Chapter 41

“Yes, Lord Varkan is someone I can trust. Of course, other people probably wouldn’t think so. But that’s what I learned after getting to know you.”

“…”

“So I’ll find out for myself whether His Highness Ardin is trustworthy too. Some people can only be understood once you’ve seen them up close.”

Caught off guard by her words, Varkan fell silent.

Diena merely smiled.

The Ardin she had known in her previous life was someone more trustworthy than anyone else.

To the point where she truly understood why people said that the enemy of your enemy is your friend.

“…Do you like His Highness Ardin?”

Varkan had been staring at Diena when the question suddenly slipped out.

The moment he spoke, he froze.

It was something he had only been thinking about, yet somehow it had escaped his mouth.

Diena tilted her head in confusion.

“Why are you suddenly asking that?”

“Well, I’ve never seen a Young Lady who disliked His Highness Ardin. He’s handsome, tall, and kind.”

His voice sounded indifferent, yet somehow he looked irritated.

Diena shook her head without hesitation.

“If you’re asking whether I’m romantically interested in him, there’s no way. I only met him for the first time today. Why would I like him? And His Highness isn’t interested in me either.”

No.

From Varkan’s perspective, Ardin was very interested in Diena.

Enough to irritate him for some reason.

“And more importantly, I’d rather have someone who’s kind only to me than someone who’s kind to everyone.”

“…So you do admit that His Highness Ardin is handsome, tall, and kind.”

“Of course. That’s true, isn’t it?”

At that answer, Varkan’s brows drew together ever so slightly.

He looked even more displeased.

Diena stared at him.

“I’m not kind to everyone like His Highness Ardin.”

Then Diena blinked at Varkan’s sudden remark.

“Just thought you should know.”

Varkan felt heat creeping up the back of his neck.

He scratched at it awkwardly and looked away.

“…You didn’t really need to tell me that. It’s pretty obvious.”

“What?”

After thinking for a moment, Diena continued.

“Lord Varkan definitely isn’t kind to everyone.”

“No… Still, I’ve never been unkind to you.”

He was so flustered that he didn’t have time to think about how those words might sound.

Fortunately, Diena seemed equally surprised by his reaction and simply stared at him with wide eyes.

Then she let out a small laugh and continued.

“To everyone else, maybe. But me, Lady Bianca, and everyone in House Kardian. You’re always taking care of us.”

“…”

“I know you’re a kind person. And you’re tall and handsome too.”

If he wanted compliments, he could’ve just said so.

She couldn’t help thinking he had been speaking in circles this whole time.

‘The Varkan I knew would’ve just said everyone else was inferior to him.’

The younger Varkan kept surprising her.

He wasn’t nearly as shameless as the one she remembered.

But he was just as warmhearted.

At that, Varkan’s face turned so red it looked ready to burst.

Unable to look at Diena directly, he quickly changed the subject.

“Still, it’s true that His Highness Ardin seems pretty interested in you.”

Apparently, that was how Ardin’s behavior had looked in Varkan’s eyes.

But Diena firmly shook her head.

“That’s not interest. He’s wary of me.”

“Wary?”

“I’m suddenly receiving attention from Lady Bianca and Lord Varkan. He was curious about what kind of person I am. That’s why he approached me.”

At her words, Varkan’s expression stiffened.

He was reminded of Sevar, who was watching Diena for the exact same reason.

Even so, Varkan felt that neither Ardin nor Sevar was merely wary of her.

Both of them were clearly interested in Diena.

Whether it was goodwill or simple suspicion, neither possibility pleased him.

Not that he wanted to kindly point that out to Diena.

Narrowing his eyes, Varkan asked,

“So what’s the third option?”

“A direct approach.”

“…A direct approach?”

“You’re right, Lord Varkan. You can’t know someone before experiencing them for yourself. The same goes for Lord Sevar.”

“And how exactly are you planning to take a direct approach?”

Diena slowly turned her head, her expression tense.

She could feel an unusual presence coming from the direction where she had parted ways with Bianca.

In a low voice, she murmured,

“…You’ll find out soon enough.”

* * *

The ducal garden was quiet.

Snow rested atop the carefully trimmed shrubs, while the lazy afternoon sunlight stretched long shadows across the ground at Ardin and Bianca’s feet.

As they walked through the peaceful scenery, Ardin casually asked,

“Lady Bianca, what exactly is your relationship with that maid?”

Bianca answered without hesitation.

“She’s the most precious friend I have.”

“I see. A precious friend…”

He found himself intrigued by the existence known as Diena, who had managed to influence not only Bianca but also Varkan.

A meaningful smile appeared on his lips.

“So how did you become acquainted with this friend of yours?”

At his question, Bianca narrowed her eyes.

“Why are you so curious?”

“Because she resembles someone I know.”

“There aren’t many people as pretty as Diena. You’re probably mistaken, Your Highness.”

“Hm, really?”

“Obviously. Do you know how rare it is to find someone as elegant, graceful, and kind as Diena?”

“…Me? I hear things like that all the time. Ha ha.”

“Excuse me?”

Bianca let out a disbelieving laugh.

What he said was true, but she hadn’t expected him to say it about himself.

“You don’t need to be so wary. I’m leaving today anyway. I won’t have any more chances to speak with Miss Diena.”

“That’s a relief.”

Ardin had only been staying in Kardian temporarily and was scheduled to leave today for his next destination.

Knowing that, Bianca finally felt a little reassured.

Then Ardin’s smile vanished.

“Still, I don’t think you should trust her too much. Don’t you agree? She belongs to House Rothwell.”

“…What? What are you talking about?”

“No need to be so guarded. I’m only telling you this because we’re dealing with a common enemy.”

Bianca fell silent.

She didn’t know how the prince had figured out Diena’s identity, but she had no reason to confirm it for him.

Ignoring her reaction, Ardin continued.

“Even if she’s a Non-Ability User, shouldn’t you be cautious of someone from Rothwell? More importantly, the people from House Rothwell are already on their way to retrieve Diena Rothwell. Getting too attached to her won’t accomplish anything.”

“What are you talking about? House Rothwell is coming to take Diena back?”

“You didn’t know? From the Duke’s perspective, it’s only natural to retrieve a family member who ran away.”

Bianca’s eyes slowly widened before twisting with fury.

After everything they had done to Diena, they still dared try to take her back.

“Those bastards…! Ah.”

“Lady Bianca?”

At that moment, Bianca’s complexion instantly turned gray.

Her body began trembling violently.