Obviously, It’s My Child - Chapter 197

[The Grand Prince has revived the audience hours. He has met with all the nobility in the capital, and many of them have called for physicians… ]

[He has sent letters to nobles outside the capital instructing them to stop using lotus leaf cigarettes and has also advised prohibiting them within their territories.]

Duke Moore appears to be taking steps to unite the Arren nobility.

This was due to the opium ban, but the Empress didn’t think it was just a simple matter.

[If Duchess Klausener is involved in this, we need to deal with it quickly. Is everything prepared, Stefan?]

[The Weaving Guild is still in the process. The guild owner and the lawyer are quite capable. We haven’t touched any of the accounts yet.]

[Since it hasn’t been long since we started, it will take time to mature, Your Majesty.]

Lady-in-waiting Renate interjected, seemingly defending Stefan.

The Empress scrutinized both of them with sharp eyes but chose not to point out their shortcomings.

[It’s clear that if we lay a trap lightly, they won’t fall for it, so we need to finish this once and for all. You understand that, Stefan?]

[Yes. Don’t worry. It will be handled before you order the trigger to be pulled.]

[Do it properly, even for your canary.]

It was rare for the Empress to speak so directly.

Thus, Augusta boarded the train with a heavy heart. Failing to handle Claire Delford in one go was her responsibility, and it had only heightened their vigilance.

Losing Katya and the opera theater was quite a blow.

The Arren nobility, who had been receiving supplies through that channel, might have been stirred into action by this.

The issue with Linus was even larger.

The Empress said it was time to explore other means, but Augusta could not bring herself to think that way.

He was a son born directly from the Empress’s womb.

Even if she prioritized other matters, it didn’t mean that her child was unimportant.

For now, it was necessary to check on Duchy Klausener’s situation.

“Sister.”

The weary Augusta headed toward her room still in the main house, followed closely by Marquis Ludendorff.

She let out a sigh.

“What are you so anxious about? If you’re hoping to be reassured by my compliments for your pointless endeavors, that won’t happen.”

“Pointless endeavors?”

“I’m talking about the mines in Barony Gagern.”

“Sister, those mines are legitimate. County Krozik is keen to secure more shares. We can’t afford to lose them, can we?”

“The port is far more advantageous in the long term. And the Empress’s trust is even more crucial than the port. You’ve been entrusted with something as significant as the port, yet you’re not fulfilling your duties. What are you doing?”

Augusta said, looking disapprovingly at the Marquis.

“Besides, considering that Horst will inherit your position, it’s even more concerning. Isn’t Horst the heir to Barony Gagern as well? You could leave it be and let Horst inherit it, then develop it.”

“So, you think it’s fine to just let it go for now?”

“You’re not overflowing with resources right now, are you?”

“How can a man in this day and age properly assert himself without owning a mine?”

“Are you saying that your ability to assert yourself is more important than filling the family coffers?”

“Sister.”

“Assertion requires money. A person can assert themselves because they have a mine, but it’s really the money coming from that mine that gives them that ability.”

Augusta sighed.

“Do you really think there’s a vein beneath that small mine in Gagern that could cover the entire territory? I don’t believe our family has such luck.”

Augusta said coldly as she entered her room.

Maids hurriedly removed the cloth covering the furniture.

Due to her unexpected arrival, the cleaning hadn’t been done properly, but Augusta wanted to rest alone, so she closed the door right in front of Marquis Ludendorff.

1. A House with a Child

The sound of a small child quietly circling the sofa was irritating.

Linus was half-asleep. Each time he began to drift fully into slumber, the sound of tiny feet padding on the carpet jolted him awake, followed by the clumsy thump of a small foot hitting the floor.

“Uncle, are you sleeping?”

Linus waved his hand and turned his head away.

His nose felt chilly, and the smell of burning wood from the fireplace lingered in the air, yet in his dream, a spring breeze was blowing. However, that breeze did not touch his face.

In his dream, he was five years old. The sound of small footsteps came from the child, but in that moment, he was the one making them.

Until the age of five, he had never once been close to children his own age.

In the palace, he was the youngest, and while he stayed at Duchy Ernst’s, the children of the Young Duke and Duchess were in the capital.

His nanny and tutor were close aides to the Empress and were typical Rommels, so the thought of bringing in playmates for him never crossed their minds.

In fact, Linus was not the only one in this situation. Children born into noble families in Rommel often grew up similarly.

Usually, there would be siblings or cousins, and interactions with peers would happen through them.

But Linus had no one. Jared Rommel? He couldn’t exactly call him a brother.

There were occasional gatherings of close relatives.

Today was likely one of those days.

Though young Linus could not recall the details, it was probably when Archduke Victoria visited to see her nephews.

The days when he saw Jared usually coincided with such occasions.

Archduke Manfred had brought Lady Bettina along, and Erich, who was visiting Jared, naturally joined, leading to a small tea party for the children.

Linus was hiding in the bushes.

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