Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 8

At the word ‘Grandpa,’ Hubert’s eyes gleamed strangely.

 

“I-I mean, I’m sorry. Your Excellency.” I quickly corrected myself, pretending to be startled.

 

Soon, Hubert helped me stand upright as if nothing had happened. “Tonight’s dinner is over. But make sure to attend the next one.”

 

“Yes, Your Excellency.” I replied in a trembling voice.

 

Hubert had briefly wavered at being called ‘Grandpa,’ but showed no particular reaction afterward. Still, it wasn’t bad. At least he didn’t reject it.

 

“I’ll have your meal sent to your room. I’ll also send a doctor to treat your leg.”

 

“Thank you, Your Excellency!” I looked up at Hubert with sparkling eyes.

 

“And as for that maid, Karen, I’ll have her dismissed. There’s no need to keep a dog that bites its master.”

 

I quickly shook my head. Karen still had her uses. “No, Your Excellency. Karen has already been punished by me. Please forgive her mistake.”

 

“Forgive her?”

 

“Yes. The reason she acted that way is partly because I, as her master, was lacking. So, I want to make up for my shortcomings.”

 

“Make up for your shortcomings, huh.”

 

It was quite a commendable thing to say.

 

“Very well. I’ll watch and see how well you make up for it,” with that Hubert left.

 

* * *

As Hubert walked down the hallway, Epirosa’s sparkling eyes came to his mind.

 

“I’ll also send a doctor to treat your leg.”

 

“Thank you, Your Excellency!”

 

To be that happy over something so basic. How harsh must her life have been until now?

 

Just the fact that she worked as an external hire in the salon at her age showed her family wasn’t well off. If that’s the case, then Leonoe too…

 

But according to the reports from his subordinates, they seemed to be living quite well. Because there were so many jewels that Leonoe had stolen when she left the house. Could all those reports have been lies?

 

Hubert was originally the type to double-check, even triple-check, the reports from his subordinates. But since it was his daughter who left, saying she hated him, he didn’t bother to care anymore. No, he couldn’t. Just thinking about it made his heart ache. It was unlike him, but when it came to his daughter, his rationality weakened.

 

Hubert let out a deep sigh filled with regret. Something has gone terribly wrong. And if so, he must correct it. His crimson eyes sharpened.

 

* * *

As soon as Hubert left, the other family members quickly disappeared as well. Not a single person asked if I was okay. I was used to it.

 

I went up to my room on the fifth floor. The maids came and prepared a rather grand meal for me. It was a polite attitude, quite different from Karen’s. Taking a spoonful of the sweet soup, a sense of pleasure washed over me. And then, a thought crossed my mind. Would they serve well like this at the sanctuary?

 

What might mom be eating right now? Is she uncomfortable in any way? Will she be able to sleep peacefully tonight?

 

As those thoughts crept in, my appetite vanished. When I left most of the food untouched, the maids eagerly took it away, their delight barely concealed. After all, the leftovers would be theirs to enjoy.

 

Karen returned only after that. Seeing her legs wrapped tightly in bandages, it seemed she had gone to treat herself privately.

 

“Does it hurt a lot?”

 

“Is that even a questi… No, I’m fine.”

 

Karen, true to her usual temper, almost snapped but held back. The stinging pain of being struck on the calves must have resurfaced in her mind. But deep down, she’s probably holding a grudge.

 

I spoke in a tone that was neither particularly kind nor cold. “I didn’t hit you because I hate you.”

 

“I know.” Her tone practically screamed, ‘Oh, sure, of course you did.’

 

I didn’t back down and continued. “I was worried you might say something about ignoring His Excellency’s orders in front of someone else. If that happens, it won’t just end with a few strikes of the switch.”

 

“That won’t happen. You don’t need to worry about it.” Her tone was polite yet oddly cold.

 

As expected. Not even a bit surprising. It was about time to give her a little shock.

 

“Still, His Excellency has shown you mercy this time.”

 

“What?” Karen’s eyes widened in surprise.

 

“His Excellency found out that you tried to persuade me to disobey his order.”

 

“H-How could that… I-I mean, wasn’t it enough that you punished me! Did you really have to snitch on me to His Excellency?”

 

Karen, flustered, began to ramble. Just like in my past life, this girl was terrible at hiding her emotions. And that worked out perfectly for me.

 

“I begged His Excellency. I asked him to forgive you and give me one more chance to guide you properly.”

 

“You begged for me?” Karen mumbled in disbelief, then asked urgently. “A-And then, what happened?”

