Obviously, It's My Child - Chapter 136
Augusta’s competence was crucial, of course, but there was another reason the Empress was supporting Marquisate Ludendorff.
Thus, Marquisate Ludendorff found an opportunity for revival. However, the family’s gain didn’t necessarily translate into benefits for all its members.
Hermann, despite being the eldest son, lost his position as the heir because his mother was from the less prestigious Arren nobility.
The current Marquis Ludendorff favored his younger son, Horst, born to his second wife from the Rommel nobility and granted him all the rights.
Currently, Hermann was practically alienated within his own family. Marquis Ludendorff and his wife hadn’t even sought a suitable marriage for their twenty-nine-year-old eldest son.
When Claire asked if Hermann was willing to push Horst out, it was against this backdrop.
Hermann’s hand moved through the air. It was a beautiful hand, white and long like that of an artist.
“You’re quite direct for someone from Arren.”
“The situation offers a clear benefit. The loss would be yours, Lord. If you refuse, that’s the end of it.”
There was no need to beat around the bush or adjust to please the other party. Even if Hermann was to refuse, she had no intention of negotiating. Hermann was just a suitable candidate for a deal, nothing more.
Realizing this, Hermann smirked.
“How can you be so sure that I’m the one at a loss? Perhaps I’m content living comfortably as a wealthy family’s idle member, depending on my brother for pocket money.”
“People who want to live off pocket money and lead a leisurely life don’t stay in the capital building connections with the influential. I should know, I’m exactly that kind of person.”
Hermann laughed. Claire frowned, realizing that he was laughing off her comment.
“Yes, let’s leave it at that.”
“That’s right.”
“Yes.”
Claire resisted the urge to argue back and instead slightly raised an eyebrow and forced a smile.
“So, what’s your answer?”
“You already know I’m in a desperate situation, yet you tease.”
“I thought you wanted to live as an idle noble.”
Hermann’s smirk turned bitter.
“I misspoke. As you mentioned in your letter, while greed and hatred can be released, injustice remains.”
His hasty decision to come here was influenced by that statement.
Hermann was aware he hadn’t lacked anything in life. As he mentioned to Claire, he had lived comfortably as a rich family’s idle son. However, until he was ten, he was the heir, and then suddenly, he wasn’t.
“I’d like to know what you’re planning.”
“Probably, the Lord isn’t the only one feeling wronged in the Ludendorff family.”
Claire spoke slowly, then glanced at Hermann and lightly shook her head.
“You seem to think my words are absurd. But as you’ve experienced, injustice isn’t necessarily born from having nothing.”
“I’d like to hear more about this.”
“Is Marquis Ludendorff satisfied with the fishing port granted by Her Majesty the Empress?”
Hermann inhaled sharply.
It wasn’t. Being part of the family, Hermann knew this best.
* * *
Erich returned to the carriage not long after. It was because Elliott started to cough from his enthusiastic yelling.
He knocked on the door of the compartment where Martha was. Regardless of his personal feelings, when it came to caring for a child, he trusted Martha more than anyone else on this train.
“Martha, cough.”
“My, I could hear the young master’s shouts all the way here.”
Martha fetched a bottle from a basket filled with various items and poured some ginger water into a pewter cup, offering it to Elliott.
“Ugh, it’s bitter…”
“It’s good for your throat when it hurts. Here, just one more sip.”
“Bitteeerrr…”
Despite complaining, Elliott obediently gulped down the ginger water.
“Well done. Here!”
After finishing the cup, a lemon soaked in honey was offered, and Elliott quieted down as he sucked on it.
Erich watched silently. Martha smiled at him.
“I’ll take care of the young master, you should go back to the Mistress.”
“I’m sleeppiii.”
Elliott mumbled with the lemon in his mouth before dropping it. Martha picked him up and patted his back.
Erich chuckled unknowingly. As he left the compartment, he bumped into Hermann in the corridor.
“…Lord Ludendorff.”
“Duke Klausener.”
Hermann bowed politely. Erich glanced at the guard standing at the end of the hallway, then back at Hermann.
“How should I interpret you crossing through carriages on a moving train to see my wife?”
“I seized the opportunity for a rare chance to meet with you alone, sir. Unfortunately, the timing was not right, so I only greeted the Duchess.”
Erich looked down at him arrogantly then tilted his head up.
“For that matter, it seems like you’re trying to sneak away without saying much to me.”
“My apologies. Having paid my respects, I thought to withdraw contentedly.”
Hermann chuckled.
“If you plan to travel to the North, please make sure to visit Ludendorff as well. The Duchess mentioned she was curious about the North Sea.”
Erich gestured for him to leave. Hermann bowed again with a calm smile and left.
Opening the compartment door, Erich found Claire lying across a chair, her upper body slumped to one side.
“Seems there was quite the swarm.”
“Just for the record, I didn’t invite him.”
“Are you plotting something again?”
Erich placed his hands on his hips and looked down at Claire.
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