Obviously, It’s My Child - Chapter 228

It would have been much better to receive everything at once, but since the money had to be paid anyway, he had no objection to doing it that way. It was a bit disappointing, but if it could be received quickly, that would be a good thing.

He thought that collecting the money from Marquisate Ludendorff in time was already a foolish task.

“Anything else?”

“Nothing else.”

“Hmm.”

Brüning sat down on the sofa and lit a cigar. He took the stack of letters from his secretary’s hands and checked the sender.

There was no letter from Hermann today. But he calmly thought to himself.

‘There’s no rush anyway. Rushing could raise suspicions.’

As he glanced at the foolish insurance clauses created by Marquis Ludendorff, he realized the profit that could be made from them.

He also understood why Hermann had sent him a letter with those details.

Of course, Hermann hadn’t sent the letter only to him, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was that he had moved the fastest and was in a position to do so.

‘The Marquis is really foolish. He doesn’t even realize his eldest son is the traitor.’

Brüning had the opportunity to replace a nearly obsolete ship with a new one for free, along with some additional monetary gain.

There had been some loss in credit, but it wasn’t a huge problem.

The ship had arrived on time, and the cause of the accident was due to poor management at the Ludendorff port.

From the beginning, Brüning hadn’t won the material supply rights through credit and business plans. The connections he used back then were still useful.

So, prioritizing doing a favor for Hermann rather than focusing on credit made more sense. Such opportunities wouldn’t come twice.

‘Well, I’m making him a Marquis, so he’d better repay me thoroughly.’

As he thought about how to make use of the annoying handsome man, Brüning leisurely took a puff of his cigar.

Just then, the hotel manager knocked on the door cautiously.

“Count, you have a visitor.”

The visitor’s card had a lotus flower seal instead of a name.

Brüning inhaled deeply.

“Everyone, leave.”

The secretary and servants were surprised, but they didn’t show it.

The people quickly left the room like the ebbing tide. Brüning placed his cigar in the ashtray, stood up, and straightened his clothes.

Soon, the guest was ushered in. The man, wearing a plain black frock coat, lightly tipped his black silk hat and greeted Brüning.

“Good day, Count Brüning. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

He didn’t introduce himself. Brüning didn’t bother asking.

The lotus flower stamp on the visitor’s card indicated that the man was an unofficial envoy of the Empress.

Such individuals had been spoken of for a long time, but no one Brüning knew had actually met one until now.

“Someone has expressed curiosity of the recent matters you’ve been involved in, Count, so I thought I should pay you a visit.”

* * *

[To my loyal Augusta,

I received the gift of your heart that you sent with the letter last time. Looking back, I realize I had become too accustomed to your gifts.

It’s been too long since I last returned the favor.

As I sit here drinking tea with my son, I can’t help but wish you were here with us. It’s been a long time since you returned home. I hope you are resting well.

Time has passed, and though memories from over 20 years ago feel as fresh as if they happened yesterday, the furniture in the room from those days, even if covered with white cloth, must feel different now.

Is the camellia in my hometown still the same?

With sincere thoughts,

Margot.]

Augusta read the letter, which she had already read three times, once more and then folded it in half before putting it back in the envelope.

She considered putting it in the letterbox but decided against it. Instead, she wrapped it in her handkerchief and placed it in her handbag.

Outwardly, it was just a simple, friendly letter, but given the reports she had received over the past few days, it wasn’t quite that simple.

‘Even if someone reads it, they wouldn’t understand anything.’

Augusta sighed as she thought this. In fact, even Augusta herself sometimes found it difficult to make sense of things.

Bang!

The sound of the door being knocked loudly echoed. The lady-in-waiting looked at Augusta, startled.

“Pack the bags and leave first.”

“Yes, Lady Augusta.”

The lady-in-waiting said respectfully and hurried the other servants along. The maids, carrying the bags, left.

Though the stay had turned out to be longer than expected, there wasn’t much luggage to carry as Augusta had originally come with very little.

Finally, the lady-in-waiting left, respectfully bidding farewell to Marquis Ludendorff, who was in the hallway.

Marquis Ludendorff didn’t seem to have the energy to respond. He rushed into Augusta’s room.

“Sister!”

“Noisy.”

“Are you really leaving so suddenly?”

Seeing the maids carrying bags out, there was no need to confirm the truth, but Marquis Ludendorff asked in confusion.

“There’s no reason to stay longer. The Empress has already told me it’s time to go back, so I must.”

Augusta stood straight, looking at Marquis Ludendorff. The Marquis slumped his shoulders in defeat.

“I see. Then you must return…”

“There’s no need to act like you’re disappointed, Clothilde. I know why you’re doing this, and the proper decision has already been made.”

Marquis Ludendorff rolled his eyes. Augusta looked at him with a bitter expression.

If it weren’t for her, would he have made such a foolish decision?

No, he wouldn’t have. He couldn’t have.

Like many other nobles who couldn’t adapt to the changing world, he would have lived with a smaller estate and smaller income, getting by until the end of his days.

No. In fact, he likely wouldn’t have lived within his means.

He would have flaunted his wealth and accumulated debt, bankrupting himself like other families.

But at least that downfall would have been quiet and suited to his level.