Favored by the Family That Will Become the Strongest! - Chapter 42

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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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Ardin’s eyes widened in shock. Was the fact that they meant to take Diena Rothwell from her own household truly so surprising?
“Princess Bianca!”
Ardin reached out hastily, but her body crumpled limply to the ground. He caught Bianca in his arms and cried out.
“The princess has collapsed! Fetch a physician at once!”
* * *
The Mansion, which had been peaceful, fell into chaos with Bianca’s fainting. Though she had always been frail by nature, she had been recovering noticeably in recent weeks, so the servants’ shock ran all the deeper.
And in Bianca’s bedchamber.
Sebarre stroked the hair of Bianca, who lay on the bed, with an impassive face.
Her face was pallid as a corpse.
Jordic spoke as he watched.
“It seems His Highness Ardin believes it is his fault. It appears the shock came from telling Princess Bianca something troublesome.”
“It is not because of the prince. Tell him he need not concern himself and may depart for his next engagement.”
“General…….”
“Even if His Highness remains here, nothing will change.”
“Understood. I shall convey that to him at once.”
Sebarre spoke flatly and turned his gaze away. There stood Alfonso, the physician of the Kardian house.
“It appears the Darkness within her has suddenly run rampant. If left as it is, the princess’s life will be in danger.”
“Is there a way?”
Alfonso swallowed dryly at Sebarre’s low, measured question.
“She requires the Temple Side-Effect Inhibitor. A great, very great quantity of it.”
……
“But even then, I cannot promise a complete cure.”
Alfonso shut his eyes tightly, as if awaiting the wrath about to descend. His body trembled pitilessly with fear.
Yet instead of venting his rage, Sebarre slowly closed his eyes. His composure was strangely serene—as if he had known such a moment would come.
“I understand.”
He was truly in a state of resignation. There was no anger because there had never been hope to begin with. It was not a problem Alfonso could solve.
“The Rothwell household will arrive soon. Before then, arrange for Bianca’s handmaid to leave this place. Send her to old Malacar.”
“Diena?”
“Yes.”
At those words, Jordic looked at Sebarre with an expression of hesitation. He could not fathom the reason for such an order. Moreover, Diena was the handmaid Bianca held dear. When she learned that Diena was gone while her body ailed, she would surely be stricken with grief.
But faced with Sebarre’s resolute expression, Jordic could only nod without asking his question.
“I wish to be alone with Bianca. Everyone else, leave.”
Jordic and Alfonso bowed respectfully and departed. Sebarre looked down at Bianca once more.
He had long since abandoned his pride to save his daughter’s life. He had gone to the Rothwell household and begged before Baltazar for the Temple Side-Effect Inhibitor, bowing his head in supplication. The years he could not return home because of the tasks he was ordered to carry out had been long.
It was all because of the Kardian Curse.
No one knew. No one knew that the true source of the suffering called the Kardian Curse was the doing of the Duke of Rothwell—that it had all come to pass because of the Darkness he had planted in the children’s bodies.
Sebarre recalled the time he had sought out the Duke of Rothwell not long ago.
“Well, this is unfortunate. We too have been running short of the Temple Side-Effect Inhibitor these days. So I find I can no longer provide it to you.”
“But there is a way, is there not.”
The Duke of Rothwell continued, a contemptible smile playing at his lips.
“If you accept my bargain, I will provide you with more than enough inhibitor to save your daughter. What say you—will you accept?”
……
“Of course, you understand that you must tell no one of this matter, if you wish to keep your daughter alive.”
“What do you want?”
“You will forge a Covenant with me. A Covenant that you will not divulge to anyone a word of this transaction between us.”
A Covenant wrought through Supernatural Ability—Baltazar’s method, using Darkness Amplification.
Baltazar could plant Darkness in another’s heart and bind them with a Covenant.
If the Covenant was broken, the Darkness would run rampant and bring death…….
It was the most powerful shackle for those with Supernatural Abilities alone.
But the conditions for its activation were exceedingly difficult. Mutual consent from both parties had to be a prerequisite in the forging of the Covenant.
The Duke of Rothwell demanded his life in exchange for Bianca’s.
Even as he said it, he seemed to harbor no great expectation. It appeared he had judged that no matter how much he had complied with the Duke’s demands until now, he would never cast away his own life.
By the common sense of such a man, it would have been impossible to abandon one’s life for one’s child.
Sebarre’s hand lingered on Bianca’s hair. In truth, he knew her presence was not good for the child now.
But still—
‘Because this is the last time.’
The Temple Inhibitor was the only thing that could heal Bianca. And now it was time to pay the price for obtaining it.
Baltazar was ostensibly coming to this place on account of Diena Rothwell, but it was plain that he was truly coming to press him for the debt.
Sebarre had even considered proposing a deal using her as a bargaining chip. If Diena had truly awakened her Supernatural Ability, Baltazar would surely covet her.
But it was impossible because he could foresee how the children would react. It was also a matter of conscience toward those involved.
Then there was only one method left. Before he arrived, he had to send Diena Rothwell to the Mage Tower, and go to meet with Baltazar for the Covenant he had long postponed. To save Bianca’s life.
Sebarre slowly rose to his feet.
* * *
Diena stared intently at her own eyes reflected in the mirror of her room and let out a deep sigh.
She knew well how chaotic the Mansion had become, how grave Bianca’s condition was.
Bianca was surrounded by guards. Sebarre remained at her side and did not leave.
‘Given such circumstances, there is only the third method left.’
The third and final method Diena had resolved upon.
It was to speak all the truth honestly to Sebarre and seek his cooperation.
Furthermore, to ask him to join her in taking revenge against her uncle Baltazar and the Rothwell household.
This was a complete gamble, utterly unlike her. She did not know Sebarre’s true heart, and even if she saved Bianca, he might refuse to help her.
Yet there were times when a gamble staked on one’s life could guide her toward the righteous path.
Just as it had when she followed Barcan in the past.
‘It is not an utter gamble. I have some conviction in it, at least.’
In the brief time she had known him, Diena had seen Sebarre as a father who loves his children.
In her past life, Barcan had said that Sebarre at this period was close to his uncle, following his commands.
‘But what if, in truth, the uncle was using the Darkness within Bianca to coerce him, leaving him with no choice?’

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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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