Chapter 34: Abel’s Special Ability
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 34: Abel’s Special Ability
Dantalion had been someone nearly forgotten in Veronica’s hazy memories, but since their reunion, he had somehow become more precious to her than anyone else.
He had promised her. He promised he would win and return.
Veronica spoke through gritted teeth.
“His Highness will not lose.”
“Beri.”
“I said he won’t lose!”
Veronica raised her voice in agitation. The Duke let out a deep sigh.
The very situation he had feared was unfolding. Feeling an unpleasant sense of déjà vu, the Duke pressed a hand to his forehead.
Veronica’s current behavior was exactly the same as before. She was acting just as she had when she was infatuated with that bastard, Cedric.
‘Father, you don’t know anything about him!’
Back then, she had shouted in anger just like this. When he told her he opposed her marrying that illegitimate child, she had been furious, treating him like some outdated relic of a bygone era.
However, Duke Winston hadn’t disliked Cedric simply because he was illegitimate.
Cedric was a man with the specific kind of victim complex common in those who grew up facing discrimination. To make matters worse, his nature was inherently foul, making him both twisted and arrogant.
He was not a man someone like Veronica, who had grown up receiving nothing but love, could handle. It was easy to guess that marrying him would only result in Veronica being deeply hurt.
‘Of course, His Highness is different, but still...’
The Crown Prince, Dantalion, was also a man with many scars.
Though he was born as the only legitimate prince of the Imperial Family, receiving blessings and love, his true misfortune began after the early deaths of the late Empress Dowager and the former Emperor who had loved her dearly.
In the end, after the previous Emperor and Empress also passed away, he had been unable to ascend the throne even well into adulthood. Dantalion’s childhood wounds would surely be profound.
But he was clearly different from Cedric.
Whether it was due to his innate temperament or the fact that Dantalion had a past where he was truly loved by his family, he was different.
Unlike Cedric, Dantalion had grown up to be upright and just. Having observed him closely, Duke Winston knew this better than anyone.
‘But as a father, I simply cannot set my mind at ease.’
Seeing his daughter swept away once again by the futile emotion called love made the Duke feel uneasy.
This was true even though he knew Dantalion was objectively a better man than Cedric.
Furthermore, the current situation didn’t even guarantee the Crown Prince’s victory. There was far too much at stake in this duel. A deep furrow formed between the Duke’s brows.
“Beri, if His Highness loses, House Winston will withdraw its support for him.”
“Father...!”
“I called you here so you would be aware of that.”
“...”
Veronica stared silently at the Duke. Seeing his stern expression, she realized he had no intention of changing his mind.
Just as the Duke had recalled the past, so did Veronica.
It was true that her past self had been ignorant. She had known nothing and blindly chased after Cedric.
But things were different now. Veronica felt that with absolute clarity.
“Fine, Father. But in exchange...”
“...”
“If His Highness wins this time, swear to me that you will support him no matter what happens in the future.”
“...!”
The Duke’s eyes widened at Veronica’s bold demand.
However, he soon suppressed his agitation and nodded.
“Very well, I shall.”
“Thank you.”
Veronica turned on her heel and left the office.
Click. The sound of the door closing echoed softly in the room.
*
“Hmm...”
I let out a small groan after hearing the conversation between Veronica and the Duke.
It was unexpected that the two of them had argued, but it would all be fine as long as Dantalion defeated Cedric.
And Dantalion would definitely win. Because I was going to make sure of it.
With a confident smirk, I hoped the day of the duel would come quickly.
And then...
“No! Dia wants to go too!”
“Oh dear...”
“Take Dia with youuuuu!”
The day of the duel arrived.
Veronica tried to leave me behind, saying the Colosseum was no place for a child.
In response, I threw myself onto the floor in despair. I began to throw a full-blown childish tantrum.
“Dia, you can’t.”
“Our Dia is a good girl, right?”
As I wailed, Vincent and Brandon also hovered around me anxiously, trying to soothe me.
‘I want to see it too! A duel between Sword Masters!’
It was already a foregone conclusion that Dantalion would win, but I still wanted to see the duel with my own eyes. Because it sounded fun!
But they were refusing to take me? I was going to miss the duel between the original protagonist and the villain? I was going to miss this perfect popcorn-worthy moment?!
