Favored by the Family That Will Become the Strongest! - Chapter 56

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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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The already bustling surroundings began to stir.
“Good heavens, that’s Sevar Cardian.”
“This is the first time I’ve seen him attend the Winter Banquet, isn’t it?”
The people around them started observing the scene with keen interest.
Balthasar’s jaw tightened further. He was already displeased with the surrounding attention in this situation, but the moment Sevar appeared, even greater interest descended upon them than before.
Sevar approached him directly and asked.
“Duke Balthasar, what are you doing here?”
“Sevar Cardian.”
“Step aside, will you? You haven’t forgotten the promise between us already, have you?”
As Sevar cleared the way, Barcan and Bianca took their places at Diena’s side. Surrounded by them, Diena blinked. Bianca whispered softly to her.
“Diena, are you all right?”
“I’m fine. Thank you for worrying about me.”
Balthasar’s sharp gaze no longer felt threatening to her. Unlike before, now there were people here to stand beside her.
“Go.”
Sevar said coldly.
Thus, surrounded by the people of House Cardian, Diena walked into the Banquet Hall.
* * *
Even inside the Banquet Hall, she felt the weight of people’s gazes. It was only natural, given that the clothing of House Cardian’s members had changed considerably from what it had been.
“Before, there was a certain awkwardness about them, but now that’s completely gone.”
“They were already handsome, but now that they’re properly dressed, they really shine.”
They were undoubtedly the most striking presence at tonight’s banquet.
Bianca’s lips quivered with barely contained delight as she linked her arm through Diena’s and fanned her face with a fan, appearing unmoved.
“It’s all thanks to you.”
“Hmm?”
“This situation right now—it’s something I’ve always dreamed of.”
Then she caught sight of something and smiled wickedly. It was a smile remarkably similar to one Barcan wore often. But Diena chose not to mention this, knowing Bianca would take offense.
“Diena, I feel like I’ve been living for this very day.”
At her words, Diena slowly turned her gaze. Following Bianca’s line of sight, she found Esina, Edilteum, and their circle.
“They must be terrified right now that I’ve shown up at the Winter Banquet. What if I’ve awakened my Innate Ability?”
Diena watched Esina’s group. They were stealing glances at Bianca when, catching Diena’s eye, they startled visibly and turned away.
“Yeah, they look completely shaken.”
“Hehe, it feels wonderful.”
It was rather frivolous laughter. Had Bianca’s etiquette instructor been present, she would have despaired at the sight. But to Diena, it seemed far more natural and appealing than artificially rigid formality.
Bianca, having laughed with that wicked expression for some time, soon turned to Diena with a worried face.
“I should probably get going soon. Are you really going to be all right on your own?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be back before you know it.”
“Still…”
During the Ability Measurement Ceremony, the main event of the Winter Banquet, those being measured had to gather in the Central Hall.
“Why don’t I just stay with you? I’ve never been one to care much about convention anyway.”
When Barcan, heading toward where the family heirs were gathered, asked this, Sevar also offered his input.
“Or I could stay with you. I wasn’t planning to attend the Winter Banquet in the first place. You could say I’m not even here.”
At such an absurd statement, Diena found herself at a loss for words. But Bianca was just as quick to respond.
“Now that I think about it, maybe I don’t even need to take the Measurement Ceremony. Eventually everyone will figure out I’m an Ability User anyway, right? Do I really need to do it?”
They were all earnestly appealing not to fulfill their duties. Diena thought for a moment, then shook her head.
Their words were kind, but being with House Cardian’s members would inevitably draw all eyes to them. And her own freedom of movement would be severely restricted.
Even now, everyone around them was crowding in, hoping to exchange even a few words with them. Diena, short as she was, could hardly see ahead.
She hadn’t come here to be observed.
‘I came here to observe.’
She needed to watch whether Balthasar would do what she anticipated, and she had to stop him if he did. For that, moving alone would be far better.
She spoke to Barcan.
“Perhaps because I was born a noblewoman, I’ve always appreciated those who follow custom well. Does that make me terribly old-fashioned?”
“Hm? Ah, no? Not at all.”
Diena smiled and nodded, then turned her gaze toward Sevar.
“Your Grace, if you were to stand together with the heads of the other houses, it would be most impressive. I’m confident you’d uphold the honor of your family.”
“Hmm. Holding weight is what I do best, after all. Understood.”
Diena, smiling and nodding once more, then took Bianca’s hand and spoke.
“Bianca, your role is the most important. I want to see you acknowledged confidently here today. Or rather, I want to see the people who used to dismiss my lady in shock.”
Diena spoke with deliberate selfishness.
“Eventually everyone will learn you’re an Ability User, but opportunities to gather them all and reveal it at once aren’t common, are they?”
“I suppose that’s true, but…”
“The way those people who ignored you at the tea party were shocked that day was truly thrilling. I want to see it again today. You feel the same way, don’t you?”
At Diena’s words, Bianca’s face brightened and she nodded.
“Yeah, I do. I’m going to pull it off brilliantly.”
“Good. Go on, then.”
Diena gently pushed the three of them forward. Watching their departing figures, she turned and made her way to a corner of the Banquet Hall.
It was for her original purpose—observation. Indeed, once she parted from House Cardian, the area around her grew quiet.
No matter that she was the Duke of Lotwel’s daughter, Diena was a Non-Ability User. There was no reason for anyone to pay her attention. Thus she was able to survey every corner of the Banquet Hall freely.
‘Master has already arrived.’
On one side of the Banquet Hall, she spotted Malacar standing with the mages from the Magic Tower. Upon spotting Diena, he waved his hand gently and winked. Then she could see his lips moving slowly as he mouthed something to her.
‘Ready. Don’t worry.’

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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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