Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 124

“Mom, you barely ate anything. Then do you want some cake or candy? You used to like them.”

 

“Me, cake and candy…?”

 

Leonoe had liked them when she was young, but after growing up, she thought it was an immature taste and deliberately avoided them.

 

When she refused again, Epirosa tightly shut her lips. Of course, that didn’t mean she was giving up. As they left the dining room, Epirosa scurried behind her like a little squirrel.

 

“Mom, the house has changed a lot, so it must feel unfamiliar, right? I’ll explain everything to you.”

 

But Leonoe still wasn’t ready to accept this lovely daughter.

 

“Sorry, but I’d like to rest today. Quietly, by myself.”

 

So she left her clingy little daughter behind and went up to her room alone. The more Leonoe thought about it, the more she trembled at her own cruelty.

 

When she came to her senses, more than ten years had passed. So many things had happened during that time, things she couldn’t even begin to imagine, and yet Leonoe couldn’t remember any of it. She had been so consumed by the shock that she failed to pay attention to those around her. That made her feel pathetic.

 

What right do I have now to question Epirosa?

 

That girl, even while crying behind her back, had silently waited for her. Suddenly, Leonoe realized that Epirosa had matured far too much for her age. It’s because of me… A sharp pain tore through her chest. It was a strange, unfamiliar kind of pain she had never felt before.

 

With such a heavy heart, Leonoe waited for Epirosa to come. But even after a long time, Epirosa didn’t return to the room. It’s already past bedtime, isn’t it? Feeling uneasy, she stepped into the private parlor connected to the room. Two of the maids who attended to her were there.

 

“When is Epirosa coming back?”

 

“The lady said she would be sleeping in the attic tonight.”

 

“The attic? Why?”

 

“She said it because Madam Leonoe wanted to rest alone…”

 

Only then did Leonoe realize the weight of the careless words she had spoken.

 

“Sorry, but I’d like to rest today. Quietly, by myself.”

 

But why the attic of all places?

 

“Where’s the attic?”

 

Leonoe followed the maid’s guidance and climbed up to the attic. When she opened the door, a small, shabby room came into view. On the creaky-looking bed, Epirosa was curled up, sitting. Leonoe felt her heart drop. She rushed over to Epirosa in a single stride.

 

“Are you trying to sleep separately because I said I wanted to be alone?”

 

Epirosa, who had her face buried in her knees, flinched and lifted her head. Her blue eyes looked at Leonoe as if she couldn’t believe it. “Mom…?” Her voice trembled. It was a delighted voice, like a newborn chick gazing at its one and only salvation.

 

That desperate tone still felt burdensome to her. It was awkward and hard to accept. But at the same time, Leonoe felt a tender emotion blooming in her chest, like a small bud.

 

“I was going to sleep here because I thought Mom might feel uncomfortable. Besides, this is the room I used to stay in before, so it’s comfortable for me…”

 

“You used to stay in this room?” Leonoe was shocked. For Blanche’s granddaughter to use a room that a servant wouldn’t even use? “What on earth happened to you?” She felt her anger rising to the top of her head.

 

Epirosa seemed rather flustered by that reaction and simply blinked her big eyes. “When I first came to this mansion, Diane, I mean, Aunt Diane gave me this room to use. But soon after, Grandpa moved me to the room I use now.”

 

“Gale…!” Not only did he torment me, but now he’s doing this to my daughter too! Leonoe’s red eyes gleamed fiercely.

 

Epirosa gently took Leonoe’s hand in hers. “Mom, were you looking for me because I didn’t come back to my room?” Her voice was filled with hope.

 

Hearing that sweet voice, Leonoe felt her anger subside. “Yes, I was looking for you. What were you doing, running off without a word and scaring your mom like that?” She spoke as if scolding her. But maybe because it was her first time scolding her child, her tone was awkward.

 

“How ridiculous. The mansion has changed so much that even with the maid guiding me, I got lost several times.”

