Chapter 28

Hasen bowed his head to her before entering Varkan’s office first.

Not long afterward, the door opened, revealing Varkan seated in his chair.

And beside him was a massive box.

The box was carefully wrapped in dazzling gold paper that almost hurt the eyes to look at. Thick crimson silk ribbons, as wide as a finger, were wrapped around it layer after layer.

Diena blinked.

“What in the world is that?”

“I’ll tell you after we’re done talking. Hasen said you were on your way to see me about something?”

“Yes. It’s related to Lady Bianca.”

Diena reported everything Daniel had said when he came to House Kardian.

She left out nothing.

“…That’s what happened.”

Of course, she didn’t go into detail about what she herself had done.

Varkan’s mouth fell open.

Blinking in disbelief several times, he finally spoke.

“That Daniel bastard… Is he trying to get himself killed?”

His raised eyebrow looked terrifying.

“How dare he do something like that to my sister. Why didn’t Bianca tell me sooner?”

“Because communication between you and Lady Bianca wasn’t very good.”

Grinding his teeth, Varkan slowly opened his mouth.

“…I knew Bianca wanted to get engaged to that bastard. Of course I didn’t like it. Every time I saw his face, I had this strange urge to punch him.”

“…”

“Looks like my instincts were right. To think he’d spew that kind of garbage.”

“Other people keep saying that Lord Sevar and Lord Varkan don’t care about Lady Bianca. Lady Bianca herself believes it too.”

“Because my father and I don’t meet with Bianca? But there’s a reason for that. They know that and still say things like that?”

Diena nodded.

“Yes. People believe whatever they want to believe.”

“Should I attend a banquet and sing songs about how I don’t hate Bianca? What kind of nonsense is that? How do they even treat their own siblings to come up with ridiculous rumors like that?”

“That’s not the reason.”

Stopping Varkan’s voice as it gradually rose, Diena answered calmly.

“People simply find it hard to believe that a Non-Ability User can be loved by their family.”

“…”

“Because that’s usually not the case.”

Even Diena could understand why Varkan might feel wronged.

Sevar and Varkan frequently sent Bianca expensive gifts.

They also sent letters often and did everything they could to maintain contact with her.

Since they couldn’t see her directly, there wasn’t much else they could do.

‘This reminds me of something Varkan said before.’

“I did care about Bianca, but even when she was healthy, I never really showed it.”

“Why not?”

“Uh… Well, that’s just how siblings usually are. Bianca probably felt the same way I did. Looking back, we shouldn’t have been like that…”

Varkan and Bianca cared deeply about each other.

But like many siblings, they weren’t openly affectionate.

Even so, they thought about each other more than anyone else.

If Bianca hadn’t been a Non-Ability User, no one would have doubted for a second that she was loved.

“I’ll probably beat Daniel Roche half to death, but should I make an even bigger scene? That might stop people from getting strange ideas.”

At Varkan’s serious concern, Diena shook her head.

No matter what, this situation existed because they couldn’t meet face to face.

“That’s exactly why I have a suggestion.”

“You sound like you’ve got a good idea.”

“I think it’s more important to show your affection for Lady Bianca in front of everyone than to secretly teach Daniel a lesson where no one can see it.”

At those words, Varkan’s brows tilted awkwardly.

“The problem is that I can’t openly show affection in front of people. You know why those rumors started in the first place.”

“Yes, I do. Because you kept your distance out of concern that Lady Bianca’s Darkness Corruption would worsen.”

“And you still made this suggestion. That means you’ve got a reason, right?”

Diena nodded confidently.

“If you trust me, please come to this tea party.”

Varkan stared at her in shock.

“You’re asking me… to meet Bianca?”

It wasn’t that Varkan didn’t want to see Bianca.

Whenever he met her, however, she would become seriously ill for days afterward.

Those repeated experiences had planted fear deep inside him.

The thought that his actions might worsen his sister’s condition made him hesitant even to watch her from afar.

“Didn’t Lady Bianca come to see you recently because of me?”

At Diena’s question, Varkan suddenly raised his head.

“…She did.”

“Didn’t that seem strange to you? Normally, even a brief meeting would leave Lady Bianca bedridden for days.”

That was true.

The moment he realized it, Varkan’s hand trembled faintly.

Although their meeting had been brief, Bianca should have become seriously ill afterward.

They had even spoken with each other.

And yet no report had come saying that Bianca had suffered greatly.

“No way.”

“Her Darkness Corruption has improved considerably. Of course, she’s not completely cured yet.”

“But?”

“But from now on, simply meeting you briefly won’t leave her seriously ill.”

At those words, Varkan’s eyes widened.

It was hard to believe.

He had practically given up on ever seeing her.

And now he was being told his sister was getting better.

That there was even a possibility she might recover completely one day.

Emotion welled up inside him.

His fingertips trembled as he clenched his fist tightly and looked at Diena.

“So that’s… the power of your ability.”

A gentle smile appeared on Diena’s lips.

“Yes.”

“…That’s incredible. I don’t even know what to say. Is Bianca able to recover because of you?”

“No. Not for certain yet. Like I said, she hasn’t been completely cured. I’m only saying that she won’t become seriously ill from briefly meeting you anymore.”

“…”

“So why not attend the tea party and show everyone what a wonderful older brother you are to Lady Bianca? Lady Bianca would be happy, and the other nobles would have to think twice before saying anything.”

After hesitating for a moment, Varkan nodded.

Diena was right.

More importantly, it was for Bianca’s sake.

Unconsciously releasing the fist he had been clenching, Varkan gazed at Diena.

“Thank you for helping Bianca.”

“I only did what needed to be done.”

Diena answered modestly with a shrug.

With a noticeably softer gaze than before, he added,

“…If there’s anything you want, just say it. As long as it’s within my power, I’ll give you anything.”

“Ah, speaking of that, I have another favor to ask.”