Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 92

* * *

It was a few days ago. While caring for Epirosa, Hubert heard his granddaughter let out a faint, fragile groan.

 

“Epirosa!” He hurriedly leaned closer to her.

 

Epirosa’s small lips moved weakly near his ear, letting out a strained murmur. “Mom, sorry… for not being able to stay with you… and always eating the delicious things by myself… I miss you too, Mom… I want to live with you, Mom…” Tears streamed down Epirosa’s pale cheeks. Even in the midst of a week-long delirium, the name she called out was her mom’s.

 

At that moment, Hubert realized.

 

“I think I’ve found a way to wake Epirosa.”

 

It was to bring Leonoe to Epirosa’s side.

 

* * *

“Stella, you should leave now. This old man has something to discuss with Epirosa and Leonoe alone.”

 

At Hubert’s command, Stella couldn’t say a word and was chased out of the room. Normally, she would have clung to him like a leech and said at least one more thing, but she was so shocked that she was left speechless. As she trudged along, she only came to her senses when she saw her father walking from the opposite direction.

 

“Father! What on earth…!” Stella held back her urge to shout, as was her nature, and lowered her voice. “What happened?”

 

“Things didn’t go well, somehow. It’s fine, we can try again next time. There will be plenty of opportunities…”

 

“There won’t be any more opportunities!” Stella said through clenched teeth.

 

“No more opportunities? As long as Epirosa doesn’t wake up—”

 

“Epirosa has woken up.”

 

Gale’s face hardened. But the surprises for him were far from over.

 

“That’s not all. Grandfather says that woman, Leonoe, will stay in the mansion!”

 

* * *

By now, the warm sunlight was streaming through the window. Epirosa sat propped up against a pillow, a smile on her face. Though she was thin, her cheeks were full of life. Even though she hadn’t slept all night properly. Next to Epirosa sat Leonoe. Leonoe rested her head on her mother’s shoulder, humming a carefree tune.

 

“What song are you singing, Leonoe?” Hubert, who had stayed by their side all night, asked curiously. It was a song he’d never heard before. But Leonoe didn’t even glance at her father.

 

Epirosa smiled softly and answered instead. “It’s a song I used to sing often when I was little. I would sing it whenever I felt happy.” She hummed a few notes along with her mother. “Mom, you must be feeling happy right now.”

 

“It doesn’t look that way at all from her expression…”

 

“Hmm? Mom’s feeling really happy, you know.” Epirosa tilted her head in curiosity. Then, she focused her gaze on Hubert with determination. “Grandpa, you need to study more about Mom.”

 

“Hoho, the day has come when this old man gets scolded by you.” Hubert burst into laughter. It was a warm, gentle laugh. With a smile lingering in his eyes, he looked lovingly at his granddaughter and daughter.

 

Hubert didn’t tell Epirosa that someone had tried to harm her, lest she be startled. I only said that since she wouldn’t wake up, I brought Leonoe here in case it might help. Epirosa, unaware of anything, looked peaceful. He felt a strong desire to protect this peace for his granddaughter. And…

 

Despite the years of distance, Leonoe felt strangely familiar. The red hair and crimson eyes were traits only Leonoe had inherited among his children. She was the daughter who most resembled him, not just in appearance but in other ways as well. It wasn’t just her looks. Her temperament and abilities were a mirror of mine. But still… The changes in his daughter over the years felt bittersweet.

 

I was too indifferent. Too harsh. Even though she left because she hated me, I didn’t realize things had gotten this bad. I should’ve paid more attention. But there was still a long future ahead, too long to dwell only on regrets.

 

Hubert held Epirosa’s hand tightly. “Get well soon. Once you recover, I’ll buy you any gift you want.”

 

Epirosa’s eyes widened. “I’ve already received my gift.” She then leaned her cheek against her mother’s head, which was resting on her. “You let Mom stay here with me.” She then giggled.

 

“Is that really so great?”

 

“Of course! No matter how grand a castle or how many jewels you give me, this gift is better.”

 

Epirosa pulled Hubert’s hand, which was holding hers, and placed it on top of Leonoe’s hand. The warmth of three hands came together.

 

“Mom’s hand is warm, isn’t it?”

 

Hubert nodded. “Yeah, it’s… warm.” He moved his lips as if to say something, but it took him a long moment before he finally spoke again. “It’s so warm, and yet I never noticed. I lived for so long without realizing it.”

 

“But now you know. That’s all that matters.”

 

A faint smile appeared on Hubert’s lips, which had been heavy with regret.

 

“Grandpa, thank you,” Epirosa said quietly.

 

Hubert shook his head. “No, I’m the thankful one. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have had the courage to bring Leonoe here.” Then he added, “I’ll take care of your mom for the rest of my life.” His voice carried a sense of responsibility.

 

But Epirosa’s expression hardened. “you don’t need to take care of Mom, Grandpa.” Her voice was so sharp that Hubert flinched in surprise.

 

“What are you saying? If I, her father, don’t take care of her, then who will?”

 

“You’re older than her, Grandpa. Someday, Mom will take care of you, and after that, I’ll take care of both of you.”

 

“But…” Hubert started to say something, but stopped himself.

 

When I asked the temple sanctuary, they said there might be improvement, but a full recovery would be difficult. But it seemed Epirosa believed Leonoe would fully recover. There was no need to shatter his young granddaughter’s hope. As he thought that, it happened.

 

“Ppinix, come out now.” Epirosa spoke.

 

“Ppi!”

 

From under the decorative table in the corner, Ppinix toddled out. It waddled up to the three of them and tilted its head, as if in thought. After a moment, Ppinix leapt up onto Leonoe’s lap. And then, it curled up comfortably and fell asleep.

 

Hubert’s eyes sparkled. “Isn’t the phoenix… gave you Ppinix?”

 

“Yes, Ppinix really likes Mom.” Epirosa said with a bright smile.

 

Hubert’s expression turned serious. The small avatar of the divine beast likes Leonoe? The same one that would hide itself in front of other Blanches?

 

Epirosa, who had been carefully observing Hubert’s face, spoke. “Actually, Ppinix was born thanks to Mom. When I had the egg, there was no sign of it hatching, but as soon as I gave it to Mom, it hatched right away.

 

Suddenly, an old memory flashed through Hubert’s crimson eyes.

 

“…Even the phoenix wanted to stay by your mom’s side.”

 

Hubert stared intently at Ppinix, lost in thought.

 

Epirosa continued. “Besides, whenever Mom was with Ppinix, her condition always improved. So, I thought… maybe if Mom sees the phoenix again, her condition might get even better.”

 

Hearing Epirosa’s words, Hubert’s grip tightened. For a moment, he seemed to forget that beneath his hand were the delicate hands of his granddaughter and his frail daughter. Leonoe can recover? If she truly recovers…

 

Leonoe, whom the phoenix adored. Epirosa, who received a small avatar of the phoenix on her first day at the grand duke’s mansion. This mother and daughter might be able to inherit the Blanche lineage and become the masters of the divine beast! A sudden realization struck Hubert like a bolt of lightning.

 

* * *

Claude sat in his chair, staring out the window with a face full of torment. But the scenery outside the window didn’t register in his eyes. All he could see was the image of Epirosa, unconscious, being carried away in Hubert’s arms, replaying over and over in his mind.

 

Why does this bother me so much? She was merely someone to be used, nothing more. If she disappeared, he could simply look for someone else. But he couldn’t forget her pale face and tightly shut eyelids.

 

Her cheeks were always so full of life. Those eyes had always sparkled.

 

Claude bit his lip. That’s when the door suddenly burst open.