 

Hearing that, Epirosa suddenly jumped up from her seat. “Then should I give you a tour of the mansion?” It was the same offer Leonoe had coldly rejected just a few hours ago.

 

Does this child ever get tired? Does she really love me that much? A mother who can’t even remember her. Can I accept such immense affection? …I guess I can at least try.

 

Leonoe nodded with a bitter smile. “Alright. Show me around the house, Epirosa.”

 

Epirosa immediately took the lead. Her steps were as light as if she had wings, and her voice was filled with excitement. “This is where Grandpa keeps his favorite art pieces.”

 

“He’s even made a separate room for them? His collection must have grown.”

 

“This is the library. We had it newly expanded!”

 

“Honestly, he’s the kind of person who’d want books in his grave.”

 

“This is my office.”

 

“A tiny thing like you already have an office?”

 

“I need an office to get work done. I manage the household, run a business, and also the Blanche Theater…”

 

“What? They’re making a child work this much?” Leonoe was appalled.

 

Epirosa quickly defended herself. “I do it because I like it. Thanks to that, I’m super rich now!”

 

“A kid shouldn’t be so obsessed with money already. You’ll end up like your grandpa.”

 

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

 

“Good? Do you even know how hard it is to be the Grand Duke Blanche?” Leonoe let out a deep sigh. She felt overwhelmed, unsure of where to even begin teaching this little one.

 

* * *

On the wide bed. Epirosa and Leonoe lay side by side, keeping a bit of distance between them. It was still awkward to share a bed. At fifteen, Epirosa should have been using a separate room by now. Perhaps aware of this, Epirosa cautiously spoke up.

 

“Mom, you can keep using this room. I’ll fix up a suitable room for myself.”

 

“You’re not going to stay in some weird place like the attic again, are you?”

 

“Of course not.” Epirosa confidently reassured her and soon fell asleep. She must have been exhausted from the day.

 

Meanwhile, Leonoe tossed and turned in bed. I can’t remember anything about how I lost my memory. Judging by Hubert and Epirosa’s reactions, it wasn’t just due to a simple illness. Should I ask Kobel?

 

Kobel had been skilled in magic since childhood. Due to his timid personality, he and Leonoe hadn’t interacted much. But he seemed like someone who could help if asked.

 

I saw earlier that he was up late at night with the lights on, doing research. Leonoe cautiously stood up from her seat. She wanted to regain her memories as soon as possible. No matter what it took.

 

It was just as she was about to head to Kobel. Something in her pocket began to tremble and then fell to the floor. It was the unicorn egg that Ludwig had given her. The moment she reached out to pick up the egg— Thump! A strong pulse emanated from the egg, and the vibration spread throughout Leonoe’s entire body. In that instant, the once-dark room lit up brightly.

 

“Mom, you don’t want to eat?”

 

“Mmm, no.”

 

“Then I’ll give you some candy that you like.”

 

“Candy? Okay!”

 

Leonoe turned toward the direction of the voices. On a bright, sunny bed, Epirosa was feeding candy to a carefree, laughing version of herself.

 

What is this? Leonoe propped herself up on the table and stood. It was then.

 

“Mom, be careful! It’ll hurt if you hit the edge of the table.”

 

She saw herself crouched under the table, playing, and Epirosa was shielding her head with her hand. When she looked up at Epirosa with a dazed expression, Epirosa smiled warmly.

 

“Playing with you like this makes me so happy. I’ll make sure you get better. But I love you just the way you are right now too.”

 

With Epirosa’s gentle voice, all the memories that had been lingering in this room began to flood back into Leonoe’s mind. Singing together while leaning against the window frame. Epirosa caught her as she ran around aimlessly. Her scribbling and Epirosa erasing it. Those memories extended beyond the window, summoning even the moments before entering the Blanche Mansion. Her own tantrums, and Epirosa clinging to her, crying. But that face, never giving up on her in the end.

 

As countless memories poured into Leonoe’s mind like waves, tears streamed down from beneath her red eyes.