Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 102

It felt as if a protective shield were guarding Leonoe. The moment the stone bounced off, Mizulin hugged Leonoe and rolled onto the ground. Fragments of stone rained down on Mizulin. But not a single piece touched Leonoe.

 

“What do we do! Madam Leonoe!”

 

“Madam Leonoe, are you alright?”

 

Mizulin endured the pain from being hit by the stones and glared up at the second floor.

 

“Over there, someone at the window…!”

 

As the servants raised their heads and pointed, the window slammed shut in haste.

 

“Madam Leonoe has been attacked!”

 

“Someone threw a stone at Madam Leonoe from the second floor!”

 

The servants shouted in alarm.

 

* * *

When Mom was attacked, I wasn’t far from the mansion. I had deliberately gone out so that Gale’s family would let their guard down. Of course, I stayed within a distance where I could return to Mom at any moment. Feigning surprise at the unexpected incident, I returned home. The house was abuzz with talk about Mom. Though in reality, Mom was sitting on her bed, perfectly unharmed.

 

“Epirosa! You’re here early.” Mom waved at me with a bright smile. She looked so safe, as if she had no idea what had happened.

 

The talisman saved Mom. I already knew that if Gale and Stella were cornered, they would attack Mom. So I had prepared a trap in advance. But I never wanted to put Mom in real danger. That’s why I had given her the talisman, so that it would protect her.

 

The doctor spoke. “A maid protected Madam Leonoe, so she wasn’t harmed. Not even a bruise. It’s truly a relief.”

 

“Who did this? Who attacked Leonoe?” At that moment, the door burst open, and Hubert stormed in. It seemed he had rushed over as soon as he heard about Mom. He was so agitated that he came straight to the room without even waiting for a report on the culprit.

 

I explained to Hubert instead. “The culprit is a maid named Mari Lotus.”

 

“Mari Lotus?” Hubert’s face twisted in anger.

 

“She claims it was an accident, but throwing a decorative stone laced on the floor out the window could never be an accident.”

 

Anger filled Hubert’s red eyes.

 

“Besides, that woman wanted the head maid position but failed to obtain it. She must hold a grudge against our family.”

 

Hubert clenched his fist tightly.

 

I whispered to him. “But do you think Mari Lotus could have pulled something this big all by herself?”

 

“Are you saying there’s someone behind her?”

 

I nodded.

 

Hubert looked at me and spoke in a low voice. “I think so too. This wasn’t a solo act.”

 

The atmosphere in the room grew heavy. The family doctor glanced over at us.

 

I quickly changed the subject. “Still, it’s a relief that Mom wasn’t hurt.”

 

Mom’s life was saved thanks to the talisman. But on the surface, it appeared that Mizulin had earned the credit. Just as planned.

 

Hubert swallowed hard and looked at Mom. “How is Leonoe?”

 

“She is perfectly healthy. Not a single scratch on her. Heaven must have been watching over her.”

 

“That’s a relief.” Hubert let out a sigh of relief. But still not feeling completely assured, he stepped closer to Mom, bending down to her waist to check her himself. After meticulously examining her face, limbs, and even the nape of her neck, he finally spoke. “There truly isn’t a single injury.” He straightened his back as he spoke. It seemed like he was finally able to relax completely.

 

Taking advantage of the moment, I spoke up. “A maid named Mizulin saved Mom.”

 

“Mizulin? You mean Mizulin from the laundry room?” Hubert asked without hesitation.

 

I was surprised by Hubert’s memory. Even though she was involved in a past incident, it was impressive that he remembered someone who had spent so much time confined to the laundry room. That was just like Hubert.

 

“Where is Mizulin now?”

 

When he asked, the attending doctor answered. “The maid was hit by a piece of stone and is currently receiving treatment.”

 

“Grandpa, I’ll take care of Mom. Please make sure to acknowledge the efforts of the laundry maid who saved her.”

 

Hubert nodded. “Of course. What kind of reward would be fitting for Mizulin?”

 

I looked at Hubert and spoke. “Please grant whatever she wishes. This is something worthy of that.”

 

* * *

Mizulin, who was wrapping bandages in her room, was startled by Hubert’s visit. But what shocked her even more was what Hubert said.

 

“I want to commend you for saving Leonoe. If there’s anything you want, speak of it.”

 

At that moment, what came to Mizulin’s mind was Epirosa.

 

“Grandpa will soon recognize your contributions.”

 

The exact situation Epirosa had spoken of was unfolding. Hubert himself had come to commend her, a mere laundry maid, for her actions. And on top of that, he was asking her to state her wish. It felt too coincidental, and Epirosa’s words lingered in her mind.

