Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 114

It was Epirosa, who had disappeared, returning and calling for Kobel again.

 

The sinister expression on Kobel’s face was instantly replaced with a kind mask. “My busy niece, what brings you back here?”

 

“I felt uneasy sending you off like that. Let’s take a walk together and talk.”

 

“Such a thoughtful heart. In that way, you resemble Leonoe.” As if he had forgotten his own daughter, Kobel immediately hurried over to Epirosa. “But must this maid come along too? I’d like to speak with you alone.”

 

“Mizulin is a trustworthy employee. She’s also the head maid. Since we’re taking a walk, you should at least get acquainted. You’ll be seeing her often from now on.” Epirosa led Kobel farther away.

 

“Haa…”

 

Juliet staggered and collapsed to the ground. Her heart was pounding like crazy. Hatred surged within her, making it hard to breathe. What calmed her down was a sudden question that popped into her mind.

 

But why did Epirosa come back? Moreover, she left her mother and her personal maid behind. As her thoughts reached that point, Juliet’s racing heart began to quiet down. Could it be that Epirosa already knows? That Kobel is a dangerous person. Is that why she left her mother with her maid and came alone? Despite the risk of danger?

 

Of course, with the head maid beside her, the one said to be big and skilled in combat, Kobel probably wouldn’t dare do anything reckless.

 

But why? Earlier, she avoided him, didn’t she? Don’t tell me… Was it for my sake, because I was in trouble? Juliet suddenly stood up and looked at the retreating figure of Epirosa. She’s doing this for me, even though we’ve never exchanged more than a few words. Her heart began to pound again. This time, it was a pleasant flutter.

 

* * *

“Epirosa, have you tried using magic on Leonoe?” Kobel, who was walking beside me, asked.

 

Mizulin was following a step behind us.

 

“Yes. I even tried magic potions. But they didn’t work.”

 

“Oh dear.”

 

Kobel looked around, seemingly searching for Mother. But he wouldn’t find her. I had ordered Britlyn to take Mother back to her room.

 

Eventually giving up on finding her, Kobel spoke again. “My heart is uneasy seeing Leonoe like that. If I had possessed the power, I would have brought you and Leonoe into the family much sooner.”

 

Brought us in, only to use us as sacrifices, no doubt. No matter how much Kobel pretended to be kind, all I could think of was the madness behind his smile.

 

“I’m grateful for the thought alone.”

 

“No. Feeling sorry alone is not enough. Now that I’ve returned, I intend to conduct some magical research for Leonoe’s sake.” Kobel smiled warmly. It looked like a grotesque mask. “I just need a little help from you.”

 

I quietly looked up at him. It was after a moment. “Yes, understood.” I gave an answer obediently, as if I knew nothing.

 

The one putting the curse on Mother is Kobel. So if I want to learn what kind of curse it is and whether there’s a way to undo it, I have to enter Kobel’s den myself. Of course, it was dangerous.

 

Suddenly, Ludwig’s voice came to my mind.

 

“Next time, let me join as an actor too. I’m good at dangerous things.”

 

“Then don’t get hurt.”

 

Ludwig had been smiling as if joking, but I also remembered the serious, chilling look in his eyes.

 

I soon shook off that memory. There can’t be any distractions when it comes to revenge. There will never be a reason to cast him as an actor.

 

* * *

It was in the dead of night. Hubert’s aide, Paterson, appeared in Kobel’s room.

 

“Did you call for me, Lord Kobel?”

 

“Paterson, it’s been a while. Come closer and have a seat.” Kobel said with a smile.

 

Paterson hesitated, fidgeting nervously. No matter how much I look at him, I can never figure out what that man is hiding. It was too unsettling. But with Gale in this state, the only person he could rely on was Kobel.

 

“My brother has always said you were the most trustworthy. Of course, it’s unfortunate that we still haven’t managed to demote Benjamin yet.” Kobel offered both praise and criticism at the same time.

