Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 20

“You don’t remember anything? You just froze up like a statue, Sir.”

 

“Ha, again.” Benjamin made a troubled expression. “I’ve been so tired lately, this happens often. You don’t need to worry about it. However… “He spoke uncharacteristically hesitantly. “I’d prefer if you didn’t mention this to anyone else. It’s just a symptom that will go away once I recover from the fatigue, and I don’t want to cause unnecessary concern for others.”

 

“Yes, I won’t.”

 

That’s what I said, but I couldn’t shake off my doubts. What was that spot earlier? And what about that sharp pain?

 

Benjamin didn’t seem to know anything about the strange sensation I had felt. The black spot that had appeared on his hand had vanished without a trace.

 

* * *

Thanks to my plan and Benjamin’s help, the production of the Pasa medicine progressed as if it had wings. While cradling the Phoenix’s egg, I worked on the Pasa herb seeds. Since Pasa herbs were similar to weeds, they grew rapidly without much care once planted. The herbs were processed by laborers into potions and ointments. In no time, the first batch of medicine was produced.

 

“By chance, I happened to cut myself with a knife this morning. Why don’t you test the medicine on me?” Benjamin extended his finger, which was slashed and red. It sent a chill down my spine.

 

“You really hurt yourself by accident, right?”

 

“Do you think I would intentionally cut myself just to be the first to test the medicine?” Benjamin asked with a cynical smile.

 

It wouldn’t be surprising if he did.

 

I didn’t respond and instead applied the ointment to Benjamin’s wound. Though the cut wasn’t deep, the redness subsided almost instantly.

 

“Looks like you made it properly.” Only then did Benjamin smile. “The most important step is still left.”

 

“The most important step?”

 

“Naming this medicine. I’ve come up with a few candidates.”

 

Benjamin opened a report with a serious expression. The cover read ‘List of Suitable Names for Business Success.’ I looked at him with anticipation.

 

“The name candidates are— ‘Sparkling All-Purpose Ointment,’ ‘Shiny Perfect Potion,’ ‘Pasa Herb, Make Way for the Savior’…”

 

“W-Wait!”

 

It was clear that Benjamin had no talent for naming things. Fortunately, I had already thought of a name myself.

 

“Let’s just call it ‘Pasa Blanche,’ shall we?”

 

“Huh?”

 

Benjamin’s eyes widened. He must have immediately realized the significant promotional impact of including ‘Blanche’ in the medicine’s name.

 

“That’s a great idea. Why didn’t I think of that?”

 

“Exactly…”

 

I let out a sigh of relief. In any case, the ‘Pasa Blanche,’ whose efficacy had been confirmed and now had a name, began its promotion. The first promotion was a donation to the temple. The temple sanctuary where my mother stayed was not open to just anyone, but the temple’s free clinic was a different story. Any citizen could come, receive treatment, and leave. One day, a miraculous medicine suddenly appeared there.

 

“I’m telling you, this medicine really works!”

 

“Since when has the free clinic ever had decent medicine? Say something that makes sense!”

 

Even those who didn’t believe at first changed their tune after trying the medicine.

 

“What?! How can a leg that’s been festering for a month heal in just a few days?!”

 

Word spread, and people flocked to the free clinic. The donated medicine ran out in no time.

 

“Give me some medicine too! I’m injured as well!”

 

“Please, make my son better too!”

 

“Me too! Me too!”

 

Cries of desperation echoed from all directions. Then, the priest in charge of the free clinic spoke up. “Starting tomorrow, ‘Pasa Blanche’ will also be sold at pharmacies and shops.”

 

“What? How are we poor folks supposed to afford expensive medicine?!”

 

“Don’t worry. Pasa Blanche costs only 1 Sobrang per bottle!”

 

1 Sobrang! It was cheaper than even a small, hard piece of bread. The people were skeptical.

 

“You’re telling me this amazing medicine is being sold for just 1 Sobrang?”

 

“This is unbelievable!”

 

But the next day, the pharmacies and shops were swarming with people looking for Pasa Blanche.

 

“It’s really just 1 Sobrang!”

 

“This is insane. Are they even making any profit selling it like this?”

 

“Wait a second. What’s this symbol on the bottle?”

