Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 71

The office fell silent. I slowly closed my eyes and then opened them again. At that moment, the Gale family, who had just come to their senses, erupted in shouts.

 

“Father! How could you entrust such an important matter to Epirosa!”

 

“Grandfather, with Stelle here, why Epirosa?”

 

Gale and Nicholas strongly opposed the decision. They were as agitated as if the sky had fallen. It wasn’t surprising. I had expected this reaction.

 

Hubert looked at Stella with a displeased expression. “Stella, do you also oppose my decision like your father and brother?” He asked.

 

Stella forced a sweet smile, lifting the corners of her mouth. “No, I always believe Grandfather’s decisions are right. However…” Her gaze turned to me. “Epirosa, are you okay with this? I can convince Father and Brother, but I’m not sure if the household employees will accept you. You haven’t been in the family for long, and you lack experience.”

 

“Stella is right! We should listen to the employees as well! How can they suddenly be expected to follow someone who knows nothing, just like that?” Gale raised his voice, convinced Stella was right.

 

Hubert smirked with a mocking expression. “If that’s the issue, there’s nothing to worry about.”

 

“What? If you ignore the opinions of the employees, even the lower ranks won’t take it lightly.”

 

“I’ve already asked the employees for their opinions. The person they want the most is Epirosa.”

 

Stella’s eyes widened in shock as she wore a triumphant smile. The employees were people who had been under Diane’s command until recently. Many of them had benefited from Diane’s generosity. It was only natural for them to side with Stella, Diane’s daughter. But for them to want me instead of Stella?

 

Gale family wouldn’t understand. They had no idea that I had secretly resolved their issues and provided financial help through Benjamin.

 

“Father, this is absurd. How could the employees want Epirosa?”

 

“Gale, if you don’t believe it, ask Benjamin yourself. He’s been managing the household and has looked into everything.”

 

Gale bit his lip, his fierce gaze directed at me.

 

“Grandfather, then I’ll help Epirosa,” said Stella, still unwilling to give up. She spoke with a feigned kindness, just like her mother. “Of course, since Grandfather chose her and the employees want Epirosa to manage the household, she should take charge. But since this is her first time, I’ll help her as someone who learned from watching Mother.”

 

I struggled to hold back a scoff. It was obvious she intended to use the excuse of helping to take control of the household herself. If given the chance, she would find a pretext to push me out and take over the household herself. But Stella, I don’t need your help.

 

In my past life, her mother dumped so much of her work on me. Thanks to that, I gained enough experience to manage the household perfectly well on my own. I had no need for the help of someone like Stella, who spent her time filing her nails and eating cake by her mother’s side.

 

“Thank you for your kind offer, Stella.”

 

“It’s fine, no need to feel burdened. Just trust me with the household affairs.” Stella smiled brightly, thinking her plan had succeeded.

 

I kindly smeared filth all over that smile. “With the unnecessary misunderstandings about the bracelet and Lord Maddux at the imperial banquet, you must already be having a hard time. It’s so thoughtful of you to want to help me despite that. But I can’t impose on you when even two bodies wouldn’t be enough for you. I’ll just take your kind thoughts.” I said with a smile. You should focus on cleaning up the filth that’s been thrown at you.

 

Stella’s face slowly hardened. And over that face, Hubert’s cold voice poured down. “Stella, focus all your attention on cleaning up your scandal. Until your honor is restored, you won’t be entrusted with anything else.”

 

“G-Grandfather…”

 

“This scandal could very well tarnish the Blanche family name!” Hubert’s stern rebuke crushed Stella, who still couldn’t let go of her lingering attachment.

 

In the end, Stella hung her head. Gale and Nicholas couldn’t argue any further either.

 

A man who had an affair with the emperor’s mistress. And to be in a relationship with that man, what greater disgrace could there be?

 

How does it feel to be tripped up by the very scandal you tried to pin on me?

 

The Gale family must have intended to tarnish my reputation so I wouldn’t be entrusted with managing the household. But in the end, they fell into their own trap. The scandal became Stella’s burden, and the household management became mine.

 

I spoke to Hubert calmly but with a sense of responsibility. “Grandfather, I’ll do my best with the task you’ve entrusted to me.”

 

“Yes, that’s the spirit.” Hubert smiled warmly, clearly pleased.

 

* * *

“Ludwig! What’s the matter so early in the morning?” Emperor Ignasio entered the parlor. He approached his son in a single stride, his expression bright with delight.

