I Became the Wife of the Hero Who Killed Me - Chapter 10

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#Episode 10

A group of physicians came together to request that Gilbert’s appointment be reconsidered.

I had been thinking that the subtly warm atmosphere needed some ventilation anyway, so this worked out perfectly.

“Hey.”

“Uh… yes?”

The physicians flinched at the address that was completely different from how I spoke to Gilbert, showing not even the minimum courtesy.

Gripping my crowbar, I smiled, baring my teeth.

“Did you follow me?”

Of course, my eyes weren’t smiling at all.

“The soldiers I sent to fetch you bastards are still nowhere to be found, so unless you’d been following me from the start, how did you already arrive at the outer castle walls, hm?”

The timing worked out exactly like that.

If they had hurriedly followed after hearing news of the young lady’s departure while chatting at the inner castle walls, they would arrive at the monastery right about now.

At my sharp observation, the physicians who felt caught jumped.

“That’s not it!”

“We just happened to be resting nearby and came over!”

“Which would be heavier – the crime of not following the young lady’s orders or the crime of deceiving with lies? Does anyone here know?”

“Ahem, ahem…”

Though no one actually knew, it was a sufficient question to add tension to the relaxed atmosphere.

I continued speaking while still fondling my club.

“Fine, let’s set that matter aside for now.”

“Phew.”

“But did you just object to my decision? You objected to the decision of this heavenly being, didn’t you?”

“…!”

The physicians who were about to sigh in relief suddenly froze.

Status was everything. And I wasn’t even of ordinary status. I was a precious being supported by House Lombard in front and the Imperial Family behind.

Among the Empire’s female nobles, I was counted among the top three in terms of high status.

“But I am magnanimous.”

“What kind of nonsense… ah, that’s right! Of course you’re magnanimous!”

Such clueless fools.

Count Baron standing behind me clicked his tongue in disapproval.

He had a subtle winner’s expression, as if wondering whether they still hadn’t grasped what kind of person the lady was.

It was quite irritating to see, but I decided to let it pass for now.

“So I’ll give you a fair chance too. That way there won’t be any gossip later, right?”

“How truly wise!!”

The physicians’ faces brightened upon hearing my words.

I first had them recommend their most outstanding candidate. The clothes worn by the one they brought forward were the finest among the physicians, making it immediately clear this wasn’t based on skill.

Perhaps thinking similar thoughts, Gilbert’s eyes filled with familiar resentment and resignation.

His expression suggested he thought I would judge by status rather than ability, like other nobles.

“A medical competition. Whichever of you two is superior will become my personal physician.”

“What method will you use?”

“I’ll give you two hours to freely treat patients within that time. The evaluation will be comprehensive.”

Conveniently, everyone in the monastery treatment center had external injuries.

I could see accurate judgment, quick response ability, and how excellent their medical techniques were all at once.

And so the competition began.

* * *

The initially proposed two hours had passed and it was approaching three hours.

The physician who had quickly treated a full five patients during this time was sitting with his legs crossed, drinking tea as if showing off.

Meanwhile, Gilbert was still treating his first patient. Beads of sweat dripped from his chin as he applied a splint to the thigh and secured it with bandages.

The unconscious patient’s condition remained as haggard as it was initially.

“I say, I finished my treatments long ago, but are you still fumbling around?”

“…”

“With such pathetic skills, you think you can be the lady’s personal physician? Not a chance! How about giving up gracefully and preserving what little pride you have left?”

The physician sneered, but Gilbert didn’t even pretend to listen.

How much more time passed after that? Gilbert finally finished his treatment, wiped his hands, and organized his medical instruments.

Now it was time for evaluation.

“My lady, please look.”

First, the physician called me over triumphantly.

He had performed suture surgery on a full five trauma patients. His hands were quick, his techniques flashy, and the patients’ complexions looked much more comfortable.

In contrast, Gilbert had only managed to treat one patient. He hadn’t even regained consciousness yet.

