Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Krentis Imperial Castle was incredibly labyrinthine. It felt like we might have to wander here until dawn.

“Let’s go this way this time.”

“Alright.”

We kept circling the castle endlessly.

“This time, let’s try this way too.”

“Yes.”

But nowhere in sight was an exit from the maze. At this rate, I felt like I’d become an earthbound spirit here myself.

“There are three heads here, but not a single solution in sight……”

“……Three?”

Ah…… now that I think about it, why three? We’re only two people, aren’t we?

I quietly turned my head. There, clinging to me, the maid ghost had gradually materialized, standing with a sulky expression on her face.

“Aaaah!”

The duke and I screamed at the same time, both of us stumbling backward. The maid ghost looked at us, then wore an expression that seemed to say we were rather pathetic. She stepped slowly toward me, then turned to look at us both. Somehow, it felt like she was telling us she would lead the way.

“I think… she wants us to follow?”

I pressed myself behind the duke’s back and whispered.

“Is it safe?”

The duke pointed at her as he asked me. Honestly, I didn’t know myself whether it was safe or not. But before we could reach any conclusion, the maid ghost quickened her pace and started walking ahead. We had no choice but to hurry after her, following closely. We walked for a long while, turning several corners. Then, to my surprise, the paths gradually began to look familiar.

“Your Grace! Your Grace! I think we’ve found the way!”

I grabbed the duke’s sleeve and exclaimed. We had somehow entered the corridor leading to the banquet hall. In other words, we were in a place we recognized.

Good heavens! What a clever thing! She found the way for us because we’re helping her ascend!

Eyes sparkling with gratitude, I turned to look at her. The maid ghost shrugged once, then vanished like smoke, as if she had done all that was needed of her.

Wow…. That was so cool!

“Laura, come this way.”

Once she had completely disappeared, the duke reached out his hand to me. I nodded and followed him past the banquet hall, climbing a set of stairs. Then we crossed a corridor and went all the way to the far end of the building, finally arriving at the terrace the duke had mentioned. I broke into a run and threw open the terrace window.

Bang—

The moment I stepped outside, a thunderous burst of fireworks unfolded before my eyes. They bloomed and died in brilliant hues of red, gold, and blue.

“Wow….”

An involuntary exclamation escaped my lips. I had never seen fireworks so large or so close before. It was a sight I could only call truly beautiful.

“How did you know about a place like this, Your Grace?”

“I came to Krentis as part of an envoy before. I found it by chance then.”

“Ah….”

So that’s how it was. Thanks to him, I got to see such a lovely view….

“It’s so pretty….”

I murmured quietly, then lifted my head to look up at the sky again, hoping to see another beautiful burst of fireworks.

“…….”

“…….”

But no more fireworks went off.

“…….”

“…….”

“……Huh? I guess it’s over….”

It must have been because we’d wandered around the Imperial Castle for too long. Regrettably, it seemed the huge burst we’d just seen had been the last one.

“…….”

“…….”

“……Lost in the wind, I think I wasted too much time.”

The Duke glanced at me and trailed off. He seemed strangely sullen. Though his face wore its usual blank mask, I was certain I read that mood in him—as if he felt a measure of responsibility for how things had turned out. Of course, he’d been the one to suggest watching the fireworks, but I couldn’t blame him for this. Strictly speaking, it was our shared constitution: the curse of seeing ghosts.

The Duke surely knew that too. Which made his unusual restlessness today feel odd. He was nothing like his usual self—just moments ago, he’d seemed to brace himself with feigned boldness, and now he was glum over things hardly worth being glum about.

‘Huh… Kind of cute, actually.’

The thought dared to cross my mind, but then I caught myself and quickly shook my head. I dragged every ounce of social grace from the tips of my toes and mustered it.

“No, it was plenty splendid. I’ve never seen fireworks so beautiful. What about you, Duke? They say you’ve visited this country before. Did you see them back then?”

“I did. They shot up fireworks that time too.”

“It must have been magnificent. I think the scene I just witnessed left such an impression I could recall it for a lifetime.”

I couldn’t say how he’d take it, but there was no lie in my words. It was a pity the show had been so short, but it was truly a spectacle I might never see again.

“……I think I’ll remember today for the rest of my life, too.”

The Duke turned to me slowly and answered. For a moment I met his gaze in silence. Behind him, the night sky stretched black and vast. Where the brilliant fireworks had faded, a round moon and countless stars now filled the space.

“It’s beautiful…”

“…….”

“Duke. We don’t really need fireworks, do we? This place is gorgeous. Like the stars might just tumble down.”

“……Then how about we stay a little longer?”

