Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 56

Diane Blanche was forgotten, as if she had never existed in this world. In high society, no one dared to gossip about her, fearing it might reach the ears of the Blanche family. Diane became a legendary figure, whispered about only among commoners.

 

“Well, the grand duke is always cold-blooded, and that heartless Gale is no surprise, but how could even their children abandon their own mother?”

 

“It’s no wonder they lied about a medicine their relatives made, claiming it was their own!”

 

“Truly, there’s no better term for them than human trash!”

 

The Blanche family turned a blind eye to such rumors, just as they had erased Diane. But no matter how much they pretended not to notice, Diane’s absence was bound to be felt. Especially when it came to the vacant positions of the one who managed the household and the head maid.

 

* * *

“Father, we can’t keep leaving the household management to Benjamin forever. We need to appoint someone responsible from within our family.”

 

Gale, who had sought out Hubert early in the morning, spoke with spit flying. Benjamin, standing next to Hubert, raised an eyebrow slightly. But Gale, too absorbed in his own words, failed to notice.

 

“As chief aide, Benjamin already has many tasks, so I never intended for him to manage the household forever,” Hubert replied, making Gale’s face brighten.

 

“You’re as wise as ever! Then it would be best for Stella to take over the household management as soon as possible.” Gale couldn’t hide his greed as he spoke.

 

Hubert simply stared at Gale in silence. As those burning red eyes seemed to pierce through him, Gale, now nervous, hastily began to make excuses.

 

“Am I supposed to take over the household management? Or is Kobel? If not, then only the children are left, and Stella is undoubtedly the smartest among them. Even the tutor said Stella is smart enough to handle the household management.”

 

“Are you suggesting we decide a matter of such importance to the family based on a single comment from a tutor?” Hubert said, not bothering to hide his displeasure. “When it comes to intelligence, Epirosa and Juliet are no less capable.”

 

Until now, the only grandchild Hubert ever talked about first was Stella. But now, out of nowhere, he brings up Epirosa and Juliet!

 

Gale, who had naturally assumed Hubert would give Stella the authority over the household, was utterly flustered. “What do you mean all of a sudden? Juliet is too timid to take on such a role. And what skills does Epirosa have to manage the household?”

 

Thud! At that moment, Hubert tossed a report in front of Gale. Picking up the report, Gale was taken aback.

 

‘Pasa Blanche and Royal Blue Sales Report – Prepared by Epirosa Blanche.’

 

The contents of the report were even more shocking. Not only did it meticulously cover all aspects of sales, but the calculations were flawless, and the future plans were impeccable.

 

If Epirosa really wrote this report, she could handle something far greater than just managing the household. There was no comparison to Stella.

 

Did Stella know about this? Or did she know but still confidently claim to me she’d be in charge? For the first time, Gale felt resentment toward Stella. But outwardly, he pretended not to be surprised.

 

“There’s no way Epirosa wrote this. Someone must have helped her.”

 

“Lady Epirosa wrote it all by herself from start to finish. I can vouch for that.” Benjamin, who was standing next to Hubert, spoke firmly.

 

Gale’s face hardened like stone. He barely managed to come up with an excuse. “B-But if a child who hasn’t even debuted in society yet is put in charge of the household management of the grand ducal family, everyone will laugh at us.”

 

“Stella hasn’t debuted in society either,” Hubert said, as if telling him to stop spouting nonsense.

 

“Stella has practically made her mark in society! Is there anyone in society who doesn’t know Stella’s name? Isn’t she always invited to all sorts of parties and balls?”

 

Like Gale said, Stella was well-known in society for her beauty and kindness. Of course, her reputation had taken a hit due to some recent incidents, but the title of being the most beloved granddaughter of Grand Duke Blanche couldn’t be ignored.

 

Though she hadn’t made her debut yet, everyone knew Stella. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call Stella a small flower of society. Even if someone realized that Stella’s kindness was all an act, it wouldn’t tarnish her reputation. Because Stella had already dealt with them.

 

Hubert stared intently at the overly confident Gale before speaking. “Do you have any objective proof that Stella has practically debuted in society?”

