Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 40

I picked up the blue shoes. The design was ordinary, but unlike the dress, it looked luxurious.

 

“Milady, how did you know the problem was with the shoes?” When I pointed out the shoes, Britlyn asked in surprise.

 

I smiled and said, “A trap is always in the place that looks the safest.”

 

* * *

It was the morning of the feast day of Saint Pabello. Stella, wearing an elegant yellow dress, fluttered down the stairs like a butterfly. The layers of lace swayed with every step she took. The carefully colored dress made Stella look like a fairy. She didn’t wear earrings, but instead, she wore a very expensive diamond necklace. Her hair was braided to near perfection, adorned with small jeweled pins here and there. It was as extravagant as restraint would allow. This was in contrast to how Diane didn’t allow Epirosa to wear any accessories.

 

When she came down to the first floor, Diane, who had been waiting, exclaimed, “My daughter! You really do look like a fairy!”

 

Hubert’s face also brightened. “You’ve dressed up beautifully.”

 

Hubert’s praise made Stella feel like she was flying. Even Gale and, surprisingly, Nicholas reacted positively. Seeing Juliet quietly standing in a corner in her dull blue dress made her feel even better.

 

I’ll be the main character of this feast! Epirosa would make a fool of herself like a clown, Stella was sure she would shine ever brighter. She won’t be able to use any tricks this time. Diane had Madam Mona keep a strict watch on Epirosa, especially making sure she didn’t wear any other dress.

 

“Why is Epirosa so late? Grandfather is waiting.” Stella spoke, pretending to be worried.

 

“She had a stomachache this morning, so she took some medicine and will come slowly,” Hubert answered as if it were nothing. After all, Epirosa had given him a heads-up beforehand.

 

What is she scheming this time? Diane grew anxious. Last time, she had drawn criticism for making Epirosa ride a separate carriage.

 

“I’ll wait and bring Epirosa along.”

 

“How could the hostess of the house arrive late? Epirosa’s carriage has been prepared with the finest one, so there won’t be any rumors about you neglecting your niece.”

 

At Hubert’s words, who seemed to read her mind, Diane closed her mouth. Before leaving, she whispered to Madam Mona.

 

“Keep a close watch on Epirosa. That dress, and especially those shoes! Make sure she wears them.”

 

“Understood, Madam. Don’t worry, just go ahead.”

 

“I’m counting on you.” Then she whispered, “Karen is also waiting patiently, hoping to see her mother again someday.”

 

At the mention of Karen, sparks flashed in Madam Mona’s eyes. It was anger. Diane misunderstood it as longing and smiled kindly before leaving. Little did she know, Madam Mona clenched her teeth.

 

* * *

When the Blanche family appeared at the main prayer hall, the crowd began to buzz. Outwardly, they claimed to have gathered to pray, but their real interest was in the famous figures who would be receiving blessings today.

 

“On top of that, Nicholas is said to be developing a new medicine and attracting investors!”

 

“I heard only the high-ranking nobles are allowed to invest large sums. Maybe I can find a way to get in on it too?”

 

Those hoping to catch some crumbs flocked to the Gale family.

 

“Lord Gale, you must be so proud to have such wonderful children. Both of them being creators of Royal Blue, no less!”

 

“Lord Nicholas, I see you in a new light. You’re truly an exceptional noble.”

 

The flattery, especially toward Stella, was endless.

 

“Lady Stella, I thought a goddess had descended!”

 

“To be both clever enough to make Royal Blue and so beautiful, it seems the gods favor you.”

 

All the praise from every direction made Gale’s family hold their heads high with pride.

 

“Count Gale and Lord Nicholas, by the way, are you still accepting investments for the new medicine?”

 

“If it’s money, I have plenty. Would this amount be enough for an investment?”

 

Those wanting to invest in the new medicine swarmed around Gale and Nicholas.

 

Gale preferred being called ‘Heir of Blanche,’ but his official title came from the courtship that Hubert had granted him.

 

“Not just anyone can invest. Take a look at the caliber of the people who’ve already invested.” Nicholas boasted arrogantly.

 

The nobles were offended, but before the Blanche family’s reputation and vast wealth, they humbled themselves.

 

Since the main prayer hall was mostly filled with nobles, the talk about Pasa Blanche was everywhere.

 

“Don’t just praise only Stella. My cousin, Epirosa, also made Pasa Blanche, don’t you know?”

 

“Royal Blue is far better than something like Pasa Blanche.”

 

“I don’t even know why they give blessings for something like that. Today, only Lady Stella and Lord Nicholas truly deserve to be blessed!”

 

This was exactly what Stella wanted to hear. The stars of the feast were clearly the Gale family, especially Nicholas and Stella.

 

“…”

 

Already seated with Juliet, Hubert watched quietly. He neither spoke nor intervened. What are they planning? He simply observed the Gale family’s behavior.

 

From the very beginning, Hubert had known they intended to steal Epirosa’s achievements, but he hadn’t stopped them. He wanted to see how they would try to take advantage of the situation. If they gained through cunning, that was their talent. But what he was most curious about was something else.

 

I want to see how Epirosa will handle this.

 

A talent for making good things alone is not enough to survive in this cruel world. You must know how to protect yourself and how to strike back.

 

When will Epirosa arrive?

 

Was her stomachache real? Hubert thought it was just an excuse for some preparation. Just as he began to worry about his grandchild, a commotion arose at the entrance. Someone was entering.

 

“Lady Epirosa!” A man recognized Epirosa and shouted. It was a voice filled with surprise.

 

Diane, smiling, turned her head toward Epirosa. He must be shocked by her ridiculous appearance. But what she saw was not what she expected.

 

Epirosa was entering the hall wearing a pure white dress, as clean as untrodden snow. The neat and sharp design made Epirosa look elegant even without flashy decorations. Yet it wasn’t plain. The embroidery here and there was religious symbols, making it beautiful and perfectly suited to the occasion. The thin sheer fabric over the skirt had sparkling embellishments, making it look like fairy dust fell with every step. More than any other color, her pale pink hair and clear blue eyes made Epirosa in her white dress look like a goddess.

 

“Truly… breathtaking.” Someone let out an involuntary exclamation.

 

Epirosa shyly smiled, looking embarrassed. “That’s too much praise.” As her pure voice, fitting her elegant beauty, rang out, everyone’s attention turned to Epirosa.

 

“Lady Epirosa, it’s an honor to meet you.”

 

“I believe we’ve met before, haven’t we? But I never realized how stunning you are…”

 

Diane’s face twisted in frustration. She hurriedly sought out Madam Mona, who was standing by the entrance. “What is going on?! I specifically told you to make her wear that dress!”

 

“Lady Epirosa wore it, but she started feeling nauseous and ended up vomiting all over the dress.”

 

“What?”

 

“She did have a stomachache this morning.”

 

So the stomachache wasn’t an excuse? Diane was flustered.

 

“I couldn’t possibly make her wear a ruined dress, so I had to put her in something she had.”

 

“How could she just have a dress with religious symbols lying around?”

 

“Madam only gave her the dress the day before. So, thinking she wouldn’t get one from you, she bought a cheap dress at a shop.” Madam Mona said as if she were troubled. In truth, she was the one who secretly got that white dress for Epirosa. Epirosa came up with the idea, and Madam Mona secretly ordered and brought it.

 

“You should have made her wear the one I gave, even if you had to wash it!”

 

Diane protested angrily, but she knew better than anyone that she couldn’t pursue Madam Mona further. How could she make someone wear wet clothes? I gave her the dress late on purpose to make trouble, and it came back to bite me!