Chapter 42

Ardin’s eyes widened in alarm.

Was the fact that House Rothwell was trying to take Diena Rothwell back really that shocking to her?

“Lady Bianca!”

Ardin hurriedly reached out, but her body collapsed limply.

Catching Bianca in his arms, Ardin shouted,

“Lady Bianca has collapsed! Call a physician immediately!”

* * *

Bianca’s collapse instantly threw the once peaceful estate into chaos.

She had always been frail, but she had been recovering noticeably in recent days, which only made the servants’ confusion even greater.

And inside Bianca’s bedroom.

Sevar silently stroked Bianca’s hair as she lay in bed.

Her face was as pale as a corpse.

Watching him, Jordic spoke.

“It seems His Highness Ardin believes this happened because of him. He thinks Lady Bianca was shocked by something he said.”

“It wasn’t because of His Highness. Tell him not to worry and that he may proceed with his scheduled departure.”

“Your Grace…”

“Even if His Highness remains here, nothing will change.”

“Understood. I’ll inform him immediately.”

Sevar answered bluntly and shifted his gaze.

Alfonso, House Kardian’s physician, stood nearby.

“It appears the darkness inside her body has suddenly gone berserk. If this continues, the Young Lady’s life will be in danger.”

“Is there a solution?”

At Sevar’s low question, Alfonso swallowed hard.

“We need the temple’s side effect suppressants. And not just a little. We need an enormous amount.”

“…”

“But even then, I can’t guarantee a complete recovery.”

Alfonso squeezed his eyes shut, as though waiting for the fury that would inevitably follow.

His terrified body trembled uncontrollably.

Yet instead of exploding in anger, Sevar slowly closed his eyes.

He was strangely calm.

As though he had always known this day would come.

“I understand.”

He truly was calm.

He hadn’t expected anything to begin with, so there was nothing to be angry about.

Besides, this wasn’t something Alfonso could solve.

“The people from House Rothwell will arrive soon. Before they get here, prepare Bianca’s maid so she can leave this place. Send her to Elder Malakar.”

“You mean Miss Diena?”

“That’s right.”

At those words, Jordic looked at Sevar hesitantly.

He couldn’t understand why such an order had been given.

Diena was Bianca’s cherished maid.

If Bianca learned Diena was gone while she was already suffering, she would undoubtedly be heartbroken.

But seeing the firm look on Sevar’s face, Jordic ultimately couldn’t bring himself to ask why.

Instead, he nodded.

“I’d like to be alone with Bianca. Everyone leave.”

Jordic and Alfonso respectfully bowed and exited the room.

Once they were gone, Sevar looked down at Bianca again.

He had abandoned his pride long ago in order to save his daughter.

He had gone to House Rothwell, bowed his head before Baltazar, and begged for the Temple’s side effect suppressants.

He had also spent years unable to return to his family because of the missions Baltazar assigned him.

All because of Kardian’s curse.

No one knew the truth.

No one knew that the suffering known as Kardian’s curse had been caused by the Duke of Rothwell.

It was all because of the darkness that bastard had planted inside the children’s bodies.

Sevar recalled his recent visit to the Duke of Rothwell.

“What a shame. We’ve been short on the Temple’s side effect suppressants lately. I won’t be able to provide any more to you.”

“But that doesn’t mean there’s no solution.”

The Duke of Rothwell continued with a vile smile.

“If you accept my proposal, I’ll give you enough suppressants to save your daughter and more. Well? Will you accept?”

“…”

“Of course, you understand that you can’t tell anyone about this. Not if you want your daughter to live.”

“What do you want?”

“I want you to make a pact with me. A pact that you’ll never reveal our dealings to anyone.”

A pact created through Ability Power.

A method that utilized Baltazar’s Darkness Amplification Ability.

Baltazar could plant darkness into another person’s heart and bind them with a pact.

If the pact was broken, the darkness would go berserk and lead to death.

For Ability Users, it was the strongest shackle imaginable.

However, its activation conditions were extremely strict.

Both parties had to willingly agree to the pact.

The Duke of Rothwell had demanded Sevar’s life in exchange for Bianca’s.

Even while making the offer, he hadn’t seemed particularly hopeful.

No matter how many demands Sevar had obeyed until now, the Duke apparently didn’t believe he would sacrifice his own life.

From his perspective, no parent would give up their life for a child.

Sevar’s hand rested on Bianca’s hair.

Truthfully, he knew his presence wasn’t good for her right now.

But still…

‘This is the last time.’

The only thing capable of saving Bianca was the Temple’s suppressant.

And now the time had come to pay the price required to obtain it.

Baltazar was ostensibly coming here because of Diena Rothwell.

But in reality, it was obvious he was coming to pressure Sevar.

Sevar had considered using Diena as leverage to negotiate.

If she had truly awakened an Ability, Baltazar would undoubtedly covet her.

But he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

He already knew how the children would react.

And it would have been unfair to Diena as well.

That left only one option.

Before Baltazar arrived, Diena Rothwell had to be sent to the Magic Tower.

Then Sevar would go and finally make the pact with Baltazar that he had postponed for so long.

All to save Bianca.

Slowly, Sevar rose to his feet.

* * *

Diena stared at her reflection in the mirror and let out a deep sigh.

She knew exactly how chaotic the estate had become.

And she knew just how critical Bianca’s condition was.

Bianca was surrounded by guards.

Sevar hadn’t left her side.

‘Given the situation, the third option is the only one left.’

The final third option Diena had decided on.

To tell Sevar everything honestly and ask for his cooperation.

And beyond that, to join forces with him and take revenge against her uncle Baltazar and House Rothwell.

It was an incredibly reckless gamble.

She didn’t know what Sevar truly felt.

Even if she saved Bianca, there was no guarantee he would help her.

But sometimes, the gambles that put her entire life on the line had led her down the right path.

Just like when she followed Varkan in her previous life.

‘It’s not a complete gamble. I have some confidence too.’

The Sevar Diena had seen during this short time was a father who genuinely loved his children.

In her previous life, Varkan had said that during this period Sevar remained close to her uncle while following his orders.

‘But what if my uncle was threatening him with the darkness inside Bianca, leaving him no other choice?’