Favored by the Family That Will Become the Strongest! - Chapter 41

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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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“Yes, Barkan is someone trustworthy. Of course, others wouldn’t see it that way. But I’ve experienced it myself, and that’s what I found.”
“…….”
“So I’ll test whether the Crown Prince is also someone I can trust. There are people you only come to know by observing them up close.”
Struck by her pointed words, Barkan fell silent. Diena merely smiled faintly in response.
The Ardin she had experienced in her past life was someone more trustworthy than anyone. To the point where she felt the saying “The enemy of my enemy is my ally” had its truth.
“You…… Do you fancy the Crown Prince?”
Barkan, who had been staring intently at Diena, stiffened the moment those words left his mouth. A question he’d only been thinking to himself had slipped out unbidden.
Diena tilted her head in confusion.
“Why do you ask so suddenly?”
“Well, I’ve never seen a noblewoman who disliked the Crown Prince. He’s handsome, tall, and considerate.”
His voice was casual, yet something displeased flickered across his features.
Without hesitation, Diena shook her head.
“If you’re asking whether I’m romantically attracted to him, that’s impossible. How could I develop feelings for someone I’ve only just met? Besides, the Crown Prince shows no interest in me.”
No. From Barkan’s perspective, Ardin was very interested in Diena.
Enough to touch a nerve, even.
“And above all, I prefer someone who is considerate only to me, not to everyone equally.”
“……So you admit the Crown Prince is handsome, tall, and considerate?”
“Yes, because it’s the truth.”
At her answer, Barkan’s brow narrowed slightly. His growing displeasure only deepened as Diena stared straight at him.
“I’m not considerate to everyone like the Crown Prince is.”
At his abrupt statement, Diena blinked.
“Just so you know.”
Barkan felt heat rising from the back of his neck. He scratched at it awkwardly, turning his gaze away—
“……That’s already quite obvious, isn’t it?”
“What?”
Diena hesitated a moment before continuing.
“You’re definitely not considerate to everyone.”
“No……. But still, you—there’s never been a time I wasn’t considerate to you.”
Too flustered to consider how his words might sound, Barkan simply blurted them out. Fortunately, Diena was equally startled by his urgent response, her eyes widening in surprise.
Then a small laugh escaped her, and she continued.
“Not to everyone, perhaps. But me, and Bianca, and even the people of House Cardian—you’re always looking after us.”
“…….”
“You’re a kind person. And tall, and handsome to boot.”
She thought wryly that if he wanted compliments, he ought to ask for them directly instead of dancing around the subject like this.
‘In the past, he would have said they were all inferior to him.’
The more she saw the younger Barkan, the more she found him different from the man she had known. He lacked the shamelessness of his former self.
Yet he possessed the same warmth of spirit.
Barkan’s face flushed so intensely it seemed ready to burst. Unable to meet Diena’s eyes, he changed the subject.
“Still, it’s clear the Crown Prince takes quite a bit of interest in you.”
That was the impression Barkan had gleaned from Ardin’s behavior. But Diena spoke firmly.
“That’s not interest—it’s wariness.”
“Wariness?”
“Because I’ve suddenly drawn the attention of both Bianca and you. He grew curious about who I am. That’s why he approached me.”
Barkan’s jaw tightened at her words. Sevar, who was watching her for the same reason, came to mind.
Yet even so, it didn’t seem to Barkan that either Ardin or Sevar was merely wary of Diena.
Both of them clearly took interest in her. Whether that interest was favorable or simple caution, neither felt pleasant to him.
Not that he particularly wanted to inform Diena of such matters out of kindness.
Barkan narrowed his eyes as he asked.
“So then, what’s the third method?”
“A Frontal Breakthrough.”
“……A Frontal Breakthrough?”
“You were right. People can’t be understood until you’ve experienced them firsthand. The same goes for Sevar.”
“How exactly are you planning this Frontal Breakthrough?”
Diena turned her head slowly, her expression tense. An ominous presence was emanating from the direction where she had parted with Bianca.
She murmured in a low voice.
“……You’ll know soon enough.”
* * *
The Duke’s Garden was quiet.
Snow lay upon the well-groomed hedges, while the languid afternoon sunlight stretched long shadows at Ardin and Bianca’s feet, a contrast to the peaceful scene.
Ardin, walking through the tranquil landscape, threw out a casual question.
“My lady, what exactly is your relationship with that maidservant?”
Bianca answered without hesitation.
“She’s the most precious friend I have.”
“I see. A precious friend, you say…….”
A figure who had unsettled not just Bianca but Barkan as well—Diena had piqued his curiosity.
A meaningful smile played at his lips.
“How did you come to know her?”
At his question, Bianca’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“Why are you so curious about that?”
“She reminds me of someone I know.”
“There aren’t many people as beautiful as Diena, are there? It must be Your Highness’s mistake.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
“Of course. How often do you find someone as graceful and dignified and kind as Diena?”
“……Me? I hear that quite often, actually. Hah.”
“What?”
Bianca let out a short, incredulous laugh. While Ardin’s words were true, she hadn’t expected him to say it himself.
“Don’t be so wary. I’m leaving today anyway. There’s no reason for me to speak with Diena again.”
“That’s a relief.”
He had been staying in Cardian temporarily and was scheduled to depart that day for his next engagement. Bianca could let her guard down at that news.
Then Ardin’s expression turned serious.
“But it would be wise not to trust her too much. Don’t you agree? She belongs to House Rothwell, after all.”
“……Excuse me? What do you mean?”
“There’s no need to be alarmed. I’m telling you this because we share a common enemy.”
Bianca said nothing. She didn’t know how the Crown Prince had seen through Diena’s identity, but there was no need to give him a direct answer.
Unperturbed by Bianca’s silence, Ardin continued.
“No matter how incapable she may be, a person from House Rothwell should be viewed with caution. Moreover, Rothwell’s people are coming to retrieve Diena Rothwell even as we speak. There’s no point in growing too attached.”
“What do you mean? House Rothwell is coming to retrieve Diena?”
“You didn’t know? From the Duke’s perspective, it’s only natural to retrieve a runaway member of his own house.”
Bianca’s eyes widened, then twisted with rage. After everything they had done to Diena, they dared to come and take her back?
“Those bastards……! Ah.”
“My lady?”
In an instant, Bianca’s face went ashen, and her body trembled with a fear so palpable it was almost visible.

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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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