Obviously, It's My Child - Chapter 34
Chapter 34
Translator: Effe
Editor: Yonnee
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“There’s no way. What she saw…”
“She said her boyfriend died—that very day. And my sister gave birth to her boyfriend’s child. It seems that they did some sort of covenant ceremony that day as well.”
Erich was speechless.
Of the several young nobles who died that day, there would be no need to ascertain which of them was the deceased boyfriend.
The departed Prince Jared resembled Erich more like a biological brother than a cousin.
And Jared was easy-going. Considering that he often hid his identity and ventured out of the palace and gave trouble to the escorts, it was no surprise that he had a girlfriend outside.
However, Erich didn’t know that it was Claire’s sister.
Claire continued.
“I was going to carry this secret to the grave alone.”
“You should have come to me back then, Claire.”
“No. Even still, it would have only resulted in putting Elliot in danger. You know what I’m talking about. Even the Crown Prince had died.”
“Then what about Elliot’s rights? That’s not for you to decide.”
“Elliot is not even five years old right now. Even if you say that it is for Elliot to decide, I intend to let him know once he reaches adulthood.”
Claire sighed, saying she knew he would say that.
Lineage and family inheritance rights are very important issues for the people of this era, and even more so for great nobles like Erich.
“The reason I am telling this story is not to seek Elliot’s rights. Because I know that you value family and lineage, Senior.”
Claire said calmly.
“I have no intention of letting Elliot go, nor do I have any plans of giving him up. He’s my child. I didn’t give birth to him, but I raised him with my own hands from the very day he was born. I want you to know this for sure, Senior.”
“…Yes.”
“You know the rest of what I will be talking about, right?”
“I understand.”
The departed couple couldn’t feel relieved just because it was a secret relationship. Even if those people didn’t know who the other half was, there must have been people who knew that Jared had a girl he was dating.
The child’s face alone was circumstantial evidence.
Either make him an illegitimate son, or make him the eldest son of Klausener with proper recognition.
In any case, Elliot would be in danger unless Erich were to say that he was his son.
“Be patient because it’s self-inflicted. Because it was Senior who brought the situation to this point.”
Claire said.
“Of course, I’m not asking you to recognize Elliott as the eldest son, nor am I talking about making him Klausener’s successor. It would be better to leave his birth in obscurity and go through the formalities of an adoption.”
It’s not impossible if both parties agree. And fortunately, Claire had all the rights of her own family, and Erich also has the power to suppress his relatives.
“An adopted child’s inheritance rights are lower than that of a child born out of wedlock. He will not interfere with the succession of the Klausener family. It wouldn’t be a problem if we divorced at the right time, and you can strip him of the right to inherit your household.”
As time passes, all this would eventually be forgotten. At that time, the topic should be focused on the couple’s muddy fight, and the issue of Elliot’s birth should still be a controversial issue, making it impossible to think of anything else.
Even so, some would have doubts, but by then the issue of the succession of the Imperial Family would have been decided, and the departed Crown Prince Jared would have been completely forgotten.
The matter of Elliot’s birth would continue to follow him, but it’s better to listen to dirty words than put his life at risk.
And by then, Elliot would be old enough to understand his circumstances.
However, Erich shook his head at Claire’s words.
“As expected, you are thinking about it the wrong way.”
“I know it’s something that will make a dent on your reputation, Senior. I really tried to avoid this happening.”
Claire sighed.
“You’re the one who didn’t believe me and brought the situation to this point. You said you were going to take responsibility for what you did.”
“It’s not like that. Why do you want to end it with a divorce?” Erich asked.
“I told you. Elliot is not your child, and I want to clear up the issue of Klausener’s succession…”
“Do I look like the kind of man who’ll get married just to get divorced in the end?”
“But the marriage proposal was made under the misunderstanding that Elliott was your child.”
Erich glared at her. Claire beckoned him to calm down. Erich put his hand on the armrests again.
“I am well aware that you value your family, Senior. That’s why I am being considerate now.”
“I’m not going to say it’s not important to carry on the line, but do I not even know that keeping a lady’s honor and protecting the child are more important?”
Those words touched her heart a little. Claire put her hand on Erich’s cheek with a smile.
“Nonsense. If you wanted to protect a lady’s honor, you shouldn’t have touched her. Isn’t that a normal gentleman’s duty?”
“You are the one who doesn’t treat me like a gentleman. I just responded as expected.”
“You have already used the media to ruin my reputation, but this sophistry… hmm.”
Claire’s words didn’t follow through.
Erich’s hand went down the back of her head, messing with her neatly styled auburn hair.
His large hands caressed her head like a massage. As Claire closed her eyes with a short moan, her head tilted back.
A warm feeling covered Claire’s lips. Erich’s lips were a bit dry, coming to her as a shock.
Claire’s breath got caught. Inadvertently, she stomped her feet to the floor because of her nervousness, but before she could back away, Erich grabbed the armrest and pulled her and the chair towards himself.
“Didn’t I tell you that I would choose any means?”
“Just because you declared war doesn’t mean you are a gentleman.”
“And you were not wise.”
“What?”
Erich’s hand covered her tensely clenched fist. Her hands were large and his palms were hard, and heat rose quickly where he held her.
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