Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 63

The imperial banquet, marking the start of the fall social season, was bustling with people. The particularly extravagant decorations captured everyone’s eyes and sparked conversations.

 

“I heard this banquet was planned by Duchess Violet Clementi.”

 

“Just look at this gaudiness. It’s neither elegant nor tasteful.”

 

“Well, at least her son is decent compared to her, thank goodness.”

 

“Come to think of it, I heard the crown prince is skipping this banquet too? Has he fallen out of the emperor’s favor?”

 

“At this rate, Duke Claude Clementi might really become the next crown prince…”

 

The murmuring nobles suddenly fell silent. The atmosphere grew still. One of them, with a hint of dread, turned around.

 

The subject of the rumors, Duke Claude Clementi, was entering the hall with someone by his side. His companion was none other than Stella Blanche herself.

 

Dressed in a dazzling white gown that resembled a wedding dress, she looked stunningly beautiful. The pure white fabric made her deep crimson hair, reminiscent of Hubert, stand out even more. Of course, there was a specific reason Stella had chosen to wear such an extravagant white dress.

 

When Epirosa received her blessing, she wore a white dress and was showered with praise. If it were a white dress, Stella believed it suited her far better. If only I had worn a white dress that day, Epirosa would have been completely overshadowed!

 

The thought made her stomach churn with envy. So today, she had deliberately chosen to wear a white dress, mimicking Epirosa, in an attempt to reclaim the spotlight.

 

Luckily, Epirosa is wearing a different color dress today. Naturally, this meant all eyes would be on her. With her head held high, Stella walked confidently, basking in the attention of the crowd.

 

“Look at that, Duke Clementi is really escorting a lady from the Blanche family. This is truly the union of the empire’s top families.”

 

“If Duke Clementi were to form a marriage alliance with the Blanche family, his influence would grow even stronger, wouldn’t it?”

 

“And if that happens, the crown prince…”

 

The murmurs of the crowd swirled around Stella’s ears like a sweet melody. Everyone’s attention was on her. Everyone thought she was important.

 

“Your Majesty the Emperor is entering!”

 

Just then, the announcement of the emperor’s arrival echoed through the hall.

 

He’ll probably greet his son, Duke Clementi, first. Then I’ll be the first lady to offer my greetings to His Majesty. Stella was filled with joy. Today was the day she would finally outshine Epirosa.

 

But why isn’t Epirosa here yet? Hurry up and come so you can see this and feel jealous! Despite her wicked inner thoughts, Stella looked at the emperor with an endlessly sweet smile.

 

“Marchioness Gent, thank you for attending today’s banquet.”

 

The emperor had already entered, accompanied by someone. It was none other than Marchioness Gent, the late empress’s younger sister. And that wasn’t all.

 

“Lady Epirosa, this is your first fall social banquet, isn’t it? Enjoy yourself.”

 

Walking alongside them was Epirosa, dressed in an elegant navy-blue gown. Though Marchioness Gent and Epirosa walked a step behind the emperor, they clearly appeared to be part of his entourage.

 

Was it because Marchioness Gent was with them? The emperor simply acknowledged Claude’s greeting and passed by Stella without saying a word.

 

“Your Majesty, thank you for hosting this banquet for the people again this year.”

 

“Oh, Marquis, it’s good to see you looking well. This is my sister-in-law, Marchioness Gent.”

 

“Greetings, Marchioness. It’s been a while. But the young lady beside you is…?”

 

“My name is Epirosa Blanche.”

 

“Ah! Lady Epirosa! Seeing you up close, you look even more beautiful and intelligent.”

 

Every noble exchanging greetings with the emperor was eager to offer compliments to Epirosa as well. Moreover, Epirosa’s shy smile was so enchanting that it captivated the nobles’ attention. Her bashful demeanor perfectly complemented her elegant navy dress, creating a stunning synergy.

 

“For such a young lady to appear alongside His Majesty, that’s truly remarkable. Could she have managed to win over the notoriously discerning emperor?”

 

“Well, she did receive blessings at the temple. It’s not surprising she’d leave a good impression. Still, it’s amazing that His Majesty keeps her close, even if she is from the Blanche family.”

