We Don’t Offer Romance Fantasy Horror Counseling
CHAPTER 54…………………………………
“Will it end by tomorrow?”
Laseil stretched long and leaned back against the bed.
Across from her, the ghost was still sitting there.
As if it were taking the form of someone trying to put Direna to sleep.
“She’s definitely possessed!”
It was early dawn, the sun not yet fully risen.
The conclusion that came to the marquis as soon as he woke up after a sleepless night was just that.
“Until now, I thought maybe her personality had just changed a bit…”
That was why he had deliberately sent her to the Lesser Marquis Lesean.
He had heard the story that Direna had been embarrassed by Yujire at the ball.
The story about a ghost was just an excuse to send her to Yujire.
“I thought if she went and experienced it, she’d come to her senses.”
Yujire wouldn’t welcome Direna.
There was even a possibility she would actively try to get rid of her.
If Direna went through such an ordeal, she would realize how cozy her own family had been.
“Then I could have just persuaded her to go back to behaving normally!”
But things had gone way too strangely.
Still, one fact was undeniable:
“She’s definitely gone insane.”
What had happened yesterday was not something the usual Direna could have done.
It couldn’t be explained away as a slight personality change.
“She should have been out at society gatherings, getting dresses fitted!”
Direna Karen didn’t have the brains to execute such a plan.
And she certainly didn’t have the courage either.
“She would never have dared to defy me.”
Sometimes she would look at the marquis with eyes full of resentment.
But in the end, it stayed only in her gaze.
She had never once spoken a complaint aloud.
Maintaining her current life mattered more than protesting against the marquis.
“She was definitely that kind of girl.”
She had never harmed the marquis directly, nor even protested verbally.
Which made her easy to manipulate as he wished.
“And now she wouldn’t even regret her life up to this point.”
Direna just had to act like an unfixable villain.
The more she did, the more the marquis family’s reputation for benevolence grew.
In return, Direna received ample material support.
“If she lacked money, she should have behaved properly in society!”
The amount of money spent on Direna varied depending on the situation.
Sometimes it was even less than what other nobles would normally spend.
People had to prove their worth to be treated well.
“She’s definitely possessed.”
Direna had never openly expressed dissatisfaction with her situation.
Especially in situations that could inconvenience the marquis, like now.
“She’s cursed.”
The stories of curses spreading among nobles were not exaggerations.
No one knew who would be affected or when.
Anyway, this was all caused by that curse.
Once it was lifted, everything would return to normal…
“Just the curse…”
The marquis muttered as if half-brainwashed and stepped outside.
The time they had set yesterday was approaching.
“It won’t be such a big problem. As long as we get through this one…”
The marquis walked while constantly imagining various scenarios.
At the mansion entrance, a familiar face was waiting.
“Long time no see, Marquis Karen!”
Silver hair cascading down to the waist, violet eyes.
A bright-colored dress and accessories, as if she were going on a picnic.
At first glance, she looked like a frivolous young noblewoman.
“Don’t be deceived.”
But this was Riela Sieren.
A troublesome person in a completely different way than Yujire Lesean.
“She must be trying to lower my guard.”
Riela’s methods were very different from Yujire’s.
Yujire preferred to display intimidation from the first meeting.
Once the hierarchy was established, everything else fell into place.
With her power and influence, it was natural.
“Taking her lightly would be disastrous.”
Riela, on the other hand, tried to appear as comfortable and unthreatening as possible.
So the other person would lower their guard and reveal sensitive information.
Or, when the opponent let their guard down, she could quietly take what she wanted.
Riela’s plans always had a high success rate.
“Where are we going? It’s my first time at the Marquis’ house!”
Even her loud chatter was part of the image Riela had created.
Even knowing this, it was impossible not to feel a bit of lowered defenses.
‘I wonder what she could accomplish if she tried?’
‘It shouldn’t be too serious.’
When the door to the room storing the family heirlooms finally opened, the marquis had that foolish thought.
Because he had let his guard down completely while talking with Riela.
Maybe the rumors had been exaggerated.
“Then I just need to do my part as the witness?”
Riela continued chattering brightly as she stepped inside.
Inside, everyone had already arrived.
“Oh, sorry! I’m the last one! Should I just start?”
The marquis hesitated briefly, then nodded.
There was nowhere left to back down.
Immediately after, Direna quietly approached the heirlooms.
Emeralds, the same color as her own eyes, sparkled inside the transparent case.
“Phew…”
Who knew such a simple act could be so nerve-wracking?
Direna gripped the key tightly and slowly moved her hand.
Click—the lock opened.
She hesitated briefly as she opened the case with trembling hands.
“What if it doesn’t work?”
Someone had said something strange before her return.
But maybe it had just been a lie.
“Should I stop now?”
This act was practically a public announcement that she wasn’t of the marquis’ bloodline.
If unlucky, she might be kicked out entirely.
Her head felt like blood wasn’t flowing properly from the tension.
“…?”
Then she suddenly felt a cold sensation in her hand.
It was as if someone with a very cold hand had grabbed hers.
Strangely, after a few seconds, it felt warm rather than cold.
Her wildly racing thoughts finally calmed.
Direna calmly lifted the necklace toward her neck.
“Is it… done?”
After putting on the necklace, nothing happened.
No burning pain, no slicing agony, no signs of a curse.
She felt all the tension drain from her body.
Direna barely stayed upright and turned her head.
The marquis appeared to be maintaining a facade of calm.
“Then it’s resolved!”
No one had spoken, yet Riela exclaimed.
“Can I go back now? I’m a little busy.”
Her voice was bright, as if she hadn’t noticed the mood at all.
But it wasn’t the voice that mattered—it was what she said.
“Oh, I just realized I’m curious! Why was it Miss Direna, and not the Lesser Marquis?”
“Huh?”
One of the nearby retainers responded.
“Come to think of it, the Lesser Marquis has never proven herself yet.”
“Isn’t it about time she did?”
“Eh? Oh, I thought I was mistaken.”
Riela blinked and continued.
“Isn’t it a necessary process for heirs? I wanted to say I was disappointed you didn’t call me then!”
“The Lesser Marquis has never gone through this process.”
A retainer added an explanation.
But that was hardly enough to stop Riela.
“Why?”
Blinking, she interrupted the explanation with a question.
“Was there a special reason?”
“At the time, the Lesser Marquis was too young.”
“But isn’t she older than Miss Direna? Why hasn’t she gone through it yet?”
“Well…”
The retainer fell silent.
Riela didn’t miss a beat and continued speaking.
“Or has the tradition of the marquis’ family changed? As far as I know, it hasn’t!”
“Sieren Lesser Marquis.”
