Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 96

Hubert looked uncomfortable, and Stella seemed puzzled. Epirosa, in particular, was staring at Claude with her beautiful blue eyes wide open.

 

Flustered, Claude hastily tried to explain himself. “What I mean is… I was that worried about Lady Epirosa.” By the time he realized how strange his excuse sounded, the words had already left his mouth. For someone as experienced with women as Claude, it was the first time he had been this flustered.

 

Epirosa simply smiled at him calmly, as if nothing was wrong. “Thank you for worrying about me like that. Thanks to you, I think I’ll recover even faster.” Her voice, clear as a crystal, calmed Claude’s heart.

 

Returning to his usual self, he extended his hand toward the servant who had accompanied him. The servant brought out an elegant blue box. Stella’s eyes sparkled with greed.

 

“Oh my, Duke Clementi! You didn’t have to go through the trouble of bringing a gift!”

 

Claude smiled and handed the box to Stella. Stella giggled as she opened the box. Inside was a dazzling jeweled necklace.

 

“It’s so beautiful, Your Grace. I think it will suit me perfectly.”

 

“I’m glad to hear that.”

 

“Still, you could have brought something for Epirosa as well. I know you’re looking out for your escort partner, but still.” Stella spoke with a smug expression.

 

“Anticipating that, I also brought a gift for Lady Epirosa.” Claude received a red box from the servant.

 

Stella’s face stiffened for a moment.

 

“This is a gift wishing for your swift recovery.” Claude handed the box to Epirosa.

 

It was at that moment. Whoosh! Hubert snatched the box away first. “As her grandfather, I should check what’s inside first.”

 

“Of course.”

 

He didn’t even glance at Stella’s gift, but he personally inspected Epirosa’s. It’s clear who holds the grand duke’s favor. Claude’s eyes narrowed.

 

Inside the red box was a modest necklace, far simpler than Stella’s. A transparent bead, seemingly insignificant, was encased in a wooden material.

 

Stella burst into laughter. “Oh my, what a fitting necklace for Epirosa. She can’t really pull off anything too extravagant.”

 

“It’s a talisman,” Hubert said as he took out the necklace. The moment he did, the talisman hanging from the necklace string lit up as if a light had been switched on. The talisman, now transformed into something as beautiful as the finest pearl, began to slowly rotate within its wooden casing.

 

“Oh my…”

 

Even the maids, who had been silently observing, couldn’t help but marvel at the stunning and mysterious object. Only Stella struggled to hide her frustration, her expression betraying her. Compared to the talisman, her necklace, adorned merely with jewels, seemed utterly insignificant.

 

“It’s… really beautiful. How lucky you are, Epirosa.” Stella said, forcing a sweet tone.

 

Claude could see right through Stella. He then spoke. “It’s a talisman with defensive capabilities. If you ever find yourself in danger again, this will be of help to you, Lady.”

 

Hubert, who had been reluctant, handed the necklace to Epirosa without hesitation once he learned what the gift was. Epirosa carefully examined the talisman and then smiled softly.

 

“Thank you, Duke Clementi.”

 

“It’s nothing. I just—”

 

“Duke, I’m sorry, but Epirosa needs to rest now.” Hubert cut in sharply. It seemed that no matter how good the gift was, it hadn’t softened his heart.

 

Claude restrained himself from saying, ‘You’re already sending me away?’

 

At least she seems to like my gift, so that’s a relief. Compared to when she had rejected the shoes before, this was progress. If I approach her slowly like this, I can bring her to my side. She’s a clever woman who can be useful. And not just that… Claude stared intently at Epirosa as she bowed to him. There was a strong attraction he hadn’t realized before. He wanted to make her his ally, or rather, his possession, no matter what.

 

Suppressing his regret, Claude left Epirosa’s room. Stella trailed after him, her steps quick and light.

 

“Your Grace, it must have been suffocating for you, right? A patient’s room does tend to have a heavy atmosphere,” Stella said in a coquettish tone.

 

“Thanks to Lady Epirosa’s recovery, the atmosphere felt quite refreshing. I don’t think there’s any need for concern.”

 

Stella bit her lower lip. But she had achieved a small victory today. It was because Claude had willingly agreed to take a walk in the garden with her. Of course, for Claude, it was nothing more than a strategy to keep both sides in check.

 

“But you know, this Stella feels a little hurt,” Stella spoke in a sulky tone.

 

“Hurt?”

 

“You gave a talisman to Epirosa, but to me, you only gave a mere gemstone necklace.” Her tone was full of complaints. Even so, she widened her eyes and blinked, a gesture that showed she hadn’t given up on trying to look charming.

 

She is certainly a beautiful woman. But… Claude felt no particular emotion. He put on a polite smile, just enough to be courteous. “Lady Epirosa had an accident. The talisman was given to wish for her safety.”

 

Does she really not understand this and still complain? Claude clicked his tongue inwardly.

 

“And as for Lady Stella, I could only give you a ‘mere gemstone necklace.’”

 

“What?” Stella couldn’t hide her startled expression at Claude’s words.

 

To her, Claude smiled gently. “Because Lady Stella is the most beautiful jewel in the world, no matter what gemstone necklace I gave you, it would only ever be ‘just a mere gemstone.’”

 

“Oh my, Your Grace! To say such things…” Stella blushed deeply and let out a tinkling laugh. Her hand even went as far as to subtly touch his arm.

 

Claude forced a smile onto his lips. What a nuisance.

  

* * *

Even after Claude left, I still had to entertain guests. Marchioness Gent, whose ankle hadn’t fully healed yet, sent a servant to inquire about my well-being. On top of that, countless others either visited me in person or sent someone to wish me a speedy recovery. It’s probably because everyone saw the divine beast saving me directly at the opera.

 

The proud unicorn had saved a member of the Blanche family. Those who witnessed or heard about it seemed to think I had a high chance of being chosen by the divine beast. Everyone was busy trying to curry favor with me and leave a good impression. But the next master of the divine beast won’t be me. It’ll be Mom.

 

After dealing with all the guests, I left the parlor and returned to my room. Mom was sitting on the sofa with a bored expression, her lips slightly pouting. I chuckled softly and tiptoed over to her. “Mom, I’m sorry. You must’ve felt lonely by yourself.”

 

“Hmph.” Mom turned her head away sharply. She seemed really upset.

 

Guess I need to cheer her up. I gestured for Britlyn to leave. It was always easier to comfort her when it was just the two of us.

 

“Mom, I missed you all day!” I placed the talisman on the table and spoke gently. The sound of the talisman scraping against the table made Mom’s red eyes dart over.

 

“Oh? This looks nice.” Mom showed interest in the talisman.

 

I quickly brought it closer to her.

 

“Does it look nice? I got it as a gift.”

 

Mom reached out and touched the talisman with her fingertips. And then it happened. The curtains by the window fluttered. That’s strange. I made sure to close all the windows before I left. Did Mom open it while I was gone?

 

I got up to close the window. But someone beat me to it, shutting the window before I could. Tap. A man jumped into the room through the crack in the window, and I stared at him with wide, startled eyes.

 

“Have you been well?”

 

It was a deep voice, carrying the chill of the night air. Ludwig smiled.

 

“Y-Your Highness?”

 

I was so shocked, it was as if I had seen a ghost. Ludwig, who had been smiling leisurely, flinched when he noticed my mother sitting on the sofa, staring blankly at him.

 

“Forgive my intrusion. I wanted to visit quietly, without drawing attention. I thought that would be best for both of us.” As he finished speaking, Ludwig’s gaze shifted to my mother.

 

“This is my mother.”

 

“I see. It’s my first time meeting your mother.” Ludwig gave her a polite nod.

 

My mother, however, simply stared at Ludwig with curious eyes. Perhaps guessing her condition, Ludwig made no further comment.

 

A crown prince sneaking in like a thief to pay a visit? Thinking about how his half-brother had confidently walked through the front gates of the mansion, it felt like something was oddly reversed. Well, since it’s hard to hatch the unicorn’s egg without me, he must have wanted to check on my safety, even if it meant doing this.

 

I smiled faintly as I spoke. “As you can see, I’m completely fine now. Your Highness doesn’t have to worry and can go back.”

 

Ludwig’s brows furrowed. “Completely fine? When you’re this thin?” He bent down to my level and stared at me intently. “You need to recover quickly. Eat well, sleep well.”

 

“I’m eating well and sleeping well. And I’m not a child.” I protested.

 

At my feeble protest, Ludwig let out a small chuckle. It annoyed me. Even when I retort to the crown prince with all my might, no less, he only finds it amusing.

 

“I’m serious. Get better soon.”

 

I lowered my head to hide the sharp look in my eyes.

 

“If you’re unwell, it tears my heart apart too.”

 

But I quickly looked up in surprise. How can he say something so shameless without batting an eye?

 

As I gawked at him, Ludwig shrugged his shoulders. “I’m serious.”

 

The usual relaxed smile on Ludwig’s face froze at that moment. “This is…” He reached out his hand toward me. And then, he grabbed the talisman in my hand. “What is this? Did you originally have this?”

 

“Ah, Duke Clementi gave it to me as a get-well gift.”

 

“Claude did…?” Ludwig’s crimson eyes turned cold for a moment.