The Abandoned and Terminally Ill Lady Married a Monster - Chapter 53
Chapter 53
Goosebumps prickled my arms at the bizarre situation, but the whimpering ghost chased away my fear. Could this ghost be the reason everyone avoids the tower? Or perhaps some unspeakable monster lived there? Was that why it was rumored to be a monster’s lair? And were they being kind to me only to offer me as a sacrifice? But the monster’s voice… it was so weak.
“[My love, my love. I want to be with you.]”
My love? The only people here were Mother and I. Was it addressing Mother? A shiver of horror ran down my spine as something translucent peeked out from the tower. It seemed yellowish, though I couldn’t be sure. As it drifted closer, it took on the faint shape of a human head. I almost screamed at the strange sight, but thankfully, no sound escaped. Part of a face materialized. My eyes widened in astonishment. Could it be? That face…
Just before the ghost’s face fully revealed itself, Mother gently took my arm. “Dear?”
“Oh, uh, yes?” Her voice snapped me back to reality. I looked up again, but the ghost was gone, not even an ant in sight.
“Was there something there?”
“No, I must have been mistaken.” I couldn’t tell her the truth; she’d think I was mad. I glanced at the tower once more, then back at Mother. The saying about being bewitched by a ghost seemed apt. Mother followed my gaze to the tower, then looked back at me.
“Tell me if you’re too tired to walk.”
“Yes, I will.”
“Shall we continue then?” The unsettling, puzzling atmosphere dissipated. It felt different from a ghost, somehow. And that face… it looked familiar. Pushing aside my unease, I followed Mother.
***
And now, the garden. Once again, I found myself in a daze, facing Mother, unsure of what I was doing, where I was, or even who I was.
“How’s the tea?”
“It’s lovely.” So, under the guise of a tour of the mansion, I was having tea with Mother in the garden. I couldn’t tell if the tea was going down my throat or up my nose.
“We only have cookies, pies, and cakes for refreshments. Is there anything else you’d like?”
Were there other refreshments besides cookies, pies, and cakes? Of course, I knew there were many kinds of treats, but these seemed sufficient for tea. With my mouth full of tea, I intended to politely decline after swallowing. However, Mother spoke first.
“Oh, young ladies these days enjoy macarons, don’t they? Chocolate? Vanilla? Salted Caramel? Earl Grey? What flavor do you… Oh, never mind. I should have just had them bring everything.”
I hurriedly tried to wave her off, but she had already instructed a maid to bring more pastries. “Have them bring out anything they can make right now, and every trendy dessert imaginable.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Kin had practically force-fed me breakfast, and I was still full. Even if the chef prepared a feast, I knew I wouldn’t be able to eat half of it. Perhaps not even a third. Before the maid reached the kitchen, I called out to Mother urgently. “M-Mother, I truly enjoy what’s already here. And there’s plenty, so while I’m very grateful, you needn’t bring out any more.”
I addressed her formally for the first time since our meeting. Just as she had when we first met, Mother covered her mouth and let out a soft gasp, “Oh, my.”
Had I done it? Even the simple act of addressing her made me lightheaded, but I had to prevent food waste because of me. It didn’t matter how I felt. The guilt of causing trouble for the staff and wasting food would be unbearable. I nervously gauged Mother’s reaction. She chuckled strangely.
“I didn’t know ‘Mother’ could sound so lovely.”
“…Yes?”
“Hoho, well, if our dear one insists, I suppose I must cancel the order.” She seemed to emphasize the phrase “dear one.” With the brightest smile yet, Mother called the maid back and canceled the extra desserts. Her blue eyes sparkled in the spring sunlight. I had a bad feeling about this.
“Yes, only our dear one can call me Mother. Our dear one is the sole mistress of the Blashur Dukedom. Isn’t that right?”
