Chapter 39: Oblique Lines (4)

“Vampire blood?”

"Yes. Vampire blood."

Hian Nisty stroked his chin. He remembered the request he had made a while ago to obtain vampire blood.

He had obtained it not necessarily for immediate use, but because he had obtained information that vampire blood could be transfused regardless of blood type, making it useful for emergencies.

Since he had never used it on anyone, it was supposed to be stored in a warehouse where valuable items were kept.

“Let's go to the room first and talk.”

The butler who had spoken earlier led them to a room. 

It was a spacious and comfortable room.

Hian guided Stion to a seat, while he sat across from him. And next to Hian, Rose quietly sat down.

"...Rose?"

“You can Keep talking.”

“It’s important, so why don’t you leave?”

"I'll stay quiet, Dad."

Hian gave up on persuading Rose and continued speaking. 

It was because Stion looked impatient.

He didn’t even seem to care about Rose’s presence or not.

“So Stion… why are you looking for it?"

He pretended not to know, even though he could guess the situation from Stion's mention of his younger brother and the request for vampire blood. 

Being a collector himself, he knew that it was a matter of risking his life. Hian was almost certain that something had gone wrong.

Rose Nisty seemed to deduce the situation as well, as worry creased her face.

"It's because of my younger brother. He is badly injured... and I can't find a blood donor. My brother’s blood seems... Special."

“How special is it that it even needs vampire blood?”

"When I checked with a gem... it came out white."

"White... that's unusual."

He didn't mention the fact that there was no vampire blood available. Stion’s heart started to race. If there was none, Hian would have said so right away, but he didn't. So there was still hope.

However, Hian's attention was focused elsewhere. He glanced at Rose, trying to read her reaction.

Rose didn't catch on to his gaze.

The reason why Hian saved the vampire’s blood...

“I-I’m white too!”

Rose exclaimed. Stion’s gaze shifted, and Hian tightly closed his eyes. Holding his trembling head, Hian spoke.

"Rose, stay still."

However, Rose wasn't listening to him, her whole attention was focused on the Stion.

“Mr. Stion, Mr. Starchis is injured? How much? I can give him a blood transfusion.”

“…You’re white too?”

When Stion showed interest, Hian intervened.

“Rose!”

The conversation between Stion and Rose was interrupted by Hian's shout.

No matter how much Rose insisted on wanting to donate blood to that man, Hian had no intention of allowing it.

After his wife left, she was a daughter whom he cherished for the rest of his life.

Inheriting her weak mother's body, Rose had frequently been bedridden and suffered from various illnesses since childhood.

As a result, she couldn't enjoy her innocent childhood like any other noble child. To protect her from getting hurt, Hian began to be overly protective.

Now that she was an adult, Rose was knowledgeable from reading various books and listening to stories from the maids. However, Hian's protectiveness had become ingrained like a habit and remained unchanged.

He had various emergency medical tools at home and didn't allow her to go outside without his permission unless it was together.

It was unacceptable for her to donate blood for a man from outside.

Who knows how much blood he might need.

What if her health deteriorated even more?

Moreover, Rose was already very pale in Hian's eyes.

"No, Rose. I can't allow it. Stion, the vampire’s blood is still here.”

Hian said, trying to take Stion’s gaze away from Rose.

Sure enough, Steon looked at Hian.

To Steon, it didn't matter whose blood it was, whether vampire or Rose's.

As long as it saved his brother's life.

Even if he had to argue, the vampire blood was more convenient for him.

Apparently, it seemed that Hian was reluctant to see Rose donate her blood.

There was no need for him to be attached to Rose's blood in any way.

Furthermore, it felt awkward to show Rose, who resembled the imaginary 'Elsa' created by Starchis, to the three people who were still in the hospital room.

Stion leaned his upper body more toward Hian.

“Please. Give me some of that blood… To save my brother.”

Hian crossed his legs and folded his arms.

"Stion... It's fine. It's not like I'm giving it to you for free. It's only right to give it to someone who urgently needs it. I want to maintain a good relationship with you."

The atmosphere was flowing in a positive direction.

Stion, who was now completely excited by Hian's response, started to speak.

