Sister, I Hit You Because There Was a Ghost Behind You - Chapter 54

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

Chapter 54. The City Where the Flowers of Truth Bloom
By the time we arrived in Lumière, the neutral city positioned along the path to the Papal See, the sun was already sinking toward the horizon in a gentle descent.
It was a beautiful water city where ornate lanterns scattered across the rippling surface of the great canal created a romantic spectacle.
Hundreds of gondolas glided smoothly through the water in rhythm with the boatmen’s romantic songs, while street musicians on the rounded arched bridges played cheerful melodies.
The light from the streetlamps, meticulously carved from magical stones, blended with the crimson sunset to bathe the entire city in golden radiance.
It was a place where the laughter of lovers whispering sweet nothings echoed endlessly through every alley—a veritable symbol of peace and pleasure.
We had established temporary lodgings here to evade the Papal See’s vigilant surveillance network and to seek clues for our next hunt.
As I stepped onto the terrace of a luxury mansion overlooking the canal, a cool river breeze laden with moisture brushed against my cheek.
I leaned against the railing, gazing down at the beautiful canal landscape, when Demian Lyart approached my side and spoke gently.
“Truly a beautiful city. I hope it provides you, Violetta, with even a moment of peaceful and sweet respite from the stench of battlefields you have endured every night.”
Just as I was about to smile lightly at his tender words, Kairik von Herzen interjected with a scoff.
“Peaceful respite? The place is crawling with lovers clinging to each other and cooing like fools. It’s absolutely unbearable to look at.”
Kairik von Herzen continued his complaint as he roughly swept back his wet hair.
“You said we were going to break down the inner door of that rat’s nest, so why are we stuck in this fish-reeking neighborhood?”
I reclined in the plush terrace chair and lifted my teacup, answering with leisurely composure.
“Haste is not always the answer. To penetrate the deepest layers of the Papal See, we absolutely need a guide who understands the complex magical formations within.”
Before my words had even finished, Demian Lyart approached the terrace carrying a tray of delicate refreshments.
He set the pastries beside my teacup and continued speaking softly.
“Your words are correct, Violetta. As it happens, tomorrow night, a large masked ball is being held in this city where high-ranking priests and nobles of the Papal See will gather in secret.”
The cool, refreshing sacred power emanating from Demian Lyart’s fingertips purified the humid river breeze into pleasant clarity.
I closed my eyes contentedly, savoring that freshness reminiscent of the fragrance of a deep forest.
Then, opening my eyes halfway, I looked between the two of them alternately and spoke.
“The Cardinal who manages the Papal See’s secret archives is scheduled to attend that ball. We must thoroughly conceal our identities and make him loosen his tongue.”
Kairik von Herzen grumbled, resting his chin in his hand as if bored.
“A masked ball? Do we really have to sneak into such a pretentious party where nobles hide their faces and engage in frivolous entertainment?”
Demian Lyart fixed Kairik von Herzen with a cold gaze and pointed out sharply.
“It is not merely a party. The Ball Hall in Lumière is decorated with flowers of truth—flowers that, when their fragrance is inhaled, cause one to unconsciously reveal the deepest secrets of one’s heart.”
Flowers of truth.
At that fatal and sweet rumor, Kairik von Herzen’s crimson eyes gleamed with intrigue.
Kairik von Herzen curled his lips into a bloodthirsty smile and murmured.
“Ah, a flower like a drug that loosens the tongue and makes secrets spill forth merely from inhaling its fragrance. It’s the perfect stage for dealing with that tight-lipped Cardinal.”
I snapped open my fan and placed it across my lap, declaring firmly.
“Exactly. So tomorrow night, we shall disguise ourselves as the most magnificent and flawless nobles and take our place at the center of that hall where the scent of truth permeates.”
From the morning of the next day, the mansion was thrown into busy preparation for the ball.
I summoned the city’s most prestigious designers in their entirety to the mansion and began fitting formal gowns for the three of us.
The first to emerge from the fitting room was Demian Lyart.
His figure in an immaculate white formal coat, embroidered with elaborate patterns in silver thread, was flawless and dazzling, without a single imperfection.
