Favored by the Family That Will Become the Strongest! - Chapter 53

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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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[We have failed to secure the princess Diena. Sebarr Cardian refused to cooperate with us and instead punished Count Roshe. And he warned us. He said he would overlook everything that has happened so far if we would only abandon the princess Diena.]
Balthasar’s eyes went cold and distant.
“Tch, useless fools!”
He couldn’t make sense of the situation at all.
When Diena first disappeared, he hadn’t been particularly worried. He’d been certain that reckless Barcan Cardian had spirited her away, and even if he had, he believed he could retrieve her whenever he pleased.
He’d thought of it as leaving the worthless Diena with House Rothwell for a time. He could always reclaim her.
‘Sebarr has no choice but to obey my command.’
His daughter, Bianca’s body harbored a darkness that was scheduled to rampage around this time. Yet the man dared defy his orders when faced with his daughter’s impending breakdown.
‘Does he think he can simply refuse the Side-Effect Suppressant from the Temple?’
Well, perhaps he’d decided to discard his useless daughter while he had the chance.
In any case, because of the matter with Matilda and Count Roshe, he’d had no choice but to accede to Sebarr’s demand to hand over Diena.
He didn’t know how that girl Diena had won over the people of House Cardian, but it was clear that they were protecting her.
‘No matter—your fate is sealed, Diena.’
For now, it was more advantageous to leave her unhindered than to sharpen blades with Sebarr. He would bide his time.
Balthasar resolved that he would dispose of the troublesome Diena soon enough.
Theodore—my brother.
Watch from hell.
See what end your daughter meets.
* * *
The center of the Northern Region, where the Winter Ball was being held.
The party arrived at House Cardian’s Townhouse. Sebarr departed at once to prepare for the ball, while Ardin relocated to quarters provided by the Imperial Palace.
Bianca began learning the Power Control Method from Barcan. She had destroyed numerous things during the journey to the family’s Townhouse.
“How on earth do you do it!”
Bianca had vented her frustration several times, but fortunately managed to gain control of her strength before the ball. Only a handful of days remained until the event.
And at last, Bianca’s gown arrived at the Townhouse. With a solemn expression, Bianca walked before Diena.
“What do you think, Diena?”
She turned in a complete circle before her. Bianca had chosen a cool cobalt-blue silk dress.
The bodice was a fitted bustier, and above it shimmered exquisite silver embroidery depicting ice crystals in delicate patterns.
A shawl draped across her shoulders flowed gently along her shoulder line, lending an air of elegance.
“Perfect, Bianca.”
At Diena’s response, Bianca smiled with satisfaction and turned to Barcan with a question.
“How do I look to you?”
Barcan answered curtly.
“Well, you look like a person, at least.”
Bianca laughed with confident self-assurance.
Bianca remained undaunted by his curt reply. She’d realized it was the strongest form of praise he could offer.
‘Not bad at all, then.’
When she’d been frail, Barcan had treated her kindly, but those days were past.
Even in childhood, Barcan and Bianca had been at odds with one another—it couldn’t have been otherwise.
‘Our tastes were far too identical.’
Reluctant as she was to admit it, Barcan and she had always loved the same things. People and objects alike.
Since childhood, they’d always wanted the same things. That’s why they’d quarrel over who would have them, often leaving their mother exasperated.
‘If my brother actually praised me…’
A slight chill ran through her, and Bianca rubbed her arms roughly.
“Hmph, as if you’d know what looks decent anyway…”
She trailed off, her eyes narrowing as she studied Barcan.
Barcan, too, had tried on his outfit in advance for the ball. It was Bianca’s insistence that he look more perfect than anyone else at the event.
“You have to stand out more than the Rothwell people! No matter what!”
Honestly, Barcan looked like the kind of man who could wear burlap and still resemble a disguised prince.
She’d wanted to jeer, but Bianca rarely lied, and it wasn’t easy to do so now. Barcan looked more flawless than she’d ever seen him.
‘How infuriating!’
The buttons of his black uniform were fastened all the way to his neck, lending him an austere appearance. Yet his languid expression somehow possessed an otherworldly allure that drew the eye.
“Why did you stop talking?”
Bianca pouted and muttered under her breath.
“Well, you actually look human when dressed like that. Diena really is remarkable—how did she pick such an outfit for you? It’s nothing like the brother with no sense of style at all.”
Then Bianca noticed a dress hanging to one side. Her face brightened.
“Diena, your gown arrived too. Let’s try it on!”
“My gown?”
“Yes, we need to check it before the ball anyway.”
Diena hesitated briefly, then nodded.
At Bianca’s gesture, maids entered carrying Diena’s gown.
Diena’s dress was a special gift that Sebarr had prepared.
“Try it on quickly, Diena!”
Bianca approached excitedly, holding the dress. She took Diena’s hand and led her toward the dressing room.
* * *
Diena gazed quietly into the mirror.
The ivory lace gown, which seemed to hold the glow of moonlight in its soft sheen, created a striking contrast with her dark hair and rendered her mysteriously radiant.
“Diena! My goodness, you’re absolutely beautiful!”
Bianca stood staring at her with wonder, hand covering her mouth. She pulled Diena’s hand and led her outside.
“Brother, look at Diena!”
Barcan turned his head slowly. His gaze fixed on Diena.
And there it remained. Eventually, Diena felt uncomfortable and lifted the skirt of her dress with an awkward expression.
‘Barcan surely has no interest in me.’
Standing in front of him in this dress made her inexplicably self-conscious.
“Well? It’s absolutely beautiful, isn’t it?”
“B-Bianca.”
Diena’s face flushed crimson. She squeezed her eyes shut. She couldn’t imagine what he might say.
In her past life, when she’d been with the Mercenary Company, she’d always worn comfortable clothes in front of Barcan. There was no need to attend balls, and she’d done nothing but active, practical work.
So she’d never had reason to ask Barcan if she looked beautiful. Though often in those days he would stare at her intently.
‘That must have been because my clothing looked so comfortable.’
That’s what she’d assumed—that he wanted to say something about it.
The way he was looking now might mean he felt something similar to back then.
‘Maybe he’s just thinking it looks strange now that I’m not dressed in my usual grimy clothes, or that it’s somehow amusing.’

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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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