The Uninvited Guest Of The Haunted Mansion (8)

Thud, thud, thud.

Dawn glimmered faintly under the moonlight. A white figure stood in the middle of the gloomy graveyard, spade in hand, digging into the soil. Black earth splattered across her thin chemise like foul blood.

If anyone sane had seen it, they would have fainted on the spot. Serenity, wiping damp dirt from her cheek, muttered softly:

“You might as well call me a grave robber…”

Unfortunately, the mushrooms here were half-buried in the ground in a peculiar way. To harvest them, a spade was necessary, making her look every bit the part of a graverobber.

“Found one.”

After digging a little deeper, a mushroom’s outline emerged from the damp, fish-scented earth. Bluish in color, its shape unmistakably resembled a human limb. Without prior knowledge, one could easily mistake it for something gruesome.

“It’s always disgusting to look at…”

Could something like this even be considered food?

The thought crossed her mind, but then again… this was the same place where sherbet made of shattered glass was a delicacy. Somehow, that perspective made the mushrooms easier to stomach.

Serenity snapped off a few of the grotesque fungi, each shaped like a human forearm, shook the dirt from them, and dropped them into her basket. The pile of bluish fungus was so unpleasant to look at that she quickly turned her eyes away.

The kitchen wasn’t far from the graveyard. In the darkened room, she set the basket down on a table, pulled out a sheet of paper, and carefully wrote a note.

She filled it with gratitude for the “delicious meals,” mentioned that the mushrooms were a gift from her, then added a gentle request: reduce her breakfast portions, and… almost timidly… confessed that she did not care for glass sherbet. She set the note atop the basket.

‘I hope this wasn’t in vain.’

She would know at breakfast whether the Duke’s suspicious advice had truly saved her, or whether he had only toyed with her.

“…“

Serenity glanced one last time at the basket, gripped the dirt-stained hem of her chemise, and slipped quietly back to her room.

—

The next morning at breakfast.

Descending into the dining hall, Serenity froze.

Her plate… her portion… was half the usual size.

‘This really worked.’

She stared down in disbelief, then lifted her gaze. Over the shoulders of faceless servants, the head cook stood at the kitchen doors, watching her.

“…“

He folded an omelet in half and grinned broadly, his mouth stretching toward his ears. Sharp, beastlike teeth gleamed between his lips.

It was not a friendly smile, creepy even. Yet Serenity understood. It was the brightest expression the chef was capable of.

‘I don’t know what it means exactly, but I must have made a good impression.’

Not only had the portions shrunk, the food itself was softer, easier to swallow. After ten long loops, the realization that she could finally eat a gentle breakfast almost brought tears to her eyes.

“You look in good spirits today, my daughter.”

At the dry voice, Serenity snapped her head up.

The Count, seated in the middle of the table, smiled thinly. No… only his mouth smiled grotesquely, while his green eyes glimmered coldly, calculating.

Serenity knew that look.

He was gauging a kill angle.

If her portion had been normal, she would already be doubled over with stomach pains, clutching a chamber pot.

Quietly, she set down her cutlery and smiled demurely.

“Actually, Father, I have something to tell you.”

“What is it?”

His reply was mild, but Serenity saw his fingers twitch as though preparing to bare his nails.

Of course.

She lowered her gaze quickly and softened her smile.

“…I intend to become engaged to the Duke. After speaking with His Grace yesterday and reflecting, I realized it isn’t something to treat lightly. Besides, Father’s affairs are at stake.“

“…“

“I was selfish and short-sighted. I’m sorry.”

When she bowed, the Count’s expression turned peculiar.

Beside him, the Countess suddenly burst into tinkling laughter, her sharp teeth clicking together.

“Oh my! Isn’t our child admirable! Isn’t that right, dear?”

The Count tilted his head.

“She is admirable, but… have you truly steadied your mind?”

“Yes, Father. One day was enough.”

Serenity smiled brightly.

‘And today is Tuesday.’

Her gaze drifted toward the window. The sky was still gray, but sunlight slipped faintly through the clouds. After weeks of rain, it seemed the weather would finally clear.

Breakfast confirmed it: whatever his motives, the Duke’s presence had become a lifeline. For now, Serenity had to use him, to squeeze every chance of escape from this nightmare.

Feigning bashfulness, she cupped her cheek and added hesitantly:

“Well… His Grace said he would visit again soon. He plans to take me to the market district, but since I’ve never been outside, I worry I’ll embarrass myself in front of him.”

“Did I not say the outside is dangerous?”

“Yes, Father, I know. But if we are truly considering an engagement, I cannot be indebted to the Duke forever. Besides, I want to appear a proper lady.”

The words tumbled out smoother than she expected. Even she was surprised at her coaxing tone.

‘I should try everything I can.’

Ten loops had taught her that crisis could be turned into opportunity.

As the Duke promised, the Count seemed eager to show generosity to him. Serenity calculated that, if she leaned on the Duke boldly enough, the Count would yield.

…Of course, nothing was certain.

“Yes? Father.”

She pressed again, batting her lashes.

The Count was silent for a long moment, stroking his chin, studying her with an expression she had never seen before, not in ten loops, not in forty repeated tries.

Please. Allow it.

Ten seconds stretched into ten years.

“It can’t be helped.”

At last, he lowered his hand and raised his wineglass.

“You argue so earnestly… *how could I refuse?”*

Serenity froze, lip caught between her teeth.

“Does that mean…”

“It means you may do as you wish.”

Her eyes widened, her breath catching like a startled rabbit’s. Then came a silent scream inside her chest.

‘…It’s done. It’s really done!’

Permission. For the first time in ten months.

She nearly cheered aloud, forgetting even the Countess’s teeth clicking opposite.

“However.”

The Count’s voice snapped her elation.

“If you go out alone, you should take a bodyguard, my daughter.”

“…A bodyguard?“

Why change the rules now?

The Count ignored her bewilderment.

“I’ll assign you a knight from the Rose Knights.”

The Rose Knights. Guardians of the Primdellrose estate.

Romantic in name only, anomalous beings encased in iron armor, hollow inside. Monsters with no flesh, no organs, nothing to pierce. Like endless rows of Dullahans marching in unison.

Fortunately, they were loyal only to this family. Their protection was absolute.

‘I never learned much about them due to lack of contact…’

But there was no reason to refuse.

Serenity bowed her head.

“Yes, I’ll do that.”