Obviously, It’s My Child - Chapter 204

Her smile was neither an elegant, formal grin nor a friendly, sales-oriented one. The amber-colored eyes sparkled with a mischievous glimmer. She was aware of the power she wielded over him at this moment.

Erich’s expression hardened in response. He raised his chin defiantly, and with an arrogance he spoke.

“Though it’s late, I welcome your visit. It’s not a proper banquet, but I’ll make sure dinner is served.”

Claire refrained from interrupting, knowing it was inappropriate to tell him not to invite a guest at this point. However, she was taken aback.

‘Is he really going to act like this here?’

Did that man even realize the expression he had on his face? Come to think of it, it was likely that he was fully aware and chose to act this way intentionally.

Erich stole a glance at Claire. After giving him a pointed look, she lifted her head high and responded.

“Of course. I had actually planned to invite Lady Augusta to dinner.”

Inverting her initial statement was no problem for her if it meant provoking a reaction from Erich. Indeed, she could see his eyebrows twitch in response.

Yet, he maintained a demeanor that was unusually solemn, his expression perfectly neutral, with an air of coldness enveloping the room.

Augusta’s lady-in-waiting looked around awkwardly, feeling that this was not a place for them to intrude. It seemed more than just an inappropriate time; they were clearly being used.

Augusta forced a smile. She wasn’t completely oblivious to the situation. While she had her suspicions, she really had no desire to get involved in such affairs.

“Not at all, Your Grace. I came without making any prior arrangements. I was simply happy at your visit to my hometown.”

She spoke calmly, maintaining her composure.

“However, I’ve heard you’ve made special arrangements for your time together, so I wouldn’t want to intrude. I will take my leave now.”

“Can we really send the lady-in-waiting back after she has traveled this far? One extra person won’t burden our cook.”

“I’m not so oblivious despite being an older lady, Your Grace.”

Augusta replied with a gentle smile.

“And I didn’t say I was having dinner away. My brother and his wife are preparing it and waiting for me. It’s been a while since we’ve had a family dinner.”

“I see.”

Erich replied stiffly. It was hard to argue against spending time with siblings after returning home.

In truth, he had no real intention of pressing the issue further.

“I will take my leave now, Duchess. Thank you for your hospitality despite my sudden visit.”

“While you are here, I’m sure there will be other opportunities. Please feel free to visit anytime.”

Claire smiled back at Augusta as she spoke. Augusta bent her knees and respectfully bowed to her before stepping back. The lady-in-waiting, still unable to hide her surprise, followed suit and left the parlor alongside Augusta.

The parlor door remained open for a moment. Erich called for a butler to check on Augusta’s carriage as it departed. The butler stepped out, closing the parlor door behind him.

“Where’s Linus?”

“It seems he still doesn’t want to see anyone.”

Erich frowned. Linus ultimately had to return. To him, Linus staying in this house felt like nothing more than a childish tantrum. He was already twenty. This behavior was unbecoming.

“Just let him be. He’s still young. He’s the one who wanted to die, after all.”

“Twenty is hardly a child, and Linus is not in a position where he can only think about himself.”

It was understandable that he had wanted to die, and Erich had offered help if he was going to run away. However, Linus was neither choosing to escape nor returning to his previous life. He was simply avoiding everything.

Claire said.

“I’ve assigned a security detail to the coachman and servants. Let’s give him some more time to relax. Lady Augusta won’t have the luxury to concern herself with this from now on.”

Claire pulled out the note from Hermann she had received earlier, shaking it in front of him. The bracelet on her slender wrist danced like a butterfly. Erich frowned at the sight, but he couldn’t resist.

He grabbed Claire’s hand and pulled it toward him, snatching the note and tossing it into the fireplace. His palm resting against her lips was the last vestige of his pride.

“You seem only interested in work.”

“How absurd! With that attitude, were you planning on inviting someone else to dinner?”

“Look at how you’re dressed.”

Erich exhaled sharply, tracing his finger slowly along the curve revealed by her deep neckline.

“I thought there would at least be a dinner prepared.”

“Do you ever consider that I might have dressed up to go on a date with you?”

“Didn’t we argue yesterday?”

“Isn’t it just an ongoing disagreement that’s lasted for days? Why act surprised now?”

“Then is this a setup for a rematch?”

Erich gently touched her earrings and asked in a low voice that had a subtle edge to it. His blue eyes, gazing down at her, simmered not with coldness but with a fiery intensity.

This time, Claire could feel her mouth go dry.

In truth, she wasn’t always composed. Maintaining a calm demeanor while wrapped around the waist of this handsome man required considerable patience and acting skills.

“Let’s leave our relationship in a cold war for now. I’ll get dinner ready, as you suggested.”

“What?”

“If we invite just Linus and Maximilian, that’s more than enough for guest company, right?”

Erich sighed as he gently caressed her cheeks and forehead with his hands.

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