Obviously, It’s My Child - Chapter 135

Elliott grabbed Erich’s cheeks with both hands and asked.

“Who died?”

“It’s about someone Dad knows.”

“I see.”

Elliott muttered seriously.

He wasn’t old enough to fully grasp what death meant. Yet, having always heard stories about his mother, he understood it meant not being able to see someone again.

“They must be happy in heaven!”

Unable to tell a child that the person didn’t deserve such sentiments, Erich simply nodded in agreement.

Claire sank into her thoughts. As she was deeply involved in the matter and likely filled with various concerns. Erich stepped out into the hallway, holding Elliott.

“Where are we going?”

“To get some fresh air.”

Elliott’s face lit up with joy, realizing where Erich was heading.

Erich made his way to the door of the train car connection. The guard standing there stepped aside and opened the door.

A gust of wind blew into the corridor, messing up their hair.

“Tsk, they didn’t open it for me.”

Elliott complained. Erich stepped outside onto the platform, holding the child.

“It’s too dangerous for you to come out here alone.”

“Woahhh!!”

Elliott was already not listening to Erich.

The child’s cheeks turned rosy with the cold wind, and he laughed joyously at the trembling sound of his voice caused by the wind.

“The mountains are rushing towards us! Woahhh!!”

Surrounded by high mountains on both sides, it felt as though they were sprinting through the mountains themselves.

Erich held Elliott a bit tighter and then lifted him higher. The mountain shadows passed over them, darkening and then lighting up again as if they were leaping into the light.

Each time, Elliott screamed in excitement.

And looking back at Erich, his eyes sparkled.

“Is all this Dad’s? Really? For real?”

Though slightly different from personal wealth, since they had crossed into the Klausener estate’s borders, everything in sight, including the mountains, land, and even the train, was technically his.

Erich had never thought of such ownership as something to boast about. Land, wealth, and the family business were as natural to him as his own limbs, something he was born with.

But Elliott’s sparkling eyes and cheers held a different meaning than the pride or praise adults spoke of.

Likely, if Erich owned a giant rock, Elliott would admire it with the same expression.

This was somewhat heartwarming, Erich smiled.

“Yes, really.”

“Wow, that’s amazing! Really amazing!!”

Elliott exclaimed excitedly.

* * *

Meanwhile, Claire was hosting a second visitor.

A man with elegant features, blue-tinted black hair, and dark brown eyes. Tall and pale-skinned, his appearance was far from fragile.

“Given that there are guards at both ends of the carriage, it seems they’ve been quite negligent. How did you get in here, Lord Ludendorff?”

“I have an invitation from the Madam herself, so naturally, they let me through.”

Claire sighed softly.

‘I should have chartered the entire train.’

While not as much as Erich, she too didn’t want to be disturbed like this.

“I’ve been restless for three days after receiving your letter. It’s an honor to finally meet Duchess Klausener.”

Whether he knew her feelings or not, Hermann, the eldest son of Marquis Ludendorff, smiled gently. He took Claire’s hand, and kissed the back of it.

Claire glared at him.

“While it’s true I suggested we meet, I never intended it to be on a honeymoon train.”

“But when else could we ensure such security if not now?”

That was true. That was why Johann deliberately boarded the same train. Officially, he was on a mission from his father to inspect a diamond mine, but in reality, he followed Claire. It was to bridge the gap between her and Ludendorff.

Thinking about it, Hermann’s misunderstanding wasn’t so surprising.

Claire’s eyes narrowed. There’s a big difference between something being understandable and being acceptable.

“I think it’s impolite to visit a newlywed bride of three days, especially when her husband is absent.”

“I didn’t know the Duke would be away. I have no such capabilities to do it on purpose.”

Hermann smiled slightly, admitting he found the timing rather convenient.

Claire sighed.

“Now that we’re here, let’s keep it brief. If there was a chance to push out Sir Horst, would you take it?”

“…..”

Hermann didn’t respond hastily.

Marquisate Ludendorff wasn’t among the most influential noble families in Rommel. In fact, many Marquisate were like that. They ended up either falling into obscurity despite being a once high-ranking noble. The title Marquisate merely symbolizes past glory.

Unlike the Klausener or the Ernst, whose power is secured by their bloodline so high to an extent that no one dares to challenge.

They were unable to cast aside their pride to break free from old ways and lead in acquiring power through methods fitting the new era.

Had they remained the same, they might have either fallen into decline through foolish actions like Marquisate Belf or naturally settled into the role of a medium or small-scale landlord as time went by.

Had it not been for Augusta, the former Marquis’ eldest daughter becoming the Empress’s lady-in-waiting.

‘Presenting itself as valuing the bloodlines of Rommel nobility… at least putting on such an act to garner the support of Rommel’s nobles, was perfectly suited for the Empress.’

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