The Military Doctor Excels at Being a Contracted Duchess - Chapter 58

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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 58】

Despite all these events, Ebel’s thoughts remained unchanged.

The Bayern Estate is truly precious. I would be happy living in this manor for the rest of my life.

However, she and Victor were not on the same level.

Noble marriages are inherently arranged marriages or political unions where all conditions are matched, and love is not important.

So the fact that the two didn’t love each other wasn’t the problem.

The bond between him and her was deeper than fickle emotions that would quickly fade.

‘No, of course if he asked me to stay longer, I could do so until the children are fully grown.’

Still, having her name permanently attached to this manor was a little…?

‘It doesn’t suit me. I only participated because it was a 3-year plan. There’s no way I can hide being a daughter of House Claren forever.’

Because Victor is a Grand Duke.

The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess must participate whenever major national events are held.

It might be different if it were the role of a margrave’s wife.

But a Grand Duchess had far too many social obligations to fulfill.

‘Three years is the limit. There’s no way this act can be dragged on longer than that. It will surely be revealed someday… and then House Bayern will inevitably suffer a major blow.’

Whether he knew about the war raging in her mind or not, Victor was gazing at her steadily.

“In three years, those kids will be teenagers. They’ll be old enough to understand. Right now they’re just throwing tantrums because they’re young.”

“Hmm. Anyway… well, I do need to adopt them. Whether the children will call me mother or not is another matter.”

As if they were kids who would call her that just because she asked them to.

Even now, Angelm didn’t address her by any title.

He deliberately spoke while omitting any ‘title.’

“I’ll tell them they’re becoming heirs to Bayern, not becoming my children.”

“That… doesn’t seem like a good idea. I don’t really know what the wise thing to do is either, but I can tell that being so blunt about it wouldn’t be right.”

Of course, if she made them trust her and then disappeared, there would be nothing more irresponsible.

Angelm was in a state where wounds had accumulated layer upon layer.

He thinks he could be abandoned at any time and prepares his heart for abandonment.

But then she tells him about divorce after three years and leaves for a foreign country…?

No matter how much of a teenager he’d be, he’d only be twelve years old.

“How about not leaving?”

When Ebel fell silent, Victor spoke up.

“Extending the contract, perhaps.”

“That… I’ll think about it, a little.”

“Please think it over thoroughly. I imagine it will require much consideration.”

Noble women of this era were expected to marry when they came of age, manage their households, and engage in social activities – that was all.

Ebel felt strong disgust toward such a structure and wanted to escape from it.

Since it was an impossible thing, she’d probably have to live disguised as a man for life… but still, this was somehow.

It felt like the dream she’d held since childhood was being crushed.

It felt like she, who had rejected the structure, was becoming part of that very structure.

‘It feels like my individual color is dying.’

But if she lived as the Grand Duchess of Bayern, things that she couldn’t accomplish as an individual… would become possible.

“Far away, in the Setas Republic, there’s a position called president. It’s not a kingdom.”

“That’s correct.”

“If I remember correctly, around this time a women’s university was established in the Setas Republic… is that right?”

“That’s correct. Do you wish to establish a women’s university?”

Would it be possible?

Even if she established one after overcoming countless opposition, would anyone even enroll?

When she thought she would end her life by becoming a wife, her blocked airways suddenly cleared.

Rather than being consumed by that role, moving forward using it as a stepping stone could also be her choice, couldn’t it?

“Just say you’ll do it. Bayern will support everything.”

“It will cost a lot of money.”

“Even if five generations spend extravagantly, the sixth generation will still be wealthy, so it’s not a problem. Moreover, if Bayern leads it, no one will dare object.”

What’s required of women is only virtue.

Running businesses, attending school, engaging in politics.

All of these are men’s work.

Women who could do better. Women who want to work like that. There must surely be women who want to do research, not just paint, raise children, or embroider.

“Though their numbers may be small, I think women should also have opportunities. If they want to work and study, they should have the freedom to do so.”

To whom could she dare say such things?

In fact, if Ebel hadn’t saved Victor’s life three times, he wouldn’t have listened either.

What Ebel was saying now was that ‘dangerous a type’ of talk.

“Not all women would want it. There might be more people who want it among commoners rather than nobles.”

In other words, the difficulty level was high.

Probably at first, Bayern would have to fully fund it like a charity project to gather professors and students.

It wasn’t something that could be done with just a small amount of money.

“For the university, there’s vacant land on the estate, so we can build it there. Don’t worry about funding – there will be a way to secure it within the next few years.”

However, Victor answered readily.

He wanted to keep Ebel with him.

Because it was Ebel who had shown him that life could be wonderful, that he could feel the emotion called joy even in small things, and that he too could have stability and peace.

“How about staying in Bayern and becoming the dean of the first women’s university?”

“That’s…”

“You’ll do well. If it’s you.”

Looking at Victor who spoke with such certainty, Ebel felt both frustration and exhilaration simultaneously.

What seemed impossible and absurd to her was reality to him.

Even if there were countless obstacles, he would smash through them all. Because he was a man who could do that.

“Just because you stay in Bayern doesn’t mean you have to live the same life as other noble ladies, Ebel. Rather, you might be able to accomplish things that only you can do.”

“…”

“If not you, establishing a women’s university in this country will be a very distant story.”

He wasn’t pressuring her, nor was he flattering her. His tone was calmly pointing out reality.

Ebel squeezed her eyes shut and barely managed to give an answer.

“Please give me just a little more time.”

“As much as you need.”

It was such a tremendous opportunity that she felt dazed.

She didn’t want to just sit in a position he had prepared for her.

‘But can I handle it?’

She was sure she had just brought up the topic of communication with the children, but how did it end up like this?

Ebel took a deep breath while covering her flushed cheeks.

Victor, who stood up from his seat first, extended his hand to his wife.

“There’s something I want to show you, and I hope you won’t be too surprised.”

“Something to show me…?”

“Wedding gifts.”

Wait, didn’t we agree not to do that?

As she blinked in surprise, Victor smiled slyly.

“It’s my sentiment. I’d like it to be something to be proud of too.”

“Did you… buy a tremendous amount of things?”

“Well. Not that many.”

That’s not true. I’m worried.

When she took his hand and stood up, Victor gently led her to a certain room.

“Please open it.”

The door handle even had a coral-colored ribbon tied to it. As if everything inside was a gift.

‘I’ve already received so much…’

But contrary to Ebel’s sense of burden, Victor was in a state of being anxious because he couldn’t give her more.

He found himself amusing, acting like a young boy blinded by his first love, but he didn’t want to stop.

When it came to Ebel, this was the first time in his life he neither controlled nor suppressed anything.

Creak.

The door opens.

And Ebel was so surprised her legs nearly gave out.

“This is…!”

It’s practically museum quality!

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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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