I Got A Job At A Haunted Mansion - Chapter 2
I Got A Job At A Haunted Mansion
Chapter 2
Was that for real? No…right?
For a moment, a silly thought crossed my mind, but I quickly dismissed it and followed the old man into the mansion.
Inside, the grandeur of the place took my breath away. Ornate chandeliers adorned the ceiling, casting a dazzling light across the lobby. The walls were decorated with various works of art, adding to the magnificence of the place.
“We have a guest! Hihi!”
Suddenly, a young girl appeared on the mezzanine from the second floor, her hair tied up neatly. She quickly disappeared behind a wall when I spotted her. I couldn’t help but notice her expensive-looking dress, a clear indication that she was a lady of a noble family.
“Does this household have a young miss?”
I absentmindedly asked the old man’s back, but he continued walking without responding.
What’s wrong with him? Why isn’t he answering?
I wondered why he didn’t answer as I trailed behind him down the hallway. The corridor was adorned with elegant paintings, showcasing the refined taste of the mansion’s owner. I took my time to appreciate each one as I slowed my pace. Upon reaching the end of the hallway, I noticed a crooked painting on the wall.
Unlike the other paintings that depicted objects or people, this one was an abstract painting with no clear form, yet its vivid colors stood out. I didn’t possess an artistic eye to judge whether it was a good painting or not, but I found the combination of colors to be pleasing.
As I absentmindedly stared at the painting, reaching out to straighten the frame, the old man turned to me.
“It’s best not to touch it. You see, a soul is residing in that painting.”
“Pardon? A soul? Are you referring to a human soul?”
“Yes, precisely that. It’s said that a man who was so enamored with this painting clung to it even after his passing.”
I withdrew my hand that had been reaching for the painting. The old man chuckled and urged me to continue walking.
Was he joking, or was he serious? What’s going on? Why am I getting scared?
I couldn’t fathom the meaning of his words and watched the old man’s back with bewilderment.
“Excuse me, but please wait here for a moment.”
He said as we reached a room, blocking my way with one arm before disappearing inside. The door let out a creaking sound as it opened and closed. I leaned against the wall next to the door, waiting for him to return. Then, the little girl I had seen earlier ran past me.
Pit-a-pat, pit-a-pat, went her footsteps. She ran from one end of the corridor to the other, turned around, and repeated the process. I turned my head left and right, following her movements.
She’s got so much energy. Still, someone ought to teach her not to run inside the house……
Had she been my younger sister, I would have given her a good scolding, but as she belonged to someone else, it wasn’t my place to teach her right from wrong. I watched her play silently, but then she abruptly came to a halt and stood motionless in front of me.
What’s happening? Why is she suddenly acting like that?
As I sneaked a glance at her, the little girl tilted her head and locked her gaze on me. It was an eerie sight; her neck bent at a 90-degree angle.
“You can see me?!”
“Eh……?”
This……is not normal. The chill I felt upon entering this mansion was more than a mere sensation. It was clear to me now that this was a haunted mansion.
“You can see me! You can see me! There’s someone else who can see me!”
The little ghost jumped up and down, elated.
Ah…… No, I don’t think I can see you. Please stop doing that.
I quickly looked away, hoping the girl would lose interest in me. Despite my desperate attempt, she continued to stare at me, almost as if to mock my wish.
“This is great, I like you!”
I couldn’t fathom what I had done to earn her favor, but she seemed to have taken a liking to me. Even in our mansion, dubbed the “Haunted Mansion,” no sightings of ghosts had ever been reported, so encountering one in such a well-maintained and pristine environment was beyond belief.
Inwardly, I prayed to all the gods I had ever known from both my past and present lives. Please, let this apparition disappear before me.
“Dear guest, please come in. His Grace expects you.”
While I had my eyes tightly shut, the old man called me. He was my savior, Amen. I wasted no time in entering the room, grateful to be in the company of living beings instead of having to deal with the dead. To my relief, the ghostly girl didn’t follow me into the room, but instead, seemed to return to running around.
It was inconceivable that I could hear her voice…… This ghost must be incredibly powerful, otherwise, why would it be in a place like this?!
“What’s your name?”
As I attempted to settle my jumbled emotions, a low, refined voice caught my attention. Looking up, I saw a sharply dressed man sitting across from me, appearing almost obsessive in his tidiness. He was undeniably handsome, but the area under his eyes was heavily shadowed, conveying a sense of exhaustion and weariness……huh?
Pardon me? There seems to be a ghost hovering behind you.
An indistinct, shapeless black mist was whirling around his shoulders, dancing chaotically without constraint.
“I’m asking for your name.”
“……My name is Laura Haien.”
He asked again and I answered hesitantly. My gaze remained fixated on the billowing black smoke. Gradually, the smoke took on the form of a long tail, resembling that of a cat, trailing behind the man’s right shoulder. To my surprise, the smoke tail seemed to turn and stare directly at me.
Oh dear…… this is quite creepy.
After considering it for a moment, I briefly entertained the idea of hitting myself with my fist and losing consciousness. However, the thought of the ghosts still watching me upon regaining consciousness was a bigger horror. I took a deep breath and attempted to soothe myself as best I could, speaking in a calm and gentle tone.
“I don’t believe I can work here. I apologize, but I will need to depart now. Mr. Butler, could you kindly escort me outside?”
I directed my request toward the old man, but he merely shrugged and remained silent.
“Excuse me, could you please assist me in finding my way outside? This place is so vast, and I can’t find my way alone.”
He remained silent. What’s the matter with him? Didn’t he just say something weird about a painting with a soul earlier?
Just to be sure, I tightly grasped his arm and felt his well-toned muscles. He had a fit physique, and thankfully, he was not a ghost.
Then why isn’t he answering me?
I looked up at him with a resentful expression. He then glanced at me and gestured towards the front with his chin.
As I turned my head, I noticed the exhausted-looking man staring at me. He was enveloped by an intense aura as if he was about to storm the battlefield and cut off the enemy’s head.
Behind him, the black smoke had increased in size, resembling flickering flames that engulfed his shoulders and head.
Is that supposed to be a special effect……?
With the addition of the smoke effect, he appeared more like a final boss that rose from hell than an army general. However, something felt off. Ghosts usually don’t attach themselves to people with such a powerful presence, yet this man exuded strong energy from every angle.
I hid behind the butler’s back and observed them closely.
Why was the black smoke clinging so tightly to him? Does he even know that a ghost has attached itself to him?
But, it’s none of my concern. As long as I can leave this place, it doesn’t matter.
With that thought, I gave a slight nod.
“You will start working tomorrow.”
Suddenly, the man spoke, his words seeming to mock my thoughts. No, didn’t I just say that I couldn’t work here?
“Pardon?”
“Your job isn’t difficult. It’s just managing my schedule and organizing simple documents.”
“Ah, I see. The work itself doesn’t seem difficult. However, as I mentioned earlier, I don’t think I can work here……”
“Your salary will be 500 ple.”
“I’ll work hard.”
I found myself emerging from behind the butler. 500 ple! This sum exceeded the typical salary that a commoner would earn as a maid by more than threefold. Of course, since I am nominally a noble, my situation is different, but the amount was undeniably substantial.
That’s right. Money is my motivation.
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Exkelsior
not her 180 at the salary 😭