My Possession Became a Ghost Story - Chapter 78

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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 timing was so perfect, like a true Rohan Male Lead entrance, that I wondered if this was why he hadn’t come earlier—because he was planning to appear right now.

“Are you alright?”

“Aside from a few drops of wine splashing on me.”

“I’m glad I wasn’t too late.”

Gabriel smiled with such relief that I couldn’t recall his usual cold demeanor. It wasn’t the picture-perfect smile he wore out of courtesy, nor the smile he gave me while reading the room and hiding his complex feelings.

It was just his genuine relief at saving me, displayed without pretense. This really hit me… It felt like ants crawling up my arm, tickling, and more than anything, I felt bad about pushing away someone who had just saved me.

Something feels strange… Is this why they say clichés are timeless?

“You didn’t have to shield me.”

“I wanted to hear different words than that.”

“…Thank you.”

He saved me without being asked and now wants to hear gratitude. Gabriel smiled even more brightly, as if this was exactly what he wanted to hear. His smile was so pure I felt like I might be purified and disappear.

When I tapped his arm asking to be let go, Gabriel hesitantly released his embrace. Hosaquin Duke glared at Gabriel despite being the one who threw the wine. Who should be angry right now!

“Count Gabriel. Do you know who you’re protecting?”

“Yes. I’m more clearly aware of it than anyone else in the world.”

It might be surprising that he’s defending a villainess, but Gabriel goes even further—he doesn’t care whether I’m a possessor or a ghost…

Hosaquin Duke massaged his deeply furrowed brow as if troubled. He seemed calmer than before, perhaps having vented his anger, but when people around whispered “The Duke threw a glass at his granddaughter,” hearing that seemed to reignite his fury. Hosaquin Duke glared at me intently and declared.

“Listen well and remember this. Amaranth has no daughter. You are not my granddaughter.”

It seemed to mean he had lingering feelings for the Countess, but hated me, Rohanson Viscount’s second generation, enough to deny my very existence.

“Amaranth asked me to turn a blind eye, so I’ve lived pretending not to see until now. Though I’ve tolerated it, you can never, absolutely never become my granddaughter. Even if it means my death, absolutely never.”

He even pointed out my ulterior motives for approaching him. Right, since I approached as soon as rumors of his poor health spread, he couldn’t help but notice I was after the inheritance.

But there was something more important. Listening to the Duke’s words, it seemed the Countess had been in contact with the Duke all along. Weren’t they supposed to be estranged for life?

What did he mean by tolerating and turning a blind eye? Is there some secret about my birth? But we look so alike, I can’t be a child Rohanson Viscount brought from outside.

Could it be the opposite—that Amaranth had a child outside? I do look exactly like Amaranth, as if she bore me alone. Could I be an illegitimate child, which the rigid Hosaquin Duke couldn’t tolerate, leading to the estrangement? This actually sounds plausible…

My head felt like it would split from lack of information. I need to hurry and read volume 2 of Amaranth’s diary to investigate the truth. But with Hosaquin Duke declaring he’d never give me the inheritance and even throwing wine, will the Viscount come out as originally promised… I should have provoked him more moderately if I knew this would happen.

Hosaquin Duke tried to leave without apologizing, only adding to my confusion.

“Having caused bloodshed at His Highness the Crown Prince’s banquet, I’d have no excuse even if my head were cut off. I’ll go apologize to His Highness first. You should hurry and get treatment.”

Bloodshed? What does he mean… At that moment, Gabriel swayed. I quickly wrapped my arms around his waist to support him.

“Count Gabriel!”

Toten Madam cried out in shock. I was also flustered as I tried to understand what he meant about treatment.

Realization came quickly. Come to think of it, why are Hosaquin Duke’s hands empty? Shouldn’t he be holding an empty wine glass?

Oh no, damn it! What flowed down from his head wasn’t just wine. Hosaquin Duke threw the wine glass. That, that wicked grandfather, no, that old geezer. If you hurt someone, at least apologize! At the very least, pretend to be sorry! I was glaring at Hosaquin Duke in anger, but Gabriel was being ridiculous even with his head split open.

“Are you worried about me?”

Of course I am, what kind of question is that! I was so dumbfounded I couldn’t answer. If he weren’t injured, I would have hit the back of his head like Daisy. What are you smiling about, you fool!

I didn’t even answer, but perhaps taking my silence as affirmation, Gabriel narrowed his eyes and looked at me appraisingly before lifting the corners of his mouth once more. It seems like he got hit in the head with a wine glass—did that cause some brain damage? You’re happy because you’re making me worry with your split skull? Happy?

Worried he might deliberately get hurt in the future to gain my attention if he got on the wrong track, I shook my head and objected.

“Why should I worry when you got hurt by butting in on your own?”

