Obviously, It’s My Child - Chapter 165

“It’s a pity to hear that, as my efforts would indeed influence the Baron’s share.”

Claire grinned. This type of negotiation is always welcome.

“If we start considering that, then when Ludendorff releases his shares, we must also consider who influenced that decision.”

It was during this exchange.

Knock, knock.

Despite Claire not responding, a security officer from Maximilian’s team entered.

He slightly bowed his head. Claire didn’t ask what had happened.

“Let’s leave it at that for today. I have another schedule.”

“Understood. I apologize for the abrupt visit and for taking up so much of your time.”

“It will be difficult to meet like this in person for a while. The rest will be handled through staff. I’m sure we’ll meet again soon in the future.”

“Yes.”

The old Count Krozik put on his hat and then said.

“I nearly forgot to give you this in my excitement to meet the Baron.”

Claire accepted the envelope he handed her. It was sealed with wax.

“It was something that came with a letter from Johann. Actually, that was my main reason for coming.”

“Thank you.”

After the old Count left the drawing room, Claire immediately opened the envelope.

Given that the old Count had personally come to deliver it, it was likely not urgent but certainly confidential.

[“The Second Prince has disappeared from Duchy Ernst’s estate. The Empress’ palace is in disarray, and they are yet unaware of any movements from Klausener.”]

Claire skimmed over the rest of the minor details in the letter and then threw it into the fireplace.

She quicklet went out of the drawing room and asked the security guard.

“Has the patient woken up?”

“Yes, Duchess. The doctor is with him, but it seems his condition isn’t very good.”

“Understood.”

She then made her way to the third floor.

27: Melancholy

It was an unfamiliar ceiling.

Linus Rommel, or Linus Ernst, or perhaps just Linus, half-opened his eyes and thought.

His breathing was labored. Every deep breath brought a metallic taste. Every exhale was accompanied by pain.

In fact, even inhaling was painful. The smell hit his nose and he just couldn’t feel it.

“It is pneumonia. He was in the winter sea.”

Someone spoke, likely a doctor.

It was insignificant.

When he had previously been on the brink of death, doctors, guards, maids, and attendants all moved en masse. Like piranhas swarming over a piece of flesh.

Would the flesh in their mouths be as fragrant as they desired?

Probably not.

No, in the end, all scents are illusions. Just like the constant smell of blood and metal in his nose was fake.

So, he closed his eyes again. What difference did it make?

“Is his life in danger?”

“He’s young. There should be no serious issues.”

“Understood.”

He opened his eyes again only because an unexpected voice was mixed in the conversation.

He blinked several times, his vision blurry, as he looked around the room.

The person he was looking for was taller and more robust than the others, recognizable even after a few years.

“Sir, Maximilian…”

His voice was hoarse, as if scraping his vocal cords.

“Your Highness.”

Maximilian quickly turned his head and approached the bed.

Beside him stood a woman with reddish hair, a face he did not recognize.

Linus asked in a daze.

“Why am I here…? Brother Erich….?”

“No, His Grace is not here. Your Highness…”

The woman seemed to cut off Maximilian’s words, or perhaps he stopped on his own, Linus could not be sure.

The woman’s hand gently touched his forehead. A sigh dissipated into the air like mist.

“He’s still ill. Let him rest.”

Despite no pressure from her palm, Linus felt overwhelmed as if it held him down, and he closed his eyes again.

The prince, still with his high fever, quickly fell back into sleep.

“Lady Claire.”

Maximilian called out with a worried expression. Claire sighed once more.

“It’s better he sleeps now than tries to leave upon waking. Forcing him to stay might cause issues later…”

“Understood.”

Claire gazed down at the prince.

Her first impression was that he was young. At twenty years old and quite tall, he still seemed too young. Perhaps this was because she had considered him a foe in her mind, and facing him in person might have altered her impression.

[“Are you death?”]

That was the first thing the prince said with feverish eyes.

“More importantly, is there any other news? There should be a search team. Surely he didn’t just drift here from Ernst.”

“Four guards and one attendant accompanied the prince to Ludendorff. They too are searching secretly, so it seems they are unable to deploy many people.”

“I see. Let’s pretend we don’t know until they ask for cooperation in the search.”

“Understood.”

“We need to hold out until Erich arrives.”

Claire bit her lower lip.

Unless they plan to throw him back into the sea due to a wrong delivery, they would eventually have to let him walk out. It was not a decision she could make alone.

* * *

Erich entered his office and noticed the pile of letters heaped on a silver tray—so many that there were three trays.

“Filter these again.”

Erich glanced at the tray with the most envelopes and spoke briefly. One of his secretaries quickly took it away.

The second tray held about six letters. These were from important individuals.

He picked up the envelope from the third tray, which contained just one letter. It was from Claire.

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