Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Translator: Effe

Editor: Yonnee



[ Because the red blood flowing in your veins repulses me. ]

He replied that of course his blood is red, does she really think he has blue blood? Claire just snorted.

That kind of attitude was refreshing, and sometimes it got on his nerves because it didn’t go his way.

It’s obviously better now. This situation could lead to a scandal if his visit was revealed to others in advance. So, he purposely came in a plain carriage with no coat of arms.

Even so, there was a bitter feeling in a corner of his heart.

‘Are you pretending that nothing happened between us?’

He won’t let that happen.

He had just entered the front door of the hotel.

“Aackk, no!”

A boy jumped out screaming and hit Erich’s lap with his forehead. A glass marble rolled at his feet.

“Aaaahhh!”

The child cried and raised his head. The frightened nanny came running and grabbed the child.

“Young Master! You can’t play with your marbles in the lobby!”

Erich held his breath and looked down at the child’s face.

The child’s hair was bright blonde, as if it had been plucked with melted gold, and his eyes were a royal blue.

Although he was still a child, his eyes and nose showed the features of the Northern Rommel nobility.

Erich knew this face. In the portraits of his childhood, Erich looked exactly like this child.

“…….”

Not knowing why he was silent, the child bowed his head.

“Sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

Erich said in a subdued voice. 

It wasn’t just a hunch. He was certain.

He bent down and picked up the marble. Then he got down on one knee and brought his eye level to the child.

“What is your name?”

“Elliot.”

Elliot smiled and replied. The young master of the territory’s master, who was pretty and friendly, grew up receiving a lot of love, and believed that everyone would love him.

“How old are you?”

“I’m four years old.”

Elliot stretched out his four small fingers.

“I see.”

“What’s your name, Uncle?”

“…Erich.”

“Are you going to return that marble to me? Because that one’s the strongest.”

“Sure.”

Erich held out the marble he was holding to Elliot.

“Are you the son of Baron Delford?”

“Do you know my auntie?”

“Aunt?”

“Yes. My auntie is Baron Delford.”

He laughed at Elliot’s more intimate attitude.

“How did you know? They say I don’t look like Auntie at all.”

“I have a way to know.”

“I look like my mom, but she’s gone to heaven now. Oh, are you Auntie’s guest?”

“…Yes.”

Erich carefully pressed down on his anger so that the child wouldn’t notice. 

Aunt?

The nanny said cautiously with a pale face.

“Young Master, you shouldn’t disturb the guest too much.”

“Okaay.”

Eliot nodded and bowed to Erich.

“It was an honor to meet you.”

“Yes.”

Erich smiled and stroked Elliott’s hair once.

Elliot took the marble from Erich’s hand and turned around and ran. The nanny followed Elliot, not knowing what to do.

Erich slowly raised himself. As he glanced around with an arrogant gaze, the stares quickly dissipated.

A cool silence hung over the lobby. The reception table was full with no empty chairs, but no one dared to get up and approach Erich or make eye contact with him.

They were waiting for Erich to pass with bated breath. Many must have recognized the faces of him and the child.

He turned away. The manager of the hotel, who hurriedly ran out, guided him frantically.

“It is an honor for your visit, Duke Klausener. I heard you came to see Baron Delford.”

“Lead me to her.”

Erich nodded. The manager directed him to the elevator.

* * *

Claire was waiting, ready for battle.

It wasn’t anything special just because she was ready for battle. She made up her mind and straightened her back.

‘Because I really didn’t run away.’

Although she ran away, she did not run away from Erich. Whatever nonsense he was talking about.

Claire thought again. No, in fact, he had replayed that conversation several times over the past five years.

She had no particular reason to be so concerned. She had nothing more to say, nothing more to hear. Still, it was uncomfortable in her mind.

Perhaps it’s because she’s not comfortable with the fact that she’s meeting him again after fighting and separating five years prior. She had never been on very good terms with him before, but it was the first time she thought he was someone she wouldn’t want to see again.

Looking back, she might have liked him quite a bit. She wasn’t talking about him being handsome, but it was the kind of ‘like’ from one person to another. Although he might have treated Claire like she’s a peculiar person, he never took her words lightly and laughed at her because she was a woman, or because she was someone of a lower station than him.

“Are you worried?”

Grey asked her. Claire asked rather surprised.

“Worried?”

“Isn’t the Belf Marquisate blood related to the Klausener Duchy? I know the Weaving Guild is having quite a hard time in the north because of them. The Klausener Duchy is the second most wealthy place after the capital.”

“Ah, if that’s the case, it’s okay. Because that person is the real Rommel nobleman. He doesn’t understand why nobles fight each other over things like money.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. He thinks managing the estate well is one of the nobles’ duties to give favors to the people.”

Claire sneered. Of course, being the noblest among nobles, he would not admit that commoners had the right to govern their own lives and to participate in politics for that purpose.

Grey looked at her for a moment and said calmly.

“I knew you were familiar with him, but it seems like you were close friends.”

“…Friends, huh. We just studied at the academy with the same advisor at the same time.”

She insisted stubbornly, but Claire knew she was acting up uselessly. 

Five years ago, prior to that incident, her relationship with Erich was clearly what others would consider close.

Want to read more? Up to [6] advanced chapters are available on Patreon:

For update pings, novel discussions and/or to send mistake reports, join our server~!