Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 10

“Mom, my leg healed in just one day. I can even jump around now!” Karen said as she actually jumped up and down.

 

Madam Mona tilted her head in confusion. “But how could such a severe leg heal in just one day?”

 

“The ointment the young lady gave me worked.”

 

“Ah, I knew it. Lady Stella wouldn’t just let it slide, would she?” Madam Mona sighed in relief. It was like giving the disease and the cure, but at least Stella took responsibility for what she did. However, Karen’s reaction was peculiar.

 

“It wasn’t Lady Stella.”

 

“What?”

 

“It wasn’t Lady Stella—it was Epirosa, I mean, Lady Epirosa, who gave me the ointment that healed me.”

 

Madam Mona’s eyes widened in shock. “That wench? How could she afford such an effective ointment?”

 

* * *

“What is going on here?” I tilted my head, staring at my now-healed calf. Just yesterday, it was covered in wounds. Now, it was only slightly red and swollen, with most of the injuries already healed.

 

The only thing I did yesterday was apply the Pasa herb. But that alone couldn’t have healed it this quickly. It was strange.

 

When I stepped outside, I was even more surprised. The employees were walking around holding handfuls of Pasa herbs. What on earth is going on here?

 

Karen approached me with a smile as I tilted my head in confusion.

 

“Karen, you should rest a bit more.”

 

“No, my leg’s healed now, so I can work.” Karen lifted her skirt slightly as if showing off. Her leg had healed, just like mine.

 

“It’s completely healed?”

 

“Yes, thanks to the ointment you gave me yesterday, Milady.”

 

“You mean… the Pasa herb?”

 

“Yes. How can it be so miraculous? Even Mary, who had a wound that hadn’t healed for weeks, got better in just an hour after applying it.”

 

I couldn’t understand it. Pasa herbs weren’t known to be that effective or fast-acting.

 

“How did you make it? You must have a secret recipe, right?”

 

“A secret recipe?”

 

“Yes. After hearing my story, the employees are all in a frenzy trying to make ointment with Pasa herbs. But when they apply it to injured people, the results are just so-so. Only the ointment you gave works so well.”

 

I was dumbfounded. There was no special recipe. Still, sometimes, you have to act like you do to maintain authority. Besides, I had a hunch.

 

I smiled confidently as if it was only natural. “Yeah. I made it using a secret recipe only I know.”

 

“Really? Can’t you teach me too?”

 

“That would be difficult.”

 

Karen’s face turned into one of disappointment.

 

“Instead, I’ll make you some more ointment. Share it with the other employees.”

 

After getting some Pasa herbs from Karen, I locked the door to my room. Then, I took out the red egg from my pocket. When I was grinding the Pasa herb, this egg emitted heat and vibrated. I still didn’t know what was inside, but it was definitely a Phoenix’s egg. It wouldn’t be strange if it held some kind of mystical power.

 

It’s said that when someone becomes the master of a divine beast, they gain one of two types of powers. In the case of a Phoenix, it’s either the power of fire’s attack or fire’s healing. One of the two would be granted. Hubert had the attack-type power.

 

Right, the Phoenix has healing abilities. Maybe this egg had lent me its healing power.

 

I held the egg tightly in both hands. As I did, the egg once again emitted heat and vibrated. Carefully placing the egg back into my pocket, I began grinding the Pasa herbs again.

 

* * *

It was in the parlor of the Grand Duchy Blanche. A man sat there, scratching the back of his hand roughly. He looked at Hubert, Gale, and Stella, who was seated behind them, with an arrogant expression and spoke. “500,000 gold. I won’t accept anything less.”

 

He was a local lord with the title of viscount. Yet, he dared to act so arrogantly in front of Grand Duke Hubert. The reason was simple—he controlled the only road leading to Peto Port. Peto Port was the largest port in the empire.

 

“Charging 500,000 gold for a round trip? That would wipe out our business profits,” Gale pleaded.

 

But the local lord, Viscount Molon, snorted dismissively. “When did I say 500,000 gold for a round trip? It’s 500,000 gold per trip. For a round trip, it’s 1 million gold.”

 

“What? 1 million gold?” Gale exclaimed in shock.

 

1 million gold was enough to buy a small territory.

 

“Please, can’t you lower the amount just a little?”

 

Hubert coldly watched Gale as he begged pathetically. Showing weakness at the negotiation table meant you had already lost. His son was playing a losing game from the very start.

 

Even Leonoe could toy with seasoned merchants even at the age of fifteen. Hubert was startled by a sudden thought. He hadn’t thought about Leonoe in a long time. It was more accurate to say he had deliberately avoided it. Is it because of Epirosa that I’m thinking of Leonoe again?

 

It was then that Stella, who had been sitting quietly behind him, spoke up. “Then how about this—we’ll give you 30% of the business profit instead.”

 

Stella often accompanied him to meetings like this. It was something he allowed because she was the smartest among his grandchildren. It was meant as a way for her to learn the business. Even so, she’s still inexperienced.

 

Would he never see a child as brilliant as Leonoe was when she was in her right mind again? Hubert swallowed a sigh.

 

Sure enough, Viscount Molon caught onto that very point of inexperience. “Then let’s make that a permanent clause in the contract. Every time you use the road, I get 30%.”

 

A permanent clause? For now, 30% of the business profits might be less than 500,000 gold. But the business was growing. The day when 30% would exceed 500,000 gold would come soon enough. In the end, it would mean taking a loss compared to Viscount Molon’s initial proposal. Yet Viscount Molon spoke as if he were making a concession.

 

“Since it’s the Blanche family, I’m offering this special benefit. For other families, it will be 500,000 gold without exception.”

 

At those words, Gale smirked. Compared to 500,000 gold, the figure of 30% somehow felt small. “Alright, let’s do that. As expected, our Stella is wise. You really are Blanche’s future—”

 

“Enough.” Hubert raised his hand, cutting off the conversation. “We won’t be using that route.”

 

“What?”

 

Viscount Molon briefly showed a disappointed expression but quickly adjusted his face and spoke. “This is the last chance to offer you such a benefit. Next time, it might cost 500,000 gold, or even 1,000,000 gold.”

 

“Do as you please. Either way, we won’t use the route for that amount.”

 

“Fa-Father!” Gale looked at Hubert in shock. “If we don’t use that route, our business will—!”

 

“Gale!” Hubert glared sharply at Gale. Gale, frightened, shut his mouth.

 

“I have no regrets!” Viscount Molon abruptly stood up from his seat. Scratching his neck roughly, he stormed out of the parlor.

 

* * *

“Even if they’re a grand ducal family, how are they going to run a business without a route?”

 

The moment Viscount Molon climbed into the carriage, he scratched his neck harder and grimaced. “Aargh! This itching is driving me insane! When will this damn skin disease go away!”

 

He yelled at the servant. “Bring me the handkerchief soaked in ointment, now!”

 

Even after wiping his neck and the back of his hands thoroughly with the handkerchief handed to him by the servant, there was no improvement.

 

Seeing this, the servant cautiously held out a small pouch. “Master, how about trying this?”

 

“What is it?”

 

“It’s an ointment my acquaintance, who works at the grand duchy, gave me. They said it’s very effective.”

 

Viscount Molon’s face turned bright red. “What? Are you telling me to use some ointment meant for mere employees?”

 

“They said it healed severe wounds overnight. Who knows, it might work for your condition too, Master.”

 

“Overnight?” Viscount Molon was intrigued. At this point, he had nothing to lose.

 

Damn this cursed disease. I’ve even tried smearing filthy on myself to get better, so why not try this ointment too? Without much expectation, Viscount Molon snatched the pouch.