Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 38

* * *

It was a gathering of young men from prominent noble families. There, Nicholas was thoroughly enjoying feeling like the center of attention for the first time in a while.

 

“Did you really create Royal Blue?”

 

“I can’t believe you had such talent! That’s amazing.”

 

It was all thanks to Royal Blue. He was reaping the full benefits of the rumors that Diane and Stella had worked hard to spread.

 

Nicholas, who was usually sidelined at these gatherings, was finally able to puff out his chest with pride today. But not everyone was impressed by his display.

 

“Nicholas is impressive, but his younger sister Stella is remarkable too. To have created Royal Blue at her age.”

 

This came from Duke Claude Clementi, the head of the gathering. His soft words, flowing from his beautiful lips, instantly shifted the mood in the room.

 

“Most of it was Stella’s work again, wasn’t it, Nicholas? You just rode the coattails.”

 

“Honestly, Stella probably did all the work, and your mother just asked for your name to be added as the creator too, right?”

 

Snickers and mocking laughter erupted from all around.

 

It’s infuriating enough to be compared to Stella at home, and now even here! Nicholas was boiling inside. But he held it in. After all, he had a secret weapon up his sleeve.

 

“All of you seem not to know. Royal Blue was entirely my creation. Stella only assisted me. Nicholas spoke with authority. “As proof, my father entrusted me with securing the investment funds for the next medicine development.”

 

“A new medicine?”

 

“Are you saying you’ll create something like Royal Blue again?”

 

At the mention of a ‘new medicine,’ the young heirs and nobles’ eyes lit up.

 

Nicholas smiled. “That’s right. If you invest this time, I guarantee you’ll get back dozens, no, hundreds of times your investment.”

 

The young nobles exchanged glances. Considering Royal Blue’s tremendous success, the new medicine seemed highly likely to succeed as well. This was, without a doubt, a lucrative investment opportunity.

 

“But I’ve heard an interesting rumor.” It was then that Claude spoke up. “There’s a rumor that Royal Blue was actually created by the grand duke’s chief aide in collaboration with a local noble.” His voice was gentle, but his words carried a sharp edge. Yet Nicholas was unfazed.

 

“That guy was just following my orders and lying. If Royal Blue had failed, it would’ve hurt the family’s reputation, so I told him to say that during the initial promotion phase.”

 

“Is that true?”

 

“Do you really think I’d lie? Besides, that guy is also an aide to the Blanche family!”

 

Normally, Nicholas’s lies would be obvious, but today, he seemed remarkably composed. Claude and the other nobles erased their suspicions.

 

Nicholas then let out a silent sigh of relief. Epirosa said to say this if anyone got suspicious, and it actually worked. But there was something Nicholas overlooked. Just because the nobles accepted his explanation didn’t mean they acknowledged him.

 

Stella probably created it and just had that guy handle recruiting investors.

 

Pretending to believe him and investing isn’t a bad deal for us anyway.

 

The nobles were only pretending to be fooled, focused solely on lining their own pockets.

 

Thinking his excuse had worked, Nicholas launched into full-scale promotion. “I’m not going to just let anyone invest. Only those with proven financial capability will be allowed. But since all of you here are my friends, just say the word! I’ll let you make an investment that will return tens, no, hundreds of times over!”

 

* * *

Although Nicholas claimed he was quietly recruiting investors, the rumors spread like wildfire.

 

“Your Highness, Nicholas Blanche is claiming to have developed a new medicine and is gathering investment funds.”

 

 

It was in the parlor of Count Dominic Argent. The count, seated across from Crown Prince Ludwig, posed the question.

 

Ludwig, leaning back and playing cards with the count, gave a sly smile. “Did you invest too, Count? You’re part of Claude’s group, aren’t you?”

 

Indeed, Count Argent was a founding member of Claude’s young noblemen’s group. Since then, he had been tasked with drawing Ludwig into various entertainments at Claude’s behest… Or so Claude and the others believed. But the truth was different. In fact, Ludwig had sent Count Argent to infiltrate Claude’s group from the very start. Pretending to go along with Claude, he was gathering information for Ludwig. Count Argent had been Ludwig’s secret aide for a long time.

 

“I thought Nicholas was lying, so I only invested the minimum amount. If everyone else invested and I didn’t, it’d look suspicious.”