 

“Perhaps it’s because Lady Epirosa is favored by Marchioness Gent?”

 

“Oh my, is she really favored by Marchioness Gent?”

 

“Actually, they say it was Lady Epirosa who brought the marchioness back into society. It’s only natural His Majesty is pleased with her.”

 

Praise and admiration for Epirosa could be heard everywhere. With the support of the emperor, the marchioness, and the Blanche family, Epirosa’s presence was overwhelming. Stella, on the other hand, was utterly forgotten, as if she had never existed.

 

W-What is going on? Why is His Majesty with Epirosa? Where is Maddux?! Stella frantically looked around. In the distance, she spotted Maddux hesitantly walking toward them.

 

“Hmm, wasn’t Lord Maddux supposed to escort Lady Epirosa?” Beside her, Claude asked with a tone of curiosity.

 

Unable to hold back any longer, Stella spoke up. “I’ll go ask Lord Maddux what happened.”

 

“By all means, if that’s what you wish.”

 

Stella clenched the hem of her skirt tightly and approached Maddux. Maddux beamed as if he had just encountered a savior. But what came from Stella was a cold interrogation.

 

“Maddux! What is going on here? Why didn’t you escort Epirosa?”

 

“I-I couldn’t help it. Marchioness Gent suddenly appeared.” Maddux, intimidated by the furious Stella, stammered his response.

 

Hearing Maddux’s answer, Stella’s eyes widened. “Marchioness Gent showed up?”

 

“Yeah! She said she would act as Lady Epirosa’s chaperone and told me I could leave.”

 

What Stella and Maddux didn’t know was the full story behind this.

 

* * *

It was an hour earlier. The two carriages of the Blanche family had departed, leaving only Maddux and me behind. He spoke confidently. “Looks like it’s just the two of us now. Shall we get into the carriage?”

 

Maddux extended his hand to me. But I stood still, not moving an inch. Feeling awkward, Maddux clenched his fist nervously and then lowered his hand. He leaned in and whispered to me. “It’s impolite to refuse the escort partner chosen by the elders. And it’s not like you can find another partner at this point, can you?”

 

Only then did I fix my gaze on Maddux. He flinched under my cold stare. But soon, he pulled up the corners of his mouth into a sly grin. It was a smile meant to look cool.

 

“Do you know that story?”

 

“Not particularly interested.”

 

“What…!” Maddux, who had been about to continue naturally, flinched again. He couldn’t hide his embarrassment but forced himself to speak. “There was a woman who was incredibly greedy. She relied solely on her beauty and rejected all the suitors her parents had chosen for her. What do you think happened to her?”

 

“I think she lived well on her own.”

 

Maddux let out a mocking laugh. “No. She grew old and died lonely. Later, she tried to cling to a man who had treated her well, but by then, he had married a young, obedient, and beautiful woman and didn’t even spare her a glance. This is what happens when you don’t know your place and get too greedy.” He spoke as if issuing a warning.

 

But I was indifferent. He’s telling me something I’ve heard so many times in my past life that my ears could fall off. Maddux often told me stories like this to scare me. It was his way of saying I should treat him well since he was by my side.

 

In my past life, I had been naive and foolish, so much so that I only had eyes for Maddux. Whenever I heard such stories, I would tremble in fear, worried about facing a miserable old age without Maddux. How foolish I was. It was thanks to Maddux that my fate became even more miserable.

 

Maddux seemed flustered that I wasn’t moved by his ‘scary story’. “Don’t you get the lesson from this story?”

 

“Not really. There are so many stories about people who blindly married the partners their parents chose and ended up in tragedy. One story like this doesn’t make me feel anything.”

 

At my words, Maddux’s jaw dropped. He was at a loss for words.

 

“Get on the carriage quickly. We’ll be late for the banquet.” Maddux extended his hand to me with a face full of dissatisfaction.

 

“It’s fine. You can get on by yourself.”

 

“What? Are you saying you’re not coming to the banquet?”

 

“I’m waiting for someone.”