Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 13

The owner of the voice was none other than Grand Duke Hubert Blanche. At his appearance, Viscount Molon clasped his hands together, his face lighting up as if thinking, ‘Finally, I’ve met him!’

 

“Your Excellency!”

 

“And what is the meaning of this commotion?” Unlike the desperate Viscount Molon, who looked as though he’d found his savior, Hubert’s expression was icy cold. He descended the stairs slowly, looking at Viscount Molon as if he were a bug crawling on the floor.

 

A massive frame and a solid build. An overwhelming aura of authority emanated from his stern features. As he approached, the employees and Viscount Molon felt intense pressure. Yet, despite the suffocating atmosphere, Viscount Molon couldn’t back down. He had a desperate goal in mind. I must get my hands on that ointment that works on this damned skin disease!

 

Viscount Molon shouted at the approaching Hubert. “Your Excellency! I acted out of urgency. I was too desperate!”

 

Desperate? That arrogant man? Hubert’s gaze sharpened. Whatever the reason, it seemed he could use this situation. But Hubert concealed his thoughts and asked coldly, “I asked why you’re causing a scene in my house, Viscount.”

 

“I wanted to get my hands on the ointment Your Excellency’s employees use. Please, share some of that ointment with me!”

 

But even Hubert couldn’t maintain his poker face at Molon’s response. It was completely unexpected.

 

“Ointment?”

 

“I’ve been suffering from a severe skin disease for years. It’s so itchy and oozing that I can’t sleep properly or eat—living was torture!”

 

“And?”

 

“I’ve tried everything that’s supposed to be good for the skin, but nothing worked. Then, by chance, I got my hands on ‘that ointment,’ and it alleviated my skin condition!” Viscount Molon rambled on, clearly agitated. His face was flushed red, showing just how desperate he truly was. But there was a problem.

 

Ointment used by the employees? This was the first Hubert had heard of it. How could such an important ointment be circulating in my house without me knowing?

 

Hubert’s mood soured considerably. However, he concealed his irritation and spoke calmly. “Come to my office first.”

 

* * *

“Father-in-law is looking for me and him?” Diane asked back, as if she couldn’t believe what the servant had just said. It was because she had fallen out of favor after punishing Epirosa and hadn’t been summoned by Hubert for quite some time.

 

“Yes. He is waiting in the office with Viscount Molon.”

 

“Viscount Molon too?” Diane shot up from her seat.

 

Stella, who was with her, quickly chimed in. “Maybe Viscount Molon is going to open the way to Peto Harbor for us!”

 

“But father-in-law directly rejected our proposal, didn’t he?”

 

At the time, Stella had proposed giving Viscount Molon 30% of the trade profits in exchange for opening the route to Peto Harbor. Viscount Molon had eagerly suggested signing a permanent contract under those terms. If a permanent contract were made, the Blanche family would inevitably suffer losses. Knowing this, Hubert had rejected the offer. But Stella didn’t seem worried.

 

“I’m sure he wants to get the proposal I made back then. Where else could he find a better deal?”

 

Surely, this time, the contract would be finalized.

 

In truth, it was the Blanche side that was in a hurry.

 

If we can’t use the passage to Peto Harbor, we won’t be able to sell our goods at all. Since Viscount Molon came to them twice on his own, this time, Hubert will have no choice but to back down. Even if we have to permanently share 30% of the profits, securing the contract is the priority.

 

It was a situation that was disadvantageous to the Blanche family. Even so, Stella couldn’t help but smile at the thought of taking credit for it.

 

“Well, if not for this matter, there’s no way Mother’d be called to a meeting with Viscount Molon.”

 

However, Diane’s brows furrowed slightly as if something was bothering her. “But why didn’t they call you and only summon me and him?”

 

“For an important agreement, it makes more sense for adults to be present rather than someone young like me. Mother, don’t worry about it and go quickly. Grandfather is waiting for you.”

 

“You’re right, Stella.” As Diane was about to leave the room, she turned back to Stella. “Stella, come with me.”

 

“What? But grandfather didn’t call for me.”

 

“Just come and listen in from outside the door. You never know what might happen.”

 

Diane headed to Hubert’s office with Stella in tow. The two of them encountered Gale in front of the office.

 

“Diane, do you know why father called us?” Gale, who was nervous because he didn’t know the reason for being summoned, was met with a smile from Diane.

