That Piece Of Trash Was Me - Chapter 178

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 178

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

Dave’s eyes snapped wide open.

 

A beat late, he recalled what Carmi’s head maid had told him this morning.

 

 

 

“The Crown Prince’s condition is quite serious. If His Majesty the Emperor gives you any orders, please comply obediently.”

 

 

 

He was often annoyed by Carmi’s attitude of still treating him like a child and trying to restrict his every action, but it was also true that his father favored him because of her presence.

 

‘But telling me to dance with a retainer’s daughter?’

 

With a fake who merely bears the Frazier name?

 

When there’s a real one right beside her?

 

Though it was his father’s command, he felt momentarily displeased.

 

Dave wasn’t particularly brilliant to begin with.

 

But being a member of the Imperial Family, his mind worked to some degree.

 

‘Mother must have whispered sweet words in his ear.’

 

The Crown Prince’s victory banquet, which the Crown Prince couldn’t attend due to illness.

 

Being told to open the first dance with the Crown Prince’s fiancée at such an event could appear quite meaningful to the nobles’ eyes.

 

After all, it would cause the Crown Prince’s authority as the protagonist of this victory ceremony to plummet to rock bottom.

 

‘Right. No matter how much that bastard Ferdinand flies and crawls, he’s nothing but a lowly cripple. How could he ascend to the throne with a disability that will never heal for life?’

 

Rather, wasn’t this only good for him?

 

Ferdinand would be the one rolling in the mud, while he would taste the sweet honey.

 

Moreover, Sophia, whom he had briefly observed, was quite an eye-catching beauty.

 

Though not as much as Tulia Frazier, Dave was fed up to the point of fury with her constantly scratching at his nerves with stupid and tactless remarks.

 

But he couldn’t get angry at Tulia Frazier or act petty since her backing was too formidable.

 

However, Sophia Frazier was different.

 

‘Didn’t Mother say? That woman will be kicked out of her position as prospective Crown Princess before long.’

 

Though he hadn’t heard the detailed reasons, since Empress Carmi had subtly mentioned it, it must be reliable information.

 

Then there was no need for him, a prince, to be particularly mindful.

 

A woman who was appropriately pretty enough to match his status, from the same family as the nerve-grating Tulia Frazier, but without that level of backing.

 

It seemed perfect to step on Sophia Frazier’s feet plenty today, and finally trip her once at the end to vent his frustrations instead of on Tulia Frazier.

 

Dave placed one hand over his chest and bowed politely.

 

“I, your son, accept His Imperial Majesty’s command.”

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

‘I’m going back to the temple today and donating a million gold.’

 

I bowed deeply twice in my heart toward Emperor Alessandro.

 

That’s right.

 

I was so grateful I could die.

 

“Lady Tulia Frazier. It’s unfortunate, but His Imperial Majesty’s command comes above all else. Instead, for the second dance…”

 

“No, Your Highness the Second Prince.”

 

I spoke with a delicate, wistful air.

 

“Unfortunately, what can I do? And regrettably, I’ve already made a prior engagement for the second dance.”

 

“What? You’re quite popular, my lady. Then the third dance…”

 

“I’ve made a promise for that one as well.”

 

“To think the Briyang Empire has so many well-prepared young lords, it’s truly joyful as a member of the Imperial Family. Then I shall specially take the fourth dance…”

 

“Even that has a prior engagement.”

 

Dave’s complexion, who had been putting on airs the whole time, changed drastically. His voice dropped low.

 

“Lady Tulia Frazier. I’m asking just in case.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness?”

 

“You wouldn’t happen to be joking with me, would you? Or perhaps mocking me?”

 

“How could that possibly be?”

 

“I’d like to check your dance card. Among them, if there’s an understanding young lord, he might yield his dance with you to me, don’t you think?”

 

So he’s saying he’ll crush me with his power. I nodded obediently.

 

“Here it is, Your Highness the Second Prince. Please take a look.”

 

I meekly offered the dance card hanging from my waist, and Dave, while pretending to be mannerly on the surface, snatched the dance card away.

 

And.

 

“…”

 

Dave’s breathing gradually quieted.

 

His complexion was changing in various colors. Blue, white, black, red.

 

I watched Dave’s hesitation with an amused heart.

 

“Your Highness? Have you finished looking?”

 

“My, my lady. These people… no, these distinguished guests, when did you manage to…”

 

‘That’s none of your business.’

 

I smiled sweetly and asked back.

 

“Your Highness, so whose spot among the distinguished guests will you take? I need to send someone ahead to inform them. Could you tell me?”

 

“Ta, take?”

 

Dave was so startled that he dropped the dance card from his hand.

 

Since the dance card was tied to my waist with a thin string anyway, it didn’t fall to the floor.

 

But Dave was so shocked, as if he had thrown the dance card to the ground, that he hurriedly picked up the card dangling around my knee level and handed it to me.

 

There was a subtle servility in his touch.

 

“Hahaha, my lady. Take? What are you saying? Others might misunderstand if they heard, don’t you think?”

