Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 142

* * *

The sudden downpour stopped just as it was time to conclude the hunting festival. Those who had finished hunting earlier than planned and had been taking shelter from the rain in their respective tents began coming outside one by one.

 

“His Majesty will probably declare the festival closed soon.”

 

“To think the hunting festival would end like this, what a letdown.”

 

Amidst the murmurs of complaints, Baron Farid approached Claude. After glancing around to ensure no one was paying attention to them, he leaned in and whispered quietly. “Crown Prince Ludwig is not here.”

 

“You’ve confirmed this for sure?”

 

“Yes. If he has not returned despite this much rain, he must have encountered the wolves in the hunting grounds.”

 

“Even so, we need to find the body, just in case.”

 

“Understood.” Baron Farid then walked away.

 

Though Claude spoke as if he was maintaining his composure, a smile crept onto his lips. He had spent a fortune to enchant the wolves in the hunting grounds with magic. The number of wolves was excessive, far more than necessary to hunt a single person. Only members of his circle knew about this plan. No matter how skilled Ludwig was, survival would be nearly impossible.

 

At that moment, Emperor Ignasio slowly emerged from his tent. “Is Ludwig still not back yet?” He asked Claude. Despite keeping a son like that in check, Ignasio still seemed worried about Ludwig. After all, his goal wasn’t to eliminate Ludwig, but to crush Ludwig’s spirit and make him bow his head to him.

 

Claude turned back with a cold smile. “Yes. Not yet.”

 

“Nothing serious happened to him, did it?” Ignasio asked with concern.

 

Claude shook his head. “What kind of person is the crown prince? Since it rained heavily, he is probably resting somewhere like a cave.”

 

“He didn’t return to the tent even though it rained?”

 

“He’s a very competitive person. Since I used the members of my group to disrupt his hunt, I imagine he will stubbornly hold out until he has caught as much prey as he wants before returning.”

 

“Even so, it’s getting dark…” Ignasio looked up at the darkening sky.

 

Persistent old man.

 

Ignasio looked as though he was about to send soldiers out to search for Ludwig. Though they weren’t as formidable as the imperial guards Ignasio had lost, those soldiers were trained as well. If they conducted a search, finding Ludwig would be easy.

 

If they happen to find Ludwig while he is still alive, it will be a disaster. Claude’s group had to find him first and finish him off completely.

 

“Your Majesty, then for the time being, the members of my group and I will enter the hunting grounds and search for the crown prince.”

 

“Why would you go yourself when soldiers could handle it?”

 

“If soldiers search the hunting grounds, the nobles will become agitated. It could also tarnish the reputation of the hunting festival since Your Majesty personally got involved.”

 

At those words, Ignasio’s expression changed.

 

“Then you will go together with the members of your group…”

 

It was then. The tent of the Blanche family was flung open roughly, and Leonoe stepped out with an agitated face.

 

“Is there still no news of Epirosa?”

 

Epirosa? Claude turned his head toward Leonoe.

 

Hubert, drenched as if he had just returned from searching the hunting grounds, approached her. Leonoe questioned her father again. “You told me to wait quietly in the tent because you would bring her back, so why are you here alone?”

 

“Leonoe, calm down…”

 

“I will find my daughter myself.”

 

Leonoe shook off Hubert and dashed into the hunting grounds. At that moment, a small spark in the sky followed Leonoe and disappeared into the hunting grounds. But no one witnessed it.

 

Likewise, Ignasio, who saw nothing, muttered with a smirk. “Looks like the Blanche family’s granddaughter has gone missing too.”

 

“Your Majesty, it would be best to deploy soldiers for the search.”

 

At Claude’s urgent voice, Ignasio frowned and looked at his son. “What are you suddenly talking about? Didn’t you say your group members alone would be sufficient?”

 

“I was short-sighted.” Claude spoke with a face filled with unease. “If something serious happened to the crown prince, it would be a major blemish on the hunting festival. I don’t think we should take this lightly.”

 

“You know what kind of person Ludwig is, don’t you?” At his sudden change in attitude, Ignasio looked at Claude suspiciously and threw his earlier words back at him.

