Obviously, It's My Child - Chapter 150
She wasn’t just weaving textiles. Instead, she was setting up factories for mass production, creating the necessary environment for it.
Hermann had never been to the Arren textile mills, but he knew they were powered, whether by steam or water.
Even by the standards of Elder Madam Klausener, this was considered ‘men’s work.’ She wasn’t running a small tailor shop or a spinning business.
Claire had said with a grin,
[“Think about it, if all the men around you are making money from mining, and you had to stick to fishing, wouldn’t that bruise your ego?”]
[“Fishing ports are developed in Ludendorff because it’s advantageous to do so. Ludendorff is geographically well-suited for it. Besides, there aren’t many other industries to nurture there, and developing industry is the duty of a lord.”]
[“What does it matter? Fishing isn’t an age-old family trade for the Marquis, and he has never made a fortune from it.”]
Claire had asked Hermann,
[“Don’t you think someone who manages a business on a large scale would set aside their insecurities and approach this cautiously? In your opinion, is your father that kind of man?”]
Not at all. And Claire seemed to already know that.
After all, Johan Krozik had likely contacted him because he had made a character judgment and saw an opportunity.
As she had mentioned, Marquis Ludendorff harbored a certain inferiority complex.
[“Just wait. You’ll be getting a message from Krozik soon enough.”]
Claire had said so.
And indeed, the message had come. So quickly.
Hermann gave a sly smile inside while managing his expression. Now his role became crucial.
“Don’t be too harsh on Horst, father. The letter from Count Krozik didn’t explicitly say they found the mine within our lands, did it?”
“Uh? Uhh, well… right?”
Marquis Ludendorff re-read the letter somewhat perplexedly. Indeed, it stated ‘near your territory.’
“Ah!”
Realizing this, the phrase ‘the rightful owner’ also stood out in a new light.
“It must be in Baron Gagern’s lands!”
“Father!”
Horst exclaimed in alarm.
Baron Gagern’s estate was his maternal family’s property.
Part of the Ludendorff Plains was within the domain, yet some of the land adjacent to the mountains was difficult for habitation.
The current Baron Gagern was Horst’s maternal uncle, a man in poor health but a proper lord nonetheless.
Marquisate Ludendorff family had no claim over Baron Gagern’s lands.
Yet, Marquis Ludendorff said with gleaming eyes,
“Baron Gagern isn’t in good enough health to handle such a large venture, Horst. Perhaps you should take responsibility for this.”
“…Understood.”
Horst responded with an uncomfortable expression.
His mother would not be pleased. She was already embarrassed by her husband’s meddling due to her younger brother’s frailty.
However, for Horst, his father was more important than his mother.
It was his father, not his mother, who would pass on the title of Marquis to him.
Marquis Ludendorff already seemed pleased with himself, looking at Hermann with a satisfied expression.
“I’ll write a response to Count Krozik. You’ll deliver it personally.”
“Me, personally?”
“Can we send a mere errand boy for such an important matter?”
“Understood. If that is your wish, Father.”
Hermann nodded.
Suddenly, as he turned his head, his eyes met Horst’s. Hermann gave him a sly smile.
Horst clenched his fist where Marquis Ludendorff couldn’t see.
The Marquis probably didn’t realize.
In his view, he was simply sending the Baron’s nephew, Horst, to Baron Gagern and his remaining son, Hermann, on an errand to County Krozik.
However, this was the first time Horst acted as an heir and Hermann was entrusted with external activities.
‘Did the Duchess consider this when she targeted Baron Gagern’s land?’
It might be a coincidence, but it seemed likely.
* * *
The snow had stopped, and the weather had become milder.
However, looking out from Baden Castle, the mist rising from the distant springs made it seem like the outside was colder than inside, giving it a cozy feel.
Claire had placed a chair by the window to enjoy the view.
Suddenly, there was a noise from outside.
“To Mom!”
Elliott’s energetic voice could be heard. It seemed someone was in the hallway.
Claire smiled.
She and Erich had returned to Baden, specifically to pick up Elliott.
Elliott was visibly upset.
[“I hate Auntie! I hate Uncle too!”]
What was briefly ‘mom and dad’ had reverted back to ‘auntie and uncle.’
[“Wahhh! You left me behind!”]
However, instead of running away in a tantrum, he stood there sobbing. When Claire rushed over to hug him, he clung to her as if his life depended on it.
[“Auntie is sorry, Elliott. I’m sorry for leaving you alone.”]
No matter how much she apologized, his crying did not stop. Thinking about it, this was the first time they had left him alone for so long.
She carried and soothed him until he fell asleep from exhaustion.
At that time, it felt like her back might break, but looking back at how Erich had stood by her side with an icy expression, she could now almost laugh about it.
As she struggled, Erich tentatively offered,
[“Elliott, may I hold him…?”]
It wasn’t ‘come here,’ ‘I’ll hold him,’ or ‘let me hold him.’
It was probably the first time in his life Erich had asked someone else’s permission in such a roundabout way.
Elliott, still sniffling, turned his head away stubbornly.
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