The Military Doctor Excels at Being a Contracted Duchess - Chapter 42

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

【Chapter 42】

 

Though not exactly her type, Ebel raised an eyebrow, thinking he was handsome enough to make the maids cry.

 

Meaning, get lost.

 

Of course, Gaspard had no such intention.

 

He was quite interested in this cold, statue-like noblewoman.

 

Back in his homeland, his nickname was chien de chasse.

 

It meant hunting dog.

 

Never missing his target, never letting go once he bit down.

 

He would persistently cling until he heard her voice.

 

Just as he was steeling himself with that determination.

 

“I absolutely despise those who are perceptive yet pretend to be foolish.”

 

“When it comes to perception, that would be me, Leo.”

 

“Are you Aunt’s lover?”

 

Oh, nice voice.

 

Gaspard liked that cold tone.

 

Annoying as it was to say, women flocked to him even when he did nothing. Sometimes men too.

 

Gaspard’s ideal type had always been women he couldn’t conquer, and Ebel, whom he now faced directly, fit that description perfectly.

 

I thought she was a butterfly, but she’s a hawk.

 

“I’m a pitiful and poor sculptor sponsored by Lady Genevieve. Not quite a lover, though.”

 

Though he subtly drew a line, Ebel’s face remained indifferent as if she couldn’t care less.

 

Feeling an inexplicable disappointment, Gaspard smacked his lips and casually added a comment.

 

“If you’re curious why I’m here watering the flower beds… I’d answer that I was buttering up a gardener more frightening than a brown bear.”

 

For a moment, the phrase ‘I’m not curious at all’ flashed across Ebel’s face. Regardless, Gaspard babbled on, filled with the desire to hear her voice once more.

 

For Gaspard, this was quite strange.

 

He had never been the one doing the chasing.

 

“I need space to sculpt, but I have some dignity—how could I ask for a room? Since the garden is so vast, I thought I’d try to get a small plot of land.”

 

“That’s not what I was asking about.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

“If I need to explain the implication for you to understand… then there’s no need to continue this conversation.”

 

Ebel cut him off sharply, not even bothering to hide her disappointed look. In the end, it was Gaspard who felt anxious.

 

There should be some opening after a few stabs, but this… Even a spear couldn’t pierce this defense.

 

Finally, instead of continuing his futile efforts, Gaspard decided to respond honestly.

 

“When you asked if I was a lover, you were asking how I got into the manor. Specifically when, where, and who let me in. Am I right?”

 

Ebel waited silently.

 

This smooth-looking man was the type who naturally earned others’ favor. And he was also the type who used it to the fullest without feeling any guilt.

 

‘Narcissist.’

 

There was only one way not to get entangled with such a person.

 

Don’t give him any opening.

 

Silence sometimes makes an excellent weapon.

 

Only those who want many things tend to wag their tongues.

 

“I’m actually a poor sculptor who came to sell artwork at this charity exhibition. But lo and behold, Lady Genevieve took a liking to this humble face and called for me separately.”

 

“…”

 

“I couldn’t enter through the main gate with dignity! She opened the west side gate for me to come through. Lady Genevieve personally opened it and welcomed me. The time was roughly at night?”

 

“I see.”

 

She had learned everything she wanted to know.

 

More than the information he spoke, Ebel read the man’s gestures, his gaze, his expressions and the flow of his energy.

 

Having obtained what she needed, there was no reason to continue the conversation.

 

“Unfortunately, I can’t allow sculpting work in the garden. If you’re a lover, act like one and stay put.”

 

After marriage, even strolling in the garden required bringing a maid along. That was the household rule.

 

Right now was an ambiguous period, and what she could enjoy during this time was walking alone.

 

Since being interrupted wasn’t particularly pleasant, Ebel firmly cut things off here and took her leave.

 

Behind her, whether the man called out or not, she completely ignored him and entered the manor.

 

“My lady.”

 

“Butler. There was a stranger in the garden.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Something about being Aunt’s new lover. He was wandering around far too freely.”

 

The butler would handle the rest.

 

Walking without a parasol was definitely problematic—her head felt hot.

 

“I’ll rest for a while, so don’t let anyone in.”

 

“Yes, my lady…! Um, what about the master?”

 

“Victor is an exception.”

 

Heading to the bedroom, Ebel threw herself onto the sofa.

 

Though she hadn’t told anyone, for several days she had been grinding herbs, making powders, slowly boiling them, and so on.

 

Even cutting back on sleep to make medicine had apparently been too much.

 

‘Ah, so cool.’

 

How much time had passed?

 

Ebel’s consciousness was pulled back to the surface by a cool sensation.

 

When she unconsciously nuzzled against it, not wanting it to fall away, she heard a low chuckle.

 

But that coolness eventually lifted briefly, and the moment Ebel frowned, the cold sensation touched her forehead again.

 

‘Hm? A hand… perhaps?’

 

She had been very hot, but now felt good.

 

Ebel smiled blissfully, then suddenly… truly suddenly, realized something she shouldn’t have.

 

‘…Victor?’

 

Good heavens!

 

Honestly, who else would barge into a noblewoman’s bedroom while she was resting? No one but her husband-to-be!

 

“!!!”

 

As she bolted upright in shock, strong arms quickly supported her.

 

“Rising so suddenly will worsen your dizziness. It seems like heat stroke—please lie down for a moment.”

 

“Ah… you came?”

 

“Yes. One little pest was wandering around quite freely. You didn’t stand in the sun for long because of that, did you?”

 

Clutching her foggy head and looking up, the two Victors she was seeing finally merged into one.

 

First, she noticed the large chunk of ice on the table beside the sofa. Then, his large hands that had somehow turned red.

 

Ebel couldn’t even answer his question and opened her mouth.

 

“Don’t tell me… don’t tell me you held your hands against the ice and then covered my forehead with those hands?”

 

“Applying ice directly would damage your skin.”

 

“No way…”

 

What on earth.

 

She was speechless at such tenderness she had never even imagined.

 

“How long… were you doing that?”

 

“About an hour. There was pleasure in watching my sleeping wife.”

 

Victor wore a wonderful smile on his handsome face.

 

For a full hour, alternating hands to touch the ice and cool them before placing them on her, as if it were nothing at all.

 

“You could have… wrapped it in cloth. That’s what handkerchiefs are for.”

 

“Even that was too cold—I was afraid it might wake you.”

 

“…”

 

So this is what it means to be breathless from tenderness.

 

Not in a bad way, but really… she couldn’t find words to express it.

 

Something deep in her chest churned, and her nose stung sharply.

 

At this overwhelming feeling she had never received from anyone in her entire life, Ebel felt like she might cry.

 

“…Give me your hands. What if you get frostbite? Frostbite in summer, of all things.”

 

“It would be a trace of loving your wife.”

 

“It may look that way on the surface, but please don’t do this again. These are hands that do important work.”

 

Wife and love.

 

Though she flinched at the two words that didn’t match her, Ebel skillfully pretended otherwise.

 

Victor watched like someone who had wandered for a long time as she busily applied ointment and found a handkerchief to tie around his hand.

 

“Hands that save people rather than hands that kill people would be more fitting for the title of precious hands.”

 

“I’m not even a surgeon, though. By the way… have you met Lucas?”

 

“Yes. Since he came with me, he’s probably sleeping in the Guest Room. I told him to come out for dinner, so you’ll be able to see his face.”

 

The fact that he only said this much meant Lucas also had no memories from before the regression.

 

Ebel bit her lower lip gently in disappointment.

 

“Yesterday he might not have said anything since the Colonel was also present. We agreed to have drinks together today, just the two of us, so I’ll ask him in detail.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————