Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 98

* * *

“Mom, let’s go to bed and sleep.”

 

I woke Mom, who was curled up on the sofa. She opened her eyes hazily and looked at me.

 

“Has His Highness returned?”

 

I froze like a stone. Mom’s voice was so calm. It sounded just like her ‘adult’ voice.

 

“M-Mom…?”

 

But her pupils soon grew unfocused again. Mom had only come to her senses for a very brief moment. Yet even that brief moment felt like a miracle to me.

 

What could have brought Mom back to her senses, even for a moment? I was lost in deep thought when it happened. Mom pushed me aside and ran to the window. Then she opened the closed window.

 

“Mom, that’s dangerous!”

 

I was scared that Mom might jump, so I hugged her from behind. But Mom just kept staring down below the window.

 

“Mom, what are you looking at?”

 

Following her gaze, I was startled once again. A man in a silver helmet. It was Ibe, trudging along.

 

Why is a paladin, who should be at the temple, here at this hour of dawn? Moreover, this was inside the Blanche Mansion. How could he possibly be here? Was he skilled enough to break through the tight security of the Blanche Mansion? He might be as skilled as Ludwig.

 

While I was busy being shocked, Mom giggled and waved her hand toward Ibe. Then Ibe shyly waved back.

 

“!”

 

This was another shocking sight. That stoic paladin is waving? And shyly at that? I looked back and forth between Mom and Ibe. What is… their relationship?

 

Just like Mom had questioned Ludwig, I found myself wondering. Could these two also have a not-quite-friend, not-quite-stranger relationship like Ludwig and me? But that wasn’t the first thing I needed to ask.

 

“When did you get here? Aren’t you going back to the temple?” I asked. At that, Ibe stopped waving her hand and stood stiffly. He doesn’t even pay attention to me.

 

Ibe only looked up at Mom.

 

What is with this longing… For some reason, emotion welled up inside me. It was because I felt left out.

 

At that moment, Mom mumbled beside me. “…some.”

 

“Huh? Mom, what did you say?”

 

“Handsome…”

 

I flinched. Is she saying that the helmet is handsome? “Mom, can you even see anything?”

 

Mom smiled brightly and nodded. It was utterly baffling.

 

Is my mom’s type… helmets? I imagined my dad’s face, then quickly shut my eyes tight.

 

* * *

Because Mom was by my side, I recovered quickly. But the weather was faster than my recovery. Before I knew it, it had grown chilly. Still, it was fine.

 

Even though it was cold enough to button up coats, the streets were packed with people. Especially in front of the Blanche Theater, it was a sea of people tonight as well. The Heroic Epic of Baldonov was set to be the biggest hit opera of the year. Along with it, Jaina Simmons was enjoying her second prime.

 

“Oh my, so it’s true that Lady Epirosa is coming tonight.”

 

“I can’t tell you how long I’ve waited to see the lady, the owner of the theater and the mastermind behind the female Heroic Epic of Baldonov.”

 

It was me. As soon as I appeared in the audience, people flocked to me like clouds. I treated them all equally, regardless of their status. After all, when it comes to money, nobles and merchants are all the same.

 

“I hear the Blanche Theater is raking in all the money in the capital these days.”

 

“I can’t even count how many times I’ve watched this opera. I love it every time.”

 

“We’re preparing new operas to showcase soon, so please look forward to them.”

 

“Oh my! Really? If it’s an opera planned by Lady Epirosa, of course, I have to come see it!”

 

“How much more money are you planning to make? You’ve already earned so much with your medicine.”

 

“There’s a rumor that your wealth rivals that of Grand Duke Blanche.”

 

I waved my hand dismissively. “That can’t be true. The income from the Blanche Theater is shared with my grandfather.”

 

That was because Hubert had lent me the name ‘Blanche.’ Of course, there was some truth to what they were saying.

 

Hubert had recently said this to me.

 

“At this rate, people will say I’m poorer than my own granddaughter!”

 

Even I found the speed at which my money was piling up to be frightening. But in front of others, I maintained my humility. Everyone already knew I was wealthy, so there was no point in showing off.