 

“Claude too?”

 

“Yes. Even Duchess Violet Clementi invested a huge sum.” Count Argent replied. “But didn’t Your Highness say Epirosa Blanche was the real creator of Royal Blue?”

 

At the mention of Epirosa Blanche, the playfulness in Ludwig’s eyes turned serious. “Everyone believes that someone like Epirosa, who made something like Pasa Blanche, couldn’t possibly have created Royal Blue.” He tossed aside his cards, losing interest in the game and focusing on what really mattered. “They think Stella Blanche created Royal Blue to compete with Epirosa Blanche.”

 

“But why do you think differently, Your Highness?”

 

“Do you know who first delivered Royal Blue to Marquis Gent?”

 

“I heard it was the Blanche family’s chief aide.”

 

“When Epirosa Blanche created Pasa Blanche, that person was involved too.”

 

“But that aide is originally one of the Grand Duke Hubert’s people. This time, he might have helped Stella Blanche. Grand Duke Hubert is famous for testing his grandchildren alternately.”

 

Count Argent’s rebuttal made sense, but Ludwig shook his head.

 

“Everyone thinks Pasa Blanche and Royal Blue are different just because they look different. But have you ever analyzed the ingredients?”

 

“What?”

 

“I asked a doctor to analyze the formulas. And it turns out the two medicines are completely identical.”

 

Count Argent’s eyes widened.

 

“Epirosa Blanche pulled a cute little trick.” Ludwig raised the corners of his mouth as if he were amused.

 

* * *

News that Nicholas was recruiting investment as the ‘creator of Royal Blue’ soon reached Gale and Diane.

 

“What were you thinking, raising investment funds without telling your father!” Gale scolded Nicholas, who felt wronged.

 

“Father, can’t you praise me instead of getting angry?”

 

“What? Praise? You want praise for starting something with no plan?”

 

Diane pressed her forehead. “How could you collect money for a new medicine you don’t even know how to make? And you only accepted high investments from influential nobles? How are you going to clean up this mess?”

 

On the other hand, there was someone who found it interesting. It was Stella.

 

“Brother, did you manage to gather a lot of money?”

 

“Everyone in my group invested, so it’s a huge amount.” Nicholas boasted. “Even Duchess Violet invested.”

 

“What? Violet did?!” Diane was shocked.

 

Stella just smiled more brightly. “Then we have enough funds. We can hire a famous doctor to make the medicine and pretend we made it ourselves.”

 

Gale frowned at Stella’s suggestion. “No matter how famous the doctor is, they wouldn’t be able to make something like Royal Blue. If we ask Epirosa to make another medicine in our name again, she might refuse.”

 

“Just make a medicine that gives a bit of vitality and claim that taking it from a young age will lead to longevity.”

 

“What? A longevity medicine?”

 

“People will only realize the truth when they’re old and dying anyway. Who cares if it’s true or not?” Stella replied slyly.

 

Diane’s face brightened at her daughter’s idea. “That’ll work! As expected, our Stella is smart.”

 

Nicholas’s face twisted. Once again, it was Stella who was being praised.

 

“Mother! I’m the one who gathered the investment funds!”

 

“Yes. Now, hand over those funds.” Gale demanded.

 

Nicholas ordered his servant to bring out the ledger he had prepared. The amount was jaw-dropping. With Diane having lost control of the household funds and now out of money, that money felt like an oasis to Gale.

 

I’ve been short on bribes to ask for help in becoming the head of the Blanche family. This is perfect! He could also cover the research funds sent to Kobel, who was searching for a way to claim the Phoenix. I’ll spend the bare minimum on making the medicine Stella mentioned. Even if it’s poorly made, those fools will buy it up! Then most of the investment funds would be used as I please.

 

“Nicholas, you finally did something useful.”

 

Nicholas grinned from ear to ear at the rare praise. “Father! Does this mean you finally acknowledge me?”

 

“Yes. From now on, keep bringing in big investors. And as for you and Stella,” Gale looked at Diane and Stella. “Keep spreading the rumor that Royal Blue’s creators are Stella and Nicholas. Make sure no one suspects otherwise.”

 

Stella smiled sweetly. “Since Father already made sure Epirosa keeps her mouth shut, no one will suspect a thing.” Her eyes gleamed with cunningness.