My Possession Became a Ghost Story - Chapter 268

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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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My cat looked back and forth between the fingertips he had bitten himself and me several times, thinking it was a dream, before finally feeling relieved. Since he had been guarding the mansion, he would know everything—that Lea had appeared and that I had entered Rahel’s lake.

“I wanted to go with you instead of that guy.”

“But I’d prefer if you stayed by my side.”

He was talking about Azazel. Pudding, that place had holy water raining down from the sky like rain, right? For me, I was glad it wasn’t Pudding or Jelly who followed me to such a dangerous place.

Pudding couldn’t speak for a moment, then nodded his head.

“I’ll do that. I’ll stay by Evangeline’s side for life.”

I quietly stroked Pudding’s head.

“You worked hard. Rest well.”

“Then… I’ll sleep for just a bit.”

He had already reached his limit, but he must have endured with just the thought of protecting the surroundings until I returned. Having asked for permission, Pudding returned to his cat form and fell asleep purring.

Since Pudding had fallen asleep, I had no choice but to take a carriage to the Hosaquin Duke’s house. The body temperature on my lap was warm.

As soon as I arrived at the Duke’s residence, Kanna came running.

“Miss!”

The girl, covered in tears, hugged me tightly as if someone might steal me away. I embraced Kanna and quietly closed my eyes. Along with guilt for causing worry, relief at having returned washed over me.

Kanna held me tightly for a while, then sniffled and pulled away.

“When the butler came instead of you, Miss, I was so shocked!”

Knowing she was worried about me, I obediently listened to Kanna’s following lecture. Of course, Gabriel also got scolded for not taking care of his health and making me suffer. Even though Gabriel getting hurt wasn’t his fault, he was seriously listening to Kanna’s nagging.

“…That’s enough. I’ll go prepare clothes for you to change into.”

Having finished her lengthy speech, Kanna sniffled and left to prepare clothes for me to change into. Rafaela, who couldn’t even open her mouth due to Kanna’s intensity, spoke up.

“Your maid was very worried.”

Rafaela smiled mischievously.

“She looked at me and the butler so menacingly. When you think about it, I only did what you told me to do!”

Rafaela, who had started playfully, suddenly erased her smile and bowed to me.

“And thank you so much… for saving the Captain.”

How much heartfelt emotion was contained in that calm voice. I replied playfully.

“I didn’t save him. I threw him into a mess.”

“Pardon?”

Rafaela tilted her head and looked back and forth between me and Gabriel, then sighed.

“Well. Still… the Captain is happy, so it’s fine.”

***

The Duke and Duchess wanted me to stay longer at the Duke’s residence. Since the Rohanson mansion had burned down, there wouldn’t be a proper place to stay right away, so I had no choice but to impose on them.

Rather than purchasing another mansion, we decided to rebuild a new mansion on the same site. The new mansion would greatly reflect the tastes of the Rohanson Viscount family members. Mainly Pudding’s opinions were reflected, so the completed mansion had an antique feel with plenty of cat preferences. Jelly clicked his tongue, saying it was gloomy beyond measure.

The Viscount family members who had evacuated with the Paralos Knights also returned. It was natural that they were amazed with their mouths agape upon seeing the new mansion.

During that process, I was also introduced to a maid.

“Um… there’s someone who wants to meet you, Miss.”

“Me?”

A maid who appeared hesitantly bowed her head deeply. Her eyes glistened with tears and her voice trembled greatly.

“This is my first… time meeting you, Miss.”

The maid took deep breaths as if trying not to cry and barely opened her mouth.

“My name is Pakira.”

“Hello, Pakira.”

I welcomed Pakira readily. Pakira seemed surprised that I would accept her so easily and burst into tears.

Pakira wasn’t the only new member. When moving from the Duke’s residence, Rico and Mabuka also followed me. I gave Rico the butler position. The original Viscount family’s butler completed the handover without complaint and retired without regret.

Hena also returned. I couldn’t trust Hena as much as before, but she was reflecting on her actions. It seemed like firing Hena once in the dream world had relieved some of my anger.

Daisy seemed to have become friends with Rafaela, frequently visiting the temple to see her siblings. She even told me news that a trainee knight named Antera had newly joined the Paralos Knights.

