Chapter 43

It was a completely different possibility that came to Diena’s mind after discovering the darkness inside Bianca.

If it was her uncle, he was more than capable of doing something like that.

To be honest, as someone who had lost her father and been abandoned by her family long ago, such suspicion came naturally to her.

But Sevar seemed like the kind of person who would willingly sacrifice himself for Bianca.

After all, he was Varkan’s father.

The man who had saved her despite not sharing a single drop of blood with her and protected her until the very end.

Varkan had often said things like this to her as well.

“Still, before Mother passed away and before Bianca fell ill, our family was perfect.”

Even while saying he didn’t understand what kind of person his father really was, he always insisted that before his mother died, his father had been a good man.

The one who destroyed that family was Baltazar.

So if Sevar was being forced to obey her uncle because Bianca’s life was being used as leverage, then perhaps they could cooperate against a common enemy by using her purification ability as a weapon.

‘Let’s go for now.’

Having made up her mind, Diena turned away from the mirror and headed for the door.

Just as she was about to leave.

Bang-!

Without warning, the door flew open and a man appeared.

It was Varkan.

“Lord Varkan?”

Standing in the doorway, he pointed outside and spoke briefly.

“Come with me.”

“Where?”

“No time to explain.”

Diena’s expression hardened as she shook her head.

“Where are we going?”

Varkan irritably ran a hand through his hair.

“Like I told you before, those Rothwell bastards are on their way to our family estate right now. They’ll be here soon. It’s time to use the first method you suggested. They’ll arrive any minute now. Run.”

“…”

“Old Man Malakar will be waiting for you at the stables. Leave this place and go to the magic tower. They’ll hide you there.”

“No.”

“Don’t be stubborn. To be honest… I’ve never said this before, but I don’t really know what kind of person my father is. I think he might send you back to House Rothwell.”

“It’s okay.”

Diena realized he was about to tell the same story he had told in her previous life.

But she interrupted him and continued gently.

“Send me to Lady Bianca. If I don’t go, she’ll be in danger.”

“Do you even understand what you’re saying?”

If Diena went to Bianca now, and if people from House Rothwell discovered her there.

Then Diena would have to return to House Rothwell.

There was no way Diena didn’t understand that.

“This was my plan from the beginning.”

Even so, Diena answered confidently.

At the sense of déjà vu, Varkan pressed a hand against his forehead.

“You really are…”

“You haven’t forgotten the second condition of our contract, have you? That you wouldn’t interfere with what I do for Lady Bianca.”

Varkan tightly shut his eyes.

He had remembered the contract he made with Diena.

“To be honest, I suspect Father might be one of Duke Rothwell’s people. If that’s true, then what will you do?”

“I don’t think Lord Sevar is that kind of person. I’ve been thinking about it ever since I came here, but House Kardian lacks communication far too much. That’s why everyone’s relationships have become such a complete mess.”

Since Diena’s words were true, Varkan couldn’t argue.

“Shouldn’t we at least talk first and find out whether it’s a misunderstanding or not?”

“And if it’s not a misunderstanding?”

“You said you’d protect me, Lord Varkan. If you buy me some time, I can heal Lady Bianca and still escape afterward. And more importantly…”

Diena spoke with a serious expression.

“If Lord Sevar is being misunderstood as someone willing to join hands with my uncle, then that’s just too unfair.”

“C-cough. Now that you put it that way, I suppose you’re right. I hadn’t thought that far ahead. I just thought it would be better to be cautious.”

“…”

“Because it’s dangerous for anyone to find out about your ability.”

Diena looked directly at Varkan.

The moment their eyes met, Varkan let out a deep sigh.

There was only one thing he could say in a situation like this.

“Fine. Do whatever you want.”

Diena’s eyes sparkled.

“Great. Let’s go save Lady Bianca!”

* * *

Sevar, who had been about to leave Bianca’s room, suddenly stopped.

“Y-you can’t come in, Lord Varkan! Lord Sevar ordered that no one be allowed inside.”

“What do you mean I can’t? I’m going in.”

He had heard a commotion outside.

Then at the same time.

Click-

The firmly shut door opened.

“Father. Let’s talk.”

One of Sevar’s eyebrows rose.

Setting aside Varkan’s rude tone, why had he brought that little Rothwell brat with him?

“What is the meaning of this disturbance?”

He slowly rose from his chair.

Then he glanced at Diena.

“Jordic. Why is this child still here?”

“W-well, Lord Varkan…”

Jordic, who had been trying to stop them, bowed his head while sweating profusely.

Sevar took in the scene before him.

Varkan was standing right beside Diena as if he were escorting her.

“Varkan. What exactly are you doing?”

“Diena said she wanted to speak with you, Father, so I brought her.”

Sevar’s brows lifted with displeasure.

Diena slowly walked toward him.

“I’m sorry for coming so suddenly. You must’ve been surprised.”

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t. What could you possibly have to discuss with me?”

The room was dark.

But Diena immediately spotted Bianca lying on the bed.

Her face was pale enough that she looked ready to stop breathing at any moment.

Her shallow breaths were weak and thin.

Even at a glance, her condition was severe.

If she were left alone like this, her life would be in danger.

“Answer me. I asked what you came here to talk about.”

Dense darkness was pouring from Sevar’s body.

To an ordinary person, it would have been a terrifying pressure that would make them flee.

But Diena naturally brushed aside his presence.

That was impossible for a non-ability user.

Having noticed that, Sevar spoke quietly.

“…So you really were hiding something.”

“Yes.”

Diena answered calmly.

Sevar’s eyes moved over her as he examined her.

At first glance, she didn’t seem to possess a combat-type ability.

Diena looked far too small and fragile for that.

‘As I thought. A special-type ability user. One that manipulates the mind.’

Sevar focused his thoughts so he wouldn’t be influenced.

“Why infiltrate our family while hiding an ability like that?”

“As you already know, Your Grace, I’m still publicly considered unawakened. I hid it because I thought it might become dangerous otherwise.”

“Then why reveal it to me? It’s not because you trust me.”

At the wary question, Diena raised her head.

“That’s right. I don’t trust you, Your Grace. You’re wary of me. And you’re not particularly favorable toward me either.”

“Then?”

“But I trusted Lord Varkan and Lady Bianca. I believed that the father who raised the two of them properly wouldn’t side with my uncle.”