OPDPS 102

When the infirmary had just opened, most of the people in the castle ended up visiting because of one of Lady Merel’s schemes. Thanks to that, they met Aeryl without time to feel wary of the unfamiliar outsider, and quickly formed the impression that he was a kind and capable doctor.

Not only that, Aeryl would ask after their past ailments when they crossed paths, show genuine concern, and freely offer health advice. He even consulted on their family members’ health.

At times, he’d listen to a patient’s troubles during their visit and offer guidance based on his own experience. Such attentiveness went far beyond the expected duties of a physician in the inner quarters, so everyone felt sincerely grateful.

The desire to keep Aeryl around—and to repay him—quickly spread among the people. So when an opportunity came up, everyone jumped in without hesitation.

“At first, I was just talking to a maid, but then the cooks joined in, and then a whole bunch of servants came swarming over too…”

As someone still new to social interactions, Raeler quickly found the situation overwhelming.

“Somehow, it turned into an idea to hold a party under the excuse of a welcome celebration. Just to cheer you up.”

Raeler couldn’t stop the momentum once it started. In the end, it got so intense he could only nod along, unable to keep up with the conversation.

“But even then, he didn’t just go along with it—he came back to get your permission first.”

Connie defended him. For someone who’d basically been a recluse for ten years, that was impressive.

“From what I saw, some of them definitely just wanted a reason to party… but they really do care about you, so I said let’s do it.”

Sure, the party was also a convenient excuse to have fun, but the feelings behind it were genuine.

“We threw it together last-minute, so it’s not much.”

Connie added with a modest huff. As she said, the table was set with stew and bread that had likely been made in advance, along with simple dishes like salad and fruit. Since it was technically work hours, they were drinking fruit juice blends instead of alcohol.

Still, everyone was eating, laughing, and chatting. Playing around during work hours was fun enough without needing any alcohol. Surrounded by all the cheerful people, Aeryl felt his own spirits rise too.

Well, if it’s come to this, I may as well have fun too! Aeryl raised his glass with the others.

“Cheers!”

He clinked glasses with a cheerful sound and drank. The drink was sweet and refreshing, lifting his mood even more.

“But… why make the ‘cheers’ sound with your mouth?”

Raeler asked innocently.

“It’s just to get into the mood. Shouting makes you feel good, doesn’t it?”

Connie answered with a smug grin.

“Then shall we do it again?”

This time Aeryl raised his glass first. Connie, Raeler, and the people nearby all joined in.

“Cheers!”

The sound rang out again, followed by more laughter. There hadn’t even been a funny story—but the situation itself was just so amusing. Aeryl, who had looked so down earlier, was now laughing heartily. And as he laughed among the crowd, he suddenly became aware of himself and thought:

‘I really am one of them now.’

It might sound obvious, but to Aeryl, it meant a great deal.

He had always felt like an outsider—whether with his mother’s family or in the imperial palace. Even among his relatives, he was a distant presence, never able to feel a sense of connection or belonging. Who would’ve thought that after running away without a plan, he’d find all of that here in the northern lands?

His hometown, where he had spent his whole life, felt foreign. His blood relatives made him uncomfortable. So why did this place feel so familiar and easy?

‘Running away was the right decision!’

He had no regrets—if anything, he should’ve taken that leap a hundred times over. Praising himself, Aeryl enjoyed the party to the fullest.

…Until he overheard something he would seriously come to regret.

“There’s… a monster? In the Grand Duke’s castle?”

Aeryl’s eyes instantly filled with fear.

“A monster? I heard it was a ghost.”

“Same! I heard it’s a female ghost.”

A moment ago, a rather tactless attendant sitting at the same table had asked Aeryl why he seemed so drained today. Embarrassed to tell the truth, Aeryl made up a story about losing sleep after hearing strange noises the night before. That’s when someone exclaimed, “Oh! That monster in the Grand Duke’s castle! So it is real!” and the real discussion began.

“A monster? A ghost? What are you talking about?”

“Oh, you didn’t know, Doctor? We all know the Central Wing ghost story.”

“Ghost story…?”

“Yes. There are two versions—one about a monster, and the other about a ghost.”

According to legend, something unknown was sealed in the basement of the central wing. The thing was so dangerous and powerful that it couldn’t be killed—only sealed.

It was safe during the day thanks to the seal, but at night, the creature’s power would grow and weaken the seal. In those moments, it could slip through and wander the castle halls. While the seal kept it from doing more than lurking in the corridors, if someone actually ran into it, their body would be devoured, and their soul enslaved forever.

When the sun rose, its power would wane again, and it would vanish—so the Grand Duke’s family established rules to keep everyone safe. …That was the story, anyway.

“That’s where those three rules came from.”

Don’t go outside between 10 p.m. and sunrise. Don’t enter the basement. And if you hear a strange wailing, leave immediately.

