4 — The Uninvited Guest Of The Haunted Mansion (4)

Serenity’s eyes darted around in confusion.

Who was this man?

In all ten of her previous deaths, nothing like this had ever happened. Never once had someone leapt in at the very moment she was about to die. She couldn’t make sense of the scene, nor of the stranger’s face, but one thing was undeniable.

She was alive.

She hadn’t been torn apart.

Why?

Her gaze lingered blankly on the man’s handsome face until a chill ran down her spine.

‘Wait. The gardener*… *where is the gardener?’

It was strange.

The gardener, who should by now have severed Serenity’s arm… or the stranger’s… stood only a short distance away, hollow face fixed on them, black arms hanging useless at his sides.

Then something shifted at the edge of her vision. The man holding her had opened a black umbrella.

An umbrella?

“It’s getting heavy. How long are you going to stay like this?”

“Ah.”

Startled by the man’s gentle chiding, Serenity straightened quickly. Only then did he release her, smiling faintly as he let his arm drop from her waist.

He tilted his face up toward the umbrella, then addressed the gardener.

“It’s raining. The gardener should be going off duty.”

…Raining?

Serenity looked up instinctively. The sky loomed gray and heavy as always, but no rain fell.

Then the unbelievable happened.

The gardener… who had been standing stiffly only moments before… turned and trudged away, black cleaver-arms swinging idly.

Serenity’s eyes flew wide.

‘No way.’

Had she already died, and this was just a dream?

If not, this scene was impossible.

The gardener of Primdellrose Manor obeyed no one outside his assigned duties. Not even the Count lingered in the gardens during pruning hours without cause.

So how?

A low laugh came from above. Serenity turned to find the man regarding her, blood-red eyes glinting.

“Making servants work on such a foul day isn’t the sign of a generous master. Don’t you think, miss?”

“But it’s not raining… *”*

“Shh.”

His finger pressed lightly to her lips. His eyes softened, almost playfully.

“The gardener has keen ears.”

Understanding hit, and Serenity snapped her mouth shut. Confusion was dangerous, but not more dangerous than losing her life.

The gardener’s figure faded into the mist, his footsteps soon swallowed by silence. Only when he was gone did the man close the umbrella. Of course, not a single drop clung to its surface.

Leisurely, he surveyed the misty garden.

“A pleasant place to rest. But you never know when rain may come, it’s best to carry an umbrella. As you know, the capital’s weather is fickle at this time. That’s why the gardener checks the grounds so often.”

He smiled gently and pressed the umbrella into Serenity’s hand. The sturdy wooden handle weighed against her palm.

“Take it… *it’s courtesy.”*

Serenity stared at his face, half dazed, before instinct forced her to step back.

“…My apologies for the delayed greeting. I am Serenity Primdellrose, daughter of Count Primdellrose.“

The words slipped out stiffly, her voice trembling despite her effort at politeness. No matter how handsome a visitor looked, beings who stepped into this mansion’s world were never guaranteed human.

She raised her chin just enough to ask.

“May I ask your name, sir?”

“Hmm, let’s see.”

He tilted his head. Silky black hair slid across his forehead.

“Did you not hear a guest was coming?”

A guest?

Surely not…

“Duke Blake Lambert…?”

“It seems, luckily, the Count conveyed my message without trouble.”

Her hesitant words were met with smooth affirmation. Serenity flinched, lowering her eyes. Confusion clouded the green depths.

‘This man is the Duke?’

Impossible.

His face, his aura, his voice… none of it fit her expectations. If he’d looked monstrous, she wouldn’t be this unsettled.

As it stood…

‘He seems like a person.’

Of course, that couldn’t be true.

Another chuckle drifted down.

“Aren’t you too tense?”

“I’m sorry. I fear I may have offended Your Grace…”

“Then lift your head a little, miss.”

At his gentle insistence, she hesitated but raised her gaze. Meeting his eyes again, she saw his lips curve in satisfaction.

“I was just taking a walk before dinner. Quite a splendid manor. I didn’t expect to meet Miss Primdellrose as well.”

Her brows furrowed. An uneasy prickle spread down her spine.

‘Carrying an umbrella, wandering into the most secluded garden on a day without rain…’

This spot was too hidden for chance encounters. Someone would only come here deliberately.

Suspicion piled up, but Serenity forced it aside. What mattered was survival. Before her stood a new anomalous being she hadn’t catalogued. His ordinary appearance might be a disguise, but that didn’t make him safe. He could be even more dangerous than the gardener who would cut a person down like a branch.

A shiver traced her neck. The man’s gaze lingered, then he asked lightly:

“Nervous?”

“…“

“Oh my, I wouldn’t harm you.”

Serenity didn’t answer.

She had learned not to trust such words. Even the Count, who professed boundless paternal love, seized every chance to shred her apart.

When she remained silent, the man laughed softly. His smile, unbothered, was handsome enough to unsettle her further.

“Perfect timing. Let’s go back together. Your father is looking for you.”

“…My father?“

“He said he has news to tell you at mealtime.”

News? At lunch? With this guest?

Crimson alarm bells rang again in her mind.

Uneasy, Serenity forced an awkward smile.

“Yes, I’ll go at once.”

“Come with me.”

“I appreciate your concern, but I still have things to finish here… *if you could go ahead…”*

“You’re terribly bad at lying.”

The sharp reply cut her short. His faint smile told her nothing of kindness. She shut her mouth at once.

“Then let’s return.”

The Duke’s hand rested lightly on her shoulder, guiding her back. Before she knew it, her steps matched his, carrying her toward the main house.

She wanted to run, but her body moved obediently beside him.

‘What is this? It’s stranger because he’s… too ordinary.’

This was supposed to be the Duke Blake Lambert Nia had spoken of nonstop?

Serenity’s thoughts tangled.

At least when she faced a headless lady or a surgeon with needles for fingers, she knew how to brace herself. But this man looked too clean, too flawless. That uncertainty was far more dangerous.

One careless slip, and death would come pointlessly.

“Did you fall in love at first sight, perhaps?”

“What?”

“You’ve been staring. Your gaze is sharp, it’s hard to ignore.”

The Duke turned suddenly, meeting her eyes. Heat flickered in her cheeks.

“I’m sorry… *it’s not that.”*

“It’s fine. I liked it.”

He chuckled softly and strode ahead again.

‘…What is going on?’

She had encountered countless anomalous beings, but none like this. Too normal, so normal it was unnatural. Handsome, refined, perfectly mannered.

Usually, no matter how ordinary an anomalous being looked, their words or actions soon betrayed them. But this man, this Duke, had shown nothing.

So unremarkable, it was sinister.

And in any world, the unremarkable ones were always the most dangerous.

Perhaps her steps had slowed unconsciously, because he stopped, glanced back, and laughed again.

“Not coming?”

“…No, I’ll go.“

Serenity forced her feet forward, resuming the walk beside him.

—

18. The gardener patrols the east and south grounds alternately once a month. His duty is pruning, trimming every branch within reach. The eyeless gardener may mistake you for a strange plant, so avoid those gardens on his working days whenever possible.