Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 3

Gale rushed out of the lounge and hurried toward Hubert Blanche, the Grand Duke. “Father! You’re here.”

 

Though Gale was not a short man, he looked small compared to Hubert, who was tall and broad-shouldered. Moreover, Hubert’s upright posture and youthful appearance made him seem more like Gale’s older brother rather than his father.

 

When Hubert’s blazing red eyes turned toward Gale, he flinched. That fiery red hair and those burning crimson eyes—I’ve faced them my whole life, yet every time, they send shivers down my spine!

 

Despite the intensity of his gaze, Hubert’s expression remained as cold as ice. After all, he was a man who was indifferent to everything.

 

“Grandfather, thank you for attending my father’s salon. We worked very hard to prepare for this,” Stella chimed in.

 

“Yes,” Hubert answered curtly.

 

Among his grandchildren, Stella was the only one he responded to with some warmth. Perhaps it was because she had inherited his red hair, which was so similar to his own.

 

Soon, people began crowding around, eager to greet Hubert. They weren’t here for Gale. It was to curry favor with Hubert that they had come.

 

Hubert acknowledged them only minimally, his cold demeanor unchanged. But there was one man who managed to shift that cold expression.

 

“It’s been a while, Grand Duke Blanche.”

 

“It is an honor to have you at my son’s salon, Crown Prince Ludwig.”

 

A man with silvery hair like fine silk and gem-like crimson eyes. His beautiful features contrasted with his solid, muscular build. That person was none other than Ludwig Leopold, the crown prince of the Octavia Empire.

 

“Then, shall we enjoy some lively music first?” Ludwig smiled leisurely as he spoke.

 

The nobles clicked their tongues in disapproval.

 

‘Instead of refined classical music, he asks for something lively?’

 

‘So the rumors about him being a pleasure-seeker were true.’

 

‘Honestly, Duke Claude Clementi would make a better crown prince.’

 

Claude was the emperor’s illegitimate son. He, too, had attended the salon and was greeting people politely. With his golden hair, dark eyes, and refined manners, he exuded an aura of elegance. His composed demeanor made him a more fitting candidate for crown prince in many people’s eyes. But reality worked differently.

 

In the end, per Ludwig’s request, the finest musicians from across the empire played cheerful melodies. Then came an auction for emerging artists’ works. And then, the highlight of the salon began.

 

“Today, we have a special guest! Please welcome the prophet, Marshall, whom we’ve invited with great difficulty!”

 

* * *

As I handed out drinks to the guests, I lifted my head. The room buzzed with whispers.

 

“Marshall? You mean the prophet from the old Frankish royal family, the Belinach lineage?”

 

“The Belinach family once possessed a divine beast. That’s why they say he carries the ‘Tears of the Divine Beast’ with him.”

 

The Tears of the Divine Beast. Once every thousand years, a divine beast sheds its old form and is reborn. During this transformation, it produces a single tear, known as a miraculous elixir. It was said that simply possessing it could grant healing abilities.

 

“Even the emperor and Grand Duke Blanche invited him, yet he declined. But now he’s here at Gale’s salon?” Someone muttered in disbelief.

 

Gale straightened his shoulders proudly.

 

Soon, an elderly man in a long robe stepped onto the stage. His eyes were firmly shut as if he were blind.

 

“Ooooh! It’s really Marshall!”

 

“They say he saved an old woman back from the brink of death!”

 

“I saw it with my own eyes. A child who was waiting for death suddenly started running around full of energy!”

 

“Gale is really amazing. How did he manage to bring such a figure here?”

 

The crowd’s whispers swelled. However,

 

It’s all a scam.

 

The rumors about his miracles. The prophet’s reputation. All of them are nonsense that Stella spread.

 

In his hand, the fake prophet held a glowing blue stone.

 

“That must be the Tears of the Divine Beast they’re talking about!”

 

At the sight of the stone, Hubert’s cold eyes flickered with interest.

 

If it were the usual Hubert, he’d start with suspicion, but the situation is different now. It was a secret, but currently, the Phoenix was in a weakened state for some unknown reason. He must have thought that feeding the Tears of Divine Beast to Phoenix might restore its health.

 

Seeing Hubert’s reaction change, Gale smirked triumphantly. Even the face of Crown Prince Ludwig, who had been smiling relaxedly, turned serious.

 

“You, who dared to refuse His Majesty’s request and Grand Duke’s invitation, what brings you here now?” Ludwig asked.

 

“It’s because the ‘Tears of the Divine Beast’ wishes to find a new owner.”

 

As if she had been waiting for this moment, Stella shouted. “A new owner? Who is it?”

