Frisson (Diabolik lovers)

IV. The plan

"The real reason she's here? Isn't she just another sacrificial bride?" Asked confused Reiji.

"Fortunately no. Because of the death of the previous girl, who was an adoptive daughter of the high rank priest, the Church had decided to not send any brides for a while. But, of course, they would be kind enough to send vampire hunters if people close to our mansion started disappearing into the thin air. I would have left it this way for you to deal with the consequences of your own stupid actions yourself, but what kind of father would I be if I left my own children to suffer?"

Brothers were clearly trying to contain their frustration. All seven of them knew how Karlheinz truly 'cared' about the six brothers. The pain, the neglect, the pressure they had to suffer in their childhood because of this man's actions and twisted plans was unforgivable for almost all of them. And after the incident with the last bride, they've received the most humiliating and agonizing punishments one could think of.

Five brothers hated Karlheinz's guts so bad that they were ready to feed every single cell of Karlheinz's body to the rats. But they couldn't. They still were too weak. They had no riches or money of their own, no place to run away to. There was no other choice but to stay in this cursed mansion, obeying His orders.

"Get to the point already," Ayato hissed out, loath was dripping from his voice like blood from a fresh wound.

"Impatient, aren't we? No wonder the silly girl stabbed herself to death." Ayato's eyes turned bright red in an instant.

"Ayato, sweetie, do you want another punishment to cool you down or you'll behave?" Ayato froze in an instant. The flashbacks of the past few months came back, crashing like bullets into the ego of our poor boy.

"I will behave." Ayato sat down, even more frustrated than he was before, but managed to control his tongue and fists.

"Now, as I said before, because of your stupidity, I had to look for a new girl. As you can see - I did my job pretty well - I brought back Miss Lauren with myself. But she's not a simple bride that's here only for food. She's a part of a contract - an actual bride to be."

§Flashback §

"Miss Nadia Curtis, I know that you are having the hardest time of your life right now, but I have another proposition for you to think about..."

Tougo had this expression that Nadia couldn't read. She was confused. In situation like this? What kind of man would be still thinking about the business at the time like this? Tougo saw the confusion on Nadia's face, so he decided to explain a few things.

"Let's be realistic - disease you have will not disappear. The experimental treatment in Canada might give you a few additional months to live but not more." Tougo took Nadia's hands into his.

"You're an incredible woman, Nadia, that's why I want to take care of the most important thing in your life, your..."

"My daughter?" Nadia finished his sentence. Now she was completely lost. Why would he want this? There was one thing that life has taught her - don't trust sweet words from charming men, because these words always have hidden intentions.

"We both know that you won't be able to look after her anymore. I can bring Lauren with myself to Japan. She would attend Ryoutei Gakuin High School together with my sons. I would ensure her present and future." Tougo still said nothing that would betray his real intentions. Nadia did not trust him.

"It's very kind of you to offer me this, but I'll have to decline." Nadia let go of Tougo's hands. The male was in shock. This human is the first female ever who has refused him in any way. With others it was easy - a few sweet words and business is done, but not this time.