 

After entertaining the people appropriately, I took my seat on the private balcony. Here, at least, no one could disturb me, and I liked that.

 

“Milady, look downstairs.”

 

I followed Britlyn’s gesture and looked. There, amidst the crowd, I saw Stella chattering away. A smirk escaped my lips.

 

“I heard she’s been going to the Blanche Theater every day lately. To benefit from you, Milady.”

 

“To benefit from me?”

 

“Yes. Apparently, she’s been bragging that she gave some ideas for the Heroic Epic of Baldonov. She’s even claiming she has a share in the Blanche Theater.”

 

“She’s probably just trying to salvage her tarnished image somehow.” But even that shallow scheme won’t last long before it crumbles.

 

I lowered my voice. “Britlyn, are you doing what I asked?”

 

“Yes, of course.” Even though no one was around to overhear, Britlyn also lowered her voice in response. “Just as you instructed, as soon as Madam Leonoe arrived at the grand duke’s mansion, my mother started hovering around her.”

 

Just as I thought, Mizulin still has lingering feelings for my mother. It could be the guilt of being the one who survived. If she truly had no affection left for my mother, she would have run away and lived her life alone. She wouldn’t have stayed here, holed up in the laundry room, clinging to the Blanche family. Of course, Mizulin’s reason for staying here isn’t solely because of my mother.

 

“So I did as you asked.” Britlyn leaned in closer to me and whispered. “I hinted to my mother that Milady would be busy with matters related to the Blanche Theater from now on.”

 

“And what about the other thing?”

 

“I let the same story slip to one of Count Gale’s servants. My mother also knows that I told them.”

 

I smiled in satisfaction. “Then they’ll take action soon enough.”

 

Now it was time for the chess pieces to start moving.

 

* * *

As soon as Stella returned home, she was summoned by Gale. She entered Gale’s parlor with a face full of complaints.

 

“What’s with your face?” Nicholas, who was already there, snickered as he asked.

 

Stella glared at him. “Everyone keeps asking about Epirosa and acting all curious! I clearly told them I came up with the idea for the Heroic Epic of Baldonov!”

 

“Maybe they figured out you were lying.” Nicholas said thoughtlessly.

 

Stella felt her anger boiling over. Before Epirosa showed up, I was the star of high society! Everyone treated me like a princess and was curious about me! But everything changed when Epirosa entered the grand ducal family. Like petals being plucked away, everything that was hers disappeared one by one. And the fallen petals gathered around Epirosa, blooming in full splendor. Epirosa, I want to kill you!

 

Stella’s boiling anger was only further fueled by Gale.

 

“Still, thanks to her, you can mingle with the nobles again like before. Isn’t that a relief?” What Gale said was true. Even if it was a result Stella had to grovel for. Not long ago, Stella couldn’t even show her face in public because of the scandal.

 

If only Mother were here, she would have restored my reputation on her own! I wouldn’t have to run around until my feet were sore! Stella bit her tongue, holding back the words she wanted to say. After all, it was she herself who had insisted on abandoning her mother.

 

Gale clicked his tongue as he looked at his daughter grinding her teeth. “How can you just sit there fuming at such a critical time? While Epirosa is busy with the theater, we need to take control of the household!”

 

At Gale’s scolding, Stella flinched and sat down. “Didn’t Grandfather decide to entrust the household affairs to Epirosa?”

 

“But isn’t she neglecting the household because she’s so busy with outside matters? She hasn’t even appointed a head maid yet. Just because Father dotes on her too much, she’s grown arrogant!”

 

Hearing this, Stella calmed her anger and focused on Gale’s words.

 

“This is our chance while she’s off guard,” Gale said. His reasons for needing to take control of the household were no longer just one. The first was to secure the position of heir to the Blanche family. And the second thing— That damned button! His mind was filled with memories of the day he tried to kill Epirosa. Of all days, the button had to rip off that day, leaving evidence behind!

 

But something felt strange. Hubert, who should have been relentlessly searching for the culprit, was unusually quiet. Could it be that he’s secretly and meticulously hunting down the perpetrator?

 

Gale bit his lip. Still, once I take control of the household, silencing witnesses won’t be a problem. That was his only hope.