"Hian, I'm really grate-"

"-But... I can't just give it to you like nothing. We paid a fair price for the vampire blood and your party gained rewards and reputation accordingly. If we give it away like this, it's not good for us alone. Vampire blood is an A-grade collection item. It's not something I can easily give away just because you ask."

“That's true. Of course, I have to pay the price. Just say what you want. If you give it to me right now, I'll help you with whatever you need later."

What Stion lacked at the moment was time. It wasn't a matter of lacking the ability or wealth to do something.

While Hian was talking to Stion, he winked at the servant next to him.

The servant bowed and headed toward the warehouse where valuable items were stored.

In truth, Hian didn't expect a great price.

As someone who had experienced the loss of his wife, he understood the pain of losing someone.

He sympathized with Stion’s situation, where his brother was in danger. Even if Stion couldn't offer any reward in his current situation, Hian would have given him the blood.

However, the reason he wanted the price now was because he had no reason not to

Requesting a favor from an A-grade party was one thing, but accumulating debts was another.

He didn't give it much thought, but if something were to happen, it could serve as great insurance.

Stion’s expression brightened when he saw the servant going to fetch something.

If he could receive vampire blood now, he wouldn't have to go to the dungeon and it would save a tremendous amount of time.

His desperate heart calmed down, and he gradually regained his usual composure.

The tension was released, and his legs felt like they would loosen up.

He was glad he was able to solve the situation.

It had been a long time since he felt like this.

A sigh escaped naturally.

Stion fully leaned back in his chair.

"Ah... Hian, I won't forget this debt..."

"Of course, you shouldn't forget. You'll pay a hefty price for it."

At that moment, someone interrupted their conversation.

"...Dad?"

It was Rose Nisty.

Beside her, a maid named Elsa was standing quietly, caught Stion's attention when he looked at Rose.

With a newfound sense of ease in his heart, Stion's admired the coincidence.

‘Rose Nisty and Elsa.’

Rose Nisty, who was just like the girlfriend in Starchis's imagination, and Elsa, her maid.

With that realization, Stion had one more story to tell when Starchis woke up.

“… I want to talk to you later.”

Hian felt uneasy and cut Rose off.

"Dad, my birthday is coming up soon. I have something I want as a gift."

Given the circumstances, Stion looked at Rose, realizing that both she and Starchis could be involved.

Hian's sense of unease was gradually becoming a reality.

However, he controlled his emotions. After all, he could simply refuse whatever was requested.

“Later, Rose.”

“Can I decide the reward to receive from Mr. Stion?”

“No.”

“Dad..!”

Rose Nisty’s face turned pouty and little red.

“If I said no, then it means no.”

“Why! As you can see, I don’t want anything else!”

“Cough..!”

Hian coughed and turned his head away.

Stion couldn’t let go of his curiosity about her request, he asked.

"What do you want, Rose?"

“Stion!”

This time, Hian looked at Stion.

He looked like he was asking for help.

However, from Stion’s point of view, he also felt that Hian confining Rose too much.

It seemed like he was trying to help out of a sense of pity.

And it sparked some interest.

"I'm not saying I'll agree. I'm just saying I'll listen."

"What's the point of listening when it won't happen anyway?!"

"If Mr. Starchis wakes up... I want to have a meal with him. Please come to the mansion."

"Absolutely not!"

Hian yelled, but Stion raised the corner of his mouth.

It could have been because he was able to relax and laugh at trivial things, or it could have been because the situation itself was funny, or it could have been because he could just easily pay off the debt he had now because of vampire blood.

Of course, it was Stion who would never forget the debt of saving his younger brother.

“Stion, absolutely not.”

When Rose didn’t seem to back down, Hian looked at Stion.

“I didn’t say anything.”

"Why, Dad?"

"Do you know how valuable vampire blood is? It's not worth the price of a single meal!  if you were treated to a meal, you would have received it.  But erasing the debt while giving the treat... What on earth is that...!"

“I’m calling him to the mansion because my dad won’t let me go out! And, no matter how expensive vampire blood is, isn’t it the money I made?”

Hian was speechless.

As she said, Rose, who had been confined to the house all her life, read various books without hesitation, managing the Nisty family’s wealth and growing it more than doubled.

