Chapter 49

Diena blinked.

Well, that couldn’t be helped.

‘There’s no way their financial situations are the same.’

Bianca was still living on the budget Sevar provided for her.

Meanwhile, Sevar was the Family Head and could spend money however he pleased.

“I was already more than happy with what Lady Bianca did for me last time. Ever since my father passed away, it was the first truly wonderful meal I’d had.”

At those words, not only Bianca but also the two people who had been pretending not to listen to their conversation froze.

Varkan looked at Diena.

“The first one…? Those bastards didn’t even feed you properly?”

Diena was about to instinctively answer that it was fine, but then she stopped herself.

After all, these people already knew everything.

There wasn’t much point in hiding it.

“Yes. And it wasn’t just food. They never gave me clothes appropriate for the season either. They always mocked me, saying a Non-Ability User wasn’t even worth the cost of a meal.”

“So that’s why you’re so obsessed with money…”

The reason Diena cared so much about money was actually a habit she had picked up during her mercenary days with Varkan.

But she didn’t bother correcting his misunderstanding.

Varkan immediately began cutting the steak in front of him with a rather aggressive air.

Then he placed several pieces onto Diena’s plate.

“Eat a lot.”

And for some reason, Sevar suddenly offered an explanation.

“Ahem. I was planning to send you safely to the Magic Tower. I never intended to send you back to those pieces of trash.”

“Ah… I see.”

Bianca also made sure to add her own comment.

“I actually wanted to be closer to you because I thought you were a Non-Ability User. You felt similar to me.”

Everyone seemed to be working hard to prove that they weren’t shallow people like the Duke of Rothwell.

Diena smiled softly.

“Of course. I know that.”

Diena thoroughly enjoyed the meal.

The feast of delicious dishes was so incredible that she completely lost track of time.

When the meal was nearly over, Sevar looked at her and spoke.

“Thank you.”

“…Pardon?”

“If it hadn’t been for you, I can’t even imagine what might have happened…”

Sevar frowned as if the thought alone was horrifying.

“I honestly don’t know how I should repay you.”

“Repay me?”

“Yes, repay you. There’s something I’d like to ask of you as well… but no matter what I give you, it feels insufficient.”

“You have something to ask of me?”

“I heard from Varkan that you enjoy working. But Diena, considering your original status and everything you’ve done for our family, it doesn’t seem right for you to continue living as a maid.”

“…”

“So I’d like to offer you the position of our family’s dedicated healer.”

As he spoke, Sevar pulled a document from inside his coat.

“This is ownership of a mine belonging to House Kardian. It’s a diamond mine.”

Diena accepted the document without thinking.

The moment she read it, her eyes widened.

‘I don’t think I should accept this…’

The words diamond mine had already been shocking enough.

But the profits it generated were far beyond anything she had imagined.

It was an amount of money that ordinary people would never earn in an entire lifetime, produced in a single day.

‘And it’s not just income from the mine…?’

The documents didn’t end with a single page.

Diena blinked repeatedly after seeing the salary listed for her.

It felt completely unreal.

Even a healer employed by the Imperial Family probably wouldn’t receive this much.

Just as Diena was about to refuse, Sevar spoke first.

“Of course, I know it isn’t enough.”

“…What?”

“I’ll give you even more in the future. You’re worth that much.”

For a moment, Diena was left speechless.

Then she quickly gathered her thoughts and spoke.

“But if I become the dedicated healer, I’ll have to stay by Lady Bianca’s side permanently. I’m not really free. I don’t know when my uncle might come to take me back.”

Sevar shook his head as if telling her not to worry.

“The Duke of Rothwell already knows you’re here.”

“Yes.”

“My discussion with him is already finished.”

Diena’s head snapped up.

“Really?”

“Yes. Since he bears responsibility for what happened this time, he agreed to let everything be settled. In exchange, you’re free now. I received his final answer just a moment ago.”

Diena’s eyes widened.

She was free from her uncle.

‘I never expected this.’

Baltazar was the kind of man who never admitted fault, no matter how serious his mistakes were.

He always found a clever way to escape responsibility.

Had he accepted so easily because he still didn’t know she was an Ability User?

Regardless, this was good news.

‘Then I’ll be able to attend the Winter Banquet.’

Her freedom to act.

That was sweeter than any reward.

On top of that, she had desperately wanted to attend the upcoming Winter Banquet.

Now it seemed she could do so without worrying about clashing with Baltazar.

She wanted to personally congratulate Bianca on her awakening.

And there was another reason she absolutely needed to be there.

When Diena remained silent for a long moment, Bianca became anxious and hurriedly spoke.

“Diena. Don’t feel pressured. Please accept it.”

Varkan, who had been quietly listening, added his own comment.

“No, I think Father is offering far too little.”

Sevar’s expression immediately turned serious.

“Is that so? Then perhaps…”

Only then did Diena snap back to reality and quickly shake her head.

She was suddenly afraid of what Sevar might say next.

The compensation was already more than enough.

And her contract with Varkan was a completely separate matter.

She was already receiving payment from him.

If she accepted even more, she’d only feel burdened.

‘We’re only in an employment relationship. Taking this much money already feels excessive.’

Diena was still someone who knew what moderation meant.

“N-No. It’s already more than enough! I was just surprised because everything happened so suddenly.”

Bianca’s face immediately brightened with anticipation.

“Then you’ll become our family’s dedicated healer?”

“Yes. I’d be happy to, My Lady.”

“Waaah! I’m so happy too!”

Bianca beamed and wrapped herself around Diena’s arm.

Watching them, Varkan chuckled.

Lifting a crystal glass filled with a drink, he flashed a wicked grin.

“Nice. Then let’s do our best. Until the day House Rothwell collapses.”

Bianca enthusiastically raised her own glass.

“Yeah! Until that day~!”

Sevar watched the children with warm eyes.

Diena quietly closed her mouth, feeling something she couldn’t quite describe.

No matter what happened, she wouldn’t be able to leave House Kardian anytime soon.

‘Things could change if Uncle finds out about my ability.’

Even though she knew she would eventually have to leave this place, the sincere desire of these people to keep her by their side made her heart flutter.

‘I’ll do my best.’

She intended to make House Kardian even stronger.

And she would do everything in her power to stop the things House Rothwell would attempt in the future.