Chapter 47

She quietly rested her head against the window.

‘But this isn’t over yet.’

The people of House Rothwell were already certain she was here. That meant her uncle knew where she was.

If he learned she had awakened, he would become determined to take her back no matter what.

This time, Varkan and Sevar had driven them away, but House Kardian couldn’t be her shield forever.

There was no telling what kind of scheme her uncle might try next. His ability was that dangerous, and many ability users watched his every move.

Slowly turning her head, she looked at Bianca sleeping on the bed.

Bianca still hadn’t woken up.

Even though Alfonso had confidently stated that her condition had improved, she remained asleep as if trapped in a deep slumber.

But she would wake up soon.

And when she did, she would be completely different from before.

The darkness that had been preventing her ability from awakening had been completely purged from her body, so she would awaken as an ability user.

‘Lady Bianca has recovered. I’ve also prevented the tragedy that would’ve fallen upon Lord Sevar.’

The next thing she needed to do was bring down Rothwell.

And after that, the day would eventually come when she would have to leave this place.

When that thought crossed her mind, she carefully opened the wardrobe door.

Her belongings were neatly packed in one corner.

At first, she had desperately tried to enter this house, and she had stubbornly insisted to Varkan that she didn’t want to leave.

But in truth, she had always been prepared to go at any time.

All she needed to do was repay the kindness she had received from the people of House Kardian.

Nothing more.

‘Maybe I’ll go to the magic tower when the time comes.’

Malakar was a good teacher.

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to learn magic from him more seriously in this life as well.

There were things she needed his help with right away, too.

Just then, a cautious knock broke the silence.

Turning her head, she found Varkan standing by the door with his arms crossed.

“Diena.”

After checking on the sleeping Bianca, Varkan approached Diena quietly so as not to make any noise.

“Lord Varkan.”

Diena noticed that his gaze wasn’t directed at her.

It was aimed at the luggage behind her.

At that moment, Varkan frowned as if he disliked what he saw.

“What is all this luggage? Why have you packed all of this?”

“Hm?”

“As if you’re about to leave at any moment.”

“Oh, not right away. But I might have to leave someday, so I prepared in advance.”

“Where are you planning to go?”

Diena blinked.

She couldn’t understand his question.

“But… isn’t that obvious?”

“What?”

“I’m not a member of House Kardian. I can’t stay here forever. Once I’ve finished my revenge, I’ll have to leave.”

“Even so, there’s no need to prepare already.”

Varkan muttered unhappily.

Then, after some hesitation, he carefully spoke.

“Is it because I told you to leave before?”

“Oh, no. That’s not it. If the reason doesn’t make sense to me, I won’t leave even if you tell me to.”

Varkan immediately frowned in irritation.

“Then is it really just because you’re from House Rothwell?”

“Yes. Once my revenge is over… there won’t be any reason for me to stay here.”

She had come here in the first place to prevent the misfortunes of House Kardian and repay the kindness she had received from Varkan in her previous life.

Varkan couldn’t bring himself to argue further.

Just as Diena said, once her revenge was complete, she would have no reason to remain here.

Of course she would be thinking about leaving.

Varkan looked at Diena.

Her wrists were so slender they seemed like they would snap if touched.

And her long eyelashes trembled lightly.

Diena looked excessively fragile and beautiful.

Of course, unlike her appearance, she was strong.

And that made her even more attractive…

‘I’ve lost my mind.’

Varkan cut off the thought and rubbed his face.

The effect of her ability was incredible.

His head was filled with nothing but thoughts of wanting her by his side and wanting to stay with her.

The closer he was to her, the worse the symptoms seemed to become.

Perhaps Diena had already noticed.

The first time he felt the effects of her ability, he had instinctively recognized how dangerous it was.

Any ability user would feel the same.

Once they experienced Diena’s ability, they wouldn’t want to let her go.

They would find some way to keep her beside them.

‘I’m not like that.’

If Diena wanted to leave, he would let her go.

But…

Just in case.

If, by some chance, he really did become trash.

Then perhaps it would be safer to send Diena to the magic tower as Old Man Malakar had requested.

But the moment he imagined Diena leaving for the magic tower with Malakar.

‘Why is that so irritating?’

Again, if she wanted to leave, he would let her.

And if she didn’t want to leave, he would give her a place to stay.

So as long as he didn’t resort to bad methods, wasn’t that enough?

Without forcing her out or forcing her to stay.

If she decided to remain because she liked House Kardian.

‘There wouldn’t be any problem with that.’

After thinking for a moment, Varkan spoke as casually as possible.

“Just stay.”

The words came out more bluntly than he intended.

Unable to understand him, Diena blinked.

“Pardon?”

“Why wouldn’t you have a reason to stay here? Bianca would be very sad if you left.”

“…”

“Even aside from that, it’s not like our family is too poor to support one extra person. So just stay. Unless you’re leaving because you’re sick of this place.”

Diena stared blankly at Varkan.

“Want to come with me? To the Kardian Mercenary Corps.”

“How about it? I’m planning to screw that bastard over. It’d be good for both of us.”

At first glance, the words sounded rough.

But they were filled with consideration, an attempt not to pressure the other person.

She was reminded of the Varkan from the past.

The moment when he had reached out his hand and asked her to come with him.

Drip.

Tears slowly fell from Diena’s eyes.

The moment that happened, panic instantly appeared on Varkan’s face, though he had been pretending not to watch her reaction.

“W-why are you crying?”

His eyes widened in alarm as he searched through his jacket pockets.

He was hoping to find a handkerchief.

“Uh…”

But there was no way Varkan carried a handkerchief around.

After hesitating, he carefully wiped the tears from Diena’s eyes with his own hand.

Diena’s body stiffened at his touch.

The Varkan from the past had also wiped away her tears whenever she cried.

With the same clumsy touch.

Diena’s lips trembled slightly as she spoke.

“Because I miss them.”

“You miss them?”

“Because someone once said something very similar to what you just said, Lord Varkan.”

The hand wiping Diena’s tears froze in place.

Had she once had a lover?