Hian had not been idle either, but Rose's talent was exceptional, and it was not an exaggeration to say that she was responsible for 80% of the wealth entering the Nisty family recently.

"Treating and erasing the debt... It’s because Mr. Starchis might not want to come home.”

"Even so, it's not possible. I've already prepared your birthday gift."

"Even if you did, is it going to be another doll?"

“That… H-how… did you...?”

"You've been giving me dolls every year, how would I not know? And now, I don't want dolls anymore."

“Ro-Rose..!”

Hian's face turned gloomy.

Stion thought that if her annual birthday gift was always a doll, it was a situation he had brought upon himself.

"It's not a big deal. I just want to have a meal together. Why can't you grant that?"

“Why are you asking for that?”

As the conversation deepened, Hian glanced at Stion once again.

Stion looked at him quietly.

At that moment, a servant who had gone down to the warehouse came back, holding a large glass bottle in both hands.

It looked like a wine bottle, but it was the vampire blood that Stion had been longing for.

Hian gave it to Stion.

“Oh, here you go. Stion, take it with you.”

He got up abruptly and patted Stion's back.

Stion didn't seem like he would be of any help in this conversation. And Hian didn't want to show their conversation to others, nor did he want to appear weak in front of Rose and Stion, so he tried to send off Stion first.

"Hian, how will I settle the debt?"

"I'll send someone later. You should go quickly, shouldn't you?"

Stion nodded his head.

"That's right. Thanks for sending me quickly. Alright, Hian. Thanks again."

"Understood. Now, go quickly."

“Goodbye, Mr. Stion.”

Stion received the bottle from the servant like a child and hurriedly headed outside the mansion.

Numerous maids and butlers bowed their heads to him.

As soon as the mansion’s gate opened, Stion’s figure disappeared like an illusion.

However, Rose and Hian continued their discussion.

"What? Dad, why are you making such a big deal out of just having a meal together?"

"You're the one who should explain why that request is so important."

Their words went in circles.

“Dad, I asked the question first.”

Hian tried to find the words to say but faltered.

In the end, he scolded her.

"...You don't need to know."

"Is it because Mr. Starchis is a man, right?"

"What...? I, I don't understand what you're talking about."

Hian felt a sharp pain.

She was the child he raised.

He was very afraid that his innocent treasure would be taken away by the stray dog, he had just met a while ago.

"I'm right, Dad..."

"Ugh! Why are you so fixated on that man? Aren't there plenty of other men?"

"Are you saying that if it were another man, you would allow it?"

It wasn't false.

Hian was also speechless and turned his head away.

When did she grow up like this, every word Rose said was something he couldn’t refute.

Still, I didn’t want to be pushed, so I spat out anything he thought of.

“When the time comes, I will introduce you to a well-proven, polite, and wonderful son of an aristocratic family.”

“I am not interested in other men. This is my first time too.”

"He's just a young man you hardly even know! Why are you interested in someone like him?"

"Why does there need to be a reason for one person to be interested in another?"

Hian pondered over her words.

He had heard this story somewhere before. 

'Ah...'

‘Do you need a reason to love someone?’ 

He heard a lot.

Of the many books of fiction that Rose had read, this was her favorite, a phrase she had shown Hian many times.

Every time, Hian had brushed it off, but Rose's sparkling eyes were still vivid in his memory. 

Could it be that Rose had fallen for him at first sight?

Hian swallowed his saliva.

"...Could it be that you fell for him at first sight?"

Hian now began to break out in a cold sweat. He had thought Starchis was a trustworthy man, but if he had seduced his daughter, then the story would be different.

Rose firmly shook her head.

“It’s not like that.”

"Then why...?"

"Dad! It's okay for me, as an adult, to have at least one male friend! Is it reasonable for an adult woman to not know any male acquaintances?"

"Answer my question! Why does it have to be that guy? Aren't you persistently trying to arrange meals with him?"

"Why do I need a reason?"

"It's necessary. If you don't answer, I can never give my permission."

"So if I answer, you'll give your permission?"

"Well... that's not the case, but... It's hard to imagine there being no reason. The question 'Do you need a reason?' is something that only works in novels! You need something, like finding their appearance appealing or having a nice voice, anything that puts my mind at ease."

