Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 46

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Not long after, horrifying news spread through high society. It was said that a servant of Lady Elizabeth Kanto had poured boiling water on her face. It was an act of revenge by the servant, who had been mistreated by the lady. Margrave Kanto was desperately searching for doctors, but it was said that Lady Elizabeth showed no signs of recovery.

 

“You pulled it off perfectly, didn’t you? Even the excuse is flawless!” Violet burst into laughter.

 

Diane, who was sitting across from her sipping tea, forced a smile. It was all thanks to Mona. The idea for this plan had come from Mona. She had also been the one to bribe Lady Elizabeth’s servant. Fortunately, the servant had a sick child, so they were able to buy her off with money. On the day the deed was done, the servant took the money and fled with her child.

 

“Since you did such a good job, I’ll speak to His Majesty and make sure the lawsuits are dropped. Once His Majesty persuades the nobles, they’ll all give up on suing.”

 

“Thank you so much, Violet. But even if the lawsuits are dropped, the debt we owe…”

 

“Ah, that.” Violet smirked wickedly. “If you do well on the next job, I’ll take care of it for you.”

 

“What? You want me to do something like this again?”

 

Diane was horrified. On the other hand, Violet remained calm.

 

“Diane, you seem to be mistaken. Once you get involved, you can’t just leave as you please.”

 

“What?”

 

“Even if it’s not about the debt, what do you think will happen if I tell Margrave Kanto about what you’ve done?”

 

“!”

 

Only then did Diane realize she had walked right into Violet’s trap. Diane had become Violet’s pawn. And not just any pawn, but one tasked with the dirtiest job. Violet, you did this on purpose!

 

There were plenty of other errands she could have been asked to do. But Violet had made Diane, who had bullied her in childhood, do the most dreadful task as an act of revenge.

 

“I’ll let you know what you need to do next through a letter.” Violet sneered at Diane, who was trembling uncontrollably.

 

“Where’s Chirpy?”

 

As soon as we arrived at the sanctuary, Mom tugged on my hand and whispered.

 

Chirpy? Could she mean Phoenix’s egg, Ppinix? Did that little thing chirp and cry even in front of Mom?

 

Conscious of the marchioness, who was curious about the conversation, I spoke. “I left it at home. It’s the toy you gave me, Mom.”

 

“It’s not a toy. Chirpy will help you. Because Chirpy is pho—”

 

“Ah, right! I even gave it a name! It’s not Chirpy, it’s Ppinix.” Worried that Mom might start talking about Phoenix in front of Marchioness Gent, I quickly changed the subject.

 

At the mention of ‘Ppinix,’ Mom burst into laughter. Then, as if she had already forgotten about it, she began to hum a tune.

 

Thank goodness.

 

“Ppinix? Did you even name your mother’s toy?” Marchioness Gent, who had been quietly listening from the side, laughed as if she couldn’t believe it. “How childish. Like mother, like daughter.”

 

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

 

“Talking back, huh? Just like Leonoe used to be.”

 

Marchioness Gent studied me closely. It was a little uncomfortable.

 

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

 

“Your personality is like your mother’s, but aside from your hair color, you don’t resemble her much in appearance.”

 

“Still, I often hear that my expression and impression are similar to hers.”

 

“Whose pretty face did you inherit, then? Your biological father?”

 

“…”

 

I froze.

 

Marchioness Gent realized her mistake and quickly covered her mouth with her hand. “I’m sorry. I touched on a sensitive subject, didn’t I?”

 

“It’s fine. It’s not like I miss a father I don’t even remember.”

 

The paladin, who had been standing against the wall watching only Mom, turned his head toward me. I thought he was emotionless, but he almost looks sorry for me.

 

“By the way, you’re quite something.” Marchioness Gent changed the subject. “I only just found out that you’ve made famous medicines and even received blessings from the temple.”

 

“I was just lucky.”

 

“And humble too. You’ve accomplished such great things, yet you’ve never even been invited to the imperial palace.” Marchioness Gent clicked her tongue as if she found it regrettable.

 

“I did visit the outer palace once, at the invitation of Duchess Clementi.”

