Favored by the Family That Will Become the Strongest! - Chapter 13

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Diana’s hands always held something warm — a bowl of soup, a salad heaped with meat, a sandwich — something nourishing pulled from the kitchens by means Bianca couldn’t fathom.
Yet with each visit, Bianca’s face grew brighter, color returning to her cheeks as if spring were arriving from within.
What troubled her most was the undeniable fact that Bianca and Diana were growing fond of each other.
Bianca had taken to Diana with an affection that bordered on the inexplicable.
“Miss, I fear my concerns were justified. Diana is exerting a poor influence on you.”
“A poor influence?”
“You’ve noticed the weight gain, surely? If this continues, the Nobles will have even less respect for you.”
In another moment, Bianca would have complied without question. Instead, she shook her head.
“What are you talking about? She’s not that bad.”
Matilda stared at her, visibly shocked.
Not bad — it was the highest praise Bianca had to offer, words she rarely granted even to Matilda herself more than once in a day.
Bianca’s lips pouted in displeasure.
“Yes, I’ve put on a little weight. But Diana says it makes me cute. Matilda, no matter what, don’t speak ill of her in front of me. She’s not bad.”
Twice. She’d said it twice.
Matilda felt her composure slipping as she watched Bianca resist her control. She forced the tremor from her voice before speaking.
“Miss Bianca, I’m afraid Diana will be reassigned to other duties.”
“Other duties? Why?”
Normally, Bianca never asked for reasons.
“Maids are often rotated between tasks, as you know.”
Bianca’s eyes narrowed, fixing Matilda with an unmistakable glare.
“If that’s not what Diana wants, it won’t happen. Keep her at my side. She’ll be here for tea time tomorrow too, won’t she?”
Matilda’s patience shattered.
She retrieved a lock from her quarters — an instrument she kept for disciplining impertinent servants when the occasion demanded.
“You disrespectful little thing——”
She seized Diana’s arm and dragged her roughly into a narrow solitary cell.
The door slammed shut with a bang that echoed through the corridor. Matilda locked it firmly with the lock.
“Reflect on your insolence. Think about your transgression against me. Do you understand?”
At this point, any servant would normally cower, abandon all resistance, and beg forgiveness.
But—
“I don’t follow.”
Another backtalk. Her answer only fed Matilda’s rage.
“Don’t follow? Right. As a Commoner, you couldn’t possibly understand a Noble’s obligations.”
Diana’s reply came calm and measured, posed as a question to Matilda’s furious voice.
“Does Barcan know about this?”
“No. And he won’t.”
“What if I tell him?”
“You’re taking his generosity — bringing you here — as a reason to behave this way?”
Matilda’s mouth twisted into a sneer.
“You won’t be able to tell him. He won’t return for some time yet. And when he does, you’ll be long gone from here. Starved to death.”
“And if he discovers you’ve locked me away and let me die of hunger?”
“You truly understand nothing, do you? A Noble can kill a Commoner without fear of punishment.”
Her eyes gleamed with cruel satisfaction as she spoke.
But Matilda’s face went rigid at Diana’s next words.
“What if he discovers you were trying to kill Miss Bianca?”
“What?”
“You plan to starve her to death just as you’re starving me.”
Diana knew exactly what Matilda intended. How had the girl come to understand it?
But what did it matter?
“So what? You’ll die here in silence, and no one will ever know.”
Matilda had never seen a Commoner punished for their insolence or a Noble face consequences. In her own family, servants had died this way countless times, and no one had ever cared.
Diana’s death would be buried as quietly as a dead mouse in the walls.
But when she turned to leave, Matilda’s face drained of all color.
“What on earth——”
Barcan stood in the doorway, his expression carved from stone, his gaze falling on her with terrible weight.
* * *
On the journey back from escorting Malacar to the Imperial Capital, Barcan’s thoughts churned with altogether different concerns.
That girl’s face kept surfacing in his mind.
‘Perhaps because she’s close to Bianca’s age?’
The question nagged at him.
The Northern Region would be harsh and cold; had the head maid ensured the girl had adequate clothing? The worry crept in unbidden.
“Maybe I should have her fitted with proper garments before she leaves.”
Hasen responded to Barcan’s murmur.
“Garments, sir?”
“Yes, garments. She’s a guest, after all. At minimum, a thick coat is warranted.”
Hasen tilted his head, puzzled.
“When did you begin concerning yourself with such things?”
“Even if I don’t care, she looks the type to feel the cold.”
“Well, that’s true enough.”
Hasen regarded Barcan with frank astonishment. The notion that his master was showing consideration for anyone at all seemed impossible.
“Even if her stay is temporary, she should be treated well while she remains in this household.”
“You’re so considerate to your guest… and what of your subordinates, sir?”
“You’ve grown tall and unsightly enough already.”
Hasen laughed despite Barcan’s cold remark.
“Well, fortunate timing then. Malacar’s farewell concluded earlier than expected, so there’s ample time to have clothing tailored.”
“Indeed. If we hadn’t encountered the Magic Tower’s people, it would have taken weeks longer.”
Barcan’s gaze drifted toward the carriage window, his brow furrowing suddenly. Diana’s words had returned to him unbidden.
“You must return soon, Barcan.”
“…Return soon?”
“Please. You mustn’t be late. Promise me.”
She had seemed composed, yet she was still only a girl. Desperation enough to speak like that suggested she might be frightened, sitting alone somewhere even now.
Would her fragile body have adapted to the estate at all? Surely Bianca hadn’t been tormenting her.
‘Regardless, getting home quickly isn’t difficult.’
Barcan turned to Hasen and spoke.
“Hasen, you can manage the tailor’s shop alone, can’t you?”
“Sir? What about you?”
“I want to return first.”
“…I’m sorry, did I hear that correctly?”
“To be precise, I have this feeling I need to get back quickly.”
Hasen’s expression grew serious as he looked at Barcan.
“You’re saying you truly feel this way — not merely making excuses?”
“Yes.”
Hasen nodded without hesitation.
Those with Supernatural Abilities naturally possessed keen intuition, and Barcan was exceptional in that regard. His instinct was reliable.
Hasen descended from the carriage and set off toward the tailor’s shop. Barcan watched him go for a moment before turning his gaze away without a word.
‘Something feels wrong.’
The carriage soon pulled to a halt before the gates of the Cardian Family Estate. As the heavy doors swung slowly open, an unexpected figure stood waiting.
“Bianca?”
Barcan’s brow furrowed slightly. He pushed open the carriage door and descended swiftly.
Yet he hesitated mid-step toward her, maintaining distance as he asked.
“Bianca? Why are you outside?”
The moment Bianca saw him, her anxious expression transformed into sudden brightness.
“I heard you’d arrived.”
“I’ve told you not to come looking for me carelessly.”
At his firm words, Bianca’s eyes reddened in an instant.
“You hate me, don’t you?”
“What? That’s not——”
Barcan stepped toward her, momentarily flustered.
“But I came because I need to ask something. About my maid, Diana. They said they were going to reassign her to other work.”
She continued as she took a half-step back.
“A different maid came at tea time instead. Matilda wouldn’t listen to me…… Please bring Diana back. If you do this one thing, I won’t bother you anymore.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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