Black spires were rising sharply, as if piercing the sky.

Let that be. Castles are supposed to be pointy.

But the garden that spread before my eyes finally made me rub my eyes.

‘…What’s with those crosses?’

In the garden, where flowers should be, there were stakes shaped like crosses.

And dozens, hundreds of them, at that.

‘That’s a fountain…?’

There was a fountain in the center.

Drip, drip, drip.

But instead of an angel statue, a skull with three heads was spewing green water.

Only then did I notice the statues decorated around.

They were all shaped like monsters.

‘Lord.’

It was as I cried out to Major God and retreated.

Caw caw!

A flock of crows flew up, as if mocking my prayer.

Emma, startled by the noise, clung to me.

“What, what is that!”

“Calm down, it’s just crows.”

For now.

I comforted Emma and looked up at the sky.

The blue color had gone somewhere, and the sky was entirely covered with black clouds.

‘Demon castle.’

That was all I could think of.

“Princes, I think we may have found the wrong address.”

I was speaking to the children, but my gaze was directed at Mikhail.

‘Please say it’s not true, please.’

Did my desperate eyes reach him?

He pronounced the death sentence.

“This is indeed the Duke of Ruben’s castle.”

Mikhail’s expression didn’t even have a hint of a smile.

‘Lord, please turn back time.’

Back to the point where I agreed to Kashar’s suggestion.

‘I should have decided after visiting!’

At that moment, famous real estate apps like Bangitso and Purrpan flashed through my mind.

Even the words of the real estate president who tried to enchant me.

‘Ah, this house is the best! My, young lady, you’re picky!’

Did the water drain well? Was there no mold? Was there no cockroach repellent installed?

Had I not forgotten to check important things even when I heard the word “picky” while looking at rooms?

I had been careful even when signing a oneroom contract.

‘I didn’t even think about looking at properties to move to.’

Romance was more than reality.

The moment the illusion that all dukes’ castles would be nice came crumbling down.

“……Ah, my head.”

The sight of the Demon Castle made me dizzy just looking at it.

I stumbled, and Louis and Evan steadied me.

“Aileen, are you hurt?”

Louis asked worriedly.

I quickly shook my head.

“No, no. I just feel a little faint.”

“Uhhuh, you can’t be sick. But is this where we’re moving to? It looks so cool.”

Louis pointed at the Demon Castle and asked.

It was generous praise, considering he wasn’t screaming and crying.

“That, that’s right. Um…”

I couldn’t bring myself to nod.

‘Raising children in a place like this?’

It was on par with telling the children to celebrate a villain’s day.

‘No. It can’t be.’

Mumbling, I blinked my eyes.

I checked again, but the Demon Castle was still intact.

However, Kashar was nowhere to be found.

Anger at the landlord boiled up.

‘This madman!’

He wasn’t seen all day for a reason!

He undoubtedly sent Mikhail on purpose.

‘I was scammed.’

In a moment of despair, black clouds obscured the sun.

Rain was falling from the sky. The weather was ominous.

“We must go back to the carriage…!”

Even if struck by lightning, that house would not do.

I hurriedly turned to the children, but the carriage that should have been there was gone.

“Let’s go in.”

Mikhail pointed to the Demon Castle.

‘I’m not going.’

The moment I vowed to become steadfast, Louis tugged at my sleeve.

“Aileen, it’s raining! They said you’ll catch a cold if you get soaked!”

In Louis’s eyes, all of this was just new and his eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Louis grabbed me again, and this time, Evan was with him.

“Let’s go, hurry!”

“Getting wet is bad for your body.”

My mentally damaged body was dragged along like a wet rag.

“I, I’ll come too!”

Emma hurriedly followed, not wanting to be left alone in such a place.

I avoided reality and closed my eyes, picturing the ducal castle I dreamed of in my mind.

‘Our Princes, I must make them the best in the world.’

Somehow, we had already arrived at the door.

The rain beating on my body had disappeared.

When I cautiously opened my eyes, everything around was black and red.

A dark figure stood there.

‘Mother, I’m going now.’

Just before fainting, a splendid voice was heard.

“Welcome sincerely to Ruben Castle, Prince Louis, Prince Evan, and…….”

Before the figure could continue,

Kwakwang!

Lightning struck.

“Aileen Hallen and Emma.”

“Kiiiiiaaaaaak!”

I screamed and clung to the children.

Emma, who couldn’t even scream, clung to my back.

‘Please, I’m rat poison to horror!’

I had never even entered a ghost house, let alone watched a horror movie.

How long had I been crouched down?

The children I had been holding began to struggle.

“I’m frustrated!”

With Louis’s cry, the lights came on.

Then the same voice from earlier came.

“Miss Hallen, are you alright?”

When I didn’t respond, Mikhail helped me up.

“Get up.”

When I slowly lifted my head, I saw an old grandfather.