Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 150

Hubert stared at Stella with his lips pressed into a thin line. Even Stella, who had grown arrogant as if the world was beneath her feet after ascending to the position of saintess, couldn’t help but feel tense under that gaze.

 

“Grandfather, I don’t want to bring Uncle Kobel with me either. But God spoke to me. He told me to have Uncle as my guardian.” Stella avoided Hubert’s gaze as she tried to explain.

 

“Kobel Blanche is already a man who no longer exists.” Hubert replied in a cold, firm voice. “He’s probably already dead in reality too.”

 

“No, Grandfather! By God’s grace, he’s still alive!”

 

Hubert’s brows furrowed deeply. “Even if such a miracle has occurred, I can’t hand over a grave sinner.”

 

“Your Grace! Isn’t this a divine revelation?” Unable to hold back, the priest interjected at Hubert’s resolute response.

 

Hubert shot him a sharp glare. The priest instinctively flinched in the presence of a stronger force. But soon, he was consumed by the arrogance of ‘We have the saintess,’ and lifted his chin defiantly. “Do you think God would have chosen Kobel Blanche as the saintess’s guardian for no reason? Perhaps, he is actually inno—”

 

“Are you saying Blanche is unjustly persecuting that man?” Hubert interrupted the priest’s words with a cold question. The intensity in his voice, laced with a hint of menace, made the priest’s pride and arrogance, stemming from having the saintess, vanish like smoke.

 

“…T-That’s not what I mean. It could also be an opportunity given by God so that he may repent of his sins. God shows mercy to those who repent.”

 

“Are you saying that God even shows mercy to someone who tried to kill his own father?”

 

The priest was at a loss for words. The sin of parricide was considered one of the three great sins even within the temple, a grave crime. Moreover, completely overwhelmed by Hubert’s presence, the priest’s mind froze, leaving him unable to come up with any further excuses.

 

Seeing the priest flounder, Stella spoke up quickly. “Grandfather, even so, we can’t just dismiss the words given by God as if they never existed.”

 

Hubert silently looked at his granddaughter. At that moment, it became clear. Stella had chosen the temple over Blanche. To be precise, she had chosen the temple, which would elevate her status, over Blanche, whose presence was insignificant. This wasn’t simply about becoming a saintess and entrusting herself to the temple. It meant something entirely different.

 

“Of course, Grandfather will need some time to think about it as well.”

 

“…”

 

“I also want to spend one night with our family before I leave for the temple!” Stella suddenly slipped her arm through Hubert’s.

 

“Let’s talk about this tomorrow, okay?”

 

Hubert stared down at his grandchild for a long moment before shaking off the hand that clung to his arm. Stella’s face hardened.

 

“What a rude thing to do!”

 

“If the priests wish, I will provide rooms for them as well.”

 

Spending the night at the Blanche Mansion had not been part of their plans. When the priests looked at Stella in bewilderment, she gave him a reassuring smile as if to say she was fine.

 

“Just one night. That’s okay, right?”

 

“Even so, we should consult with the temple…”

 

“Even His Holiness would allow it.”

 

Indeed, the pope had said to grant the saintess whatever she wishes. The priests had no choice but to agree, though he added a condition. “Not only the priests, but the paladins must be allowed into the Blanche Mansion. We must protect the saintess.”

 

“The paladins are not allowed.”

 

“But…!”

 

“However, I will allow them to spend the night beneath the walls of the mansion.” Hubert spoke as if this was his final act of mercy. “If you dislike that, then return. All of you.” He looked ready to throw them all out, saintess or not, if they rejected even this.

 

If the saintess ends up complaining to His Holiness that she couldn’t stay at the Blanche Mansion because of me… There was no other choice. The answer was already clear.

 

“Very well. However, the room assigned to the saintess must be the finest in this house. She is no longer the Stella of the past but the saintess, so treat her with the respect she deserves.”

 

The best room in the Blanche Mansion. That was the room of Grand Duke Blanche, Hubert. Their arrogance was becoming unbearable.

