Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 24

A luxurious package box adorned with gold foil was revealed. It looked not just luxurious but downright extravagant, perfectly suiting Marquis Gent’s tastes.

 

“Go ahead and open it.”

 

Marquis Gent opened the box. Inside was a blue medicine in a sophisticated bottle. Blue was a symbol of wealth, since the dye was so expensive that not just anyone could use it.

 

“I’ll accept it for now,” said Marquis Gent arrogantly.

 

At that, Benjamin bowed and disappeared.

 

* * *

Minster is a noble district where the lights never go out even at night. From a certain day, something strange began to be sold in Minster, a place that only offered the finest and most luxurious goods. It was a medicine called ‘Royal Blue.’

 

“Is this the very medicine that cured Marquis Gent’s long-standing rash?”

 

Marquis Gent’s facial rash was famous. Once word spread that it was cured thanks to Royal Blue, gossip quickly made its way through high society.

 

“I applied this medicine, and even the wound on my child’s leg disappeared by the next day!”

 

Despite being extremely expensive, Royal Blue sold like hotcakes. But it wasn’t just because it was effective. If it were only about effectiveness, ‘Pasa Blanche’ sold in the slums worked just as well.

 

‘Royal Blue’ set itself apart from ‘Pasa Blanche’. A name that satisfied a sense of privilege; the luxurious blue medicine; the high-end package lavishly adorned with gold; and the slogan: ‘Salvation only for the chosen ones!’

 

Royal Blue stirred the vanity of the upper class. Even the proud Violet became completely enamored with Royal Blue. She immediately took the medicine and entered the palace with Claude.

 

“Your Majesty, my son has discovered a truly wonderful medicine and has brought it to present to you.”

 

“I’m sure Your Majesty already knows, but…” Claude humbly offered ‘Royal Blue’.

 

The emperor opened the layers of fancy wrapping and burst out laughing. “It’s Royal Blue.”

 

“You’ve heard of it?”

 

“Of course, Violet. Is there anyone these days who doesn’t know about this medicine?”

 

Violet was a little disappointed, but didn’t give up. “I tried it myself, and it was really effective. It’s different from the ‘Pasa Blanche’ that the crown prince offered you. That stuff, used by the poor, can’t possibly be made of good ingredients, so it shouldn’t be offered to Your Majesty.” She praised Royal Blue to the skies, unlike Pasa Blanche.

 

“Of course Claude knew about Pasa Blanche, but the quality was poor, so he didn’t bother to mention it to Your Majesty. But Royal Blue is different. Expensive things are worth their price.”

 

Claude chimed in as well. “The moment I discovered this medicine, I wanted to present it to Your Majesty.”

 

“My son is so devoted, isn’t he?” Violet said proudly. The emperor smiled at the flattery of his beloved consort.

 

But Royal Blue held a secret.

 

* * *

“Milady, do you really mean to donate such a large sum?” The bishop asked, eyes wide in disbelief.

 

Not long ago, two noble donors suddenly withdrew large donations, causing him much worry. And all because they quarreled with a lady who had just joined the Blanche family! The bishop had been extremely upset. No matter how famous the Blanche family is, if it’s not Nicholas or Stella, what’s the point? He was frustrated to lose such a good donor because of that lady. He had even secretly resented Epirosa, that young lady.

 

But now, suddenly, the young lady of the Blanche family, Epirosa, came and offered to donate even more than they had. Contrary to his expectations that she’d be sickly and shabby, Epirosa was lively and beautiful.

 

Sweet pink hair, blue eyes shining like a lake. A small, fair face not yet fully matured, with delicate, well-balanced features, like a scene from a famous painting. She wasn’t especially tall, but not short either—just right. In some ways, she’s even better than Lady Stella. Most of all, she showed none of the arrogance typical of noble donors.

 

“Bishop, what did I tell you? Didn’t I say not to worry? Our Lady Epirosa will take care of everything!” A priest standing nearby said proudly. It was the young priest who had guided Epirosa previously.

 

But the bishop was still skeptical. “Did Grand Duke Blanche give you money to donate under your name?”

 

“No. I got my grandfather’s permission, but it’s entirely my own money. This isn’t a one-time donation either—I’ll be donating regularly.”

 

“But why such a large amount…”

 

“I made a promise with the priest.” Epirosa glanced at the young priest as she spoke.

 

“See?” The priest looked so proud, as if his shoulders could reach the sky. He had been reprimanded by the bishop for not bowing and scraping to those problematic nobles and siding with Epirosa, so now he felt vindicated.

 

Epirosa added, “My mother is being cared for at this sanctuary, after all. It’s a token of gratitude.”

 

“Ah, that’s right.” The bishop finally remembered and nodded. Her mother was living in a good room thanks to the Blanche family’s request, but he hadn’t shown any particular interest.

