The Military Doctor Excels at Being a Contracted Duchess - Chapter 21

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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 21】

“Yes, that’s right. Three head maids take turns supervising the overall management every month.”

Banya chuckled softly as she led her along.

After touring even the maids’ bathrooms, Ebel carefully checked whether they had enough warm water and if there was anything lacking or insufficient.

She was particularly curious about snacks outside of the regular meal menu.

“Pastries or cookies and milk are distributed twice a week. As for fruit, they can take one each morning before starting work. Everything is grown directly by Dotson, our gardener.”

No wonder their nutritional condition is so good.

Nodding, she sat down in the servants’ dining hall and tried the snacks herself.

She wasn’t eating because she wanted to, but to clearly confirm what condition they were in.

“The taste isn’t bad. What do you give them on birthdays?”

“On birthdays, bonuses are given differentially according to years of service.”

“No gifts?”

“The madam would occasionally give them when she was in a good mood.”

But since the children were sick or might become sick, there were probably very few occasions for good moods.

Because of those damn curtains blocking almost all sunlight, she would have easily become depressed.

‘Victor wanted me to take control of the family’s internal affairs. Then I suppose spending this much money should be fine.’

After a moment’s consideration, she instructed that a bottle of wine be distributed to each person on their birthday.

Honestly, who doesn’t like alcohol?

Wine bearing the Bayern name was easy to resell and made a good gift for loved ones or family, making it the most reasonable choice that everyone would appreciate.

“The madam is giving wine for birthdays!”

“Oh my, my birthday is in two days!”

“But what about people whose birthdays have already passed? Do they not get any?”

“I want some too… My birthday was at the beginning of this month. But what if she finds me presumptuous?”

As soon as they heard Ebel’s instructions, the maids who had been huddled together began chattering excitedly.

They tried to lower their voices, but being so excited about free wine made that difficult.

This was exactly as Ebel had planned.

“Banya, compile a list of everyone whose birthday has already passed this year and distribute the wine all at once. Two weeks should be enough time, right?”

“I shall do so. This Banya is once again moved by the young madam’s generous heart.”

In truth, Ebel had announced the wine distribution first because she had a lot of work to assign.

If a madam who suddenly arrived ordered a mansion-wide cleaning, well… they’d have to follow orders, but complaints would be inevitable.

So first she’d give them candy, then give necessary instructions with proper reasoning.

Among Ebel’s goals for coming here today, ‘mansion-wide cleaning’ definitely ranked at the top.

“Oh, madam. After investigating more thoroughly, the maid who had the coughing illness was Mina, who entered service at twelve. She became unwell shortly after starting work and quit quickly.”

“And then?”

“The butler and I do cough sometimes, but that was during winter. We all thought it was just colds. Anyone else who developed coughing illnesses quit shortly after, worried it might have a bad effect on the young masters. Among those who’ve worked here long, there’s no one with such symptoms.”

“So that means… Among those who quit due to poor health, has anyone died?”

This was an important question.

The servants are fine, but their masters have lung problems?

Having come to the servant quarters, the clear difference was that the building materials were different… Though it seemed unlikely, this made her suspect that the ‘house’ itself might truly be the problem.

But then why were the senior servants like Banya who lived in the mansion perfectly fine?

‘Maybe problems only arise if you live in the house as a child.’

– Environmental Lung Disease? Investigation Notes –

[No Onset]

Victor: Was rarely home as a child and always stayed in the capital even after becoming an adult.

Genevieve: Was at a convent as a child and returned much later.

Damian: Still young. But currently healthy and often wanders around outside the house.

[Onset]

Serena: Was frail from childhood and stayed almost exclusively indoors.

Serena’s husband: Died of illness. Shared bedroom with Serena. Resided permanently at the mansion.

[Possible Onset]

Young maid: Developed coughing illness at a young age.

Other servants: Started working at the mansion as adults. Others who developed coughing illnesses quit quickly.

Angelm: Young age, rarely goes outside the house.

As she was writing a few notes in the notebook she’d brought separately, Banya answered.

“As far as I know, no one has died. Come to think of it, I heard that Mina regained her health after quitting work.”

This makes it almost certain.

‘Even if the house is the cause, I don’t know what about the house is the problem. Except for the different building materials…’

Naturally, noble mansions are built with stone and marble. That’s what makes them sturdy and long-lasting.

Could those stones be the problem?

“May I also take a look at your room, Banya?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll visit once later. So you started working at Bayern after becoming an adult?”

“That’s right. I started working here at twenty-two.”

Ebel left the maid quarters and gave Banya her cleaning orders.

“Starting today, we begin deep cleaning. Remove all curtains from everywhere except Serena’s bedroom and open all windows wide. Send the old curtains to the incinerator and confirm they were actually burned.”

“Understood.”

“There must be no mold anywhere in the house. I’m counting on you.”

The maids would be very busy, but it couldn’t be helped.

After finishing her tour of the servant quarters, she next headed to the food storehouse in the main building’s kitchen.

While the servants moved quickly with the sudden deep cleaning, she planned to do what she could.

* * *

“What is all this commotion! Taking down curtains—what if curses get in!”

However, there was one factor missing from Ebel’s ambitious plan.

Namely, Genevieve’s fierce opposition.

“What’s wrong?”

Just as she was heading toward the drawing room, she stopped when she discovered Genevieve arguing with the maids.

Genevieve then threw down the curtain she’d been clutching tightly and approached Ebel threateningly.

“You’re not even married yet, and what is this behavior! How dare you try to control the family already!”

“This is something I’ve already discussed with Victor. It’s absolutely necessary for the children’s health.”

“Ha! Do you think you’re some kind of doctor? We need thick curtains to keep bad air from coming in. What if Angelm’s cough gets worse!”

Good heavens.

Ebel raised an eyebrow.

She wasn’t sure where to begin explaining, but she had to say something.

“In 1861, Dr. Pasteur discovered germs. Around last year, it was revealed that germs, not miasma or curses, are the cause of disease.”

“What, what? What did you call them?”

“Germs. All illnesses are caused by germs. They can only be prevented in clean, sanitary environments. So these old, filthy curtains that collect dust can no longer be tolerated.”

“Filthy! These are curtains I carefully selected!”

Ah, so that was the problem.

But she didn’t care.

Her patients were the twins, and germs had the property of easily penetrating young or physically weak people.

They also thrived in dirty environments.

Raising an eyebrow, Ebel boldly gave orders to the maid.

“Oh, and remove all the carpets too. Open the windows wide. Let some sunlight into this house.”

“No! Absolutely not. What are you saying!”

“I explained it to you just now. This is from the latest medical journals, so I suggest you read The Lancet later. Ventilation, cleanliness, and sunlight are most important.”

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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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