Favored by the Family That Will Become the Strongest! - Chapter 55

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

It wasn’t just Balthasar. People from the other Four Great Houses all had their own bitter history with Diena.
She recalled the words they’d spoken when she failed to awaken on her fourteenth birthday.
“Diena, I wish you’d stop pretending from now on. We’re not friends anymore.”
“Since our circumstances have changed, it’s only natural that our relationship must change too.”
Her stomach roiled.
Not quite as much as when facing her uncle, but thinking of them still made her tense. She’d braced herself for this, yet now that the moment had arrived, the discomfort was far sharper than she’d anticipated.
“Diena.”
The carriage door opened, and Barcan descended. Bianca took his arm first, then Diena stepped down slowly after her. At once, she felt the weight of countless eyes upon them.
“My goodness, people from House Cardian.”
“Young Miss Bianca is attending the Winter Gathering?”
“I heard rumors she’d awakened her Ability… Could it really be true?”
Bianca had attended other social events, but never the Winter Gathering. Without an awakened Ability, her presence would only invite ridicule.
“And who is the young lady with her?”
“I believe she’s Young Miss Diena of House Rothwell.”
“Who is that?”
“Diena Rothwell? So that’s the Non-Ability User young miss we’ve only heard rumors about? It’s quite surprising to see her here.”
“If she’s a Non-Ability User attending the gathering… Could she have awakened after all?”
“More importantly, why is someone from House Rothwell arriving with people from House Cardian?”
Few nobles recognized Diena, who had never had a proper debutante presentation.
Had she awakened at fourteen, she would have been formally introduced to society, but that hadn’t happened. After her father’s death, she’d been confined to House Rothwell by her uncle.
“Diena, I’m fond of you, but I don’t approve of you attending social gatherings. Especially the Winter Gathering—it’s an event for Ability Users. If a Non-Ability User participates, everyone will be displeased.”
“For everyone else’s sake, I think it best you don’t attend.”
So apart from the members of the Five Great Houses who gathered annually, and Romie’s friends, almost no one knew her face. That had remained true even in her past life, after she’d awakened her Ability.
‘He wouldn’t even let me attend the academy, worried about my weak constitution.’
In that past life, Diena had been forced to serve as Romie’s substitute in House Rothwell, using her Purification Ability, until she received a terminal diagnosis at twenty.
Then a familiar voice reached her ears.
“Prince Barcan, it’s been a while.”
A figure pushed through the crowd and approached them. Diena turned her head slowly.
Before her stood Balthasar Rothwell. Her uncle.
Behind him were gathered all the members of House Rothwell—Romie, Cain, and even Edelin. Diena’s body went rigid in an instant.
She hadn’t expected them to seek her out first. Balthasar’s cool gaze fixed upon her.
It had been so long since she’d faced him directly, and her heart seemed to sink.
Diena did not look away from that stare.
But she couldn’t stop her hands from trembling.
She’d come prepared mentally. Yet confronted with Balthasar, the terror of the past surged up unbidden.
In the past timeline, he was the one who had used her until she was nearly dead, and who had murdered Barcan.
The fear born from losing something precious was too intense to forget, no matter how much time passed.
The memory of her uncle’s army pursuing her as she fled in her past life, and Barcan’s final moments—they rose before her.
“Get behind me.”
Barcan, sensing her distress, stepped between her and Balthasar’s gaze. At the sight of his back, Diena exhaled in relief.
All of that was now undone.
House Cardian had not been destroyed, and Barcan was alive. Only then did Diena’s trembling cease.
“What brings you here, Duke Rothwell?”
“Ah, I came to greet Diena. It’s been so long, hasn’t it? How have you been faring with House Cardian? When I heard you were attending the gathering, I was overjoyed.”
His expression was kind, as always. The murmurs of those around them were audible.
“What kindness from Duke Rothwell, treating even a Non-Ability User from his own house with such care.”
“I’ve never seen another house permit a Non-Ability User to attend before. How compassionate of you.”
To them, Diena’s arrival was a source of considerable amusement. Barcan’s brow furrowed deeply as he spoke.
“Really, this is unbearable. If you could all manage to hold your tongues, I’d be grateful.”
The crowd quieted at his words. People shut their mouths, watching for his reaction. Balthasar glanced around, then smiled benignly and asked Diena:
“Is it uncomfortable for you at House Cardian? There’s a somewhat violent-tempered fellow there. If you wish, you’re welcome to return home anytime.”
At those words, Barcan’s brow darkened as he spoke.
“The ‘violent-tempered fellow’ you’re referring to would appreciate it if you considered his feelings.”
Balthasar ignored him, his gaze fixed solely on Diena. Her hands clenched into fists, she did not answer. At her silence, a dark smile played across Balthasar’s lips.
“Everyone misses you.”
“They miss me?”
“Yes, family should be together. It’s only natural that we long for you when we’re apart like this, isn’t it? Don’t you think so, Romie?”
“That’s right. It’s been so lonely without you, Diena. I hope you’ll come back soon.”
Miss her? It was absurd.
‘Unless they’re simply bored without someone to mock.’
Someone to torment, to despise, to ignore.
That was all Diena’s use had been to them in those days. She shook her head slowly and spoke.
“You need not worry. I’m truly doing well. Look—don’t I seem healthier than when I was with House Rothwell?”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes, as well as with family. Or perhaps… even better than I was treated by family.”
At her words, Balthasar’s eyes hardened. His mouth smiled, but Diena knew his mood had soured.
He’d wanted to play the caring uncle to a Non-Ability User niece, but since it wasn’t going as intended, he was displeased.
Diena had no intention of being used by Balthasar again. And as she’d intended, the atmosphere around them grew cold.
“Come to think of it, I heard you were ill, yet you look quite healthy?”
At the tactless remark from a nearby noble, Balthasar’s brow twitched. Diena’s appearance today was indeed full of vitality—she’d taken great care to look this way. She smiled with her eyes and spoke.
“I’m doing very well, Uncle.”
Balthasar’s lips trembled. Just as he was about to speak, the murmur of the crowd swelled. Sevar’s carriage, which had departed alongside them, had arrived belatedly.
Her eyes met his as he descended from the carriage. The faint smile on Sevar’s face—gentle, directed at Diena—froze the moment he spotted Balthasar.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————