The Military Doctor Excels at Being a Contracted Duchess - Chapter 28

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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 28】

 

If she really did abuse the twins, it wouldn’t be an excessive punishment at all. Rather, it’s only because they’re family that their lives won’t be taken.

 

Ah, of course, Genevieve would be tormented to death just by being kicked out of this manor.

 

“I’ve gotten used to the manor now, and the most important environment has changed, so I think it’s time to properly take care of the children.”

 

Long-term mission: taking control of the manor.

 

This manor had far too many problems. Since she couldn’t change everything at once, she had planned it out in stages.

 

First, adapt while making allies.

 

Second, understand the children.

 

Third, bring changes to the manor and thereby expand her influence.

 

Now the fourth.

 

Taking charge of caring for the children.

 

“From now on, I’ll be checking on the children’s lunch and dinner, even their baths. But unexpectedly. I need to know what kind of treatment they’ve been receiving.”

 

Victor fell silent for a moment at her words. Ebel continued without hesitation.

 

“The butler and head maid are loyal to Bayern. But have they been serving the young masters as their priority, or your aunt as their priority?”

 

“It would naturally be my aunt. They’re the ones who’ve been caring for her since childhood.”

 

“Yes. Then let’s say your aunt hit Damian. Who could stop that?”

 

No one.

 

No one except Victor.

 

Moreover, Damian was ferociously wild like a beast, and it was common for elders to hit troublemakers to teach them.

 

Though there was the issue of degree…

 

She sighed and looked at Victor.

 

Ebel’s eyes were shining.

 

“I haven’t seen your aunt abusing Damian with my own eyes yet. She could just make excuses. But if that’s not the case, there’s no way to explain the hostility the twins have.”

 

A guest suddenly came.

 

It was obvious how the twins, acting like territorial animals, would treat a guest.

 

Hadn’t they been so vicious toward her as well?

 

And this ‘guest’ is an important person to Genevieve.

 

It meant it was time for a hunting drive.

 

“If I catch them in the act, I’ll be able to tell whether the butler and head maid knew about the abuse all along but turned a blind eye. Of course, they’re important figures so we can’t just kick them out. I’ll tell them to go directly to the head of the family and explain, so please listen and give appropriate punishment.”

 

“I understand. You mean to use that as a starting point to press the attack.”

 

“Yes, that’s right. I’ll overturn the servants too.”

 

Victor was impressed.

 

Ebel was as wise as a noblewoman who had long experience caring for a family.

 

There was no excess in any of her decisions. Moreover, her judgments were reasonable and clean, so he could trust and leave things to her.

 

“If you’re going to expel your aunt, you’ll need to cut off her hands and feet first. Please find out the list of servants who are on your aunt’s side rather than yours. I’ll memorize it.”

 

The mistress of a great noble house is the commander of everything that happens within the household.

 

Victor, who had experience running an intelligence department, knew well that managing people was never easy.

 

“I’ll do so. The butler will deliver it this evening.”

 

Ebel nodded satisfactorily at his refreshing cooperation.

 

Before she knew it, the matter of Cecily Bettel was forgotten far away.

 

“If Damian was really being abused where I couldn’t see, that would be my oversight.”

 

A moment later, Victor spoke bitterly.

 

Ebel didn’t deny it.

 

“What matters is the future. You were busy, you were far away. You entrusted the upbringing to your aunt. You thought that way and didn’t pay attention. But you want things to change. That’s why you brought me in.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I’ll change it for you.”

 

Ebel’s calm declaration swept through Victor’s heart.

 

A rough promise.

 

How much it saved him, Ebel would never know.

 

Honestly… Victor was terrible at caring for children. He had no idea how to treat those small creatures.

 

It was even more so since they weren’t his own children.

 

Their relationship had already soured too much for him to simply dote on them.

 

Like looking at a river with a broken bridge, not knowing what to do—that was his feeling.

 

But Ebel found solutions with an unconcerned face.

 

That was fascinating and wondrous to him.

 

“Come to think of it, will I be attending the charity exhibition too?”

 

“What would you like to do?”

 

“Are you attending?”

 

“I usually don’t, but if you’re going, I plan to show my face as well. For reference, Angelm has been attending since he was seven.”

 

My lady.

 

At the sudden formal address, a subtle warmth spread across Ebel’s expressionless face.

 

She didn’t notice it herself, but it was a change that Victor, who was persistently and tenaciously watching only her, could detect.

 

“…Angelm, at the charity exhibition?”

 

She almost slipped up slightly, but fortunately Ebel was able to ask casually. Victor wasn’t the type of discourteous man to point out such things and embarrass a lady either.

 

“According to what I heard from the butler, it’s essentially a place for my aunt to show off Angelm.”

 

At that, Ebel pursed her lips and fell into thought for a moment.

 

“What has Damian been doing during that time?”

 

At the question that hit the core issue, Victor was momentarily speechless.

 

It was something he had never thought about.

 

He had assumed Damian would be in his room, but seeing Damian’s condition in person revealed more problems than expected.

 

There was no way that child would stay quietly in his room without Angelm…

 

‘No way.’

 

Victor once again honestly acknowledged his oversight. To think he took good care of his subordinates but failed to pay attention to his family, to children who were still young.

 

“They might have locked Damian up somewhere during that time. It’s not an impossible story. We need to investigate whether he was ever tied up.”

 

“…I understand.”

 

Ebel bit her plump lower lip firmly.

 

‘I’ve thought about it many times, wondering if I’m making false accusations.’

 

Damian staying quiet throughout the charity exhibition, not interfering and remaining still? There’s no way he wouldn’t have tried to escape from his room.

 

“I’ll attend this exhibition too. It’s being held within the manor, so it would look strange if I didn’t step forward. The goal of this operation is to put the internal affairs of the manor under my jurisdiction anyway.”

 

“I understand.”

 

Victor accepted without much objection. As she said, all parties held within the manor were Ebel’s responsibility.

 

Whether she attended or not was entirely her freedom.

 

And Ebel… as he expected, chose a frontal assault.

 

“Instead, I’m taking Damian this time too. If only one of the twins shows his face, talk about the other will spread. It might have already spread.”

 

“I agree.”

 

That was what he wanted too. Damian had definitely improved in all aspects lately.

 

Unlike before when he was completely uncontrollable and filled only with hostility, now he even pestered to be carried.

 

Though he wondered if it was right to present him among noble ladies who would frown at the slightest annoyance… he decided to trust Ebel.

 

“Lastly, I need an independent laboratory where I can make medicine and conduct research. Since the medicine is potent, children shouldn’t be able to wander in and out freely, and security needs to be thorough.”

 

“If you give the butler a list of what you need, he’ll handle it immediately. I’ll also assign two guards in shifts.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

With that much security, even the biggest troublemaker wouldn’t be able to touch the medicine cabinet.

 

Relieved, Ebel reflected on whether there was anything else left unsaid in the flowing silence.

 

“Oh, and… if by any chance your aunt tries to do something to me, let the situation unfold first. It’s easier to catch them in the act.”

 

After Ebel left the room, Victor, alone in contemplation, realized something anew.

 

That Ebel truly didn’t care about Cecily Bettel even the tiniest bit.

 

And that he… if the situation were reversed, would be very, extremely, tremendously, greatly bothered by it.

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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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