The Military Doctor Excels at Being a Contracted Duchess - Chapter 45

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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 45】

 

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Upon entering the drawing room, three men and Matthias came into view.

 

Matthias was holding some thick documents in his arms, which seemed to be the proposal he would present to those three.

 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Dominique Silberfeld.”

 

Fair and clean skin. Dominique had short-cropped black hair and pale grayish-blue eyes.

 

Back then, he had an enormous build that could match Colonel Eberstain, and he still did now.

 

“I-I’m Florian Riedel.”

 

Florian had a gentle impression that was completely opposite to Dominique.

 

His long brown hair hung naturally, and he had kind eyes. Both then and now, his droopy eyes and expression that looked ready to cry at any moment remained the same.

 

“…Good day. I’m Guevre.”

 

And then Guevre.

 

Thin, narrow eyes shadowed with fatigue.

 

His body was gaunt from frequent hunger, carelessly dressed in a worn shirt.

 

Though he appeared frail at first glance, he was packed with lean muscle forged by labor, without an ounce of fat.

 

Ebel sat down while comparing each person one by one with the appearances she remembered.

 

First, she needed to ease their wariness.

 

Even if they couldn’t return to their previous relationship, Victor wanted to repay these men for their kindness from before his regression.

 

“You must be very curious about why you were summoned.”

 

Ebel smiled brightly as she spoke, looking first at the tense Florian.

 

Among the three, Florian was the one whose guard could be lowered most quickly.

 

An unreliable assistant.

 

He would tremble whenever he saw blood.

 

Due to his long, slender fingers being helpful during surgery and his low combat ability, Florian had been forcibly made her assistant.

 

“You have no common ground or connection points, so why would the House of the Grand Duke summon you? You came because you couldn’t refuse when called, but you must have had many worries.”

 

Starting with empathy, as expected, Florian’s eyes began to glisten.

 

With his timid personality, he must have been under a lot of stress.

 

“First, let me promise you this. If it’s good news for you, then it’s good news – there won’t be anything bad. So feel free to relax and have some tea.”

 

Florian, who had been stiffly frozen, creakily extended his hand to pick up his teacup.

 

Guevre, who had been watching the situation with deep eyes, grabbed a handful of cookies that no one else had touched and quickly stuffed them into his pocket.

 

He wasn’t a man who didn’t know such behavior was rude. He was clever enough to know it would make him a laughingstock too.

 

But even so… he probably wanted to bring the sweets to his sick younger sibling.

 

That’s why Ebel pretended not to see even though she had, saying nothing about it.

 

Soon enough, he’d be able to eat such sweets to his heart’s content anyway.

 

“Matthias.”

 

When Victor spoke quietly, Matthias quickly approached and placed documents in front of the three men.

 

Since the cover had no content, Ebel couldn’t tell what proposal was contained within.

 

“Take your time and read through it comfortably.”

 

The first to pick up the documents was Dominique.

 

The youngest son of House Silberfeld, famous for music.

 

But unlike his brothers, he had no artistic talent whatsoever and had enlisted to find a different path.

 

Next, Guevre narrowed his eyes as he read through the contents.

 

Florian struggled before carefully lifting the cover, then immediately drew in a sharp breath.

 

A moment later.

 

After enough time had passed for the tea to cool.

 

All three men simultaneously stared at Ebel.

 

‘Huh…?’

 

Ebel, who had been drinking tea, tilted her head in confusion.

 

She couldn’t understand why they were suddenly looking at her.

 

Instead of resolving Ebel’s confusion, Victor asked the three men.

 

“What will you do?”

 

Victor’s proposal was this:

 

Become the Grand Duchess’s retainers, or have one wish granted in exchange for pretending they never heard this proposal.

 

In a broad sense, this too was a wedding gift.

 

“I… will accept.”

 

Dominique pondered seriously.

 

His life had always been overshadowed by his two older brothers. He couldn’t inherit the family, nor did he have talent in music.

 

He had wanted to become a soldier, but his family’s opposition was fierce.

 

Perhaps being a soldier would have suited his personality best, yet it was a path he couldn’t take.

 

‘But if I say I belong to House Bayern, even my parents won’t be able to oppose it.’