“The Knights seem very busy. Sir Rafaela asked me to please ask you when the Captain will return…?”

I don’t know why she’s asking me instead of Gabriel.

Gabriel entered a period of rest for a while, using his injury as an excuse. Previously, Gabriel had hidden his injury because he was worried about being caught not having holy power, but now revealing his injury posed no problem.

So I’m enjoying peaceful days with Gabriel. If I had my way, I’d want to retire Gabriel and tie him to the mansion.

“Priest Jabaniya also said he would very much like you to visit the temple.”

After Bishop Marik’s downfall, Priest Jabaniya seized real power, but the symbolism was essentially with me. The more Jabaniya tried to act friendly with me and Gabriel, the more solid his power became.

“That… was it enough to just execute Marik…?”

Daisy closed her mouth as if she couldn’t bear to say more.

Well, I did leave even Saraka’s execution to Priest Jabaniya.

Neither I nor Gabriel went to Saraka’s execution. Of course, I kept my promise. The promise I made to Saraka, to Azazel.

Saraka went up on the execution platform as Bishop Marik. Bishop Marik would be recorded as a heretic. The fact that Bishop Marik wasn’t burned at the stake was also because Priest Jabaniya spoke well and persuaded them. What did he say? That he wouldn’t follow the killing methods favored by heretics?

“Tell Sir Rafaela to endure just a little longer.”

“Yes…”

My plan to spend just one more month lovingly with Gabriel was ruined not long after. Not for any other reason, but because of Toten Youngshik’s funeral.

Melek had only been covering Rider’s corpse, and the child had stopped growing. No matter how sickly a child might be, if a growing child doesn’t grow, people would find it suspicious.

“You came.”

“Madam.”

She wore the ornament I had given her on her black mourning clothes.

Unlike that day when she wailed, Toten Madam sent off Rider with a calm demeanor. It was probably because she had very slowly finished preparing to let Rider go while spending time with Melek.

“Toten Youngshik must have gathered strength wanting to make final memories with his mother.”

“He’s an admirable child, isn’t he?”

Toten Madam responded to the mourner’s consolation like that.

Melek returned to the Viscount’s mansion. He was so dejected for a while that when I asked if he wanted me to arrange a job with Toten Madam, he shook his head.

“Seeing me would remind her of her son.”

Fortunately, Melek soon pulled himself together and returned as the Empire’s best coachman.

Ah, there was also someone who left the mansion.

Jeremiah went to the imperial palace. Not long after news came that he had become Tenebray’s guard knight, rumors spread that the Emperor would appoint his granddaughter Jeremiah as Crown Prince.

In a way, it was a natural result. Since he had abandoned even his own son for not having holy power, a grandson with a ruined face naturally wouldn’t even be considered.

The new Empire’s Crown Prince investiture ceremony was held magnificently.

This event, held in the most magnificent banquet hall of the imperial palace at the center of the Empire, was not simply a celebration. It was an occasion where nobles and high officials from across the Empire, and even foreign envoys, all attended. This was where the Emperor officially announced the next ruler.

The girl who killed her father and stole her sibling’s name received the crown from the Emperor. In a way, it seemed like just another common imperial succession struggle.

After the solemn coronation ended, the banquet began in earnest. People began going out to the hall one by one to dance to the musicians’ performance. I looked back at Gabriel.

“Sir. Would you dance one song with me?”

Just like Gabriel had asked me at the mansion before, I extended my hand. Gabriel replied with a shy smile.

“One song won’t be enough.”

Come to think of it, that’s how I had replied to Gabriel back then.

“I’ll dance with you as much as you want.”

Gabriel placed his hand on my waist. The same lines as before, the same dance, but strangely the impression it gave me was different. That’s right, this was when Gabriel confessed to me. I remember it with strange precision.

When I look at you, my beliefs, my philosophy, my ideals—everything feels meaningless. It’s as if you’re reassembling and recreating the world.

Now I could understand. So, if I were to name this feeling, surely it would be…

“Count Gabriel. I like you.”

At my whisper, Gabriel smiled brightly. To a degree unrecognizable as that usual indifferent knight, with his earlobes and face completely flushed red.

【End】

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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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