 

Dave let out a laugh and awkwardly stepped back.

 

Right.

 

All three of them aren’t to be trifled with, are they?

 

Scary, isn’t it?

 

Can you feel that you’re the most inferior?

 

“Ahem, Lady Sophia Frazier.”

 

Dave, still maintaining his princely dignity, quickly composed his expression and extended his hand to Sophia beside him.

 

“Since there’s a command from His Imperial Majesty, let’s have the first dance together.”

 

“It’s an honor, Your Highness the Second Prince.”

 

And so.

 

Since my first dance became vacant, I was planning to become a suitable wall crystal and sparkle brilliantly.

 

Klaus had grinned at me earlier, so he might approach.

 

Or perhaps Benjamin too?

 

I actually owed Benjamin a lot of gratitude.

 

Especially the 10 coins he had given me when sending Duke Hitman to ruin.

 

With those, I had earned an enormous sum of 500 billion gold. How should I put it? Like a guardian of money, perhaps.

 

When I suddenly looked up toward the platform, I paused for a moment.

 

Because, like a lie, my eyes met with that radiant man.

 

Benjamin Fluas.

 

‘Had he been watching me the whole time?’

 

I looked at him and gave him a gentle smile. Then.

 

“…?”

 

Did I see wrong?

 

For a moment, it seemed like shyness flickered through Benjamin’s eyes.

 

It even looked like his face had flushed red.

 

A flush…

 

It was a word that didn’t suit that character famous for being cunning.

 

But the crystal chandelier cast shadows so subtly that it was difficult to confirm at once.

 

Thanks to that, I had to stare at his face for a long time, and ended up being surprised.

 

‘It’s real. His face has turned red.’

 

Why?

 

Belatedly, I realized that Benjamin wasn’t avoiding my gaze at all. It was strange. Why wouldn’t he avoid my eyes even while his cheeks were reddening?

 

Rather like a man suffering from some mysterious thirst.

 

I was the one who looked first, but somehow it felt like he was capturing my gaze.

 

Like being tied up tightly with rope.

 

While I was staring at Benjamin in a daze with exactly that feeling, I suddenly felt a strange gaze like invisible needles pricking my cheek.

 

“…?”

 

I reflexively looked to the left without realizing it and gasped.

 

‘What’s with him, why is he acting like that.’

 

It was because Klaus was glaring at me as if he wanted to devour me.

 

‘Why is he glaring so fiercely?’

 

Is he crazy?

 

Half the nobles here are glancing at Benjamin and Klaus’s faces on the platform.

 

Unlike Benjamin whose gaze was at least gentle, Klaus was glaring fiercely with the eyes of someone who had caught their cheating spouse in the act.

 

Even I, who had done nothing wrong, felt guilty.

 

‘His face is the guilty one, so why is he suddenly making me the criminal?’

 

Already, some perceptive people were looking around to find which ‘woman’ Klaus’s burning gaze was directed toward.

 

I was starting to feel troubled.

 

If it were just staring blankly, that would be one thing, but right now Klaus’s eyes were blazing as if on fire. He really looked like a wolf.

 

At that level, it wouldn’t be the moderately beautiful scandal I had hoped for…

 

At minimum, it was enough to spread false rumors that I had secretly engaged to Klaus but was pretending not to know him to play with other men at official events.

 

‘High society is all about flights of imagination.’

 

If such false rumors spread.

 

Grandfather might boil Klaus alive.

 

Father would probably be the one to put water on the stove.

 

‘This won’t work after all.’

 

“Your Highness the Second Prince. Then I shall withdraw.”

 

“Ah, yes. You may withdraw, Lady Tulia Frazier.”

 

“Yes.”

 

I turned my head, gave a light bow, and immediately took a step.

 

It was fortunate that the nobles including myself had to clear the central floor since Prince Dave had to open the first dance under the Emperor’s command.

 

Right at that moment.

 

“…?”

 

The gazes of the nobles who were about to move in small groups with smiles stopped on the platform.

 

It was because the Emperor’s Chief Attendant had suddenly hurried up and whispered something in his ear.

 

Befitting the highest servant in the palace, the Emperor’s Chief Attendant exuded dignity in every gesture, but now there was an urgency dripping from him that even that dignity couldn’t hide.

 

‘Did something happen?’

 

It wasn’t just me who felt such doubt, as the nobles below the platform were exchanging glances and looking puzzled.

 

The Emperor’s expression changed mysteriously, then he nodded lightly.

 

The Chief Attendant immediately moved.

 

After less than a minute had passed.

 

“His Highness the Crown Prince enters!”

 

A resounding voice filled the Special Banquet Hall.

 

The difference from before was that it came from the staircase connected to the second floor, not the entrance.

 

Everyone’s gaze turned in that direction.

 

“…?”

 

“…?”

 

“…!”

 

Everyone covered their mouths as if they had made a promise.

 

Like a star that had become the sun overnight descending.

 

Crown Prince Ferdinand, in the full form of a young man, was slowly descending the staircase.

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