I Don’t Believe in Ghosts, But I Make a Living by Exorcising Them! - Chapter 97

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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 097

The worries that had been cluttering my mind vanished in an instant. I unnecessarily pulled my coat tighter around me.

“Yes, I’m not cold at all now. Thank you.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Harman tilted his head slightly and smiled.

Suddenly, the murmuring around us became noticeably louder. However, Harman paid no attention to it whatsoever.

He was like this before too, really not caring at all.

“Today I’ve made a reservation at the woodworker’s workshop. I’d like you to take a look at the display cabinets for the corridors.”

Then he naturally led me to the workshop.

‘The person who was so expressionless when I first met him smiles more beautifully each time we meet.’

Was he only expressionless?

Making other expressions seemed somehow awkward, and he always gave off an unknowably cold aura.

But all of that had disappeared long ago.

Right, now an expressionless Harman would seem more awkward.

Harman was someone who suited smiling so well that I wondered why I only realized it now.

* * *

‘Hmm.’

I carefully tapped the display cabinet in front of me.

They said it was made by one of only three woodworkers in the Empire. Perhaps that’s why it was incredibly sturdy.

‘The display cabinets in the Duke’s Estate corridors looked like they could break at any moment.’

To the naked eye, it looked clean as if there wasn’t a speck of dust. It made sense since they said it was wiped and maintained daily.

But far from being clean, when I rubbed it a few times, small wood shavings came off on my hands.

When I pressed the display cabinet with slight force, I could even hear an unsettling creaking sound. Just how old was this thing?

‘What if the display cabinet collapses?’

How much is everything placed on it worth?

Just the price of the artworks that immediately came to mind…

I should stop before I get a headache thinking about it more.

But there was one problem.

‘Honestly, I’m not really sure which would be best.’

The plates were something I had recommended half-jokingly, half-seriously – emerald plates that resembled my eyes.

I also hadn’t expected him to replace all the plates with those.

But display cabinets had different colors and patterns, and I had to consider the atmosphere of the manor, making them difficult to choose easily.

Still, this one seemed pretty decent…

“Lady, is that display cabinet acceptable?”

“Yes?!”

When did he get here?

He was definitely looking at other display cabinets over there, wasn’t he?

I looked at Harman who had suddenly approached for a moment, then quickly turned my gaze to the display cabinet.

“Actually, anything recently made would be fine. Especially since it’s from a craftsman’s workshop.”

Perhaps because I was conscious of him watching me from the side, I became unnecessarily talkative and my gestures grew larger.

“But the display cabinets at the Duke’s Estate had three artworks each placed on them. This display cabinet is just the right length and the pattern isn’t too flashy, so I thought it would look good anywhere.”

“Then I’ll have all the display cabinets in my manor replaced with this line.”

I quickly looked up.

“What? Without looking at more options?”

“Since you’ve chosen it, Lady, this is sufficient.”

“…”

I couldn’t even persuade him further. Harman immediately turned around and instructed the butler who had been quietly following us to handle the payment.

His unhesitating manner was almost charming, yet I suddenly felt anxious.

‘Hey, you.’

Do you trust my aesthetic sense?

The plates sparkled thanks to the ground jewels mixed in and were basically monochrome. There was fundamentally no way they could go wrong.

Plus, they were only visible when going to the kitchen and dining room.

But these were large display cabinets to be placed in every corridor.

They’d be visible when first entering the manor, when going to rooms, and even when climbing the stairs, you know?

‘…Is this really okay?’

More than that, if he just buys them like this, does today’s date end here?

Just as my lips were about to pout in disappointment, Harman suddenly turned to me and said,

“Come to think of it, Lady. Do you happen to remember the dessert shop I mentioned before?”

“Dessert shop?”

What dessert shop?

I blinked at the sudden topic. As if he expected this, Harman nodded.

“You’ve been extremely busy lately, so it’s understandable you wouldn’t remember. A famous dessert shop’s second branch recently opened nearby – would you like to visit?”

…Ah! That dessert shop famous enough to be featured in the morning newspaper?

Honestly, I’d never been interested in desserts in my life, so I’d completely forgotten.

“That sounds wonderful! How did you know I love desserts?”

So, let’s say I became interested starting today!

* * *

Why did I think

Harman would have reserved the entire dessert shop?

“Lady, they say this is the best spot among the terrace seats. Especially when you come during sunset, and we’re lucky today.”

“Haha, I see…”

I looked at the excited-looking Harman awkwardly and took a seat across from him.

‘Right, I also came along excitedly without thinking.’

Perhaps because I was used to always seeing completely empty shops, the sight of a place packed with people felt somewhat awkward.

But in a way, it was natural.

‘How would he know whether I’d go or not to make a reservation?’

Of course, I had no intention of refusing.

‘I guess I’ve gotten too used to Harman’s grand reservations.’

To make an excuse…

While Harman always reserved entire places partly because he didn’t want to show himself to others,

I thought it was because his personality naturally enjoyed intimate settings.

‘Was that just my assumption?’

But actually, what I’m more curious about right now is

how we entered this dessert shop that’s so popular even nobles have to wait in line

without waiting in line once and got the best seats.

And why

“This is our dessert shop’s signature menu, strawberry cake. The harmony of soft whipped cream and sweet strawberries is exquisite.”

the chef brought the signature cake as if he’d been waiting the moment we sat down!

“My servant waited from early morning, but the strawberry cake sold out right in front of him.”

“Oh my, how disappointing!”

“These days you have to line up from dawn to eat it, right?”

I definitely overheard conversations like this.

So how is that signature cake that’s supposedly so hard to get sitting in front of me?

‘Could this be the privilege of being the Empire’s only Duke?’

Just the privilege of getting good seats and signature desserts at dessert shops without reservations?

When I think about it, that’s kind of trivial…?

I glared suspiciously at the chef’s retreating figure, then asked Harman.

“Duke, you didn’t make a reservation, did you?”

“No, I didn’t. I was worried because it’s an extremely popular place, but we’re really fortunate that terrace seats and strawberry cake were available.”

“…”

He’s quite brazen. No, very much so.

I can’t tell much just from his expression.

Honestly, it’s suspicious as hell, but if Harman really set his mind to it, renting out this entire place wouldn’t be much of a problem for him.

So there was no reason for him to specifically reserve this particular spot.

No matter how prime a location it might be.

When you think about it, this was a completely exposed seat in the dessert shop.

Wow, look at all those stares piercing through.

Even people passing by outside kept glancing up here.

Among the murmuring voices, I kept hearing “Duke Monteville” and “Exorcist Siena” mixed in.

‘Right, there’s no way Harman would have deliberately asked for a seat like this.’

Unless he wanted to be the center of attention.

But then Harman deliberately hardened his expression.

“Lady, do you perhaps not like strawberry cake?”

“Pardon?”

“You haven’t touched it at all.”

His smooth index finger in black gloves pointed to the strawberry cake sitting forlornly on the table.

…Oh, my goodness.

His finger was clearly extended straight, yet it somehow felt droopy.

As if it were representing his dejected emotions.

First, I gripped my fork and then urged Harman on.

“Duke, please eat first! I couldn’t possibly dare to take the first bite.”

“No. Please go ahead first, Lady.”

“That’s not right. It’s thanks to you that we got such a good seat and the signature cake was still available, wasn’t it?”

“…”

Harman’s eyelids trembled slightly.

Ah, I said that in a way that could be misunderstood.

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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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