Obviously, It's My Child - Chapter 177
Horst hesitated.
The blame for his mother’s faults often linked back to him. It would be cleaner if he was to take responsibility.
Leaving this matter to Hermann would demonstrate his lack of capability to manage the family affairs.
It would look to his father, the servants, and other nobles invited to the party, like the family honor was Herman’s responsibility, not his.
“As the heir, I think I should go and apologize. If Hermann goes, it might seem less significant.”
“No.”
The Marquis looked at Horst disapprovingly and shook his head.
“Hermann has various connections in the capital, and he’s reasonably good-looking, which looks better.”
Horst clenched his fist.
Meanwhile, Marquis Ludendorff seemed somewhat relieved as if he had found a solution.
“You should focus more on the mining business. We can’t ask Krozik for more money… How about renegotiating with Baron Gagern?”
“That would be difficult. The contract has already been signed by Count Krozik.”
Horst cautiously observed the Marquis’ expression, worried that he might erupt in anger or criticize Baron Gagern’s greed.
However, Marquis Ludendorff was uncharacteristically quiet.
This allowed Horst to relax slightly and say,
“I’ve been focusing on the mining business lately, and a contact introduced me to a group of miners. It seems we can employ them at a very reasonable rate.”
“Oh, let’s hear more about that.”
“They are Arren miners who used to work in the Kohlberg mine. You know the mine shut down? They’re in a bit of a bind because going back to their homeland is also tricky, so they’re looking for jobs.”
“Working in the Kohlberg mine, they’d be used to higher wages, right?”
“If we provide them room and board, the middleman says they’ll adjust the rates since the head miner is in urgent need of cash.”
Horst spoke enthusiastically.
“Most of them have been miners for years and include some from Kohlberg’s explosives team. However, there’s a condition that they will return to Kohlberg if it reopens.”
“Even for a while, employing Kohlberg miners would be greatly beneficial. It could also shorten the development period.”
“Yes.”
“Go and handle the negotiations yourself. You know our financial situation better.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Horst responded with a clenched fist.
In the end, matters of highest importance like maintaining relations with the Duke’s family or the honor of their house were passed to Hermann, the eldest, while he was relegated to a managerial role.
However, if the mines were developed successfully, he could still make up for it. It was uncertain how much the Duke and his wife would accept their apologies, or if it would actually benefit their family in any practical way.
.
.
.
- Linus
Erich was pleased with the location of the villa.
It was small but situated high up, offering a panoramic view of the sea and the city, though it was not at the very top of the mountain.
The master bedroom on the third floor opened onto a spacious terrace. It was secluded enough for sunbathing in the summer.
He had merely asked for a pleasant seaside home, but the villa perfectly matched his expectations.
If only they had arrived under better circumstances.
As they alighted from the carriage, Clare, noticing Erich’s stern face, linked her arm with his.
“Elliott doesn’t know yet. The symptoms of Prince Linus’s pneumonia haven’t improved, and since he’s barely regained consciousness, we’ve kept him confined to his bedroom.”
“I see.”
“Dad!”
Erich’s face softened as he saw Elliott running towards him.
He lifted the boy into his arms. After Elliott kissed his cheek and received kisses on his forehead and both cheeks, he complained.
“Dad is bad.”
“Hmm?”
Worried that Elliott might have been shocked by his treatment of Bloom, Erich felt a chill.
But there was no fear on the child’s face.
“You always leave me out and go with Mom.”
“Oh.”
“And that’s how it is when I sleep too. You always leave me out.”
“…”
At a loss for words, Erich remained silent. Clare, her face flushing, turned away and walked toward the mansion alone.
* * *
The sound of the waves brought sudden bursts of laughter to the terrace, which had been quiet until then.
At that moment, Linus, half-asleep, was still facing the sea.
His fever had not fully subsided, and his breathing was labored.
Despite his coughs not subsiding and a maid fearing it might be tuberculosis, hesitating to come near him, Linus’s mind continued to drift towards the deep, serene blue of the sea.
He had been dreaming of being submerged in deep waters for days.
It was a peaceful and quiet dream. A silence so profound that not even the sound of waves or ripples could be heard.
Lost in his daydream about going deeper, believing such an opportunity might never come again.
“Pirate ship! The sea! Mustache!”
The cheerful shouting of a child came from afar.
Linus listened intently. He was struck by how strange it felt since he had never heard such sounds before coming to this place.
He could not recall ever laughing or talking so freely in the past.
The Emperor did not love him, and his mother was a noble among the Rommel nobility.
Even before he knew who he was, those surrounding him were always ready to serve him honoring his mother’s crown.
The imperial palace was a place of quiet fierceness.
Unlike this beach, where all was buried under the sound of waves, the palace was silent with the rustling sounds of conspiracy and death.
He had no memory of laughing or shouting like that. Not even when he was four years old.
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