The Military Doctor Excels at Being a Contracted Duchess - Chapter 85

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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 85】

After the rather unpleasant audience ended, Ebel left the palace carrying several thermometers packed in ivory-colored boxes.

It was to attend the luncheon that Madame Leonora had invited her to.

Gifting thermometers to elderly noblewomen was a strategy of sorts.

She needed influential noblewomen who were also favorable toward her to try them first and spread good rumors.

‘Indeed, what a prestigious family.’

Madame Leonora’s estate was extremely close to the royal palace.

From the carriage in front of the main gate, she could see the palace roof through the window.

Befitting a famous noble’s estate, the black iron gate bore the family crest, and beyond it stretched a wide gravel path.

Naturally, maintaining such things cost a lot of money.

It wasn’t for nothing that nobles divided areas into 1st and 2nd districts centered around the royal palace.

“Welcome, Your Grace the Duchess!”

The gatekeepers who confirmed the House of Bayern’s carriage bowed politely and pushed open the gates.

Only then did Ebel feel at ease and open the window, breathing deeply while taking in the scent of lavender planted along the path.

The estate had warm-looking ivory walls with a deep green roof.

The ivy climbing the walls and flowers positioned appropriately throughout the garden gave a perfect glimpse into Madame Leonora’s taste.

“Please come in. Today’s luncheon will be held in the greenhouse.”

As she stepped down from the carriage with an escort from Dominique who had accompanied her as guard, a butler greeted her politely.

The fact that a butler, not a servant, had come to greet her at the entrance meant the Madame intended to treat her as an honored guest.

“I’ll wait in the drawing room.”

“Thank you for coming with me, Dominique.”

“It’s my duty.”

The interior of the estate was filled with old things, but they were all items that had regained popularity after quite some time had passed.

Rather than tacky, it would be proper to call it elegant.

It showed signs of having carefully purchased refined items from the beginning and treasuring them for a long time.

Following the butler’s guidance through the corridor to the garden, Ebel got the impression that the treasure Madame had hidden was right here.

“It’s truly beautiful.”

“Madame will be delighted by your praise.”

The old butler smiled slightly. This garden seemed to be a source of pride for him as well.

The refreshingly stretched trees were not gaudy. Throughout the garden blooming with autumn flowers, sculptures were erected, with the area near the fountain being particularly noteworthy.

‘Baroque period sculptures. It really feels like time travel.’

Ebel, who had been gazing at the baby angel tilting a water pitcher, soon withdrew her gaze and followed the butler.

Before long, a glass dome-shaped greenhouse came into view.

“Then please have a pleasant time.”

“Thank you for the guidance.”

The butler, who politely held the door open until the end, quietly closed it only after Ebel had entered.

‘My goodness. It’s a bird of paradise flower!’

As soon as she stepped into the humid greenhouse, a flame-like burning orange flower was the first to catch her eye. This flower, shaped like a legendary phoenix taking flight, was a luxury item that had to be imported.

‘I’ve only seen it in encyclopedias, this is my first time seeing the real thing.’

Ebel, who had been admiring it as if enchanted, turned her head at the sound of footsteps from behind.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Leonora Hilton.”

She was a noblewoman with silver hair twisted up and bound so that not a single strand escaped. Her still slender figure and straight back were probably the Lady’s pride.

The natural dignity unique to someone who had been revered as a noblewoman for many years emanated from her entire being, and it was a trace of time that young ladies could never obtain no matter how much they wanted it.

‘The documents said she was a very strict person.’

Rather than that, wasn’t she just a really wonderful person?

She felt favorable toward her.

Ebel drew a smile on her lips and offered a light greeting.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Ebel Bayern. I’m glad I came here first. It’s a feast for the eyes.”

“I’m pleased that you recognize it.”

“Growing bird of paradise flowers isn’t easy, I’d love to hear your secrets.”

“What have I done? The gardeners worked hard.”

The Lady, who replied modestly, personally guided Ebel.

