My Possession Became a Ghost Story - Chapter 76

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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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The people filling the banquet hall of the Lion Palace were momentarily shocked into silence.

As her silver hair rippled, it seemed like all kinds of light had gathered together, and the dress she wore flashed as the golden threads and ornaments reflected light with each step she took.

The white woman’s presence was so vivid and brilliant that it stole gazes and blinded eyes, making even the colorful splendor of the banquet hall fade in comparison.

“…Evangeline Rohanson, you say? She’s truly a monster just as the rumors claim.”

If something that far exceeded human common sense and could not be comprehended by intelligence was called a monster, then Evangeline Rohanson was the being standing at its very pinnacle.

Her extremely conceptual appearance was suspicious to call the work of a god’s carving. It lacked warmth to say it was made with divine affection. Rather, it was closer to a sculpture that a blasphemous being mimicking divine power had spent a thousand years meticulously crafting down to the epidermis of the skin. Since this sculpture was breathing, moving, and speaking while alive, its very existence was like a symbol of blasphemy, insolence, and arrogance.

Her lips were gently drawn into a graceful arc. Her smile was likewise perfect and elegant, as if showing the most ideal result after hundreds of practice sessions. That’s why she didn’t seem like the same kind of human.

Arrogant red eyes swept across the interior of the Lion Palace.

Those who met her gaze curled up and held their breath as if facing a predator. They became short of breath and occasionally hiccupped. They felt like their throats would be bitten by sharp teeth and severed at any moment, making them want to flee immediately.

Evangeline Rohanson exchanged greetings with her father, Rohanson Viscount, while accompanied by a pure knight of the opposite color to herself. Though there was a subtle discomfort as if she was forcibly imitating humans and cramming herself into an ill-fitting mold, she appeared to be the perfect noble lady on the surface.

Even the greeting she offered with proper etiquette before the Crown Prince was flawlessly textbook-like without any excess, making her seem like a clockwork doll moving exactly as planned and programmed in advance.

“But why is Mrs. Toten serving as that person’s chaperone…”

“Isn’t it because of her son? Since similar rumors have been circulating…”

Kinder Toten endured the piercing gazes and words while staying by Evangeline’s side as her chaperone, pretending not to notice.

It was no exaggeration to say that virtually every gaze in the banquet hall was gathered in one place. When something distinctly different was mixed among a group of people, it naturally drew instinctive attention.

Even the Imperial Family was not exempt from fearing Evangeline. The Crown Prince especially was rigid, desperately struggling not to be crushed while barely managing to feign composure. After receiving the sword as a gift, he was too terrified to even think of drawing it. Compared to the Crown Prince, the imperial grandchildren were actually in better condition.

“Please enjoy the banquet well.”

With the Crown Prince’s final greeting, Evangeline descended from the platform.

Though called a debutante, since she wasn’t formally debuting but using the expedient of borrowing the Crown Prince’s invitation, there wasn’t really anything that could be called a presentation ceremony.

Not only Evangeline but quite a few others were using similar expedients, so among the young noble ladies walking around, several wore flowers proving their debutante status.

Kinder unconsciously touched her crystal flower while explaining the general flow of the banquet to Evangeline.

“The formal banquet will begin after His Highness the Crown Prince performs the first dance. Until then, we’ll appropriately walk around the banquet hall, socializing and exchanging greetings with others.”

This was the order of events that the chaperone should have taught in advance, but she had been too busy caring for Rider for five straight days to explain it properly.

When thoughts of her son who had passed away so sadly suddenly came to mind, Kinder desperately erased the thoughts as tears seemed about to flow. To keep Rider’s dying wish, she must not let anyone know the child had died, so Kinder had to maintain her composure while pretending nothing was wrong.

After finishing her explanation, Kinder glanced at Gabriel.

“Should we use this opportunity to greet people mainly from the list Count Gabriel compiled? Would it be sufficient to introduce Evangeline to them?”

“Yes. That should be sufficient.”

When Gabriel asked Kinder to be the chaperone, he also handed over a list of nobles and influential figures. Along with the request to have them meet Evangeline. Coincidentally, all the people Gabriel had selected were frequent visitors to the Temple, so Kinder was acquainted with them.

Just as they were about to greet the largest group first, a knight looked around and approached Gabriel.

“Captain! Marquis Wujeta says he’s discovered some strange traces and that you absolutely must come verify them.”

“I need to verify them?”

“He emphasized that Count Gabriel must be called over.”

Gabriel looked at Evangeline with a troubled expression. He didn’t want to leave Evangeline behind if possible, but unfortunately, the person summoning Gabriel was Marquis Wujeta, the Crown Prince’s guard.

“Evangeline, would it be alright if I step away for a moment?”

Gabriel cautiously asked for permission. To Kinder, he looked exactly like someone waiting only for his master’s approval to fall.

