Proposal

"I wouldn't allow that."

Everyone turned back when they heard it, only to see a young man with a couple of sword warriors accompanying him.

Adorned in white clothes with green embellishments, a young, blond haired man stood as tall as Benso. With a cheerful look, he walked inside the crowd, which made way for him to pass.

"It's young master Dermi!" The crowd cheered when they saw the young man, named Dermi, walk through.

'Can't it be anyone other than him? Sigh' Benso thought as he stayed vigilant.

Genus was annoyed inside, 'tch! Where did he come from? And here I finally thought it was an opportunity…'

"Why are you interfering, Dermi?" Shily said coldly, only cold air surrounding her.

Dermi stopped in front of them, while the crowd stopped cheering.

"Oh? Cold as always, huh?" Dermi said with a smile, continuing, "It's been a long time, Lady Shily Norwen."

The surrounding people frowned, before they looked at Shily and Benso.

'Did he just say, Shily Norwen?!!' They all had the same thought.

"Isn't she the cursed one?"

"They say she was banned from the main family."

"Her blood is impure for a member of the Norwen family."

Shily paid no mind to the crowd murmurs and just looked at Dermi's eyes.

'This cunning fox… He's up to something, but not a good thing of course!' Benso thought.

He knew how bad their reputation is, that's why he hid his lady's face and did the work in her place. He didn't want to ruin her three days stay in this city, but now it was ruined for sure.

'Also… They're strong!' Thinking as he glanced at the guards beside Dermi, 'Could they be the ones that were following us yesterday?'

Dermi is a young master from the Utin family, a big family similar to the Norwen. He has a good reputation among the citizens because of his charity and humble demeanor.

His smile captured the hearts of people along with his handsome face, let alone his backing family.

Shily repeated, "Why are you interfering?"

"Oh my, don't be angry. I said that representing the will of the citizens."

He replied, before he asked, "Isn't that so? Would you allow that slave to be free?"

"Absolutely not! Never!"

"You're right, Dermi sir!"

Since she was the infamous cursed one, the crowd erupted with shouts, cheering for the young master, who continued to smile at the cold Shily.

Ruga, sensing the bad atmosphere, ordered a guard beside him, "Go notify Lord Ugu about the situation! Hurry!"

"Yessir!"

From the sides, Genus, for a long time, was entertained, 'Interesting. The war between families, that is.'

The crowd silenced and the tension between the two rose.

"And what does that have to do with me?" Shily asked afterwards.

Dermi pointed his finger at Genus.

"That slave right there is from the hated Ria, the most disgusting and filthy kingdom across history."

Genus was baffled, 'Me?'

"They aren't humans, they're worse than beasts! They're the true evil!!" Dermi roared, gaining the support of the crowd.

""Ruin to Evil Ria!""

The hatred in their eyes gazed at the expressionless Genus, who was entertained internally.

'What a show… Interesting guy.'

Dermi signaled the crowd to stop, then continued, "Of course, it is not just that. That slave had killed many innocents and even his behavior is hostile towards our Empire. We can't allow him to be free, he must be punished! Severely punished!"

He shifted his gaze to Shily, "I know you're a lady from Norwen, but… we can't allow you to buy him."

"After all, you're now just a struggling lady with no power, no? So, it would be better to not worsen your reputation anymore." Dermi smirked.

"Am I wrong?"

The crowd started to murmur again, enjoying the spectacle.

Benso clenched his fist, enraged with how disrespectful and true Dermi' statement was.

'My lady…' He glanced at Shily, waiting for her next thing she would say.

He wanted to interfere and walk out of this trouble, but he knew that his lady would be angry at him. He could only stay there, watching as his lady is being ridiculed with no power to defend themselves.

Ruga, even though he knew Shily was nothing, she's still a Norwen. So, not wanting to offend any party, he dismissed the crowd, as to not embarrass her anymore which may bring trouble to his Lord, Ugu.

"Please leave this place, the show has ended!"

"But, we can't a-"

Ruga eyes glared at the one who spoke and said, "They're the ones who want to buy this slave, not you. So scram!"

Dermi stayed with his two guards, looking calm and cheerful.

Shily gazed attentively at him.

'Tch!' She was pissed, 'Trying to look good, huh? What are you up to again?'

Ruga neared them before bowing, "If you please, can you discuss this matter in another place?"

"No problem with me." Dermi said.

"There's nothing to be discussed, I will buy this slave." Shily held a pouch of gold in her hand.

Ruga's mouth twitched, 'this…'

According to his lord, Ugu, if someone came to buy Genus, he must comply. But now, he can't offend the Utin family, could he?

'What a pain, I have to let Lord Ugu decide…' 

"Don't be stubborn, Shily." Dermi replied, "As I said, That slave is a disgrace and you're still powerless."

"And?" Shily questioned.

"Well, if words reached the main family, they would punish you because you tarnish their reputation. You don't want that to happen, you also wouldn't let your reputation to fall more than it is, would you?" Dermi kept smiling.

"You may even get killed, mostly." he whispered.

"And?" Shily, still reluctant, asked, "What does it have to do with you?"

"Oh, it has. Because I would be upset if that happens." Dermi looked worried for a moment, "That would be a big loss indeed."

Genus praised him, 'He's such a good actor. Despite him interfering with my opportunity… It's fun nonetheless.'

'As much as I hate it, what he said is true.' Benso agreed internally.

"I don't know you, your worry is meaningless." Shily remaked coldly.

"Hey, don't be cold." Dermi slowly started walking near her, "I know you despite your current situation and want to heal your ill mother, but you don't have the strength to back up any of that."

"Even if this old man taught you swordsmanship, you can't oppose an entire family."

Benso eyebrows twitched, '... I am not that old, you know?'

Dermi continued, "You need strength that can rival an entire family, a strength to back you up."

Seeing that the distance between them was only a meter, and Dermi didn't stop, Benso stood between him and Shily clenching his sword's handle.

Dermi's accompanying warriors came ahead and stood beside him, vigilant.

Ruga could only hope that they wouldn't fight.

Genus' eyes were glued to the scene, he didn't want to miss anything, 'This sweet feeling… interesting.'

"Heh!" Dermi scoffed, but smiling, he extended his hand forward, saying, "That's why I have a proposal for you."

Benso became more tense, ready to fight back at any moment.

The atmosphere became more cold, the falling snow became icy in the surrounding area.

Ruga felt his muscular body freezing, 'not good!'

Shily narrowed her cold eyes, "That is?"

Dermi flipped his blond hair back, highlighting his handsome face.

"Marry me!"