79
Not That Bastard!
What I requested from Sebastian was a personal physician, but the people who arrived were a doctor, nurses, bodyguards, and Sebastian himself. As he entered, I felt everyone inhale sharply. The pressure of meeting their brother’s fiancé, the discomfort of him being a second-generation chaebol, and above all, Sebastian’s cold expression combined with his striking good looks – blond hair and blue eyes in perfect harmony – seemed to intensify everything. He was taller than most of my siblings. His tall stature, impeccable suit, and a face that showed no intention of offering a friendly greeting due to the situation made everyone even more uncomfortable.
Surprisingly, the most uncomfortable people were the bodyguards. They were employed by Sebastian Riegel. The situation where Riegel’s fiancé had almost been shot seemed painful for them, and they couldn’t even look Sebastian in the face properly.
“Mr. Romchen, we meet again.”
Romchen, the hotel’s general manager who had been staying in this suite since we arrived, laughed awkwardly at Sebastian’s greeting.
“Yes, thank you for your kindness, Mr. Riegel. I don’t know how I can repay this favor-”
“The day will come. Isn’t this a world where we help each other?”
No empty phrases like “It’s okay.” My boyfriend is really cold.
However, Sebastian, who was the “cold man but warm to me” type, smiled brightly as soon as he saw me. At that moment, I could see looks of “What the-?” dominating the surroundings. Yes, I understand how you all feel. I used to be in your position, grumbling “What kind of psycho bastard is this?” but life has brought me to this place now.
“I heard you were shot?”
“I wasn’t. If this is my face when I wasn’t shot, do you have to be so mean?”
As I grumbled, Sebastian chuckled. He turned my body this way and that, checking carefully for any injuries before letting me go.
“I’m using up all the kindness in my soul right now, you know? Because they’re your family. But if you talk like that, I might really want to be mean.”
“No, please continue being kind.”
Why is he saying such scary things again? I quickly tried to appease Sebastian while leading him to my father. I thought the head of the security team (I’m calling him that because I’m not sure if he’s really the team leader. The actual leader could be outside or controlling things from elsewhere, so I’m just referring to the person who seems to be in charge of security in this suite) didn’t need to be formally introduced since he was employed by Sebastian, and the most important person right now would be my father.
I introduced them to each other.
“Father, this is my fiancé Sebastian Riegel, who I’ll be engaged to tomorrow.”
My father stared intently at Sebastian.
“Sebastian, this is my father, Father Richard Schnieke.”
And I could see Sebastian quietly looking down at my father.
For some reason I couldn’t understand, the two of them were staring at each other very intensely. As if trying to pierce through the shell of the human body and dig deep into the inner thoughts. Finally, Sebastian was the first to speak.
“It’s you again.”
He looked very displeased. Immediately, my father burst out, “So it is you!” I have no idea what’s going on.
My father and Sebastian said they had things to discuss and locked themselves in a room. My siblings came up and asked:
“What’s all this about?”
“Why is Oliver like that?”
“And what’s with your fiancé and father?”
Everyone was asking, but honestly, I didn’t know much. Well, to be precise, I know why Oliver is acting that way, but I can’t answer. If I say even a word about it, I won’t be able to save Oliver. He didn’t even really get shot, and I can’t let someone I grew up with as a brother rot on a cold prison floor.
Kouri called me over with his eyes from a bit further back.
“Just a moment.”
Leaving my murmuring siblings, I went to Kouri, and he asked directly:
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
“No.”
“I heard you were planning to let this slide.”
“He didn’t really hit me, and he’s too weak-hearted to shoot twice. How can I send someone who gets easily swayed by Canaris guys to prison?”
Kouri nodded at my words, but the youngest bodyguard burst out angrily:
“Mr. Schnieke, are you a pushover? Brother or not, he shot at you and you’re just going to let it go?!”
We must have gotten closer. He had a genuinely angry look on his face. Oh, how embarrassing. As I scratched my neck, Kouri laughed.
“I’m sorry, he’s still young and can’t tell right from wrong. He’s a bit short on experience.”
“No, it’s fine.”
He’s just trying to be considerate…
I just nodded, but our attitude seemed to make the youngest even angrier. At that moment, the second oldest stepped on the youngest’s foot hard. It must have really hurt.