“The table is inside. Shall we go together?”

The Lady didn’t seem to be the type who was boisterous and talkative. Since Ebel was also more comfortable with that type, she didn’t continue with more praise and walked quietly.

“My goodness.”

However, the moment she moved to the next space, Ebel couldn’t help but exclaim out loud in admiration.

“It’s an orchid exhibition room!”

“Most of them are gifts from good friends. The flowers happened to bloom last night, and the orchids seemed to know that an honored guest was coming.”

Gatherings of noblewomen typically begin with exchanging compliments.

It’s proper etiquette to gild each other’s faces.

She had been worried because she wasn’t skilled at such things, but fortunately, Madame Leonora didn’t seem to enjoy flattery.

‘She’s someone I find appealing.’

Caring for orchids was a hobby befitting a refined noblewoman. The orchids planted in porcelain pots brought from distant foreign lands were truly refreshing, unlike roses that could be seen anywhere.

“If I had known you liked flowers, I would have brought a flower pot as a gift.”

“I have the troublesome habit of growing unusual plants, so the gardeners are always suffering.”

“I think the House of Hilton is the only family that carefully tends to this many orchids. It’s pleasing to both the eyes and heart.”

Leonora Hilton gazed intently at the young person before her.

Observing people was one of her habits.

Having taught so many young ladies, it was an unavoidably ingrained habit.

However, she couldn’t find any flaws worth criticizing in the Grand Duchess before her eyes.

‘A letter came after a long time asking me to take good care of the Grand Duchess, so I wondered what it meant.’

It was understandable.

Madame Leonora nodded with satisfaction.

“Today’s tea is also imported from foreign lands, I hope it suits your taste.”

“I’m already sufficiently delighted and pleased, and now foreign tea. You’re making my heart race.”

“Getting old, I’ve even developed a hobby of collecting tea.”

Even her walking posture isn’t vulgar.

Leonora, who had been narrowing her eyes, wondered how such a person could have been branded with the disgrace of being born a commoner.

That couldn’t be right.

Her gait that landed softly from the heel, her pace. Where she placed her gaze, the position of her hands.

There wasn’t a single sign of rough upbringing anywhere.

It was the kind of bearing that at minimum only a marquis’s daughter could possess.

Was the claim that the Grand Duchess was a commoner just nonsense spouted by those without proper eyes?

Being quite fed up with the social circle, she had maintained neutrality without being swayed by rumors that reached her ears, and she had done well to do so.

“You’re more graceful than a young lady I taught for about 8 years.”

“You flatter me.”

Inside the greenhouse, five noblewomen were already gathered and seated.

The head seat and the seat next to it were empty.

This was like a final test.

What would the Grand Duchess’s personality be like? Would she continue conversations steadfastly without being overwhelmed in a gathering of only elderly noblewomen, or would she be unable to say a word and tremble?

Or perhaps…

Would she naturally sit at the head seat as a superior and lead the conversation?

What Ebel chose was naturally the last option.

She headed toward the head seat as if it were perfectly natural.

Though she was smiling and using respectful language, wasn’t she the Grand Duchess?

Regardless of the other party’s age, or their experience or status in the social circle, it didn’t matter.

Except for the royal family, the Grand Duke, and the Grand Duke’s direct elders, it was proper for Ebel to sit at the head seat.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace the Duchess.”

“Please come in.”

“We’re the first to meet the subject of all the rumors.”

The elderly ladies with graying hair all stood up and gave light bows when Ebel took her seat.

It was respect that perfectly followed proper etiquette.

Ebel received their greetings while seated and spoke softly.

“I have heard much about the reputation of everyone here. There will surely be areas where I am inexperienced, so I humbly ask for your guidance.”

At the same time, Ebel took out boxes from the handbag she had brought and distributed one to each of the ladies.

“These are medical devices I developed myself. I plan to present them to The Lancet soon, but I brought them to give as gifts beforehand.”

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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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