~Chapter 15~
A date.
What a thrilling word.
Especially for someone like me, with no dating experience, having only known arranged marriages and broken engagements.
‘But… a horror date?’
I couldn’t guess what kind of date that was, but just the word “horror” sent excitement coursing through me.
‘I don’t know what combination this is, but adding something good to something else good must be great!’
With that naive optimism, I accepted the date, and now we were heading to the first destination.
‘But why did he suddenly ask me out on a date?’
That was something couples who were truly in love did.
They confessed, held hands, walked through town…
“This is your first time here, right?”
Damien’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
“Ah, yes. I wouldn’t cross areas marked off-limits on my own.”
“That’s a good mindset. Even if you can remove curses, I still recommend not going past signs or locks alone.”
Damien glanced around the dark hallway, even though it was daytime, and added,
“This mansion might swallow you up.”
Oh, I see.
So the rumors were true—the mansion really was alive.
‘I’m so glad I married into the right house.’
Feeling proud of my choice, I held Damien’s hand and walked deeper in.
“But why did you suddenly suggest a date?”
I was too curious.
We’d been talking a lot lately, but this was the first time he had formally arranged an activity together.
Damien stopped walking at my question.
His violet eyes, glowing even in the darkness, turned to me.
“…I heard most couples do this.”
Then he turned his head away slightly.
“So I wanted to try it too. With you.”
He resumed walking.
“Is that a sufficient answer?”
“Yes.”
So, even though we were a contract couple, Damien wanted to fulfill his duties as a husband.
‘He’s so responsible.’
There was no need for us to live like an ordinary couple.
But he still wanted to act with proper human decency.
‘It’s true that living together without ever speaking would be too awkward.’
I was happy about it.
I didn’t want to lose someone who shared my hobbies, and spending time together like this was wonderful.
Since Damien had planned today, I decided to prepare something next time.
‘What should I do? A critique session of ghost drawings?’
As I pondered, I suddenly stopped walking.
“Damien.”
He stopped too.
“Yes, Ruby?”
Facing him, who didn’t even ask why I had stopped him, I spoke.
“We’ve been walking in circles.”
This was the third time I had seen the same scenery repeat.
And when we turned the corner, there it was again—the grand portrait of the elegant lady at the end of the long hallway.
For the third time, our eyes met.
“…You’re right. Come with me.”
Damien led me to the end of the hallway.
On the stone floor beneath our feet was a faded white line.
“Stand behind this line. Never cross it.”
“Uh, okay.”
“Now, look straight ahead.”
Ahead?
I lifted my gaze and met the eyes of the lady in the portrait again.
For the fourth time.
[Kyaaaaaaaaaah!!]
The once graceful lady bared her monstrous teeth and lunged at me.
Her upper body stretched out like rubber, reaching towards me.
Her breath brushed against my skin, so close it felt real.
[Kyaaaaah!]
Her bloodshot eyes bulged as her clawed fingers scraped the floor, neck stretching unnaturally.
But she couldn’t reach me. The length of her torso stopped just short of the white line.
“Wow.”
I covered my mouth in awe, eyes still fixed on the noblewoman thrashing to grab me.
“How is it?”
Damien bent slightly to ask.
Turning slowly, I saw his face, looking a little tense.
“…That was surprising.”
A smile slowly spread across his lips.
“Really?”
“Yes. It’s been so long since I’ve been this startled.”
I clapped my hands seriously.
“It’s amazing. To experience such extreme horror up close, with a safety measure in place too.”
“Yes. It took some time to figure it out. There were a few… sacrifices.”
Huh? Did I just hear something strange?
But Damien continued calmly.
“Didn’t you say the other day you were disappointed there were no curses on your bedroom paintings? This curse immediately came to mind.”
“You remembered…”
That made me happy.
That someone I wanted to grow close to remembered even small details about me.
I couldn’t help but smile.
“I really love it. Thank you.”
Damien looked at me silently.
He tilted his head slightly, his violet eyes shifting as he spoke.
“If you want, you can experience it again.”
“Really?”
I had already felt one time wasn’t enough. This was amazing.
