenty about it.

‘But has his wound completely healed now?’

I glanced at Harman’s hand.

Naturally, it was completely covered by gloves, so there was no way to check.

Around us, not only Sir Zeros but also the butler and servants of the Monteville Ducal House were bustling about.

Even if they weren’t monitoring us, no wait. Sir Zeros was monitoring me.

He’d been glaring at me like that ever since last night when I declared I’d go to the Monteville Ducal Estate the very next day.

Just now I glanced over and our eyes met. I quickly turned my head away pretending not to see.

Then this time my eyes met with Harman’s.

“Lady.”

“Yes?”

“Would tea with a very sweet fragrance be alright with you?”

Suddenly checking my preferences?

I answered in a bewildered state.

“Of course. Is it flavored tea?”

“Yes. It might be a bit unusual, but it’s my favorite tea.”

“That sounds wonderful!”

Ah. My reaction was a bit too enthusiastic.

I looked around belatedly, but Harman’s eyes widened and then…

“Haha.”

He laughed out loud.

Really, as if he was pleased.

* * *

A maid brought out the tea with skilled hands and quietly left the greenhouse.

This time as well, even Sir Zeros and the ducal estate’s butler couldn’t enter the greenhouse.

After all, the reason I came to the ducal estate today was to have a conversation related to the Imperial Court Ball.

I watched Harman lift his teacup and followed suit, savoring the tea.

When I swirled the teacup, I caught a fragrance I’d never smelled before.

My eyes, which had unconsciously closed, snapped open.

‘The fragrance is so good?’

A very sweet fragrance, just as Harman had said.

I mean, not an unpleasant sweetness, but a sweet fragrance closer to a subtle fruit scent.

They’d even placed very thinly sliced nuts on top of the tea, so it looked unfamiliar, but it was perfectly suited to my taste.

I was gulping it down when I belatedly looked at my teacup, only to find that more than half of it was already empty.

‘Is this really the time to be drinking tea? Get it together.’

I scolded myself inwardly and put down the teacup.

I wondered why it was so quiet, and saw that Harman was quietly gazing at me.

As if he’d been waiting for me to finish drinking.

“Lady Siena, have you thought about going to the Imperial Court Ball with me?”

“Yes, actually there’s nothing to think about – I’d love to. But as I mentioned in my letter…”

When I hesitated, a small laugh came back as if he understood.

“Didn’t I tell you as well? His Majesty the Emperor also said he’d like Lady to be invited to the ball.”

There it was, talk about the Emperor.

I didn’t expect the main topic to come up so soon, but it was what I was most curious about.

‘The fact that he’s talking about it so openly means Harman and the Emperor are quite close, it seems.’

Anything beyond that wasn’t something I could figure out.

But I should be able to find out at least why the Emperor wants to invite me.

I swallowed inconspicuously.

“…I’m curious about that. Why His Majesty wants me to come to the Imperial Court Ball.”

“Lady might not realize it yet, but you’re extremely famous in the capital right now. As ‘Exorcist Siena.'”

Yes, I know that much.

But why would that be a reason for the Emperor to call me to the Imperial Court Ball?

“Duke, this is truly an impertinent question, but…”

No, is this even okay to ask?

I did say it was an impertinent question beforehand, but I’m not sure if it’s really okay to ask.

But Harman seemed to already know what I was curious about.

“You look like you’re wondering if His Majesty believes in ghosts too.”

“…Yes.”

“Not only does he believe, but he thinks there might be ghosts in the Imperial Palace as well.”

Wait a minute.

I suddenly had an ominous feeling.

I stood up abruptly.

“Then don’t tell me I have to check if there are ghosts in the Imperial Palace too?”

“That’s not it. His Majesty just has something he’s curious about regarding you, Lady.”

“That would be… related to ghosts, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“….”

How did things end up like this.

Becoming Harman’s partner for the banquet was still like a dream even when I thought about it again.

However, strictly speaking, I’m not a ‘real’ exorcist.

No matter how much I’ve solved exorcism requests by renovating buildings and cleaning!

‘In the first place, ghosts don’t even exist, so what am I supposed to talk about with the Emperor?’

Actually, even if he asks me to check whether there are ghosts in the Imperial Palace, I could just do what I’ve always done.

The only difference would be that the target changes from nobles to the Emperor.

Moreover, it’s not even a request, just something he’s curious about….

‘Why do I feel so uneasy about this.’

For some reason, I felt frustrated.

As if something was completely blocked somewhere.

“Lady, you don’t need to worry. His Majesty won’t ask you any difficult questions.”

I was blankly staring at my teacup when I heard a gentle voice.

When I looked up, my eyes met Harman’s.

“I’ll be by your side.”

“Pardon?”

“You won’t have to meet His Majesty alone, Lady. I promise you that.”

“….”

Harman seems to have a halo around him. It looks like he might even have wings on his back-

Wait, but why is he being so good to me?

“I want to go to the Imperial Court Ball with you, Lady. Not because of His Majesty’s command, but purely because I want to.”

I didn’t even have time to wonder.

I froze, unable to breathe properly.

“Do you know why I gave you a dress that would match the necklace? Even though you no longer have that necklace with you.”

The dress….

Ah, wait a moment.

“When the Imperial Court Ball is held, I wanted to ask you to be my partner.”

Right, that’s how it was.

The dress that Harman had tailored, saying it would match the necklace.

Seeing it in person, it was even more splendid and beautiful, which made me feel regretful. It was so elegant that I could never wear it anywhere other than a banquet hall.

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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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