My Possession Became a Ghost Story - Chapter 242

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

“I’m delighted that I’m the only one here who knows the truth about Evangeline.”

So you’re saying you were intoxicated by the sense of superiority that comes from an information gap?

Of course not.

Gabriel’s feelings couldn’t be defined by something as simple as a sense of superiority.

“The fact that they can never reach your depths, but I alone have been permitted… the feeling that I’ve monopolized Evangeline for a moment…”

“Count Gabriel…”

What Gabriel was feeling was clearly a possessive desire to monopolize me. Despite his attempts to package it plainly, I was momentarily startled by the sticky inner thoughts that leaked out, unable to be hidden.

“Every time I remind myself in this way that I’m special to you, I get childishly excited. To the point where I worry it might seem ridiculous to Evangeline.”

I couldn’t bring myself to nod. Rather than ridiculous, I understood Gabriel’s words a little. After all, I too was inwardly satisfied by the way Gabriel was uniquely devoted to me.

Thinking that way, I somehow felt embarrassed too and changed the subject.

“By the way, don’t you need to change your clothes?”

Gabriel was still wearing clothes splattered with Jerak’s blood. When I asked because it seemed unpleasant, Gabriel mischievously asked back.

“You seemed to like it. Was I mistaken?”

I must be crazy. I was too ashamed to admit I had really thought that way, so I couldn’t even argue back. Liking blood splatter – there was no stranger fetish than this strange fetish.

Since I couldn’t argue back, Gabriel looked even more satisfied. …Gabriel has some strange aspects too.

Fine, whatever. As long as you’re happy, that’s good enough.

Gabriel belatedly said there wouldn’t be spare clothes at the Knight’s Hall anyway, and since they’d just get dirty again, he’d change after returning to the Duke’s Mansion.

Just then, the Duke sent a servant.

“Evangeline, His Grace the Duke asks if you’ll return together.”

Ah, right. The carriage I came in was sent back with Jelly and Hena. In the past, the Duke would have left first without caring about me, so this was refreshing. Things really have changed a lot.

“It might take some time.”

“He said he would wait.”

“Really?”

I said I’d return together and looked around.

The situation was gradually being wrapped up.

Since the Duke sent a servant, it seemed he had finished giving a brief explanation of the situation to the nobles who had taken refuge in the sanctuary.

Before long, the nobles began leaving the temple one by one.

They must have complicated thoughts since they need to switch from Bishop Marik to Javanya. I could hear the sound of their minds working from here. It was amusing to see those haughty people approach me one by one, calling me Saint.

When I didn’t see Rohanson Viscount and asked about it, I heard that Javanya had confined Rohanson Viscount. The reason was that Rohanson Viscount knew too much detail about me.

“Since he’s someone who spouts nonsense about the Saint, shouldn’t we at least keep his mouth in check?”

I became a little scared that Rohanson Viscount might return with his tongue cut out. Of course, Javanya did say he would leave the Viscount’s treatment entirely to me.

There was no need to answer immediately, and I was too exhausted from today to worry about the Viscount as well, so I decided to think about it slowly. Hmm… shouldn’t I at least make him pay for the pain Amaranth suffered?

Unlike Bishop Marik and the Viscount, the Emperor couldn’t be held accountable right now.

The Emperor’s nemesis was Bishop Marik, which meant that with Bishop Marik gone, there was no one to check the Emperor.

“His Majesty called for me?”

“Yes. He commanded that only Count Gabriel should be brought.”

Perhaps because of this, I was quite displeased with how he immediately summoned Gabriel without any reservations.

Even Priest Jabaniya shook his head, saying it would be difficult for him to deal with the Emperor.

The Emperor knew this fact well too. That’s why he was ordering Gabriel to come and go.

I was worried about what nonsense he might spout and tried to go together, but Gabriel said he’d be back soon, so I had no choice but to send him alone.

“While Count Gabriel is away, we’ll protect the Saint, so don’t worry!”

That’s not what I was worried about, but the knights thought I was scared and pledged to protect me.

It’s not like I’m addicted to Gabriel – I don’t know why I’m so anxious. Do I have separation anxiety or something?

While Gabriel was away, I saw a welcome face.

