Sister, I Hit You Because There Was a Ghost Behind You - Chapter 22

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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 22. An Uninvited Guest and an Invited Spy
My grip tightened on the black envelope. The initial S—there was only one person in my circle who used it. I smiled bitterly and murmured to myself.
“Shadow.”
The Empire’s finest information broker, the man who had sold me those clandestine secrets about the Archbishop.
Thanks to him, when I confirmed the Archbishop’s face at the scene, I hadn’t panicked—I’d simply thought, “Just as I heard. So this man was the mastermind all along,” with absolute certainty.
Why would that veiled man suddenly want an invitation to the party? It certainly wasn’t just to dance in high society.
I crumpled the letter brimming with questions and shoved it into my pocket, muttering low.
“They say there’s no free information in this business, but I suppose this is how he sends his invoice.”
* * *
The next morning, I set out toward the Back Alley of the Capital with two men in tow.
It was a crime-ridden district—the complete opposite of the glittering Aveline Street—reeking of dampness and decay. Mud mixed with filth pooled on the ground, and hollow-eyed vagrants lurked in the corners, eyeing us warily.
Kairik von Herzen kicked at a rat scurrying beneath his feet, pinched his nose, and scowled. “Violetta, where exactly are we going? Do you have business in a pigsty like this? The air is far too foul for my woman to breathe.”
I strode ahead, sidestepping the mud. “Not a pigsty—an ocean of information. Precious things are always hidden in filthy places. Pearls are found inside oyster shells, after all.”
Demian Lyart draped his cloak wide across my shoulders, his sharp gaze subduing the ruffians around us. “Exercise caution. Pickpockets and criminals infest this area. Do not stray from my side. Anyone who so much as touches the hem of your dress will lose their hands.”
I stopped before a tavern with a crooked, weathered sign: Black Cat Nero.
As the door creaked open, thick tobacco smoke and deafening noise poured out.
But the moment we entered, the cacophony died as if it had never existed. A noblewoman in an elaborate dress flanked by two predators radiating lethal intent—the incongruous sight drew every eye in the establishment.
I ignored their stares and approached a man buried in shadow at the corner of the counter. “It’s been a while, Butler. You really should manage the water in this place.”
The man with the hood pulled deep over his face—Shadow—lifted his head. He chuckled and swirled the glass in his hand. “Welcome, Countess. Or should I call you Hero now? What an honor to receive such a distinguished visit.”
I sat in the chair across from him and got straight to the point. “Let’s skip the pleasantries. What did that letter mean?”
Shadow leaned back with a sly grin and answered, “Exactly what it said. I want to attend your party. That magnificent show you’re hosting. Front row seats, if you please.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Why would a creature of darkness want to attend a sun-drenched ball? Eager to practice your waltz? Or are you after free drinks?”
Shadow chuckled and withdrew a small glass vial from his pocket, setting it on the table. A small bottle filled with violet liquid. Even without opening the stopper, a sickly-sweet, metallic scent pricked my nostrils. I furrowed my brow. “What is this?”
Shadow lowered his voice to a whisper. “Something Crown Prince Oscar purchased in secret yesterday. He paid an exorbitant price for it at an underground auction. Word is he even stole a ruby necklace from the Imperial Treasury to afford it.”
I picked up the bottle and held it to the light. Through my spiritual sight, I could see a viscous, covetous aura coiling like a serpent within. Kairik sniffed and gagged in disgust. “An aphrodisiac. A potent one laced with magic, too. The kind used only on beasts to drive them into rut.”
Demian Lyart’s expression froze instantly. The edge of the table he gripped splintered and cracked. His voice trembled. “The Crown Prince purchased this? Surely not…”
Shadow nodded and explained. “I’m afraid so. He plans to use it at the Founding Day Ball. His target, naturally, is you, Countess Violetta. He intends to slip it into your drink during your first dance.”
“I mean it literally. I want to go to the party. That glamorous show you’re hosting. If you want me to watch from the front row.”
I narrowed my eyes and asked back.
“Why would a creature of darkness like you come to a sunny ball? Do you want to dance socially? Or are you just after free drinks?”
Shadow chuckled softly and pulled a small glass bottle from his pocket, setting it on the table. It was a tiny vial filled with sloshing purple liquid. Even without opening the cork, a sweet and metallic scent pricked my nose. I furrowed my brow and asked.
“What is this?”
Shadow lowered his voice and spoke in a whisper.
“It’s something Crown Prince Oscar secretly purchased yesterday. He won it at a black market auction for an exorbitant price. I heard he even smuggled a ruby necklace out of the Imperial Court’s treasure vault just to acquire this one item.”
I picked up the bottle and held it up to the light. Looking through it, I could see a viscous, desire-like energy coiled up like a snake inside the bottle. Kairik von Herzen sniffed and, as if disgusted, made a retching sound before speaking.
“It’s an aphrodisiac. A really potent one mixed with magic at that. It’s a low-grade substance used only to put magical beasts into heat.”
Demian Lyart’s expression instantly turned cold and rigid. The edge of the table he gripped crumbled and cracked. Demian spoke in a trembling voice.
“…The Crown Prince bought something like this? No way.”
Shadow nodded and explained.
