I Became the Lady of a Perished Noble Family in a Horror Novel - Chapter 2

The Ghost-Seer Lady. A persistent title that followed Isabel wherever she went. It was ironic that the very ability she loathed was now how she made her living.

Despite everything, even though she could see them with her own eyes, it was still hard to believe that ghosts truly existed.

Isabel straightened her bent back and stared at the fully formed blue light.

‘At least it’s not a troublesome one.’

Usually, the color of the aura that ghosts emitted indicated their level of danger. The brighter and more vivid the light, the purer the spirit. The darker and murkier the color, the more vile and corrupt it was.

The ghost before her now had been dead for some time, but its presence seemed pure and innocent.

‘Is it the lingering spirit of this mansion?’

A spark flickered in Isabel’s pale purple eyes. As her subtle gaze deepened, the spirit before her became clearer, almost tangible.

Vroom.

Suddenly, the floor vibrated, and the lamp on the nightstand shattered into pieces.

Isabel quickly covered her ears against the piercing noise and tracked the ghost’s rapid movement with her eyes.

Damn it. Cancel what I said about it not being troublesome.

‘It could be dangerous.’

If the ghost was in the process of transforming into an evil spirit, she had to act quickly. No matter how fearless she was, physical pain still affected her like any other person.

She could barely afford to keep the failing family afloat, let alone have enough for hospital bills. She wasn’t going to die and then end up broke!

The bedroom, which had briefly regained its calm, was suddenly filled with a cold breeze. The crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling swayed precariously as if it might fall at any moment.

Taking a deep breath, Isabel stretched her hand toward the shimmering blue light and shouted.

“Stop!”

Clatter, clatter. The fierce wind and vibrations suddenly ceased as if it were all a lie.

‘Oh. It actually worked?’

Blinking her widened eyes in disbelief, Isabel quickly corrected her posture.

It wasn’t the time to be marveling at her own luck. She had to resolve the request before anything else happened.

With a determined expression, she reached into her coat and pulled something out.

“Dear ghost, would you care for a brief conversation?”

 

「♧ There is no ghost in this world that can’t be put to rest ♧

Ghost Detective Agency Director, Isabel

(Full refund guaranteed if unsuccessful)

♥ With love and devotion ^^ ♥」

 

The ghost, which had been flying aimlessly around the bedroom, hesitantly approached Isabel.

As if it had decided to communicate, its translucent form began to solidify.

This was the most nerve-wracking moment.

Typically, ghosts retained their appearance from the moment of death, which sometimes meant a gruesome, nearly unbearable sight.

An axe lodged in the head, or a severed neck.

The last case involved a ghost hit by a carriage, with the brain exposed—it had been quite the ordeal.

‘Whatever it is, please be a docile one.’

Soon, the ghost’s sweet, birdlike voice reached her ears.

“…Mama?”

Good heavens. This was unexpected.

Isabel couldn’t hide her confusion and took a step back.

She had seen countless ghosts until now, but this was the first time for something like this.

Before her stood a small child.

She seemed to be about five years old, a beautiful girl with curly golden hair cascading down her back and wearing a dress with voluminous frills.

Her emerald eyes sparkled, as if she was about to cry.

Pat, pat, pat!

The little ghost ran straight toward Isabel.

“Wahh! Mama! I missed you!”

“W-wait!”

Isabel tried to pull the child off her leg, but the ghost turned intangible, preventing any contact.

Giving up, she pressed her throbbing temples and looked down at the sniffling girl.

‘It seems like she’s mistaking me for her mother.’

Judging by her clean appearance and age, she seemed to be the daughter of the viscount couple who used to live here.

‘So she’s the one behind the rumors.’

This mansion, now in ruins, had been built 30 years ago by a viscount couple for their terminally ill child.

At first, it seemed that her health was gradually improving in nature.

However, not long after, the child passed away.

Afterward, the viscountess went mad with grief, and the viscount disappeared with his deranged wife.

And the child, unaware of what had happened, remained in the mansion even after death, waiting for her parents…

‘This just got complicated.’

Clicking her tongue, Isabel ran her hand through her long, wine-colored hair.

Honestly, she just wanted to be blunt with the child.

That she wasn’t her mother. That her real parents were long gone. That it was time for her to leave this place.

That would be the easiest way to resolve this, but seeing the innocent face before her, she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

“Hehe!”

The girl, who had stopped crying at some point, rubbed her face against Isabel’s dress with a contented expression.

Sighing softly, Isabel placed her hand on the child’s fluffy head.

The soft sensation under her palm felt so real that it was hard to believe she was touching a ghost.

She had been unable to lay a hand on her when trying to push her away, yet now the child remained still.

‘Haa… This is getting troublesome.’

Isabel couldn’t just leave because she felt sorry for the girl.

She was to receive 3,000 gold coins in return for driving the ghost away.

That amount would cover several months’ worth of food expenses, and she could even pay the overdue wages to Sophia, who single-handedly managed the household.

Caught between her feelings of pity and reality, Isabel made up her mind and gently pried the child off her.

