Chapter 35

“Does that mean it’s fine if you’re the only one who gets hurt?”

Varkan frowned.

“You never seem to think about yourself.”

“Huh?”

“When I look at you, I get angry, but I don’t know why. It irritates me how you keep acting like a moth flying into a flame.”

“Are you angry because I’m doing dangerous things?”

Varkan couldn’t answer.

His lips tightened.

Yeah.

This was definitely irritation.

She was already weak enough as it was, yet she kept choosing to throw herself into danger.

He simply couldn’t stand by and watch.

Suppressing the frustration boiling inside him, Varkan let out a deep sigh.

“Yeah, I’m really angry. So angry I can’t stand it! So stay here and rest quietly. If you even get the slightest fever, I really won’t let it slide.”

After blurting out a harsh command that sounded somewhere between a scolding and concern, Varkan immediately turned away.

Then, like someone being chased, he hurried out of the room.

* * *

Only a heavy silence remained in the room after Varkan left.

She could hear the maids filling the bath with water, but Diena couldn’t move for a long while.

The jacket draped over her shoulders felt large and heavy.

‘His finger touched my cheek…’

Diena slowly raised a hand and brushed the cheek where Varkan had wiped away the droplets.

Varkan was a man who could become frighteningly indifferent at times.

Diena knew better than anyone how cold he could be toward people who weren’t his own.

Then why had Varkan gotten angry for her sake?

Just like the Varkan from the past.

‘Why? Is it because of my ability?’

Most Ability Users who experienced her ability ended up feeling favorably toward her.

The Duke of Rothwell had even used that fact to scheme in various ways.

Even while telling herself it was probably just an instinctive reaction, she couldn’t stop thinking about the Varkan she had seen earlier.

Her body was still trembling from the cold, yet an unfamiliar warmth that began around her heart slowly spread throughout her entire body.

Startled by the feeling, Diena tightly gripped the end of the jacket sleeve.

‘Don’t get your hopes up.’

The more expectations one had, the greater the disappointment that followed.

Especially since she and Varkan hadn’t known each other for very long.

There was no way he’d suddenly start worrying about her.

It was probably just a temporary whim caused by her ability.

Thinking that, Diena nodded to herself.

‘I should be worrying about what comes next.’

The Winter Banquet would be held soon.

When that happened, the truth that Bianca had recovered and awakened her ability would inevitably become known.

The purpose she had originally come to House Kardian for, saving Bianca’s life, would finally be fulfilled.

And if Sevar returned and tried to drive her out or send her back to House Rothwell…

‘I should start thinking about what I’ll do after leaving House Kardian.’

With that thought, Diena wore a bitter smile.

* * *

Rothwell Territory.

For Baltazar, checking correspondence after breakfast was one of life’s pleasures.

The news contained in those letters always lifted his spirits, as though proving that his family was advancing along a smooth and prosperous path.

But today was different.

Baltazar’s mood was unusually dark.

He crumpled the letter in his hand.

Romie, who had been carefully watching his expression, finally asked,

“Father, you don’t seem to be in a good mood. Did something happen?”

Baltazar answered in a low voice.

“Count Roche sent a letter. He says someone believed to be Diena is staying with House Kardian.”

Romie tilted her head in confusion.

“Isn’t that good news? We found out where Diena went after running away.”

Baltazar’s expression hardened.

“That’s why I gave him an order. I told him to show her what kind of ending awaits someone who tries to escape my grasp. But the response I received was unexpected.”

“What did the letter say?”

Baltazar hadn’t thought even the most incompetent fools would fail to carry out such a simple order.

Yet the answer he received completely exceeded his expectations.

“It seems Bianca Kardian may have awakened, though they aren’t completely certain. Apparently that’s why she helped Diena.”

Romie’s voice immediately rose.

“Bianca? That’s impossible!”

“I also believe it’s just a rumor.”

After thinking for a moment, Romie spoke with a worried expression.

“Even so, it sounds like Bianca has been treating Diena well. Doesn’t that mean Diena might refuse to come back to our family? If everyone there is treating her kindly.”

“…”

“And if Bianca’s Darkness Corruption is cured, House Kardian won’t obey our orders anymore, will they? They won’t be forced into a berserk state through the Magic Tower’s side effect suppressants.”

“No need to worry. Even if a miracle happened and her Darkness Corruption was cured, there’s still the darkness I’ve planted inside that girl. Sevar knows that as well, so he won’t act recklessly.”

A smile spread across Baltazar’s lips.

“I’m planning to trigger it into a berserk state soon.”

Only then did Romie’s face brighten.

“Then they’ll have no choice but to obey everything you say, Father?”

Baltazar answered confidently.

“That’s right. They’ll absolutely need the Temple’s side effect suppressants to calm the berserk state.”

A deep smile appeared on his face.

“So bringing Diena back won’t be difficult either.”

2.

The morning at the Kardian Estate was far busier than usual.

Since dawn, the family’s employees had been hurrying through the hallways.

An unexplained tension hung heavily in the air.

“Diena!”

Then Bianca’s voice rang throughout the estate.

Running all the way to Diena’s room, Bianca bounced excitedly in place.

Her cheeks were flushed red as she shouted,

“Today, today Father’s coming back!”

“The Duke?”

So it’s finally happening.

Trying not to show how nervous she was, Diena nodded.

“Yeah, and I heard he’s bringing guests with him too. I wonder who they are.”

At those words, Diena tilted her head.

‘Guests? If someone is coming to House Kardian at this time of year…’

Then realization struck.

Her eyes widened.

Ardin Lumines.

There could be no one else.

The First Prince of the Lumines Empire.

In her previous life, he had also visited House Kardian while attending the Winter Banquet.

“Lady, you need to get changed first.”

Calming the excited Bianca, Diena quickly finished breakfast and helped her get ready.

After helping Bianca finish dressing as well, the two of them headed toward the front of the main building.

A long line of employees waiting to welcome Sevar had already formed.

Varkan stood directly in front of the main gate.

Diena and Bianca took their places farther away.

The excited voices of the maids reached their ears.

“He’s here! They’re here!”

At the same moment someone murmured those words, a carriage stopped in front of the main gate.

Diena slowly turned her gaze.

Several carriages were entering together.

Among them, Varkan stepped forward and stopped in front of one particular carriage.