Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 17

* * *

Hubert looked at Epirosa as she entered the office. Her face was filled more with curiosity than fear.

 

“Sit here.”

 

Hubert willingly offered her a chair. It was the seat where Stella usually sat.

 

“Of course, Viscount Molon, the contract will include a clause stating that Epirosa will provide the ointment she created until you’re fully cured.”

 

“Thank you, Your Excellency! As long as I receive the ointment, I won’t ask for any other compensation and will open the passage to the port.”

 

It was when the aide was about to draft the preliminary contract.

 

“One more thing.” Epirosa, who had been sitting quietly, spoke up. “Please add a clause stating that the contract’s validity is ‘permanent,’ regardless of any circumstances.”

 

This was to prevent Viscount Molon from going back on his word once cured.

 

She’s only just sat down and already made a sharp suggestion. Hubert looked at her with concealed satisfaction.

 

“What do you say, Viscount? Will you agree to a permanent contract?”

 

“Of course!” Viscount Molon, who had lost all reason at the thought of the ointment, nodded without hesitation. If he had been given even an hour more to think, he probably wouldn’t have agreed so easily.

 

In the end, a permanent contract was established between the Blanche Ducal family and Viscount Molon regarding the Peto Port passage. It was an overwhelmingly advantageous deal for the Blanche Ducal family.

 

After the contract was finalized, Viscount Molon left with a beaming smile. Hubert then dismissed the aide and the hired staff. Now, only Hubert and Epirosa remained in the office. Epirosa, seemingly nervous, clasped her small, delicate hands tightly together. But her face remained composed.

 

Even with that youthful face, she doesn’t avoid my gaze. Her attempt to appear mature was rather endearing.

 

Hubert deliberately asked in a stiff tone. “I have a question.”

 

“Yes, Grandpa.” Epirosa responded without shrinking back.

 

“How did you manage to create such an effective ointment? I’ve never seen even the most expensive drugs work this well.”

 

“It’s made from Pasa herbs.”

 

“Pasa herbs?”

 

Hubert was momentarily taken aback. Weren’t Pasa herbs common and ineffective herbs used by commoners?

 

As if reading Hubert’s doubts, Epirosa added an explanation. “I’m not exactly sure why it’s so effective either.”

 

“You’re not sure?”

 

“The only thing I can guess is… I made this ointment after I met the Phoenix.”

 

Hubert’s pupils widened. Does this child even understand what she’s saying right now?

 

A Phoenix grants its master one of two types of power. The destructive power of fire or the healing power of fire. What I received was destructive power. Thanks to it, he had achieved great feats in wars during his youth.

 

If what Epirosa says is true, it means the Phoenix granted that child an extraordinary healing power capable of creating such a miraculous ointment.

 

The Phoenix never declared her as its successor. And her claim that power emerged after meeting the Phoenix is just a guess. Still—There’s no other explanation that’s more convincing than that.

 

Of course, declaring Epirosa as the successor is far too hasty. Phoenix has never skipped a generation to name a successor. Above all, there’s no way to know if Epirosa even has the qualities of a successor. However, one thing is certain. This child is worth testing.

 

Hubert looked at Epirosa with a face full of intrigue.

 

* * *

“Viscount Molon signed the contract and left?”

 

“Yes, and it’s even a permanent contract!”

 

At Stella’s words, Diane’s face twisted in frustration. After the brief commotion, the mother and daughter fled to Diane’s room as if escaping. But not even an hour had passed before bad news reached them.

 

“Mother, Epirosa stole my achievement!” Stella cried out in anguish.

 

“That sly little wench, how dare she mess with us and steal our achievement?”

 

Diane gritted her teeth. Even though they were the ones who had stolen Epirosa’s ointment in the first place.

 

“Mother, are you going to sit here? It’s obvious Epirosa did this to torment us!”

 

“Of course not. We need to teach her a lesson so she won’t dare to do it again.” Diane shot up from her seat.

 

It was at that moment. Bang! The door to Diane’s room swung open without permission. The ones who appeared were male servants.

 

“What do you think you’re doing? How dare you open the door without the hostess’s permission?” Diane shouted irritably.

 

It was then that a startled Stella grabbed her sleeve. “Mother, those men… they’re grandfather’s personal servants!”

 

“What? Even so, they can’t just open the door without permission…!”

 

“We will search the room.” The servant at the front spoke in a deep, low voice.

 

“W-What did you just say?”

 

Diane’s sharp voice was drowned out by the servants, who immediately began their search. The servants started ransacking Diane’s room with rough movements. Drawers were opened, bed sheets were pulled back, and chairs were overturned.

