Obviously, It’s My Child - Chapter 207

1. The Gagern Mine

The servants were at a loss for what to do. Augusta tugged at the hem of her dress, not waiting for an escort, and quickly entered the mansion on her own.

Hermann, who was in the lobby, greeted her with a polite bow.

“Did you have a good trip, Aunt?”

“What’s all this noise about? Has something happened?”

“I’m not sure, Aunt.”

A smile lingered on Hermann’s well-formed lips. Of course, even if he knew, he would pretend not to. It would be useless to show any interest in the family business in front of Augusta.

Marquis Ludendorff, emerged from inside, looking noticeably startled when he saw her.

“Sister.”

“What is it? At this hour?”

The Marquis’s eyes wavered in the air a few times before he turned away from Augusta.

Augusta realized that something significant had happened. But rather than telling her directly, the Marquis responded in a stubborn voice.

“Don’t worry. It’s not about the port. It seems there was an accident at a small business site.”

“…”

If it was something as trivial as that, the Marquis wouldn’t have rushed out at this hour.

‘He probably won’t answer if I ask.’

He was no longer young, and certainly not at an age where he would obediently answer. She could pressure him into confessing, but she didn’t want to undermine the authority of the head of the family in a public space.

She couldn’t always cover for him, either.

Before Augusta could say anything, the Marquis spoke again, almost as if making an excuse.

“Anyway, it’s not something you need to worry about, Sister. I need to go over there now, so you should rest comfortably.”

With that, he hurriedly left the mansion.

Augusta stood still for a moment, feeling unsettled. Hermann escorted the Marquis out and then turned back toward her, still having his delicate, elegant smile.

“It seems like there’s an urgent matter, but it looks like you’re not going.”

“I don’t have anything to do with it.”

“Where’s Horst?”

“He hasn’t returned from Baron Gagern’s estate.”

It became clear that the small incident was related to Baron Gagern’s estate’s mine issue. Augusta clicked her tongue.

“I see. I heard he was supposed to return today.”

“It’s unfortunate. You arrived today, and Horst was supposed to return as well, so the Marchioness had prepared a dinner.”

Hermann smiled slightly, but his expression was neutral.

It was no surprise. Hermann had been almost entirely excluded from the family business. He was little more than a messenger for the Marquis and held no real responsibilities, so even if something went wrong, he wouldn’t lose much.

Thinking about the fact that the failure of a competitor would weaken their position and benefit him, he could even consider it a good thing.

However, there was no particular joy or embarrassment on Hermann’s face.

Even though it was Augusta who had pushed Horst forward and caused him to lose his position as heir, he showed no animosity, not even a hint of displeasure.

His refined demeanor and cheerful laughter made it seem as though he was completely detached from the complexities of the world. Among the young ladies entering the marriage market, it was the well-polished women who could display such a demeanor.

‘What a waste.’

Augusta thought, recalling Horst’s anxious letter.

His biological mother was alive and serving as the Madam, and as his aunt, Augusta had supported him. The Ludendorff social scene, heavily influenced by Ernst, was largely dismissive of Arren.

The relationship between Marquis Ludendorff and his first wife, Horst’s biological mother, was not exactly harmonious. Yet, Horst, despite being the heir, hadn’t even managed to secure control over his family’s affairs. Instead, he had continued to whine without making any real progress.

In contrast, Hermann maintained an elegant, composed, and aristocratic demeanor. His success in gaining the favor of Archduke Victoria and forming bonds with the Duke and Duchess Klausener spoke volumes.

Hermann was fully aware of his position and seemed to understand well the greatest power that a noble with nothing in hand could obtain.

As the eldest son and a man, it was not easy to hide himself so thoroughly. Yet, it had to be done. Changing the heir again was out of the question.

Even though it was regrettable that Horst, the eldest son, would not succeed, there was no way to name a son of an Arren noble birth as the heir in Augusta’s family, which served the Empress.

The inheritance issue of the Ludendorff family itself was a form of propaganda shown to the Rommels, as well as a proof of loyalty.

Whether Hermann understood Augusta’s complicated feelings or not, he extended his hand as if to escort her.

“Shall we go, Aunt? Although both Father and Horst are absent, Archduke Victoria will be attending the dinner, so it won’t be dull.”

“I’m just hearing this now. I almost missed such an important dinner.”

“Had you dined at the Klausener’s villa, it would have been just as important, wouldn’t it?”

Hermann said with a smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. Augusta looked up at him with a slightly raised eyebrow.

“Indeed, that’s true.”

What did the Duke think of this child?

Surprisingly, the connection with the Klausener family might not be something to worry about after all. Certainly, it seemed like the Duke was keeping a close watch on him.

With that thought, she took Hermann’s hand and ascended the stairs.

* * *

Barony Gagern’s mine was in a state of unexpected turmoil.

Horst had been lingering at the mining camp in a daze for the past five hours. He had just managed to dig the first tunnel and was confident about the ore veins. Equipment had been brought in to lay down the rails for the tunnel.

At that moment, the ground had collapsed, and everything had crumbled. It was as if the entrance had been buried, and they would have to start from scratch again.

All the equipment had been buried underground.

“What in the world happened here!”

Horst raised his voice, clearly frustrated. The technician he had invited looked away.

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