Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 60

At that moment, the designer approached, holding a dress embroidered with beautiful flowers. Epirosa’s eyes finally lit up.

 

“The embroidery is truly beautiful.”

 

“Yes, this embroidery was done by a master artisan…”

 

“It’s a Marelun flower, isn’t it?” Maddux’s voice suddenly interrupted the conversation between Epirosa and the designer. Now finally gaining attention, he slightly lifted his head and spoke. “During the winter, it lies its roots in the cold ground, and only when spring comes does it lift its head. It’s a symbol of endurance.” Then, he looked at Epirosa and smiled warmly. “I suppose you didn’t know that. Well, most young ladies are captivated only by the beauty of flowers and don’t understand their true meaning. Things like endurance and such.”

 

Epirosa silently stared at Maddux, who was smiling smugly. That made him flustered. This wasn’t the reaction he had expected. Usually, when he said things like this, young ladies would gaze at him in admiration and fuss over how knowledgeable he was. Then he would share something even more difficult and academic, putting the woman in her place.

 

A handsome face and enviable knowledge. So far, no woman had ever resisted this approach. He had planned to use the same tactic on Epirosa. But why isn’t it working?!

 

Maddux quickly added more to his words. “At the academy I attended, we studied flowers along with herbalism. I just happened to love flowers so much that I always came in first place. Haha, though I suppose that sounds like I’m bragging.”

 

“To think you like flowers, that’s unexpected.” Only then did Epirosa, who had been cold, finally speak.

 

Sensing his chance, Maddux looked at Epirosa with deep affection. “Delicate and beautiful flowers remind me of women. They make me feel like I need to protect and cherish them.”

 

“…”

 

“Lady Epirosa, you resemble a flower as well. Not a flower without substance, but one like the Marelun flower, a symbol of endurance that overcomes hardship.”

 

It was at that moment.

 

“But it seems there’s something you don’t know.” A cold sneer escaped from Epirosa. “The fact that the leaves of the Marelun flower are poisonous.”

 

Maddux’s face froze in a dumbfounded expression.

 

Epirosa beamed brightly as she spoke. “Throughout winter, the Marelun seed harbors poison. It’s to punish those who dared to carelessly pluck the flowers that bloom with such difficulty.”

 

“Ah, I see…”

 

“It’s okay. Even the top student might not know everything.” Epirosa smiled sweetly.

 

The staff in the boutique stifled their laughter, giggling quietly. Maddux, who had tried to act knowledgeable and tame Epirosa by bringing up a difficult topic, ended up embarrassing himself instead. He only knew one side of things, not the other. What he didn’t know was that Epirosa, who had been belittled countless times by Maddux in her past life, had gritted her teeth and studied hard to surpass him.

 

With face turning red, Maddux shouted, “Bring a different dress, quickly! This flower is poisonous!”

 

“Oh my, it’s fine.” Epirosa gently stroked the flower embroidery and stopped Maddux. “Look. There are no leaves on the stem of this embroidery. A Marelun flower with its leaves removed is perfectly safe.”

 

But I haven’t removed the leaves yet.

 

Epirosa gave Maddux a cold smile and stared at him. He flinched as if he could read her thoughts.

 

“S-Still, there might be a better dress, so maybe another one…”

 

“Before anything else, I’d like to get a rough estimate of the cost. If I were to purchase the most expensive dress, shoes, and accessories here, including alteration and delivery fees, how much would it be?”

 

Epirosa suddenly brought up a different topic. A staff member quickly returned with a receipt listing the amounts. Her brows furrowed as she reviewed the details.

 

“I only asked for the costs I’d be covering, didn’t I? This includes not just Nicholas’s and Stella’s expenses, but also Uncle Gale’s.”

 

“Count Gale stated that Lady Epirosa would be covering all the expenses.”

 

“Oh my, really?” Epirosa feigned surprise and handed the receipt back. “Surely, my dear uncle, who cherishes his niece, wouldn’t intend for a child to pay such a large sum. There must be some misunderstanding.”