 

Claude nervously moved his dry lips. “Lady Epirosa is fragile.”

 

“What?” Ignasio asked, as if he couldn’t believe the nonsense he was hearing. “Are you worried about the Blanche family’s granddaughter right now?”

 

“That’s not it. If the one who had gone missing were Grand Duke Hubert Blanche or Leonoe Blanche, it would be beneficial to leave them alone even if we aroused suspicion.” Claude continued speaking without even pausing for breath. “But if something happens to a young and frail lady, it will only tarnish Your Majesty’s honor without bringing any great benefit.”

 

“Epirosa Blanche is no ordinary lady.”

 

“Your Majesty…” Claude looked at Ignasio with a desperate expression he couldn’t conceal. Epirosa can’t be harmed. Not her…

 

Seeing that look in his eyes, Ignasio seemed to realize something. He sneered as he spoke. “But you are right. Whatever benefit would be gained by eliminating that girl cannot compare to the value of my honor.” He turned around and shouted loudly. “Soldiers stationed in the hunting grounds, listen! Search the hunting grounds at once and find the missing persons!”

 

* * *

I woke up feeling warmth enveloping my entire body. In front of me was Ludwig’s face. Carefully, I reached out and touched his cheek. Unlike before, I could feel warmth radiating from his body as well. But it was far too warm to simply be the result of our bodies being pressed together.

 

Feeling puzzled, I sat up. Something then rolled down between Ludwig and me. It was the archmage’s heart. The heart, now transformed into a crystal orb, emitted a radiant light and a comforting warmth at the same time.

 

So it was because of this orb that we were able to survive. Was it also the power of this orb that kept me unharmed, unlike Ludwig, who lost consciousness after we jumped off the cliff? If so, this orb’s power was truly formidable. If I give this to Mom, maybe her curse will finally be lifted.

 

No matter how powerful the dark magic was, it could not possibly be stronger than an orb containing the essence of an archmage. Of course, as far as I knew, this marble alone wouldn’t be enough. We needed the other treasures as well. Either way, I had found hope.

 

Smiling, I held the orb tightly in my hand. Now that the rain has stopped, let’s support Ludwig and head back. If we get him treated quickly, Ludwig should be fine…

 

But my hope was shattered right before my eyes. Ludwig suddenly coughed up blood.

 

“Your Highness!” Startled, I shook Ludwig. But Ludwig didn’t regain consciousness and continued to bleed profusely. There’s too much blood…

 

Ludwig had suffered an internal injury. And a very serious one at that. He might die before I can even take him to a doctor.

 

With trembling eyes, I looked down at the archmage’s heart. If I feed him this… Ludwig might survive. But then, what about Mom? If even one of the treasures was missing, the curse on Mom might not be lifted. What to do? What to do…?

 

I looked at Ludwig, whose face was turning pale again as he coughed up more blood. If I save him, I might not be able to break Mom’s curse. If I choose to break Mom’s curse, Ludwig might die here. Confusion and anguish overwhelmed me, and I started sobbing uncontrollably. It was then.

 

“Epirosa!”

 

With a face soaked in tears, I turned to look at the entrance of the cave where the voice had come from. Someone emerged from the darkness of the forest, walking steadily toward me. On their shoulder, a small flame flickered.

 

“M-Mom…”

 

Mom tightly embraced me with a relieved expression. “You’re safe, my daughter…”

 

As I was wrapped in her warm arms, I couldn’t hold back anymore and burst into tears like a child. “Mommm…”

 

“Were you very scared? It’s okay now. Mom’s here.” She let me go from her embrace and gently wiped away my overflowing tears.

 

I shook my head and buried my face in her chest. “Mom, I found a treasure that can break your curse.”

 

“Did you do something dangerous?” Mom pulled me away and scolded me. She seemed more worried about my safety than the hopeful news that her curse could be lifted.

 

I nodded, crying like a child.

 

“Are you crying like this because you’re afraid I’ll scold you?”

 

Instead of answering, I opened my hand to show her the archmage’s heart. “This is it. The archmage’s heart.”

 

Mom picked up the archmage’s heart, which had transformed into an orb, with a startled expression.