Favored by the Family That Will Become the Strongest! - Chapter 82

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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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This was precisely why Balthasar had decided to play his trump card—Diena’s engagement. His gaze drifted slowly toward the figure seated in front of him.
Casian Volkov. The legitimate heir of House Volkov.
Every young lady of his generation yearned for him. With his striking appearance and top-tier Innate Ability, it would have been strange if he weren’t popular at all.
His personality was taciturn and rigid, but such trifles mattered little. In short, he was a man everyone desired.
As it happened, Diena had shown some interest in him at one point. This was why Balthasar had recommended him as a suitable engagement partner. She would accept the arrangement without complaint.
“Casian, are you truly all right with this?”
At that moment, Romie turned to him with a worried expression. He met her gaze.
“We can still call it off, if you’d like. What if Diena actually wants to go through with the engagement? What then?”
“It’s fine.”
“What if she starts liking you again? You’ll just accept it as is?”
“It’s for the sake of the House. I’ll accept it.”
Romie fell silent, her displeasure evident.
She naturally assumed Diena would never refuse the engagement. For a Non-Ability User, it would be an excellent opportunity to elevate her station.
‘What is Father so afraid of?’
From the moment his Innate Ability had proven ineffective against Prince Ardin, Balthasar had seemed anxious about something.
Romie disliked how the situation was unfolding.
‘This is irritating.’
Most of all, Casian’s behavior rankled her. When Balthasar had proposed the engagement to Diena, Casian had answered without a moment’s hesitation.
“Understood.”
Understood? Just like that. Did he truly not grasp the situation? Shouldn’t he at least show some reluctance?
Being asked to marry a Non-Ability User.
Even if there was some purpose behind it, shouldn’t he hesitate the way Daniel Roche would have?
But Casian’s answer had come as swiftly as if he’d been waiting for the question. Romie narrowed her eyes as she studied him. His dark, sunken crimson eyes betrayed nothing of his thoughts.
* * *
In the Northern Region, at the reception chamber of the House Cardian patriarch,
Sevar frowned as he regarded Balthasar seated across from him. Balthasar spoke with an air of ease.
“I didn’t expect such a warm reception.”
Sevar smiled savagely as he spoke.
“Indeed. I never imagined you would visit my House.”
Balthasar remained expressionless despite Sevar’s somewhat presumptuous tone. His gaze shifted to Bianca, who watched him with caution in her eyes.
Bianca’s feline eyes narrowed.
“So this is your daughter? I’ve been curious about her. What perfect timing.”
“Why are you curious about my daughter?”
“Didn’t she manifest her Innate Ability recently? I saw her at the Winter Gathering, but I wanted to observe her more closely. Remarkable… she’s truly become a top-tier Ability User.”
Sevar clicked his tongue irritably and gestured for Bianca to step behind him.
A smile played at Balthasar’s lips.
“Extraordinary, truly. Throughout the entire gathering, the nobles spoke of nothing but your daughter. A Non-Ability User who became an Ability User—how fascinating. And your son Barcan also manifested his ability quite late, didn’t he? How extraordinary that such events have occurred twice within your House alone.”
At that, Barcan, who had been watching, spoke bluntly.
“Perhaps someone has been cursing us particularly hard.”
Of course, Balthasar paid no mind. He possessed the thick skin of one who had endured countless grievances in his previous life without the slightest concern.
“In any case, my congratulations. Your daughter must have caused you no small amount of trouble. Having a Non-Ability User in such a distinguished noble House as ours does present certain… difficulties.”
In that instant,
a formidable aura erupted from Sevar’s body.
“Balthasar, you always talk too much. Whether my daughter is an Ability User or a Non-Ability User is none of your concern, is it?”
Barcan, Bianca, and Diena regarded him with fierce glares as well. Balthasar’s gaze turned slowly toward Diena.
Diena Lochwell.
Though she carried Lochwell blood, she looked far more natural standing among the people of House Cardian.
Balthasar smiled broadly at the sight of her—genuinely delighted.
“Diena, it’s been so long. This is the first time we’ve met since the Winter Gathering, isn’t it?”
At his rather affectionate tone, Diena felt a chill run down her spine.
“…Yes.”
“Your answer feels rather stiff between us.”
“Perhaps, but we might have different ideas about what we mean to each other.”
Balthasar laughed as if amused.
“You’ve grown witty in the time we’ve been apart.”
Diena stared at him incredulously. She hadn’t meant it as a joke, yet here he was, brazenly treating it as one.
“Diena, I had no idea you’d become a disciple of Malacar. When did you begin studying Magic?”
“After I left the House.”
“Yet you’ve become skilled enough to earn his tutelage? How remarkable.”
“I suppose I have some talent for it.”
At her words, Balthasar sighed with what seemed like regret.
“If only you’d contacted me immediately. Whether Ability User or mage, I cherish those with exceptional talent. You needn’t have harbored any misunderstandings at all.”
“Misunderstandings?”
Balthasar nodded and extended his hand toward her.
“Before you left the House, I didn’t realize it, but it seems you held many grievances against me.”
“…”
“Forgive me, Diena. If I’ve caused you pain, I apologize. But I would ask that you understand I meant no malice. We cannot continue like this as a family, can we? If you harbor resentment, let us resolve it through conversation.”
Diena stared at his outstretched hand without taking it. When she didn’t grasp it immediately, he smiled and waved it again.
“You know as well as I do how much I treasure family. Should you ever wish to return to the House, you are welcome.”
Balthasar studied her with narrowed eyes, curious to see how she would respond.
Would she take his hand? Or would she refuse?
The Diena he had known would have taken it—out of fear of the consequences that might follow.
But was the Diena before him now truly the one he had known?
‘She seems to have changed quite considerably under House Cardian’s influence.’
That much was evident from the brazen way she’d just addressed him.
Shortly after, Diena smiled softly and nodded.
“Yes, I’ll consider it positively.”
And without hesitation, she grasped Balthasar’s hand in return.
The members of House Cardian stared at her in shock. Her response had clearly struck them hard.
A bloodless smile spread across Balthasar’s lips.

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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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