The Military Doctor Excels at Being a Contracted Duchess - Chapter 86

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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 86】

Of course, Ebel hadn’t brought only a thermometer. She had also prepared pain relief ointment that the elderly ladies would surely desire.

She had personally mixed willow bark, camphor, and beeswax to make it. Though it had a strong scent, it provided immediate cooling relief when applied.

“Oh my, I didn’t expect you to prepare all this. No wonder your bag looked too heavy for you to carry yourself.”

“These are gifts for the ladies, so I wanted to bring them personally with care rather than sending them to your homes.”

Once she opened the conversation with topics that would interest the elderly, everything that followed went smoothly.

Perhaps satisfied with the gifts, genuine smiles appeared on the ladies’ faces, and delicious refreshments were soon laid out before them.

‘I should write to Mrs. Herdins to express my gratitude. Thanks to her, I have a foundation now.’

Before marrying Victor, Ebel had briefly studied about social circles at the capital residence.

Thanks to that, she could easily recognize who was who.

Praise for Ebel’s thoughtfulness was exchanged, followed by commentary on the taste of foreign tea. Next came discussions about who would be suitable to marry whom.

In truth, Ebel was too young to participate in such topics, but knowing this was the elderly ladies’ way of accepting her, she listened quietly.

After several topics had elegantly circulated, the main point finally emerged.

“Making medicine and thermometers too. Your Grace truly was a doctor. Though it’s late to say this now, opinions were divided.”

“It’s probably because nothing is known about my alma mater. I understand completely, but I am indeed a licensed physician.”

They must be dying of curiosity about where she graduated, but it wasn’t time to reveal that yet.

Her secret needed to ripen a bit more.

“Your Highness is remarkable. But it’s also true that we fear young people these days might be influenced.”

Then, one lady who had been quiet spoke up.

No matter how you heard it, the underlying meaning wasn’t favorable.

“I hear that in those distant countries, there’s a strange concept called ‘independent women.’ They have careers and even live without marriage.”

“Oh my!”

“That’s the first I’ve heard of such a thing.”

“Of course, since Your Grace has married wonderfully and is managing domestic affairs, such a thing wouldn’t happen.”

Though it seemed like praise for Ebel, the roundabout conclusion was subtly disparaging.

Ebel’s choice was to similarly circle around and deliver a blow in return.

“I had an audience this morning. I have twin nephews, and I received permission to adopt them.”

“Goodness! You’re adopting both nephews?”

“They’re very kind and affectionate children. I hope I can introduce them to you later.”

Ebel lifted her teacup and smiled with crescent eyes.

Indeed, just because someone treats you favorably doesn’t mean there’s no blade hidden within.

“You must be happy to gain two reliable sons.”

“How kind-hearted you are.”

Listening quietly to the ensuing shower of praise, she took a sip of bitter tea and set it down elegantly without a sound.

Now it was time to drop the bomb.

“Now that I don’t have to worry about succession, my heart feels much lighter. So, speaking of which.”

Ebel’s gaze turned toward one lady.

Though somewhat obvious, it meant this was directed at her.

“From now on, I intend to do what I want to do. Victor is supporting me too.”

“What you want to do, you mean…?”

“Nothing grandiose. Just my work as a doctor.”

At Ebel’s words, the ladies quickly exchanged glances.

The new Grand Duchess was someone who could cause waves throughout noble society.

The Grand Duchess’s thoughts would spread to the young ladies, and the future era would be led by the younger generation.

Of course, even the elderly ladies weren’t unaware that times were changing.

They simply didn’t know what to do because it was so different from the mothers and grandmothers they had grown up watching.

“A life caring for children and building a family is wonderful, but I think my own life is important too. It’s an unfamiliar concept, isn’t it?”

“Certainly… perhaps because you’re young, you’re quite bold.”

The lady who had first spoken tried to hide her displeasure as she opened her fan.

Without stopping, Ebel added another remark like driving in a wedge.

“I believe men and women can work together shoulder to shoulder. There’s no reason they couldn’t.”

Rather than a dangerous statement, it was a thought ahead of its time.

Ebel had no intention of retracting her position, whether someone found it uncomfortable or not.

“And… especially in medicine, if women became doctors rather than nurses, the ladies here would worry even more.”

“Would we?”

The lady who seemed unwilling to acknowledge this covered her face with her fan and asked back.

Ebel continued kindly without fighting with the elderly woman.

“Of course. Especially during childbirth, a doctor could be present.”

“Ah!”

“The probability of danger would surely decrease.”

Even if female doctors were accepted, it would probably have to focus mainly on internal medicine or obstetrics and gynecology.

Still, there would be fierce resistance from existing practices.

‘I can start with the areas that are possible.’

Something everyone had to nod their heads to.

An area where female doctors could enter, which those in power would have to reluctantly acknowledge.

“While I’m at it, let me tell you that Bayern plans to establish a women’s medical college. Through thorough disinfection to maintain hygiene, we’ll ensure that no mothers giving birth at the university hospital die.”

Initially it was a dream Victor had instilled, but now it had become Ebel’s own.

The professors would be men, but… who knows what might happen in about 50 years.

‘But I wonder if this kind of thing is included in not trying to change big things?’

What Ebel was trying to do now was change the world just a tiny bit.

Within her capabilities, really just a little.

“That… that sounds rather good to me.”

The most gentle-looking lady nodded and supported Ebel.

“Actually, I have a youngest daughter. She’ll marry and have children within a few years, and I’m terribly worried.”

“Ah, Miss Adelheid has reached marriageable age too.”

“That’s right. She’s such a precious child I’ve raised… so I worry a lot.”

Adelheid?

It was definitely a name she’d heard before, but who was it.

‘Ah, I remember. Adelheid Ksifon. That lady must be Countess Ksifon.’

She recalled documents that mentioned having less presence compared to her daughter.

‘Count Ksifon was greedy and tried to arrange a marriage between Adelheid and Victor, I think.’

But for all that, the lady didn’t seem to harbor any particular resentment toward her.

“I hope my daughter, Adelheid, meets a good man who will cherish only her and lives comfortably without difficult worries. But she’s been frail since childhood…”

Ah.

I see.

Countess Ksifon didn’t particularly want her daughter to become Grand Duchess. Only the Count had wanted that.

‘That makes sense.’

Being of modest character, she only wishes for her daughter’s happiness.

What a good mother.

“While I’m in the capital, I can provide medical examinations. Please come to the Bayern mansion in the capital anytime.”

“Would that be alright? I wouldn’t want to be too much trouble…”

“You’re always welcome.”

Afterward, they leisurely discussed topics like paintings and sculptures.

Ebel rose at a time that was neither too early nor too late, and all the ladies came out together to see her off.

Sitting in the carriage, gazing blankly at the scenery rushing by, Ebel slowly tilted her head.

Thud, resting her head against the window frame, she searched the air with her eyes.

‘I thought memories might return with time, but I still can’t remember anything at all. Lucas… Lucas.’

Usually, even when you forget someone, wouldn’t it be hard to forget things like drinking parties or battles they were involved in?

But there wasn’t even a trace of anything related to this person named Lucas.

‘It’s frightening.’

What she feared most was not even wanting to try to remember.

Throughout the entire journey to the Mansion of the Duke of Bayern, Ebel wrapped her arms around herself and repeated the name over and over.

Even so, ‘Lucas’ was still nothing more than a complete stranger to her.

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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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