Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 135

Violet’s once haughty face stiffened. She seemed displeased that my mother didn’t just take the insult quietly and instead responded. Even though she was the one who started the provocation in the first place.

 

“What do you mean by that?”

 

“Your words, Duchess Violet Clementi, were rather peculiar.”

 

“What exactly is peculiar about them? Or could it be that you didn’t understand what I said?”

 

“Duchess, if you find it bothersome for a woman to wield a bow and hunt, then what are your thoughts on the goddess who personally wielded a sword?”

 

Violet’s facial muscles twitched. No matter how headstrong she was, it wasn’t easy to go against the will of the goddess in front of so many people. Besides, it hadn’t been long since she regained the emperor’s favor. It meant her position as the emperor’s concubine wasn’t as secure as it used to be. If she wasn’t careful, she could fall out of the emperor’s favor again.

 

Knowing this, Violet couldn’t argue back against my mother any further. However, she was the type to hold grudges. With a mocking expression, she leaned in and whispered to my mother. “To compare yourself to the goddess. You must think you’re quite extraordinary.” Then she looked at my mother with a triumphant expression.

 

My mother wasn’t one to back down either. She leaned her upper body toward Violet. As my mother’s tall shadow loomed over her, Violet instinctively tensed up, her shoulders trembling slightly.

 

“A virtuous person would naturally reflect on their actions in the light of the goddess. But it seems you don’t know. The goddess only protects rightful marriages.”

 

When my mother straightened her posture again, Violet’s expression was a sight to behold. Having her greatest weakness struck, her face twisted like that of a defeated soldier stabbed by a blade. But my mother didn’t stop there.

 

“I can receive a handkerchief from anyone. But can you dare to give a handkerchief to whomever you wish?”

 

The corner of my mother’s lips curved into an elegant arc. Meanwhile, Violet’s lips twisted grotesquely.

 

“Y-You…!” Trembling as she looked up at my mother, Violet ultimately failed to utter another word and turned away.

 

The people who had been watching the confrontation between Violet and my mother with surprised expressions burst into suppressed laughter as Violet tucked her tail and disappeared first.

 

“That was so satisfying.”

 

“Duchess Clementi has been way too full of herself lately.”

 

“She must be thinking she’s still the Violet of the old days.”

 

It seemed there were quite a few people in high society who had grown tired of Violet’s tyranny. Yet the expression of my victorious mother was cold and composed. She stared sharply at Violet’s retreating back.

 

I gently tapped my mother’s hand. She quickly softened her expression and looked down at me. I, too, gave her a small smile. “Mom, you did great.”

 

* * *

After the brief commotion, whose outcome had been obvious, ended, people resumed their conversations and socialized as though nothing had happened. Faking ignorance and smiling was one of the nobility’s specialties. Moreover, this was the only time before the event began to exchange handkerchiefs. People began to gather cautiously, glancing at one another.

 

Stella was among them. Today, her plan was simple. To use Claude to provoke Ludwig. First, I need to approach Duke Claude Clementi.

 

Unfortunately, Claude was attending to the emperor today. That meant she couldn’t just casually approach him while he was glued to the emperor’s side. It can’t be helped. I’ll have to do something to catch Duke Clementi’s attention.

 

Stella glanced around. She noticed a group of young ladies gathered together, holding handkerchiefs. Their gazes were also fixed on the two men standing near the emperor. Every single one of them is aiming for the emperor’s sons, aren’t they? She smirked at the flustered girls and turned her head away. Her attitude radiated the arrogance of someone who believed herself special compared to them.

 

Soon, Stella found her target. With a radiant smile, she approached her target. “Oh my, “Oh my, Baron Farid. Isn’t that hat made by the designer Ellard?”

 

At Stella’s cheerful voice, the man who had been chatting with the young lords turned his head. “Ah, Lady Stella.”

 

“I’m right, aren’t I?” Stella asked again with a playful glint in her eyes.

 

Baron Farid blushed and nodded. “Yes, that’s correct. You have quite the discerning eye.”

 

The young lords around him all turned their attention to Stella. Among them was Count Dominic Argent.

 

What Stella had been aiming for was the group of young nobles led by Claude. If I smile like a flower among these successful men, I’ll surely catch the eyes of Claude and Ludwig too. Calculating this, she naturally slipped into the group of young lords. “Oh my!” She then dropped her handkerchief in the middle as if by accident.

 

The men’s eyes all turned to the handkerchief embroidered with red roses.

 

“I seem to have accidentally dropped the handkerchief I prepared.” Stella smiled as she glanced around at the men. Now, which one of them will pick up my handkerchief first?

 

If there was one thing Stella knew for sure, it was her own beauty. It was clear that these nobles would compete to win her favor. Hadn’t even Baron Farid blushed the moment their eyes met? This kind of thing was second nature to her.

 

Soon, they’ll all be reaching out, competing to pick up my handkerchief. Then, Stella planned to gracefully take the handkerchief and say, ‘I’m sorry, but this handkerchief already has an owner.’ The men would undoubtedly be intrigued by her words.

 

Just as Stella predicted, the men moved simultaneously. The problem was that the direction they moved in wasn’t toward Stella’s handkerchief.

 

“Excuse us.” The young lords left only those words behind and disappeared somewhere. Their hurried footsteps trampled over Stella’s handkerchief.

 

W-What is this…?! Stella stared in shock at the place where the crowd had gathered.

 

“There you are.”

 

Hubert, who had been entertaining the nobles, was now approaching Epirosa and Leonoe. It seemed he intended to take a short break before the real hunt began. But Hubert, who had come over to his newly returned daughter and his famous granddaughter, was a social companion the nobles didn’t want to miss. The same went for Leonoe and Epirosa, who were with Hubert. The nobles abandoned Stella to try and exchange even a single word with people far more valuable than her.

 

Those lunatics…! Realizing the situation, Stella bit her lip.

 

Hubert no longer had his two sons by his side. Yet the presence of the Blanche family seemed even more formidable than before. Was it because of Epirosa, whose reputation had soared? Or was it simply because Leonoe’s mere presence was enough to draw attention? They even seemed complete without Stella and Nicholas.

 

“Your Excellency, it’s truly heartwarming to see you with your daughter.”

 

“It’s wonderful to see Madam Leonoe looking so well. I hope we can meet more often.”

 

“Your Excellency must feel so proud to have a granddaughter like Lady Epirosa.”

 

Unable to contain her burning jealousy, Stella glared at Epirosa for no reason.

 

“What is it? You were acting all high and mighty, but why are you alone now?” Even Nicholas, who appeared wandering around, managed to get on Stella’s nerves.

 

“Shut your mouth.”

 

Stella roughly picked up a handkerchief and approached Hubert. She had to draw attention somehow. Pushing her way through the gathered nobles, she stood in front of Hubert. “Grandfather!”

 

At her high-pitched cry, all eyes turned to Stella. Even Hubert, upon recognizing his granddaughter, spoke to her. “Stella, where have you been?”

 

“I was resting for a bit. So many people were trying to talk to me… But now, I want to stay by your side!”

 

Stella then clung to Hubert’s arm as if she were his most beloved grandchild. She had calculated that, even though Hubert was a cold grandfather, he wouldn’t push away the arm of a clingy grandchild.

 

“Grandfather, you like having me by your side, don’t you?”

 

And as expected, Hubert did not push Stella away. There was another achievement as well. Ludwig’s gaze had turned toward her. The crown prince is showing interest in me! But that wasn’t all.