 

Now, for my sake, he’ll have to treat her with greater care. Epirosa stared steadily at the bishop.

 

Feeling her gaze, the bishop coughed and spoke. “Still, where does such a large donation come from? Have you saved up your allowance…?” The bishop remained suspicious to the end.

 

Allowance? She nearly scoffed. Even in the Blanche family, you couldn’t save up an allowance to come up with this much money.

 

Epirosa smiled and said, “It’s ‘just a small part’ of the profits from selling Royal Blue.”

 

The bishop, who had been skeptical, looked utterly shocked. “T-T-The creator of Royal Blue…! Oh gosh, I didn’t realize it!” He then bowed his head.

 

Epirosa smiled softly and said, “It’s fine. But please keep this a secret.”

 

“Huh? You want it kept secret?”

 

“I’m still being cautious. If this fact spreads outside the temple, donations might become difficult.” Epirosa spoke gently, but with a hint of warning.

 

“Then of course I’ll keep your secret! Please donate without worry!” The bishop promised firmly, not wanting to lose such a large donor.

 

* * *

It was known that Royal Blue was distributed through the Royal Merchant Guild, owned by a local noble. But in reality, the Royal Merchant Guild was a subsidiary created by the Blanche Merchant Guild. It was a way to keep the true creator’s identity hidden, while still using the Blanche guild’s people and technology.

 

As a result, it wasn’t discovered that the creator of Royal Blue and Pasa Blanche was the same person. The intent was to make people think, ‘I’m different from those poor folks,’ and buy Royal Blue.

 

Benjamin really helped me by stepping up in my place.

 

In fact, Royal Blue was almost the same as Pasa Blanche. The only difference was that a harmless dye was added to make the medicine blue, which nobles loved. Then the name was changed, and the packaging was fancy.

 

It’s the exact same medicine. Yet, simply by branding it differently, the upper class went wild for Royal Blue. Of course, the main reason was the good effect, but… Even those who never bought Pasa Blanche, no matter how effective it was, were excited to buy Royal Blue.

 

I also made a request to Hubert.

 

“For the time being, I don’t plan to reveal the creator of Royal Blue. Please tell the family it’s because Grandpa ordered it to be kept secret.”

 

“Why do I have to be the one to order it?”

 

“If I give an order, there might be people who won’t listen and reveal it. But everyone will obey Grandpa’s command.”

 

Hubert gladly accepted the suggestion.

 

Of course, I knew it couldn’t remain a secret forever. It would be revealed eventually, but I wasn’t worried. For the sake of their own pride in having bought Royal Blue, the nobles wouldn’t be able to change their attitude so suddenly.

 

I wonder what kind of faces they’ll make when they learn I’m the creator of Royal Blue. I was really looking forward to it. But now wasn’t the time to reveal it. This card still had many uses.

 

* * *

“Milady, you have an invitation from the imperial palace!” Karen greeted me excitedly when I returned.

 

The sender was Violet Clementi. This invitation wasn’t for the main palace, but the outer palace. It was a place Violet, as the emperor’s concubine, used occasionally. But what matters is that it’s in the imperial palace.

 

I knew Violet would invite her cousin Diane to the palace—to save Diane, who was in a tight spot. I bet she even invited Stella along with Diane.

 

An invitation to the imperial palace itself. It must have had the emperor’s approval. So Hubert would have no choice but to let Diane and Stella out of confinement.

 

Violet and Diane aren’t that close as cousins, so Diane must have worked hard to make this happen. But how did Diane, cut off from money, pay Violet back?

 

There was one more that was interesting. Why was I invited? This was unexpected. Was it Diane’s plan? Or Violet’s idea?

 

Knock, knock. Just then, there was a cautious knock at the door. Before I could answer, the door opened.

 

“Epirosa? How have you been?”

 

It was Stella who appeared. She looked timid and forced a weak smile. Her face was much thinner.

 

If I didn’t know Stella’s true nature, I’d feel sorry for her. In fact, even Karen looked like she didn’t know what to do out of sympathy.

 

Stella, seeing my silence, hurried over and clung to my side. “I’m sorry about before. I guess I went crazy trying to help my mother.” She spoke with a sincere expression, her voice as clear as a jade marble.

 

“It’s alright. I’m not holding a grudge.” I squeezed Stella’s hands.

 

Stella blinked as if moved, then perked up and said, “Did you know that you and I were invited to the imperial palace by Duchess Violet Clementi?” That was her real reason for coming.

 

I answered with an excited expression. “Yes! Karen just told me.”

 

“Isn’t it so exciting? We’re going to the imperial palace!”

 

“It’s my first time, but you’ve been many times, haven’t you?”

 

“I have. Madam Violet, whom His Majesty adores, is my mother’s cousin, so we’re practically distant members of the imperial family.”

 

Here she goes, spouting nonsense again.