I Became the Ghost Duke's Daughter - Chapter 8

 

“If you know, tell me the truth quickly. What are you? Are you really a ghost? Why are you in there? Why did you follow me? Just know that if you lie, they’ll take their eyes off you.”

 

I deliberately asked questions without giving any space. I didn’t forget to add a brief yet terrifying threat.

 

This strictly followed the teachings of a tactic book that states that when encountering an enemy whose identity you don’t know, you should first talk to them without stopping to confuse them.

 

But unfortunately, the tactics in the book seem to have been directed against people.

 

Contrary to my expectations, the teddy bear calmly adjusted the red ribbon around its neck and opened its mouth to the world.

 

<First of all, my name is ‘Rick’. And maybe… I’m really a ghost.>

 

Maybe, it says? So is it some kind of bear spirit?

 

As I narrowed my eyebrows suspiciously, the teddy bear seemed to notice and added.

 

<I have no memories before I came into the teddy bear.>

 

“…What?”

 

<You may not believe it, but it’s true. All I remember is that my name was Rick, and I don’t remember anything else, like how I died or why I was trapped in this teddy bear.>

 

“Trapped? You didn’t hide in it on your own?”

 

<Yes. I tried to get out of here like other ghosts, but it was no use. The reason is… I still don’t know.>

 

Teddy bear, no, Rick concluded his sentence and sighed as if he was truly frustrated.

 

Seeing that, it became difficult to attempt additional threats.

 

I glanced at Rick with an uneasy feeling, and decided to resolve any unresolved questions first and asked.

 

“By the way, you haven’t answered the other questions yet. Why did you follow me in the first place?”

 

Rick sighed in response to my question, looked around, and whispered softly.

 

<Recently, a ghost similar to an evil spirit came into the mansion.>

 

Evil spirit?

 

<But why would a child who doesn’t know anything want to go out at night? How can you, as a human being, just look at that? I was planning to scare you enough to make you go back to your room.>

 

I was distracted by the word ‘evil spirit’ for a moment, but later I noticed something strange in his words and frowned.

 

What? Child?

 

“How old are you?”

 

Quite old-fashioned words came out of my mouth.

 

Then Rick said with an even more bewildered expression than me.

 

“What does it mean to ask my age as soon as I say I have no memory?”

 

Ah, right.

 

“…So how long have you been staying here?”

 

<Well… It’s not exact, but I think it’s been a little over 4 years.>

 

“What. Then I’m the older sister!”

 

<I mean, since I don’t know how old I was before I lost my memory, I don’t say anything just in case. What on earth are you so dissatisfied with?>

 

“…”

 

I quietly glared at Rick, who calmly said everything he wanted to say.

 

Yes, just like he said, I’m now being treated with respect by him. But one’s tone of voice and attitude don’t always match, right? What kind of attitude is that, the way he treats an older sister?

 

For a while, I glared at Rick with eyes that said, ‘I have a lot to say,’ and then I sighed and looked away.

 

That’s not what’s important right now. I’m more mature than him, so I won’t waste my emotions like this. Right, of course.

 

“Tell me more about it than that. There’s an evil spirit here?”

 

Evil spirit.

 

Just as the world isn’t full of only good people, there are beings called ‘evil spirits’ in the world of the dead.

 

Evil spirits were dangerous to both the living and the dead.

 

By eating ghosts that are weaker than themselves, they increase their strength and size, and use that strength to take the lives of living people or take over their bodies.

 

In general, there were two cases in which a ghost became an evil spirit.

 

First, if they’re unable to let go of their anger and resentment towards a living enemy and repeat the act of injuring a living person continuously over a long period of time.

 

And two.

 

‘Actually, this is the most dangerous.’

 

This is a case where a ghost takes the life of a living person.

 

‘There’s no way it’s the second one, isn’t there.’

 

I waited for Rick’s answer with nervous eyes.

 

And the next moment, he kindly opened his mouth in a gentlemanly tone.

