Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 136

Claude whispered something to the emperor, then they started walking toward where she was. Even Ludwig was accompanying them.

 

Duke Clementi and Crown Prince Ludwig are coming to me!

 

Stella quickly shook off the dirt from her soiled handkerchief. Did they see her doing that? The young lord who had stepped on Stella’s handkerchief earlier opened his mouth.

 

“To whom do you intend to give your handkerchief to?”

 

Hearing those words, Stella brought out her prepared response as if she had been waiting for this exact moment. “I’m sorry, but this handkerchief already has an owner.” It felt even more satisfying because she was saying it to the young lord who had just ignored her and walked past. However…

 

“Indeed. I’m curious too. Whose hands will Lady Epirosa’s handkerchief end up with?”

 

At the following words from Count Argent, Stella froze like a stone. It was only then that she realized. The people’s gazes were not on her, but on Epirosa. Even the young lord who had just spoken was asking Epirosa, not her. What made it even more humiliating was the fact that, despite hearing Stella’s words, they all pretended not to and didn’t respond to her at all. Stella’s ears burned bright red.

 

* * *

Ludwig was on edge. It was because of Claude. The fact that he had secured a place by the emperor’s side wasn’t the issue. The real problem was…

 

“…”

 

The fact that Claude kept sneaking glances at Epirosa.

 

Of course, there was likely no man present today who wasn’t aiming for Epirosa’s handkerchief. That was how renowned Epirosa was as a young lady. Even if she weren’t Blanche, it would be the same. But the fact that Claude was aiming for Epirosa particularly irked Ludwig.

 

This guy has a pitch-black heart. He didn’t like the idea of someone like that setting his sights on Epirosa, who was out hunting cookies with her mother.

 

At that moment, Claude’s brow furrowed. It was because the men, under the pretense of greeting Hubert, had started to gather around Epirosa.

 

“Those unfaithful nobles. Every single one of them wagging their tails at the Blanche,” said Emperor Ignasio. His tone was laced with displeasure as he watched the scene.

 

Sensing the emperor’s mood, Claude leaned in and whispered to him. “Please move over there to show that Your Majesty is still going strong.”

 

“Are you telling me to go to them when they should be coming to me?”

 

“Many members of the group I lead are over there. If Your Majesty makes a move, they will naturally elevate Your Majesty above Blanche on their own.”

 

“Did you deliberately send them to Blanche for this very reason?”

 

Ludwig stared sharply at Claude. Claude was coolly nodding along with the emperor’s mistaken assumption. However, Ludwig quickly realized what Claude’s true motive was. He was using that as an excuse just to head over there. Unaware of this, the emperor seemed intrigued by the suggestion.

 

“Yes, I can’t just sit idly here. I’ll show them who the master of this empire is.”

 

As the emperor looked ready to move, Claude glanced subtly at Ludwig and spoke. “Your Majesty, I will accompany you. Crown Prince, please rest and prepare for the hunt.”

 

Ludwig suppressed a laugh that almost escaped. So, he’s trying to ditch me. He couldn’t let that happen. “How could I? What kind of unfilial son would rest while his father ventures out alone without protection?”

 

“But, Crown Prince—”

 

“Duke Clementi, is that how you treat your father?”

 

At Ludwig’s provocation, Claude’s gaze turned sharp. Ludwig met that gaze with a cold, mocking smile.

 

“What are you waiting for? Let’s go.”

 

The emperor’s impatience brought an abrupt end to their tense exchange. In the end, Claude couldn’t shake off Ludwig and had no choice but to head toward Hubert, which meant heading toward Epirosa.

 

“Indeed. I’m curious too. Whose hands will Lady Epirosa’s handkerchief end up with?”

 

As Ludwig approached Epirosa, the voice of Count Agent reached his ears. Other men chimed in as well.

 

“The owner of that handkerchief must be really lucky.”

