Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 83

It had been suspicious ever since Stella suddenly suggested we go see the Phoenix. When she shoved me toward the Phoenix and ran off on her own, my suspicions turned into certainty.

 

Stella deliberately showed me to the Phoenix and threw me into it. But why? Did she know the Phoenix would threaten me?

 

In the end, the Phoenix only wanted to communicate with me and didn’t actually harm me. Though to others, it must have looked exactly like I was being attacked.

 

But how could Stella have known the Phoenix would react to me?

 

Then, Maddux’s words suddenly came to my mind.

 

“If word spreads that you’re hated by divine beasts, people might consider it an ill omen and have you cast out.”

 

Right after that, I remembered the sight of Maddux being dragged away by Wise while unconscious.

 

If Maddux were kidnapped by the Gale family, he might have told them about me being attacked by the divine beast. Hearing that, the Gale family would have formed the hypothesis that the divine beast was hostile toward me. So, they deliberately orchestrated this to inform Hubert that Phoenix was against me. But contrary to their expectations, Hubert kept quiet about it.

 

Was it because he found out I have Phoenix’s avatar?

 

There was a high chance that Ppinix’s true identity had been discovered while I was unconscious. After all, Ppinix is the type to hide perfectly, until it decides something is necessary, at which point it runs wild without restraint.

 

In any case, the Gale family didn’t get the result they wanted from this plan. So they’ll be biding their time for the next one. They must have realized that they can’t frame me using Phoenix under Hubert’s watch. Then their target would be another divine beast. It must be the Unicorn.

 

If they use Violet or Claude, they could approach the divine beast in secret. And there’s only one event the Gale family could use as their stage. This social season. The final event was held at the imperial palace. The opera. Even though it’s held in the outer palace, it’s close enough that they could lure the Unicorn if they provoke it.

 

“Milady!” Benjamin’s voice called out from behind me. When I turned around, he was approaching with a delighted expression. “You’re awake. How are you feeling?”

 

“I’m fine. I feel like I just had a deep, restful sleep.”

 

“That’s such a relief.”

 

Benjamin was genuinely happy, and seeing him like that warmed my heart. What if this man had been cursed and falsely accused, like in my past life? I didn’t even want to imagine it.

 

“Sir Benjamin, were you on your way to see Grandpa?”

 

“Yes. And I also have something to report to you, Milady.” Benjamin glanced around. After confirming that no one else was around, he lowered his voice and whispered. “I’ve found Maddux Luiji, just as you asked.”

 

* * *

It was at the Clementi Mansion. Stella cautiously stepped inside the mansion, carefully gauging her surroundings. At least I wasn’t turned away at the door. That’s a relief.

 

Because of the Maddux incident, Stella had fallen out of Violet’s favor. The filthy scandal plastered on both Stella and Violet was still a juicy topic for gossipmongers. However, since Maddux, who had been thoroughly beaten by the Gale family, was lying low, the rumors were no longer spreading. Taking advantage of this lull, Stella had slipped in to see Violet.

 

“Lady Stella, you’ve come at a good time.” A noblewoman, who was close to Violet, greeted Stella warmly.

 

Stella found it strange. Why is this woman, who used to look down on me, acting like this? Without showing her thoughts, she smiled brightly. “Are you leaving already?”

 

“Yes. Something urgent came up.” The noblewoman avoided Stella’s gaze as she spoke. “That’s why this works out perfectly. Duchess Violet must be feeling lonely, so please keep her company in the parlor.”

 

“Oh my, of course! Then, take care on your way.”

 

Stella watched the noblewoman’s retreating figure intently before opening the door to the parlor. And then it happened. Crash! An expensive vase hit the floor and shattered into countless pieces. It was right in front of Stella’s feet.

 

“Kyaa!” Startled, Stella let out a scream.

 

At that moment, Violet, who had been about to throw a plate, turned around. Her eyes narrowed sharply, lifting upwards. “Why are you here!”

 

“I-I just came to check—”

 

“Check? I’m already pissed off, and now you’re talking about checking me?” Violet shouted.