 

“The ‘Tears of the Divine Beast’ said that once it arrives here we will know.”

 

Just then—The blue stone began to tremble. It was a pre-installed mechanism, but I was the only one who noticed. Since it was intricately designed, it would be nearly impossible to detect unless someone knew all the secrets.

 

The prophet stepped off the stage, all eyes following him. And then—He stopped in front of Gale. Only then did the trembling of the stone cease.

 

“The new master of the ‘Tears of the Divine Beast’ is here.” The prophet knelt, presenting the stone to Gale. “Please accept it. You are destined to be the new master of the divine beast.”

 

The room fell silent.

 

There was another man in the hall who was meant to be a divine beast’s master. It was none other than the Crown Prince Ludwig. But to offer the Tears of Divine Beast to Gale, who hadn’t even been named as an heir? Did this mean Gale’s potential surpassed even that of the crown prince? The nobles murmured in confusion.

 

Just as Gale was about to arrogantly accept it— A voice interrupted.

 

“Such a valuable item already has an owner? That’s unfortunate. Would you consider selling it to me?”

 

It was Duke Claude Clementi who asked.

 

“I’d like to fit the Tears of the Divine Beast to His Highness. I can pay any amount you desire.”

 

At those words, Ludwig smirked coldly. Claude’s words seemed like he was being a loyal vassal, but in reality, they were meant to mock Ludwig for not being chosen by the prophet.

 

“I understand your loyalty well, Claude Clementi. But there’s no need to go that far.” Ludwig sneered as he spoke. “I just don’t quite see the value of that ‘stone.’”

 

His words caused a stir among the crowd.

 

“Did His Highness just call the Tears of the Divine Beast a mere stone?”

 

‘Even if he’s upset about not being chosen, how could he say something like that…?”

 

To call the item everyone firmly believed to be the ‘Tears of Divine Beast’ just a ‘stone’! Without realizing it, I found myself staring at Ludwig. He’s got sharp insight.

 

As I admired his keen judgment—Gale spoke, his expression unchanging.

 

“Your Highness has heard the tales of the prophet healing the dying, haven’t you? If a man of such abilities carrying this ‘Tears—”

 

“I tend not to believe in anything I haven’t seen with my own eyes.” Ludwig interrupted Gale’s words, murmuring. “What does everyone think that stone is worth? Let’s hear it.”

 

The hall fell silent. Most believed in the stone’s authenticity. However, it was difficult to openly oppose the words of the crown prince, who was often called a madman.

 

But this is the moment when someone steps up to silence him. In the past, Ludwig had merely stepped back out of exhaustion, not because the other person was right.

 

“I think its value can’t be measured in human currency.

 

That someone was none other than Stella. Thanks to her daring act of defiance against the crown prince, her reputation soared.

 

But this time, your reputation won’t rise.

 

“How could one measure a divine beast’s possession by human standards?” Stella continued speaking.

 

“Indeed. Very wise of you, Lady.”

 

The prophet replied, and soon, the sycophants began praising Stella’s wisdom as well.

 

Ludwig let out a snort of disbelief and looked around. “Is there no one brave enough to offer a different opinion?”

 

There would be no one. Or rather, no one would have dared. It was what happened in the past when I wasn’t here. But not in this life.

 

I smiled inwardly. Now, it was my turn to step forward.

 

“I disagree.”

 

Everyone turned to look at me. Startled by the youthful voice that suddenly came from the corner, people soon began shouting as they noticed my servant’s uniform.

 

“How dare a servant speak in this place!”

 

“Throw her out immediately!”

 

The nobles shouted. But I ignored them and declared boldly.

 

“That stone is worth zero gold.”

 

“What? Zero gold?”

 

“Are you joking!”

 

Even Stella let out a small chuckle.

 

“Get her out.”

 

But I didn’t panic and waited. Waited for Hubert to take the bait.

 

“Wait.”

 

And indeed, Hubert raised his hand, quieting the crowd. He wasn’t the kind of person to overlook something unexpected like this. Just as I predicted.

 

Hubert asked me. “Why do you say the Tears of Divine Beast is worth zero gold?”

 

I met countless eyes that turned my way. The one who ruined me and my mother. Those who stood by and did nothing. They were all here. Back then, they looked like devils. But now I see—they were just fools taken in by such pathetic tricks.

 

This was all a show devised by Gale and Stella. A performance to make Gale, who had not been officially named heir, appear as one before the public. How laughable.

 

Still, facing Hubert’s piercing red eyes made me tremble. I clenched my fists and stared straight into his gaze.

 

“Because you can’t legally buy goods from a wanted criminal.”