The Military Doctor Excels at Being a Contracted Duchess - Chapter 81

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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 81】

“The arrow I shot should have pierced through the target’s throat, aiming for the Grand Duke’s opening. However, before the arrow could even reach, someone seemed to devour that energy, and it scattered without a trace. It was different from the Grand Duke’s violent power… a very clear yet immense energy of life.”

Minuette’s eyes narrowed at the report that they had failed to achieve their goal.

“Do you know how difficult it was to bring a living black chicken into the palace? What are we supposed to do if you fail!”

In truth, it would have been simple enough to request a black chicken as cooking ingredients. The servants would have taken care of the chicken too.

So there was nothing difficult for Minuette at all, but no one questioned that point.

“I deeply apologize.”

“Forget it. Just keep praying.”

Deflated, Minuette turned away primly.

‘I was going to scold them a little, but what is this.’

Though Minuette stammered foolishly and blushed in front of the Grand Duke, her true nature was like a wildcat with its hackles raised.

A spoiled child who needed everything to go her way.

To such a Minuette, the lives of commoners were worth less than the pet canaries raised in the garden.

So naturally, there was no such thing as guilt.

Only petty spite.

“That Indian, you properly cut out his tongue, right?”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

“Good. Victor will definitely catch on. It would be troublesome if he says something unnecessary.”

As she sat elegantly, the maids massaged her shoulders and whispered sweet words in her ears.

It wasn’t difficult to stay on the right side of Minuette’s mood.

They just had to endlessly praise Victor von Bayern.

Or if not that, praise Minuette’s fair skin that she maintained with milk baths.

“But you know, girls.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“That life energy that interfered with me. Could it be the Grand Duchess?”

Madness rippled in her pink eyes. The maids looked at each other’s faces, exchanged silent opinions, then opened their mouths.

“Perhaps so? I suppose it’s because she’s of common birth.”

Minuette didn’t need logic. As long as it sounded plausible, that was enough.

In other words, they just needed to provide a reasonable excuse to hate the Grand Duchess.

“She really doesn’t suit him at all, she must not know her place.”

“That’s right. All she does is interfere!”

The maids who cursed while conveniently omitting the subject looked on worriedly, hoping this would satisfy Minuette.

Fortunately, Minuette was quite pleased with the maids’ wagging tongues.

“Gather more Indians. The hunt must succeed in time.”

“Understood.”

Victor should be as sad as her sense of loss. That would only be fair.

Of course, she wouldn’t attack Victor directly.

Just those around him, one by one, one by one. Like crushing ants marching in a line, she would eliminate them until finally no one remained by his side.

‘Ah, what a shame. It would have been nice if I could have at least crippled his nephew.’

Minuette smiled brightly as she imagined herself comforting the Grand Duke who had become alone, or alternatively, herself carefully treating the injured young nephew in place of the busy Grand Duke.

Naturally, she gave no consideration to how Victor might feel about losing someone precious.

* * *

“It was the Queen’s doing.”

Fortunately, Victor returned before Ebel’s face could turn black with worry.

Perhaps out of consideration for the children, he didn’t bring the culprit with him, but Ebel read much from the look in his eyes.

He caught them and is interrogating them.

“I thought it would be the King, but the Queen…?”

“It’s probably retaliation. In the past too, whenever I drew a line, she would attack those around me. Though she’s never tried to kill so openly like this before.”

If there was a precedent, it was certainly grounds for suspicion.

Victor, who had sent the children to their bedroom with guards, approached Ebel closely and whispered.

“This definitely won’t be the end. The culprit was an Indian. I’ll need to investigate, but he might have been forced to follow orders because his family was taken hostage.”

Good heavens.

Ebel clicked her tongue at the Queen’s viciousness.

The meticulous use of arrows since guns would be impossible for assassination due to remaining bullets and loud noise, and the timing being during the day when everyone would be off guard.

Minuette was certainly not an opponent to be taken lightly.

“The arrows were aimed at Banya and me, right?”

“Yes. How about we only stay at the royal palace until the audience and then move to the Duke’s residence in the capital?”

“I’d like that. The royal palace feels strangely uncomfortable.”

It really felt stuffy inside. Even water didn’t go down well, as if she were bloated.

Though she couldn’t explain it logically, that’s how it felt.

If Baba Elpha had seen this, she would have said it was because the powers were conflicting, but she wasn’t here now.

“I’ll say we’re moving residences during tomorrow’s audience. There won’t be another attack.”

Saying this, Victor pulled Ebel into his arms, his face filled with regret.

Though he had been as vigilant and watchful as possible, Minuette was completely unpredictable and always caught him off guard.

She only picked on the weakest targets around him to torment, making her truly troublesome and annoying to deal with.

This was why he rarely stayed in the capital.

Lest he be tempted to strangle the Queen to death.

“There’s something positive too. At least she didn’t target Ebel’s Brother. She maintains that final line.”

“That’s probably because the assassin was an Indian. In Indian culture, children are raised communally and protected together.”

“Ah.”

“They view them as wakan, sacred beings.”

That was truly fortunate.

Ebel, who had pressed her cheek against Victor’s chest upon his return, let out a long sigh.

Now it was time to tell him a story he didn’t know.

“Actually, earlier… Banya died.”

“…What?”

“At that moment, time went back. I desperately wished for it, but it happened suddenly, I didn’t control it. Though it turned out well in the end.”

Though she spoke as if rambling, Victor seemed to understand everything.

After carefully examining Ebel’s hands and eyes, he spoke with apparent relief.

“There’s nothing wrong with your body.”

“Yes, I don’t have a fever either. I thought there might be restrictions like my life force being drained if I turned back time to revive someone…”

Should she find her grandmother to learn more about this in detail?

Though she wondered if her grandmother would know anything…

“Ebel.”

“Ah.”

“It’s alright. I’m here, aren’t I.”

The low, calm words sank into her heart.

Victor’s words had the effect of calming her wildly racing thoughts.

Finally settling her mind calmly and gently releasing the tension in her shoulders, Ebel recounted what she had seen earlier.

“There was a red mark on Banya’s neck. It seemed to be exactly where the arrow had hit.”

“Previously, Guevre and Lucas were the same.”

“Yes, Guevre’s ankle is still not good. It didn’t heal completely.”

Several rules were established.

Tilting her head, Ebel suddenly thought Victor’s words were strange.

‘Did he confuse them with someone else?’

But Dominique and Florian had completely different spellings from ‘Lucas’.

Though she thought Victor might be tired since so many things had happened, Ebel couldn’t shake off her uneasiness.

“Um, but… Victor.”

“Yes.”

“Earlier you said Lucas…? didn’t you.”

Ebel felt awkward even as she spoke the words.

It was an unfamiliar name. No matter how much she searched through her mind, no memories related to him came to surface.

It was definitely an Unfamiliar Name.

That made it even stranger.

Just moments ago, that name had rolled off Victor’s tongue so naturally. As if Ebel would obviously know who he was talking about.

Ebel hesitated for a moment before asking carefully.

“Who is that?”

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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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