“What’s your name?”

“Mama, you forgot my name? I’m Rosie!”

“Right. Rosie. Stop crying and listen carefully.”

The girl, pouting as if she wasn’t quite satisfied, slowly nodded.

“Just in case, do you have any thoughts of leaving here?”

“Where would I go?”

“To heaven, or hell, or somewhere like that…”

Isabel trailed off, giving up on trying to explain.

She knew she wasn’t good with words, but she hadn’t realized it was this bad.

Predictably, the girl frowned, her small brows furrowing as she gave Isabel a puzzled look.

“What’s that face supposed to mean?”

“Mama, you’re weird! I want to stay here with you.”

Huff! With a small scoff, the child rubbed her face against Isabel’s dress again. Feeling a mix of amusement and exasperation, Isabel knelt to meet the girl’s eye level.

If it had come to this, she would have to use her last resort, even if she didn’t want to.

“Listen carefully. I’m not your mother.”

“You’re not Mama…?”

Finally, the girl furrowed her big, bright eyes and looked Isabel up and down.

“Oh, you’re right. My Mama was prettier.”

‘…Why does that feel weirdly insulting?’

For some reason, Isabel felt like she had lost to a stranger she’d never even met.

“Anyway, your parents aren’t here. That means even if you wait here for a million years, you won’t meet them.”

“…Gasp!”

“Don’t get too shocked just yet. Do you know that you’re already dead?”

“I-I’m dead?”

As she expected. Isabel sighed softly and released her grip on the child’s small shoulders.

Sometimes there were spirits who didn’t even realize they had died and lived among ordinary people.

‘So that’s why she appeared before Count Otair.’

Since Count Otair couldn’t see ghosts, it was no wonder he had been so frightened.

“You almost sent that ugly old man to an early grave, you know.”

“But he kept bringing strange women here. This is our home.”

“Women?”

“Yeah. He brings them here, and they take off their clothes and play.”

“……”

‘Damn that man. So that’s why he bought this mansion?’

Isabel had suspected that there was something unusual about his motives, but she hadn’t expected it to be an affair.

It was laughable enough just for that reason, but the fact that Count Otair was known as a devoted family man made it even more ridiculous.

“Anyway, you shouldn’t show yourself to people anymore. Though that man may deserve it, if you keep doing it, you’ll end up becoming an evil spirit.”

“…Hmm.”

“Instead…”

Isabel hesitated for a moment before gently taking the child’s small hand.

“Come with me. I’ll help you find your parents. But when you meet them, you must quietly pass on. Understand?”

The girl’s once gloomy expression brightened immediately.

If she were alive, her cheeks would have turned a rosy pink as she jumped into Isabel’s arms.

“Okay!”

 

***

 

Isabel nudged Count Otair, who was sprawled on the floor, with the pointed tip of her shoe. His large body flipped over limply.

‘Of course, he couldn’t resist and fainted again.’

What a coward. With a sigh, Isabel clicked her tongue and drove her heel into his plump hand.

“Argh! Huh?”

Count Otair sprang up with a short scream, his half-open eyes darting around the room.

“It seems you had a nice nap. You even drooled a bit.”

“…Ahem. S-so, is it over?”

At that moment, Rosie, who had been quietly watching, whispered into Isabel’s ear.

“He looks like a giant toad.”

“…Pfft.”

Isabel barely suppressed a laugh, but Count Otair’s face twisted in displeasure.

“Are you laughing at me?”

“Of course not. I must have overexerted myself dealing with the ghost. My throat hurts.”

She still hadn’t received her commission, so Isabel calmly massaged her neck as she spoke.

“Anyway, the ghost is gone now, right?”

“Of course. Who do you think I am?”

“That’s a relief. You’ve done well.”

Count Otair smiled for the first time since entering the mansion, patting Isabel’s shoulder.

‘Where does this perverted old man think he’s touching?’

Isabel put on a polite, businesslike smile, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Pretending not to know about the affair left a bad taste in her mouth, but she didn’t want to get entangled in someone else’s family drama.

“It’s all part of the job since I’m being paid.”

“Ah, yes. Here is the promised payment.”

“Thank you…”

The moment she took the money pouch, Isabel’s expression hardened. She narrowed her eyes and tapped the pouch against her hand.

‘What is this disgusting lightness I’m feeling?’

The agreed commission had been 3,000 gold coins, yet the weight of the pouch seemed far from that. About 1,300 gold? No, maybe even less.

“Haha! I made sure to prepare it for you, so take it without hesitation. It’s 1,230 gold.”

‘Damn, this cheapskate…’

Isabel swallowed the curse that had risen in her throat.

“Count Otair. I’m certain the commission was 3,000 gold coins.”

“Oh, that? I thought about it, and it didn’t sit right with me to give a woman that much money for something like this. In this day and age, isn’t it unsettling for a woman to see ghosts? You should be grateful I’m giving you this much.”

“……”

What nonsense was this? When he had been begging for her help, crying for her to save him, and now he wanted to pull this?