 

“Choose a man who can bring you more game. For your information, I enjoy hunting as a hobby…”

 

It felt like they were conducting an interview.

 

Ludwig cleared his throat. Only then did the people notice the emperor’s arrival and make way for him.

 

Hubert stepped forward to greet the emperor. “Your Majesty, you have graced us with your presence.” His tone was polite, but not subservient. “Even though I greeted Your Majesty just a moment ago, I am grateful that you have come here personally.”

 

To the nobles who were somewhat aware of the incident between the emperor and Blanche, Hubert’s composure stood out even more. The emperor, too, easily picked up on the atmosphere. He hesitated to speak, pondering how to start without losing ground to Hubert.

 

“We were just discussing my granddaughter’s handkerchief.”

 

Just as the mood was about to turn awkward, Hubert brought up the topic first. In that instant, Ignasio’s eyes gleamed with a sinister light. Ludwig felt a chill run down his spine.

 

“Lady Epirosa’s handkerchief, I wonder who it will belong to.”

 

“Father, I—”

 

“Could you give it to me?”

 

Ludwig shut his eyes tightly. He could feel the atmosphere around them freeze like ice.

 

Exchanging handkerchiefs was usually something done between men and women of similar age. But for the emperor to ask such a young lady for a handkerchief? It was a blatant act of humiliation. Hubert’s previously composed face hardened instantly.

 

“Your Majesty, this is…” Even Claude, who had led Ignasio here, tried to stop him with a look of regret.

 

Meanwhile, Ignasio seemed satisfied just by seeing the crack in Hubert’s composure. “What? Does Lady Epirosa dislike me because I’m too old?” He looked at Epirosa with a wicked grin.

 

The one who was actually insulted, Epirosa, remained calm. Her expression was serene, like a clear lake that no stone could disturb. “Not at all. If I could offer my handkerchief to Your Majesty, it would be an infinite honor as a citizen of this empire.”

 

“Oho, then are you truly saying you will give your handkerchief to me?” Ignasio asked with a look of amusement.

 

“Unfortunately, Your Majesty, I did not bring a handkerchief with me today.”

 

The unexpected response left the emperor speechless. The other men present were equally stunned.

 

“You didn’t bring a handkerchief? Lady, are you making excuses because you don’t want to give one to me?”

 

“If you wish, you may search me.”

 

Ignasio spoke in a voice tinged with irritation. But Epirosa replied calmly, completely unbothered. The contrast between their attitudes was stark. Furthermore, when Epirosa offered that he could search her, the emperor’s despicable behavior in trying to corner a young lady became all the more glaringly apparent.

 

Epirosa, as if unaware of the atmosphere, spoke gently yet confidently. “A lady offers a handkerchief, and the gentleman presents her with game in return.”

 

“…”

 

“But as you can see, I plan to hunt for myself today. I don’t need a gentleman to give me a game. Therefore, I didn’t prepare a handkerchief either.”

 

There was nothing to criticize in Epirosa’s words. Ignasio’s face turned red as he looked flustered. He had tried to humiliate the young lady but ended up embarrassing himself instead. The emperor’s attempt to mock Blanche through Epirosa was clearly despicable, and the nobles’ gazes were far from kind.

 

After a long pause, Ignasio finally opened his mouth. “Blanche never ceases to surprise me.” Then he turned and left the scene. He couldn’t bear to show his face any longer.

 

Claude hurriedly followed after the emperor. However, Ludwig remained in place, unable to take his eyes off Epirosa. No, he couldn’t look away.

 

“Di-Did you really not prepare a handkerchief?” The man who had been eyeing Epirosa’s handkerchief asked, looking flustered.

 

Epirosa smiled and nodded at that.

 

Ludwig found himself smiling without realizing it. How pathetic of me to think only about how to obtain a handkerchief from a lady like that. With someone like Epirosa, he should have been thinking about competing against her in the hunt. Ludwig thought to himself, unaware of her hunting skills.