The Military Doctor Excels at Being a Contracted Duchess - Chapter 43
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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 43】
As if understanding her feelings, Victor gently patted the back of her hand.
Since they weren’t originally acquainted, Ebel had to treat Lucas like a ‘complete stranger.’
Of course she would act skillfully, but affection isn’t something that can be cut off cleanly like chopping wood.
Lucas, who had always pretended to be endlessly carefree.
He who had modified bombs and planted mines to cut off enemy pursuit.
When she was exhausted and thinking maybe she should stop. Give up everything…
Lucas, who would quietly approach during those times and secretly give her wild strawberries he’d found…
He was gone now.
Forever, never to be seen again.
“This is from when he visited the Rashia Empire. He bought plenty of varenya. You’ll feel better if you try some.”
“Ah, I’m sure I will!”
Varenya was jam made by simmering raspberries or small, tart tree berries in sugar.
Usually in Richter they ate jam where the original fruit form wasn’t preserved, but the Rashia Empire was different.
The ingredients themselves were preserved so you could tell what was used.
Broadly speaking, it was similar to France’s compote but with differences in preparation method.
“I remember him saying he liked to eat specialty products from each country in that country’s style. I should prepare tea the Rashia way. So you can hold the varenya while drinking.”
“He’ll be delighted.”
She had only dozed off briefly, but evening had already arrived.
Judging by the delicious aroma filling the manor, they must be roasting a whole pig for their distinguished guest.
Though there were a few things that bothered her like hangnails under fingernails, overall it had been a peaceful day.
‘Who knew it would be such a relief not having to take responsibility for everything myself.’
She had struggled desperately to survive alone. Yet shadows kept clinging to her, seeming to drag her into a quagmire.
But now, whenever difficult situations arose, she could consult with someone freely.
“Oh right, that man who entered the manor. He had an annoying personality. He kept persistently following me around.”
“Is that so.”
Victor, who had been getting up, paused. Ebel happened to have her back turned and didn’t see this.
“I didn’t learn much, but he’s not really a sculptor yet demanded part of the garden for sculpting, so I refused.”
“You did well.”
“He seems like the type who’ll pry into the relationship between you and me… And someone who easily steals women’s hearts. I should warn the servants.”
Ebel frowned.
At this nonverbal signal of displeasure, Victor smiled quietly.
Yes, winning Ebel’s heart was extremely difficult.
It had taken him a long time too, to gently break down the walls she had so meticulously built.
“Let’s give him false information.”
“Good idea.”
Ebel grinned and linked her arm through his of her own accord.
She felt like a mischievous little rascal.
* * *
Lucas Steiner.
He was a man who had the composure to crack jokes even in painful moments.
Born into a wealthy family and raised preciously, like capital nobles these days, he was interested in all sorts of curious objects.
After going to England’s International Exhibition with his father in 1851, he became completely absorbed in travel and invention.
Naturally, he traveled with at least eight servants and bodyguards and stayed only at the finest hotels.
In other words, there was no reason for him to be shot.
“But I have no idea how this came to be.”
Lucas stood before the mirror, rolling up his shirt.
His lean stomach was revealed.
Originally his skin had been flawless.
But now there was clearly a scar that looked like a gunshot wound. It was a rough, bumpy scar as if he hadn’t received proper treatment.
‘This is maddening. Really.’
Scratching his head vigorously, he sighed at the presence of a servant who had come looking for him and straightened his clothes.
This was one of the reasons he had hurried to see Victor.
‘Am I going crazy, seeing hallucinations… or have my memories been erased.’
He couldn’t make sense of anything.
Lucas, having pulled his shirt down, wrinkled his nose.
After dinner, he planned to bring it up with his friend.
* * *
Dinner with Lucas was as enjoyable as expected.
Since he was a cheerful man who threw out jokes with good sense, laughter never ceased throughout the meal.
Though they couldn’t share memories, just having Lucas alive before her eyes was comfort enough for Ebel.
“I’ll excuse myself first.”
“Sleep well, Your Highness.”
“Rest well, my lady.”
Lucas winked and waved at Ebel. Victor watched until Ebel left the dining hall.
Then Lucas grinned.
“Wow, you’re completely smitten. When I first heard about it, I wondered what scheme you were plotting.”
“Does it look genuine?”
“Yeah, completely.”
“That’s fortunate.”
Victor downed his drink in one gulp and stood up. The remaining conversation was more intimate, so it would be better to have it in his private space.
“I have something to tell you. Be serious for a moment. I’m not crazy, so don’t worry.”
Soon the drinking table was set again.
A dim space with only a few candles lit.
Lucas suddenly rolled up his shirt.
“Look at this. Anyone can see this is a gunshot wound, right? And traces of hasty surgery.”
For an instant, Victor’s blue eyes, which had been indifferent throughout, flashed sharply.
He knew what that wound was. But as he remembered it, the Lucas of the past had never been shot.
He was a man who carefully protected his own life even while traveling extensively.
“Did you get drunk and collapse in some back alley?”
“As if. You know how careful I am.”
“But.”
“This appeared suddenly one day too. A few months ago? I was incredibly shocked.”
Grumbling, Lucas flopped down on the sofa and held his head in his hands.
“Am I crazy? Did I lose my memory? Do I have multiple personalities? I thought of everything. But I still don’t know.”
“The scar is rough and bumpy.”
“Yeah. Judging by the stitching skill, it wasn’t done by a competent surgeon. It’s the work of a doctor who hadn’t learned long ago.”
That’s right…
Ebel had learned to suture out of necessity on the battlefield.
Moreover, that gunshot wound was a trace from that day.
The last day.
On the very day time had turned back, Lucas had been brought in with a gunshot wound.
“You probably wouldn’t know either, but I was so frustrated. When on earth did I get such a wound.”
“Maybe you died once and regressed.”
At his calm reply, Lucas’s eyes widened.
“Wow, I never expected to hear such a fairy tale story from your mouth. That was the most interesting joke I’ve heard all year.”
“It’s not a joke though.”
“What?”
Now Lucas looked like he was questioning Victor’s sanity.
Well, it wasn’t a story easy to accept readily. Because it didn’t make sense.
“I unknowingly died and time turned back, and I don’t know about it?”
“Well, that would be the case.”
“It would be better to say I’m a sleepwalker with split personalities instead. At least that makes sense. But you’re not the type of person to say such absurd things seriously….”
Lucas, muttering with a confused expression, grabbed an expensive bottle of liquor.
“Anyway, I’ve been having nightmares because of this lately. I’m even thinking I should go find a witch now.”
“How about assuming it’s a second life and thinking about how you want to live it?”
“Hmm… Then how do you think I died? From drinking too much? Or perhaps, a tragic death?”
When Lucas, half-resigned, asked emptily, Victor answered cleanly without any hesitation.
“While serving loyally for the country, while not abandoning your loyalty to me. Going out alone on a dangerous mission, trying to save everyone who remained.”
“Oh, that’s quite heroic. Interesting. There’s no way I could be that kind of person.”
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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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