Demian Lyart knelt on one knee before me with utmost courtesy and spoke.
“Violetta. I hope only to be worthy as your escort for this evening. Would you do me the honor of wearing a white dress that matches mine?”
Just as I was about to smile and open my mouth in response to his subtle yet earnest proposal—
The fitting room door swung open roughly as Kairik von Herzen strode out with commanding steps.
Kairik growled like an arrogant beast, tilting his chin upward.
“That’s ridiculous. Dark colors like mine suit a blood-soaked hunting ground. Violetta, you’d be a hundred times better off matching my black evening coat than wearing that bland white.”
Kairik wore a pitch-black tuxedo that clung perfectly to his form, with a crimson cravat tied loosely at his throat.
Demian Lyart’s impeccable refinement and Kairik’s savage sensuality clashed in extreme contrast, heating the air of the living room to a fever pitch.
Demian gazed at Kairik’s red cravat with disgust and spoke coldly.
“Dressed like a bare-chested barbarian in that manner, you’ll be denied entry to the Banquet Hall itself. Violetta, please ignore this ignorant beast’s insistence and choose my pure white—the most noble choice.”
Kairik deliberately unbuttoned his chest even further and growled defiantly.
“This is the irresistible charm of a true male. That uptight clergyman will never understand such sensuality in his entire life. Violetta, doesn’t my side seem far more solid and magnificent than that bland white?”
Demian Lyart shot back with flushed intensity.
“That’s not sensuality—it’s vulgarity! Stop defiling the sacred role of escort and corrupting Violetta’s eyes!”
Kairik bared his sharp fangs and shoved Demian Lyart’s shoulder roughly.
“There’s nothing sacred about hiding all manner of sinister intentions behind a mask. With me at your side, no fool would dare lay a hand on my woman.”
I exhaled softly at the petty yet intense territorial dispute between these two beasts over a dress color.
If I chose either color, this Mansion’s living room—never mind the Ball Hall tonight—would be utterly destroyed.
I rose slowly from my seat, a captivating smile playing at my lips.
I opened the enormous box the designer had carefully brought and spoke with firm resolve.
“I’m rejecting both of your excellent suggestions. Tonight, I intend to overwhelm this city in a color that belongs to no one but myself.”
The dress I withdrew was neither white nor pitch-black darkness.
It was an exquisite navy silk gown, as if the deep, boundless blue of The Abyss itself had been transplanted into fabric, radiant and profound.
Across the dress’s elegantly bared shoulders, diamonds glittered like the Milky Way, densely packed and blazing with light.
As I placed a magnificent silver fox mask delicately across half my face, both men drew sharp breaths and froze, utterly mesmerized.
Kairik swallowed hard, his voice hoarse as he murmured.
“I’m losing my mind. What does it matter whose color you match? You’re just….”
Demian too couldn’t hide his flushed ears, his eyes hazy as he gasped in admiration.
“I fear my eyes will be blinded. I’m terrified that every gaze in that hall tonight will be drawn to you.”
With my appearance perfectly capturing all attention, the two men’s fierce color debate ended as easily as it was pointless.
I closed my fan with elegant grace and extended both hands lightly.
With the piercing gaze of a predator perfectly taming two beasts, I whispered.
“Come now, there’s no time to stand about dazed. My beautiful guardian knights, shall we venture into that raucous garden of truth for a hunt?”
At last, we boarded a gondola crossing the Canal, our destination the Grand Banquet Hall ablaze with brilliant light.
Even within the narrow gondola, the two men’s subtle provocations never ceased.
Each time the boat swayed gently on the water, Kairik von Herzen subtly tried to wrap his arm around my waist, and each time, Demian Lyart’s cool expression hardened as he knocked his hand away with an iron defense.
Demian Lyart spoke gently, cradling my shoulder.
“The boat is rocking quite severely. Lean toward me and steady yourself.”
Kairik von Herzen scoffed and pulled my opposite shoulder toward him.
“Stop playing games. Violetta would find my solid chest far more comfortable than your scrawny frame.”
I sighed and spoke.
“Both of you, stop it.”
The swaying gondola and the sweet water mist brushing against my cheeks.
Behind the mask lay a terrible truth, and intoxicating fragrances awaited to unveil the dizzying sincerity that threatened to burst forth from within us.

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