Chapter 48
“That rat who kidnapped you must be hiding in that room,” Claude said, his voice icy cold.
His expression hardened, and he tilted his head with a terrifyingly sharp look, like he could kill someone with just his eyes.
Shhhk — the sound of his sword being drawn rang out.
Aselin quickly grabbed his arm before he could hurt someone innocent.
“He’s not a kidnapper—she’s just an old lady with health issues. I came here on my own.”
His arm was so big she was practically hanging off it as she shouted.
Claude frowned deeply, like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“You came here on your own?”
“Yes.”
“Then why haven’t you returned in over two days?”
If she tried to explain everything, she’d have to mention… that ghost child.
Her eyes shifted to the side—right where the little ghost was sitting, arms crossed, glaring at Claude with narrowed eyes.
“Stop fighting and tell that handsome guy to fix our door! If not, I won’t sit quietly!”
Aselin shook her head, trying to say it wasn’t a lover’s quarrel, but the kid seemed to take it the wrong way.
“…Tell him. Now.”
Suddenly, the child’s body ignited with blue flames.
The cute appearance was gone. Now, only a terrifying skeleton remained.
The skinless face, swollen bruises, and scratch marks were horrifying.
The entire body was covered in bruises and wounds.
Was that what he looked like before he died of starvation…?
Aselin’s eyes trembled with sorrow.
“Why… did you break our house… and make me angry…? Grandma and I were fine by ourselves… It’s always adults like you who ruin everything…”
The ghost child grinned strangely and shoved his hand right into Claude’s chest.
Claude groaned and grabbed his heart.
“This guy must have a weak body… Most people die when I possess them.”
The child smiled again and started to push further into Claude’s body—
“No!”
“…?”
Claude’s eyes widened as he heard Aselin shout.
Their eyes met, and hers were trembling with emotion.
“Your Highness! You must fix the door! Hurry!”
Claude, breathing hard, looked at her in confusion.
Her determined eyes were fixed on something in the empty space.
“I’m sorry, little one. I’ll fix your door properly. I’ll also take good care of your grandma. So please… let him go.”
She looked down at the floor with pleading eyes.
Claude’s brows furrowed deeply.
He followed her gaze to the spot she was staring at.
“…Also, this man isn’t my boyfriend. And this definitely isn’t a lover’s quarrel.”
She looked like a crazy person, talking to thin air.
Claude’s expression grew darker.
“…Can you please tell me what’s going on?” he asked quietly.
Aselin took a deep breath.
“Please don’t be surprised.”
“…”
“This house has a ghost.”
“…What?”
“He’s not usually like this… but I think he’s really mad because you broke the door. If we don’t fix it, he’ll possess you. And if that happens… you might die.”
As she finished speaking, her eyes shifted slightly to the right.
The ghost child had returned to his cute, chubby form.
His round cheeks were pink, his arms and legs plump again.
His curly hair looked soft and gentle.
A ghost can appear in many forms—from their happiest to their most tragic. That must be true…
Aselin exhaled, calming her nerves.
The child smiled sweetly again from the sofa—completely different from earlier.
No wonder he was a ghost. He could flip between adorable and terrifying so fast.
“You have one hour to fix our door together, okay?”
“Okay. And by the way, he’s not my boyfriend—he’s the First Prince of the Empire, His Highness Claude Vial de Berta.”
“Ohhh, no wonder he looked so fancy. Still, even if he’s not your boyfriend, he definitely has a crush on you. A ghost can see these things.”
“C-Crush…?”
Claude, with his sharp personality, having a crush?
It didn’t suit him at all—like putting a puppy-shaped charm on a soldier’s uniform.
Aselin shook her head and laughed awkwardly.
Suddenly, Claude grabbed her shoulders.
“Aselin. Look at me.”
“…”
Startled, she looked up wide-eyed.
He slowly opened his eyes and stared directly into hers.
“What happened? What happened to you that you’ve gone crazy like this?”
His throat moved as if holding back emotion.
For a moment, it seemed like his eyes were wet.
“Crazy…?”
She blinked, confused.
“I’m completely sane. And the ghost is real.”
Her voice was calm, her gaze steady.
“That ghost baby sitting on the couch says we have one hour. If we don’t fix the door in time… you could be in danger.”
Claude stared silently at both her eyes.
He was trying to figure out if she was telling the truth.
After everything—assassins, betrayal, lies—he couldn’t trust easily.
Maybe she should have made up a more believable story…
“I understand. It must be hard to believe. If I were you—”
Before she could finish, Claude stepped closer and softly held her shoulders.
She looked up, startled by how close he suddenly was.
His red eyes glowed intensely, like sunlight piercing into her soul.
“…I believe you. Even if you told me the ghost was baking bread, I’d believe it—because it’s you.”
His silver lashes fluttered softly.
Her sky-blue eyes lingered on him longer than usual.
A strange silence fell.
Claude looked at her face again and again, the one he had missed so much.
And he realized something clearly—
She wasn’t crazy.
She was really here. In front of him. Touchable. Real.
That was all he needed.
“This is enough.”
He straightened and gently ruffled her hair, smiling softly.
“Now then, shall we fix that door? Before the ghost baby gets mad again.”
***
Later…
Knock, tap.
I watched the First Prince of the Empire… hammering nails.
Even when I offered to call for help, Claude insisted on doing it himself.
He was clumsy at first—hit his fingers, bent a few nails—but now he had found a rhythm.
“Only ten nails left! Keep going!”
I raised my fist in encouragement.
“Wow, is this really your first time doing this?”
“From sword master to hammer master—you’re amazing!”
The more I praised him, the harder he hammered.
Of course, I had a reason for cheering him on so hard.
I nervously licked my dry lips and glanced up at the sky.
The ghost child floated midair, chin resting on his hands, watching us like a little king.
Every time he smiled, his dimples showed—and somehow looked terrifying.
I lowered my gaze to the table—
Thump.
My heart dropped.
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