Favored by the Family That Will Become the Strongest! - Chapter 22

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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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“This is a copy of the employment contract.”
Yet the moment Bianca took hold of the contract, her expression hardened.
“Just a moment.”
Diana grew slightly anxious watching her face.
‘Surely she’s not receiving too generous a salary.’
Both Barcan and Hasen had simply let it pass without comment, carrying themselves boldly enough, though Diana had thought the sum did stretch beyond what seemed proper.
Still, if it came down to proving her worth for this arrangement, Diana had plenty to say. She chose her words with care.
“Regarding the salary, I do have something to mention.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it. It’s coming out of my brother’s pocket anyway. You should get as much as possible. Try to squeeze more out of him than this, Diana.”
Diana’s eyes widened at Bianca’s resolute declaration.
She soon nodded silently in response. Then Bianca’s expression grew serious as she spoke.
“Anyway… so that was the important report. We almost had a real problem on our hands.”
“…?”
“Diana, is there anything you’d like to have?”
Diana tilted her head in puzzlement. It was the same question Hasen had asked earlier.
“I don’t particularly want anything these days.”
“…These days?”
“Yes, because I want for nothing.”
“Really nothing at all? If you absolutely had to choose one thing, what would it be?”
As earnestness bloomed across Bianca’s face, Diana found herself caught in thought. It seemed she ought to say something.
So then…
‘She still doesn’t eat perfectly well.’
If not something to possess, then what she wanted was for Bianca to eat properly for the sake of her health.
Diana had taken to visiting Bianca at each of her meal times recently. And each time, Bianca would say something like this.
“When you come, my body feels strange—good, I mean—and I can eat well. But without you, nothing goes down. I can’t quite figure out why.”
“No, wait, cough—it’s not like the food tastes good specifically because of you. Anyway, that’s why you have to come every single day, Diana. You have to, understand?”
Diana had found it puzzling each time.
Darkness Corruption doesn’t steal one’s appetite. And besides, if her appetite is gone, why does she cough in that awkward way…
‘My Special Ability won’t improve her appetite either.’
If it were due to Matilda, Diana would have expected the improvement only when she herself was present. The inconsistency nagged at her.
Clearly she needed to observe Bianca eating more carefully. With that thought, Diana spoke.
“I’d like to share a delicious meal with you, Bianca.”
Bianca’s face lit up brilliantly. She smiled widely and spoke.
“Then… could we have lunch together this afternoon?”
* * *
Hasen walked slowly forward.
His destination was Barcan’s office. There, he presented the employment contract to Barcan.
“I’ve handled everything as you instructed.”
Hasen watched Barcan with a tense expression.
“And it appears the relationship between Bianca and Diana is better than expected.”
“That’s remarkable, actually. Until now, there were precious few people Bianca took a liking to.”
Aside from Matilda’s meddling, Bianca had never been one to grow fond of others easily. That Diana had somehow captured her heart was nothing short of astonishing.
“And I have another report.”
“What is it?”
“Diana dismissed a considerable number of Bianca’s handmaids.”
“Is that so? Since I’ve given Diana full authority, there’s no need to report every such detail. Nothing else to report?”
Though the nobility might speak ill of him behind closed doors, such things were of no concern to Barcan.
Hasen, having anticipated Barcan’s reaction and moved accordingly, simply nodded.
“No, that’s all.”
Barcan examined the employment contract with a listless expression. Then his gaze suddenly faltered, fixing on one particular spot.
“Hasen, what’s this?”
“Sir?”
“Why didn’t you report something this important?”
Hasen’s face went slack with astonishment as he followed Barcan’s finger to the spot in question. There, Diana’s birthday was written.
“Diana’s birthday was today, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, it was.”
“I nearly became the sort of person who doesn’t even acknowledge their contractor’s birthday.”
“Ah, so that’s… yes, I see.”
“You’re assisting with the Trading Company’s operations, so you should well understand this. Between those bound by contract, one must always maintain cordial relations.”
“…”
“And you should know how important it is to remember such occasions.”
“Mm…”
“Especially since Diana is dedicated to looking after Bianca full-time. So she needs to be in good standing, doesn’t she? Tell the household’s head chef to make a cake at once. And what sort of thing might Diana enjoy?”
Hasen shook his head firmly.
“There’s no need for concern about such matters, sir.”
“…?”
“Bianca is already winning her favor on her own. The household’s entire kitchen staff has been mobilized to prepare foods for Diana. The cake has already been in production for some time.”
Barcan found himself at a loss for words.
Seeing his reaction, Hasen spoke.
“You wanted to give Diana a gift, didn’t you? But Bianca beat you to it.”
“That’s not it.”
From his long time with Barcan, Hasen had become adept at translating his words. What he’d just said meant yes, that was exactly it.
“I understand. I know it’s not like that, but I’ll report my analysis to you.”
“Analysis?”
“From my conversations with Diana, I’ve come to understand what she likes.”
“…And what’s that?”
“Money.”
“…”
“However, from what I’ve observed, she has rather subtle emotional depths as well.”
“Emotional depths?”
“Yes. When Bianca asked what she wanted, she said she’d like to share a meal together. So while she has the rational side that appreciates money as a material good, she also has the emotional side that desires shared meals.”
“So what’s the gift she’d really like?”
“If you were to give her money directly, I believe she would be quite pleased. It’s a gift that satisfies both reason and emotion.”
Hasen added further,
“A considerable amount of money, ideally.”
* * *
“Diana, happy birthday!”
Diana stared at Bianca in complete surprise.
Before her lay an array of exquisitely prepared dishes. In the center sat what appeared to be the largest cake she’d ever seen in her life.
“If you’d told me beforehand, I could have prepared something even more lavish.”
“How would you make this any more lavish than this…”
“With money, there’s nothing impossible. And if it is impossible, then you simply haven’t paid enough yet.”
Diana recognized Bianca’s words—she’d heard them often enough from Barcan himself.
As she found herself thinking of him, Bianca suddenly murmured something with a melancholy expression.

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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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