 

As Hubert frowned, Stella quickly opened her mouth. “How could I possibly stay in Grandfather’s room? Just because I became a saintess doesn’t mean I’ve lost my filial piety. I can stay in my humble room.” She deliberately emphasized the word ‘humble.’

 

At that, the priest immediately reacted. “How can Saintess stay in the room you used to live in? If you won’t stay in the grand duke’s room, then at least you must stay in the next best room!”

 

“But such a room…” Stella spoke as if she were in great distress. “The only room left is the one shared by Aunt and Epirosa. How could I take the room shared by a mother and a daughter?” She shook her head as if she were some deeply considerate saintess.

 

The priests began murmuring among themselves.

 

“Isn’t Lady Epirosa about to make her debutante soon?”

 

“And yet, she’s sharing a room with her mother?”

 

In the empire, children had their own rooms from a young age. This was considered highly unusual.

 

The priest frowned. “How disgraceful. A grown daughter sharing a room with her mother.”

 

Hubert let out a small chuckle. Only now did he understand why Epirosa had hurriedly asked for a separate room for Leonoe. So she anticipated Stella would pull something like this.

 

Unaware that Hubert had already caught on to her intentions, Stella spoke with a feigned kindness. “When I leave, Epirosa can use my room. She’s old enough now. She can’t keep sharing a room with Aunt forever, right?” Her plan was to throw Epirosa and Leonoe to the wolves of gossip. “Oh my, please don’t take it the wrong way. Epirosa is just so filial that she shares a room with Aunt out of devotion.” Perhaps pleased that her plan had succeeded, Stella said with a smile.

 

“Stella is right. When my daughter was ill, Epirosa insisted on nursing her mother herself and shared a room with her. But now that Leonoe has recovered, they use separate rooms.” Though he was smiling, his tone was cold. It was a warning not to speak carelessly about things one didn’t understand.

 

The priests flinched.

 

“Wait, is that how it was?”

 

“Ah, I see…”

 

Sharing a room to care for a sick mother was entirely understandable. In fact, it was something to be praised for its filial piety. Embarrassed by their misunderstanding and the unnecessary gossip caused by Stella’s subtle words, the priests fell silent. But Stella was different.

 

“Grandfather, what are you saying? Epirosa and Aunt are still sharing a room. It’s because of her filial devotion, so you don’t have to cover for her with lies.” If things went on like this, Stella would end up looking like the one who had spoken strangely. Besides, hadn’t the two been sharing a room just yesterday? She even used the word ‘lies’ to emphasize her point.

 

Hubert smirked as if he had expected this. “You’re the one who doesn’t seem to know what you’re talking about. It has been a long time since Leonoe and Epirosa used separate rooms.”

 

“No, Grandfather—”

 

“It seems you have no interest in your family.” Hubert cut Stella off and turned his gaze to the priests. “If you don’t believe this grandfather, you can go check Leonoe and Epirosa’s rooms yourself.” This wasn’t directed at Stella but at the priests. It was to show how confident he was and how absurd Stella’s claims sounded.

 

Stella’s face turned red. She hadn’t expected Hubert to lie so blatantly.

 

For Hubert, there was no longer any need to protect Stella, who prioritized her own glory over the family. And the fact that he even suggested checking the rooms meant he had already prepared for this.

 

If I push any further, I’ll just end up being attacked more. Stella clenched her fists tightly, suppressing her anger. “It seems I misunderstood. I apologize for causing trouble.”

 

“Use Epirosa’s room as your lodging. You know very well it’s a fine room.”

 

“Yes…” Stella bowed her head, but her eyes burned with fury. Still, I succeeded in getting Epirosa’s room. Even if I have to search the entire room all night, I’ll find Epirosa’s weakness!

 

* * *

After the servants and priests escorted Stella to the room, Hubert called me into his office.

 

“Stella will be using your room today. Sorry, but you’ll have to use another room just for tonight.”

 

“It’s fine. It’s an honor to offer my room when the saintess herself is visiting.”

 

Whether Stella would stay the night or leave immediately was uncertain. But just in case, I had already moved all my important belongings elsewhere. Even if you search my room looking for something you can use against me, you won’t find anything. So, you might as well get a good night’s sleep, Stella.