 

“Father, did you sleep well last night?”

 

“Of course, I did.”

 

Ludwig smiled like an open book, as if he had no secrets. But inwardly, he was checking to see if the emperor carried the scent of roses. The rose scent was favored by the emperor’s concubine, Violet. Still no rose scent today.

 

Since the bracelet incident last time, the emperor had been visiting Violet less frequently than before. Even though he had forgiven her, he must still be uncomfortable with her. Naturally, he would also grow distant from Violet’s son, Claude.

 

This was the perfect chance to solidify Ludwig’s image as the rightful heir. Until now, he had kept his head down, waiting for the right moment.

 

After the empress’s death and Marchioness Gent’s seclusion, Violet had spread her influence as if she had grown wings. At first, those who underestimated Violet fell one by one to her cruelty. With even the emperor’s affection leaning toward Violet, Ludwig had to protect himself.

 

I had to be cautious not to use my maternal family recklessly or risk their downfall too. Therefore, Ludwig decided to play the role of a scoundrel. It was to make his maternal family disappointed in him and withdraw from the power struggle. It was also to ensure Violet’s vicious claws would pass him by. But even as he held his breath, Ludwig was always waiting for the right moment.

 

And now, this is that moment. Now that Marchioness Gent had returned to society, the timing was perfect. It was time to show how much he had changed and regain the support of his maternal family.

 

The opportunity came sooner than I thought. The reason for that was probably ‘her.’ Ludwig thought of Epirosa, who had been smiling by Marchioness Gent’s side. Without realizing it, the corners of his lips curved into a smile.

 

It was at that moment. The emperor, seated in his chair, was the first to speak. “I heard you haven’t been going out and about like you used to. While this father of yours is pleased, it’s unusual for you, so I can’t help but worry.” The emperor chuckled heartily. He seemed in a good mood, as if thinking his son had finally matured.

 

Ludwig spoke with a pensive expression. “Actually, I have something on my mind.”

 

“Something on your mind?”

 

Ludwig pulled out an egg with a bluish hue from his pocket. It was about the size of a fist.

 

“Isn’t that the egg the Unicorn gave you?”

 

“Yes. When I first received this egg, I was overjoyed, thinking I had been fully recognized as the successor. But…” Ludwig trailed off, unable to continue. He had received the egg from the Unicorn before he had even turned five.

 

Divine beasts give their eggs to the next master. The creature that hatches from the egg helps the next master develop their abilities. But my egg hasn’t hatched, even after all these years. Normally, eggs hatch as quickly as within a day or, at the latest, within a year. However, Ludwig’s egg has yet to hatch to this day.

 

Taking advantage of that, Violet’s side spread rumors, “Isn’t the Unicorn planning to choose another heir?”

 

The longer the egg remained unhatched, the more doubts arose about Ludwig’s qualifications.

 

The emperor, of course, was well aware of this concern. He gripped his son’s hand tightly. “No matter what anyone says, you are the crown prince of this empire. Don’t listen to what others say.”

 

“I want to believe that too… but is it possible for the divine beast to skip a generation and choose a different successor?” Ludwig asked.

 

Hearing his son’s question, a look of sorrow spread across the emperor’s face. He thought Ludwig was asking this out of anxiety. But in truth, Ludwig was curious about something else entirely.

 

Epirosa’s blanche had the familiar of the divine beast. He had seen it during the palace banquet. Through the branches, he had caught sight of a small, crimson bird with Epirosa. That red bird unmistakably resembled a Phoenix. It was too small, but it was definitely Phoenix familiar.

 

Usually, the Phoenix familiar is as large as a hawk. But the one chirping as if trying to protect Epirosa from the Unicorn was barely the size of a baby sparrow. Still, it was brave enough to stand in front of the Unicorn and cry out. It was truly worthy of being called a divine beast.

 

The current master of the divine beast is Hubert Blanche. He had three children who had not been designated as successors. Could the divine beast skip over all of them and choose Epirosa as its next master?

 

‘The emperor, watching his son lost in thought with a troubled expression, spoke. “As far as I know, there has never been a case where the divine beast skipped a generation to choose a successor. Not unless all the children of that generation were dead. So, Ludwig, you have nothing to worry about.”

 

“I see…”

 

Ludwig’s curiosity only deepened at the emperor’s response. Then what is that little bird Epirosa had with her?