Obviously, It’s My Child - Chapter 209

Jacob insisted on being pardoned if he succeeded, but that would never be granted. However, he did perform surprisingly well.

After all, Jacob was an experienced miner, and Walter Meyer, skilled in leading miners, had been assisting him.

The report Erich received included details about how they selected a weak spot in the ground during the tunnel digging, adjusting the spacing of the supports. In the end, Jacob had fulfilled Claire’s exact conditions.

“He’s more useful than I expected. He’s so brazen, I’m sure he’ll manage to shift the blame for what’s already happened.”

Erich said.

“Three days should be enough. After that, we’ll apprehend him as the one responsible for the explosion at the Kohlberg mine.”

“Shall we give him a tip-off to make him flee?”

“That would be the natural course. Let him go for now.”

If he truly runs away, they could always catch him again.

“Good work. Any other news?”

“Nothing significant yet on that front.”

“I see. And you?”

Erich then turned his attention to Maximilian, who nodded lightly before speaking.

“I’d like to confirm the policy regarding Prince Linus.”

Erich had already heard the news that Linus had escorted Augusta the previous evening. He clicked his tongue before responding.

“No changes. Let it be. If he’s decided to leave, there’s no need for further involvement.”

“I understand. What about the security team?”

If they suddenly recalled the personnel they had dispatched to investigate the Linus matter, it might seem suspicious.

“There’s a concern that, due to Lady Claire’s work, it might cause misunderstandings.”

“Let it be. There’s no real connection, so there’s no need to prepare an explanation in advance.”

“Understood.”

Maximilian answered politely and withdrew. Erich finally headed toward the bathroom. As he was putting on his shirt, a light commotion came from the living room.

“How noisy.”

Erich, now dressed, went back outside, worried that Claire might wake up. When he entered, he saw Linus sitting on the sofa.

Erich furrowed his brow. The guards, unsure of how to act, lowered their heads.

At a mansion in Salzgitter, this wouldn’t have happened. But this house didn’t have a separate reception room for every room.

“What brings you here at this hour, Linus?”

“Isn’t it a bit late to ask that?”

“Whatever time it is, it’s still too early to barge into someone else’s living room without a good reason.”

He said, fixing his cufflinks as he spoke. Linus’s gaze shifted to Erich’s exposed neck, where red marks, like scratches, were scattered.

Erich, either unaware or unconcerned, casually adjusted his collar and looked into the mirror the butler handed him, and tied his cravat.

“You’re good at this.”

Linus, who had been watching, commented unexpectedly. Erich nonchalantly replied.

“Anyone who can’t even get themselves properly dressed isn’t much of an adult. What about your tie?”

“Unlike others, I’m still a child.”

Linus said this without much embarrassment. Erich’s cold gaze scanned Linus’s attire. Since the prince couldn’t be given just any clothes, he was wearing one of Erich’s spare outfits. The shoulders and chest were loose, causing the collar to easily gape open. Even though the vest’s buttons were done up, it didn’t make much of a difference.

When he had been ill, it hadn’t seemed like a problem, but now it was a sight unfit for presentation, especially in front of a lady and a child. Even if they were men, it was still inappropriate to visit a cousin’s house looking like that.

He gestured to the butler to bring Linus a suitable cravat.

“Alright. What’s the matter? A farewell visit?”

“A farewell visit?”

“I heard you escorted Lady Augusta yesterday. Are you planning to leave?”

“No. I came to wake up Elliott’s Mom and Dad. He was worried because they skipped breakfast and slept in.”

“…”

Erich didn’t hide his displeasure as he looked at Linus.

“Why? Is it so upsetting that I’m getting close to Elliott?”

“As you put it, someone who’s twenty years old but still acting like a child shouldn’t be around a child.”

Linus’s face twisted.

“Is that all you came for?”

“I didn’t come to see Brother.”

Erich furrowed his brow.

Until now, only Jared had ever referred to him as ‘brother.’ It was unusual. Jared had a very casual personality, which had even influenced Lady Bettina, who started calling Erich brother as well.

But Linus had never called him that. When they were very young, Linus hadn’t even spoken to him properly, and as he grew older, he hadn’t seen him as an older brother.

There was nothing wrong with that. On the contrary, being addressed familiarly by family felt more unusual to Erich. But with the change in title and attitude, Erich felt discomfort. He suppressed his irritation and spoke again.

“I’m not mistaken, but you didn’t come to see my wife, did you?”

Just as Erich was speaking, the bedroom door opened, and Claire’s voice rang out.

“Erich, is something wrong?”

“It’s nothing.”

She often forgot that there could be a butler or Erich’s aide outside the door.

Erich quickly stepped toward her, blocking the door before she could come out in her casual state. As expected, Claire, still half-asleep, wearing only a robe, wrapped herself around his waist and buried her face in his chest.

“Is something wrong?”

“Claire, there isn’t a separate reception room here.”

Erich spoke softly, warning her, and gently pushed her back into the bedroom.

Surely, she hadn’t greeted guests in her bedroom attire even back in Delford, had she?

He wasn’t sure about the mansion’s size, but he assumed there wasn’t a separate reception room. Given Claire’s personality, she wouldn’t insist on only using a reception room depending on the situation.

‘I’ll have to check.’