He turned swiftly as if to hide his expression, then walked toward the bench set in one corner of the terrace. He hesitated for a moment, then drew a handkerchief from his breast pocket and spread it out over the seat.

Wait—what was this classic move? That’s terribly old-fashioned. An ancient gesture.

I scurried up beside the Duke and stared down at the spread handkerchief. He didn’t seem the type to carry one around—much less the kind of man delicate enough to prepare a seat for a lady.

Yet this was the scene before my eyes. What was I supposed to make of it?

Suddenly, the edge of the handkerchief in my sight struck me as terribly familiar. I rummaged through my memory, dredging up some deep-sunk image.

A tall old man in a formal suit. And the black-striped handkerchief tucked into his breast pocket….

Ah! That’s the handkerchief the butler always wears as a pocket square in his suit!

Butler… what have you been teaching the duke?!

“Sit.”

Despite the turmoil in my head, the duke invited me to sit with absolute calm.

“Yes….”

I also pretended to be calm as I sat down on the handkerchief. The duke settled beside me. As I raised my head, countless stars embedded in the sky came into view.

Hmm… but there’s nothing to do except look at the stars….

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

“Laura. Any trouble with your work?”

After a long, awkward silence, the duke abruptly asked me.

“Of course not.”

Since I wasn’t working, there was no reason for any trouble. I shook my head as I answered.

“Glad to hear it. If anything comes up, tell me.”

“Yes. I will.”

“I want you to be as comfortable as possible, after all.”

He didn’t look back at me, muttering as if to himself.

“……Of course. I’m doing fine.”

The reason he wanted me to be comfortable was probably because I could see ghosts. After all, the duke had hired me at Cuvershaiden because he needed someone who could see them with him. Thanks to that, I’d found a job, so I had no complaints. But now, the thought that it might be only for that reason felt a little disappointing. It was a somewhat strange feeling.

* * *

“Welcome. I’ve been waiting.”

Sir Dylan came out to the front of the manor to greet us.

“Thank you for the invitation.”

The duke gave a slight nod.

“Please, come in. I’ve prepared rooms for you to stay in.”

He immediately guided us inside. The House Krentarion manor, located on the outskirts of Krentis, had an old structure that must have been at least a hundred years old. The flooring and furniture also seemed quite aged. But it wasn’t merely worn down; it carried the elegant, refined atmosphere unique to old, valuable things.

I thought that when Adrein took command of this place, he must have received this manor along with it. That made sense, because it wasn’t built in the architectural style of Krentis. It was built in the style of a now-vanished—or more precisely, conquered by Adrein—small kingdom. So it must have been someone else’s home once, and now it was Adrein’s spoils of war.

“I’m sorry, but my father is asleep. He knew guests were coming, but his health isn’t good, so it seems difficult for him to get up. He’s been sleeping a lot more lately.”

Sir Dylan turned to us and said.

“Yes. I’ve heard. I pray for his speedy recovery.”

“Thank you. Please rest comfortably then. When it’s time for the meal, I’ll send someone to inform you separately.”

As he answered with a smile, the servants standing behind him quickly approached us.

“We will guide you to your rooms.”

A manservant bowed his head. Without a word, we followed him, and each of us was shown to our rooms.

My room was spacious enough to feel excessive for one person alone. Long shafts of light poured in through the tall windows, making the atmosphere strikingly beautiful. I took a moment to look around, then walked to the bed and flopped down, letting my body sink into it. The soft quilt wrapped around me gently. There was a faint scent, something like lavender.

Rap-rap—

The sound of a knock snapped my eyes open. I must have drifted off without realizing it.

“Come in.”

I sat up slowly, my voice groggy. At my words, a maid pushed the door open and stepped inside.

“Dinner is ready.”

She spoke in hesitant Luision.

“I’ll escort you to the dining room.”

I followed her to the dining room and stepped inside. The Duke and Sir Dylan were already seated at the table.

“Please, have a seat, young lady.”

Sir Dylan smiled, gesturing to a chair.

“Thank you.”

I gave a slight bend of my knee in reply, then walked to the lavishly set table and sat down. Plates and utensils were laid out before me almost immediately.

“Our chef is quite skilled. He was originally a cook at the Imperial Castle, but he came back to his hometown to live with his mother, and now he’s the chef at my manor.”

“Yes, it looks delicious just from the sight.”

As I’d felt at the Krentis Imperial Castle, the food here agreed with me. My anticipation high, I picked up my fork and knife.

Bang—

Suddenly, the dining room door flung open with a loud crash. I stopped mid-bite and lifted my head toward the noise. An elderly man, clearly robust at a glance, strode into the room.