Chapter 27

“Well, that isn’t entirely unrelated. But after what happened with Matilda, I’ve been thinking about a lot of things. I started wondering if there might be many relationships that I’m the only one refusing to let go of…”

Bianca spoke with a sad smile.

“The truth is, I knew too. I knew Daniel didn’t like me. He was the one who proposed the engagement first, but his actions were never those of someone who truly cared about me.”

“…”

“But I kept holding on anyway. It was only after the incident with Matilda that I realized it wasn’t the right choice.”

Because of what Diena had done, a change had occurred in Bianca’s heart.

Blinking, Diena asked,

“What made you think that?”

“Think what?”

“I’m curious why you thought Young Master Daniel didn’t like you, my lady.”

Clenching the letter in her hand tightly, Bianca answered,

“This is how I knew. More specifically, because of the person who sent this letter… Lady Ediltum sent it to me. Lady Ediltum doesn’t like me very much.”

Bianca gave a bitter smile and continued.

“But whenever she contacts me, she says she wants to visit our house. This letter is also asking me to host a tea party and invite her.”

Remembering what happened at previous gatherings, Bianca’s face twisted.

“Then they only talk among themselves and don’t say a single word to me. They spend the whole time looking bored. I kept wondering what I was doing wrong. That’s why I tried harder to improve myself and avoid being looked down on…”

“…”

“I suppose they look down on me because my family originally came from a baron house.”

Bianca added quietly.

“And because I’m a Non-Ability User.”

As Diena listened, her expression gradually darkened.

It overlapped perfectly with her own past.

She remembered the things Romie had once said to her.

“Diena, doesn’t that dessert look delicious? But what a shame. You can’t have any. Non-Ability Users don’t even earn the food they eat. We should save money wherever we can.”

“Wouldn’t you look more noble if you were a little thinner? If you don’t have an ability, then at least you should look noble. Hmm? Lady Esilla says she might consider being your friend if you become prettier?”

“Oh, you’re curious what we were talking about? We were discussing who’s more useful between one of the family maids and you. At least the maids are good at their jobs… As for you, hmm. What exactly are you useful for?”

Yeah, it’d be better not to think about it.

Every single one of them was so vicious that it was hard to believe people could actually come up with such things to say.

“Honestly, I wanted to become friends with Lady Ediltum. Everyone likes her. So I wanted to get closer to her, but it wasn’t easy. Matilda said it was because I wasn’t trying hard enough. She said if I put in a little more effort, I could become friends with Lady Ediltum. That if I became more refined and learned proper etiquette, then it would work.”

“And Young Master Daniel agreed with that?”

“Yes. Daniel said it was entirely my fault. Since nobody liked me, I believed what they were saying must be true…”

“…”

“Looking back now, someone like that could never have liked me. No, that’s not it. I’ve known all along. I just couldn’t accept it.”

The letter crumpled in Bianca’s hand as she spoke.

“If I host another tea party, the same thing will happen all over again.”

Diena was speechless.

Because Bianca’s worries were so similar to her own.

Perhaps that was why she felt even more attached to her.

After regressing, all she could think about was doubting people and using them.

Yet now, giving her heart away this quickly felt completely natural.

The reason they openly ignored Bianca was-

‘Because she’s a Non-Ability User more than anything else.’

Just as Bianca suspected.

“But I can’t postpone this. It’s a promise I made long ago. Daniel will be there too. After what happened today, he’ll probably ignore me even more if I’m being bullied. Maybe he’ll even join in.”

Anger filled Diena as she bit her lip.

“No one will take my side. I guess that’s understandable. I’m… mean, and nobody wants to be friends with me.”

“That’s not your fault, my lady.”

At that moment, Diena spoke firmly.

“…Huh?”

“You shouldn’t look for the reason in yourself. Sometimes malice exists without any reason. They’re exactly that kind of people.”

“…”

“You were only trying your best. So it’s okay for you to act confidently.”

It wasn’t meant as comfort.

It was the truth.

It was also something she wished someone had said to her in the past.

Bianca abruptly lifted her head.

Diena’s words telling her not to blame herself struck deep in her heart.

But soon, she lowered her gaze and spoke timidly.

“But what if nobody wants to associate with me?”

Diena looked at Bianca sadly.

She knew that no matter how hard Bianca tried, those people would never accept her.

‘Because I went through the same thing.’

Being a Non-Ability User alone was enough reason to become an eternal outcast in their society.

No one understood that better than Diena.

But she didn’t tell Bianca that reality.

Instead, she smiled and answered.

“Then I’ll be on your side, my lady.”

* * *

Diena was startled when she came out of Bianca’s room.

The moment she closed the door behind her, Hasen was standing there.

“Hasen? What’s going on?”

“Lord Varkan is waiting for you. He said there’s something he absolutely wants to tell you.”

“Ah, that’s perfect. I was actually about to go see Lord Varkan myself. I have a favor to ask.”

“A favor?”

Hasen and Diena began walking slowly.

Carefully, Hasen spoke.

“May I ask what you’re planning to talk to him about?”

“Ah, there’s something he absolutely needs to hear, so I’m going to tell him.”

“…Tell him?”

“Yes. And while I’m at it, there’s something related to Lady Bianca that I need approval for.”

Diena nodded.

She had only given Bianca a brief summary, but she had no intention of doing the same with Varkan.

She planned to report everything Daniel had done.

‘This works out perfectly.’

Bianca had said she needed to host the tea party in only a week.

That was a very tight schedule for a flawless event.

Lady Ediltum had probably requested the tea party knowing exactly that.

‘She’ll use Matilda’s absence to criticize Bianca and say everything turned into a mess.’

Which meant there was a high possibility that both House Roche and House Ediltum were connected to Rothwell.

For now, Diena intended to make sure the tea party happened.

The time limit was tight, but it wasn’t impossible.

She pulled a notebook from her pocket and began writing things down diligently.

Before she knew it, they had arrived at Varkan’s office.