Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 62

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It was the day of the imperial palace banquet.

 

“It’s an honor to escort the young lady of the Blanche family.” Claude, who had arrived early in the morning, greeted Hubert with a polite bow.

 

“Please take good care of Stella, Duke Clementi.” Hubert spoke as he looked at his grandchildren standing in front of the carriage.

 

“Don’t worry.”

 

Claude was currently the most prominent man in the empire. Though he was the emperor’s illegitimate child, he was favored by the emperor, and many considered him better than the notorious playboy, Ludwig.

 

There are even rumors quietly circulating that the crown prince might be replaced. Anyone looking at Claude’s confident face might think the same. However, Hubert believed the crown prince would not be replaced.

 

Crown Prince Ludwig is not the playboy people claim he is. That’s my instinct as the master of the divine beast. Moreover, he had heard that the imperial family’s divine beast, the unicorn, had given an egg to Ludwig. Though the egg hadn’t hatched for a long time, the matter was being kept quiet.

 

“By the way, Your Excellency.” Claude spoke to Hubert, who had been lost in thought. His gaze was fixed on Hubert’s grandchildren standing in front of the carriage.

 

Is he looking at Stella? Hubert’s gaze instantly turned sharp. Could this brat possibly have his eyes on our Stella…?

 

Though Stella had been making questionable choices lately, she was still Hubert’s cherished grandchild. Moreover, he didn’t agree with the conservative mindset that being escorted meant an engagement.

 

“Who will be escorting Lady Epirosa?”

 

“What?” The unexpected question made Hubert respond sharply without meaning to.

 

Startled, Claude looked at him, only to freeze at the sight of Hubert’s menacing expression. “Ah, um, that… I was just curious…”

 

Now, Hubert felt even worse than when he thought Claude might be interested in Stella. On top of that, he was frustrated that the person Gale had suddenly put in charge of Epirosa’s escort wasn’t to his liking.

 

That useless Gale. How could he choose someone like that for our Epirosa’s escort? Hubert had left things to Gale, trusting he would handle it properly, but this was the result. He firmly resolved to manage these matters himself from now on.

 

“Your Excellency, are you feeling unwell? Your eyes look bloodshot.” Claude asked cautiously.

 

“It’s nothing. And you don’t need to concern yourself about who will be escorting Epirosa.”

 

“Duke Claude!” Just then, Stella called out to Claude from behind, waving her hand cheerfully.

 

“Go ahead.”

 

“Yes, understood.”

 

Claude walked over to the carriage where Stella, Epirosa, and Nicholas were waiting. There were three carriages in total. Epirosa and Stella, each escorted, would ride in separate carriages, while the last one was reserved for Hubert, Gale, and Nicholas.

 

Seeing Claude, Nicholas greeted him awkwardly. “I-It’s been a while, Duke.”

 

“Yes, it has been a while.” Claude smiled kindly as he returned the greeting. However, it was Claude himself who had driven Nicholas out of the young noblemen’s gathering.

 

Claude’s gaze, which didn’t even meet Nicholas’s eyes, landed on Epirosa. Her light pink hair shimmered under the sunlight. Her blue eyes sparkled like ripples on a lake. Her lively red lips rarely parted. And her expressionless face, calm yet like the calm before a storm. Behind her lovely beauty was a chilling allure that made it impossible to look away. The contrast was enough to make one’s heart skip a beat.

 

“It’s an honor to be your escort, Lady Stella.”

 

But Claude quickly shifted his gaze to Stella. Unfortunately, the one he was assigned to escort today was Stella.

 

“The honor is mine, Duke,” said Stella with a bright smile. On her wrist was a bracelet adorned with large pearls.

 

Soon, Gale arrived, and Hubert and Nicholas boarded the carriage with him and departed.

 

“It seems the one assigned to escort Lady Epirosa has yet to arrive,” Claude remarked in a casual tone, suppressing the interest bubbling within him.

 

It was then.

 

“I-I’m sorry for being late!” Maddux came running, out of breath. As he approached, he suddenly froze. “Lady, today you’re… truly beautiful.” He murmured, his face dazed as if he were enchanted.

 

“Oh my, I suppose I’ll have to pretend I didn’t hear that. You see, I already have someone else escorting me today.”

 

It was Stella’s plan to both boost Claude’s ego and make Maddux jealous. But Maddux simply walked past Stella without a second glance. While Stella stood there flustered, he stopped in front of Epirosa.

 

“To think you had this side to you… You truly look like an angel.”

 

It wasn’t Stella but Epirosa who had captured Maddux’s heart.

 

Epirosa, dressed in a calm-tone dress she’d chosen herself, looked especially beautiful. Her hair, adorned with fresh flowers, was simple yet made her look like a fairy from a myth.

 

Claude’s gaze, fixed on the entranced Maddux, grew sharp. Epirosa, too, turned her head away as if she found the situation unpleasant.

 

Humiliated, Stella bit her lip. How could he approach someone like Epirosa before me? That’s it! It’s only because he hadn’t seen me properly! She quickly stepped toward Maddux. “Lord Maddux.”

 

At Stella’s sweet, lilting voice, Maddux turned his head to the side. Stella greeted him with a radiant smile. Contrary to her expectations, Maddux actually regained his composure.

 

“Lady Stella, when did you arrive?”

 

“!”

 

Maddux had been so captivated by Epirosa that he had completely forgotten about Stella’s presence. A crack formed in Stella’s pride.

 

Calculating that Stella was still the top candidate for a bride, Maddux quickly pulled himself together. “I thought a fairy had descended from the heavens. You are truly beautiful, Lady Stella.”

 

Claude let out a small chuckle at the obvious flattery, making Stella’s face turn red.

 

“Let’s just get in the carriage now.”

 

Stella suppressed her anger towards Epirosa, forcing a smile as she approached Claude. Claude offered his hand politely, and Stella took it to climb into the carriage. As she did, she glanced over at Epirosa standing with Maddux.

 

Epirosa, no matter how much you try, you’ll only end up engaged to a petty man like Maddux! I’m on a completely different level, being escorted by the duke!

 

“You seem to have a good relationship with your cousin,” Claude said softly as he closed the carriage door.

 

Talking about personal matters the moment I sit down? He must be interested in me.

 

Stella’s face brightened as she replied. “Yes. There have been a few unfortunate incidents, but I’ve forgiven them all. I want to get along well with my family, even if it means making sacrifices.”

 

“You have a very warm heart.”

 

“Not at all. My grandfather often says he’s worried because I’m too kind, but I don’t see it as a flaw.”

 

“Then you must also know your cousins’ preferences quite well.”

 

Claude’s words came one after another without a break. Stella was convinced. Duke Clementi has feelings for me. Otherwise, why would he keep talking with a smiling face? She had completely forgotten how Claude had mocked her before she got into the carriage.

 

Ah, what should I do? Duke Clementi has fallen for me so quickly! She still didn’t know who would be the next crown prince. Whether it would be Crown Prince Ludwig or Duke Clementi. I don’t know which one to choose!

 

Stella was lost in a blissful dilemma. For now, I’ll play with both of them in my hands. First, I’ll grab hold of Duke Clementi. She admired her own perfect plan. Because of that, she failed to notice that Claude’s topic was oddly related to her cousin, especially Epirosa.