 

Only then did people notice the small emblem drawn on the medicine bottles. A red bird, the crest of the Blanche ducal family.

 

“Could it be that this medicine was made by the Blanche family?”

 

“Now that you mention it, the name is Pasa’ Blanche,’ isn’t it?”

 

“Selling it for 1 Sobrang is practically charity, isn’t it?”

 

The public opinion of those who had used the medicine grew even better.

 

“Thanks to the Blanche family, I feel like I can live again.”

 

“If they keep selling this medicine, no one will die from festering wounds anymore.”

 

“It’s been a while since the grand ducal family has done something good.”

 

Even the newspapers, which were widely read by the common folk, were filled with articles praising Pasa Blanche day after day.

 

<‘Pasa Blanche’ from the Blanche Family Saves Lives!>

 

“It’s a huge success!” Benjamin said with a delighted expression.

 

It was the first time I had seen him, who was always so cynical, smile so brightly. I smiled back at him. “The profit isn’t huge, but I’ve gained something even better.”

 

The Blanche family wasn’t exactly in need of money. But public sentiment? That was something they lacked. And I was the one who filled that gap.

 

“Well done, Epirosa.” Hubert patted me on the shoulder.

 

“No, it’s all thanks to you, Grandpa.”

 

I gave the credit to Hubert. He looked genuinely pleased. But there was someone who found that sight distasteful. It was none other than Gale.

 

“Congratulations. But there is something to be concerned about.” He spoke as if he were a thoughtful uncle looking out for me. “The people’s response is good, but the nobility hasn’t shown any interest. Doesn’t this make it a half-baked success?” He gestured to his son sitting beside him, Nicholas.

 

Nicholas quickly chimed in. “Grandfather, if you leave it to me, I can raise the price and sell it to the nobles. With my connections, it should be possible.”

 

Gale and Nicholas’s intentions were obvious. They were trying to snatch away the already well-promoted item.

 

Hubert wasn’t someone who would miss something like that. He looked at Nicholas with a suspicious expression before suddenly turning his gaze to me. “Epirosa, what do you think?”

 

I spoke with an innocent face. “Right now, Pasa Blanche has the image of being medicine for the poor. If you sell it to the nobles, even if you use connections, it’ll only be temporary. Besides, would nobles really pay more for medicine that’s already sold for 1 Sobrang and is easy to obtain?”

 

“What?”

 

Nicholas raised his voice at my direct rebuttal. Gale tried to calm him down, but Hubert’s brow had already furrowed.

 

I shrank my shoulders as if frightened. “B-But what if Brother Nicholas makes a new medicine instead?”

 

“Hey, how could I possibly—”

 

“You’re so much more talented than I. If I could do it, surely Brother can too. I’m sure it’s possible.”

 

As I flattered him just a little, Nicholas’s face filled with arrogance. Gale tugged at Nicholas’s sleeve, but it was no use.

 

“Of course! If you can do it, there’s no way I can’t!” Nicholas turned to Hubert. “Grandfather, I’ll try it too. Please allow me.”

 

Hubert shook his head. “Focus on your swordsmanship practice instead.” It was a rejection as sharp as a blade.

 

Nicholas was flustered, his eyes widening in surprise.

 

If it were Stella, he might have let her try, but Nicholas is bound to mess things up again. Even his father, Gale, let out a sigh of relief. But… I soon saw Nicholas clench his jaw. Nicholas will act just as I expect.

 

I hadn’t just flattered Nicholas to make him feel good.

 

* * *

After Gale and Nicholas left, Hubert ordered me to stay behind.

 

“Gale’s point isn’t entirely wrong.”

 

I had already guessed he hadn’t kept me back to give me praise. I nodded humbly.

 

“Pasa Blanche has certainly brought great benefits to the family. But its consumer base is limited. How do you plan to solve this issue?”

 

I looked into Hubert’s eyes. They were filled with curiosity and interest rather than concern or worry. He’s not asking because he’s dissatisfied with Pasa Blanche’s consumer base. He’s testing my problem-solving skills. If that had really been a problem, he wouldn’t have just stood by and watched when I argued with Gale.

 

I put on a deeply contemplative expression before answering.