 

“Huh? The various invitations are proof…”

 

“Epirosa received the grand blessing at the temple in a major feast. Moreover, in the presence of the crown prince and all the nobles. Do you have any proof as definitive as that?”

 

Gale was at a loss for words. If Stella, with her fame in society, was enough to be considered as having debuted, then Epirosa, who had received a blessing at the temple, was no different. No, in fact, being blessed in an official setting made Epirosa even more honorable than Stella.

 

Damn it, trying to scheme has only made me lose my authority over the household!

 

From his experiences so far, Gale knew Epirosa was never easy to deal with. She might have an innocent face, but there’s no way she would hand over the household authority. She had acted like she’d share the profits from Royal Blue, but in the end, she didn’t give a single penny.

 

Hubert spoke to his stiffened son. “I’m not going to hand over the household authority to anyone right now. I’ll observe and pass it on gradually, so just go back for now.”

 

* * *

“Uncle Gale asked for the household authority to be given to Stella?”

 

“Yes. He came to His Excellency this morning and shamelessly asked it, as if it were his to give,” Benjamin said, full of dissatisfaction.

 

I nodded while gripping the report Benjamin had handed me. Benjamin often provided me with reports on Pasa Blanche and Royal Blue, along with insights into Hubert’s movements and the household’s internal affairs. Ever since he was cured of the illness that stiffened his body with the medicine I gave him, his trust in me had grown even stronger.

 

Now that I’ve gotten close to Hubert’s chief aide, I’ve secured a reliable connection on Hubert’s side. The problem was the household authority, the other pillar of the Blanche family. I can’t let that go to Stella. Only by holding both would I have full influence within the family.

 

As I pondered for a moment, a brilliant idea suddenly came to mind. “Benjamin, could you come with me to the bank today? I want to see for myself how much money I’ve earned so far.”

 

* * *

“Stella, weren’t you so confident that Father would entrust you with the household? What if Epirosa ends up taking it instead!” Gale shouted angrily.

 

Stella bit her lip in frustration. Her father, Gale, was nothing like her mother, Diane, who would comfort Stella gently or empathize with her anger. He only pushed his daughter because he was too concerned about what he might lose. It was only then that Stella realized how much of a good shield she had lost, but she forced herself to ignore it.

 

“Why does Grandfather compare me to Epirosa over something as trivial as blessings? I’m clearly much more…”

 

“Stop spouting nonsense! What matters is that your grandfather thinks that way!” Gale barked at her.

 

Nicholas, who had been watching the scene with a smug expression, chimed in. “You probably won’t be able to make your official debut until next year’s social season. What a shame. Oh, but by then, Epirosa will debut too, so I guess it won’t matter much.”

 

Stella glared at Nicholas. He had thoroughly gotten under her skin and then avoided her gaze.

 

Clenching her fists tightly, Stella looked at Gale. “Father, don’t worry. I have a plan.”

 

“What plan?”

 

“If I ruin Epirosa’s reputation in society, Grandfather won’t be able to entrust her with the household.” Stella lifted her head and smiled arrogantly.

 

“And how exactly are you going to ruin her reputation? Do you even have a plan?”

 

“Of course.”

 

Gale’s eyes gleamed with interest.

 

“Soon, there will be the imperial palace banquet marking the start of the fall social season.”

 

The noble society of the empire was relatively lenient when it came to relationships between men and women. However, the rules of the official social season were strict. Young ladies who had not formally debuted in society were only allowed to attend certain events. It was intended to give them a chance to make their presence known in advance. But even then, they needed a male escort or a chaperone to accompany them.

 

“Epirosa doesn’t have a man to ask for an escort, nor does she have a chaperone.”

 

While a distant relative could serve as a chaperone, the escort was a different matter. If the man escorting her wasn’t family, he would inevitably be seen as a potential fiancé later on. Stella intended to use this to her advantage.

 

“How about we help Epirosa? Let’s find her a ‘good’ man to escort her.”

 

No matter how liberal the atmosphere was, a ‘scandal’ could be fatal for an unmarried lady.