From Corpse to Crown: Reborn as a Mortician in Another World-Chapter 13: The Banishing Rite

She laid the napkin on the floor like a sacred sigil. He noticed it was shaped like an envelope this time, with red thread.

Lucian pressed his back to the front door and the frame groaned beneath him. At the other end of the room was the shadow-woman, her twisted form unraveling. She crawled along the ceiling.

"You don't belong here." Lira said, foot planted firmly beside the folded napkin. "You were never invited."

She laughed and crawled toward the ceiling. Her voice sounded like multiple people were talking. "Invitations are for the living. You, of all people, should know that."

Black energy spilled from its mouth, crackling like lightning.

Lira flinched but kept her wards up.

Lucian wondered how he could possibly help with this. He reached into his pocket for the Grimoire and instead—his fingers brushed the coin.

This is is for her.

He remembered what Lucy said to him.

"Give her the coin. You know a little more about her now. And please let her know, three hundred years is a long time to wait."

"Lira! Catch!" He threw the coin and she turned just in time. "This..." she nodded and tossed the coin toward the chandelier.

It struck the floor with a sharp ping. Then, a ripple pulsed—once, twice—and then a torrent of silver-blue water surged upward.

The spirit shrieked as the well's magic flooded the hall. It passed through the walls and furniture like vapor—but hit the ghost like holy fire.

From the center, Lucy emerged, her form sculpted from moonlit mist. From where he stood, Lucian saw shadows of fish swimming in her hair. She smiled but her orange eyes were locked on the spirit.

"Finally! I haven't stretched my magic like this in ages." She raised a hand and Lucian's pendant shimmered. From within the tiny gold star, water surged forward and bound the spirit in transparent chains.

"You weren't supposed to return!" It hissed.

"And you weren't invited. So get out!" Lucy said.

She clenched her fist and the water collapsed inward. There was one final scream and then a burst of white light consumed the shadow.

Only the coin remained, still warm on the floor.

Lira retrieved the napkin and the coin. She nodded to Lucy, eyes fond, and looked at Lucian. "Thank you. For not trying to fix me."

His legs nearly gave out.

Lucy hugged him. It was like hugging a cool pillar with fish moving inside. She stood quiet as his breathing grew ragged. "It's all right. We're done now. You did good."

Lira rubbed his back soothingly. "Thank you for the coin. I'd almost forgotten about it." He heard Lucy huff and that made him laugh. "Three hundred years is a long time without visiting!"

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The air was damp with the scent of fading magic. The sweet pinkberry smell lingered, but it wasn't as cloying now. They retreated to the kitchen as the living room dried.

Lucian's hand hovered near his pendant.

"That... wasn't what I expected," he whispered.

Lira sank into an armchair. "Normally a mortician doesn't perform exorcisms, no. But..." she twirled one fingertip and a teacup appeared in front of him. "It's not like we had a choice back there."

"I put souls to rest...not...whatever that was." Lucian mumbled as he drank deep from the cup. It tasted like lavender with some milk and honey.

"Sometimes peace isn't just about letting go." Lira polished some silverware as she spoke.

"Sometimes it's about staying."

Lucian hesitated. "I'm sorry for bringing that in—it wasn't part of you."

Lira stared at the floor. "I didn't expect it would come back. I always suspected something made the family leave Sweetwater."

She looked up. Her eyes were sunken and her skin sallow, but Lira looked close to human.

"Grandma taught me to pay my respects to the spirits when you walk on new land. That's why I tossed the coin into the well. I didn't know she lived there."

Lucy's body twinkled as she sat by the window. "Your grandmother knew the old ways. Before it was a farm, it was mine. I kept it clean."

Lucian looked confused. "So the pinkberries didn't ruin the land?"

The water spirit scowled. "No. She did."

Lucy looked out the window where the pine trees swayed.

"Pinkberries were the last crop they planted. They do keep you warm in winter, especially in tea. But if you mix them with iron flakes and bone salt...you can punch a hole in the veil."

Lucian's stomach turned. "A hole to where?"

Lucy and Lira answered together: "Where things listen."

Lira sighed. "The young master thought ouija boards were funny. I warned him, especially when his friends came over. They laughed."

Lucian understood him, because he had done the same thing. I always felt invincible as a kid. But I learned too.

Her voice dropped.

"But something came through. I was the only one who saw it clearly. It smiled at me like it belonged here."

Lucian frowned. "So you used... napkins?"

"Folded corners mean boundaries," Lira said. "Creases are intention. It wasn't enough to banish her. But it held her. Long enough for the family to leave."

Her hands trembled.

"At least...I thought so. I found them near the pine trees. Buried them myself."

Her tears dropped onto one of her napkins, but they both let her grieve. Lira had been stuck in a loop, unable to cry, until now. "Then I banished that witch to another realm. But the veil doesn't see time, or other worlds, in fact. It just is."

Lucian frowned. "Still...what are the odds I talk to the same spirit who bothered you...?"

A shrill, cold wind billowed through the pine trees, as if in answer.

Lucy tilted her head. "Like we said. Things listen, and they remember. If given the chance, they return."

Lira continued her story. "Their neighbors called the farm cursed. But I stayed. Someone had to."

Lucian's voice softened. "And you've kept folding napkins ever since."

"To keep the boundaries strong," she nodded. "And to remind myself I...that it matters. That I have a purpose."

Lucy patted her back. "You did good, Lira. Even in death, you kept your promise."

Lucian let the words settle like dirt over a grave.

"But... what about now?"

Lira stood slowly. She brushed her dress. "Now?"

She turned to Lucian, eyes warm. "Now I think someone finally listened."

He opened his mouth, but Lucy beat him to it. "Should we tell the Queen this maid is ready to clock out?"

Lira laughed. "Only if she lets someone else fold the napkins."

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The room stilled, like after a storm.

Lucian hadn't noticed the fog lifting, the fire dimming.

And then—

A new presence entered the room. She was elegant and unmistakably human. Her green velvet dress was embroidered with gold and a tricorn hat complimented her pinned golden curls.

Lucian recognized her from the photograph on the mantle.

"The Lady of Sweetwater."

The woman smiled as Lira bowed deeply. "You've served us for so long. Even after that creature devoured us all."

Lira's eyes widened and she said nothing.

But when the woman touched her arm, Lira relaxed. "It's okay now. You've earned your rest."

"I hope I served you well, my lady." Lira whispered, and Lucian heard the sadness behind her voice.

"You have," said the Lady of Sweetwater. "even when Thomas and I wanted you to leave. That thing made sure you couldn't hear us."

She turned to Lucian with a grateful look. "But it's over now. Thanks to you. And Lucy."

And as quietly as she arrived, she faded away, holding Lira's hands until she completely disappeared in shards of sunlight.

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Still, Lucian wondered how the spirit got in.

"Lira protected Sweetwater for so long. How did she...?"

Then it clicked.

He had diluted his cup of pinkberry tea with water...and spilled some on the table.

"I shouldn't have used that napkin."

Lira blew him a raspberry. "To be fair, I should have put multiple seals on that table. I noticed too late. By the time I let you in, she had already attached to you."

Lucian groaned. "Rosa's never going to let me live this down."

Still, he straightened. "Lira... thank you. You protected this place even when it wasn't yours anymore."

She curtsied. "It was my honor. And..."

Lira looked at Lucian's pocket.

"It's time."

The Grimoire appeared beside him and turned its pages.