 

“I’ll make it happen.”

 

Mizulin felt a sense of dizziness. She retraced the events that had unfolded since Epirosa had said those words.

 

Mari Lotus, who used to boast about becoming the head maid someday, ended up angering the grand duke. She had heard Epirosa was present at the scene back then. Afterward, harboring resentment, Mari Lotus attacked Leonoe.

 

But Madam Leonoe, as if protected by some kind of barrier, wasn’t hurt at all. Even so, thanks to Mizulin throwing herself into the situation, it seemed as though she had saved Leonoe. Could it be that Lady Epirosa orchestrated all of this? She had ensured every possible safety measure for Leonoe. A chill ran down Mizulin’s neck.

 

“Mizulin, is there nothing you desire?”

 

Hubert’s words brought Mizulin’s consciousness back to reality. She opened her mouth as if entranced.

 

“So when the time comes, tell Grandpa.”

 

“I have… one wish.”

 

“Ask him to restore your mother’s honor as a reward.”

 

“Please restore the honor of my mother, who was falsely accused and exiled long ago.”

 

* * *

The incident involving Mizulin’s mother was something Hubert also remembered. She had been a strong candidate for head maid but was accused of embezzlement, beaten, and driven out. He immediately ordered Benjamin to reopen the investigation into the matter. Benjamin, as if he had been waiting for this moment, brought out a thick stack of documents.

 

“Your Excellency, that incident was clearly a setup. These are the materials I’ve gathered on the case so far.”

 

Benjamin was told to reinvestigate, but he brought the conclusion instead. And so quickly, at that? Hubert was inwardly surprised.

 

“You already knew about this?”

 

“Yes. For a very long time.”

 

Benjamin had been investigating the truth of this matter for years. He had collected evidence that Diane and Madam Mona had fabricated documents and witnesses. However, each time he had failed to reveal the truth because of Diane and Gale. Now, however, he finally had the chance to present it directly to Hubert.

 

As Hubert reviewed the materials, he let out a groan. “The evidence is too clear.”

 

With Diane and Lady Mona gone, the truth was even more apparent.

 

As Hubert continued to examine the evidence, his brow furrowed deeply. “So, the person most involved in this case after Diane and Mona is Mari Lotus.”

 

Mari Lotus was a maid that Gale had been blatantly favoring. Hubert’s jaw tightened. Could Gale really have nothing to do with this? And then, today’s incident. Could Gale be unrelated to the attack on Leonoe by Mari Lotus? Besides, hadn’t Gale been acting suspiciously even recently?

 

The moment the image of Gale’s tattered sleeve surfaced in Hubert’s memory, all doubts turned into certainty.

 

“Sir Benjamin, summon Epirosa.”

 

* * *

I had expected Hubert to call for me. But the atmosphere was different from what I had anticipated. I thought he was just going to ask about the attack on my mother or about Mizulin. However, Hubert dismissed Benjamin and wanted to speak with me alone. This is making me a bit nervous.

 

Seeing me tense up, Hubert spoke. “Are you nervous?”

 

“Yes. A little… no, a lot.”

 

“That’s right. This is a situation where you need to stay on edge.”

 

I flinched. Isn’t it usually a grandfather’s role to comfort you and tell you not to be nervous in times like this? But then again, I already knew Hubert wasn’t your typical grandfather. The more I experienced him, the more surprising he became.

 

“Mizulin asked me to clear her mother’s name. So I told Sir Benjamin to look into it, and he came back with evidence as if he’d been waiting for the opportunity.” Hubert spoke.

 

I stayed silent and listened for now.

 

“Upon reviewing the evidence, it turns out that Mari Lotus, who attacked Leonoe today, was also involved in that incident. And not just her.”

 

“…”

 

“All the employees connected to that incident were tied to Diane and Gale.” Hubert furrowed his brows and looked at me. “Doesn’t it all fit together too perfectly? Almost as if someone had planned it out.”

 

“Planned it out?” I asked, feigning ignorance.

 

Seeing my expression, a faint smile spread across Hubert’s lips. “Doesn’t it seem like someone is trying to reveal the truth to this foolish old man?”

 

I felt my grip tighten.

 

Hubert added one more thing, as if to drive the point home. “Leonoe was wearing a talisman around her neck.”

 

“!”

 

“So from the very beginning, no one could touch Leonoe. But the culprit didn’t know that.” Hubert curled his lips into a smirk. “But Epirosa, you knew everything, didn’t you?”