Obviously, It’s My Child - Chapter 169

However, Duchess Klausener’s visit seemed even more intriguing, given that she had recently become the center of much gossip.

One invitation had brought in four people.

“The Marchioness seems quite excited. When has her tea party ever had so many guests?”

“Didn’t you hear that Archduke Victoria is staying in the Birch Annex? The Marchioness must be feeling quite proud.”

“No, it was Sir Hermann who invited them.”

Low voices whispered various stories.

“Not Sir Horst?”

“Yes, it was Sir Hermann who invited Duchess Klausener.”

“Oh, I just assumed it was Sir Horst when I heard Lord Ludendorff.”

“I heard the older Lord has made many acquaintances while staying in the capital.”

“If he’s acquainted enough with Duchess Klausener and Archduke Victoria, he might also have connections with the Duke himself.”

“Managing an estate is important, but for nobility, social connections are crucial.”

Another exchanged words in a hushed tone.

“Isn’t Duchess Klausener from Arren?”

“I heard it’s quite far south, mostly wheat fields and cotton, a rural area.”

“When a man falls for a woman, he doesn’t see her background. If it’s the Duke, he probably wouldn’t care whether she was a Baron’s daughter from Arren or a Count’s daughter from Rommel.”

“I heard this from Lord Bloom.”

Someone whispered even lower.

“They said….she went to great lengths to seduce the Duke during their academy days.”

“Surely not. She’s a nobility, after all. A Lady wouldn’t resort to such tactics.”

“I’ve heard it too. She was known to court anyone who might advance her status.”

“Oh my God, really?”

“It’s likely her relationship with Sir Hermann started in a similar manner.”

Gossip that bordered on hopes that it would really happen were spreading.

Soon Hermann escorted Claire into the camellia garden. The whispering stopped abruptly as all eyes turned to them.

Claire was dressed in a gown of dark green and brown velvet.

The design elegantly highlighted her figure from the chest to the waist, and from the waist down to the thighs, before flaring out into an opulent wave from the knees.

Her wide-brimmed hat was adorned not with flowers or lace, but with diamonds. However, it was not this that drew all eyes.

Under the bright winter sun, her hair shone a vivid red, capturing attention like a large flower bursting forth in a camellia garden.

Yet, this was no fairy or spirit of the flowers. This was Duchess Klausener appeared as nothing but a passionate human being.

“Ahh.”

In the silence where everyone held their breath, someone let out a short gasp of admiration.

Hermann understood their feelings a hundredfold.

Merely from a Barony? An Arren with neither blonde hair nor blue eyes?

No one who saw her could dare to speak of her in such terms. It was never a question of whether she was traditionally beautiful or not.

She had a presence that came from her confidence and the tangible power that backed it.

“Please allow me to introduce you to my mother.”

“Of course, the first person I should greet is the hostess.”

Claire responded with a gentle face and glanced around her.

Those who had thought to intimidate her as a minor nobility from southern Arren, regardless of owning big textile mills, quickly averted their eyes when they met her amber gaze.

Marchioness Ludendorff and Archduke Victoria were together in one place. Hermann led Claire towards them.

‘Impossible!’

Marchioness Ludendorff screamed inside.

By inviting Duchess Klausener to a tea party, it seemed not her reputation, but Hermann’s, would be enhanced.

She couldn’t afford to lose the prestige of having built a rapport with Archduke Victoria, nor could she be overshadowed here.

‘I should have found an excuse to send him away!’

Marchioness Ludendorff thought as if she could have managed that.

But it was futile thinking. At this point, Hermann was the one closest to Claire, which is why he had greeted her.

As she hesitated, unable to conceal her complex emotions and hesitated. Maximilian, holding Elliott’s hand, followed slightly behind.

Elliott had been distracted by something else.

“Oh my!”

“So adorable!”

Unlike Claire’s entrance, genuine and candid praises were showered on the little gentleman with rosy plump cheeks.

“Oh! He looks like an angel!”

Startled, Elliott hid behind Maximilian’s legs before peeking out timidly.

Then, his eyes met those of Archduke Victoria.

“Ah, Auntie Grandma!”

Elliott exclaimed in surprise and, with a delighted face, dashed toward her.

He seemed to have immediately forgotten his earlier resolve to behave like a gentleman.

“Elliott.”

Archduke Victoria bent down with a smile.

Despite having seen him only a day or two ago, she had missed this sweet, affectionate child dearly.

She momentarily forgot that this was not just a casual tea time but a rather formal tea party, and even paused introducing Claire and the Marchioness to each other.

As Archduke Victoria bent down, Elliott fearlessly hugged her and planted a kiss on her cheek.

Accustomed to their recent bonding, she returned the gesture with a kiss on Elliott’s cheek as well.

The sound of people swallowing their surprise reached Claire. She thought it all turned out quite well.

It was not a bad idea to have a practice run introducing Elliott here before stepping into the more intimidating social circles of the capital.

Want to read more? Up to [24] advanced chapters are available on Patreon: