Sister, I Hit You Because There Was a Ghost Behind You - Chapter 20

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 20. I Thought a Clunker Was Being Replaced with a Mercedes, but Instead a Lamborghini Just Came Speeding Down the Wrong Way
A man sitting cross-legged on the reception room sofa opened his mouth as he looked at me.
“Lady Violetta. Or should I say, Countess Eberhardt now?”
Golden hair, arrogant eyes, and luxury brands draped across his entire body—it was Crown Prince Oscar, the Empire’s first in line to the throne. The moment he saw me, he rose from his seat and smiled with nauseating charm as he spoke.
“I’ve been wanting to see you, my hero.”
I pretended not to know and asked.
“…Forgive me for asking on first meeting, but who are you?”
Of course I knew who he was. But the Crown Prince Oscar in my memories was ‘a man obsessed with women, incompetent, and full of empty bravado.’ I had no desire to get entangled with him by pretending to know him. Oscar replied as if disappointed.
“How disappointing. Didn’t we brush past each other several times at the Imperial Palace’s masquerade?”
Oscar approached and tried to kiss the back of my hand. But at that moment, both Kairik and Demian stepped forward simultaneously and spoke.
“Hands off.”
“Step back, Your Highness.”
Kairik looked ready to bite like a snarling beast at any moment, while Demian’s eyes had turned cold as ice as he placed his hand on his sword hilt. Oscar hesitated and furrowed his brow as he spoke.
“What kind of rudeness is this? I am the Crown Prince. Show some respect.”
Kairik spoke with a sneer.
“Respect is something you show to people. There’s no respect owed to an uninvited guest who barged into someone else’s home without permission.”
Oscar shot back with a displeased expression.
“…So the rumors about the mad dog of the Northern Region are true.”
Sparks flew between Oscar and Kairik. I sighed and stepped between them to speak.
“That’s enough. This is my home, and I am the owner. I will handle receiving guests.”
I gave Kairik and Demian a look—a signal to stay quiet. Both men wore expressions of displeasure, but they obediently retreated behind me. Though their eyes continued to glare at Oscar.
I sat on the opposite sofa, crossed my legs, and asked.
“So, what brings Your Highness the Crown Prince to this humble place? And with flowers, no less.”
On the table sat a massive bouquet of roses that Oscar had brought. They were an unsightly shade of red. Oscar’s eyes gleamed with nauseating intent as he spoke.
“I’ll be direct. I’ve come to propose to you.”
The Crown Prince smiled arrogantly and stared at me intently as he spoke.
“I’ve heard much of your exploits. Not only did you traverse the treacherous battlefields of the Northern Region and aid the Grand Duke, but your insight also shone brilliantly in resolving the Imperial Court’s troublesome issues, did it not? Your courage, wisdom, and beauty—far exceeding the rumors—have moved my heart.”
I was flabbergasted and asked back.
“…You’ve fallen for me? We haven’t even been talking for five minutes.”
“There’s such a thing as love at first sight. Besides, you are now the Empire’s wealthiest… ahem, hero, are you not?”
He almost slipped up. He was about to say richest.
In that instant, my spiritual eyes flashed. Behind Oscar’s back, a massive peacock spread its wings wide. It was a demon of ‘vanity’ and ‘ostentation.’ The creature was drooling as it sniffed the scent of my bank account balance.
‘Came here smelling money, didn’t you, you bastard.’
I answered without a moment’s hesitation.
“It is an honor, but I must decline.”
Oscar’s face went rigid in stupefaction as he asked back.
“De, decline? You’re rejecting the position of Crown Princess? The opportunity to become the Empress of the Empire?”
I unleashed a barrage of facts.
Then I looked at Oscar with an expression of disbelief and answered.
“Empress or whatever, my own life is more important to me. And Your Highness, shouldn’t you be exercising restraint right now? The rumors that your standing within the Imperial Court has diminished lately seem to be quite widespread.”
Crown Prince Oscar stammered with a flushed face, hastily making excuses.
“Th-that’s all baseless gossip spread by jealous rivals! I’m perfectly fine!”
I shot back coldly.
“Regardless of whether the rumors are true, if I become entangled with someone embroiled in such scandal, I could lose my title as well. Why would I take such a reckless gamble?”
At my blunt observation, Oscar’s face flushed red then purple. Behind him, I heard Kairik von Herzen stifle a laugh with a snort, and Demian Lyart wore a faint smile at the corners of his mouth. Oscar forced composure and attempted another strained smile as he spoke.
“…Ha, haha. You certainly are bold. I like that. But Violetta, surely you need me too?”
I scoffed dismissively.
“Me? I likely have more money than you do.”
Oscar’s eyes gleamed with cunning calculation.
“Not money—a ‘shield.'”
He leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially.
“You’re far too conspicuous right now. A hero returned from the Northern Region with laurels, wielding immense wealth. Every hyena in The Empire will descend upon you without hesitation or restraint, coveting your fortune.”
He had a point. I’d already felt countless predatory gazes at last night’s gathering. Oscar pressed his advantage with confidence.
“If you become engaged to me, you’ll gain the most formidable shield of all—the Imperial Court itself. No one would dare lay a finger on the Crown Princess.”
Certainly, the Imperial Court’s authority was an effective pesticide for swatting away annoying flies. But the old saying warned against burning down the house to catch the bedbugs—entanglement with this fool would inevitably drain my coffers. As I rested my chin on my hand, feigning contemplation, Demian Lyart stepped forward from behind me and spoke with finality.
“Unnecessary.”
Demian Lyart positioned himself protectively before me and continued.
“I take responsibility for Violetta’s safety. I stake the entire Inquisition and the Holy Knights Order on it.”
Kairik von Herzen also wrapped an arm around my shoulder, his voice a low growl.
“I’m here too. The Northern Region’s armies stand guard—who would dare touch her? I’m far stronger than the Imperial Guard.”
Intimidated by the two men’s overwhelming presence, Oscar retreated a step. But he refused to concede. Instead, he produced a far more insidious card. Oscar withdrew a crimson envelope from his breast pocket, placed it on the table, and spoke.
“Impressive bodyguards indeed. However…this is the Emperor’s ‘personal letter.’ Your first assignment as Count Eberhardt.”
I frowned and asked.
“An assignment?”
“The Empire’s Founding Day gala next month. His Majesty commands that you serve as the host of that celebration.”
Host a party? That’s not an assignment—that’s just an order to spend money. Oscar drove his point home with a victor’s smile.
“And at that gala…it is customary for me to share the first dance with you. An imperial decree, Count Eberhardt. If you refuse…it would constitute lèse-majesté, wouldn’t it?”
This bastard was actually using the Emperor to pressure me?
This was no simple proposal. It was a political maneuver designed to subordinate my wealth and influence beneath the Imperial Court.
Refuse, and I commit treason against the Emperor’s command. Accept, and I’m immediately embroiled in scandal with the Crown Prince.
Though it was customary for the Crown Prince to request the first dance with distinguished guests, the circumstances were entirely different when he was so brazenly drooling over my fortune.
The vultures of high society would interpret this dance not as mere courtesy, but as an official announcement that I had been selected as a Crown Princess candidate.
I bit my lip and screamed silently within.
‘This isn’t a dance—it’s a vow to hand over my bank account password!’
I picked up the envelope and spoke.
“…Very well. If it’s a command, I must obey. I’ll host the gala.”
Oscar beamed and moved toward me.
“Wise choice! You truly are sensible.”
I pushed Oscar’s chest back with the envelope, my voice glacial.
“But don’t misunderstand. I’ll host the party, but I choose my own dance partner.”
Crown Prince Oscar asked in bewilderment.
“What? But by convention….”
I looked him up and down with a sharp smile and spoke.
“Conventions exist to be broken. I’ll prepare the party my own way. Your Highness can simply attend as Guest Number One. I’ll send you an invitation.”
I called for the Butler and gave my orders.
“Sebastian, see our guest out. Don’t forget to sprinkle salt on the way.”
The Butler bowed and replied.
“Yes, Count.”
Crown Prince Oscar’s face flushed crimson as he was practically driven from the Mansion. The moment the door closed, I collapsed onto the sofa with a heavy sigh.
“Sigh… I’m exhausted.”
I thought a clunker was leaving and a luxury car was arriving, but instead some beat-up Lamborghini came crashing in. Life truly is a battlefield. Kairik von Herzen crouched before me, meeting my eyes as he asked.
“Violetta, are you really going through with it? That party?”
I nodded and answered.
“I have to. It’s a royal command.”
Demian Lyart also looked at me with a tense expression and asked.
“What will you do about a partner?”
Both men’s eyes burned with intensity. Ah, one mountain after another, they say. Now I faced the formidable challenge of selecting a partner. I deliberately played coy.
“Well, I’ll think about it while preparing the party. For now….”
I sprang to my feet and exclaimed.
“I need to go shopping! To host The Empire’s greatest party, I’ll need to spend some serious money, won’t I?”
I handed a card to both men and asked.
“I need porters. Strong porters. You’ll come with me, won’t you?”
Kairik von Herzen and Demian Lyart exchanged glances, then simultaneously sighed and nodded.
“…We have no choice.”
“I shall accompany you, Count.”
The Crown Prince’s scheme and the approaching ball. My perilous journey through nobility was only truly beginning now. And the fate of this triangle—no, this quadrangle of entanglements.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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