 

“Viscount Molon must have accepted Stella’s proposal. Why else would he have called us?”

 

At Diane’s words, a greedy glint appeared on Gale’s face, and his expression brightened. “Alright, let’s head inside.”

 

Stella watched the backs of the two as they entered the office, smiling contentedly. Grandfather is definitely going to shower me with praise, right?

 

However, as Gale and Diane entered the office, brimming with excitement, they were taken aback.

 

“You’re here.”

 

The state of Viscount Molon, who was seated in front of Hubert, was strange. Unlike his previously arrogant demeanor, he now looked half out of his mind. He didn’t seem like someone who had come to negotiate or make a deal at all.

 

Hubert addressed the bewildered couple. “Gale, Diane. Are you aware of the highly effective ointment used by the employees of the Grand Duchy?”

 

“What? Ointment?” Gale asked back, confused. He had never heard of such a thing.

 

But Diane was different. Could he possibly be talking about the ointment made by Epirosa? Why is he asking about that? She was certain all of it had been disposed of, and the employees had been strictly ordered to keep their mouths shut! How on earth had word of that ointment reached Hubert’s ears? And what did that ointment have to do with Viscount Molon being here?

 

Most troubling of all—Wasn’t we summoned here because Viscount Molon accepted our proposal?

 

Diane’s palms grew damp with cold sweat as anxiety and confusion overwhelmed her. However, contrary to her feelings, she skillfully feigned ignorance. It wasn’t the first time she had lied in front of Hubert. “Ointment? I think you’re mistaken. I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

 

“Really? Are you sure you don’t know anything about it?” Hubert asked again.

 

Diane nodded without a change in her expression. “How could I not know? You know how thorough I am when it comes to household matters. I’m aware of even the smallest affairs of the servants, Father-in-law.”

 

At her words, Hubert nodded. If nothing else, he knew Diane had a firm grip on the household management. That was precisely why he had favored her in the past. Besides, isn’t it too much of a fairy tale to believe that a disease, which didn’t improve even with the most expensive ointment, was cured by some ointment passed around by the servants? He figured the Viscount Molon, stressed out by his skin condition, must have been mistaken.

 

“Don’t lie to me!” Viscount Molon shouted like a madman. “You know, don’t you? The o-ointment, where is it?!” The thought of possibly losing his last hope had driven Viscount Molon to the brink of insanity.

 

“T-The ointment, that…!” The terrified maid looked at Diane. Diane bit her lip. It made the maid quickly shake her head. “I-I don’t know! Ointment? There’s no such a thing!”

 

“What are you talking about?! Then where did the ointment I used come from?!”

 

Viscount Molon looked ready to grab the maid by the collar, but the older maid standing nearby stepped in.

 

“Viscount, we truly have never heard of such an ointment. You can ask anyone in this household, and you’ll get the same answer.”

 

At her words, Viscount Molon slumped into his seat. Hubert frowned at the undignified display, unbecoming of a noble.

 

“It seems Viscount is mistaken about something. I think it’s time for you to leave.” It was a cold dismissal.

 

Viscount Molon looked up at Hubert with a tearful expression. “Do you have any idea how much I’ve suffered because of this skin disease? I haven’t had a single restful night since I got sick!”

 

“Well, they said there’s no such ointment, didn’t they?” Gale said irritably.

 

It was then.

 

“Is this because I refused to open the path to Peto Harbor for you?” Viscount Molon said, his voice trembling.

 

Diane, who wanted nothing more than to get rid of him quickly, shook her head. “What nonsense are you talking—”

 

“If you just give me that ointment, I’ll open the path for you without any conditions!”

 

The room fell silent at Viscount Molon’s words. The same stubborn Viscount Molon had just offered to open the path himself. And without any conditions! It was an opportunity too good to pass up.

 

But what are we supposed to do when the ointment doesn’t even exist?

 

Gale was at a loss, and even Hubert, who rarely showed any signs of agitation, looked troubled.

 

Diane, too, was deeply shaken by this incredible opportunity. What should I do?

 

But there was no solution. It wasn’t as if they could suddenly claim the ointment they said didn’t exist was now available.

 

And then it happened. Clunk. The office door suddenly opened, and a young girl walked in.

 

“I know about that ointment.”

 

Everyone’s eyes turned to the girl. She smiled, enjoying the attention, her sinister intentions hidden behind her gaze.

 

“Because I’m the one who made it. Me, Stella!”