Obviously, It's My Child - Chapter 69
Chapter 69
Translator: Effe
Editor: Yonnee
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Claire looked back at Erich and asked for his assent.
Erich looked at her with bewilderment, but he didn’t show it on his expression. Instead, he just nodded calmly.
Iris said in a trembling voice.
“But… I thought you would feel uncomfortable with me.”
“If you’re talking about that dress, it has already been revealed that it was merely a misunderstanding. I heard that Pavel inadvertently bought your dress back then. He was only urgently obeying Erich’s orders.”
Claire said in a loud voice, wanting it to be heard. It would have been better to let them know than to gossip about it behind their backs.
“I truly must apologize… I’m sorry.”
Claire let go of her hand and took a step back, not giving Iris a chance to answer. Then she turned her hand behind her neck and untied her necklace.
Hundreds of small diamonds glowed in the bright light of the party. In an instant, everyone’s eyes were focused on it.
Iris still had a beautiful face that captivated people, but the attention of the party had already shifted to Claire.
After showing off her sorrow, she couldn’t respond positively. Iris’ gaze just wavered in embarrassment.
Claire put the necklace around Iris’ neck.
“It is my gift to you. This is to express my gratitude to you for attending the party, Miss Iris.”
“What? Oh no! I can’t accept this…!”
Claire couldn’t care less whether Iris was desperate or not.
She felt a pang of regret because Erich had given this necklace to her. But because of jealousy, she would rather sacrifice a single necklace than hear that she had taken a dress from Iris.
And she hoped that the diamond necklace would be at the center of the rumors that would ignite high society. The publicity she’d get out of this would be tremendous.
“How much does that cost?”
“Amazing. With the state of the Schneider County’s finances, they wouldn’t have been able to buy a necklace like that.”
It was uncertain if those people were knowingly talking just loudly enough for her to hear or if it was a mistake on their part, but Iris could clearly hear their conversation.
‘As expected, it’s the best billboard.’
To attach a scandal to it.
Claire brushed her hands off in satisfaction and backed away. Iris’ face was red with defeat and shame.
“Erich.”
When she turned to Erich with a seemingly friendly attitude, he was giving Claire’s maid some instructions.
“It’s fine, isn’t it? May I give this necklace to Miss Iris?”
“I don’t care. It’s not even a gift.”
Erich answered calmly. Glancing at the maid as she hurried out of the party, Claire tilted her head to the side.
Perhaps to keep her from wandering, Erich lightly placed his finger on her neck and traced the place that the necklace once occupied, just as he had done in the dressing room earlier.
“Your neck is empty.”
“That’s okay. You’ll buy me another necklace, won’t you?”
“I made them bring one.”
“A used one?”
Claire laughed, thinking that it was usually one of the family jewels. Of course, she had a better idea, but as long as it was what Erich picked on purpose, it wouldn’t be bad either.
And after a while, it was Martha, not the maid, who came running in a hurry.
“I brought what you told me to, Your Grace.”
Martha opened the box with a smile all over her face as Claire caught her breath.
It was the cornflower key and pearl necklace that Claire had told her to bring beforehand, just in case. She asked in surprise.
“Ah. How did you know about this?”
“Do you think I don’t know what goes on in your mind?”
Erich smiled.
“This is why you took off the necklace. To make it stand out.”
He whispered in Claire’s ear and gently ran his palm across Claire’s exposed shoulder.
Then he brushed her long hair to one side. His fingers moved as if gently caressing her back and neck.
“I’ll put it on you, so stand still.”
Claire hesitated for a moment. There were too many eyes watching that intimate act.
But it’s her pleasure. As she watched Iris stagger and turn blue in her peripheral view, she could even kiss him now.
Claire grabbed her hair as he brushed it.
Erich fastened the clasp on the pearl necklace. They were close enough that his breath was brushing against her nape.
“Done.”
When he lowered his hand, Claire tidied her hair naturally.
Erich put the hook on the cornflower key between the pearl necklace. The necklace was designed to be used that way from the beginning, and the key dangled under the small diamond decoration made between the pearls.
It was originally a fairly large key, so it sagged moderately due to its weight, and the tip of the key slightly disappeared between her chest.
The pearl necklace itself was more elegant than the diamonds she was wearing originally. That’s why it was further emphasized that a single bright cornflower was placed upon her immaculate skin.
“For her to have Klausener around her neck…”
“The cornflower key, like that… I couldn’t have imagined it. It is so beautiful.”
Short and long sighs came and went here and there. Fluttering hearts and eyes full of envy became apparent.
Louisa’s entourage, who were ready to criticize Claire, were all rendered speechless.
Even in front of the owner of the cornflower key, they couldn’t say anything. That was even more so the case in front of Erich, the person who had put it around her neck.
Many duchesses of the past had boasted of the cornflower key, but Claire was the first one who had the courage to wear it around her neck.
Claire smiled brightly. At this rate, it seemed that she wouldn’t hear people say, ‘I don’t know why the Duke chose that woman’.
“It also looks good as a necklace.”
Erich said while staring down at her.
“Thank you.”
“…….”
He held out his hand without a word. Claire didn’t know why, so she looked at him curiously for a moment.
The quick-witted band started playing a dance song. Wondering if they would be able to talk anyway, the people around them widened their distance in a circle and gave them some space.
Claire let out a shy laugh. Even if she was the hostess today, honestly, she felt flustered and embarrassed.
“Well, I have to get used to this to live with you, right?”
“What?”
Erich, who didn’t even understand what she had to get used to, clicked his tongue and lightly shook his outstretched hand.
Claire placed her hand on top of his. Erich wrapped his other arm around her waist and led her lightly into the center of the hall.
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