The Military Doctor Excels at Being a Contracted Duchess - Chapter 64
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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 64】
Although there had been a major incident right after arriving on their honeymoon, Ebel and Victor decided to stay as planned before returning home.
The matter of the peculiar ancient script would need time anyway. There wasn’t much they could help with even if they went there now.
More importantly, they hadn’t bought gifts for the two children yet.
“They probably have most ordinary things, so I want to buy them something really special that they’ll remember for a long time…”
As Ebel spread butter on warm bread, she began pondering intensely. Victor recited a list he had already thought of.
“How about astronomical toys? I think Angelm would like them.”
“Astronomical toys?”
“I was thinking of starting to teach astronomy and science soon. A solar system model would be valuable enough and could be passed down too.”
“That’s a really good idea!”
Ebel had also seen solar system models at university.
Of course, what she had seen was for research purposes, so it would be somewhat different from children’s versions.
“For Damian, hmm, how about an automaton? Would he not like it?”
“If we get twin dolls, it wouldn’t be bad. He’s still young after all.”
Automatons were things that moved by themselves when you wound up the clockwork.
Those made in France were particularly famous – they were very expensive but certainly special.
“It would be good to buy books too. The children like books. Since this is a port city, wouldn’t there be some foreign books available?”
“Then we should visit the bookstore first after our meal. There’s a large bookstore on the street.”
Being a top-class hotel, breakfast could be served in the bedroom.
After Ebel finished eating even the fragrant mushroom salad, she stood up to prepare.
“I’ll see you shortly, Victor.”
“Yes, Lady.”
Sunlight was beautifully settling on his broad, firm shoulders.
Ebel’s face flushed slightly at the title that came naturally from his lips, and she fanned herself unnecessarily as she disappeared to wash up.
‘Come to think of it, he slept in the living room yesterday too.’
They had chatted about various things without knowing what time it was.
When she came to her senses and looked at the clock, she was shocked to see it was 3 AM.
Seeing the time, she was overcome with irresistible drowsiness and headed to bed first, but he only raised his wine glass. He never followed her in the end.
‘He does seem to see me as a woman, though.’
He’s probably waiting, most likely.
And what Victor von Bayern was ‘waiting’ for wouldn’t be something as simple as sharing a bed.
As she buttoned her skirt, Ebel pursed her lips.
‘Accepting him would… ultimately mean I wouldn’t leave.’
Victor truly didn’t force anything.
As if he would let her choose everything comfortably, he neither distanced himself nor came closer.
‘Ah, but holding hands was his way of expressing himself.’
Ebel looked down at her two hands quietly.
Whether to be held by him, or maintain freedom and distance.
That dilemma was also slowly coming to an end as they experienced various things together.
* * *
The streets of Tarifa were lively today as well.
The elegantly built bookstore was located a little away from the town square, but there weren’t as many people as expected.
After all, there probably weren’t many people who would be interested in books while on vacation.
“Oh my, welcome! A young couple has come!”
Perhaps because of this, the bookstore owner was very eager.
“If you’re looking for new releases, right here! How about Les Misérables?”
“Les Misérables?”
That was a novel published in 1862, so it couldn’t be called a new release.
Ebel exchanged glances with Victor and pretended not to know as she approached to examine the book.
“It’s a novel that set France ablaze from afar. Good for anyone to read. If you want a children’s version, here it is.”
He must have recommended this book because he didn’t know they were nobles.
Especially old nobles found this book very unpleasant.
‘Still… it might be necessary in the world the children will live in.’
When the twins turn 50, it will be 1908.
Who knows what will happen in that distant future, how much the world will change?
Even now, the boundaries between nobles and commoners are already becoming blurred.
“Give us both volumes.”
“An excellent choice! Don’t you need the Brothers Grimm fairy tales?”
“Give us those too.”
Except for the few books she had maids buy, there were no novels or fairy tales to be found in the Library of the von Bayern Family.
Only political, economic, and diplomatic books.
If not that, then it was full of military stories.
The subjects were too heavy for a nine-year-old to be interested in.
‘Damian listens quite well when I read books to him too.’
After wrapping up the three books and leaving, the two headed to the Street of Expensive Goods.
“There are three automaton shops?”
“It’s probably because they’re good to buy as gifts.”
“Which one should we visit… Do you have a place in mind?”
Though it was a question, Ebel actually believed he already knew everything about the shops on this street.
“The second shop is said to have a doll that plays piano.”
“Piano? Really?”
“Yes. They say it actually makes sound when you press the keys. It’s so precise it’s called the pinnacle of clockwork technology, so it should be enough to capture the children’s interest.”
How curious.
Ebel’s eyes sparkled as she headed straight to the second shop and pushed the door open even before Victor.
Ding-a-ling-
Along with the clear bell sound, the smell of oil used on parts and the scent of wood grain greeted them simultaneously.
“Wow!”
Tick-tick-tick, click, click. Ding-ding-ding.
Various sounds harmoniously filled the shop.
The dolls placed on each shelf blinked their eyes or wiggled their fingers as if they were alive.
Among them, what stood out most was the ‘piano-playing boy’ doll occupying the central display.
The pretty child with black hair and blue eyes constantly moved and pressed the keys.
“How did they make something like this…?”
“It’s said to be this shop’s masterpiece. The motif is… a member of the Bayern Family.”
“It does look like it.”
The children would really enjoy it if given to them.
Of course, being boys, their interest probably wouldn’t last very long.
“Let’s buy this!”
“Very well.”
But what was this?
Victor was holding a doll in his hand.
The blonde girl holding a lamp slowly nodded her head.
“This is for you.”
“Victor, I’m an adult now. How can you get something for me when we came to buy gifts for the children?”
Ebel put on a troubled expression, but her gaze was already fixed on the blonde girl doll’s intricate lace dress.
In sync with the sound of the clockwork turning, a faint light flickered inside the small lamp the doll was holding. That warm light seemed to fill a void she couldn’t have in her childhood.
‘But receiving a doll at this age is a bit…’
Of course, she didn’t dislike it.
To be very, very honest…
‘I want it.’
Naturally, Ebel had never played with proper toys as a child.
Even dolls—there was only one that had been reluctantly bought for her.
“There’s no law saying adults can’t receive gifts. Besides, this doll resembles you.”
Victor didn’t miss the expression on Ebel’s face.
He casually handed the doll to the employee and murmured quietly.
“If there’s anything else you want, you may buy it.”
“No. Just… that one is enough. Since you chose it yourself.”
What would she do with a doll anyway?
She would probably treasure it carefully and wind it up once in a while.
But such things… for Ebel, yes.
She needed them.
“Here you are, Lady!”
The employee tied a blue satin ribbon around the doll’s neck and held it out to Ebel with a bright smile.
After hesitating, she gently took the doll into her arms.
“It really does resemble you.”
“It’s just blonde hair, that’s all. Besides, the doll is much cuter.”
“Is that so?”
When she mumbled in embarrassment, Victor asked teasingly in return.
Avoiding his gaze, she gently stroked the doll’s soft hair a few times.
“You… always take care of me. I’ve never given you a proper gift in return.”
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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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