The Uninvited Guest Of The Haunted Mansion (18)

Serenity sat in a familiar seat, facing a now-familiar face. She couldn’t understand why the manor’s only safe zone kept hosting this man, several times already, twice in one day. The bigger problem was that she was starting to get used to it.

The moment she entered the room, Blake had playfully offered her lily-of-the-valley tea. Unlike the librarian, she didn’t faint from a single cup, so she politely declined and poured chrysanthemum tea instead.

Blake feigned disappointment but accepted it without complaint, drinking as if it were his own.

“This one doesn’t smell bad either.”

Serenity could only stare blankly at him. They had already spoken at length before entering the library. So why was he here again?

Surely he wasn’t about to demand payment or change his attitude.

As if reading her anxiety, Blake’s voice turned calm.

“Earlier, you seemed flustered, so I didn’t bring it up, but soon I may stay in the Count’s residence, in the guest Annex.”

“…Yes?“

So suddenly?

Didn’t he move to the capital only a few months ago? And now he wanted to relocate from his own residence to here?

Caught off guard, Serenity couldn’t even form a response, her face betraying bewilderment.

“You make such an amusing expression, my lady.”

Blake laughed lightly.

“Actually, I came today to speak with the Count about it. But thanks to a certain young lady, I never even got to see him.”

He gestured casually toward the window. The sun had nearly vanished; night hung thick and starless, as if a curtain had been drawn.

Serenity said nothing.

‘Is he doing all this because of the promise?’

To commit so much effort into an engagement…

The guest Annex… she knew the building. Three stories tall, opulent, surrounded by dark-red roses. And she had never once set foot inside.

Because the Annex was practically a minefield.

It housed storage rooms, the physician’s office, and countless anomalies. Rules about the Annex were missing or incomplete; stepping inside was like pressing the return-after-death button on purpose. She had deliberately avoided even passing near it.

If he stayed there, he would still be within the Annex’s influence.

‘If he’s an anomaly too, maybe it doesn’t matter…’

Judging by his actions in the library, not only might he endure it… he might even enjoy it.

Belatedly, Serenity nodded. “You came all the way to my room just to say that?”

He could have said it earlier, in the hall.

Blake set his teacup down with such care that not even the saucer clicked. In the dim light, his crimson eyes narrowed lazily, gleaming faintly. His lips curved into a smooth smile.

What did that smile mean?

Gentle, as always, yet a chill crawled up her ankles.

Serenity flinched, her hand tightening in her lap.

Blake studied her silently for a long while before speaking again.

“So, my lady, are you ready to choose me?”

Again.

He had said something similar before: that she would inevitably choose him.

A prickle of wrongness spread across her shoulders. Hadn’t he himself said her wishes didn’t matter? Then why did he care so much about her choice?

“Didn’t the Duke say my wishes weren’t very important?”

“For the engagement, yes. But your inner will, my lady… *that’s different.”*

“You mean… you want my heart?”

“Would you give that, if I asked?”

His gaze slid toward her chest, heated for a moment, before his tone cooled again.

“I told you… *I’m very interested in you.”*

“…“

“I desire you.“

The word jarred her. To desire a person? It sounded less like speaking to a fiancée and more like claiming a possession. Her brow creased faintly.

She had to remind herself: he was no ordinary man. He was an anomaly in this cursed story, with dangers she still couldn’t name.

“So, I’ll ask again. Are you ready to choose me?”

She didn’t even know what that choice meant.

But…

“I thought we already settled this,” Serenity said evenly.

She had chosen him as a means of survival. He had proved his worth, and she would use him as long as she could. If it brought her closer to escape, she would do anything. Anything.

Blake’s expression finally softened into satisfaction.

“That’s good to hear.”

“…What exactly do you want from me?“

“I’d like you to give me things, one by one, for as much as I help you.”

Her shoulders tensed.

‘Does he mean… my body?’

She suddenly remembered the Headless Lady, who had wanted her face as a trophy.

But Blake only chuckled.

“Oh, don’t worry. I won’t cut off your head… *or flay your back, at the very least.”*

The words were grotesque, but she felt an absurd flicker of relief.

‘So… not my body. Then what?’

She couldn’t read his intent.

Blake only smiled languidly, watching her frown, eyes gleaming as though amused by her struggle.

“For now… shall I take your hand?”

“…My hand?“

Didn’t he just say he wasn’t asking for body parts?

Yet his composure never wavered. He extended his hand as if inviting her closer.

“Or should I come to you?”

His voice brushed her ear like silk.

“No, I…”

“I promise I won’t cut it off.”

Was that supposed to be reassuring?

And yet, his eyes didn’t look like they were lying. Serenity hesitated, then stood, stepping around the table. As she neared the sofa, Blake reached out and drew her down into the seat beside him.

A faint hiss slipped past her teeth.

“You’re stiff as stone.”

“…“

“Relax.”

As if that were possible.

Blake removed his gloves, revealing pale hands… large, firm, veins standing out against skin that was almost translucent. He clasped her wrist.

“Ugh…”

The touch shocked her. His hand was cold… not corpse-cold, but unnaturally so, with a faint trace of warmth.

His thumb pressed steadily into her pulse, then trailed downward, brushing across her palm, before tilting her wrist and interlacing their fingers. His grip was firm, pressing lightly against her knuckles.

Serenity trembled at the unfamiliar sensation. Her eyes darted, unsure where to settle. Her breath caught in her chest…

And then the warmth was gone. Blake had released her hand.

She realized she had been holding her breath all along.

Laughter spilled from him.

“I think that’s enough for today.”

He rose easily, smiling as Serenity stared blankly, still trying to understand.

“I’ll see you again soon, my lady.”