𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟔𝟐: 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭!
The garden was in full bloom with roses. The whole vicinity was enveloped in a dense fragrance.
ㅤ
“Lara, over here.”
ㅤ
Apparently, Lord Montyver had been looking down at the garden from the upper floors, verifying the location of the pavilion.
Effortlessly advancing through the garden, where roses were planted like a maze.
ㅤ
“We could turn ahead and go straight to the pavilion, but if there’s a ghost, we’ll be in trouble. So, let’s take a detour and look in from the rear.”
“Understood.”
ㅤ
After taking a detour, we finally reached a spot where the pavilion was visible.
The pavilion in question had a clean and sophisticated appearance, with white columns supporting a dome-shaped roof.
Lord Montyver and I crouched down and observed the situation.
ㅤ
Even if it was for hiding, being in such a close state was more than expected, making me feel restless.
With my heart thumping loudly, I told myself to calm down.
ㅤ
“Hey, Lara.”
ㅤ
Whispered in my ear, I was so surprised I almost jumped.
I clenched my molars hard and somehow endured.
ㅤ
“W, What is it?”
“Do you believe in ghosts?”
“. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Ghosts are entities that continue to exist on earth only with their thoughts, due to their lingering regrets and resentment――or so they say.
“I don’t really know.”
ㅤ
Even in the backyard of the Marquis family, there seemed to be reports of ghost sightings.
However, most of these unexplainable beings are often misidentified.
ㅤ
“Many people mistakenly identify a collection of magical power that shines faintly as a ghost.”
“Oh, I see. There’s that too.”
ㅤ
While it seems impossible, I think it’s not strange for people who cannot fully die even after death to become ghosts.
ㅤ
“So, if you clearly see a ghost, you might think it was really there.”
“Yeah. I feel the same way.”
ㅤ
What is the ghost that Irma is talking about?
The royal family has a bloody history, so it wasn’t strange to see one or two ghosts holding grudges around.
ㅤ
Hiding in the shadow of the grass and watching the pavilion for an hour――.
There were no knights on patrol, and there wasn’t even a sign of the royal family coming.
ㅤ
“Maybe Irma took the nonsense rumors she heard from the maids seriously.”
“Yes. . . . . .”
ㅤ
It was said that Irma was pure and naive, not knowing how to doubt others.
She may have taken the conversation on the spur of the moment seriously.
ㅤ
“Well, what should we do? Personally, I don’t mind staying close to Lara like this.”
“Let’s go back.”
ㅤ
The moment I declared so and stood up, I spotted a figure in the pavilion.
Covering the mouth that was about to scream with both hands, I crouched down on the spot.
ㅤ
“Hmm, Lara, what’s wrong?”
ㅤ
I pointed at the pavilion and tried to communicate with gestures to check.
Lord Montyver, keeping his posture low, checked towards the pavilion.
ㅤ
“That is――!”
ㅤ
He, too, seemed to be able to confirm the silhouette of a person in the pavilion.
ㅤ
“It’s probably a woman. If we get a little closer, we might be able to tell who it is.”
ㅤ
She seemed to be sitting on a chair with her back towards us.
ㅤ
“There are currently three women who can enter here.”
ㅤ
One is the queen, another is the concubine, and the last is Princess Marion――that is, Lord Montyver.
Excluding “Princess Marion”, that means the person there is either the queen or the concubine.
Of course, there’s also the possibility that it’s a real ghost.
ㅤ
“Should I alone sneak up and take a look?”
“Isn’t it dangerous to get any closer?”
“It’s fine. Just wait a bit.”
ㅤ
Lord Montyver slowly stood up and stepped out of the bushes.
His focus seemed to be solely on the pavilion.
He noticed the person approaching from behind when he was called out.
ㅤ
“Oh, Leon. What are you doing there?”
ㅤ
The sudden arrival was Lord Ghodrove, a person well known to Lord Montyver.
He was alone, without any escort.
ㅤ
“Your Highness, what are you doing here alone? Where are your guards?”
“Could you answer my question first?”
ㅤ
While Prince Ghodrove smiles brightly, Lord Montyver appears as if his face is frozen in an endless state of composure.
ㅤ
If the conversation about the ghost holds important information, it’s better not to reveal it here.
Thinking so, I step in between Prince Ghodrove and Lord Montyver.
ㅤ
“Sorry! It’s me who wanted to come here!”
ㅤ
They must not have noticed my presence. Prince Ghodrove’s eyes were wide in surprise.
If it comes to this, I’ll give up.
I cling to Lord Montyver’s arm and make an unflattering excuse.
ㅤ
“It’s all my fault! We had no choice but to meet secretly here because the Marchioness opposes our relationship… Even though I’m married, I seduced Leon-sama!”
ㅤ
When I sneaked a glance at Lord Montyver’s face, he was giving me a look that said, ‘You must be kidding.’
I wanted him to play along because I was pretending.
ㅤ
“Leon, is it true that you were secretly dating her?”
“Ah. . . . . .yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me! I would have helped you any time if it’s for you!”
“Well, you’ve already helped me so much, I didn’t think I should bother you with my personal life too.”
ㅤ
Unusually, Lord Montyver was responding with flustered words.
Perhaps he was surprised and disturbed by my terrible acting and the plot I came up with.
His state might have looked as if our relationship was exposed, and he lost his composure, which could have been considered successful.
ㅤ
“But this is a place where royalty like me sneak out of their rooms for a stroll at night, so if you’re going to meet secretly, let’s arrange another room.”
“I appreciate your consideration.”
ㅤ
It seems Prince Ghodrove was taking a walk for a change of mood because it was a beautiful evening with the moon and roses.
ㅤ
“I was very surprised because I received a report from my subordinate that you went to bed after I sent you from the office to your room.”
“It seems we’ve been caught sneaking out by the person we least wanted to find us.”
ㅤ
It was an awkward encounter for both of us.
ㅤ
“I’m not just wandering around aimlessly, I’ve heard rumors that the morals here are deteriorating.”
“In such cases, please order me.”
“Oh, yes, you’re right.”
ㅤ
It seems there’s a lot going on among the royal family.
People living in a glamorous world may only seem like they have an impression, but the inside might be more complicated than expected.
“Your Highness, let me escort you to your room.”
“Okay.”
ㅤ
It seems we’ll return through the proper path.
I took one last look back at the pavilion, but the woman I had seen earlier had disappeared as if into thin air.
Could it have been a real ghost?
The thought sends shivers down my spine.
ㅤ
The investigation that day was called off due to my encounter with Prince Ghodrove.
My person was entrusted to a maid, and without having a chance to converse with Lord Montyver, I was put into a carriage heading for the Marquis’ house.
ㅤ
Nevertheless, what bad luck to meet Prince Ghodrove.
As an excuse, I impulsively lied that I was in a close relationship with Lord Montyver. As my conscience throbbed painfully, an unexpected incident was reported.
The queen’s necklace seems to have been stolen by someone. The moment I heard it, goosebumps rose on my skin.
Translator’s Blog
Blog
- Lost in Translation: When Your Brain Goes on a Tangent While Reading Light Novels
- My Early 20s Emo Profile: A Journey Back to Myspace (And Why It Still Haunts Me)
- Goku Goes Yandere: A Dragon Ball Z Nightmare
- The Unbreakable Bond: Gon and Killua’s Bromance for the Ages
- Study Guide: Lofi or Punk Emo? The Soundtrack to Smashing Your Next Exam (Like a Boss)
Leave a Reply