Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 44

Most of the investment funds had already been spent by Gale. The Gale family was thrown into chaos.

 

“What are we supposed to do now?” Gale paced back and forth nervously.

 

If it were Hubert, he wouldn’t hesitate to actually expel his eldest grandson.

 

“Father, please help me! I’m supposed to inherit this family after you. I can’t just be kicked out like this!” Nicholas whined to Gale without doing anything himself.

 

Stella, on the other hand, watched the scene unfold with great interest. If Brother disappears, I’ll be the only child my parents have. Besides, the brother who’s been kicked out of the house is a worthless child anyway.

 

Still, just standing by and watching Nicholas get expelled felt like a bit of a waste. After all, Nicholas had always been the one to be compared unfavorably to Stella because of his foolishness. Thinking about how useful he is in that way, it’s a bit of a shame if he really gets completely kicked out.

 

It was then that Diane spoke with a determined expression. “I have a way.”

 

“A way? Do you have someone to borrow money from? Even the bank refused us a loan.”

 

To Gale’s question, Diane closed her eyes tightly and replied, “I’ll beg Violet.”

 

Diane was willing to do anything to save her son. Even if it meant diving into the depths of hell itself.

 

* * *

The curse antidote had no particular effect on Mom. Instead, the bitter taste of the medicine only made her gag and suffer. And every time that happened, it felt like the silver-helmeted paladin was glaring at me for some reason. So, I stopped bringing the medicine.

 

It was disappointing that the medicine that worked for Benjamin didn’t have any effect on Mom. That just means the curse on Mom is that much stronger.

 

With a bitter heart, I opened the door to Mom’s room at the sanctuary.

 

“…I was so startled that I screamed. And then the bird started pecking at me, as if it was angry, you know?”

 

But through the slightly open door, I heard a cheerful voice and Mom’s laughter. I froze in shock, as if I had turned to stone. The woman who had been chatting away to Mom in that bright voice also froze, just like me. She looked at me, holding the doorknob, wary, as if she hadn’t been talking at all.

 

“More, tell me more!” Only Mom, completely unaware of the situation, begged the woman like an innocent child.

 

Seeing Mom’s bright expression made my chest tighten. It felt like a lie, like a dream, and yet, I was so happy.

 

“Mom…”

 

At the sound of my voice, Mom turned her head. Then, she smiled wider than I had ever seen before.

 

“Epirosa…”

 

“!”

 

“Come here.” Mom reached out her hand to me.

 

Unable to control my trembling heart, I slowly approached her. I sat down on the empty chair and held Mom’s hand. In her hand was a small egg, clutched like a toy.

 

It’s the Phoenix’s egg. Mom always held onto the Phoenix’s Egg, as if proudly showing off that I was the one who gave it to her.

 

Could it be thanks to the Phoenix’s egg that Mom’s condition has improved? Or… I glanced at the woman who had been talking with my mom. Her gaze had softened quite a bit compared to before.

 

“Are you Leonoe’s daughter?” Her voice still carried a hint of caution, but she was clearly trying to be kind.

 

I recognized who she was.

 

“It’s an honor to meet you, Marchioness Cadence Gent.”

 

Warm brown hair and brown eyes. Marchioness Gent, whose sharp eyes were framed with faint wrinkles, looked at me curiously as I greeted her politely.

 

“You really don’t resemble Leonoe at all in appearance.”

 

I flinched. “Our hair color is a bit similar, though.”

 

“That backtalking is just like your mother.” Marchioness Gent spoke as if amused. Judging by the smile on her lips, it seemed she liked my response.

 

“I received your letter. Thanks to you, I found out Leonoe was here. I tend to be indifferent to worldly matters, you see.”

 

She had come to visit my mom after receiving the letter I sent. In the letter, I wrote that Mom was very ill and it would be nice if her closest friend, the marchioness, could visit her.

 

Mom and the Marchioness Gent had been childhood friends. However, the two had stopped interacting a long time ago. Marchioness Gent had secluded herself after the death of her older sister, the empress, and my mother was cursed, leaving her out of her mind.

 

The good thing is, they didn’t stop contacting each other because they hated each other. That’s why I reached out to the Marchioness Gent, asking her to meet my mother. I thought she might come out into the world for the sake of her sick friend.

 

And there was one more reason she needed to step out into the world. Though it’s a secret for now.

 

I glanced at the silver-armored paladin standing behind me. “The paladin didn’t stop the marchioness from seeing Mom, did he?”

 

“At first, he watched my every move, no matter what I did. That made me even more determined not to leave your mother’s side.”

 

“He’s always like that. Just ignore him.”

 

“I plan to.”

 

The paladin’s helmet, which had been facing Marchioness Gent, turned toward me. I pretended not to notice and feigned ignorance.

 

“Well then, I should continue the story I was telling your mother. It’s quite an amusing tale, so you should listen too.” Marchioness Gent said with a smile. She chattered endlessly in front of my mother, who only responded with silent smiles.

 

How can someone so chatty manage to live in seclusion? Though I knew she had always been outgoing, it was still surprising. Or maybe she just becomes this talkative in front of her best friend, my mother? It seemed Mom also enjoyed the marchioness’s company.

 

“The sun’s already setting. I should head back now. My husband will be waiting for me.” Spoke Marchioness Gent with a hint of regret.

 

It was about time for me to leave as well. At that moment, Mom suddenly grabbed my hand tightly.

 

“Mom?”

 

“This…” She placed something in my hand. It was the Phoenix’s egg. “It’s yours. You take it now.”

 

For a brief moment, her eyes became sharp and clear as she spoke. But it was only for an instant.

 

“I want to sleep. I’m tired.”

 

After handing me the Phoenix’s egg, Mom buried her head into the pillow as if she had never been lucid. The paladin hurried over and carefully tucked the blanket around her. His touch was meticulous.

 

“With him around, you won’t have to worry about your mother.” Marchioness Gent remarked.

 

I stared blankly at the Phoenix’s egg in my hand. Was it because it still carried my mother’s warmth? The egg felt warm.

 

“What was it that your mother gave you earlier?”

 

“It was a toy I had given her.” I hid the truth.

 

“Looks like she’s tired of that toy now. Next time I come, I’ll bring her a new one.”

 

“Will you come again?”

 

“Of course.” Marchioness Gent replied casually, as if the question was unnecessary.

 

“Thank you.”

 

“I’m the one who should be thankful. I shut myself away from the world, not even realizing my closest friend was in trouble. Thanks to you, I finally stepped outside after so long.” As she reached the Gent family carriage, she turned to look at me. “By the way, how old are you this year?”

 

“Fifteen.”

 

“Still young, but it’s about time you started making appearances in society.” Then, with a worried look, she asked. “Are your uncles and aunt treating you well?”

 

I deliberately hesitated, then only nodded.

 

Marchioness Gent then frowned. “Even when you were little, your uncles didn’t get along with Leonoe. They just blindly envied Leonoe for being so outstanding.” After a brief silence, she spoke cautiously. “If you ever need help, and if you’re okay with someone like me, don’t hesitate to reach out. I may be a forgotten figure, but I can still act as your guardian.”

 

“T-Thank you, Marchioness!” I answered with a face brimming with tears of joy. My trembling voice made it impossible for her to hide the pity in her expression.

 

I watched the Gent family carriage as it drove away. The day I bring Marchioness Cadence Gent out into the world again is not far off.

 

At that moment—

 

“Ppi– Ppii-!”

 

A small, delicate, and adorable sound came from somewhere. The sound was coming from my hand. No, it was coming from the Phoenix’s egg I was holding in my hand.