 

<When did I say it was an evil spirit? I said it was a ghost close to an evil spirit. Rather, children can’t stay up until this hour. Let’s sleep first.>

 

…Does he really want to try me?

 

***

 

No matter how hard I tried, Rick was stubborn. Is there anything I can do since he doesn’t budge even when I threaten to tie the ribbon around his neck tightly?

 

In the end, I fell asleep with my mouth pouting. Apart from lying down in dissatisfaction, this time I slept deeply and without any dreams.

 

“Yaawn.”

 

The first day of imitating naughty children has arrived. Theresia Oblene, please stand up.

 

I woke up early and stretched my body.

 

My mind was clear because I always had to wake up at this time to get a meal or steal Lawrence’s snacks while avoiding the eyes of the servants.

 

As I was sitting on the bed, stretching my arms upward, sideways, and forward, and yawning, Mina came in.

 

She widened her eyes, smiled sweetly, and picked up her pen.

 

[Oh my. You woke up early, Miss? Now, shall we wash up and go to the dining room?]

 

Okay, from now on.

 

I lay down comfortably behind Mina, not making eye contact with her.

 

“Don’t wanna!”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

As expected, Mina was heard asking a question in bewilderment, forgetting to write down what she wanted to say on the paper.

 

Great, it’s going according to plan. I smiled evilly and struggled to my feet in a position that was out of Mina’s sight.

 

“The bed is so soft that I don’t want to get up. Can’t I just eat here without washing up? Please?”

 

<Wow, awesome.>

 

That guy?

 

I rolled my eyes while lying down and glared at Rick who was sitting on the nightstand. The way he quickly closed his mouth when he felt my gaze was extremely disgusting.

 

Yes, how would you know this sister’s deep sorrow? Would you like to learn from this detachment that puts aside all pride and dignity?

 

I expressed my sadness to Rick in my heart and then glanced down at Mina.

 

By now, she must be looking at me with a tired look on her face, as did the maids of the Oblene Mansion, right! Great, I’m ready!

 

…But something is strange?

 

“Miiiss…”

 

It was the moment when I sensed something strange. the voice clearly trembled violently and pierced my ears.

 

Mina’s eyes, with her strangely distorted face, twinkled unusually.

 

Those were definitely tears.

 

I was suddenly startled and jumped up. What, why is she crying!

 

‘Was it too harsh?’

 

Geez. I hurriedly walked in front of Mina, cursing myself out of guilt. I restlessly twirled around her.

 

“Mina, Mina? I’m sorry! It was just a prank! I will wash up and brush my teeth! I’ll go to the dining room and eat too! I was wrong…”

 

So, do something about those tears…

 

I wiggled my fingers and apologized in a hushed voice.

 

I swallowed the words telling her not to cry with a shred of reason. Because right now I can’t see Mina’s face.

 

But then. Mina, whose eyes were sparkling with water, suddenly smiled brightly. She wrote down something with her quick fingers and held the paper in her hand clearly visible.

 

[No, Miss! Then, I’ll ask the Master if he wants to eat together in the Miss’ room!]

 

“Yes?”

 

“Please take a rest!”

 

“No, wait, Mina!”

 

I came to my senses a beat late and quickly stretched out my hand to grab Mina.

 

But the hem of her dress slipped past my hand as if teasing me and disappeared out the door. It was literally an instant.

 

No, why would she be so fast?

 

I was frozen in place, dumbfounded, when I heard a snickering sound coming from behind me.

 

<Terry really, really doesn’t want to wake up, though.>

 

“Don’t do that.”

 

<Alright. I will give up.>

 

Hiding my reddened ears beneath my hair, I glared at Rick.

 

Then, after teasing me, he avoided my gaze and sat facing the wall.

 

Only then did I have time to think.

 

I let out a deep sigh, thinking of Mina who left the room after spitting out something incomprehensible.

 

‘Yes, the Duke will stop her.’

 

The child who is the heir in name insists on eating in her room on the first day of registration as if it’s polite and formal and it’s none of her business, but he won’t accept it. I can bet my fingers on the fact that I will get scolded right away.