The Military Doctor Excels at Being a Contracted Duchess - Chapter 20

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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 20】

“You want to interfere in Bayern’s internal affairs? Has House Eberstain had such intentions all along?”

“It would be disappointing if you put it that way. We are merely following His Grace the Duke’s orders.”

Mrs. Eberstain drew a perfect and clean line in front of her bewildered face, speaking without beating around the bush.

She even added that if there was something to complain about, she should take it up with Victor.

Even if she didn’t say those exact words, it ultimately meant the same thing.

“What should we do…?”

“Girl, you need to help out a bit. Get close to that maid who’s always clinging to that young woman’s side. Extract some information. Something we can find fault with!”

“I’ll do that, Madam.”

Genevieve wasn’t a ‘Madam,’ but she liked being called that.

The few maids that Genevieve favored knew this fact well, and when there were no listening ears around, they would call her Madam. Naturally, Genevieve was satisfied with that title.

“And we need to discreetly use some people. Didn’t you say you were friendly with the village boys?”

“Yes, I have quite a few friendly brothers.”

Genevieve nodded at the maid’s sly whisper.

“Good. I’ll give you some money, so go investigate her background. Where she was rolling around before being registered into House Eberstain, whether there’s evidence of her being unchaste. Do you understand?”

“Of course, Madam.”

“If you bring back useful information, I’ll double the money. I’ll give you a separate share too.”

Greed flashed in the maid’s eyes at Genevieve’s promise.

After all, punishment always feels distant while sweet money feels close, doesn’t it?

“And… slip this green dress into that woman’s wardrobe soon.”

Genevieve pulled out a dress with an amber brooch and tossed it over.

It was Serena’s dress that she had coveted and set aside separately.

The maid who received the advance payment nodded vigorously.

And that dawn, Emma left the manor with quick steps.

Unaware that someone was watching her.

* * *

“It was dark so I could only confirm the silhouette and hair color, but judging by the build, height, and gait, it’s definitely Emma.”

At the same time, in the Duke’s study where lights remained on until dawn.

Victor was receiving a report from his subordinate after finishing his work late.

“I thought Aunt would pull something. That’s why I assigned you to her.”

“Yes. We have our own people planted in the village, so you needn’t worry.”

Victor, who had put down his fountain pen, pressed his eyes shut firmly.

‘I was trying to take care of her generously, if only to avoid the hassle.’

While Ebel was learning various things at the annex in the capital, he did what needed to be done on the estate.

He called in informants scattered across the country to plant them throughout the estate, and also placed them within the family.

Since he already knew everything about domestic affairs, there was no need to receive information he already knew again.

What he wanted to focus on closely in this life was his family.

“What Emma is trying to do, who she’s making contact with. Report in detail. If it’s related to Ebel, we must interfere.”

“Understood.”

Advisor Matthias would have erased the records as cleanly as possible anyway, but one never knows.

He didn’t want Ebel to face the people from House Claren again. It would also be better if the fact that she disguised herself as a man to earn a degree wasn’t revealed.

‘I didn’t have time to do it, but would it be better to fake Ebel’s death?’

Tap, tap.

He absentmindedly tapped the armrest and stayed up all night until morning.

He was so absorbed in conjuring up and organizing hundreds of plans in his head that he lost track of time.

“Victor, are you in your study?”

Then, a voice that added to his fatigue came from outside the door.

It was Genevieve, who had come rushing over as soon as the sun rose.

“…Please come in.”

“You must be very tired? How about having a cup of tea?”

“I’m fine. I’d appreciate it if you could speak concisely.”

Should he send Aunt to the annex, or perhaps to the villa at the resort?

If he said he’d send her back to the convent, she’d make a fuss saying she’d never go even if it killed her.

‘Should I lead her to commit a major mistake?’

With such thoughts, he half-listened to Genevieve’s words.

In fact, half of it was useless chatter that didn’t need to be heard anyway.

Only after rambling on with such nonsense did Genevieve slyly bring up the main point.

“So, it seems I need a bit more money. Since it’s a patronage gathering in name, House Bayern’s sponsorship should be the largest to save face.”

If he refused this, she would pick fights over every little thing whenever Ebel tried to do something in the future.

‘But even if I give her money, she doesn’t seem like she’ll behave quietly either.’

Rather, giving her money obediently now might end up encouraging her spirit.

Having reached a conclusion, Victor flatly refused.

“That would be difficult.”

“What, huh?”

“Aren’t I already giving you enough to spend? Considering the budget needed for the wedding, holding a patronage gathering now doesn’t seem wise.”

How many patronage gatherings had Genevieve created so far?

He remembered that most of them had fizzled out.

“What are you talking about! We are of Bayern blood and have a duty to sponsor artists. We must uphold noblesse oblige.”

“My answer remains the same. The budget will be reduced further from now on, so please know that.”

“How… how can you be like this!”

Yes, there had been about three or four times when additional budget was executed due to Genevieve’s pestering. And as far as he knew, most of that money flowed to Genevieve’s young lovers.

Since it was Aunt’s private matter, he didn’t want to interfere much and had covered it up, but it was problematic for it to continue that way.

It would be different if those men produced results.

But he knew they just lived like idle men after receiving money.

Judging it unavoidable, several names flowed from Victor’s lips.

“Antrian, Joseph, Phillips.”

“…!”

“Should I recite more?”

“How… how do you know that…”

Genevieve, who had turned pale, staggered backward, then flung open the door and ran out.

‘She has good energy too.’

Thanks to that, he could fortunately have breakfast in peace.

Since staying awake for 48 hours was familiar work, Victor was about to head straight to the dining hall.

But contrary to his thoughts, his steps headed toward the marital bedroom.

Because he wanted to see the person who would still be sleeping.

Somehow, he felt that seeing Ebel’s face would calm this complicated mood.

* * *

Thanks to Victor waking her up, Ebel rose luxuriously, finished a simple meal, and began to move.

Today’s task, as announced in advance, was to tour the servant quarters.

Of course, it was with Banya.

“This is the place.”

Usually, places where servants stayed were shabby, but the Mansion of the Duke of Bayern was not like that.

‘Not bad. It’s all built with cypress wood.’

The interior, filled with a fragrant scent, was also very, very clean.

There might have been some hasty cleaning because she said she would visit, but still, if they usually lived in complete chaos, they couldn’t maintain this level of cleanliness.

“Thirty-three people stay in the male servant quarters, and a total of forty-two people stay in the female servant quarters. Close maids and servants like Elroy naturally stay near the master and mistress, and in addition, the bedrooms of the butler, head maid, and head chef are within the main manor. As an exception, the gardener stays in a separate independent building called the caretaker’s room.”

As expected of a great noble family, it was being operated rationally according to the flow of movement.

The fact that the bedrooms of the butler, head maid, and head chef, who were in positions to manage people, were within the main manor was also a very good sign.

Because the subordinates could have respect for them.

“Then is the head maid in charge here?”

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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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