“Then… one more time.”
I quickly agreed, afraid he might change his mind.
Then—
Thud!!
Damien silently grabbed the portrait curse with terrifying strength and slammed it to the ground.
[Kyaaaaaaaah!!]
Ignoring its mad thrashing, he shoved it back into the painting.
His expression remained stoic the entire time.
“Stand here again.”
And so, I experienced it again.
And again.
“One more time.”
“Yes.”
“Just once more, okay?”
“Of course.”
“One more!”
By the thirtieth time, the noblewoman curse twisted her body and screamed,
[P… please… stop…]
* * *
We stopped after she begged in human words.
Luckily, Damien had many more courses prepared.
“This is the den of small curses.”
“Oh my, they’re so cute.”
I visited a habitat filled with hundreds of tiny curses.
“What’s this?”
“A communication device for ghosts.”
We explored a room filled with artifacts related to spirits.
“This… is a real mummy! Where did you get it?”
“Ah, it’s one of my ancestors.”
“Oh… I’m sorry for being rude.”
“No, it’s fine. I once spent the night here wondering if it would wake up.”
“Gasp, then… can I join next time?”
“Of course.”
Seeing a real mummy instead of just illustrations was incredible.
I was having so much fun that time flew by without me noticing.
Before I knew it, night had fallen.
“Damien, where are we going now?”
“To the terrace by the west garden.”
Following his guidance, I saw a stone terrace leading to the smaller, cozier west garden, different from the grand central garden.
Bathed in white moonlight, the terrace felt mystical and serene, more suited to fairies… or lovers sneaking a midnight meeting.
I stood there absentmindedly, watching the moonlight streaming between the pale gray pillars.
Rustle—
Turning at the sound of fluttering wings, I saw a transparent glow in the air.
“Is that…”
Butterflies.
Countless white butterflies tinged with blue shimmered before me.
They were so beautiful, I felt like I would be sucked in.
Without realizing it, I reached out my hand.
As if answering my call, the butterflies flew to my fingertips.
A lukewarm touch.
I instinctively knew these weren’t living butterflies.
“They’re spirit butterflies.”
Damien’s quiet whisper came from beside my ear.
I hadn’t sensed his presence—when had he come so close?
“You can reach out more.”
Before I could even process it, he placed one hand on my shoulder and supported my other arm.
More spirit butterflies fluttered over, perching and flying off my fingers as if greeting me.
They danced happily around my hands.
“If they’re spirits, then…”
“Yes, they’re not curses. They’re the souls of Maledictus ancestors who guard this place.”
I turned to see Damien gazing at the spirit butterflies.
The flickering light of the butterflies reflected in his deep violet eyes.
“They’re so beautiful.”
I spoke without knowing what exactly I was calling beautiful.
Damien’s gaze shifted to me.
“Right? But be careful. Spirit butterflies don’t harm people, but they can show illusions and lead you astray.”
“Haha, that makes them even more mysterious.”
I slowly lowered my arms and brought my hands together.
The spirit butterflies gathered around my cupped hands, as if wrapping them in light.
“They’re not avoiding me. Is it because they aren’t curses?”
“Yes. They probably want to be with you. That’s why I brought you here.”
“Huh?”
What did he mean by that?
I stared at him, confused. Damien spoke in his calm voice.
“You like curses, but curses avoid you. I wanted to show you that there are beings who won’t.”
His violet eyes darkened, no longer looking at the spirit butterflies, but at me.
“There are beings who are happy when you’re here, who miss you when you’re gone, and who want to stay with you always.”
For the first time, I faced the small wish I had been ignoring.
That just as I liked curses, I wished someone would like and welcome me too.
That wish finally came true.
“…Thank you.”
My vision blurred slightly. Were those tears?
But I wasn’t sad. I was so happy.
“No one has ever wanted to be with me before.”
I gently cupped the butterfly sitting on my hand.
“That’s not true.”
A firm, clear voice answered.
Surprised, I looked up to see Damien staring at me.
He placed his hand over mine, covering the butterfly.
“I was first.”
