Obviously, It’s My Child - Chapter 99

Chapter 99

Translator: Effe

Editor: Yonnee

—

Tak.

The carriage door closed. Erich spoke to Roger first.

“You. Come along.”

“Me?”

“Claire seems very anxious, so it would be best for you to come and explain the situation clearly. Martha will take care of her condition.”

“Thank you.”

Roger spoke with his lips chewed until blood burst out. He knew that Erich didn’t like him. However, he never thought that Erich would leave Claire by his side when she was weak.

Roger got on the side of the coachman’s seat and the carriage started.

Erich turned around. People who saw him kneel down and wipe her dirty feet with his own hands lowered their heads, not daring to breathe.

“I want to wash my hands.”

“I will… prepare it.”

The manager said in a trembling voice. Erich nodded his head slightly, and this time he looked down at the police chief with ice-cold eyes.

“It appears that the place where the fire broke out is the headquarters of a criminal organization connected to the opera house. Apprehend them all.”

“Yes.”

“The organization involved in my fiancée’s kidnapping, the people involved in it, and the people who used the path behind that wall, should be thoroughly investigated. If you miss even one thing, your head will fall.”

“Yes, sir.”

The police chief bowed his head.

Erich washed his hands in the prepared wash basin. The stains had transferred to him from Claire’s clothes and his clothes were also dirty, but it didn’t bother him at all.

It was about half an hour later that Maximillian escaped safely and joined the guards of Klausener.

By then, the fire had all been extinguished.

* * *

That night, the House of Representatives convened urgently.

It did not matter whether there was a fire or parts of the opera house were destroyed. However, the situation was so serious when Duke Klausener mobilized armed personnel and issued orders to the Police Department.

Until now, the Klausener Duchy had not been directly involved in politics.

There were several politicians in the House of Representatives who received the Klausener Duchy’s support, but that’s only because the family was so large and wealthy.

There were many cases where a brilliant person from the Klausener domain who graduated from the academy devoted himself to politics and rose to a high position, or an independent descendant from a vassal family entered the House of Representatives.

So even though Duke Klausener could have done anything to exert influence, he did not do so.

Although he was involved in the making of policies, he only participated as an expert and stakeholder because he was deeply involved in the industry.

Although he sometimes spoke directly with officials, he only exercised his domain’s autonomy through consultation with local officials.

However, right now, he directly called in the chief of police and ordered the police force to surround the opera house and arrest people, which was a direct violation of the government’s authority.

The House of Representatives was tense. If Duke Klausener decides to wield power, will it be possible to stop him?

It won’t be easy.

Three generations ago, when House Frederick established the constitution and reorganized the system, House Klausener and House Ernst took the initiative and abdicated their power in accordance with the Emperor’s will.

Therefore, the authority has never been officially blocked. There was no law prohibiting them arming employees or ordering the chief of police.

Although the situation was serious, members of the House of Representatives, including cabinet members, only looked at each other. No one had the courage to come forward and criticize the Duke.

Chairperson Neumann sighed and spoke first.

“Let us be honest. What would you have done if your wife or daughter had been kidnapped?”

The members quietly looked away.

“Let me confirm first. He must have sought out everyone he knew, including bodyguards, employees, secretaries, and even office cleaners, and mobilized all of his connections to exert influence over the Police Department. I’ll go to Duke Klausener and talk to him.”

“How are asking and commanding the same thing?”

“Are you saying it’s okay to ask to exercise influence, but it’s not okay to directly exert that same influence?”

“The Police Department has no affiliations whatsoever, so is it okay for a high-ranking noble to order them to handle his own affairs like this? I haven’t checked, but there are probably still many places where there are security problems.”

There were some who strongly argued against it.

“Chairperson, you are saying that because you have a deep connection with House Klausener. Isn’t this why the Duke can wield armed forces without even being noticed?”

For a while, there was a loud exchange between people clamoring at the Chairperson to be polite and asking why he would get angry if their words hadn’t hit him right on the mark.

Bang!

One person hit the table violently.

“More than that, a noble has been kidnapped from the lounge of the opera house! It’s like dragging someone away in broad daylight! The Police Department must take responsibility for this!”

“Taking responsibility for each and every crime is a bleak notion. Isn’t this a ploy to use this opportunity to install someone from your faction as the Chief of Police?”

From there, the fight began without mentioning House Klausener’s name.

Neumann watched the scene with weary eyes.

The Emperor’s decision was needed on this matter.

The Rommel-Arren Empire adopted a constitutional monarchy, but in practice there were many systems that needed to communicate and compromise with each other.

The House of Representatives drafted bills, formed a cabinet, and took charge of overall governance, but all of this was under the Emperor. Nobles could exercise control over the rule of local governors only within their own estate.

In fact, it was impossible for the House of Representatives to wield authority over the ruling families according to law, which could not be said to be much lower than the imperial family.

So, can they at least give the Duke a warning in the name of the House of Representatives?

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