The Military Doctor Excels at Being a Contracted Duchess - Chapter 3

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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 3】

After pondering for a long while, Victor reached out and grasped the silver bell on the table, shaking it.

A clear metallic sound spread through the quiet study.

Summer air slowly seeped through the half-open window, gently swaying the curtains.

The warm breeze carried the scent of grass and the warmth of the garden heated by sunlight.

“Bring me the newspaper.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Willen, the butler who quickly found the bedroom upon hearing the bell, keenly noticed that his master’s condition was somewhat different from usual.

Something must not be going well in the Capital. Well, that’s probably why he came to the Estate after such a long time.

Thinking this, Willen brushed it off as usual and quickly brought today’s newspaper along with a glass of cool water.

After all, his duty was to serve his master well, not to worry about the complex political situation in the Capital.

“…July 1st, 1867?”

A hollow laugh escaped Victor’s lips at the impossible number, after he had completely emptied the water glass.

Since drinking a single glass of uncontaminated water had been such a luxury on the battlefield, Victor ordered the butler to bring him more to drink. He also added a request for a cup of coffee.

‘Have I finally gone mad?’

His last memory was the Temporary Field Hospital. It had been bombed, and he probably died there. Yet here he was, with all his limbs intact, returned to four years ago.

After calmly identifying that the articles written in the newspaper were events he had seen before, he immediately headed to the mirror.

It was an object he had neither the time nor reason to look into unless he was dressing for a banquet, but now it was extremely useful.

“…”

In the full-length mirror, a man with an intimidating build stared back at him.

Surprisingly, the scar near his eye that he had received during the great war with Frantz had completely disappeared. Though it would be more accurate to say it hadn’t happened yet.

His knee, which had been uncomfortable from a grazing bullet, was also fine, and most of all, his eyes were different.

The eyes of someone who had survived multiple near-death experiences inevitably carried a certain killing intent. However, his current reflection in the mirror was quite… handsome.

In other words, he didn’t look like a dangerous explosive.

“So this is how I looked back then.”

Soon he began unbuttoning his shirt.

It was his stuffy preference to button up to the neck and wear a vest even inside the house, but now he had no choice. He needed to examine his body immediately.

“This gunshot wound has disappeared too. Though my body feels quite useless.”

The butler, who arrived late with water and coffee, pretended not to hear his master’s muttering.

Though it seemed strange that his master was suddenly undressing in broad daylight and criticizing his upper body muscles that looked perfectly fine to the butler, in the prestigious Bayern household, it was overstepping boundaries to carelessly ask about the head of the family’s actions.

Instead, the butler immediately bowed his head at his master’s command.

“Go out and bring the most famous newspaper reporter.”

“Understood. Would you prefer a political daily? Or do you want someone from the gossip side?”

Victor pondered briefly at the butler’s question before speaking quietly.

“Both. I’m going to place a marriage proposal advertisement.”

This time, even the seasoned butler couldn’t help but widen his eyes.

* * *

A day later, Victor realized he was still at the Estate.

He had never even thought about this kind of return. God must have scraped together what little mercy He had and bestowed it upon him.

Thinking listlessly, his next move was to take out paper and write down all the information he knew.

From minor details like personal information of officers and soldiers to major events like where and what battles had taken place. And on the last page, he described in considerable detail why he had been abandoned, where that had led him, and what problems had made it impossible for him to survive.

‘The future war between Frantz and Richter is something only I know about at this point in time.’

If preventing it was what God wanted, he was ready to gladly comply.

No matter how much of a war it was, not attacking places where wounded soldiers were located was an international agreement.

If this were violated, not only both countries but all surrounding nations were supposed to unite in condemnation.

But Frantz seemed to have cleanly ignored such things and launched an attack.

‘In other words, it must mean that the dear King of Richter had given permission.’

He had been caught up in the venting of anger between two kings.

That’s how it could be summarized in one line.

His officers, his soldiers, his doctors had all died there.

Crack.

Perhaps he had applied too much force to the hand holding the fountain pen, as it snapped.

After a moment of silent tribute to the remains of what had been a cherished fountain pen, he pulled out a new one without regret.

Now was still good.

It wasn’t the point where he was holding charcoal and giving guerrilla warfare orders.

‘First, I need to select the most loyal subordinates.’

War reveals the bottom of human nature.

There were those who deserted and those who betrayed, but there were also quite a few comrades who fought with him until the end.

‘Abel.’

Suddenly, his elegant fingers holding the fountain pen stopped.

The only non-combatant.

The person who had tried desperately to save him until the very end.

‘What did he say at the end? I think he told me to survive.’

He didn’t know why such a miracle had occurred.

All of that couldn’t possibly be a dream.

After long contemplation, his thoughts reached Abel.

‘If it wasn’t me who caused this miracle, it must have been Abel. Perhaps Abel returned with me too.’

If Abel was indeed the one who brought him back to life…

Bayern always repays its debts.

But what method would be best?

How could he possibly find someone who was supposedly a commoner? He remembered which school he had graduated from since it was in his records.

But finding him with just that information would be truly difficult.

‘Come to think of it, Abel always cleverly hid the truth.’

He had left him alone since Abel seemed quite proud, thinking Victor hadn’t noticed.

Lying and hiding a few truths one didn’t want to reveal were slightly different matters.

Yes, that was enough…

“Woof! Woof!”

“Aah! Stop it, such beastly behavior from Bayern bloodline!”

“Grrr, woof! Woof!!!”

“You think I don’t know you’re doing this on purpose? I told you to stop! Oh, dear God!”

…

His expression instantly became emotionless as he listened to the commotion from outside.

His lips, which had softened momentarily while thinking of Abel, hardened firmly, and his posture also became rigid.

Yes, Victor von Bayern also had a few secrets.

Secrets he didn’t want to tell anyone.

* * *

“When exactly are you going to send that boy to the psychiatric hospital?”

That evening, when he had finished completely grasping his situation, at the dinner table.

His aunt, Genevieve von Bayern, with clearly visible scratch marks on her face, was jumping up and down in anger.

“The first one is so clever, so why is the second one like that! For that child’s sake too, he should be hospitalized soon. At this rate, Bayern will become a laughingstock.”

Genevieve, who still wore her hair long despite being quite advanced in age, remained unmarried.

The reason for specifically mentioning that she hadn’t married was because that was why Genevieve was currently here at the Manor Estate.

His aunt, who had lost her share of inheritance after getting involved in fraudulent investments, had been living here since around the time Victor’s younger sister, Serena, died.

Since the house was spacious anyway and there was little chance of running into her, plus considering that someone was needed to care for the twin sons Serena had left behind, Victor had readily agreed.

‘But it was different from expectations.’

The twins, who turned nine this year, had a terrible relationship with Genevieve.

If it had come to talk of psychiatric hospitals, that said it all.

‘What did I do at this time?’

When he stared silently without giving any response, Genevieve flinched and muttered something under her breath.

When he just stared at her blankly without any response, Genevieve flinched and mumbled something under her breath.

“No, the honor of Bayern wouldn’t be damaged by just one child… but still, the second son’s condition is serious. You wouldn’t know well since you’ve only been here for 2 years.”

“A psychiatric hospital…”

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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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