Those were the very rules Aeryl had heard on his first day at the Grand Duke’s castle. He’d thought them odd but had followed them faithfully—until last night, when he broke the rules for the first time… and heard that eerie wailing.

“S-So that means… uhh…”

A shiver escaped Aeryl without him realizing.

“Oh? Wait… are you scared now?”

“No, no…”

Like they’d found fresh prey, everyone’s attention locked onto him.

“Look at that face! Don’t tell me you actually believe in that stuff?”

“Who would believe such an absurd ghost story?”

“There’s not even a basement in the Central Wing to begin with.”

“Right? That’s why it’s just a story!”

The crowd burst into laughter, but Aeryl couldn’t laugh along. Instead, the ghost story started to sound all the more convincing.

The inventor clearly said he sealed off a basement… There’s no reason he’d lie in that situation.

That meant the basement was hidden so discreetly, even those who cleaned every corner didn’t know about it. That was what made it truly terrifying. If it were just an ordinary basement, there’d be no need to hide it.

There really might be something down there, mightn’t there?

Goosebumps crawled up his entire body. The sound of sobbing he’d heard in the corridor last night echoed vividly in his mind. Aeryl shuddered.

“Still, there must’ve been a reason such a ghost story started, right?”

“Maybe someone made it up to explain the strange rules of the inner quarters?”

“That could be it. They say those rules have been passed down for generations.”

“When I first heard them, I thought maybe there was some hidden secret in the Grand Duke’s castle.”

A ghost story tied to ancestral rules—its mysterious origin only made it feel more real.

“But you’re a learned man, Doctor. Do you really believe in monsters and ghosts?”

“It’s not that… There are plenty of unexplainable phenomena in the world! And I definitely heard something crying last night!”

“Maybe it was just the wind? The Central Wing is old, after all. Oh, you should check your fireplace, Doctor. It’s getting colder these days.”

“Speaking of which, the winter festival must be coming up soon! What’s everyone planning to do for it?”

Before they knew it, the topic had shifted to the upcoming winter festival. Once all the winter prep was done, a grand celebration would be held throughout the North to mark the season and wish for a peaceful winter. Among them, the one in the town below the Grand Duke’s castle was said to be incredible.

Aeryl had been determined to attend the moment he’d heard about it. But now, his thoughts had changed.

‘The Grand Duke’s castle… Maybe I need to leave.’

He was terrified!

***

A few hours later, the party ended.

Those who had finished their duties returned to their lodgings, and the rest scattered to their respective posts. Raeler and Connie followed Aeryl back to the Central Wing and left only after watching him enter his room.

Aeryl washed up quickly and stepped out into the living room. Then, it suddenly struck him how quiet everything was.

‘Wait a minute. I’m alone in the Central Wing.’

The only two who lived in the Central Wing were the Grand Duke and Aeryl, but the Grand Duke hadn’t returned from the outer quarters today either. Aeryl was the only person in this massive building.

‘Wh-what time is it?’

He hastily checked the clock. It was well past nine and fast approaching ten.

‘Monster… ghost… whatever it is, it’s terrifying…’

A chill ran down his spine, and he hunched his shoulders.

‘As long as I don’t leave my room, it’ll be fine.’

He tried to reassure himself—but his clever mind quickly countered.

There’s no rule saying it can’t come into the room.

What if that thing could chase after the only person in the building? He’d even heard its voice last night!

Aeryl hurriedly locked the door and drew the curtains. That still didn’t feel safe, so he turned on the light—only to immediately turn it off again, afraid the monster would see the light and come for him.

In the darkness, everything looked like a looming shadow. He couldn’t take it anymore. He dashed to his bed, jumped under the covers, and lit a single candle. This much light shouldn’t be visible from the outside… right?

He lay flat on his back and pulled the blanket up to his neck. His arms were neatly folded over his chest to make sure they didn’t poke out from under the blanket.

Just go to sleep…

He closed his eyes, but unease crept in. Didn’t it feel like something was standing right next to the bed? He cracked one eye open. Nothing. He sighed in relief—but couldn’t bring himself to close his eyes again.

‘I shouldn’t have listened! I should’ve run to a different table when that story started!’

Regret wouldn’t erase the story now etched into his brain. He lay still, just shifting his eyes as the darkened bedroom began to look eerie. The faintly visible living room past the door was creepy, he thought something might be under the bed, and even the crack in the wardrobe was bothering him.

“Uugh…”

Aeryl got up, turned on the lights in both the reception room and bedroom, and returned to bed. But he didn’t feel like lying down. Instead, he sat on the bed with his knees pulled up. He should’ve followed Raeler and stayed over there.

He hadn’t wanted to go back to the outer quarters, so he’d come to his room instead. But now, it was already past ten. He couldn’t go anywhere anymore. A tear slipped from the corner of his eye.

Knock knock.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

Aeryl froze on the spot.

What was that sound? Who knocked? I’m the only one in the building…!