Chapter 26

Eshina was giving him advance notice for that very reason.

No matter what, he was officially Bianca’s lover.

Whenever she got the chance, Eshina would trample on Bianca to prove her own authority.

She knew exactly what kind of stimulation to provide her followers, and she possessed an exceptional talent for satisfying their desires.

For nobles, watching a young lady of higher status than themselves squirm in humiliation was the perfect form of entertainment.

“Do as you please. If it helps improve your mood.”

To Daniel, sacrificing Bianca to appease Eshina was a rational decision.

He had always been like that.

Most of the time he catered to Bianca’s whims, yet at critical moments he always turned his back on her.

Even so, Bianca had never been able to leave him.

At that moment, Count Roche, who had been silently listening to their conversation, shook his head.

“That maid may not actually be a commoner.”

“She may not be a commoner?”

“That’s right. Duke Rothwell contacted me. He said it seems Diena Rothwell has gone to House Kardian.”

At those completely unexpected words, Daniel’s and Eshina’s eyes widened simultaneously.

“You mean that Non-Ability User young lady?”

“Yes.”

“Why would a young lady of House Rothwell go to House Kardian and help them?”

“Who knows? Perhaps she felt sorry for Lady Bianca because their situations are similar.”

Barely listening to the Count’s explanation, Daniel’s mouth hung open.

If that maid really was Diena Rothwell, everything that had happened suddenly made perfect sense.

‘So that’s why she carried herself with such elegance and confidence.’

It was only natural he hadn’t recognized her.

The Non-Ability User young lady of House Rothwell had never once appeared in public.

At the same time, he secretly let out a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, she wasn’t a real young lady with influence, only a useless Non-Ability User young lady.

A duke like Rothwell would never punish him over a Non-Ability User young lady.

Count Roche spoke with a serious expression.

“I’ve already contacted Duke Rothwell in haste. He’ll probably send knights soon. Once that happens, they’ll take away that troublesome young lady who’s sticking close to Bianca.”

“Well, I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. Sevar Kardian is the type of man who’d do anything to obtain the Temple’s Side Effect Suppressant.”

Matilda’s expulsion had been unexpected, but it wasn’t a situation serious enough to concern them.

After all, the Temple’s Side Effect Suppressant that they needed could only be supplied by House Rothwell.

As long as that fact remained unchanged, House Kardian would never escape the palm of their hand.

Suddenly, Daniel frowned and asked,

“Do we just sit back and watch until then? I think I’ll be seeing her at the tea party this time. That woman treated me very disrespectfully.”

“What exactly did she do to make you react like this? No, more importantly, if she’s infiltrating the estate as a maid, she shouldn’t have been able to treat you disrespectfully in the first place…”

As expected, Daniel couldn’t tell the truth.

With an anxious expression, he asked,

“It’s difficult to explain in detail. Anyway, are we really just supposed to watch?”

If Diena was truly the young lady of House Rothwell, a sense of unease washed over him.

What if he never got the chance to repay the humiliation he had suffered?

Count Roche firmly shook his head.

“No. Quite the opposite. The Duke gave me instructions.”

“…”

“He told me to make Diena understand her place. He wants her to realize deeply just how insignificant a Non-Ability User like herself is without House Rothwell.”

Daniel’s face immediately brightened.

But it soon stiffened again.

“What if Bianca refuses to marry me because of that?”

It wasn’t because he liked Bianca.

He had maintained their engagement because he intended to gain control of House Kardian through her.

He couldn’t let all his plans collapse because of a mere Non-Ability User.

“Hmm? Even if that happens, don’t worry. As long as they need the Temple’s Side Effect Suppressant, they’ll have no choice but to obey Duke Rothwell. So do whatever you want.”

In other words, Bianca would ultimately be forced to marry according to Duke Rothwell’s wishes.

He had been given a perfect excuse to take revenge on Diena.

A sinister smile spread across Daniel’s face.

* * *

Bianca grabbed Diena by the shoulders and asked,

“Diena, are you alright? Daniel didn’t dare do anything to you, did he?”

Guilt filled her eyes.

Diena deliberately put on a dejected expression.

“It was a little scary… but nothing happened.”

“Scary?”

“Yes. I think he didn’t like me staying by your side, Lady Bianca.”

“…What?”

Diena gave Bianca a suitably summarized version of what had happened.

“He told me that just because Lady Bianca was playing around with me a little, I shouldn’t think I’d become something important. He said I should leave on my own before I got replaced.”

He had also insulted Bianca.

But Diena didn’t want to tell her that part.

If Bianca learned her fiancé had said such things, it would hurt her too deeply.

‘Being hurt by people you believed were precious to you is the most painful thing of all.’

Just like what had happened with her former friends.

“He dared say that?”

At once, Bianca’s eyes turned cold.

Diena looked up at her in surprise.

The strength gripping her shoulders was much greater than before.

Bianca herself didn’t seem aware of it.

‘Her strength has increased.’

It meant the Darkness Corruption had weakened considerably.

And as the corruption faded, her ability was gradually beginning to manifest.

If Diena hadn’t been an Ability User and had instead been an ordinary person, Bianca’s grip would have been painful.

“That bastard Daniel dared say that to my Diena…! You must’ve been hurt badly… Are you alright?”

The one who had been verbally crushed was Daniel, not Diena.

She hadn’t suffered any damage at all.

So she was able to answer honestly.

“I’m fine, my lady. I didn’t just sit there and listen. I fought back with words.”

“What did you say? Are you really alright after hearing such awful things?”

“I said a few things that gave the Young Master plenty to think about. So I’m fine.”

Bianca hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“…This won’t do.”

“My lady?”

“I think not getting engaged to Daniel is the right choice.”

Diena blinked.

“Because of me?”

She hadn’t expected this development either.

She had been sure Bianca had feelings for Daniel.

“I guarantee it. Before long, it’ll be you who’s gone.”

She had said that.

But she never imagined it would start coming true this quickly.

Of course, she had planned to separate Daniel from Bianca eventually through schemes and careful manipulation.

Still, she hadn’t expected Bianca to consider ending things because of someone she’d only known for a short time.