Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 78

It was a bag of candy. Through the thin white bag, the round candies proudly showed themselves.

 

What… is this?

 

When I widened my eyes in surprise, Hubert cleared his throat awkwardly. “Eat it if you get hungry on the way.”

 

“Yes. Thank you.”

 

I took the bag. Candy, out of nowhere? Is this his way of showing care for his grandchild? But I already looked like a fifteen-year-old. Candy seemed like something too childish. Hubert probably isn’t meticulous enough to care about such details. Thinking that, I headed to the sanctuary where Mom was staying.

 

“You’re here again, Milady.”

 

“Greetings, Cardinal.”

 

As if he had heard I was coming, Cardinal Lenon Gianni came out to greet me.

 

“It must be a long journey, yet you come so often. Your filial piety is admirable.”

 

“No, not at all. How could I call myself a dutiful daughter when I can’t even take care of Mom myself?” I spoke, feeling a pang of guilt.

 

Seeing me like that, Lenon frowned slightly, as if pained.

 

“I wish the two of you could live together.”

 

“I’ll do my best to make that day come sooner.”

 

“If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know.”

 

At Lenon’s words, I smiled. “Your sentiment alone is more than enough.” And I truly meant it. For someone as high-ranking as a cardinal to offer his support for Mom and me… It could very well provoke Hubert, the grand duke. Even for a cardinal, it was no small burden to bear. Yet he was willing to take that risk. I was genuinely grateful. I’ve heard he’s already been considerate of Mom in many ways.

 

It seemed like my sincerity got through, as Lenon smiled. “Your mother is getting healthier by the day. These days, she even goes for walks every day.”

 

“Really? That’s such a relief. She doesn’t cause any trouble during her walks, does she?”

 

“Not at all. She listens very well to the paladin who assists her.”

 

I thought of the silver-helmeted paladin who was always by Mom’s side. A mysterious paladin who never let his guard down around others but was endlessly self-devoted to Mom. Even though he himself had sustained injuries all over his body during battle and always wore armor to cover them, his dedication was remarkable. Suddenly, it occurred to me that I didn’t even know his name.

 

“By any chance, do you know the name of that paladin?”

 

“I don’t know his exact name either.”

 

“What?” I asked again, startled.

 

Lenon spoke with a troubled expression. “He was already injured all over and had lost his memory when he joined the paladins.”

 

“How could something like that happen…?” I was genuinely shocked. I had just assumed he was injured long ago during a holy war against monsters.

 

“A few years ago, there was a big fight between mercenary groups. The leader of the paladins happened to be passing by and saved him, as he was gravely injured.”

 

According to Lenon, even though the man had lost his memory, he displayed incredible skills after recovering from his injuries. The leader of the paladins immediately registered him in the order.

 

“So no one knows his name at all?”

 

“Fortunately, the knight remembers just three characters of his name. ㅑbe.”

 

“Then, does everyone call him Ibe?”

 

“Yes. You can also call him Sir Ibe, Milady.”

 

I was really relieved. At least I got to know his name. It would have been so awkward to keep receiving his help without even knowing his name. I looked down at the bag of candy I had brought without eating a single piece. Does he like candy, by any chance? But I shook my head. I don’t even eat it, so there’s no way a paladin would like it.

 

After Lenon, who had guided me, left, I entered Mom’s room alone. Clank. The sound of armor moving echoed. It was Sir Ibe, who had been feeding Mom water, making a cautious noise.

 

“It’s me, Sir Ibe.”

 

I called his name with a friendly tone. But Ibe didn’t even acknowledge me and went to stand against the wall. Whenever I came, he would always step aside to let me spend time with Mom. It’s hard to get close to him. Still, I shook the bag of candy, just in case.

 

“Would you like some candy?”

 

And then, it happened.

 

“Candy! Fruit candy!” Mom, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly stretched out her hands like a child.

 

“Mom?”

 

“Give me candy! I want to eat candy!”

 

Caught off guard, I handed the bag to her. Mom reached into the bag and pulled out a piece of candy. Inside the white candy, there were bits of fruit.

 

“It’s delicious!”

 

“Mom, did you always like fruit candy?”

 

With her cheeks puffed out, she smiled brightly. Then, she bowed her head toward me. “Father, thank you!”

 

“!” I flinched. Father… thank you? No way, is this… I looked down at the candy bag. Hubert, I mean, Grandpa used to buy Mom candy often when she was little? Is that why Mom shouted, ‘Father, thank you!’ just like she did back then? If that’s the case, Hubert… knew Mom liked candy and gave this to her. But he pretended to give it to me.

 

Hubert, I mean, Grandpa gave this candy to Mom… I was left in a daze. Did he finally open his heart to Mom? Did he finally start missing his daughter? My chest tightened with emotion. At the same time, it hurt so much it felt like my heart was being torn apart. And yet, I never realized that Grandpa remembered Mom at all.

 

Before coming to the Blanche family, my family situation wasn’t good. We couldn’t afford to buy any treats like candy. All I ever did was complain about how I didn’t like eating the tasteless meals we had. When she loved candy this much…

 

Mom’s face was filled with happiness. All because of this one little piece of candy. How long must she have wanted to taste it. In my past life, Mom passed away without even getting to taste something like this. I felt my heart burn as if it were on fire.

 

“Mom, I’m sorry… “My heated eyes grew wet, and tears streamed down my cheeks.

 

Mom’s eyes widened in surprise. She pulled a piece of candy from the bag and gently placed it between my lips. “I’ll give you one too. Don’t cry, my daughter.” Then she stroked my hair. Tears kept falling as I sucked on the candy.

 

“Ppi?”

 

At that moment, Ppinix cautiously poked its head out from my arms. Seeing me cry, it seemed startled and shook its head before flying up and perching on top of my head. Then, as if to comfort me, it gently tapped my head with its beak.

 

“I’m okay, Ppinix. Mom, thanks for the candy.”

 

I was sniffling when I suddenly froze. Come to think of it. Is Ibe watching? With Ppinix still on my head, I slowly turned around. Ibe’s helmet was pointed directly at us. My tears instantly dried up.

 

“P-Ppinix?”

 

Is it okay with other people seeing it?

 

“Ppii?”

 

Ppinix chirped back as if to ask what the big deal was. Its nonchalant reaction made my worry seem pointless.

 

Ppinix, who never reveals itself in front of others, is acting completely fine in front of Ibe. Ppinix had only ever shown itself to Ludwig and me. Since Ludwig was the successor chosen by the divine beast, that made sense, but… Why Ibe? I looked back at Ibe again. There was only one reason that came to my mind. Ibe isn’t just an ordinary person.

 

When I thought about it again, wasn’t it strange? A man injured beyond recognition, with a completely mysterious identity. With only three letters of memory, Ibe still possesses astonishing skill as a paladin. Moreover, his unwavering devotion to Mom from the very beginning. Could he be someone connected to the divine beat? Seeing how Ppinix wasn’t wary of him, he didn’t seem to be a dangerous person.

 

When I couldn’t shake off my suspicious gaze, Mom suddenly grabbed my hand. “Is something bothering you?” Her voice was gentle and warm. It sounded as if she was genuinely concerned, and I was so startled that I looked at her in surprise.

 

“Well…”

 

Does Mom know who Ibe really is? I was just about to ask her that.

 

“Help,” said Mom suddenly.

 

“Huh? Mom, help you with what…?”

 

“The benefactor who saved you. Help that person.” Mom held my hand tightly.

 

I was so shocked that my mouth fell open. I could immediately understand what Mom was talking about. It’s obvious. Mom is talking about Ludwig right now.