 

“What the hell are you doing right now!” Diane screamed.

 

To have male servants, not even maids, rummaging through a noblewoman’s room—It was a disgrace she had never once experienced in her life.

 

“Are you out of your mind!” Stella grabbed one of the servants and shouted.

 

The servant replied without any expression. “We are acting on the master’s orders.”

 

“Grandfather’s orders?”

 

“Yes. Right now, other servants are likely searching Milady’s room as well.”

 

“M-My room too…?”

 

Stella turned pale. She abandoned her mother and dashed to her own room. The maids, who had been peeking at the commotion through the slightly open door, whispered among themselves.

 

“My goodness! Searching the room of madam and young lady? His Excellency must be absolutely furious.”

 

“Is it really necessary to search the rooms just to question today’s events?”

 

“And to have male servants search the rooms, no less. It’s so humiliating!”

 

“It’s a deliberate humiliation. They searched Lady Epirosa’s room first. Now they’re getting a taste of their own medicine.”

 

* * *

I told Hubert everything that Diane and Stella had done to me without omitting a single detail. Even Madam Mona and the maids confessed everything. Thanks to that, decisions regarding Diane and Stella were made swiftly.

 

“Diane, from now on, report everything about the household management to me. Especially when handling the budget, you must get my approval first.”

 

“Stella, you’re forbidden from leaving your room for the time being. Reflect deeply on your actions.”

 

Stella always had a packed schedule. She received many invitations and sent out just as many. But she’ll have to cancel all of them now. Naturally, the fact that Stella was being punished would spread everywhere. She must be so humiliated that she can’t even lift her head. After all, she always boasted about being Hubert’s most beloved grandchild.

 

But the one who got hit the hardest is Diane. Not only was she stripped of much of her authority over the household, but it was also publicly announced to the entire family that she had lost Hubert’s trust. Losing the authority to handle the budget must have been a bitter blow.

 

There was a lot to embezzle from there. Most of the slush funds used in my previous life to make Gale the successor came from that.

 

If there had been someone else to take over the household management, Hubert would’ve handed it over. That part was regrettable. In reality, there was no one in the Blanche ducal family to handle the household affairs other than Diane. Handing it over to Gale, Diane’s husband, would be meaningless. Gale’s younger brother, Kobel, is always out. He’s unsuitable. On top of that, Kobel’s wife had passed away. The only ones left were the grandchildren…

 

Hubert thinks his grandchildren aren’t capable enough to manage the household yet. That includes me as well. I need to earn Hubert’s trust a bit more. Both inside and outside the mansion. Only then can I weaken Gale’s family’s influence. This was a necessary step to bring my mother back to the Blanche grand ducal family.

 

Still, I’ve achieved my first goal.

 

This wasn’t just about gaining merit or messing with Diane and Stella. Right now, having just entered the mansion, my power was too weak. At times like this, there was something to be done while tying up Diane and Stella’s hands and feet.

 

I tightly held the small egg in my pocket. It was the egg the Phoenix had given me. Thanks to you.

 

Ever since I obtained this egg, I have been able to make the miraculous ointment. I stroked the egg as I slowly strolled through the garden. It felt like I was taking the egg out for a walk. I had even sent Karen off on an errand on purpose, so I was alone.

 

“But hey, are you really going to hatch?” I whispered, pressing the egg against my cheek. The egg remained silent.

 

Will a baby bird be born? Or maybe it might never hatch at all. Still, it would be nice if something were born.

 

It wasn’t that I expected anything from the bird that would hatch. Just the presence of a baby bird might make me feel a little less lonely.

 

The mansion was filled with people I had to be wary of. Even Karen, who was the closest to me, couldn’t be trusted. No matter how it can’t be helped, this kind of thing is a bit sad. However, reflecting on my past life, I would endure the loneliness. No matter what happens.

 

Let’s not get weak.

 

The Phoenix probably didn’t give me the egg just to comfort my loneliness. I remembered the words the Phoenix said at the end of my previous life.

 

“If you were given one more chance, can you truly fix everything?”

 

“Good. I’ll give you one last chance. If you break your promise, only ruin awaits.”

 

It was because of that promise that the Phoenix gave me the egg. To lend me its power and let me make things right.

 

Phoenix, I’ll bring my mom back to you. So please, just help me a little more. I repeated those words to myself. Then, a sudden thought crossed my mind.

 

Could I use this power to heal Mom too? If that were possible!

 

Just as I shivered with excitement over the possibility—

 

“Hey, what are you doing here?”

 

Nichola’s voice rang out from the garden entrance.