“Ow, why! I didn’t say anything wrong!”
The youngest shouted. When he raised his voice, I could feel my siblings looking this way. They’re anxious because things keep happening like a whirlwind, but they don’t have any information.
The reason we can remain relatively calm is that we’re from the Romberg Cathedral orphanage. Being from an orphanage in a poor neighborhood means growing up with children who have experienced all sorts of things. I was a child soldier. Stefan was a child drug dealer. Oliver was rescued from a brothel before he was even ten years old. Because of these backgrounds, we can follow instructions and gather information without falling into panic, whereas people who grew up normally might have reacted more strongly. It’s a bit sad that there comes a moment when an unfortunate past becomes fortunate in this way.
The second oldest slapped the youngest on the back of the head.
“Listen, idiot. If you put up with this, you’d be a pushover, but for Mr. Schnieke, it’s the composure of a strong person. It’s completely different, so shut up.”
The composure of a strong person…
I’m not sure. I’m neither particularly strong nor particularly composed. But if I wasn’t confident in controlling this situation, could I have protected Oliver? I can’t be certain. I want to save Oliver, but I’m not reckless enough to throw away my life. After all, survival is always the premise of life.
As I walked towards the room where my father and Sebastian had gone, I thought that if it was an issue involving Sebastian, I might be willing to risk my life.
As soon as I opened the door, I heard blatant accusations.
“I didn’t like you from the start, you psychopath bastard!”
“Me? I’m being called a psycho by you? By someone who sold out their own flesh and blood dozens of times just to become royalty once?”
What are they talking about…
Stunned, I looked at the two of them. They both realized the door had opened and tightly closed their mouths. Both were glaring at each other with fiery eyes, which was unsettling. I gently pulled Sebastian behind me and called out, “Father,” but my father seemed angry at my action.
“Why did it have to be that bastard?!”
Father shouted. He had shouted many times before, but it had been a long time since I’d heard him yell with such genuine anger.
“Ah, I didn’t know I was gay either.”
“Not that!”
“…Not that?”
“Why, why did it have to be that bastard!”
Without realizing it, I turned to look at Sebastian. As I looked up at his face, I could see his expression hardening. Well, it must be absurd. Where else would someone with his conditions and looks hear such harsh words? Understanding his feelings, I patted the back of his hand briefly and turned to look at my father. I wondered if my father was serious. As soon as I saw his eyes, I knew. He was one hundred percent serious.
“Father, I’m sorry, but objectively speaking, your son is in a worse position.”
“Position, my foot!”
Father beat his chest in frustration. I saw the youngest, Jochen, running from among the siblings clustered at the door. He probably went to get water. Confirming this, I tightly gripped Sebastian’s hand behind my back. His hand had gone cold too. Of course it would. After showing all sorts of kindness to my father, he’s hearing things like “why that bastard.”
It was really awkward being in the middle.
“Father, um-”
“I should have known when you started liking poison and stuff. I should have known you were crazy! Of course I tried because it was worth a shot, but why you! I regretted it so much back then, and now why are you-!”
Poi…?
I turned my head and asked Sebastian.
“You like poison and stuff?”
Sebastian looked at my face. His face was completely stiff, and he looked like he was about to kill someone right then and there. Then he stared into my eyes and suddenly chuckled. But that laugh was something… it seemed like he was laughing, crying, and deflating all at once… it was a laugh I couldn’t understand. Finally, he shook his head.
“No, I like you.”
“You crazy bastard!”
Father screamed. When I turned back, he was pacing around the room looking like he was about to collapse.
“Father?!”
As I tried to run to him, I realized Sebastian’s hand, which I had let go of, was now holding mine.
“He seems shocked. Wouldn’t it be better to give him some time to rest?”
At those words, Father was about to shout again. But Sebastian looked straight at Father and said:
“Or should we sort this out from beginning to end right here? I don’t mind.”
Immediately, Father’s mouth clamped shut. I could see his jaw trembling, but eventually, Father gestured to me. It was a gesture telling me to go, but I was too worried to move. Sebastian pulled me along.
“What your father needs is time and God’s grace.”
At those words, Father screamed, “Get out!” It was truly a strange night.