 

Stella cursed the noblewoman in her mind. Urgent matters my ass! She ran away because Violet was throwing a fit, and now she dumps Violet on me! Damned woman! One day, I’ll get my revenge!

 

Grinding her teeth, Stella forced a flattering smile. She had to accomplish her goal of coming here today. “Duchess, what’s wrong? Seeing sadness on your beautiful face pains my heart as well.”

 

“That wretched Marchioness Gent stole something of mine again!”

 

Crash! A fine plate shattered into pieces as it hit the wall.

 

Stella carefully avoided the sharp fragments scattered on the floor and approached Violet. “What did that witch do this time?”

 

“His Majesty decided to let her handle the opera at the outer palace instead of me! Aaah!”

 

From the emperor’s perspective, since Violet was already in charge of the imperial palace banquets, it made sense to let Marchioness Gent take on the opera. Besides, for once, the marchioness herself had volunteered to take charge.

 

Violet wanted Marchioness Gent to have nothing to do with any event at the imperial palace. It was a matter of influence, after all.

 

“Until last year, I was in charge of all of this! Now that it’s been taken away, what do you think people will think of me?” Violet shouted, practically throwing a fit.

 

Watching her, an idea suddenly popped into Stella’s head. “Then we just need to teach her a lesson so she can never try something like that again.”

 

At that, Violet suddenly went quiet and glared at Stella. “I’m scared when you say things like that now. Your mother used to say the same kind of stuff.”

 

“What?”

 

“Because who knows how you’ll mess things up again!” Violet let out a shriek.

 

Stella’s face turned red with embarrassment. “T-This time, there’s no way I’ll mess up. It’s something that can’t go wrong, even if I wanted it to.” She spoke in a groveling tone.

 

Her throat dry from all the yelling, Violet drank a glass of water and plopped down onto the sofa. Then she looked up at Stella with an annoyed expression. “Fine. Let’s hear it. What are you planning to pull this time?”

 

“We’ll release the Unicorn at the opera venue and ruin the performance. Since it’s the divine beast causing the chaos, we can spin the narrative that God has abandoned Marchioness Gent.” Stella spoke cautiously but with a hint of confidence.

 

Upon hearing this, Violet nearly spat out the water she had just drunk. “What? Using the Unicorn? Are you out of your mind?”

 

“Duchess, please don’t think of it that way. It’s the most certain method. Marchioness Gent, abandoned by the divine beast! She wouldn’t be able to show her face at the opera or even in high society. And most importantly…” Stella whispered ominously to Violet. “Even His Majesty might abandon the marchioness.”

 

The emperor abandons Marchioness Gent! It was something Violet longed for. Violet couldn’t hide the intrigued expression on her face.

 

Lately, Marchioness Gent has been persuading her family to support the crown prince again. If Ludwig gained a support base, Claude would be pushed aside. I have to nip any foolish moves by Marchioness Gent in the bud! To do that, the first step was to make sure Marchioness Gent was abandoned by the emperor. But that plan had to be perfect. She couldn’t afford to be outmaneuvered again like last time.

 

“But how do you plan to lure the Unicorn all the way to the outer palace?” Violet asked coldly.

 

Stella took a step closer to Violet. “That’s why I need Duchess’s help.”

 

“What? You’re asking me to lure the Unicorn? You came here to ask me to do something that dangerous?” Violet shouted in anger.

 

Stella clung to her, almost ready to kneel. “If you help me, I won’t regret it!”

 

“The Unicorn won’t listen to anyone but His Majesty!”

 

“But it would listen to Duke Claude Clementi, wouldn’t it? He’s the one destined to become emperor in the future, after all.” Stella poked at the hidden desires buried deep within Violet.

 

Violet’s expression changed. “You… what are you talking about?”

 

“That’s what everyone thinks. Compared to the idle crown prince who hasn’t managed to hatch the Unicorn’s egg for over a decade, Duke Claude is far more likely to become an emperor.” Stella spoke with a feigned innocent expression. “Of course, that could change if Marchioness Gent uses her family to support the crown prince.”

 

Violet clenched her fist until it hurt. “I’ll tell you this, and only you. The Unicorn… yes, it listens to Claude.”