It’s Not Night - Chapter 187.2

She knew there was no way she could stop a fight if it broke out. Ian’s momentum suggested he might harm Dustin, so she had to intervene with all her strength.

Above all, it was clear that Dustin would not resist and would simply take the blows because Ian is a member of Andra’s family.

“Andra, I’m fine. I can explain the situation…”

“Dustin Airak, huh? I don’t know how you managed to get my sister, but have you somehow changed from being a thug to a servant of Tualidren? What a pathetic display for someone from a dirty bloodline!”

Suddenly, Ian began to unleash sharp words toward Dustin. He couldn’t push aside Andra, who was desperately holding onto him.

“Honestly, it’s easier to charm a woman with sweet words than to swing a sword mindlessly. Many have crawled beneath the skirts of noblewomen, looking for payment. If you chose to pursue Andra for her family’s wealth, then I suppose I can at least commend your audacity. But rest assured, we will pay any price necessary to separate her from you.”

“Ian, what on earth are you talking about? Stop!”

It was a sharp and unrestrained accusation. In an instant, Ian had reduced Dustin to a lecherous man after Andra’s family’s fortune, and despite Andra’s pleas, he continued.

Even amidst the chaos, Dustin thought that Ian also exhibited the qualities of an Airak. The way he belittled and insulted him felt all too familiar, just like someone from long ago.

“Thinking about it, maybe you’ve learned nothing but this. Your brother behaved just as shamelessly, receiving an excessive reward for being the consort of a princess. Now I see that you should be called a servant of Tualidren from the North, not just some dog. Or maybe I’ve missed something, and you were always a servant? What could a beast lineage ever achieve?”

At that moment, Andra suddenly slapped Ian across the face. Smack! A loud sound echoed as if flesh was tearing, causing Ian’s head to turn sharply.

Dustin was the most surprised. He knew well that Andra’s hands could be harsh, but he never expected her to strike her brother instead of Dustin himself.

Ian was equally taken aback, turning back to look at Andra, his expression dazed and his cheek stinging from the slap.

“Andra, you just…”

“That’s why I told you to stop… I didn’t want it to come to this… Did you have to speak to him like that?”

Andra struggled to voice her feelings, her tone were half-sobbing. Her hand, which had struck Ian, trembled slightly. Seeing this, Ian closed his mouth, still staring at her. Then Andra began to raise her voice with a tearful voice.

“Why do you speak like that? Why! What did he do to deserve such words?”

“…”

“He’s the one I love! Who doesn’t know that he’s Airak? Yet I love him enough to bear that!”

Her voice was nearly a scream by the end. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she spoke.

Ian couldn’t say anything seeing his sister. This was the first time he had seen her cry like this.

“Ian, aren’t you my family? As my brother, why speak to the person I love like that? Do you think belittling him will make me give up on him? Of course not! If I was going to give up for something so trivial, I wouldn’t have come this far!”

“…Andra.”

“I know. I know how crazy it is to love Airak. I’m aware of it! But still… I love him that much. Ian, can’t you calm down a little and just listen to me? We’re family, so can’t you do that much? Why won’t you even try to understand and instead act like this?”

Once the tears started, they wouldn’t stop. As the tears dripped down her face, Andra wiped them away with her hand. The wetness blurred her vision, making it hard to see.

But part of her thought it was a relief. In this state, it was difficult to look Ian in the eye, let alone face Dustin.

Amid the silence, the sound of Andra’s sobs echoed softly.