Obviously, It's My Child - Chapter 233
“No, they’re not lending the money; they’re becoming investors. The expansion project will be halted, and the government will step in instead.”
“If it’s Duchy Klausener’s family, that could be possible, but… that alone won’t solve everything.”
“We’ll also bring in loans using our shares as collateral. I have connections with the owners and heirs of major trading houses in the capital.”
“Does Brother think you can handle that?”
“I had to lower my head a lot, but owing money to important people is one way to build connections.”
Hermann said that it was better than having no connections at all.
Horst looked at him and said,
“Brother really do have a wide network.”
“That’s all I’ve been able to do so far.”
“Are you blaming me?”
“Of course not. I know you’ve done your best to get what you most wanted in your situation.”
Horst felt his heart skip a beat, nervously. He wondered if Hermann knew what his ‘most wanted thing’ was.
It was something far worse than just coveting the title of heir.
He took a deep breath and calmed himself, reminding himself of the decision he had already made today.
“All the conditions you’ve brought, would they be valid only if you inherit the title?”
“Well, the firstborn who doesn’t inherit the title has no choice but to leave the family.”
Hermann said that with a more relaxed expression than before.
Claire understood his frustration. She saw through the social smile and habitual kindness, noticing the things he was hiding underneath.
And somehow, that brought a sense of relief.
It wasn’t that the sense of being deprived had completely disappeared, but it no longer felt like it was tearing his life apart as it once had.
Perhaps it was because the sense of loss had faded. Marquisate Ludendorff felt insignificant now.
Of course, thinking about the reason Claire had first written to him, he knew he had to inherit the title.
But now, he could see it as just one of the tasks he needed to complete, not something to obsess over.
Horst lowered his gaze as he saw Hermann’s expression.
“Now that things are this way, all the vassals will be on your side. If we go to inheritance court, my chances of losing are much higher.”
“I don’t really want to go that far. The Empress and Aunt are watching, too. Besides, I don’t want to be talked about in such a disgraceful way.”
Hermann made a quiet, straightforward proposal.
“If you step down, I’ll transfer half of the family’s current cash, two estates, and the entire share in the Gagern Mine to you.”
“Will you take on all the debts?”
“Of course, the debts of the Ludendorff family should be the responsibility of Marquis Ludendorff.”
Hermann said.
“The development of the Gagern Mine will continue. Some of the shares that went to Krozik have been taken over by Barony Delphord.”
“The Duchess?”
“That’s right.”
“Ha, haha.”
Horst laughed bitterly. In the end, it was Hermann who had secured the Klausener investment that their father had desperately wanted.
Then, he stopped laughing and ran his palm over his face.
“It’s probably best that I step down.”
“Horst.”
“I was already thinking of going to Baron Gagern’s land with Cornelia. I’ve contacted my uncle as well. I don’t want to, but mother and Cornelia said they’d be happy to welcome me.”
“I see.”
“Brother must have expected this, right? That’s why you’ve already taken care of the Gagern Mine shares.”
“I was planning to suggest that. Even if you give up the inheritance of Ludendorff, you’re still the heir of Barony Gagern.”
“…”
“Are you frustrated?”
“No.”
Horst shook his head with a sense of relief.
It wasn’t his to begin with, and returning it to its rightful owner was just the right thing to do.
And what he truly wanted, he had already gained, with the position that was rightfully his still intact.
In truth, Hermann’s sympathy hurt him more than he expected. It was as though his incompetence had been proven right.
But that wasn’t more important than the family’s well-being.
If what Cornelia wanted was to raise their child freely and happily, he would gladly give up Marquisate Ludendorff.
“I have Cornelia and our child. If I can escape this place, that’s a blessing. I’ll gladly accept the division of the estate.”
“Ha.”
Hermann let out a hollow laugh and warned him.
“I’m not giving it to you because of you. It’s for Cornelia and the child who will be born soon.”
“…”
“What’s wrong?”
“Brother, what do you think of Cornelia?”
“I think she’s had a hard time taking care of a fool like you.”
“…”
“If she loves you, then treat her right. When she was younger, you used to chase after her like a monkey, pulling her hair to get attention, and now you’re making her lonely while pretending to be a man.”
Hermann clicked his tongue.
“You owe Cornelia an apology for the rest of your life. Not for not making her a Marchioness, but for making her lonely.”
“…How do you know Cornelia was lonely?”
“Anyone with eyes can see that. You’re always out, negotiating or whatever, leaving her to wander the garden alone in this weather.”
Horst unconsciously gripped the armrest.
Hermann leaned back in the armchair with an arrogant posture and looked down at him.
“Bring the signet ring. Sign the inheritance renouncement papers.”
Horst gave him a half-hearted look.
But the inheritance renouncement papers were already prepared. He filled in the empty space with his name and signed.
Then, he removed his father’s signet ring, which was too large for his finger and barely hung on his middle finger, and handed it to Hermann.
Hermann placed it in the envelope and sealed it.
Finally, Horst felt like he was back to his own life.
Along with a sense of satisfaction, there was a hint of regret.
If he hadn’t been able to inherit the title, he might have been thinking about what color flowers to buy to please the lady he admired.
During the past few days, he thought that was the kind of life he thought he would have enjoyed.
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