Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 137

At that moment, a voice filled with pity was heard.

 

“Oh dear, but wouldn’t it be too lonely if you had no one to share a handkerchief with?”

 

It was Stella. She had lowered her brows as though she were genuinely worried. Ludwig almost burst out laughing at her expression. In her clasped hands, she was deliberately holding her own handkerchief. It was obvious she was signaling him to court her, as she had a handkerchief while Epirosa did not.

 

“I’ve never even considered not sharing a handkerchief at the hunting festival.” This time, Stella turned her gaze to Leonoe. “Aunt Leonoe, could it be that you didn’t prepare a handkerchief either?”

 

“I’ve already given mine away.” Leonoe replied nonchalantly.

 

The surrounding people flinched in surprise. Even Stella, who was good at hiding her emotions, Hubert, and Epirosa couldn’t hide their astonishment. When did that happen?

 

Hubert, who had been staring intently at his daughter, shifted his gaze to Stella. “Stella, is there someone you’d like to give your handkerchief to?”

 

“Ah, that’s…”

 

When Stella lowered her head shyly, Count Argent spoke up. “Didn’t you say earlier that there was someone specific you wanted to give it to?”

 

For a moment, Stella shot him a sharp glare. He pretended not to hear me earlier! But having him say it outright like that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Especially since Ludwig was here.

 

Raising her head with a face pretending to be bashful, Stella gazed at Ludwig. Noticing her gaze, Ludwig looked back at her with an amused expression. His expression wasn’t bad. She felt relieved. She failed to realize that the look in his eyes was utterly indifferent.

 

Now openly staring at Ludwig, Stella lifted her handkerchief. “The person I wish to give my handkerchief to is—”

 

“Ah, before that, there’s something I’d like to say.” It was then that Ludwig interrupted her.

 

Stella’s eyes widened in surprise. But soon, a triumphant smile spread across her face. He’s going to confess to me first. Yes, that’s how a man should act. She found Ludwig even more appealing. With an increasingly arrogant smile, Stella watched him. Ludwig also curved his lips upward at her.

 

Just as Stella, feeling the moment was right, unfolded the handkerchief she intended to give to Ludwig, he spoke. “If it wouldn’t be considered rude, I would like to give my handkerchief to Lady Epirosa.”

 

“!”

 

Epirosa’s eyes locked onto Ludwig, as if in shock. Others, too, looked at Ludwig, doubting their ears. The most flabbergasted of all was Stella, who had been fully prepared to hand over her handkerchief to Ludwig.

 

“Your Highness wishes to give a handkerchief to my granddaughter?” Even Hubert asked, as if he couldn’t comprehend the situation.

 

Ludwig chuckled lightly, as though he had anticipated such a reaction. “Is there a law saying only women can give handkerchiefs to men? One simply gives it to a hunter one trusts.” Reaching into his clothes, he pulled out a handkerchief embroidered with his crest and held it out to Epirosa. “Will you accept it?”

 

Epirosa looked down at the neatly folded handkerchief resting on Ludwig’s large hand. Then, she studied Ludwig’s face. Under the gaze of everyone present, he wore his usual charming smile. But his eyes were different. A gaze filled with a mix of anxiety and yearning seemed ready to devour Epirosa whole.

 

Epirosa held her breath. “Thank you, Your Highness.” She extended her fair, delicate hand and took Ludwig’s handkerchief. “I can’t promise I’ll bring back a great deal of games,” she added primly.

 

Ludwig smiled as if even that response pleased him. It was then.

 

“The hunting festival is about to begin! Please get ready!”

 

A servant’s shout rang out. However, the nobles who had just witnessed such an astonishing scene looked as though they had forgotten all about hunting and dispersed slowly.

 

“My goodness, the crown prince actually gave a handkerchief to Lady Epirosa.”

 

“Who would have thought he’d do that for anyone? Especially after obtaining the divine beast’s avatar, you’d think he’d be even more arrogant. But he chose Lady Epirosa.”

