Obviously, It’s My Child - Chapter 184

Joanna spoke cautiously.

“Although my parents don’t acknowledge it, I believe he has a condition. I knew full well he was in that state when I took him to the tea time and couldn’t silence him, so I also bear some responsibility. I want to apologize not only for Bruno and my parents’ actions but also for my own share.”

“It’s not your fault, Lady Bloom.”

Claire understood Joanna’s situation.

There might be sisters responsible for their younger brothers’ conduct, but Joanna was not one of them. How could one discipline a mad brother who was also the heir to the family, especially when the parents supported him?

“The eldest daughter is always the best.”

Erich’s voice came from behind.

“Erich!”

Claire turned in surprise. Erich stood at the doorframe with his arms crossed, leaning slightly to the side. The door was ajar, but under normal circumstances, he would have knocked. It was customary to knock if there were ladies among the visitors.

But that was not the case, as the guest was from the Bloom family, and Erich did not consider the Bloom daughter to be a lady.

He had unexpectedly walked into a conversation.

Hermann, who had known Erich was at the door for a while, gave a late nod of acknowledgment. Joanna, who had been kneeling, looked up in shock and then bent at the waist, bowing deeply.

“It’s surprising. I would have expected the Baron and Baroness to come if an apology was to be made.”

“I apologize.”

“I acknowledge the courage and intentions of Lady Bloom who is concerned for her family. However, apologies are the responsibility of someone with the proper standing.”

Joanna didn’t know what to do and bowed even lower. This caused Claire’s attempt to help Joanna up to be completely in vain.

Holding Joanna’s arm, Claire turned to look at Erich.

“Don’t be so harsh. She came here to apologize.”

“Yes. That’s why I said it was admirable. But that doesn’t make it an apology from the ‘Bloom family.’”

Claire blinked for a moment, realizing what Erich’s words implied. She stood up, glared at Erich.

“What have you done to Barony Bloom?”

“Appropriate follow-up.”

Claire opened her mouth a little in surprise and then closed it.

And after sweeping up her forehead once, she approached him, placing her hands on her hips.

“Well, I didn’t think you sent a letter asking them to come and apologize.”

Even if trying to kill Bruno on the spot was an act of anger, the follow-up actions were unlikely to be mild if he believed his honor had been damaged. Especially if things moved this quickly.

It seemed Erich understood what she was getting at and responded first.

“I didn’t handle it emotionally.”

“It seems like you might have been quite emotional about it. You didn’t even say a word to me.”

“Should I have discussed with you before instructing Sir Goerdeler to do what was obviously required?”

“Erich.”

Claire felt a surge of emotion but forced herself to stay calm. Instead, she tried to maintain a composed tone.

“It’s my business.”

“Of course, it’s your business, but it’s also a matter of Klausener’s honor.”

“No.”

Claire paused for a moment.

“You didn’t tell me because you knew I would oppose it, didn’t you? You didn’t go so far as to wipe out the family, did you?”

“Oh, Duchess. It’s nothing like that.”

Joanna, flustered, tried to intervene, but Erich ignored her and continued speaking to Claire.

“I didn’t handle it the ‘old way’ you dislike.”

“That goes without saying. It was unpleasant, but I wouldn’t tear apart someone’s home just because of some insults. Besides, you took revenge on the spot.”

“Is it acceptable to leave someone who has been insulting others and spreading rumors just as they are? It’s clear he is the source of the scandal.”

“I don’t plan to just let it go either. Maybe claim damages or something… I know that face.”

Claire glared at Erich.

“Don’t smile. Were you trying to make me angry on purpose?”

“Am I smiling? I don’t think so.”

“Then what is that expression?”

“Well…”

Erich relaxed his arms and took a step closer to Claire. He bent only at the waist while keeping his head up to close the distance.

“Could it be the face of someone who wants to kiss you? That’s exactly the feeling I have right now.”

“What are you talking about in front of others?”

Claire shouted, her face flushed. If she could reach him, she would have slapped his arm or back.

Erich was likely standing with such distance because of this reason. Claire stared at him in disbelief as his smirk finally turned into a full-blown smile.

‘When did he become so shameless?’

Ignoring Hermann and Joanna, who were at a loss and didn’t know where to look, Erich took another step forward, attempting to hug Claire by the waist.

“No.”

Though Claire would have allowed that level of affection, she found it irritating and swatted Erich’s hand away.

“So, what did you do? Miss Bloom, did this person not overstep his bounds?”

“I just had him stripped of his title of nobility.”

Erich wiped the smile from his face and tilted his head slightly.

“If that’s all, then you shouldn’t have any objections. After all, it’s not just about honor; it’s about the very etiquette and decency that such a pig doesn’t deserve to flaunt while pretending to be of noble blood.”

“I dislike it. I do, but it’s not right to crush a whole family just because of personal feelings.”

“My judgment would have been the same regardless of you. It’s not an emotional issue. He doesn’t deserve to be a noble. And the state of the Bloom family that made him their heir is just as clear. Keeping him around would be nothing but harmful.”

If the head of the family had come to apologize directly, it might have been different, but as it stood, there was no room for leniency.

There was a high chance they didn’t even understand what went wrong.