Favored by the Family That Will Become the Strongest! - Chapter 49

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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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Diana blinked.
There was nothing to be done about it.
‘The difference in their wealth was inevitable.’
Bianca still relied on Sevar for her allowance, while he, as the head of the household, could spend money freely.
“What you did for me last time was already more than enough. After Father passed, it was the first truly wonderful meal I’ve had.”
At that, not only Bianca but also the two others, who had been pretending not to listen, froze.
Barcan turned to Diana. “The first time? So those bastards never even fed you properly?”
Diana had been about to answer automatically that it was fine, but she paused. There seemed little point in hiding things from people who clearly already knew.
“No, not just meals. They never gave me clothes for the seasons either. They said Non-ability Users weren’t even worth their bread, so they did nothing but mistreat me.”
“So that’s why you’re so keen on money…….”
Diana’s love of money came from old habits from her days as a Mercenary alongside Barcan, but she saw no reason to correct his misunderstanding.
Barcan began cutting his steak with deliberate intensity. Then he placed a slice on Diana’s plate.
“Eat well.”
Sevar, for reasons unclear even to himself, launched into an explanation.
“Ahem. I intended to get you safely to the Magic Tower. I never had any intention of sending you back to those worthless creatures.”
“I see.”
Bianca too added her own words.
“I wanted to be closer to you precisely because I thought you were a Non-ability User. You felt like someone similar to me.”
They were all working hard to establish that they were nothing like Duke Rothwell and his mercenary values.
Diana smiled softly and replied, “Of course. I’ve known that all along.”
Diana savored the meal fully. The parade of exquisite dishes was so absorbing that she lost all sense of time.
As they neared the end, Sevar looked at Diana and spoke.
“Thank you.”
“……I beg your pardon?”
“If not for you, who knows what might have happened.”
Sevar’s expression darkened at the mere thought. “I don’t know how to repay you.”
“Repay me?”
“Yes, a reward. There’s more I’d like to ask of you, in fact. But no matter what I give, it feels insufficient.”
“There’s something else you’d like to ask?”
“Barcan told me you enjoy working. But Diana, you have your station, and you’ve already done so much for our family. Continuing as a maid doesn’t seem right to me.”
Diana said nothing in response.
“So I’d like to offer you a position as the Cardian Family’s Dedicated Healer.”
With that, Sevar withdrew a document from his breast and extended it to her.
“This is the deed to a mine owned by the Cardian Family. A Diamond Mine, to be precise.”
Diana took the document almost without thinking, then read its contents and her eyes widened.
‘This doesn’t seem like something I should accept……?’
The mention of a Diamond Mine alone had startled her, but the projected revenues far exceeded her expectations. It was the sort of vast sum that ordinary people struggled to earn in a lifetime—yet flowed daily from the mine.
‘And that’s not even the whole document.’
The papers continued beyond a single sheet.
Diana blinked in disbelief when she saw her proposed salary. Even the imperial Healers were unlikely to receive more than this.
She was about to voice her refusal when Sevar spoke first.
“Of course, I know it’s not enough.”
“I……?”
“I’ll provide you with greater compensation as time goes on. You’re worth far more than this.”
Diana lost her words for a moment, but she gathered herself and spoke.
“But if I become the family’s Dedicated Healer, I’ll have to stay close to Miss Bianca. I’m not in a position to be free. My uncle could come for me at any moment…….”
At her words, Sevar shook his head as if to dismiss her concerns.
“Duke Rothwell already knew you were here.”
“Yes.”
“I’ve already settled matters with him.”
Diana’s head snapped up in surprise.
“Truly?”
“Yes. Since he bore responsibility for what transpired, I’ve agreed to bury the matter entirely. In exchange, he’s granted you your freedom. I received his confirmation just now.”
Diana’s eyes widened. Free from her uncle at last.
‘I never expected such a turn of events.’
Baltazar was a man who never admitted fault, no matter how grave, and who slipped from responsibility with cunning ease. The fact that he’d accepted such a proposal—could it be because he didn’t yet know she was an Ability User?
Either way, this was fortunate.
‘Then I can attend the Winter Banquet.’
Her freedom of movement had expanded.
And that was sweeter than any material reward.
More than that, she’d wanted to attend the Winter Banquet when it came, and now she could do so without fear of running into Baltazar.
She wanted to personally congratulate Bianca on her awakening before everyone. And there was another reason she needed to go.
When Diana didn’t answer for a long while, an anxious Bianca spoke up urgently.
“Diana. Don’t be burdened—please accept it.”
Barcan, who had been quiet, added a word of his own.
“No, Father, didn’t you present the offer too modestly?”
Sevar’s expression turned serious.
“Is that so? Then…….”
Diana, suddenly aware of what was happening, shook her head rapidly. She dreaded what Sevar might say next.
The compensation was already burdensome enough. Beyond that, she had a separate contract with Barcan. Since she was receiving something from him as well, taking more here would only weigh on her conscience.
‘It’s merely an employment arrangement—taking so much money feels wrong.’
But she was a woman who understood propriety.
“No, no—it’s already enough! I was just taken aback by the suddenness.”
Bianca’s face lit with hope. “So you’ll become our family’s Dedicated Healer?”
“Yes, I’d be delighted to. Miss.”
“Wonderful! I’m so happy!”
Bianca laughed brightly and linked her arm through Diana’s.
Watching this, Barcan let out a soft chuckle. He raised his Crystal Glass and wore a wicked smile.
“Good. Then let’s give it our all—until the day the Rothwell Family falls.”
Bianca too raised her glass with delight. “Yes, until that day~!”
Sevar looked upon these children with warm eyes. Diana felt something indescribable stir in her chest and held her silence. Either way, she couldn’t leave Cardian for some time yet.
‘Unless my uncle discovers my Ability, in which case everything changes.’
Even knowing she would have to leave this place eventually, the sincerity of those who wanted to keep her near stirred something light and hopeful within her.
‘I’ll do my best.’
She would make the Cardian Family stronger, and do everything in her power to prevent the misdeeds the Rothwell Family would surely attempt in the future.

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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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