Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 116

The emperor’s brows furrowed deeply. “Isn’t Epirosa Blanche merely the fifteen-year-old granddaughter of the grand duke? Are you saying such a young girl possesses evidence of treason?”

 

At Ignasio’s questioning tone, Gale protested so fiercely that spit flew from his mouth. “My father favors Epirosa to an excessive degree! It was to the point he cast aside not only his other grandchildren, but even me, his eldest son!”

 

Gale was genuinely furious. Originally, he had only intended to plan evidence of treason around Benjamin. But he changed his plan. He spoke about it to Kobel.

 

“Drag that damned Epirosa into the treason too!”

 

He couldn’t leave Epirosa alone after she had reduced him to this state. That’s why he would brand Epirosa a traitor and have her hanged.

 

“Can mere favoritism alone serve as proof that Lady Epirosa is involved in treason?” asked Ignasio.

 

“It’s not just ‘mere favoritism.’ That girl was entrusted with managing Blanche’s household affairs. Why would such power be given to her so recklessly? It must be for some ulterior motive, namely, to carry out a treason together with her!”

 

Ignasio had heard reports of this as well. That Hubert’s young granddaughter had taken charge of Blanche’s household internal affairs, a position that had remained vacant for some time. I thought Hubert’s judgment had dulled with age. But that wasn’t the case.

 

After Epirosa took over the household affairs, the Blanche family became even more stable than before. On top of that, she was continuing the family’s pharmaceutical business while also managing the Blanche Theater. She’s young, but I think of her as a dangerous child. A granddaughter like that was certainly capable of being kept close and entrusted with important matters.

 

Gale stoked the flames of Ignasio’s suspicion. “Moreover, lately my father has been meeting privately with Epirosa more and more often. Finding it suspicious, I had one of my father’s aides investigate what they were discussing. And then…” He spoke with a face that seemed unable to contain its shock. “They were discussing plans to carry out the treason! Outwardly, Epirosa pretended to receive business reports regarding the pharmaceutical trade from the chief aide, but in reality, she had begun receiving reports related to the treason.”

 

The emperor’s face turned icy. “So you mean that if we raid the place while Epirosa Blanche is receiving reports from the chief aide, we can obtain evidence of treason on the spot?”

 

“Exactly! Those reports are given every Monday at 7 PM.”

 

In truth, Epirosa didn’t receive business-related reports at that hour.

 

“It just so happens today is Monday.”

 

The emperor’s eyes gleamed cunningly. Treason, huh. Wasn’t this an even greater revelation than he had anticipated? It was the perfect opportunity to eliminate not only the thorn in his side, Hubert, but also his granddaughter, who might become Blanche’s future.

 

It didn’t matter whether Gale’s words were true or not. As long as the foolish Gale clung to his side to survive, he would serve as a witness.

 

“If what Count Gale says is true, then you were falsely framed while attempting to report treason to me. Is that correct?” Ignasio asked sweetly.

 

Gale eagerly bit the rotten carrot he had dangled before him. “Yes, that’s exactly it! Your Majesty is wise!”

 

“Oh dear. If that is true, perhaps we should reconsider the punishment imposed upon you.”

 

At those words, Gale’s face lit up with hope. Ignasio was now Gale’s last remaining lifeline.

 

Knowing that, Ignasio spoke with a cold-blooded smile. “You will take the lead in condemning Blanche. If you do, at least you may survive.”

 

“Y-Your Majesty wants me to take the lead…?” Flustered, Gale stammered.

 

Ignasio clicked his tongue inwardly. Did he think he could survive without staining his own hands with blood?

 

“Summon Grand Duke Blanche to the imperial palace immediately!”

 

After dismissing Gale, Ignasio leaned against the back of the throne with a satisfied smile. While Hubert was absent, the emperor’s imperial guards would raid Blanche. With its master gone, Blanche would helplessly open its gates. Even if Hubert has a beloved grandchild, it won’t make a difference. She’s only a fifteen-year-old girl, after all.

 

“Your Majesty, the crown prince seeks an audience with you.”

 

At the servant’s words, Ignasio straightened his posture. “Let him in.” He granted permission in a pleasant tone.

 

Soon, Ludwig walked in with steady steps. Lately, his son, who had once been a carefree idler, had become more diligent and dependable.

 

“Greetings to Your Majesty Father.”