“Yes. Please do so.”

“I’ll return before the first dance begins.”

Once permission was granted by Evangeline, Gabriel carefully kissed the tip of Evangeline’s white glove as if handling something extremely precious. The knight promised his return to a blasphemous being rather than God and hurried toward the Crown Prince’s guard. Evangeline watched his retreating figure, then turned her gaze to Kinder and spoke as if she had been waiting for Gabriel to disappear.

“Mrs. Toten. Would it be alright if I ask one more favor?”

“Yes, of course. Anything at all.”

At Kinder’s unconditional agreement, Evangeline’s fierce expression softened slightly. At the display of submission, the relatively gentle reaction that immediately returned made Kinder fully understand why the distinguished Knight was serving as Evangeline’s attendant. The privilege of standing in a position of superiority was this gratifying.

“Do you remember what I told you?”

“Which words?”

Which occasion was she referring to? The first day Evangeline had visited the Viscount’s mansion? Perhaps because it was such a shocking encounter, the words Evangeline had spoken then were vividly etched in her brain. When Kinder nodded, Evangeline continued.

“I really want to have a conversation with my maternal grandfather… Would you help me, Madam?”

Evangeline had certainly brought up the topic of Hosaquin Duke, but wasn’t that just a lie to create a pretext?

“Hosaquin Duke?”

“Yes. Since we’re blood relatives, it’s too regrettable to remain so distant.”

At the words spoken so naturally, Kinder felt a chill and rubbed her arms. Despite being indebted to Evangeline, she felt goosebumps.

Kinder had witnessed how Rider was resurrected before her eyes, and had noticed how Evangeline, who was supposed to be dead, was perfectly alive. Like Rider, she had realized that the contents inside the dead shell were different, making Evangeline’s act of pretending to be herself even more eerie. Nevertheless, Kinder couldn’t refuse Evangeline’s request.

“Hosaquin Duke is rumored to have severed ties with the Countess… so we might not be able to have a proper conversation. But if Evangeline wishes it, I’ll try my best.”

“That’s sufficient.”

Kinder decided to first handle what Gabriel had requested while keeping an eye on Hosaquin Duke and considering when would be good to approach him. Right now, the place where the most names from the list were gathered was…

After deciding where to join, when they headed in that direction, people became wary and tense, but as soon as Kinder acted as if she would introduce them, they immediately sent expectant glances.

“Mrs. Toten, what’s going on? Taking on a chaperone role – did you have some acquaintance with Evangeline? You never mentioned such a thing even once!”

“Please introduce us as well.”

“The reason I couldn’t tell you all in advance is because I received an urgent request from Count Gabriel. Please greet her – this is Evangeline.”

Among the admiring gazes, uncontainable curiosity, and various reactions of wariness based on rumors, the people whose names were written on the list the Knight had provided showed distinctly different reactions.

“It’s an honor to meet you. I am Evangeline Rohanson.”

Her voice reached them dreamily as if heard in a dream. Viscount and Viscountess Uvala, Countess Taponi, and the merchant Glaisya Reike. The four people listed still stared at Evangeline in a daze as if still in a dream.

“You’re making me a bit embarrassed by staring so intently.”

Evangeline warned with narrowed eyes while not even containing a hint of laughter. Then people hurriedly apologized and began pouring out flattery. Though they might spread malicious gossip behind her back, there weren’t many who could displease Evangeline right to her face.

Though there was no particular topic, the conversation proceeded smoothly. Since several gathered people were squeezing out conversation topics solely for one person, it was actually closer to a theatrical performance. When conversation topics were running low, Evangeline began to speak.

“Madam. While it would be nice to stay here and continue talking, didn’t you mention earlier that you have someone else to introduce me to?”

It meant they should leave since they needed to visit other people as well. Kinder tactfully agreed and asked for understanding.

“That’s right. The conversation was so enjoyable I momentarily forgot. Sorry to break the mood, but Evangeline and I must excuse ourselves now. I hope you all enjoy the rest of the banquet.”

Those left behind after Evangeline’s departure sighed while watching the white dress hem disappear.

“Was I dreaming?”

Those whose names were on the list returned to their vibrant selves, as if their recent days of being absent-minded and dazed had been a lie.

“Countess Taponi, you’ve been constantly absent-minded lately, but you finally seem better now.”

“I was absent-minded? That can’t be.”

“Last time you spilled all your tea while drinking and had no reaction at all. Even though it was so hot…”

“…I did?”

Countess Taponi covered her mouth with her hand like someone surprised, asking back as if she had no memory of it at all. On the back of her hand remained faint burn marks.

Kinder made several rounds of greetings while accompanying Evangeline. After five circuits, Evangeline suggested a rest.

“Shall we rest for a moment? Mrs. Toten, you really are well-regarded by many. If I greet everyone you’ve introduced, I won’t have any energy left.”

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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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