# Chapter 023
“What is it?”
“I want to go to the Ghost House.”
Luke’s lips pressed tightly at the sudden suggestion. But soon he realized from Asher’s bright smile that he had said it to change the subject.
“Are you sure? I heard it’s famous for being the scariest place in the Empire.”
“Probably…?”
The scariest place in the Empire? Just hearing those words made his knees feel weak. All this for a treasure chest in the rose vines. With a forced smile on his pale face, Asher expressed his desire to visit it.
“If you want to go for the treasure chest in the rose vines, I could help you with that.”
“No. There’s no satisfaction in getting it with a free pass.”
Asher firmly stated his intention. Seeing Asher’s eyes shining with determination to obtain it himself no matter what, Luke nodded in understanding.
Upon actually arriving at the entrance of the Ghost House, screams could be heard from the entrance. Just listening made Asher’s heart pound faster as the queue got shorter.
“It’s not too late to turn back.”
“No. I’m fine. I’m going to pass through this place with Your Highness and get the stamp on the back of my hand.”
Despite his words, Asher’s lips grew increasingly pale. He wondered if he could really complete this course when he jumped at the mere mention of ghosts, but with Luke by his side, he felt he could accomplish anything.
The queue gradually shortened, and soon it was their turn to enter. Asher took a deep breath and gave Luke a brave smile.
“Shall we go in then?!”
Luke looked at the overly enthusiastic Asher with concern. But Asher entered the Ghost House entrance as if everything was fine.
*Whoosh*—
As soon as they entered, white smoke billowed toward Asher and Luke. Startled, Asher collapsed without even screaming, only taking sharp breaths.
“We should leave.”
“No! I’m… fine.”
For someone who claimed to be fine, Asher’s voice was trembling. He hurriedly got up, took a long breath, and composed himself. Then, as if nothing had happened, he gathered his expression and slowly began to move inside.
Unlike the entrance where smoke had billowed out, the inside of the Ghost House was dark. As Asher cautiously entered, wary that something might jump out from the walls, he felt someone grab his foot.
“F-foot…!”
No sooner had he started to say that someone had grabbed his foot than Luke immediately struck down with his scabbard. Judging by the frightening cracking sound, he seemed to have struck the floor, avoiding the person playing the ghost. Asher stared blankly up at Luke with tears in his eyes.
“…Your Highness?”
“That was a warning not to touch what’s mine.”
Perhaps because it was dark, his expression wasn’t clearly visible, but somehow his voice sounded chilling. Asher responded that he understood and tried to quickly escape this place. But contrary to his will, his weakened legs wouldn’t move, and Asher tapped his stiff legs with a dazed expression.
“Let me borrow your hand for a moment.”
Luke took Asher’s hand, which had lost all tension, and released a slight pheromone. He released the pheromone so that only Asher could smell it, beginning to restore Asher’s composure.
The sharp mint scent filling his nose penetrated deep into his lungs. Asher felt his fear melting away like snow in the dreamy depth of the pheromone, which he wanted to keep smelling.
Could a scent be this good? Feeling somewhat intoxicated, Asher unconsciously leaned toward him and brought his nose closer. But Luke immediately withdrew his pheromone and called his name.
“Asher?”
“Is pheromone… always this good?”
“…What are you saying now?”
“I’ve never thought someone’s pheromone could be this good…”
It was sweeter than he had imagined, and Asher wanted to smell more. As if entranced, he stood dazedly before belatedly realizing what he had done and quickly backed away.
“It’s dangerous there.”
Luke hurriedly wrapped his arm around Asher’s waist and pulled him close. At a distance close enough to see his face even in the darkness, Asher felt his heart beating rapidly. Thump-thump. At the sound of a heart beating rapidly—whose it was, he wasn’t sure—Asher swallowed his breath, as if that would slow his heart.
“We should complete this and get out.”
“…Yes.”
At the faint response like a dying ember, Luke released his hand from Asher’s waist and took his hand again. Strangely, in that moment, he had no thoughts about how the ghosts might jump out.
Having barely escaped to the exit, Asher approached the exit assistant and offered the back of his hand. The stamp pressed onto the back of his hand depicted a cute rabbit, reminiscent of a “well done” stamp. Asher was so happy just to have received the stamp that he smiled at Luke.
“Look at this, Your Highness! A stamp!”
“Are you that pleased?”
“Yes!”
Seeing Asher answer with a childlike excitement, a small smile gradually spread across Luke’s face. The assistant pressed the same stamp on the back of Luke’s hand and also took a commemorative photo with a magical device.
“This photo… may I keep it?”
“Do you like it?”
“Yes. Very much.”
Unlike himself, who was smiling brightly, Luke’s expression was stiff, but he still liked it. Just the fact that he had something to remember with him made his heart feel full. But Luke, as if that wasn’t the end, tidied Asher’s disheveled hair and said:
“We can come here together every year from now on.”
“…”
“How about we see something other than the Ghost House next time?”
Asher couldn’t readily respond to Luke’s words promising next year, the year after, and beyond. He simply nodded slowly, quietly feeling Luke’s touch on his forehead.
*
After finishing a simple dinner, Asher searched for the place with the rose vines along with Luke. The sun seemed to be setting already, as the sunset could be seen glowing red beyond the hill.
Time, which usually passed slowly, felt like it had flown by today. Feeling a strange sense of regret, Asher bit his lip.
As they walked, the scent of roses grew stronger in his nose. It was a deeper rose scent than what he had smelled from Shaki. Realizing they were getting closer to the vines, Asher walked quickly toward their destination.
The gradually revealed rose vines were more impressive than he had imagined. The large vine park, into which considerable assets must have been poured, was filled with red roses. Despite the rich rose scent strong enough to make one dizzy just by walking, all the couples seemed busy creating memories, holding hands.
“It’s beautiful…”
Luke quietly watched Asher, whose eyes sparkled as he expressed his admiration without restraint.
“That must be the entrance where the treasure chest is.”
Looking around, Asher discovered rose vines shaped like a maze. There was a sign that read “Entrance” along with a guide standing by.
“Will we be able to find it?”
“We definitely will.”
Luke reassured him with a nod, as if knowing how much effort Asher had put into this. Asher returned a positive look to Luke and went to the guide to show his stamp.
“There is a treasure chest in this maze. It’s located in the center of the maze. But there are two chests. You can make only one choice.”
“What if we choose a box other than the treasure chest?”
“Obviously, you’ll lose. Good luck.”
As if to say there would be no further conversation, the guide pointed to the entrance and bowed at a 90-degree angle. Asher put his disappointment aside and entered the maze with Luke.
The maze walls were entirely covered with red roses, enough to make one’s vision dizzy. With so many bright flowers, Asher felt his eyes hurt.
“Which way should we go?”
“Since they said it’s in the center of the maze, we’d better go this way.”
He acted as if he already knew the answer. As they approached the center without any mistakes, Asher asked him:
“Did you know from the beginning?”
“I made an educated guess. The entrance was at the right end, and compared to the left end, the center would be this way.”
It seemed as if the path was already mapped out in his head. Even so, to perfectly navigate parts that would confuse anyone else was impressive. The dominant genes were truly dominant. Asher followed him quietly with admiring eyes.
“Congratulations on finding the center of the maze. As a celebration, I’ll give you the chance to choose a box.”
When Asher and Luke reached the center, another guide was waiting for them.
“You have only one choice. Will you choose?”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
