The Military Doctor Excels at Being a Contracted Duchess - Chapter 16

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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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【Chapter 16】

Lost in thought, she seemed to have missed the sound of knocking as Victor’s voice drifted in softly.

Realizing what state she was lying in, Ebel sprang up as if bouncing. Fortunately, the door wasn’t wide open.

Like a courteous gentleman, it was only slightly ajar.

“I was going to leave if you had fallen asleep. Though it seems that’s not necessary.”

“Pl-please come in.”

“Excuse me.”

The tall shadow that had been blocking the seeping light moved forward.

A handsome man wearing only a thin, light shirt suitable for the season stood holding a tray and beer in one hand.

To be completely honest, it was quite a pleasant sight.

“How did you know I’d be looking for beer?”

Ebel’s voice rose slightly with excitement. Victor, keenly sensing that change, shrugged his shoulders.

“Well, you seem to have that habit.”

“What habit?”

“The habit of drinking heavily when startled like a rabbit.”

How did he really know that.

Though she grumbled slightly, Ebel was happy about the beer and gladly made room beside her on the couch.

“I’ll be visiting the Eberstain Estate soon. Lady Eberstain wants to discuss the wedding together. Things like the material for the wedding dress and jewelry.”

“I understand.”

“Lady Eberstain is the most influential social figure in this area, so she’ll be helpful.”

Didn’t he say she already considers her like a daughter.

Though she hadn’t met her yet, she felt an inner sense of intimacy.

Perhaps it was because Colonel Conrad, who was extremely devoted to his wife, always talked about his wife.

“I’m eager to meet her.”

“That will happen soon. Lady Eberstain is also counting the days until she can meet you, so things should proceed smoothly.”

“We need to make a guest list for the wedding too, right?”

“Yes. Lady Eberstain will help appropriately with that as well.”

Thank goodness. She didn’t know how to do such things.

Of course, she had learned by watching her mother’s work over her shoulder. But she had never done it directly herself.

She had run away to university before being sold off!

From a young age, Ebel had hated the life of becoming the wife of a man she didn’t love and having to care for his household.

‘It’s like being an accessory.’

Ebel wanted to do things that were called men’s domains – studying, hunting, horseback riding, billiards.

It was the same now.

She didn’t mind wearing dresses.

What mattered was whether she could continue doing what she wanted to do.

Victor had said he needed her medical skills and gave her a job.

Even though that form was as a ‘wife’…

“It’s a bit… life seems quite ironic. I struggled so hard because I didn’t want to play the role of mistress of some house, but I ended up like this anyway. Oh, it’s not that I dislike it. Just in case you misunderstand.”

“I don’t misunderstand.”

The man answered concisely and handed her the beer. After sipping a few mouthfuls, she wanted to pour it straight down her throat, but Ebel maintained her patience.

Tomorrow was the day she would be formally introduced to the servants. She didn’t want to suffer from a hangover from morning.

“I heard so many times from childhood that I was a strange child. Why are women’s work and men’s work divided? Why can’t I get covered in mud like Abel? Why shouldn’t I learn numbers and should only read poetry?”

Victor looked at Ebel calmly and listened to her story attentively.

These were hardships he didn’t know.

Serena had a gentle and delicate nature and never thought of going outside the protective barrier of home.

Victor was the heir of the family, so it was natural for him to go outside.

There was no one… who told him ‘you can’t.’

“It was frustrating. But to become a wife. It feels like the things I avoided while cutting my hair short and living like a man are being thrust at me again.”

“That’s understandable.”

“…I’m sorry. That was too much lamenting.”

It was the beer’s fault.

Let’s go with that anyway.

Ebel stopped talking and somehow felt embarrassed.

It wasn’t Victor who had pressured her.

She couldn’t say such things to her family and ran away, yet here she was lamenting.

“It’s alright, Ebel.”

And to such an Ebel, Victor answered carefully.

“If there’s something you dislike, whatever it may be, don’t do it. If there’s something you want to change, change it.”

“…”

“There will still be many things you can’t solve by yourself. Whenever someone says ‘you can’t’ or ‘stop that,’ use the Bayern name. Even these words might be deception, but… I will be your backing.”

His words were all sincere.

There’s a famous saying among the Nobility of Richter.

Ladies must guard the drawing room fireplace, and gentlemen must learn to shoot.

Ladies are emotional and moody, so they have bodies and minds unsuited for great tasks.

Ladies must always be protected like flowers.

However, here was someone who confronted all those words head-on.

Looking at Ebel, listening to Ebel’s words… indeed it was so.

Managing not just the household but the entire estate, managing income. Deciding where to invest or going to university to study law or diplomacy.

Things that had been exclusively male domains until now, but couldn’t Ebel do them all too.

She had served in the military and even survived.

Even though there were plenty of deserters, Ebel had stayed and endured to the end.

“You know how much trouble I might cause.”

“Do as much as you want. Didn’t I put someone who didn’t want to be a wife in the wife’s position.”

Ebel gazed into Victor’s blue eyes for a long time.

Victor von Bayern never spoke nonsense.

He would really protect her no matter what trouble she caused.

“Good. Look forward to it.”

If they were friends, she would have punched his chest here.

Instead, Ebel winked with a mischievous face.

Respect accumulated in her heart once more.

Being a married couple with this kind of relationship, well.

Perhaps it wasn’t bad.

“Oh right, even though it’s a fake wedding… could we invite Guevre too?”

“He won’t know the circumstances and might feel burdened, but I’m fine with it. I was planning to have him live safely within Bayern anyway.”

“I hope he’ll come.”

Among the final 12, Guevre was the only one born a commoner.

Since they were similar in having to earn money to survive, the two often understood each other without words.

“Let’s try inviting him first. Guevre volunteered for his sister’s medicine money. I want to help Guevre’s sister. I can make the medicine.”

“I’ll find an appropriate excuse. Something like winning the Grand Duchess’s sponsorship program, or coming to receive sponsorship but the day happened to be during the wedding period.”

In this life, even if war breaks out again, may he not volunteer.

And-

“This time, I really hope Guevre becomes a poet.”

“Try doing artist sponsorship programs while you’re Grand Duchess.”

“Power is nice. You can do whatever you want.”

“That’s why I’m living like this, isn’t it.”

The conversation that followed was about how to connect people who would be living their own lives now and invite them to the wedding.

Lucas was already a soldier and had been Victor’s close friend since childhood, so there was no problem. His status was also quite high.

The others were also nobles, so even if there had been no contact, they could be invited.

When Ebel, who had been chattering for quite a while, became quiet, Victor silently moved a little closer.

Thud.

A moment later, without having to wait very long, Ebel leaned her head against his shoulder. More precisely, she had swayed and ended up leaning against him.

Victor set down his remaining beer and stayed perfectly still in that position.

Until she fell into a very, very deep sleep.

After all, he hadn’t come here today to drink beer, but to help Ebel fall asleep when bad memories might keep her awake.

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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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