Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 100

Mizulin froze. Her mother had been wrongfully driven out when she was young, due to the schemes of Diane and Madam Mona. Considering her disappearance afterward, it was likely Madam Mona had a hand in it.

 

“Don’t… joke around.” Mizulin barely managed to open her mouth. “You’re being naive. There’s no way the grand duke would reward me for something like this. And my mother’s case, which failed countless times despite all the effort, won’t be resolved so easily either.”

 

Mizulin looked at me as if I were some ‘naive and foolish’ young lady.

 

“Even if you don’t say it, I’ll protect Madam Leonoe. So, Lady Epirosa, please focus more on Madam Leonoe than on the theater.” Mizulin turned away. Then she hid again, just barely visible around the corner of the hallway.

 

I sighed as I entered the room with my mom. I really need to teach her how to hide properly.

 

At that moment, Mom whined beside me. “This is such a hassle. I don’t want to.” She scratched the back of her neck and pulled out a necklace that had been well-hidden under her clothes. It was the talisman Claude had gifted me. He had given it to protect her even when I wasn’t around.

 

“Mom, you have to wear this necklace all the time.”

 

“I don’t want to…”

 

I held both of her hands tightly, looking into her red eyes with earnestness. “It’s my wish. Please, always keep it around your neck. Don’t take it off, not even for a moment. And make sure no one else sees it.”

 

“My Epirosa’s wish…?” Mom smiled gently.

 

I hesitated for a moment.

 

At that time, Mom kindly patted my head. “Then, of course, it must be granted.”

 

* * *

Hubert was on his way to the office. He was heading there to receive a report from Benjamin. At that moment, someone walking from the opposite direction suddenly collapsed in front of Hubert. Papers were scattered all over the floor.

 

“Aah, Your Excellency! My apologies!”

 

The woman who had fallen hurriedly began picking up the papers. But whether it was intentional or not, the papers kept slipping from her hands.

 

Hubert picked up one of the papers. It was a document containing a proposal for budget efficiency. “What is this?”

 

The woman, flustered, quickly stood up. “It’s a document I was going to propose to Sir Benjamin. I thought it might be helpful.” She added, cautiously watching Hubert’s reaction. “Lady Epirosa has been busy with matters outside, so Sir Benjamin has been handling the household affairs all on his own, hasn’t he?”

 

Hubert’s eyes, which had been scanning the documents, sharpened. Though the words seemed to show concern for Benjamin, they were also an attack on Epirosa. How dare an employee speak so boldly?

 

Moreover, Epirosa had never neglected her household duties. To others, her frequent outings might give that impression, but the reality was different. She was the kind of person who would cut down on sleep to ensure her responsibilities were fulfilled. On top of that, she’s even taking care of her mother. Even if she had two bodies, it wouldn’t be enough.

 

That child had inherited his own tenacity. He had been proud of her for that. And yet, someone dares to slander Epirosa with false information.

 

Hubert concealed his expression and looked at the woman. Mari Lotus. Among the female employees, she held a high position. She was one of Mona’s close aides. She was likely still close to the Gale family. With such backing, she feels free to make such insolent remarks. Moreover, the documents she presented were flashy on the surface but crude in content. To think she intended to give this to Benjamin. It would only hinder him instead.

 

“What’s your name?”

 

Mari, as if she had been waiting for this moment, opened her mouth with a bright expression. “My name is—”

 

“Mari! What are you doing here?” It was then. Out of nowhere, Gale came running. “Blocking the way in front of Father? How insolent.”

 

“Ah, my apologies. I was just—”

 

“And what are these documents?” Gale snatched the documents from Mari’s hands as he asked.

 

Hubert sensed that Gale’s actions were somehow deliberate and observed his son closely. He noticed Gale giving Mari a subtle look, as if they had made some kind of agreement.

 

“Go now on. Father is busy.”

 

“Yes, Count!”

 

Mari hurriedly left the spot. As soon as she was gone, Gale pretended to examine the documents and then smiled at Hubert.

 

“Father, have you seen this? It’s truly impressive!”

 

“What? Impressive?” Hubert’s eyebrows shot up.

 

“For a mere employee to come up with such a well-organized proposal!” Gale, misunderstanding Hubert’s reaction, excitedly added more to his words. “How about we take this opportunity to have Mari Lotus work next to Benjamin? Instead of the busy Epirosa.” It was an obvious move.