 

“But, more importantly, aren’t relations between the Blanche family and the imperial family quite bad right now?”

 

“That only means Lady Epirosa must be someone extraordinary enough to make him overlook that.”

 

“True. I wanted to receive Lady Epirosa’s handkerchief myself…”

 

Before the hunting festival had even begun, it seemed the star of the event had already been decided. It was none other than Epirosa Blanche.

 

Standing in the middle of the dispersing crowd, Stella gritted her teeth. Then mocking voices reached her ears, loud enough to sound intentional.

 

“What was Lady Stella doing earlier? She was openly holding up her handkerchief like she wanted someone to accept it.”

 

“But no one paid any attention, right? If it were me, I’d die of embarrassment!”

 

Stella glared at them. The young ladies who had brought up the topic giggled and walked away. Do they think I’ll just sit back and do nothing? She knew that if she gave Ludwig a handkerchief now, it would only make her more of a laughingstock. So, there was only one option left. Duke Claude Clementi.

 

With hurried steps, Stella moved away. Since Claude had gone with Emperor Ignasio, he was probably at the emperor’s tent. And as expected, he was standing in front of the tent talking with someone. It was Baron Farid. Deliberately making her presence known, Stella approached them. The two men, who had been speaking with serious expressions, fell silent and looked at her.

 

“Oh, Lady Stella.” Baron Farid was the first to acknowledge her. However, Stella didn’t even spare him a glance and walked straight up to Claude.

 

“Duke Claude Clementi, I’ve been looking for you.”

 

“Do you have something to say to me?” Claude asked.

 

Stella nodded slightly, feigning shyness, and held out a handkerchief. “I wanted to give this handkerchief to Your Grace.”

 

“…”

 

“Many people had their eyes on my handkerchief, but I wanted to give it to Your Grace.”

 

Claude raised the corner of his mouth as he looked at the handkerchief. So, you really do like it. Stella flashed a triumphant smile.

 

Claude’s hand reached out toward the handkerchief. However… “Accepting a handkerchief meant for someone else doesn’t seem very polite.” He withdrew his hand again.

 

Stella’s face stiffened. “What? A handkerchief meant for someone else? I only wished to give it to Your Grace…”

 

“I have eyes and ears too, you know.” Claude smiled gracefully and turned his gaze toward Baron Farid.

 

“!”

 

At that moment, Stella realized. Baron Farid had just reported to Claude about what had happened between Epirosa and Ludwig. For Baron Farid, it was likely just a report on Ludwig’s movements. But in the process, the story of Stella trying to give Ludwig the handkerchief had also been conveyed. Stella’s face turned crimson, as if it might explode from the overwhelming shame.

 

“Well then, I hope your handkerchief finds another worthy owner.” Claude inclined his head slightly and left with Baron Farid.

 

* * *

Bwooo— With the sound of a horn, the hunting festival officially began.

 

“Remember what Mom said. You have to stay in Zone 1, okay?”

 

Mom patted my head and dashed off toward Zone 3. I stared intently at her swift figure disappearing into the distance. Just then, something tickled the top of my foot. It was a tiny baby rabbit. I crouched down and gently stroked its head. It was warm and soft.

 

“How could anyone hunt a baby as cute as you?” Lifting my head, I looked up at the sky. “Sorry, Mom. I’m going to Zone 3 too.” There, I’ll find the ‘archmage’s tomb,’ just like I did in my past life. But this time, I’ll use the treasure I found there for Mom.

 

I pulled out a small dagger from my pocket. I had secretly acquired it just for today. It was enchanted, designed to enhance my swordsmanship. Releasing the baby rabbit that had been nuzzling against me, I stood up. Then I headed down a path different from where everyone else was going.

 

The path was particularly steep, overgrown with grass and littered with rocks. But if I followed this path, I could reach Zone 3 faster than anyone else, without anyone noticing. And make my way to the archmage’s tomb. With a resolute heart, I continue forward.