Obviously, It's My Child - Chapter 232
Cornelia opened her arms wide. Horst looked at her, puzzled.
“Our baby needs Dad’s hug.”
For a moment, Horst was so surprised that he let out a small laugh. Cornelia’s face turned bright red.
In fact, it was the first time she had said something like that. She had learned it from Elliott.
“If you don’t want to, forget it!”
Just as she was about to turn away, Horst carefully hugged her.
It was almost a first for them.
“It feels a bit strange to be saying this on your father’s funeral day.”
“……”
“I really envy how Duke and Duchess Klausener raise their child so beautifully.”
The unexpected words made Horst stop breathing.
“You’ve never met him, have you? Every time I see him, I think, ‘I wish we could have a child this cute, I wish we could raise it like that.’ He’s so good at saying, ‘I love you.’”
“I see.”
“That’s why I thought we could do that too. Of course, you need to agree with it. Horst?”
Cornelia was surprised and gently touched his cheek again.
But today, it wouldn’t be strange for Horst to cry, so instead of asking why, she just embraced him.
“It’s okay. We’ll take our time getting out of the carriage.”
With those words, Horst could no longer hold back and broke into uncontrollable tears, gasping for breath.
* * *
There was still a lot to do before dealing with the inheritance and succession issues.
Even though Augusta had solved the biggest issue, the state of the Marquisate could hardly be called good.
Augusta didn’t attend the funeral, which caused Marquisate Ludendorff’s reputation to plummet.
They had to restart work at the stopped Gagern Mine, and the port construction needed to be addressed somehow.
Even if the expansion was stopped, they still had to finish the dock construction that had already been underway.
Payments for the materials already received had to be made, and wages for workers and supervisors had to be settled. The damaged dock also needed repairs.
If things continued this way, there would be a significant long-term impact on income.
There were also many smaller debts.
Until now, large projects, investments, and the family’s reputation had kept things afloat, but with everything collapsing after the Marquis’s death, loan certificates began to pile up all at once.
“There is a bit of borrowing from the late Marquis. The amount isn’t large, but I was worried it might be missed by the new Marquis, so I came to inform you.”
Such individuals came almost every day.
The total sum of these loans that was accumulated over time, was no small amount.
Bankruptcy was quietly unfolding.
There were also issues with the vassals.
Once Augusta’s influence disappeared, many vassals quietly expressed their concerns.
“Even so, the eldest son is still the eldest son.”
“Lady Augusta was so insistent, and since it’s the current Marchioness’s son, we didn’t say much at the time…”
“Still, I’m worried about Horst.”
“How many failed businesses has he had so far…?”
The succession documents were still sitting in a drawer, not even processed.
Hermann knocked on the study door ten days after the funeral.
“Let’s talk.”
He was holding several letters, and it was obvious they weren’t personal.
“Now there’s even someone bringing paperwork to me.”
“You look tired.”
Hermann sat down on the sofa in the study.
Horst looked at him with weary eyes, and he realized he had been waiting for this moment.
“Actually, yes.”
“Cornelia is worried.”
“……”
Horst barely managed to control his expression.
Even if Hermann was trying to provoke him with such words, it didn’t matter anymore.
Hermann and Cornelia had a child, and that was the most important thing.
Horst picked up a document from the corner of the desk and walked over to sit across from Hermann.
“Should I hear what Brother has to say first, or should I go first?”
“If you have something, go ahead. You mentioned you had something to say before, right?”
Hermann said. Horst had forgotten about it due to the Marquis’s sudden death, but it seemed that right before that, Horst had come to speak with him.
Horst’s message was completely different this time. He handed the document to Hermann.
It was a list of creditors that Marquisate Ludendorff owed.
“I’ve received contact from about two-thirds of these. They’re willing to extend deadlines or reduce interest, all for the sake of your face.”
“I see.”
“How did you manage that?”
Hermann smiled faintly.
“Because we’re acquainted.”
“Just because they know someone, they’re willing to take a loss and extend deadlines?”
“Knowing someone means there’s trust. Plus, I’m on good terms with Archduke Victoria and Duchess Klausener.”
Hermann said it casually.
“Being on good terms with noble ladies is often seen as a sign of being someone trustworthy.”
Horst looked at Hermann with a strange feeling. He could understand the meaning of Hermann’s words with his mind.
If you can’t substitute trust with the family name, you have to create it yourself.
That meant Hermann had built that trust during the time he couldn’t do anything for the family.
Horst also understood the meaning behind Hermann’s words about not having opportunities to lick boots.
He couldn’t deny that Hermann was far more experienced in the world than he was, having worked under their father.
“I see.”
Horst muttered briefly. Once he accepted it, he felt at ease. It was only natural for the vassals to go to Hermann.
“I’d like to hear Brother’s business now.”
“I’ve secured an investment in the port from Duke Klausener.”
Hermann shook the letter. He did not hand it over to Horst.
Horst’s eyes widened. He already knew that his father had been firmly rejected.
“Did you agree to transfer shares?”
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