 

“Is that woman’s name Mari Lotus?”

 

“Huh? You didn’t know? I thought you’d naturally be aware…” Gale spoke with a flustered expression. It was because he had made several attempts to leave an impression on Hubert.

 

Hubert smirked faintly and threw out a bait. “That woman, her actions are quite commendable.”

 

“Ah! That’s right. She’s always been praised for her competence among the other employees. If it weren’t for that unfortunate incident, she would have been the perfect candidate to succeed Mona as the head maid.” Gale emphasized the words’ head maid.’

 

“I see. I’ll keep that in mind.” Hubert handed the documents in his hand to Gale and went on his way.

 

Left alone, Gale’s grin stretched wide across his face. Epirosa neglected household affairs because she’s blinded by greed for money. Even Father believes my words now! Pathetic Epirosa! How could she let her guard down just because she was entrusted with managing the household! That’s why the position of the head maid has been left vacant until now!

 

No doubt, Benjamin must have been building up his own frustrations as well. The delay in choosing a head maid had increased his workload, and now he would have to take on Epirosa’s share as well.

 

I’ll use this chance to make sure my person becomes the head maid!

 

* * *

Today, I came home earlier than usual. I had been planning a surprise play before the new opera premiered at the Blanche Theater, and the preparations were coming along smoothly. Even though it’s a surprise play, it’ll create more buzz than The Heroic Epic of Baldonov.

 

Britlyn, who took my coat as I returned home, spoke. “Since Milady has come home early for once, how about going upstairs and resting?”

 

“No, I need to take care of the household matters first.”

 

“Oh, come now, you should take a break for once…” Britlyn said with a tone of concern.

 

After informing Hubert of my return, I headed to the office assigned to the person in charge of household affairs. It was originally Diane’s office. Since it was only used late at night when most of the work was done, traces of Diane’s presence still lingered there. Britlyn opened the door to the office.

 

“My goodness! When did you manage to organize these ledgers? Mari, get rid of this!”

 

From inside the office, I heard Stella’s voice.

 

“I came hoping to find something to nitpick, but there’s nothing at all.”

 

Mari, who was about to toss the meticulously organized ledger into the trash, froze when our eyes met. Even Stella hesitated at my sudden appearance. She was sitting in the chair as if it were her own, and the desk was a complete mess.

 

Stella soon flashed a shameless smile. “What brings you here? I thought you’d completely abandoned this room.”

 

“I came early to work today. More importantly, what are you and Mari doing in ‘my office’ without permission?”

 

At my words, Stella bit her lip. I walked over and snatched the ledger from Mari’s hands.

 

Stella quickly tried to explain. “The contents were all wrong, so I was going to throw it out and rewrite it myself!”

 

“Wrong, you say?” I let out a small laugh.

 

That was when Mari, who had been waiting for her chance, finally spoke up. “Perhaps because you grew up outside, Lady, your bookkeeping method is incorrect. Noble households don’t handle work this way.” Her tone was rather arrogant.

 

Britlyn flared up in anger. “Mari Lotus! Do you think belittling our lady like that will make you the head maid or something?”

 

“What are you talking about, Britlyn? I was just trying to offer some advice.”

 

“I know you’ve been going around saying you’ll become the next head maid!”

 

Hearing Britlyn’s words, I let out a scoff. Mari’s face turned red all the way down to her neck. It was Stella who stepped in instead.

 

“If you’re going to mess up your work like this, isn’t it only fair that Mari becomes the head maid instead of you?” She spoke as if she were giving advice, but her tone was dripping with obvious sarcasm. Her expression was more blatant than before. It seemed she had realized there was no point in pretending anymore.

 

That’s fine with me. I approached Stella. “Actually, you don’t think Mari should be the head maid. You think you should take my position instead, right?” I asked directly without beating around the bush. Since Stella had dropped her pretense, there was no need for me to sugarcoat my words either.

 

“What? What did you say?”

 

Stella’s face froze, turning pale. But soon, malice filled her paper-white cheeks. Yes, this was Stella’s true nature. And it was the situation I had deliberately provoked.

 

“Why shouldn’t I? Mari said it herself, didn’t she? Compared to a lowborn like you, who crawled in from the streets, I know the ways of Blanche much better! This kind of sloppy ledger is just—!”

 

At that moment. Bang! Without warning, the office door burst open.

 

“Stella!” Hubert’s furious roar echoed through the room.