Nevertheless, I declared without hesitation.

“The winner is Gilbert.”

“What?!”

The shocked physicians jumped up from their seats in protest.

Their reaction made me laugh involuntarily.

“Did you think I’d applaud if you just treated a lot of patients? Did I seem like such a pushover to you? Have I been acting too kindly?”

“No, when have you ever been kind…”

Count Baron threw in a subtle jab.

Regardless, I went to the bed of the patient Gilbert had operated on and pulled back the blanket.

The patient’s leg length, which had been completely different before treatment, now formed perfect symmetry.

Receiving my gaze, Gilbert explained somewhat bewildered.

“This patient has a complex femoral fracture. This morning, while clearing up a mine accident site, he fell and his thighbone broke into multiple pieces.”

“This is incredible…”

Exclamations burst from the mouths of the watching monks.

This was nearly impossible territory. He had perfectly aligned the broken femur fragments using only palpation when they couldn’t be seen with the eyes.

It was truly genius-level medical technique.

“Look. The monks’ reaction tells me the answer.”

One side treated five patients but the difficulty was ordinary, while the other treated one patient but it was nearly impossibly difficult.

However, the physicians couldn’t accept my evaluation.

“Th-this can’t be right. My lady, this is surely fraud! How could anyone treat a complex fracture? Even if that were true, the condition of the patients we treated is overwhelmingly…!”

“You only picked patients who were conscious and fine from the start, so what condition are you talking about?”

“But!!”

“I don’t need something anyone can do. What I want isn’t the physician with the highest status, but the one with the greatest skill.”

“This is ridiculous! Gilbert, you bastard, won’t you immediately tell the lady that you’re giving up the position of personal physician?!”

Even so, the physician still couldn’t accept it.

It wasn’t simply because he’d lost the position of personal physician.

It was because a lowly commoner had smashed the solid wall they had built up.

Because he had stepped on those fragments and risen above the nobles’ heads.

‘How satisfying.’

I sneered inwardly, but still added magnanimously.

“The opportunity is open to everyone, so don’t worry. If a more excellent physician appears, I’m prepared to replace the personal physician anytime.”

I looked at Gilbert as if asking for his agreement.

Instead of answering, he let out a long sigh.

“Hah, I’m really not confident.”

Then he grinned.

“Not confident I’ll lose.”

“How dare you with such lowly status!!”

“Perhaps I was too honest in front of those with such meager skills?”

“This, this insolent…!”

Gilbert’s gaze had completely changed from before.

The man who had been giggling and taunting the physicians suddenly looked up at me.

‘There’s an old saying that if you feed a starving dog, it becomes a loyal hunting hound.’

Gilbert was starving for recognition.

Despite possessing excellent Medical Arts, he was angry and frustrated at the reality of being unable to freely pursue his ambitions due to his commoner status, and eventually resigned himself to it.

I generously gave him the recognition he desired more than anything else.

So from now on, Gilbert would become a dog loyal only to me.

Having once been in the same position, I couldn’t help but know this. The past Edwin had tamed me in the same way…

“I will dedicate my life to serving you, my lady.”

I looked down at Gilbert, who willingly bowed his head to me, with satisfaction.

I had gained an excellent hunting hound.

* * *

Naturally, regardless of my satisfaction, the physicians’ ordeal was not yet over.

“Baron?”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Come to think of it. The physicians ran off with the advance payment I gave them, right? In cases like this, how are they usually punished?”

“This constitutes fraudulent receipt, so according to Lombard law, I believe a monetary fine would be the appropriate punishment.”

“You’re not saying that’s the end of it, are you?”

“Of, of course not!”

When I put on a serious expression, the baron quickly added.

“Since fraudulent receipt is often committed habitually, I recommend conducting a thorough investigation to see if there were similar incidents in the past.”

“I can’t ignore the baron’s wise counsel. Shall we proceed with that then?”

“…!”

Fire fell upon the feet of the physicians who had been seething with anger.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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