Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 104

“Britlyn said that Lady Epirosa is trying hard to protect Mizulin.”

 

“I wish we could help her too.”

 

Not only the staff who had originally been with the grand duke’s household, but even the new hires who replaced Gale’s people sympathized with Mizulin’s story. It was the result of Epirosa deliberately spreading the story about Mizulin’s mother and Diane through Benjamin and Britlyn.

 

Mizulin, who had to reclaim the position her mother had lost, was the protagonist of justice. Gale, Diane’s husband, who tried to steal that position, became the side of evil. Naturally, such a dynamic took shape.

 

* * *

Mizulin, supported by many employees, rose to the position of head maid. Contrary to Gale’s expectations, the employees even followed her leadership well. Even Hubert, who had doubted my decision, praised me, saying, “Well done.”

 

“Thank you, Lady Epirosa. Not only did you grant me such an undeserved position, but you even protected me.” That evening, after finishing her work, Mizulin came to find me and bowed her head.

 

I shook my head gently with a kind smile. “It’s all thanks to your excellence, Mizulin. No matter how much I like you, if you weren’t capable, I wouldn’t have placed you as head maid.”

 

“I’ve been honing my skills in the laundry room, waiting for this day,” Mizulin spoke with confidence. “I will never forget the grace you’ve shown me by clearing my mother’s name and raising me to the position of head maid. I will repay this debt both to you and Madam Leonoe.” Her words carried a reliable sincerity.

 

“By the way, is Madam Leonoe doing well?” Mizulin asked, having not seen my mother for several days. She had been extremely busy since becoming head maid.

 

“Mother is doing fine, playing in her room.” I answered while hiding my awkwardness. She’s been sitting by the window for an hour playing a ‘greeting game’ with Ibe. What were the Blanche grand ducal guards doing, letting Ibe roam around so freely? Even I can’t chase Ibe away because I’m afraid Mother would be sad. Just who was Ibe, anyway? I desperately wanted to remove that helmet and see his face underneath.

 

“Um, Milady…” Mizulin spoke cautiously. When I turned my gaze to her, she pulled something out from her bosom and placed it in front of me. “I have something to give you.”

 

In her large palm lay a small, round object. It was an elegant, luxurious button.

 

“What is this?” I asked, puzzled. A button, out of nowhere? Moreover, it looked far too expensive for Mizulin, who had been working as a laundry maid until recently, to possess.

 

Lowering her voice, Mizulin whispered. “This is Count Gale’s button.”

 

“You picked up Uncle’s button? Shall I return it for you?”

 

“No. That must not happen.” Mizulin spoke firmly. There was something intense in her gaze.

 

I instinctively became serious and looked at her.

 

“You may not remember, Milady, but when you were unconscious after being badly injured in the opera incident, you were attacked by an assailant.” Mizulin spoke with a worried expression, as if afraid I might be startled. But I remained calm.

 

Benjamin already told me about it. Hubert hadn’t told me out of concern, but I had sensed something had happened from the atmosphere of the household the day I woke up. Fortunately, Benjamin answered my questions immediately.

 

“I’m telling you this because I believe you are strong enough to handle this, Milady.”

 

Seeing that I wasn’t surprised, Mizulin seemed encouraged and continued. “That day, I was there to protect Madam Leonoe.”

 

“You were there?”

 

“Yes, but outside the room. Still, I managed to encounter the culprit who attacked you and fled in a hurry.”

 

“!” This time, I couldn’t help but be surprised.

 

Mizulin nodded her head. “This button fell off during the struggle I had with the culprit at the time. I kept it with me.”

 

“Did you… see the culprit’s face?”

 

Mizulin was silent for a moment. But soon, she nodded. “Yes. It was Lord Gale.”

 

Just as I thought! The only ones who would have infiltrated to kill me back then were the Gale family.

 

“Now that you are fully in charge of the household matters, I think you should keep this button, Milady.”

 

Mizulin placed the button in my hand. The cold touch of the button seemed to seep all the way to my heart. I’ve gained another weapon. With this, I could bring Gale down.

 

I looked at Mizulin with a composed expression. “Can I use this button as I see fit?”

 

“Yes, of course.”

 

“It might affect you in the process, too.”

 

“I’m fine.”

 

“Really? Something terrible might happen.”

 

“I told you, didn’t I? I intend to repay the favor. And…” A glint of murderous intent flashed in Mizulin’s eyes. “Bringing down Gale is the same as avenging my mother.”

 

I had confirmed Mizulin’s resolve. There was no need to hesitate any longer. Gripping the button tightly, I smiled coldly.

 

“Are you going to take the button straight to the grand duke?” Mizulin asked in a trembling voice.

 

“No.”

 

“Pardon?” Mizulin, startled by my answer, asked again.

 

I smiled faintly. “I can’t let my uncle go that easily. I’m going to prepare a far more entertaining play.”

 

* * *

“Are you telling me those idiots actually accepted a mere laundry maid as head maid?!” Gale roared furiously.

 

Contrary to Gale’s expectations, the household was quickly stabilizing. The employees followed the leadership of Epirosa and Mizulin like obedient children. The chaos he had anticipated never came. The little influence he had left slipped away like sand through his fingers.

 

“Damn it!” Gale shouted, slamming his fist onto the table. Startled by the noise, the door opened.

 

“Milord! Are you alright? That loud noise just now…”

 

“I’m fine, ugh!” Gale replied, clutching his now swollen, reddened hand. In his fit of anger, he had used too much force, only to end up injuring himself. Embarrassed, he cursed under his breath, then suddenly turned his head again. “But Patterson, what are you doing in my room?”

 

“The grand duke has summoned you.”

 

“Father? For what reason?”

 

“He didn’t specify. He just said to drop whatever you’re doing and come immediately.”

 

Calling him so urgently without any prior notice? Gale felt a sense of foreboding. Still, there was no way he could ignore the words of the head of the household. With a tense expression, he made his way to Hubert’s office.

 

In the office, Hubert and Benjamin were working.

 

“Paterson, you may leave.” Hubert said.

 

“Father, why did you call for me?”

 

Hubert put down the documents he had been looking at and stared at Gale. “Do you have nothing to say to me?” His voice was low, but it felt like a heavy rock had just dropped onto Gale’s chest.

 

“So-Something to say?” Gale forced himself to respond calmly.

 

Hubert’s brows furrowed. “I’m giving you a chance. I’ll ask one last time. Do you really have nothing to say?”

 

Gale’s heart began pounding wildly. The first thing that came to mind was, of course, the button. Did Father find out that I tried to kill Epirosa? Or maybe about what I did to harm Leonoe? But he had burned the clothes the button belonged to. Even if the button appeared, he could deny the ownership. Marie Lotus, whom he had ordered to drop the stone on Leonoe, had also been dealt with the previous night. Then why do I feel so anxious?

 

Gale licked his dry lips with his tongue. “There really isn’t anything.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Father, just tell me straight. What is it you want to say to your son?” Gale raised his voice, pretending to be innocent.

 

Hubert let out a bitter laugh, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. The sound was so cold that Gale flinched.

 

“Gale Blanche.” Hubert called his son in a low voice. “That day, you were the one who tried to kill Epirosa, weren’t you?” His red eyes aimed at his son like an arrow.

 

“That day, you were the one who tried to kill Epirosa, weren’t you?”

 

Hubert’s red eyes aimed at his son like an arrow.