 

“What’s so special about being invited to the concubine’s outer palace? That’s not really the imperial palace. The outer palace is just where Gale’s wife takes her daughter in and out all the time.”

 

At the mention of Duchess Clementi, or rather Violet, Marchioness Gent grimaced. Her hostility toward the emperor’s concubine was palpable.

 

If Marchioness Gent returns to high society, she’ll definitely be a formidable rival for Violet.

 

It was time for me to think beyond just my standing in the Blanche family. Beyond that, I had to start making my presence known in high society.

 

The medicine business was just the prelude; the real stage was high society. But as long as Diane’s cousin, Violet, held a tight grip on society, it would be difficult to make any progress. Even in my past life, Violet harassed me at every turn until I was eventually driven out of high society.

 

Encouraging Marchioness Gent to step out is partly for Mom, but also because I need a strong ally for my activities in high society. But it wouldn’t be easy. She said she’d help me, but how could someone who had been in seclusion for decades suddenly find it easy to attend a party? Let’s take it slow, step by step. No need to rush…

 

“This won’t do. I’ll host a small tea party myself first. Then I’ll introduce you to the ladies there.”

 

At the words of Marchioness Gent, I stared at her with a blank expression. “Pardon?”

 

“I’m saying I’ll host a tea party for you.”

 

Wait, this soon? Her unexpected enthusiasm left me utterly flustered.

 

“W-Will you be alright with that?”

 

“What’s there to worry about? When I was younger, I used to throw parties almost every day. Doing it again is no big deal.”

 

Wow… So it was that easy for her. Feeling humbled, I reflected on how I had been trying to take the long, winding road instead of the straightforward one.

 

“When would be a good date?”

 

“Maybe we should take some time to—”

 

“The sooner, the better, right?”

 

Once Marchioness Gent had a goal in mind, there was no stopping her. Her lively personality from her younger days was shining through. Impressed by her incredible determination, I found myself nodding along.

 

“Yes, the sooner, the better.”

 

“Alright. Then let’s get started right away.” Marchioness Gent suddenly looked at me with a tender gaze. “Thanks to you, I feel energized. To think I’d even consider doing something like this again…”

 

“I’m grateful for your care and concern for me, Marchioness, but more than anything, I’m happy that you’ve decided to step back into the world.”

 

“My goodness… “Marchioness Gent let out a sigh, seemingly moved. “If I had a child, would they have been as thoughtful as you?”

 

Marchioness Gent had a good relationship with her husband, but they had no children. Perhaps that’s why her gaze toward me was even more affectionate.

 

“Now that I think about it, maybe I just needed a reason to step outside. I’ve been waiting for years for someone to pull me out.” Marchioness Gent clasped my hands tightly. “Maybe I was waiting for you, Epirosa.”

 

* * *

The drive of Marchioness Cadence Gent was truly remarkable. In just a few days, invitations to the tea party were sent out. News of her reappearance in society spread throughout the capital.

 

“What? Cadence Gent, that woman is hosting a tea party?” Violet shouted in irritation at the unpleasant news she’d heard since morning. “Why isn’t she staying cooped up in her room like always? Why’s she trying to come out now?”

 

She glared sharply at one of the servants. “Have the informants planted in the imperial palace brought back any news? Did His Majesty say anything?”

 

The servant hesitated before speaking. “Upon hearing the news about Marchioness Gent, His Majesty was overjoyed and said to spare no support for the tea party.”

 

“His Majesty said that?”

 

“He even offered the imperial palace garden, suggesting the tea party be held there…”

 

“What?!” Violet screamed at the top of her lungs. “How could His Majesty do this! He only ever let me use the outer palace!”

 

Violet threw a fit. The servants, unsure when her wrath might turn on them, tensed up and shrank back.

 

The emperor cherished Marchioness Gent, who was the empress’s younger sister. However, the one bright and lively marchioness fell into depression after the empress’s death. When the emperor had a child with his concubine during that time, the marchioness was deeply shocked and secluded herself. Because of this, the emperor also felt a sense of guilt toward her.

 

If that woman returns to high society, my position might be shaken!