Even Ghosts Get Paid to Babysit the Prince - Chapter 1

“Elisa.”

A familiar, low voice called my name softly. A hot sigh followed, trailing along the curve of my ear.

I squirmed, trying to free the hands wrapped around my waist from behind. Somehow, he’d grown so big he could easily hold me with one arm while the other gripped my hand firmly.

His rough, strong fingers wove through mine, pressing all the way until our hands fit together perfectly.

The warmth of his breath brushing my ear sent an unexpected flutter through my body, making my fingers tickle. I turned my head slightly and said,

“Lars… could you let go?”

He responded like a sulky seven-year-old.

“It’s been ages since we’ve been alone like this. Just once, please?”

“Alone or not, I said, let go.”

But Lars didn’t release me. Instead, he pressed a kiss to the cheek near my lips.

I jumped, startled, leaping all the way to the ceiling. Then I called his name sharply.

“Lars!”

He, however, remained unfazed, shrugging casually with an infuriatingly easy expression.

“Why so surprised, Elisa? I’m an adult now.”

“Yeah. An adult. But I—”

He cut me off, finishing my sentence before I could.

“Ah, a ghost nearly four hundred years old, right?”

That was exactly what I was about to say!

Flustered, I stammered, “Y-yeah! That’s right!”

He smiled, one eye winking mischievously.

“Have ghosts ever been this pretty? I don’t see a ghost; all I see is a fairy.”

Oh my god! Where on earth had he learned to say something so unbearably cheesy?

I definitely never taught him that.

…And that ticklish, teasing skinship from earlier? Not my doing either.

Lars lightly brushed his soft silver hair with a hand and said,

“Come down, Elisa. It’s my birthday today. Tonight, let’s dance together in the center of the ballroom. You know my first dance is always yours.”

I slowly descended, my feet touching the floor, and placed my hands on his shoulders.

“And I keep telling you… The dance should always be behind the terrace curtains, away from everyone’s eyes. If we dance in the middle of the ballroom, you’ll just look like a madman. Why don’t you… just find a proper noble lady tonight and—”

He cut me off with a lingering kiss on my palm, then stared straight into my eyes, his gaze piercing.

“Don’t worry. If any bastard tries that, I’ll gouge out their eyes and sew their mouths shut.”

The sheer cruelty of that reply made me shriek in shock.

“You can’t say things like that! When did I ever teach you such cruel words?! I told you to speak as politely as possible!”

“Elisa never taught me such things. You’re the perfect caretaker.”

“Hah… really…”

My head throbbed. I pressed both hands against my temples, regretting the momentary purchase of a corporeal body from the Soul Shop.

I had bought it to protect young Lars, but now it felt like I was at his mercy instead.

I can’t… I have to return to my ghost form quickly.

Every word, every glance, every touch—somehow, it sent little shocks of sensation from my chest all the way down.

And I… shouldn’t feel this way.

I tried to act nonchalant.

“Anyway, go on by yourself. You’re not scared of ghosts anymore, and you can handle being alone. Besides… Today is also the ball where you’re supposed to find your bride.”

“Elisa!”

Lars raised his voice, anger flickering in his tone. But I stood my ground, continuing calmly.

“You know, Lars. My mission is complete. I’ve stayed far longer than I needed. You’ve long since reached adulthood, and this year you turn twenty-five. Lars, it’s time for me to go.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the blue door behind him. That door had followed me ever since I completed my mission—it was only that I had stubbornly ignored it until now.

“…I don’t want that.”

“Lars, every meeting ends with a farewell. That’s the way of the world. I taught you that.”

He fell silent for a moment, then suddenly trapped me in his arms. I struggled, kicking and striking his broad back, but there was no way I could budge someone as strong as him.

“I can’t do that, Elisa,” he said. His voice lowered almost to a growl.

“What?”

“I won’t let you go.”

“Lars… this is a contract with a god. You don’t have any say in it.”

After a pause, he finally released me, and I saw tears shimmering in his transparent, amethyst-like eyes. The tears rolled down his cheeks, each drop catching the light. My heart ached at the sight.

Of course… I’m practically the only family he has.

In a way, his obsession made sense.

When I ascend, he’ll feel lonely, empty, and sad. I’ve stayed by his side all this time because I understand that feeling.

Moved by pity for the boy who would otherwise be left alone, I placed my hand on his cheek. He responded, putting his hand over mine.

“Elisa.”

Then, almost like a vow, he whispered,

“Then I’ll fight that god. And I’ll win… so you’ll stay by my side.”

“Lars!”

I gasped in shock at his words, pressing my hand over his mouth. Blasphemous, reckless, impossible. Helios was everywhere—there was no doubt the god had heard him.

Unlike me, trembling with fear, Lars’s expression didn’t change at all. If anything, he leaned closer, as if about to press his lips to mine.

The sudden closeness overwhelmed me, and I turned my head, but he caught my chin with one hand, forcing me to meet his gaze.

I tried to reason with him, my voice trembling.

“Lars… let go of me, while I’m still speaking nicely.”

“You know, Elisa…”

“…”

“I knew from the very first time I saw you that this would happen.”

“What?”

His words were puzzling. Then he smiled—a smile so full of infatuation—and whispered gently,

“That I’d end up having eyes only for you like a madman.”

“—!”

With that, he carefully held my face and pressed a quick, fleeting kiss to my lips.

“L-Lars! Wait!”

But that was only the beginning. This time, he didn’t pull away. His kiss deepened, stronger and more insistent. I gasped, choking on my own breath, pushing him back, but Lars stood firm, immovable as a rock, continuing to press his lips to mine.

No matter how I tried to push him away, he seemed desperate, like a man lost in the desert who’d finally stumbled upon an oasis. He was desperate, feverish, drinking my lips as if they were his salvation.

“Hm! La—”

Through the haze clouding my mind, I thought,

How did things get so tangled between us?

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