 

“As you can see, you’re still here by my side, perfectly fine.”

 

“…”

 

“You don’t have to be afraid of that anymore. I’ll take good care of you.”

 

Karen rolled her eyes, looking confused.

 

Knock, knock— The sound of someone knocking on the door came at that moment.

 

“Epirosa, it’s me. Stella. May I come in?”

 

Before I could even give permission, the door swung open. Stella, dressed in bright clothes, approached me with a gentle smile. The muscles in my cheeks stiffened.

 

“Shall I tell you? Why did it have to be you and your mother, of all people?”

 

It felt as if I could vividly hear her mocking voice from my past life. But I quickly gathered my emotions and smiled as if I were genuinely pleased to see her. “What brings you here?”

 

“I heard you were seriously injured because of my mother.”

 

Stella spoke with an apologetic tone as she sat down beside me. She acted as if we had been close for a very long time. It was revolting. She’s probably trying to win my trust so she can use me.

 

“It’s nothing. Just a little sting, that’s all,” I said with a faint smile.

 

Stella shook her head. “No. I saw you limping. But don’t misunderstand—My mother did it for your sake.”

 

“I know. I’m grateful for it.”

 

At my words, Stella hesitated for a moment. She must be annoyed because she couldn’t find anything to nitpick. The Stella I knew had that kind of personality. But soon enough, Stella smiled brightly again.

 

She must have another motive.

 

Stella held out a small ointment jar. “If you apply this, your wound will heal quickly. It’s a very precious ointment made by grinding pearls that only come from the Frankish Kingdom.”

 

I clutched my chest as if deeply moved. “You’re giving this to us?”

 

“Of course. And stop being so formal. We’re the same age, aren’t we?” Stella smiled sweetly and firmly placed the ointment jar in my hand.

 

“Thank you. I mean, thanks, Stella.”

 

After Stella left, I felt an intense gaze from the side. It was Karen, staring at the ointment. 

 

“Karen, bring an empty jar.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“We should share the ointment.”

 

Karen’s eyes widened. “Y-You’re saying you’ll share this precious ointment with me?”

 

“We’re both injured, aren’t we? And… “I smiled sweetly. “Stella said this was for ‘us,’ remember?” Then, I gently stroked the back of Karen’s hand. “So, we should share what Stella gave us.”

 

“Mi-Milady…!” Karen’s eyes gleamed with greed. “I’ll go get a bottle right away!”

 

Karen hurriedly left the room. A moment later, she returned with a large empty jar. 

 

This way, she’ll end up taking more than me. Well, I guess that’s even better. I generously filled Karen’s jar with ointment from Stella. After all, this ointment was made from a poisonous herb that prevents wounds from healing.

 

* * *

It was late at night after Karen left. I was staring out the darkened window when I decided to leave my room. Slowly, I descended the stairs. The place I was heading to was the basement.

 

I want to check it one more time. The divine beast that had sent me back in time.

 

At the entrance to the basement, a massive iron door awaited me. There was no handle or keyhole. It means not just anyone can open this door. Only someone granted permission by the Phoenix. In other words, only the master of the Phoenix could open it.

 

But maybe… just maybe…

 

I recalled the final moment of my past life. The Phoenix that had spoken to me.

 

Maybe it’ll open the door for me.

 

In the center of the iron door, there was an emblem symbolizing the Phoenix. I placed my hand on it. The emblem turned bright red as if reacting to the blood of the Blanche family.

 

“!”

 

Thud! The heavy iron doors swung open on both sides.

 

It really opened! The Phoenix had accepted me.

I stepped inside, trembling. An artificial garden that looked like a real one had been transplanted here, along with a glass greenhouse. Inside it was the Phoenix. The divine beast that had granted me regression.

 

Clink. As I approached, the door to the glass greenhouse opened on its own. I quietly walked up to the birdcage. Next to the cage, there was nothing but bare soil, not a single weed in sight. No plant could survive near the Phoenix.

 

I stared at the barren soil and the crimson mass sleeping inside the cage beyond it. A flame bird with its eyes and beak tightly shut. One of only two divine beasts in the empire. It was the Phoenix.

 

“Phoenix.” I called out to the divine beast with a trembling voice. “I’ll keep my promise, no matter what.”

 

Suddenly, the Phoenix’s heat flared up intensely. The heat was so intense it felt like my skin was burning. And yet, strangely, my heart bubbled over with joy.

 

“I’ll make sure to set everything right.”

 

It was then. The Phoenix opened its eyes.