Favored by the Family That Will Become the Strongest! - Chapter 34
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
At those words, Barcan’s face grew complicated in an instant as he looked at Diana.
“Right. I wonder what Father will say when he sees you…….”
He had originally planned to send Diana away to another family before Sevar arrived.
After all, Sevar would see through Diana’s true identity in no time. Then she might have to return to the Rothwell household again.
But separate from that, Diana had her own worries.
She recalled a conversation she’d had with Barcan in the past.
“What was your relationship with your parents like, Barcan?”
“My mother was a good woman. But… I wasn’t very close to my father. He was always away at the front lines. He was taciturn by nature to begin with, and after Mother passed away, even more so.”
“I see.”
“And honestly, I don’t really know what kind of person my father is.”
“Why?”
“I told Father that the Duke of Rothwell had tried to drive me to rampage. But when he heard that…… he didn’t take any particular action. I thought he didn’t believe me, but instead he told me to forget about it.”
“…….”
“He said it was unavoidable. That it was his mistake to trust the people of Rothwell.”
That sounded like Sevar also knew something. After that, Barcan said he could never tell anyone his suspicions.
So later on, he never came to understand what Sevar was thinking or what kind of person he was.
Recalling that story she’d heard before, the reincarnated Diana was most anxious about what would happen when she met Sevar.
‘He’s going to hate me for sure. He might even try to throw me out the moment he sees me.’
It was her father, Theodore, the Duke of Rothwell, who had the duty to resolve the Monster Flood Crisis. Sevar Cardian was standing by as reinforcement in case of emergency.
But her uncle Baltazar amplified Barcan’s darkness with his ability, and an accident occurred.
In the end, Barcan’s mother and her own father had died.
When she thought that all her and Barcan’s misfortunes might have stemmed from her uncle’s schemes, she felt even more sorry toward Barcan and the people of Cardian.
Especially Sevar—he must harbor a deep hatred for the Rothwell family.
When she came to the Cardian household, the reason she’d acted with such confidence around Barcan was because she knew him.
‘Sevar is someone I don’t know at all.’
So she couldn’t act toward him the way she did toward Barcan.
‘I mustn’t be thrown out of the household yet.’
Bianca wasn’t completely recovered. She needed to stay at Cardian and continue her purification.
Meanwhile, Barcan was lost in thought as well.
‘Should I tell Father about Diana’s ability?’
But he was reluctant to tell Sevar about Diana’s ability. He had no sense of how Sevar would behave toward Diana, who was from the Rothwell family.
Before he could be certain of Sevar’s true intentions, he couldn’t act rashly.
“Barcan.”
Diana clutched at Barcan’s sleeve.
Barcan turned his head. Somehow, they had already arrived at Diana’s Room.
The maidservants gasped and bowed when they saw him. Barcan paid no mind to their reaction as he spoke.
“Bring towels at once.”
“Yes, yes. Right away, sir.”
Soon one of the maidservants approached with a towel. Barcan took it from her hands and placed it over Diana’s head.
This time the maidservants looked as though they might faint, for Barcan had begun drying Diana’s hair with the towel.
Diana was flustered as well, but Barcan seemed perfectly unbothered as he looked at the maidservants and spoke.
“What are you standing around for? Go prepare hot water.”
The maidservants jumped in alarm and hurried into the Bathroom. They had to prepare for Diana’s bath.
Once they had disappeared, Barcan opened his mouth.
“Don’t do anything strange. Don’t wander around doing chores. Don’t set a foot outside this room, and warm yourself in hot water.”
Without thinking, he brushed away a droplet of water from Diana’s cheek with his fingertip. The moment his warm finger touched her cold cheek, Diana’s shoulders flinched visibly.
That reaction startled Barcan instead. He looked down at his own fingertip.
‘What did I just do?’
It was an unconscious action. He pressed his lips firmly together.
‘Her ability really is dangerous after all.’
In fact, ever since experiencing her ability, he had been having frequent dreams—dreams of that moment when he’d felt her power.
And he’d come to realize it: he was paying an abnormal amount of attention to Diana. Surely it was because of her ability.
The Purification Ability was so captivating that any person with an ability would be drawn to her. Once he thought of it that way, he grew worried. Not about anything else, but about her aggressive nature.
She never spared her own body. After all, hadn’t she come to this household asking to use her ability? She would do anything if it meant getting what she wanted.
If someone came along and offered her a higher price for her ability, and she left his side as a result—could he bear it then?
Barcan felt something like an ominous flame rising inside him.
Just then, Diana blinked her eyes open and spoke.
“Are you all right?”
“Why?”
“Your expression doesn’t look good.”
At those words, Barcan realized he’d been furrowing his brow.
Unable to tell her the honest reason, he coughed and came up with a different excuse.
“I’m not all right. Today’s events keep bothering me.”
“What is?”
“Today’s work.”
At his answer, Diana’s expression grew gloomy.
“Because of me, Miss Bianca suffered something terrible, didn’t she? I’m sorry for not being able to properly protect her.”
Even though it was for Bianca’s sake, she would have been wounded regardless. If her brother Barcan blamed her for that, she had nothing to say in her defense.
But Barcan stared at Diana with an expressionless face and spoke.
“What are you talking about? How could you protect Bianca? You’re so frail you can’t even protect yourself.”
“……What?”
“I’m bothered that you almost got hit by that idiot Daniel or whoever. And did you not see Bianca? She was actually in such a good mood she was practically floating.”
“…….”
Diana’s eyes widened at words she hadn’t expected to hear.
Which meant…….
“You were worried about me?”
Barcan flinched in surprise and took a step back. Diana was looking up at him with eyes that seemed to sparkle.
“No, I wasn’t…….”
Just as Barcan was about to deny it, he closed his mouth. He could see Diana’s expression beginning to grow gloomy again. So he quickly changed course.
“……I suppose I was worried.”
At that, Diana smiled brightly. Only then did Barcan realize he’d been outmaneuvered.
“I’m fine.”
“…….”
“It was fortunate that Miss Bianca didn’t have to handle that situation alone. I was glad I could step forward for her sake.”
Hearing those words, Barcan felt even more irritated for some reason.
But he had no reason to be angry with her.
Diana had simply mustered the courage to protect Bianca. Rather, it was something he should praise her for.
And yet—
‘What about me……?’
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————