Unfortunately, that’s correct. I heard they’re planning to use it at the Foundation Day Ball. The target is, of course, you, Countess Violetta. Their plan is to drug you and have you consume it when you dance the first dance.
My blood felt like it was rushing backward. He’d been rejected when he proposed, so now he thought he could possess me through drugs. He dared to manipulate me with chemicals? With something so vile? I ground my teeth as I spoke.
“This insane… He’s not a Lamborghini headed for the showroom—he’s scrap metal bound for the crusher. I wouldn’t mind grinding him up and drinking him.”
Kairik von Herzen slammed the table and shot to his feet. His crimson eyes split vertically like a beast’s, and a low growl rumbled from his throat.
“I’m going to slit that bastard’s throat right now. He dared to drug my woman? I’ll shove this entire vial down his rotten mouth.”
Demian Lyart rose with his hand on his sword, radiating lethal intent. All traces of his holy knight’s righteousness had vanished.
“I concur. This is a crime beyond forgiveness, even for royalty. I will go to the Imperial Palace this instant and sever his limbs.”
The other patrons in the tavern fell silent as mice, crushed beneath the weight of the two men’s presence. I raised my hand to stop them both and spoke.
“Whoa, calm down. If we go kill him now, we’re just assassins. Without evidence, we’ll get caught in a backlash and it’ll be a mess. What we’re after isn’t simple revenge—it’s his complete destruction.”
I looked at Shadow and asked.
“Why did you tell me this? You’re an information broker. You wouldn’t give away premium intelligence like this without payment. Do you have a grudge against the Crown Prince?”
Shadow grinned and answered.
“I told you—I need an invitation.”
He leaned forward, his eyes gleaming.
“I want to witness something very entertaining at that party. The Crown Prince digging his own grave, and how you’ll cook him. My information fee is simply watching that ‘show.'”
He wasn’t a mere spectator. He was the architect who wanted to make this game far grander. Perhaps he stood to gain something from the Crown Prince’s downfall. But the enemy of my enemy is my ally.
I considered Shadow’s proposal for a moment, then answered with a mysterious smile playing at my lips.
“Fine. Deal’s made. But dress appropriately for my party’s standards. If you show up looking like a ragpicker, the guards will drag you out at the entrance.”
Shadow pocketed the invitation and winked.
“Don’t worry. I’ll dress to the nines. More dashing than most nobles.”
We left the information broker’s establishment and climbed back into the carriage.
The atmosphere was far heavier than before. The two men, now aware of the Crown Prince’s vile scheme, breathed roughly as they struggled to contain their fury. The air inside the carriage felt frozen.
Kairik von Herzen gripped my hand tightly and spoke with desperate urgency.
“Violetta, cancel the party. Or I’ll kidnap the Crown Prince that day and lock him away somewhere. I won’t have you in danger.”
Demian Lyart added his voice with a grave expression.
“I concur. It’s far too dangerous. There’s no need to walk into the tiger’s den. Even by imperial decree, your safety is paramount.”
I looked between them both and let out a soft laugh.
“Running won’t solve anything. He’ll seize any opportunity that comes. It’s better to crush him when the board is set. I need to cut him down at the root so he can never strike again.”
I clenched my fist and made my vow.
“He dared to drug me? I’ll make him feel just how brutal the price is. It will be the most expensive dose of medicine in the history of the Empire.”
And I declared to both of them.
“Partners, I’ve made my decision.”
Both men’s gazes locked onto me simultaneously. Tension crackled in the air. Whose name should I call? The wolf with unmatched physical strength? Or the holy knight with unmatched divine power?
I lifted the corners of my mouth and spoke.
“This party will be a masquerade—everyone conceals their identity and enjoys themselves.”
Kairik von Herzen asked, puzzled.
“A masquerade? Suddenly?”
I nodded and explained.
“Yes. When faces are hidden, status and rank become irrelevant. I’ll use a diversion tactic so the Crown Prince can’t find me. I’ll confuse him about who I am and make him anxious.”
I took each of their hands and spoke.
“You’re both my partners. There is no official partner.”
Demian asked, his expression clouded with confusion.
“What do you mean by that?”
“The Crown Prince will be watching to see who I enter with. So we’ll make our entrances separately. Masked, pretending not to know each other. But our eyes will always be tracking one another.”
I laid out the strategy, my eyes gleaming with purpose.
“And at the critical moment, when the Crown Prince tries to use the drug… you two will appear and take him down. Caught red-handed. Make it absolutely theatrical.”
It was a trap operation of sorts. Using myself as bait to expose the Crown Prince’s crime before the entire court, to bury him socially. Dangerous, yes—but the most certain way to strike. Kairik von Herzen grinned with approval, brought my hand to his lips, and spoke.
“Ha, you’re truly my woman. Brilliant. I’m thoroughly impressed. The bait is far too captivating for him to resist.”
Demian exhaled deeply, but ultimately nodded and gripped my hand firmly.
“If that is truly your wish, I will comply. But do not stray from my sight. If you move even a meter away, I will intervene immediately. Masked or not, I will recognize you at a glance.”
I smiled, gazing into the steadfast eyes of both men.
“Then shall we prepare? For the most magnificent and shocking ball in the history of the Empire.”
The carriage raced toward the mansion. Three days remained. Crown Prince Oscar, prepare yourself. I will show you the true bite of the Eberhardt Family.

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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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