“But you’re angry for my sake.”

“I’m angry?”

“Yes. Don’t you drop honorifics when you’re angry, Evangeline?”

Did I just use informal speech? I guess I did… I learned that nobles must maintain composure in any situation, but if Dolline saw this, she’d beat the ground and cry that all her education was useless. Sorry, Dolline. I guess it can’t be helped when the contents are only a three-month-old noble.

“It’s as if you’re angry on my behalf. I’m happy in many ways.”

Gabriel’s words made me want to explode with frustration. I don’t even know why I’m so angry. It’s not the first time I’ve seen someone get hurt because of me, and when servants at Rohanson Estate got hurt, I was shocked and surprised but not this angry. What’s different about our household servants and Gabriel that only Gabriel’s wound makes me particularly irritated?

Is it because we’ve gotten a bit closer? Well, if Kanna had been hurt like that, I might have overturned everything and committed the treachery of throwing a wine glass at Hosaquin Duke’s head too. Yes, that’s why. Gabriel got caught up in someone else’s family fight and got hurt protecting me—wouldn’t I be inhuman not to worry and get angry?

Gabriel quickly regained his balance and straightened up. Looking at Gabriel soaked in red wine, I sighed inwardly. Since it was red wine, I couldn’t tell how badly he was hurt. Being careful not to use informal speech, I spoke.

“As grandfather said, you should get treatment.”

“But the dancing will start soon.”

Is that important right now? Treatment doesn’t take long—just sprinkle some holy water and you’ll be fine.

“Even if you stay, you’re not in condition to dance together.”

“Ah. Wine would get on Evangeline.”

Gabriel seemed to realize this and moved away from me. Since I said I wasn’t worried, he’s taking it literally. Did he think I said we couldn’t dance together because I was worried about wine getting on my clothes rather than because he was hurt?

I wanted to scold him, but since I was the one who first said I wasn’t worried, I couldn’t take it back. Since he doesn’t value his own body, it didn’t seem like he’d listen even if I said something, so it seemed better to push forward like this.

“So change clothes and come back. Hena has holy water, so get some from her for treatment.”

“I have holy water…, no, never mind.”

Gabriel hesitated without finishing his sentence. Holy water what? Ah, does he mean he has holy water too? Come to think of it, since Gabriel is a Knight, it would be natural for him to carry holy water.

Well then, if he has holy water, he should just go get treated quickly. What’s the problem that he keeps trying to stay! Could it be because of me?

“I’m just afraid something might happen to Evangeline while I’m away.”

So it was because of me that he couldn’t leave. Since Gabriel was briefly called away and I nearly got hit with a wine glass by Hosaquin Duke, he’d naturally be anxious about leaving me alone again. But since Hosaquin Duke deliberately stirred up trouble, wouldn’t it be fine if I just behave quietly from now on?

“If you’re anxious, I promise to behave quietly. There are many eyes watching here, aren’t there?”

I appealed that I’d stay quiet, being conscious of others’ gazes.

Hearing my words, Gabriel made a strange expression and suddenly looked into the air, then nodded as if understanding something.

“Yes, that’s right. There are always eyes watching over Evangeline.”

“Count Gabriel, though I may not be trustworthy, I’ll stay by Evangeline’s side.”

Only after Toten Madam offered to help did Gabriel agree.

“Then I’ll return quickly. Evangeline, please be careful.”

Gabriel bowed politely and left the banquet hall. Look at him warning me until the last moment. Regardless of liking me, he doesn’t trust me. Geez, it’s hard to even send an injured person for treatment…

Seeing the gazes following Gabriel as he left, the rumor about the villainess manipulating a Knight would only grow bigger.

I wonder if Gabriel will actually get proper treatment before returning. He’s not just going to change clothes and come back, right? No… Rafaela or Uriel will treat him well. This is why the Male Lead must have a competent aide by his side. Without an aide like Rafaela, Gabriel would have died a miserable death from recklessly using his body.

Now I need to clean up the aftermath. Hosaquin Duke had already fled and I sent Gabriel for treatment, so I was the only one left to handle the cleanup.

“Toten Madam, I’m sorry you had to witness such discord.”

I raised my voice slightly while addressing Toten Madam so everyone around could hear.

“I only wanted to share stories about my late mother because I missed my family, but grandfather still seems to find me untrustworthy.”

“Evangeline… Someday Hosaquin Duke will open his heart too, so don’t worry.”

Toten Madam played along and subtly shifted the blame to Hosaquin Duke being the bad one. I approached with good intentions, but Hosaquin Duke suddenly threw a wine glass.

To people who didn’t know I had provoked the Duke, it just looked like the Duke was being mean to his estranged granddaughter. I’ll send your reputation straight to hell. So who told you to leave first?

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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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