The last thread of her sanity snapped.

“Oh spirit…”

The eerie voice echoed through the cold air, and Count Otair’s head turned from side to side like a bird.

“W-who are you talking to? A ghost?!”

Ignoring him, Isabel continued her conversation with the empty air, her expression serious.

“Spirit of the mansion, is it true that Count Otair had an affair?”

“W-what?! How did you know…!”

“Shh!”

Isabel held her index finger to her lips, feigning shock.

“Oh my. The spirit says it will tell the countess everything.”

“N-no! If my wife finds out, I’m done for. There’s still a ghost here? Then hurry and exorcise it!”

“Well, perhaps it would be better for you to find someone else, rather than asking a woman who sees ghosts.”

Shocked, Count Otair blocked Isabel’s path as she tried to leave. “W-wait! Is it the money? I’ll pay you, so please…”

“Payment in advance.”

“…Ugh.”

“I can’t trust someone who has already lied once.”

“…How much do you want?”

Isabel’s lips slowly curled into a smile.

“The rest of the original commission, 1,770 gold, plus an additional 1,000 gold for the trouble. So 2,770 gold in total.”

“N-no. Where would I get that kind of money all of a sudden…”

“If you don’t want to, then I’ll be going. Handle the remaining ghost yourself.”

Isabel glanced sideways at the count, her tone indifferent as she pulled her arm free and turned her back.

Counting slowly in her mind.

One.

Two.

Three.

“W-wait! Please, just wait a moment.”

Got him.

Suppressing a grin, Isabel replied coldly, “Do you have anything else to say?”

“I’ll give you the money. Just please do something about the ghost. If my wife finds out this time, I’m really finished!”

‘Oh, so it wasn’t your first time?’

It seemed the rumors about him being a devoted husband were lies spread by the countess to protect her reputation.

While Isabel pitied the countess, Count Otair began stripping off the gold jewelry he wore. On top of that, he emptied his pockets, handing over every last coin to Isabel.

“This should be roughly what you asked for. Now please get rid of the ghost. I’m begging you!”

“It’s not an easy ghost to deal with, but since it’s me, I’ll talk to it first.”

Satisfied with the weight of the gold coins, Isabel grinned as she spoke nonsense to the empty air.

“Spirit! How about keeping that wretched fact a secret, out of pity for this poor, ugly face?”

Count Otair clasped his hands together, nodding desperately in response to Isabel’s gesture.

“Yes, yes! That’s right. Please, have pity on this ugly, pitiful man and spare me just this once!”

Holding back her laughter, Isabel continued her act, “Oh my, is that so?”

“Isabel. What did the spirit say?”

“Fortunately, it says it’ll keep it a secret. But it warned you—no more affairs. If it happens again, it won’t let it slide!”

“Eek!”

“Got it?”

“Y-yes. I’ll remember.”

Count Otair, his face pale with fear, nodded repeatedly as he hurried out of the mansion.

Rosie, who had been watching from the windowsill, nestled into Isabel’s arms and asked, “Why did you lie?”

“Rosie, this is the adult world. People like him deserve it.”

Rosie watched Isabel, who was now grinning wickedly while pocketing her commission, and thought to herself.

‘Why do adults live such tiring lives?’

If that was adulthood, she wanted to remain a child forever.

 

***

 

Caw, caw.

The cries of countless crows echoed through the dark forest.

Isabel emerged from the bushes with a blank expression, crossing the dry garden.

Rosie clung tightly to Isabel’s neck as they drew closer to the dark mansion.

“…Is this a ghost’s house?”

“What? People live here, you know.”

A ghost’s house, really. Despite its appearance, it was a cozy home. Though, admittedly, it was a bit old.

Isabel stepped into the eerie mansion.

“Miss!”

As soon as she entered, Sophia rushed over in a hurry.

Sophia was the only servant of the duchy. She was a maid, a cook, a cleaner, a gardener, and even the guard—a very capable girl.

Oh, and she was also acting as the secretary of the detective agency now.

“Sophia, why are you so worked up in the middle of the night?”

“A new request just came in!”

Sophia followed Isabel, explaining excitedly, “The commission is quite substantial.”

“How much are we talking?”

After looking around to make sure no one else was around, Sophia whispered into Isabel’s ear, “A whole million gold.”

“…What did you say?”

Isabel frowned. Was her hearing going bad? She thought she’d heard something ridiculous.

“One million gold! A million! That’s six zeros!”

Sophia spread out six fingers.

As Isabel stared blankly at Sophia’s fingers, a heavenly sound of angelic trumpets echoed in her mind.

“One… million?”

“Yes! Isn’t that amazing? They’re waiting in the parlor right now!”

“Sophia, let’s go. We can’t keep such an important client waiting.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Isabel turned and made her way to the parlor, her dress fluttering behind her.

One million gold? With that kind of money, she wouldn’t even mind if bald-headed Count Otair showed up again.

With her heart pounding, Isabel reached the parlor and opened the door, her face flushed with excitement.

Little did she know, she was opening the door to hell.