The Military Doctor Excels at Being a Contracted Duchess - Chapter 79

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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 79】

“How about a cup of tea? I received some fine tea leaves as a gift that only grow in that distant country. Let’s have some together.”

“I’m sorry, but my wife is waiting for me, so that would be difficult.”

He could have made an excuse about being busy. In noble society, that’s usually considered proper etiquette.

However, Victor drew a clear line. It was partly because he knew well that vague expressions wouldn’t work on Minuette, but also because he was genuinely getting annoyed now.

He needed to get to Ebel as quickly as possible, yet she was holding him back.

“Ah… marriage, you got married?”

“Yes.”

For a moment, a dark light flickered in Minuette’s eyes.

“There’s a reason, isn’t there? I thought you had no intention of marrying…”

“What other reason could there be besides love?”

At his dry response, Minuette’s expression crumpled completely.

She had been trying to suppress her dark feelings in front of Victor, wanting to show only her lovely side, but she could no longer bear it.

“But…!”

“There is one reason, I suppose.”

Yes, that’s right.

Minuette tried to calm herself.

The Victor von Bayern she admired wasn’t a man who acted without reason. Whatever he did, there was always a valid, understandable basis behind it.

There was no way he, who had kept women at a distance like stones until now, would suddenly fall in love.

But Minuette’s expectations were completely shattered the moment she saw Victor’s face with its gentle smile.

He looked so incredibly happy that anyone could see it.

“My wife is a woman worthy of respect.”

“…!”

“I trust that Your Majesty will treat her well when you meet her someday.”

His blue eyes pierced through her with fierce intensity. She had always thought they were quiet and calm like a night sea, but she was wrong.

He was someone who could burn so passionately.

Minuette hid her trembling fingertips under her long sleeves and forced a smile.

She absolutely, absolutely did not want to treat her well!

But even if she bit her tongue, she couldn’t bring herself to say “no” in front of Victor.

If she received his contempt, it would be better to just jump off somewhere.

Though she was on the verge of tears, Minuette smiled as brightly as possible, hoping that could substitute for an answer.

“May I… trust you?”

However, Victor, who had always been gentlemanly, who had been a man considerate of ladies—

This time he was persistent.

Seeing him ask again as if he wouldn’t back down until he got a promise, Minuette finally gave an answer that felt like thorns on her tongue.

“…Of course. Since she’ll be new to the capital’s social circles and will find it difficult, I should… take good care of her.”

“Thank you. Then I’ll take my leave.”

Oh, what a cruel man!

As if the purpose of their conversation had ended with talking about his wife, Victor turned around mercilessly.

Feeling that there was no room for hope in his retreating figure, Minuette shed tears while standing.

“Why…? I met you first.”

When has love ever been about the order of meeting?

Though she knew this, complaints she couldn’t voice in his presence spilled out.

“If only you’d have tea with me just once… I could try mixing in a love potion.”

Her heart was breaking.

It hurt so much she could barely breathe.

Minuette stood there blankly watching Victor until he completely disappeared beyond the street, wiping her tears with the back of her hand, again and again.

But she couldn’t stop them from flowing endlessly.

* * *

“Victor, you’re back?”

When Victor returned to the palace after dealing with two tiresome authority figures, Ebel was reading a book to the children seated on either side of her.

Seeing this peaceful scene, no different from their time at the estate, Victor’s sharply tensed nerves relaxed as he quietly took a seat across from them.

“Les Misérables. Isn’t it too difficult for the children to understand?”

“Angelm seems to understand it. Damian… just seems to find the chase scenes interesting.”

What else would a young child have to do in the royal palace?

They had brought almost all the gifts they’d bought in Tarifa.

“Now then, that’s enough reading for today. Angelm, write a book report about this story. Damian, go play with your toys.”

“Yes.”

Though it might seem like discrimination, Angelm actually quite disliked being told to just play without being given any tasks.

It was better to give him something interesting to do, even if it wasn’t exactly studying.

Ebel had become quite skilled at handling the twins this way.

“I encountered the Queen on my way here.”

“I see.”

“She’ll probably bother you quite a bit. I apologize in advance.”

“No, why should Victor…?”

Ebel looked genuinely puzzled.

She knew well that the King was jealous of Victor, but she didn’t know what relationship the Queen had with Victor.

She hadn’t lived her life paying that much attention to rumors.

“It seemed presumptuous to say, so it was hard to bring up… but the Queen has something of an obsession. She hasn’t moved past her childhood yet.”

“Did you meet her when you were young?”

“Yes. I barely remember it, but it seems to have held special meaning for the Queen.”

I see.

That was the end of Ebel’s reaction.

She didn’t ask more, and didn’t really store it in her mind.

No matter what anyone did, they couldn’t break up this marriage, so there was no need to worry about it.

The three invitations that had arrived for her were more important right now.

“How did they find out so quickly? Invitations have already arrived.”

“From where?”

“Well, first there’s a garden party centered around unmarried people. Cecily Bettel is hosting it.”

Obviously, this one was rejected.

“The second sender is… Katarina Brunen.”

“She’s the capital’s social circles’ greatest matchmaker.”

“No need to go then.”

The letter paper was doused with strong perfume, making her frown while reading it anyway.

“The last one seems to be centered around elderly noble ladies. Madame Leonora sent it. Do you remember the grandmother of the young man I saved before? Mrs. Herdins?”

“Yes.”

“It seems she invited me because of her friendship with Mrs. Herdins. The age group doesn’t quite match, but it would be better to go there rather than wait for other invitations.”

“I’ll have documents about Madame Leonora prepared. Reading them before you go will be helpful.”

Mrs. Herdins had said she would repay the favor, but Ebel hadn’t particularly asked for anything. There hadn’t been time to make requests either.

But for her to look after her like this was truly appreciated.

“I’ll go tomorrow morning, after the audience is finished.”

“I’ll be attending a meeting at that time.”

Their gentle gazes met. Then, without either taking the lead, their bodies came together.

Victor lifted his wife up and left a kiss on her lips, more beautiful than flower petals.

When he lightly bit her soft lower lip and released it, laughter bubbled up. This level of playfulness was acceptable now.

Chasing her retreating tongue as he delved deeper, he stroked around her waist with his thumb.

Little by little, their contact was increasing.

Ebel’s resistance was also decreasing.

Being pressed together like this was terribly bad for his heart and lower body… but he couldn’t bear to go even a day without doing this.

Moving toward the window where the warm afternoon sunlight was breaking into white fragments, he seated Ebel and gently stroked her cheek.

It might seem like an unusual preference, but he liked having Ebel’s gaze directed somewhere higher than himself.

“Victor, the window is open. If people see us…”

“They’ll think the Grand Duke and his wife are passionate newlyweds, that’s all.”

Their lips met again with heated whispers, and they were unbearably sweet. Ebel squeezed her eyes shut, afraid strange sounds might escape.

The sensation of thick, firm thighs pressing against her was maddeningly unfamiliar.

It was strange that her heart hadn’t burst yet.

It was right at that moment.

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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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