The Military Doctor Excels at Being a Contracted Duchess - Chapter 36

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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 36】

 

Though he hadn’t told Ebel, Victor was currently fortifying Bayern.

 

Colonel Eberstain was secretly recruiting soldiers, and his aide Matthias was purchasing food supplies in amounts that wouldn’t draw attention.

 

Various seeds and salt were being stockpiled, and imports of wool and cloth had also increased.

 

Under the guise of development projects, work was also underway to dig traps and plant mines in the open land bordering France.

 

‘The King of France wants war.’

 

That mockery incident itself was likely meticulously planned.

 

‘Then it would be wise to assume that war will break out.’

 

When that moment came, Bayern would take a different course than before.

 

“Ebel. Among today’s guests, watch carefully to see if anyone uses French pronunciation.”

 

“…Do you think spies have come?”

 

“Probably. I’m not certain, but there’s no harm in being cautious, so I won’t let Damian out.”

 

“Hmm… It can’t be helped. Not yet…”

 

Damian’s condition was a secret within the House of the Grand Duke.

 

No matter how much rumors had spread among the nearby noble houses, people wouldn’t believe it unless they saw it with their own eyes.

 

‘There’s no need for Damian’s condition to reach the ears of the French King by showing the child.’

 

With Ebel, he didn’t need to spell out every detail of his thoughts behind such decisions.

 

She understood ten things from just one word.

 

Since this was quite pleasant, when he stepped out into the bright sunlight, he was wearing a gentle smile uncharacteristic of him.

 

How great a shock the nobles received upon seeing this… was too tiresome to explain.

 

* * *

 

‘Ah, damn. I’ve been found out after all.’

 

When the Duke of Bayern and the prospective Duchess appeared in the garden.

 

There was a man who quickly slipped away from his spot.

 

Curly black hair characteristic of the French and deep, sunken black eyes.

 

Distinct features and a thin jawline gave him a refined appearance.

 

A young, agile, confident man.

 

Though he had a somewhat roguish air, even that seemed free-spirited and charming.

 

Such a man had participated here today as a new artist.

 

He had submitted a sculpture roughly bought from a junk shop, claiming he made it himself, but no one suspected anything.

 

‘They’re tailing me. A direct intelligence agent of the Grand Duke?’

 

The man, who moved with leisurely but never slow steps, headed toward the forest and then vanished without a trace.

 

He had climbed up a tree, then quickly propelled his body to leap far away.

 

To catch up with him, specialized in movement and stealth, the Grand Duke himself would have to come, not his subordinates.

 

‘Should I dig deeper? It’s dangerous though…’

 

He could play the role of that old woman’s new lover. Or since they’d soon be busy with the wedding and short-handed, he could work as a servant.

 

Either way, he had obtained information to offer the King. He had also confirmed the face of the prospective Grand Duchess.

 

Today was sufficient with this, so escaping here alive was the most important task remaining for him.

 

“Ah.”

 

But-

 

Though his head understood, why did he feel so regretful?

 

The man standing on the high branch looked toward the manor where lively music was echoing.

 

He saw a woman coming out through the door.

 

Golden hair considered the most beautiful in France and rare golden eyes. Fair, clear skin and breaking sunlight.

 

A butterfly whose very birth seemed to come from sunlight.

 

‘To think such a lady existed in this boring place.’

 

His ears, incongruously, were tinged red. Though he himself didn’t realize it yet.

 

* * *

 

“I’m sorry. I lost him.”

 

“It’s fine. If you lost him, it’s as good as confirmed where he came from.”

 

After he and Ebel appeared, countless people looked at her.

 

Victor stepped back one pace so Ebel could receive full attention, and received a report from a subordinate who approached meanwhile.

 

Those who stayed by his side in the household were first-class agents within the intelligence department.

 

There weren’t many people who could deceive such a person’s eyes and leisurely escape.

 

‘Must be French intelligence. He would have entered mixed among the artists.’

 

If he had skills above a first-class agent… it could only be him.

 

Gaspar Laurent.