"But even if I provide a reason, you'll still oppose it, won't you?"

"I'll oppose it, but the level of comfort is different. It's much better for my daughter to show interest for any reason rather than showing interest without any reason."

Only now, for the first time, Rose was silent.

She was ashamed and embarrassed to tell her her honest thoughts.

How could she somehow resolve this situation? Rose searched for a gap in her father's arguments, but Hian closed his eyes as if he wouldn't be swayed.

In this state, Rose hesitated for a long time, wondering if she should say it or not. Whether it would seem strange or not, whether it would be acceptable to have such a reason or not, she couldn't tell because it was her first time.

After maintaining silence for a while, Hian slowly opened one eye.

“… Rose?”

"...Yes."

“Why?”

In response to her father's probing words, Rose tightly closed her eyes and blurted out. If she could gain a friend with just this once, she could endure it.

"He's like the protagonist in a novel!"

Rose shouted out suddenly, her face turning red.

Hian was also at a loss for words.

‘A protagonist in a novel?’

According to Hian, he knew that Rose only stayed at home. He knew that she had read countless books to alleviate her boredom, and he also knew that she particularly liked novels.

But to say she's like the protagonist in a novel. What on earth could she have read, and how absorbed could she be to see a fictional character in a real person?

For the first time, Hian felt sorry for his daughter Rose, unable to leave her fictional character alone in reaction and the realm.

‘Did I make her stay at home too much?’

Just now, she had complained that she didn't have any male friends.

Whether she was embarrassed or hesitant to speak, Rose's face turned crimson red, and her eyes were moist.

Unable to find the answer to his curiosity, Hian finally asked.

"...The protagonist of what novel?"

"You wouldn't know, Dad?!"

She sighed and breathed heavily as she spoke to Hian.

"Dad, I've lived a good life so far. Just let me have this one chance. It's just that I'm curious about what real guys are like."

"Ro... Rose..."

"I'm not saying I'll do anything strange. It's just a light curiosity. Okay?"

“Umm..!”

Hian was somewhat swayed by Rose's strong argument.

And Rose felt that Hian was starting to give in. So she began to act cute.

"Oh~ Dad~ Please?"

Rose started massaging Hian's shoulders from behind.

Hian, with his stern expression, couldn't help but waver under Rose's cuteness, and his lips trembled like waves.

"Um... Fine... Did I prevent you from meeting boys too much?"

Hian, who still couldn't escape from the protagonist's statement in the novel, was surprised.

It was because his daughter, whom he had confined to home by his own choice, was saying such things.

"I can't go a lifetime without meeting anyone... I'll have to get married someday too, and if I don't even know how to talk to guys, what am I going to do?"

Hian enjoyed the massage from Rose and murmured.

"Well, that's true... You should get married someday too."

Rose, the only child of him, must give birth to the heir of this family, who would continue the family line.

Hian also knew the ecstatic feeling that love brings when he met his wife. His heart would swell, tears would well up at trivial things, and eventually, he could even love himself.

It was cruel not to experience that feeling throughout one's life.

Rose didn't want to keep love away from her.

Nevertheless, Hian only wanted to find the perfect person for her.

But he still didn't know much about the young man named Starchis. Would it be okay to have a meal together?

Seeing Hian deep in thought, Rose spoke.

"Dad! Why are you thinking so complicatedly? I just have a light thought... It's just that... He seems like the protagonist in the novel I'm reading... Hmm! If you don't like it, I won't meet him twice!"

"If you meet a man and get hurt, it's already too late... That's why."

"I know. I've seen that in books too. But I'm willing to take the risk."

Books. Books. Books...

Those words kept stimulating Hian's sense of guilt.

His daughter was learning everything about relationships between people from books without experiencing it firsthand.

Yes.

He could never protect his daughter forever.

What could go wrong with just one meal? Even if he imagined the worst-case scenario he had in mind, where that scoundrel Starchis consistently ignored her kindness and hurt her, it might be better for her to experience it and see him devour food like a beast throughout the meal.

Otherwise, they could just be good friends.

Rose said she didn't have any romantic feelings for him.

Hian turned his head and looked at Rose, who was massaging his back.

Rose spoke again.

“Yes? Dad.”

– – – End of Chapter – – –

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