Obviously, It’s My Child - Chapter 132

“I knew it. Marrying a singer of unclear background would lead to this.”

“It turns out he raised a child that wasn’t even his.”

“At least, being a daughter, the Schneider lineage isn’t tainted.”

“From the Schneider perspective, yes. But imagine if she had married and had children. It’s fortunate there’s been no marriage alliance until now.”

“Duke Klausener was wise in handling this.”

Among the common folk, the reaction focused more on personal aspects than lineage.

“Though she was known for kindness, I always had my doubts. After that kind face smiles, forgives and moves on, someone from their household, a secretary or tutor, would ensure the punishment was carried out.”

“Even the maids were being so haughty just because of their Miss’ status.”

“She should’ve been strict where necessary. Instead, smiling at everyone felt undignified. Turns out she wasn’t a true nobility after all.”

Those who knew, knew.

“The Countess was quite the seductress. Taking advantage of her friend’s death, switching her friend’s daughter with her own, then using that as leverage to secure her position as the County’s mistress.”

“And she kept seeing her old lover. Not just any lover. At that point, he’s more the husband, and the Count is the side piece.”

“Hoo, thinking about it, wasn’t that old lover actually Lady Iris’s real father?”

“Lady, what lady? She’s not a nobility.”

Those who didn’t know, gossiped.

After it was revealed that Countess Schneider and her illicit lover killed each other instead of a joint suicide, the criticism intensified.

Now, the criminal organization hiding in the opera house was mostly forgotten. The only time it was brought up was to mention that Countess’ lover was a criminal.

The newspapers that once made it seem like Katya was pregnant with the Count’s child from the start, under the Count’s request, unleashed all their old stories, ensuring there was no shortage of gossip.

County Schneider was in a grim and quiet state.

The eldest son, Robert’s wife took the children to her parents’, and the second son, Armin’s wife did the same.

The Count collected Katya’s body but did not hold a formal funeral. He allowed Iris a final farewell before burying Katya not in a family crypt but in a corner of the churchyard.

Only then did preparations begin for Lina’s arrival.

A new residence was prepared for her. The living room and bedroom was decorated with beautiful furniture and fabrics in a room full of sunlight, and a large dressing room was created.

Gift boxes sent from Duchy Klausener filled the mansion’s lobby. Not just small items, like clothes and parasols but also jewelry.

Wilhelm personally delivered dozens of boxes of diamond jewelry. The items were of such value that they were said to be unaffordable by the County’s fortune.

“Ah, I could just go to the Duke’s residence when needed.”

“It’s the Duchess’s wish. They’re also congratulatory gifts.”

“But the amount is so large…”

“She’s known for being generous with investments, isn’t she?”

Lina couldn’t help but smile at that remark.

“I’m not sure if I can keep them safe.”

“If County Schneider’s security is reliable, perhaps displaying a few in prominent places would be appropriate.”

“Alright. I’ll remember that.”

Lina responded with a smile.

“Is there anything that’s making you uncomfortable?”

“I guess I’ll find out as I start living here. I’m grateful for Wilhelm’s care and also to Lady Claire.”

Wilhelm assured her that she could contact him anytime if she needed assistance.

The Count treated Lina with the care and affection one might show to fragile glass. His remaining sons at home did the same.

At the breakfast table, the Count suggested,

“Should you feel any discomfort or need anything, do not hesitate to speak up. Perhaps it would be a good idea to have a separate music room? Especially with the upcoming Dedication Festival solo, having a space where you can concentrate alone might be advantageous…”

This suggestion stemmed from the fact that the music room had been Iris’s until now.

The Count worried it might be awkward and uncomfortable for the two to share the same space. However, he couldn’t ask Iris to leave either.

He couldn’t just cast Iris out.

No matter how angry or unforgiving he felt towards Katya, Iris had been the daughter he’d raised for 17 years.

[Katya’s the one who did wrong, not the child. What fault does the girl have besides believing I was her father and holding her mother’s hand?]

He sighed and said this to his sons.

Facing a divorce lawsuit, Robert shook his head with a decidedly cold demeanor.

[Considering the relationship with Duchess Klausener, it would be right to send her away.]

[But Iris hasn’t done anything. It’s all Katya’s doing for her own greed.]

[How can you be so definitive in dividing right from wrong? Didn’t Iris’s biological mother orchestrate this?]

[Even without the baseless rumors in society, the situation is enough to make her unable to raise her head. Iris has dared to insult the Duchess and even raised her hand against her.]

Robert coldly suggested.

[I won’t go as far as telling you to immediately banish her from the house, but you should at least disown her and send her far away.]

Armin agreed with this.

[You’re not seriously considering having Lina and her live under the same roof, are you? Father, you should think about Lina now.]

[Why wouldn’t I feel sorry for Lina? But Iris is my daughter too.]

The Count said this and refrained from holding Iris accountable for anything.

Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to look straight at Iris anymore. He used to always attend to her, smile warmly upon eye contact, and indulge her every whim when she put her arms around him and pleaded.

Now, all that was reserved for Lina. He was trying to spend time with the daughter he had just reclaimed but also worried that she might find him burdensome.

In contrast, Lina had a calm face.

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