Haunted Duke’s Daughter - Chapter 26

Chapter 26

“……”

It was the same old bedroom she saw this morning . The room was cleaned and the bed was made, but that was it . Just what was she trying to hide?

—Sakura . Perhaps…

—It’s just like a Ninja! Awesome!

—Ninja? What’s that?

—Uhm… they’re spies from a faraway country in the east, or something like that, maybe?

How ambiguous, Lilia thought with a wry smile as she returned to the table and sank back into the chair . Tapping the table with her finger, Alisa quickly went to go prepare some black tea for her . Watching her as she worked, Lilia went,well then, as she opened her mouth .

“I don’t know if it’s by Father’s or Elder Brother’s orders but… Come out here . ”

Alisa’s movements stiffened . Forcing a stiff smile to her face she turned towards Lilia .

“Uhm, Miss Lilia? What might you be talking about…?”

At Alisa’s words, Lilia’s eyes narrowed in displeasure . Having that chilly glance directed at her, Alisa went let out a short shriek .

“Alisa . You are my maid . ”

“Y-yes…”

“You belong to me . Are you trying to hide something from me?”

“That is… well…”

Alisa was unable to give a response and looked away, casting her eyes down . Her expression looked like it was about to break into tears . In actuality, Lilia didn’t intend to condemn Alisa that much . The contract was with her Father, and for any orders from the Aldis house a subordinate could nary ignore such a thing .
That’s why, there were others that she should be blaming .

—Sakura . Where are they?

—Nnnn… About here and in the middle of the bedroom . Hidden in the ceiling . Two of them . One in the bedroom .

How’d she know all this, Lilia was surprised inside, as she turned her eyes towards the places that were pointed out . Lilia couldn’t see anything, but if Sakura was declaring so then they must be there .

“For the time being the two over there, come down . As for the one in the bedroom… well whatever . Afterwards, I, will go, have a chat, alone . ”

Making sure she showed her smile, Lilia spun each word one after the other . *Kata*, and so came a light sound from the ceiling . How pathetic, to be rattled by something of this degree, thought Lilia as she tapped the table like she was urging them . At first slowly, and since they still did not come down she increased her pace .

“Goodness gracious… You got me . ”

Where she felt she saw thee ceiling sink inwards, it slid to the side, and two men descended . The two were dressed in black, one an old man, the other seeming to be in his middle ages . Coming before Lilia, they got on one knee and lowered their heads .

“This would be our first meeting, I think . I am…”

“Your name doesn’t matter . ”

Lilia declared like a slap in the face . Having his words interrupted the old man frowned slightly, lifting his face .

“Get the one in the bedroom as well . ”

“Nay, there should not be anyone more . ”

“Do I need to repeat myself?”

She once again began to tap the table . Slowly at first, then gradually quickening . Though he probably didn’t know the exact meaning behind this the old man seemed to feel a chilling intent, and with a stiff smile, excused himself as he lowered his head .

“I will call them at once . …Oi . ”

At the old man’s severe voice, the other man nodded, and returned up into the ceiling . Lilia was a bit surprised at how he went back into the hole from before with a single leap, but she didn’t allow it to show on her face in the slightest .

After waiting a few seconds, the man descended from the ceiling again . And this time with him was one more, a girl, who should have been around the same age as Lilia . Her face was concealed with a mask so it was hard to tell for sure .

“Oh good . ”

Lilia said so gently, and the three kneeling before her looked up .

“If it was a man in the bedroom, I might just have killed all three of you . ”

She said such words with a smile, and the three deeply lowered their heads . These three probably knew, that Lilia wasn’t just saying so as an example, but conveyed reality . Most spies who wrought their master’s wrath would not live to tell the tale .

—Scary! Lilia’s scary! That’s no Lilia of mine!

—Who belongs to who now? More importantly this is everyone right?

—Nn… Yup . No doubt about it this is all of them .

—Is that so . Got it .

“Lift your faces . ”

Lilia said so as she tapped the tabled= with her finger . Without a word, the three silently lifted their faces .

“Under who’s orders were you sent here?”

The old man answered Lilia question . Master Claus, he said .

“I see . Elder brother was it . Hmmm…”

Lilia nodded, and sent her gaze towards Alisa . Alisa seemed to remember then, as she began to prepare the tea .

“And? Who is the one in charge here? Well, I more or less have an idea already though . ”

When Lilia looked at the old man, he also returned her gaze, and gave a single nod .

“Well then I have something I want to ask you . ”

“Anything my lady . ”

“On who’s authority, did you order Alisa? Aside from yourselves, you were also giving orders to her no?”

Lilia’s tone lowered all at once . The two men, perhaps as would be expected did not stir in the slightest, but the young girl was shaking ever so slightly . She had yet to mature unlike the others, how lovely .

“Did you not hear me?”

When Lilia asked for the second time, the old man again lowered his head .

“Master Claus, said that it would be fine to make use of those serving the Aldis house . ”

“I see . That’s quite the frank way of speaking, was that also how Elder Brother conveyed it?”

“It is as you surmise . ”

“Really . In that case, I suppose I should offer my gratitude as well . ”

Alisa put the cup of black tea on the table . Lilia took one sip, and then,

“…!”

She threw it just like that . The still hot tea splashed onto the old man, and his face made a slight grimace . However Lilia’s anger had yet to dissipate, and she forcefully struck the table with her fist . At the loud bang, the young girl’s trembling intensified .

“On, just, who’s, authority, did you order Alisa . ”

Lilia slowly stood up . She had a sweet-looking smile on her face, yet her eyes alone were perfectly focused down on them .

“I’ll have you understand something . ”

“Yes…”

“Alisa is my maid . Not a maid of Aldis, my maid . Towards this maid of mine, on just who’s authority did you order her with?”

“My deepest apologies . ”

The old man further lowered his head, and the other two followed suit . Lilia stared at them emotionlessly for a while, but eventually she released her gaze, and sat back down into the chair .