“Toten Madam, Mel, Rider.”

I almost called him Melek. Perhaps exhausted from being in the temple all day, Melek was being held in Toten Madam’s arms. Just like Pudding.

“Where did Count Gabriel go?”

“His Majesty called for him briefly.”

“His Majesty?”

Toten Madam, who didn’t know Gabriel was a prince, tilted her head but didn’t pry for reasons. Instead, Melek called out to me.

“Um… Evangeline.”

Melek hesitantly opened his mouth.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t be of any help.”

He had an expression like he was dying of guilt, so that was the problem.

Without realizing it, I patted Melek’s head. Melek’s eyes widened in shock. Dealing with children like Mary and Mabuka made me do it habitually… Still, there’s no need to be that surprised, is there?

“Aren’t you fulfilling my request right now?”

“Ah.”

It was my request in the first place for Melek to inhabit Rider’s body. Melek let out an exclamation as if he just realized, then his expression darkened instantly as if he thought of something.

“Then… I… have to go back now, don’t I?”

The way he was gripping Toten Madam’s clothes tightly clearly showed he didn’t want to leave. He must have gotten along much better at the Marquis house than I thought.

I smiled and shook my head.

“Originally, we agreed to help until Toten Madam was completely settled at the Marquis house. So if Madam is okay with it, a little longer…”

“I’m fine with it.”

Toten Madam answered before I even finished speaking.

“As you know, farewell came too suddenly for me. So this time I want to try preparing slowly.”

It wasn’t just Melek who had grown attached. Toten Madam spoke while hugging Melek tightly.

“I want to spend time together as long as time allows.”

I understood what she meant immediately.

A child’s growth is fast. Probably in just a few years, people would start questioning why Rider wasn’t growing, and then Melek wouldn’t be able to remain as Rider anymore. Toten Madam meant she wanted to spend time with Melek until then.

I remembered Toten Madam who came to me crying on that rainy day.

Someone who loved her child so much that she couldn’t accept death and ultimately gave the corpse to a demon, wanting to keep even just the shell by her side.

Perhaps Toten Madam was gradually accepting her farewell with Rider while watching Melek living in Rider’s body.

Sending Melek away was tantamount to announcing Rider’s death.

“Then… I think I’ll be able to send him off peacefully.”

Toten Madam touched the brooch on her chest. It looked familiar – it was the flower I had given her, crafted into a brooch. The only floral tribute for Rider, who received no one’s mourning.

“Now there will be no one to call that child cursed.”

He was a child who was condemned as cursed by Bishop Marik and wasn’t even allowed holy water. I couldn’t even dare to imagine what Toten Madam felt wearing that flower.

Still, thinking about parting with Melek is a bit premature.

“And by then, no one will have anything to say if Madam adopts a son.”

Well, it would be fine to take him in as a coachman instead of adoption. Melek loves horses so much.

Toten Madam’s eyes widened at my words. Like mother, like son – even their way of being surprised is the same.

“That’s right. That would work…”

Toten Madam murmured and adjusted her hold on Melek. There was much more I wanted to discuss, but Melek was on the verge of collapse from exhaustion, perhaps due to the holy water, so I parted with Toten Madam promising to meet later.

Ah, now it’s all over.

Only after sending off Toten Madam did I truly feel it. Strange – I felt nothing when Saraka was dragged away in frustration, or during the cleanup, but Toten Madam’s words made me realize it now.

Now no one will call me, Gabriel, and Rider cursed. Because I made it so. Because Pudding and Gabriel, Rico helped so much.

Indescribable joy welled up.

No one around me will be in danger because of me anymore. It’s over. I did it safely! I felt like grinning.

Just then Gabriel returned. I felt instantly relieved.

Let me tell Gabriel we should go back quickly. Just as I was about to speak, Gabriel suddenly pulled me into his arms.

At first I thought Gabriel was overcome with joy like me.

“Please don’t look at me right now.”

But the moment I heard Gabriel’s voice, I felt my heart drop.

“Could you… let me go for a moment? Count?”

This is strange. Just moments ago I was so elated I could fly, but why is my heart pounding now…?

“Count Gabriel? Count?”

I was anxious. A metallic scent seemed to linger at the tip of my nose.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————