 

Paterson hung his head low. “I-I’m sorry. I’ve been feeding Benjamin the cursed medicine you made, but I still haven’t been able to catch him slipping in front of the grand duke.”

 

“That can happen. You’ll have plenty of chances to make up for it anyway.” Kobel pulled out a box. It was tightly wrapped in black velvet.

 

“What is this?”

 

“It’s something that will push Benjamin out of the way and make you the chief aide.”

 

“What?”

 

“Place the items inside this box around Benjamin without him noticing.”

 

Paterson hastily opened the box. When he saw the items inside, his eyes widened in shock. “L-Lord Kobel! This…! No matter what, this is too much…!”

 

Kobel ignored Paterson’s horrified reaction and spoke. “And I’ll give you stronger medicine. From today, feed that to Benjamin.”

 

“Lo-Lord Kobel!”

 

“If we fail this, we’re all dead,” said Kobel ominously.

 

Paterson felt a shiver run down his spine, leaving him unable to say anything.

 

* * *

“I sentence Gale Blanche to be imprisoned in the Tower of Condemned for eternity.”

 

Gale sat dazed, leaning against the cold wall. He still couldn’t believe the verdict handed down to him. At least his attempt to harm Epirosa had failed, sparing him from the death penalty. But if I’m going to be locked in the Tower of Condemned forever, I’d rather be thrown into Hepas!

 

Why hadn’t he just let himself be quietly dragged to Hepas back then? If he had, he would have been safe by now! Tears of bitter regret streamed down Gale’s face. Heavy shackles were bound to his hands and feet. By tomorrow, he would be transferred to the Tower of the Condemned.

 

“Please, someone, anyone, help me! I’d even sell my soul to the devil!”

 

“Brother.”

 

It was the moment when Gale lamented. Through the bars, a voice he hadn’t heard in a long time reached his ears.

 

Did I hear that wrong?

 

But it was really Kobel. Gale’s eyes, which had been darting around, soon found his younger brother.

 

“Ko-Kobel Blanche!” Gale struggled with his shackled limbs, crawling up to the bars. But the relief that had brightened his face quickly twisted into anger. “You insolent brat! Why are you so late?”

 

“I’m sorry, Brother.”

 

Since childhood, Gale had treated the frail and weak Kobel not as a brother but as a servant. Old habits die hard. And like an old habit, Kobel cowered before Gale.

 

“Do you have any idea how much I’ve suffered? Look at these shackles! Look at what they’ve dared to do to me, Gale Blanche!”

 

“Brother, please calm down.”

 

“Do I look like I can calm down? Get me out of here right now! I can’t stand being here another second!” Gale raged like a fish back in water.

 

With a serious expression, Kobel spoke. “There is one way for you to get out of here, Brother.”

 

“See? When you think about it, there’s always a way, right?”

 

“Let’s put the plan we’ve been preparing for a long time into action now, just in case.”

 

Gale, who had been grinning at the mention of a solution, suddenly froze. “That… You want to do that now? We did plan it, but that’s a bit…”

 

“Brother, are you hesitating? Even when you’re about to be dragged to the Tower of the Condemned tomorrow?” Kobel asked coldly.

 

Gale felt like he had been jolted awake. “Right. I can’t just go to the Tower of Condemned like this. Once one enters there, it will be over!” He looked at Kobel with determined eyes. “Hurry carry out that plan and get me out before tomorrow comes.”

 

Kobel replied with an exasperated expression. “If you don’t want to go to the Tower of Condemned, you have to speak up yourself, Brother.”

 

“What? You want me to do it myself?”

 

“Yes. When you’re being transported to the Tower of the Condemned tomorrow, shout loudly that you have something to say to the emperor.”

 

Gale’s eyes widened. “Wi-Will that work?”

 

“There will be many eyes watching. If you shout that it’s about Father, the story will reach the emperor’s ears. Once you get a private audience with him, say exactly what we planned.” Kobel whispered ominously. “That Father is plotting treason.”