Desperate, I sobbed like a real child. Veronica and the direct descendants looked down at me with troubled eyes.
“What should we do? Dia wants to go so badly...”
“No. It’s not something a child should see.”
“He’s right. Just this once, we should...”
“...”
Hearing their whispering voices, I felt the consensus leaning toward leaving me behind.
No matter how much I cried, it would be useless. Come to think of it, there was no way they’d let a child watch a brutal duel that continued until one side surrendered.
‘Tsk, I’m not actually five inside, though.’
But since my mind was that of an adult, I felt incredibly wronged. I was confident I could watch just fine, whether limbs were flying or lives were lost.
Having stopped crying before I knew it, I pouted my lips in indignation. Seeing this, Veronica stroked my hair pityingly.
“Dia. Mommy will buy you a present. Don’t be mad, okay?”
“Hmph...”
In the end, I had no choice but to be left behind at the townhouse. Sophia held me and tried to comfort me as I continued to sniffle.
“My lovely little lady, a guest has arrived.”
“A guest?”
“Yes, so you should stop crying now, shouldn’t you?”
“...?”
Who could it be? There was no one scheduled to visit.
Compared to the Duke or the other direct descendants, I had very little influence in social circles, so there was no one who would seek me out specifically.
Besides, seeing Sophia smiling so broadly meant it was someone she knew well.
“...Abel?”
“Dia.”
Abel, who had been waiting for me in the drawing room, sprang up from his seat.
It was Abel, who had recently become my playmate. I wiggled out of Sophia’s arms and approached him.
“Abel!”
“Yeah.”
Abel’s face, which had brightened significantly upon seeing me, suddenly darkened. Wondering what was wrong, I stared at him, and he asked worriedly, “Have you been crying? Did something happen?”
“Ah...”
There must have been tear stains left around my eyes. I raised my hands and rubbed my eyes vigorously.
Abel reached out and gently caught my arm.
“Mommy... left Dia behind.”
“The Lady did?”
“Uh-huh. Everyone left me and went to see the Crown Prince...”
“Ah.”
Abel nodded, realizing what I was talking about.
“I see. I wanted to go too, but I couldn’t.”
“Abel too?”
“Yes.”
“...”
However, unlike me, Abel had a calm expression. It was as if he wasn’t particularly upset about not being able to see the duel.
It seemed the Duke or Veronica had called Abel over, likely worried about me being alone at the mansion.
I didn’t need that kind of consideration; I’d rather they had just taken me to the Colosseum. Unable to hide my gloom, my shoulders slumped.
“I wanted to go see it too...”
“Dia.”
“I hate Mommy.”
For the first time since possessing a character in this world, I resented Veronica.
Of course, she had left me behind for my own sake, but perhaps because I was in a child’s body, my heart had grown narrow as well; I simply couldn’t understand her.
I just hated Veronica so much in this moment for not taking me.
“Sniff...”
“D-don’t cry, Dia.”
“Hic...”
I didn’t want to cry in front of Abel, but I couldn’t help it. Seeing me sob, Abel looked like he didn’t know what to do.
“Do you really want to see the duel between the Crown Prince and Marquis Cedric?”
“Uh-huh.”
At his question, I nodded and rambled through my tears.
“His Highness said he’d definitely win. He promised Dia. Dia has to see if he keeps his promise...”
“...”
Abel gazed at me intently. His navy-blue eyes seemed to grow even deeper. Having stopped crying at some point, I stared into his eyes as if possessed.
“Then, shall we go see it?”
“Huh?”
Like a mischievous boy about to commit a prank, Abel asked with a grin. I looked at him in shock.
Go see it? The duel?
“How?”
“Secretly.”
“Secretly?”
“Yes.”
Abel spoke with such confidence that I couldn't respond for a moment.
Moreover, seeing his self-assured manner, it felt like he would take me to the Colosseum the moment I nodded.
“Can you really... get there?”
“Of course.”
Abel nodded with a smile. I looked at him suspiciously before glancing away.
“...?”
When our eyes met, Sophia tilted her head curiously. Since Abel had spoken in a low voice, Sophia didn't know what we were discussing.
“It’s impossible. Nanny is in the drawing room, and Sir Raven is outside...”
“I can just use my Special Ability.”
“Special Ability?”
“Yes.”
My eyes widened as I looked at Abel’s confident face.