Obviously, It's My Child - Chapter 156
If she was going to go anyway, it’s better when she’s there.
Claire had been observing Archduke Victoria for several days and felt that despite her outward coldness, she was not a cruel person.
She was conservative with a belief in the superiority of Rommel, but she didn’t believe her status gave her the right to oppress others.
“Aunt is a person of dignity. While she might blame the individual for opium use, she wouldn’t stand by and watch a child be harmed.”
Erich and her agree on that point. If the other person was a relative with noble blood, it would be someone she cherished even more.
“She was good to me, but she loved Jared a lot.”
Erich’s tone was more about stating facts than reminiscing. Claire gave a slight laugh.
“That sounds more like a problem with your personality than favoritism.”
“I never said it was favoritism.”
“I guess you wouldn’t mind even if it was.”
Claire couldn’t quite picture a tender scene between a young Erich and Archduke Victoria.
Meanwhile, Erich needed to stay in Saltzgitter to address the issue of the slave ring.
Claire couldn’t go alone, especially after the recent bout of loud crying; she couldn’t bear to leave Elliott behind.
Traveling with Archduke Victoria seemed best. It added an extra layer of protection for Elliott.
And then the day of departure arrived.
“Auntie Grandma! Auntie Grandma! Remember last time? Dad put me in front of the train!”
Elliott repeated his story tirelessly.
“When I opened my mouth wide ‘Waaaah’, the wind rushed in like mint candies!”
Archduke Victoria, that was usually so stern, smiled slightly and nodded again to a tale she had probably heard at least twenty times.
Claire smiles proudly.
‘My little angel isn’t just an angel to me.’
Even the stringent Archduke Victoria had softened in just a few days. Claire deeply understood that sentiment.
It wasn’t because she was a porcupine at heart; Elliott genuinely was a delightful child.
Gustav explained as he saw them off at the station.
“When you arrive at Ludendorff Station, you will meet Sir Maximilian. He had already made arrangements to stay there in advance.”
“Sir Maximilian came all this way?”
Claire asked, and Erich responded in place of Gustav.
“Your and Elliott’s safety is my top priority.”
“But Archduke Victoria is with us, what could possibly happen?”
“Still, it’s better to be cautious. Don’t let Maximilian out of your sight.”
“I’ll try. It shouldn’t be a problem. I’m not there to take the lead anyway.”
Claire’s purpose was not to handle the specifics of work but rather to demonstrate the situation at the Kohlberg mines to Marquis Ludendorff naturally.
And to put pressure on ‘that man’ and Sir Hermann.
Simply being there would suffice for that. So she planned to attend the dinner and spend plenty of time playing with Elliott.
Claire smiled.
“The reason I started at Ludendorff was because of the sea. I wanted to see the winter sea.”
“….Have you been to the sea before?”
Erich paused to recall the past. Delford was inland, as was the capital.
Traveling to the sea would have required a considerable distance to travel. Though the southern major ports were connected by rail.
Claire lightly placed her hand on his cheek. Erich’s eyes hardened.
Her playful smile filled his view.
“What if I have?”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“A winter sea could create emotions where none existed before, it’s romantic.”
Claire’s smile was relaxed. Erich couldn’t be sure whether she knew what he was concerned about.
“…”
He inadvertently frowned. Claire’s continued smiling and laughing seemed to irritate him, and he grasped her wrist tightly.
Claire appeared slightly startled and tried to pull away.
Instead, he gripped her other hand and pulled her closer so she could look him in the eyes .
“Don’t go making trouble.”
“Who knows? I don’t plan to stay locked up at home without seeing the sea once we’re at Ludendorff.”
Instead of retreating, Claire stepped forward. Her shoe tip slid between Erich’s feet.
Instead of shaking his hand away, she gently rose on her toes and planted a quick kiss on Erich’s lips.
If someone had told her eight years ago that she’d find this man cute, she would’ve told them to get their head checked.
“There’s only one nose I’d like to flatten.”
In the next instant, her parted lips and tongue were engulfed abruptly.
Erich pulled her closer by the back of her head. Claire gasped for air.
She had intended to provoke him, but not to this extent.
Her fingers twitched involuntarily, trapped in his grasp. Heat and sweat gathered in the palm of her hand.
She tried to push him away with her free hand, but ended up clutching his shirt and hanging on instead.
Before her strength waned, Erich wrapped his arms around her waist to support her. His lips gave her one final nip before letting go.
“Stop it, we’re at the train station.”
“Who started this anyway?”
“Is a peck the same as a kiss?”
“Are you saying I shouldn’t even kiss my wife goodbye?”
In the capital or Arren, it wouldn’t be uncommon to see couples parting with a long kiss, taking up to an hour, so surely this was fine—even though this was Rommel.
Everyone politely averted their eyes.
“I’ll follow soon, so wait for me.”
Erich said roughly, and ran his fingers through Claire’s hair, brushing it down to her chest.
Claire’s eyes followed his hand, her cheeks tinting slightly pink.
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