Obviously, It’s My Child - Chapter 113

While she remained silent, Erich finished washing his body, put on a robe, and came out.

“I thought you were so quiet because you were working or something.”

Suddenly, a voice echoed from nearby, startling Claire, who snapped back to her senses.

“Um, no. Just thinking.”

Erich’s hand grabbed her arm. Feeling trapped underneath him, Claire shrank her body.

The scent of soap and water mixed with his scent, flowing down to Claire. Water droplets at the end of his hair fell coldly on her cheek.

“You can’t finish everything all at once. Take it step by step.”

“It’s not that.”

In a moment of confusion, Claire blurted out something she had hesitated to say.

“I wrote a letter.”

“What letter?”

“When I heard the news that the previous Duke passed away. Because obituaries from the House of Noble arrived at Delford as well.”

“I didn’t receive it.”

Erich frowned. Claire, not regretting finally speaking up, smiled and placed her hand on his cheek.

“It was a letter from a Baron in the countryside. The secretary must have handled it. I just wanted to let you know.”

Claire wrapped her arms around his neck.

“It’s not like I never thought of reaching out to you.”

Erich silently swept his hand over her back. Something melted like water inside her chest, but she didn’t know its name.

“Did you ever think of wanting to see me back then?”

“…Yes.”

She hesitated long before answering, but it was probably because she needed someone to rely on at that time, even if she didn’t admit it herself.

She had no other family, and there were even less people to rely on. She endured alone.

When Claire smiled, a light kiss descended. Then, his hands lifted under her knees, and he picked her up.

“Looks like you still have energy?”

“Well, it’s a bit tricky. Elliott is sleeping in your room.”

Erich’s steps halted in front of the bedroom door. Claire’s hand teasingly delved into his chest.

There was a brief, intense conflict. Erich changed his direction.

“Wait, where are you going?”

“I already got your answer.”

Claire quickly tried to wrap her hands around his shoulders, but it was in vain.

Even though she felt reassured by the abundance of bedrooms, it was only five steps to their destination. Erich gently placed her on the sofa.

“Wait a moment, Erich.”

“Don’t worry. It’ll be over soon.”

It might sound impolite to a woman, but it was the truth.

Before the hands soaked in the bathtub had even cooled down, Claire sank down on the sofa.

Then Claire was carried to the bed.

And, she was laid down next to Elliott who was snoring in the middle of the large bed.

“But why is Elliott sleeping here?”

“He fell asleep waiting for you, well. In my opinion, he might start calling you ‘Dad’ instead of calling me ‘Mom’.”

That was a rather heartwarming thing.

Instead of telling someone to take the child away, Erich lay down next to him.

The chandelier, reflecting the candlelight, scattered sparkling fragments on the ceiling. Seeing Claire’s gaze following it, Erich warned her.

“Don’t increase the workload.”

“I won’t. I promise to rest until the wedding.”

Erich chuckled.

“Do you have plans for tomorrow as well?”

“That’s one of the preparations for the wedding. As an Arren noble who is marrying Duke Klausener, I have to greet the Grand Prince.”

As Claire touched Elliot’s sleeping hair, she spoke.

“I was going to greet him before, but it got delayed for various reasons.”

“Hmm…”

Erich’s hand reached up, pulling down the child’s shirt to cover his belly.

Watching that hand, Claire said.

“Marriage was never in my life plan.”

“…”

“Please don’t make that face. Originally, what I established wasn’t a marriage plan, but a family management plan.”

Would that Sherwood guy have thought the same?

It wasn’t wise to throw such a question, so Erich kept his mouth shut. Another unwise thought crossed his mind, but he suppressed that too.

“I didn’t like expanding family relationships. It felt like more responsibility. Anything in a transactional or contractual relationship seemed more certain.”

That was more of a story from her past life than this one.

“But things turn out like this. Life is unpredictable. No, but if you put it that way, you’re the most awkward presence here.”

“Me?”

“Erich Klausener, caressing a child’s belly. This.”

With no photos, no videos, and no means to leave proof of it behind.

Erich looked at her with a puzzled look.

“You have too many corners that I can’t understand.”

“Uung.”

At that moment, Elliott grumbled in protest. Claire closed her mouth.

Erich awkwardly patted Elliott. The child grumbled a bit more and soon fell asleep again.

Elliott is an affectionate child. It seems Erich’s feelings are also conveyed, and Claire was pleased with that.

She watched the two in silence and whispered discreetly.

“If you want, I’ll just let County Schneider be.”

“There’s no need for that. The Countess must be punished, and Iris also has to take some responsibility.”

“There might be a more moderate way. It’s not something that needs to be rushed. There’s still a long way to go till the results of the investigation will come out.”

“There’s no way the Count won’t be hurt no matter what. Do as you have planned. I’ll take care of the Count’s side.”

“That’s what I said to make you worry less about it.”

“In that case, I’ll just divorce you tomorrow and drag Iris out.”

“What did you say?”

Want to read more? Up to [24] advanced chapters are available on Patreon: