Favored by the Family That Will Become the Strongest! - Chapter 40

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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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I’m not sure whether Bianca knows and is deliberately restraining him, but in any case, if I tell Ardin everything I know honestly, he’ll ask to speak with me alone.
He might even take me to the Imperial Capital. If things go wrong with the plan in Kardian, that’s where Diena’s next destination would be.
‘Revealing my identity here might be one way forward.’
For now, it wouldn’t be bad to make a favorable impression on Ardin.
Just as I was about to open my mouth with that thought, heavy footsteps sounded from behind.
“Your Highness, are you not busy?”
It was Varcan.
There was something unusually cold about him, though Ardin, startled by his appearance, didn’t notice.
“No, Varcan—what brings you? Is it alright to see the princess?”
He knew that Varcan refrained from meeting Bianca.
Yet now Varcan showed no hesitation about seeing her.
“Yes. More importantly, would you step aside? I came to speak with Diena alone.”
It was a disrespectful tone to use toward an imperial prince.
Bianca reacted first to his blunt request. She gently pushed Diena toward Varcan. She’d decided that Varcan was preferable to Ardin, who knew nothing of the truth.
“Of course. Have a good chat!”
Varcan answered with a nod instead. Then, his face rigid, he looked at Ardin and spoke.
“Please excuse us.”
Ardin shrugged.
“Well, if you insist.”
Yet even as he said it, a hint of reluctance showed in his eyes—as if he regretted not having exchanged a proper greeting with Diena.
Noticing his expression, Bianca seized his arm and pulled him along.
“Let’s go, Your Highness. Shall we take a walk through the Garden?”
Once the two had withdrawn, only Diena and Varcan remained in the corner of the Garden.
“What is this about?”
Diena looked up at Varcan with a puzzled expression.
“There’s something I need to tell you about my father. He suspects you’re not truly a Powerless Person.”
Diena stiffened slightly at that.
“He’s concerned about Bianca keeping you close and wants to send you away. If you revealed your Supernatural Ability, he might change his mind—but for now, I think it’s best you keep it hidden.”
Varcan’s expression grew grave.
“I just heard from my informant that people from the Rothwell Ducal House are heading here.”
“…I see.”
“You knew? You don’t seem surprised.”
“I suspected it. By now my uncle surely knows I’m in Kardian, and he’ll come to fetch me personally.”
Whether this was because of Daniel and Esina, whom I met last time, or because of Sevar’s report, I couldn’t say.
“Do you already have a plan?”
Diena nodded.
“I’ve thought of three options. If possible, I’d like to proceed with the third method…”
“Tell me. I’ll help you.”
“Thank you. But that’s not necessary.”
Though she couldn’t be certain all her plans would succeed, Diena was confident that ultimately she would heal Bianca.
That was why she declined his offer, yet Varcan seemed to grow downcast.
“Don’t say that. I want you to stay with our family too.”
“You do?”
At his unexpected words, Diena’s eyes widened. Momentarily flustered by her reaction, Varcan quickly offered an explanation, trying not to show it.
“Of course. We have an important Contract, after all. So… ahem, it’s for Bianca’s sake.”
Diena, satisfied with the explanation, nodded.
“That’s true. There’s no one better suited to help the young lady than me. I’d like to stay here as long as possible too. Still, don’t worry. Soon there will be a way for me to heal Bianca continuously even without my presence here.”
“…What?”
“When that time comes, it will be fine even if I’m not here. It won’t take long.”
“Ah… I see.”
Varcan didn’t look particularly pleased. Diena regarded him with bewilderment.
“No, it’s not just for that reason.”
Varcan ran his hand through his hair. At this point, he started to wonder if Diena actually understood everything he was saying and was deliberately teasing him.
In the end, he decided to be honest.
“The truth is, we’ve become closer recently. So I want to help you.”
“…Ah. So we have become close.”
At her reply, which sounded genuinely surprised, Varcan’s brow furrowed. Perhaps his suspicion had been right.
“Are you saying we haven’t?”
Diena regarded Varcan with an odd expression, then nodded.
“Yes, at this point… we have become close.”
It wasn’t quite the same as before—before everything had changed—but for someone who’d been so guarded, the fact that he himself now spoke of closeness was both joyful and sorrowful.
The reality that the long years between them had truly vanished struck her anew. Varcan bowed his head slightly as he spoke to Diena.
“What’s with that reaction? Never mind—I think we’re close. So tell me your plan. I’ll help.”
After studying him for a moment, Diena began to speak.
“First, I thought about going to the Magic Tower.”
“That’s… a good plan. Besides, the old master Malacar is here anyway. He’s already reached out to me about exactly that.”
“Master Malacar?”
“Yes. He said if you wanted to go to the Magic Tower, you should contact him anytime.”
Diena smiled faintly. It seemed Malacar’s compassion had been consistent even in the past.
She thought of him, who had always cared for her with such gentleness. She was grateful that even now, in a relationship that had become merely a passing connection, he still watched over her.
“His words alone are thanks enough.”
“And the second option?”
“Yes. I thought about going to the Imperial Capital. Since Prince Ardin happens to be here.”
“What?”
“He’s someone I can trust.”
Varcan stared at Diena with a shocked expression.
Careful in case he might question Ardin’s identity, Diena spoke cautiously, but Varcan’s expression hardened for an entirely different reason.
“Why do you think he’s trustworthy?”
“Well, looking at his political situation, he’s not on good terms with my uncle. I thought it would be safe to reveal my Supernatural Ability. Wouldn’t the sight of my remarkable power naturally make him want to help me?”
“No… You’re talented, that’s true, but His Highness Ardin isn’t completely trustworthy. He keeps a lot hidden. I’m not saying he’s a bad person, but you shouldn’t trust people so easily, should you?”
As he spoke, Varcan looked at Diena with worry in his eyes, thinking she had a naive side he hadn’t realized.
“I’ve thought this since you first came with me—you have almost no sense of caution. You never know a person until you’ve experienced them yourself.”
I don’t think anyone suspects and exploits opportunities like I do.
As Diena was wondering who was truly the naive one between them, Varcan quickly added,
“Of course, I’m someone you can trust.”

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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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