When Hana first opened her eyes after possessing Isabel, there was a familiar book nestled in her arms.
〈The Lady Who Sees Ghosts of Herpeldair〉
When she realized she had possessed Isabel along with the book, she still had hope.
The novel was unfinished, and there was less than half a year left until the final scene that had been written.
But even after half a year had passed, Hana was still waking up every morning in Isabel’s body.
She had endured with her easygoing personality, but on the day the last chapter ended, she couldn’t hold back and burst into tears.
“What if I really can’t go back? My hard-earned money! My reputation!”
Fortunately, Isabel wasn’t the type to stay gloomy. She brushed it off in a day and faced reality.
“First, I need to make money.”
Up until now, she’d survived by selling off her remaining jewels and dresses, thinking she’d go back soon.
But now, forget selling—there wasn’t even anything left to eat.
If I’d known this would happen, I wouldn’t have wasted the last night on a wild party.
Desperate to make a living, she used Isabel’s cursed ability—something Isabel had always resented—to open a “ghost-specialist” detective agency.
At first, business was dead because of people’s prejudice against a female detective, and the fact that she could see ghosts.
Fortunately, after she handled a few cases, word spread, and Isabel became a well-known detective in the area.
But as the saying goes, once one worry disappears, another takes its place.
Isabel took a sip of tea, her face stiff.
It was tea she normally liked, but she couldn’t taste a thing.
All she wanted at that moment was to escape this place.
They said his face was unforgettable after one glance…
The man sitting across from her was blindingly beautiful.
Hair like strands spun from the brightest part of the sun, long lashes casting shadows over garnet-like red eyes—
Amazingly, it was exactly as described in the novel.
His face looks just like an angel’s, but…
“So this is how you receive guests here?”
“….”
At the sharp tone, Isabel swallowed and set her teacup down.
“…My apologies. Your secretary said you had a case you wanted to hire me for.”
Her voice was strained, but she managed to get it out.
The man replied in a low voice:
“You know who I am, don’t you?”
Of course I do.
Isabel gave a small nod, her eyes twitching slightly.
Who wouldn’t recognize His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of Celesio?
He had ascended the throne at the youngest age in history and raised Celesio from a backwater kingdom to a great power in one leap.
Yet, his reputation in the empire was abysmal.
There were dozens of reasons, but the biggest was that he had killed his own father and only brother to take the throne.
Another was the rumor that he suffered from an unexplained madness and killed without hesitation—a tyrant.
His eyes really do look insane.
In the original novel, Isabel avoided meeting him at all costs.
Even if she didn’t know exactly why, avoiding a lunatic was always the safest bet.
And besides, she’d never thought she’d run into him.
But things are different now.
Avoiding him because he was crazy? Not when the payment was one million gold.
Honestly, even if the devil himself showed up, she’d have to take the job.
And who knows? Maybe if she solved the case perfectly, he’d be impressed enough to spare her life.
If you can’t avoid it, face it.
“So, what’s the case about, Your Majesty?”
At her words, Adolf’s lips curved into a deep sneer.
“You play the part of a detective well. I’d never have guessed you were once the daughter of a family that stood shoulder to shoulder with the imperial house.”
Isabel’s face stiffened instantly.
“I heard your entire family died because of a curse. They say it was your fault.”
“…Why bring that up…”
It was true—the once-mighty House of Herpeldair was fading into obscurity.
And yes, Isabel had caused its downfall.
More precisely, it was the curse she had been born with.
That curse had not only taken away everything she loved, but also trapped her in this haunted mansion.
She had lived there alone for months, drowning in grief, consumed by guilt—
If she hadn’t been born, her parents, and everyone else, would still be alive.
Even without experiencing it firsthand, Hana could feel Isabel’s memories and emotions in her bones.
So, no, she didn’t appreciate his words—they were more than uncomfortable; they were downright unpleasant.
Isabel fiddled with the silver ring on her finger, lost in thought.
What happens if I refuse this case? Will I be killed?
The answer was obvious.
No matter how unpleasant or unlucky this was, an emperor’s command was absolute.
And this man wasn’t just any emperor—he was the kind of lunatic who thought nothing of killing.
If she refused without even hearing the case, he might just decide to lop off her head on a whim.
I have to stay sharp. I can’t die here.
Suppressing her nerves, Isabel spoke calmly.
“Did you really come all this way just to confirm the rumors about me?”
Adolf leaned back leisurely and let out a short laugh.
“I don’t care about your past.”
“…?”
“What matters is whether your curse can solve my problem.”
Isabel lifted her teacup again, studying him closely.
Despite his arrogant exterior, she’d noticed that he kept glancing toward the wall with the clock.
He’s trying not to show it, but his eyes are shaking. His leg is trembling slightly too.
He was pretending to be calm, but his behavior screamed anxiety.
Wanting to read his intentions, Isabel deliberately answered slowly.
“The curse is real. And yes, I can see ghosts. But whether my curse can solve Your Majesty’s prob—”
“Can’t you talk faster?”
“Pardon?”
“Damn it, what’s taking her so long to get here at this hour!”
Suddenly, Adolf shot up from his seat, shouting, his composure cracking.
What’s this? His madness?
Startled, Isabel subtly slid her chair back, watching him closely.
“Your Majesty…”
“If your ability is a lie like the others’, I won’t forgive you. I’ll tear you limb from limb—urk.”
His handsome face twisted in pain.
Sensing something bad, Isabel slowly stood.
“Your Majesty, it’s too late tonight. It’s nearly midnight—we should continue this tomorrow.”
While Adolf was distracted, she edged toward the door and grabbed the handle.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“….”
A chilling voice came from behind her. Adolf strode over and stopped in front of her.
His eyes were even colder now, and Isabel involuntarily let out a shaky breath.
A strong arm reached past her to push the slightly open door shut.
Creaaak.
The un-oiled hinges groaned, dragging Isabel back into hell.
Hearing his rough breathing just behind her, Isabel realized how dangerous this was.
…I have to get out of here.
Unfortunately, her detective work—started just to make ends meet—had been a perfect match for her skills.
She could usually read a person’s thoughts just from their eyes.
But faced with Adolf’s vivid, burning red gaze, she couldn’t read anything.
No—that wasn’t quite it. There were too many emotions in those eyes.
Almost as if he were more than one person.
Before she knew it, she was trapped in his arms. She moved her hands behind her back, searching for any way to push him off.
“Trying to run again?”
Before she could react, a large hand gripped her neck and slammed her against the wall.
“…Khuk!”
“Do you dare defy my order?”
“Y-Your Majesty!”
The more she struggled to break free, the tighter his grip became.
I… can’t breathe!
At that moment, her hand, searching for support, brushed against a thick book on a nearby cabinet.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Isabel grabbed it and swung it with all her strength.
Thwack!
A dull thud rang out as the book struck his head, and the grip on her neck loosened.
Thud.
Gasping for breath, Isabel looked at the collapsed Adolf.
“Hah… hah… lunatic.”
Then—
Rustle.
A sudden breeze came from nowhere, flipping the pages of the fallen book.
“Why is this…”
Stepping over the unconscious Adolf, Isabel bent to pick it up.
…Chapter 12. The Suspicious Client
Isabel couldn’t hide her shock.
Why was he here? The Adolf she should never meet was standing right before her.
…Isabel twisted her body, but the man’s strength overpowered her. From the large hand gripping her neck came a desperate feeling—like she was his last chance for salvation…
…This…
Wasn’t this exactly the situation she was in right now?