 

The head of France’s intelligence bureau 【Bureau】.

 

He wore a thousand masks so no one knew what he actually looked like, nor did anyone know his real voice.

 

He was so elusive that even when his location was clearly identified, he would suddenly disappear.

 

He was brilliant, quick-witted, and had incredible instincts, making intelligence agents planted on the French side disappear one after another.

 

In short, he was unpleasant but one whose abilities had to be acknowledged.

 

And the fact that the head of Bureau came here…

 

‘Must be because of my wedding.’

 

Even he would send agents if the French King were to marry again.

 

Knowing there would be no such occasion for several years due to being busy with war, he had withdrawn about half the intelligence agents planted in France.

 

Having noticed that too, he probably came out of curiosity.

 

“After today, have my aunt’s lovers expelled from Bayern on their way back.”

 

“I’ll handle it.”

 

He had to vacate the positions for them to enter.

 

He wasn’t the type to avoid fights.

 

If they wanted to face him so badly, he’d rather arrange the opportunity.

 

‘It’s a good chance to find out what kind of person the head of Bureau is.’

 

Having raised his aunt’s utility value by half a level in his mind, he slightly modified his plan to send her to the convent as soon as this worthless exhibition ended.

 

“Nice to meet you, I’m Hermine Rosenthal.”

 

“Ah, from House of Rosenthal. Nice to meet you. I’m Ebel Eberstain.”

 

Currently, Ebel’s position among prestigious families was somewhat ambiguous.

 

Since she wasn’t married yet, it was awkward to treat her as Bayern, and awkward to see her as Eberstain.

 

But everyone would navigate that line well.

 

Because he was acting as if he cherished and loved Ebel very much.

 

‘It’s not entirely wrong either.’

 

Victor moistened his throat with champagne while observing the situation, then soon turned around.

 

From here on was Ebel’s domain.

 

He had other work to do.

 

* * *

 

The lady with gentle features was named Hermine Rosenthal.

 

She was the current lady of House of Rosenthal, which had held its title for about 110 years, and was from the Kingdom of Ingris.

 

The somewhat stern-looking elderly lady beside her was named Konstantin Herdins. She was Hermine’s mother.

 

She had grown up as the distinguished daughter of an ancient count’s family in Ingris, married Marquis Herdins, and had three sons and two daughters.

 

When Hermine, born as the youngest, married into a count’s family in Richter and became pregnant with her second child, she had come this long way.

 

‘The important thing is that neither of them thinks very highly of Cecily.’

 

Probably because they were ‘so aristocratic’ people.

 

Even now, among proud families, there were those who considered even mixing words with commoners an insult.

 

Whatever their ideology, they were exactly the people she needed right now.

 

“It’s quite hot indeed. Northern Richter was manageable… but I just can’t get used to the south.”

 

Hermine opened the conversation with weather talk. Ebel answered gently while looking at the lady’s belly.

 

“Since you’re pregnant with your second child, it must be even harder to bear.”

 

“That’s right. I’m grateful that God has given me another child… but I should have gotten pregnant in autumn instead.”

 

The lady giggling softly had quite a cute feeling.

 

Though she was different when scolding her first child, of course.

 

“Johannes! I told you eating so much candy would rot your teeth!”

 

“I only ate five pieces though.”

 

“Stop eating them. You won’t be able to have your meal.”

 

The chubby boy grumbled and hesitated, not listening to her words.

 

Hermine let out a deep sigh at this.

 

“Boys are not easy to raise. He becomes more disobedient by the day, you know?”

 

“Oh my. Even though you say such things, your expression looks quite bright?”

 

“Well, he is the eldest son after all… I’m hoping the second will be a daughter though. It’s a secret.”

 

Hermine placed her index finger to her lips and smiled with her eyes curved.

 

In truth, this was a feeling Ebel could neither relate to nor understand at all.

 

What did it mean to give birth to and raise one’s own child?

 

What made such a thing possible?

 

It was just then.

 

“Keh, kek…! Cough…!”

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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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