The Military Doctor Excels at Being a Contracted Duchess - Chapter 71
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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 71】
Queen Minuette doesn’t know how to read a single document.
Her disposition is so weak that she can’t lead the noble ladies in social circles, nor does she know how to deal with mockery.
A puppet queen with only a pretty face.
Of course, the one who made Minuette that way was Nicholas. It was him.
To him, a clever queen was utterly useless.
However, even such a Minuette had exactly one area he trusted and left to her, and that was matters concerning Victor von Bayern.
‘Within a fortnight, she’ll come asking for information about the Duchess of Bayern.’
How convenient that the king doesn’t need to step forward himself?
“Will a duchess of unknown origins be able to adapt to the capital’s social circles?”
“I heard she became an adopted daughter of House Eberstain. Even so, they’re just a country bumpkin family.”
“The noble ladies won’t accept her. Will she fly into a rage? Will she burst into tears? Either way, it should be entertaining.”
The maid who had slipped her hand inside his shirt whispered like singing.
Nicholas grabbed that maid’s chin, kissed her, and his eyes flashed cruelly.
“Eberstain is his most loyal hunting dog. It seems they picked up some commoner they liked from a back alley and laundered her identity.”
“Oh my!”
The maids giggled and chimed in at the young king’s brazen remarks.
“We won’t even need to hire jesters for the birthday celebration.”
“That’s right. It’ll be quite the spectacle, won’t it?”
Of course, Nicholas didn’t particularly consider the Grand Duke’s marriage to be genuine.
‘But.’
If, just if, that detestable Victor von Bayern had gained something precious…
‘I’ll have to ruin it by any means necessary. I wonder what expression he’ll make then.’
Just imagining it was thrilling enough to send chills down his spine.
“Send out invitations for the hunting festival. We’ll hold it earlier than usual this year.”
* * *
When Ebel, who had recovered some strength by resting briefly in Victor’s arms, arrived at the manor, Damian shot out like a bullet and threw himself into her embrace.
Ebel smiled brightly at this change that would have been unimaginable when she first set foot in this house.
“You waited for me, Dami.”
“Mmm…”
Ebel’s eyes grew even softer at the child’s characteristic wheedling voice.
The same was true for Victor, who was patting Angelm’s head.
The twins coming out to greet them.
Who could have imagined such a thing?
“I bought lots of presents too. Shall we go inside and look at them together?”
Though it had been quite a busy and rushed honeymoon, she hadn’t forgotten to get things for the children.
The astronomy toys she hadn’t been able to choose personally had been purchased by his subordinates and loaded into the carriage, which was fortunate.
“Angelm, did you do well too?”
“Yes. Did you have a safe trip?”
“Yes, we had a good trip. I missed you.”
After receiving greetings from the butler and servants, Ebel headed to the drawing room and sat on the sofa, with the twins quickly claiming both sides.
Victor, who had missed the seat beside her, smiled gently as if that was fine too.
“Let’s open the presents first. There are books and mechanical dolls.”
While the butler immediately served tea, the servants busily carried in gift boxes.
Seeing the presents pile up, Damian jumped up and down excitedly, while Angelm couldn’t take his eyes off the largest box.
“Go ahead and open it.”
With permission granted, Angelm headed straight for the large box first.
“Wow…!”
After tearing off the wrapping paper and opening the lid of the heavy wooden box, Angelm was speechless.
Dozens of brass gears glittered. It was a mechanical orrery that was difficult to buy even with money.
Various planets were positioned around the sun, and when you turned the handle, they moved at different speeds.
It was almost like magic.
“I really love it!”
“Do you? That’s a relief. Open the box next to it too.”
As soon as Damian discovered a book, he ran to Ebel and held it out. He wanted her to read it.
But since there were still many other presents left, Ebel picked up another small box and placed it in Damian’s arms, indicating he should wait a moment.
Meanwhile, Angelm discovered a desktop celestial globe and was overjoyed.
This celestial globe, also made of brass, was something parents would buy and pass down to their children as inheritance.
Victor, who had been watching the twins fondly, got up himself and opened another box.
“Look, I brought a refracting telescope too.”
“!”
Now Angelm looked almost ready to faint.
If this were a noble family in the capital, they would have already bought such things for their children and more, but since it was the twins’ first time receiving them, they couldn’t help but be delighted.
This brass telescope meant to be used on a tripod was no toy.
“It’s a product that real scientists use.”
Seeing the inscription “Merz, Munchen” engraved on the surface, Ebel was impressed by Victor’s discernment in ordering such things during their brief time away.
“Your Grace, a letter has arrived from the royal palace.”
While the children’s eyes sparkled at mechanical dolls, books, and other fascinating objects, Victor handled the minor matters he had missed while traveling.
Among them, the most trivial task was this very letter.
He hadn’t paid it any mind since he knew it would come.
“The hunting festival is being held earlier than usual this year. Moreover, they eagerly await the entire family to come together.”
After quickly skimming it, he handed the letter to Ebel.
Ebel, who checked the hunting festival date, also had a meaningful expression.
The “usual” he mentioned wasn’t last year. It meant it had been moved up about a week from before her regression.
And calling for the twins too.
Though she had planned to mention the children regarding the adoption matter anyway, she hadn’t intended to bring them along.
“We’ll need to hurry with preparations. We’ll be pressed for time if we need to have hunting outfits tailored for the children too.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
Though they hadn’t taken sufficient rest, they had to start moving from today.
They needed to find a teacher to instruct the children, who knew nothing about royal palace etiquette, and select qualified nanny and page candidates who could enter the royal palace.
“For a page… among the current staff, Florian would be perfect.”
“How about having Banya serve as nanny?”
“That would be appropriate.”
To enter the royal palace, everyone naturally had to be of noble birth. Banya was from a family connected to House Eberstain, and Florian was the son of Viscount Ridel, so there would be no problem.
To discuss deeper matters, Victor stood up and extended his hand to Ebel.
Since the children were absorbed in the fun of unwrapping presents, they could leave them and take a brief walk.
“At the royal castle, Dominique will always be on guard. Besides that, the eyes I’ve planted will protect you, so don’t worry too much.”
“It’s fine. It’s a place where people live too, so what could be so special about it?”
Though she said that, honestly she was nervous.
There were more than a few things she had to hide and conceal.
As if knowing her inner thoughts, Victor met her gaze.
“Even if someone discovers that you’re from House Claren, what would it matter? You’re already an adopted daughter of Eberstain.”
“That’s true too.”
“The fact that you disguised yourself as a man, that you entered medical school that way – it’s all a matter of how we package it and what rumors we spread. The preparations to package you as a genius young lady who showed courage for the country are already complete, so don’t worry.”
My goodness, how embarrassing.
So the point was that preparations were complete to handle whatever situation might arise.
“Mother used to say this. Social circles are like living creatures – sheep with wolves’ hearts. But in the end, they’re still sheep, so they move wherever the shepherd drives them.”
This was the one and only wise thing her mother had ever said.
Ebel, who had been gazing at the sunlight piercing the garden for a moment, opened her mouth.
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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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