Obviously, It’s My Child - Chapter 222

“At least among the noblemen who are a few years older or younger, there wasn’t a single one worth considering. Who would dare to propose when there’s Young Duke Klausener, someone everyone knows?”

“That’s an odd thing to say. What does that have to do with me?”

“There was a bet at the club back then.”

“A bet?”

“Whether you would propose, or foolishly try to play the role of an older brother. Either way, the talk was that you’d sweep all the suitors away.”

Erich’s eyebrows twitched.

“Older brother?”

He found it so ridiculous that he didn’t even feel the need to respond. He had never even thought such a thing.

Joanna asked with interest,

“So, you were planning to propose to Lady Claire right after she graduated, were you?”

“No.”

Erich answered curtly.

Who knows what his real feelings were? Claire had left before anything even happened.

Claire smiled brightly.

“Right. If you had actually planned to propose to me, there would have been no reason not to send a proposal as soon as you heard I was in Delford.”

Her gaze fixed firmly on Erich, as if daring him to say something.

“……”

Erich remained silent.

He was stuck between a dilemma.

If he said he hadn’t sent the proposal because he thought he had been rejected, it would imply that he had intended to propose, which would admit that he had a desire to marry her.

But if he said that he never had the intention of proposing in the first place, it would be an obvious lie, and he would be further ridiculed for his actions.

Erich felt the need to rethink his strategy.

The best way to get rid of the speaker’s trust is often to turn the tactic on yourself.

He spoke nonchalantly, as if discussing someone else’s business.

“Did you think I was too disappointed after being rejected?”

It was entirely true, but with his eyebrow raised slightly, he could only look sarcastic.

Claire opened her mouth. Whether she was about to say something or was just shocked, it was unclear.

It didn’t matter to Erich. He stared at Claire steadily.

“Why? Didn’t you make it clear that there was nothing between us?”

His piercing gaze bore into Claire, and nothing could negate his words more than that look.

Like a flame igniting the wick of a candle, a small spark formed deep inside his chest, and Claire swallowed hard.

He had intended to tease her, but now she found herself in an awkward position.

In truth, there was little left to say.

Any excuses about temporary impulses caused by adolescent hormones or about his inability to cross the divide in their status were now invalid.

What he was provoking was her awareness, and her skin prickled as though her senses had been touched.

“Or, would you like to take back that statement?”

Erich’s voice softened, and Claire ran her tongue along her inner lip before giving a slight smile.

“What’s there to take back? All we’ve done is fight bitterly.”

There was someone too old of a friend in the room to avoid making eye contact.

“You’re not even pretending anymore. Well, I guess pretending would be more ridiculous now that you’re married.”

William’s voice broke the tense atmosphere.

“What do you mean pretending?”

“You’re going to act like you didn’t see this for the last four years?”

Joanna laughed out loud, and even Maximilian smiled. Claire’s face flushed, but she boldly and shamelessly replied.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. I don’t have anything to hide.”

“If you think I’ll keep quiet when I open my mouth about you, Claire, think again.”

William shrugged.

“That’s very interesting.”

Erich interjected with a calm face.

“William, are you operating a steamship too?”

“Yes, I do, but not everything…”

William responded with surprise at the sudden change of topic, but then realized Erich’s intention. His jaw dropped.

At this point, why would the largest coal mine owner in the Empire ask about steamships?

Claire, shocked, exclaimed,

“Wait a minute. Are you trying to bribe William?”

“I’m just offering a little favor to a friend. Is there a problem with that?”

“No, but you’re not saying it just out of kindness!”

Although William said that, he had no intention of genuinely getting involved in this playful back-and-forth between the couple.

But at that moment, he seriously considered selling Claire out.

“What’s on your mind, Senior?”

“Hey, Will, shut up. If you say one more word, I won’t let you off the hook.”

“What, are you guilty of something?”

Erich raised an eyebrow.

“What’s the problem? I didn’t order anything, and I didn’t force him with any authority. You’ve always preferred getting things with money anyway.”

“No, wait! Don’t use that kind of thing for these matters!”

Claire raised her voice, scolding.

William, as if to show it, shrugged his shoulders at Joanna and Maximilian.

It wasn’t his place to get involved, but trying to get in didn’t make a difference either.

* * *

It was after dinner, Joanna left first, and Maximilian stepped away from his guard position and returned to his room.

Erich invited William to the living room.

“One more glass of brandy, maybe?”

“Wait. I want to wash up first.”

“Go ahead.”

Claire gave Erich a suspicious look.

“Honestly, I don’t know what you’re going to say while I’m gone, so I’m not going.”

“Now you’re worried?”

Erich extended his arm. Claire, almost reflexively, crossed her arms in response.

The three of them left the dining room and moved to the living room.

By the time Erich returned with the brandy bottle, William’s face had slowly started to darken. The cheerful face he had during dinner was now nowhere to be found.

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