 

Dominique’s assigned role was as the Grand Duchess’s guard.

 

He had long thought of himself as a shield-like person, so it seemed like a fitting job.

 

“I will also accept… it.”

 

Florian hated his weak self.

 

He would cry at the drop of a hat, making him a target for teasing when he was young.

 

That’s why he had a yearning to be recognized.

 

Though he was a noble, his family wasn’t particularly distinguished, so he needed to find work anyway, and with good pay and honor too, there was no reason to refuse.

 

Florian’s role was as the Grand Duchess’s aide.

 

It was a perfect fit.

 

“…The two gentlemen here are nobles, aren’t you?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“I’m a commoner. I have nothing to boast about. But why me…? How did you even know about me in the first place?”

 

Unlike the two who had made their decisions smoothly, Guevre was rather suspicious.

 

And rightfully so, since he couldn’t understand it.

 

He was someone who lived in the Southern Slums.

 

He barely scraped by doing manual labor at the docks.

 

That was him – spending all day mending nets, soaked in salt.

 

“You said I was selected for a sponsorship program, so I came… but I still don’t understand why you need me. And you said you’d teach me cryptography…”

 

It was a valid question.

 

Guevre hadn’t yet realized his own abilities.

 

During the war, Guevre had shown high code-breaking abilities.

 

Thanks to that, he had extended his life once more.

 

Victor had always regretted Guevre’s wasted talent.

 

If he had known earlier, he would have trained him as an intelligence agent.

 

“When you write poetry, you enjoy wordplay.”

 

“…?”

 

“I’ve read all the poems you’ve written. I think you’d be talented if you learned cryptography.”

 

An expression briefly crossed Guevre’s face that seemed to say, ‘Is this House of the Grand Duke really functioning properly?’

 

Finally sighing, he nodded his head.

 

“You said you’d cure my younger sibling whether I accept or not. Since I’ll be receiving such kindness… I intend to accept.”

 

Thus, all three men came to work for Bayern.

 

Their official affiliation was under the Grand Duchess.

 

In other words, they would become Ebel’s people.

 

“Since the wedding is soon, stay here as guests. Your sibling will be brought to the manor immediately, so don’t worry.”

 

“Ah… thank you.”

 

Guevre bowed his head with a weary face.

 

A moment later, the three men withdrew.

 

Ebel watched Guevre limping away with interest before turning to Victor.

 

“Victor, how did this happen? I mean, I’m happy about it, but…”

 

Naturally, she had thought there would be no connection with these men in this life.

 

Didn’t we agree at the beginning to walk paths that don’t overlap?

 

“It would be a waste to just let go of talented individuals with trustworthy character. There are also bugs that have entered the manor.”

 

“….”

 

“Think of it as a wedding gift.”

 

Three young men would be added to the manor. So what would happen?

 

The servants would gain vitality, for one.

 

With the flexible Guevre, it would be convenient to entrust him with personal tasks she needed done, and Florian would neatly organize the documents she had to review.

 

Florian was even such a moral and conscientious person that she could entrust him with finances.

 

As for Dominique… with that bulk beside her, who would dare harm her?

 

“I don’t want you to get hurt anymore, Ebel. Since I can’t always be by your side, Dominique will protect you instead.”

 

As if reading her thoughts, Victor spoke calmly.

 

Somehow feeling a lump in her throat, Ebel hesitated, wavered… then nodded.

 

“Well, I’ve thought of a way to induce the bug to send a telegram.”

 

Feeling unnecessarily embarrassed, she changed the subject and glanced at the pleasant weather outside.

 

“How about taking the children horseback riding? Like a harmonious family. Angelm is at the age to start learning to ride too.”

 

“That sounds good. It would be beneficial for health as well.”

 

Nobles never carelessly broke a sweat.

 

However, exercise was a separate matter, and the most recommended activity was horseback riding.

 

“I’ll take the children outside.”

 

“Please do.”

 

Though they were certainly busy, they could afford this much leisure time together.

 

Since she happened to have riding clothes tailored, Ebel put them on and gathered her hair into a single tie.

 

It was such a peaceful day that it seemed like nothing would ever happen going forward.

 

Though such premonitions are always wrong.

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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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