 

Seeing his strong jawline, broad shoulders, and solid physique, Ignasio had a good idea. “Ludwig, cancel all your plans for today.”

 

It was an abrupt order. Ludwig’s crimson eyes gleamed sharply.

 

“You are to go to the Blanche Grand Duchy right now with my imperial guards.”

 

Ludwig couldn’t believe his ears. I came because I heard Gale Blanche was having an audience with Father and wanted to ask the reason. And now, all of a sudden, he was being told to go to the Blanche Grand Duchy with an army. Moreover, hadn’t the imperial family sworn a pact never to enter the Blanche territory without Blanche’s permission?

 

“Father, why are you sending the troops?”

 

“Today, we will wipe out Blanche.” The emperor spoke with a sinister smile. “Gale Blanche confessed everything. He says Hubert Blanche is plotting treason together with his grandchild.”

 

“!”

 

Ludwig’s face hardened. The claim that the Blanches were plotting treason was shocking enough, but what truly unsettled him was the fact that Hubert’s grandchild was involved in this matter. It couldn’t be Stella or Nicholas. Everyone in the capital knew that those two had recently lost Hubert’s trust. Nor could it be Juliet, who was living in seclusion. That meant the ‘grandchild plotting treason together with him’ could only be Epirosa.

 

“Was it Gale Blanche who gave this testimony?”

 

“You’re quick to catch on. As expected of my son.”

 

“Father, you must proceed with caution.”

 

At Ludwig’s words, the smile vanished from Ignasio’s face. He looked down at his son with a cold expression.

 

“Father, Gale Blanche is a man cornered into desperation. There is no knowing what sort of trick he may attempt. He also currently harbors ill feelings toward the Blanche family.”

 

“Gale Blanche told me where the evidence is.”

 

“And where is that?”

 

“He said it is with Epirosa Blanche.”

 

“!”

 

“The one you must set out to capture is none other than Epirosa Blanche.”

 

Ludwig took a sharp breath. His nails dug into the palms of his clenched fists. “Father, there is a pact between the imperial family and Blanche.”

 

“Ah, you mean that arrogant pact claiming our imperial family cannot set foot upon their land.” Ignasio burst into laughter as though the idea were absurd. “In the face of a special circumstance like treason, even a pact is meaningless. Blanche will become criminals anyway, so what value would such a pact have?”

 

“But what if you trust only Gale Blanche and no evidence is found?”

 

Ignasio narrowed his eyes.

 

“We cannot break the pact based on unreliable information. Do you not remember what happened to the late emperor after he rashly made an enemy of Blanche?”

 

At the continued objections, Ignasio spoke in an irritated voice. “That is why I am sending my imperial guards.”

 

“…”

 

“Even if no evidence is found, my soldiers will already have occupied Blanche, so what problem would there be? Evidence can simply be created.”

 

“Father!”

 

Their gazes collided in midair. Neither showed any sign of backing down.

 

“You are more soft-hearted than I expected. How disappointing.” Turning his head away from Ludwig, Ignasio shouted. “Confine the crown prince to his palace today. Do not allow him to take even a single step outside.” Then he said to his son, whose expression had turned icy. “Watch carefully. See how this father of yours restores the authority of the imperial family.”

 

* * *

Hubert entered the emperor’s audience chamber. The emperor, who usually arrived late on purpose to emphasize his authority, had unexpectedly arrived first. It was strange. Calling him in suddenly, claiming there was an urgent matter regarding the ‘pact’, was peculiar as well.

 

“Hubert Blanche answers Your Majesty’s summons. I heard there was something you wished to discuss regarding the pact.”

 

“So the pact is indeed important to the Grand Duke as well. To think you came so quickly.” Ignasio spoke in an amused tone.

      

Hubert answered humbly. “Of course. I was curious what urgent issue could possibly arise concerning a pact that neither requires revision nor should ever become problematic.” The meaning behind his words was clear: don’t try to play games with the pact.

 

There was no way Ignasio could fail to understand that. A deep wrinkle formed on his forehead. “Grand Duke always manages to act arrogantly behind that loyal expression.” Yet he didn’t seem displeased. Rather, he smiled so widely it looked as though his mouth would split to his ears.

 

“By now, my imperial guards should have arrived at the Blanche Grand Duchy.”

 

Shock spread across Hubert’s face.

 

Seeing that, Ignasio spoke triumphantly. “Gale Blanche confessed everything. He said Grand Duke was plotting treason.”