 

“Pardon? But I was told—”

 

“It must have been a miscommunication. Any noble who values their honor wouldn’t exploit their young niece’s wallet for personal gain. Especially not the eldest son of the Blanche family.”

 

At that, the designer quickly took the receipt and tore it in half. The perceptive designer realized that Epirosa had no intention of covering the Gale family’s expenses. “I’ll recalculate the receipt and bring it back to you.”

 

“No need. Once I’ve selected the dress, shoes, and accessories, calculate the actual cost and give me the final total. I trust there won’t be any mistakes this time.”

 

“Of course.”

 

It was now clear that Epirosa was the one paying, and everything would be decided according to her wishes. The designer and staff became even more attentive to Epirosa. The one who started to panic was Maddux.

 

I promised Nicholas that all expenses would be shifted to Epirosa! Maddux spoke hastily. “Lady Epirosa, please reconsider! If people hear that a kind-hearted person like you, blessed by the temple, paid for your uncle’s family’s expenses, wouldn’t everyone adore you even more?”

 

Epirosa replied without even glancing at Maddux. “Are you telling me to give charity to my uncle’s family? That would actually be an insult to them. That dress is lovely. Could you bring it closer?”

 

Epirosa became obscured from Maddux’s view as the staff brought over the dress. But Maddux, forgetting all manners, pushed closer to Epirosa, whom he had met for the first time today. He even shoved aside the staff to do so.

 

“I heard from my friend Nicholas that their financial situation isn’t good these days. If you help quietly, they’ll actually be grateful.”

 

“You said you’re friends with Brother Nicholas, didn’t you?” Epirosa answered in a bothered tone. “Instead of me, why don’t you cover the expenses for your friend? That way, Brother Nicholas won’t feel burdened.”

 

“What? Are you telling me to pay for this expensive clothing?” Startled, Maddux blurted out his true feelings without realizing it.

 

To Epirosa, the combined cost of all the dresses and accessories here was mere pocket change. But for Maddux, a noble in name only, it was an amount he couldn’t afford even if he sold his house.

 

“You told me to help my uncle, yet you, Lord Maddux, don’t want to help even a single friend?” Epirosa looked up at Maddux with a disappointed expression.

 

Maddux’s face turned red.

 

“Sorry. I can’t focus on the clothes right now.”

 

Understanding Epirosa’s intent, the designer shot Maddux a sharp glare. “You need to leave now.”

 

“What? What are you saying?”

 

“Are you planning to stay here while the young lady chooses her clothes? We can even see that it’s improper.”

 

“I-I got permission from the lady’s cousin to be here!”

 

“You’re only getting in the way of the young lady choosing her clothes. Please step aside.” Eventually, the staff blocked Maddux’s way.

 

If I can’t shift the cost to Epirosa, Nicholas won’t let it slide!

 

“Lady, Lady!” Growing anxious, Maddux desperately called out for Epirosa, who was hidden from view by the staff. But in the end, he was pushed out of the room.

 

Bang! The door shut firmly, leaving no room for argument.

 

* * *

“Maddux, you idiot! What the hell did you do!”

 

As soon as Nicholas closed the door to his room, he kicked Maddux. Maddux collapsed weakly to the floor.

 

“I told you clearly! Make Epirosa pay for all our family expenses! You told me not to worry! You said you could handle it!”

 

“Ni-Nicholas, wait, just listen to me for a moment…”

 

“Listen to what! Do you have any idea how furious my father was when he saw the receipts!”

 

Nicholas had already gotten an earful from Gale. Thinking Epirosa would pay, the Gale family had picked out only expensive items, but ended up having to buy them all on credit. The eldest son of the Blanche family, buying on credit. There was no greater humiliation than this.

 

Unable to contain his anger, Nicholas tried to slap Maddux. “Not the face, not the face!”

 

“What?”

 

“What if Lady Epirosa is saddened to see my handsome face hurt!”