The Military Doctor Excels at Being a Contracted Duchess - Chapter 87

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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 87】

Chapter. 6 The Great Catastrophe Hunt

That evening, Victor left the court with a bag of salted peanuts in his hand.

Though he had sent Matthias ahead to prepare for welcoming Rain and Ebel’s Brother, it would still be unfamiliar to them. Worried, he wanted to head home as quickly as possible, but the meeting dragged on endlessly.

He had instructed the royal kitchen to roast peanuts with salt, and as soon as the bag was placed in his hand, he stood up.

The people in the meeting room seemed quite flustered by the sudden spread of the savory aroma, but that was none of his concern.

“I see you’re starting to tear each other apart, so it seems you’re running out of things to discuss.”

“Duke…! We haven’t finished discussing foreign threats yet.”

A brave soul tried to stop him, but Victor only replied with a cool expression.

“I told you to be wary of Frantz.”

“But the evidence for that…”

“How about you gentlemen go home early and look after your wives and children. That would be more productive than worrying about a war that may or may not happen.”

Victor laughed pleasantly as he looked at their dumbfounded expressions.

Now the nobles were starting to avoid him altogether.

“Is that really the Duke of Bayern?”

“Good heavens, I thought my ears were deceiving me.”

After Victor left, the remaining nobles whispered among themselves, processing their shock.

That man famous for being cold-blooded, whose handsome exterior surely concealed ice rather than warm blood flowing through his veins, was family-oriented…?

They felt bitter with an inexplicable sense of defeat.

To think such an accomplished man was devoted to his wife and even had the magnanimity to take in an adopted son.

“Ahem, let’s go home too.”

“Let’s do that. Hmm.”

If Victor von Bayern had said he was going to a salon for a drink, or perhaps to a coffee house, they would have understood.

Even smoking like young people these days.

“If he were dissolute, we’d at least have something to criticize. Tsk.”

With someone’s remark born of inferiority, they dispersed.

So why exactly did he take those roasted peanuts?

That thought lingered in their minds as they left.

* * *

When Victor arrived at the capital residence, a cheerful conversation was in full swing in the drawing room.

“Ugh! The knight moves like that from there?!”

“I’m sorry.”

“Argh, let’s do it again! Again!”

Victor stopped the butler who was about to announce his arrival, placing his index finger to his lips and quietly observing.

The warmth inside the half-open door.

“Florian. You could have moved the pawn back from there. You need to see the bigger picture.”

“Huuung, young master.”

It seemed Dominique and Florian were engaged in a chess match.

Angelm stood with his arms crossed, offering advice, while Florian made a tearful expression as he moved his piece again.

Ebel sat on Dominique’s side, with Damian lying with his head on her lap, kicking his feet.

Banya, very much alive and well, poured tea and distributed it to everyone, and soon the fragrant scent of chamomile spread through the air.

It was the scent of autumn.

‘Ah.’

Victor couldn’t bring himself to speak at the heart-warming scene. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down strongly.

‘Is this what it feels like to want to give everything of myself?’

Music flowed from the music box and flames danced in the fireplace.

Watching those he cherished and loved laughing together in one place, Victor unconsciously took a step back.

It was strange to say, but he didn’t want to break that scene.

Because it was precious, so very dear. Because he wanted to call it sacred.

It was at that moment when the butler of the capital residence looked at him with some pity.

“Victor!”

Looking up and meeting his eyes directly, Ebel’s face bloomed with a smile like a flower.

Her gently rising lips and curving eyes. The joy that spread softly like moonlight nailed him to that spot.

“Why are you standing there without coming in?”

“Duke!”

“Oh my, please come in. You must be tired, right?”

“Have you arrived?”

Ebel, Florian, Banya, and Dominique each threw out a greeting.

Banya hurriedly ran over and opened the door wide, taking Victor’s hand and leading him as if she understood his heart completely.

Damian jumped up as soon as he saw him and came running over, stretching out his arms and adorably begging to be held.

Victor, suddenly brought into the world he had only been watching, first kissed Ebel’s cheek, then scooped up Damian.

“Were you in the middle of chess?”

It was barely a sentence squeezed out through his choked throat, but surely that didn’t show.

While Angelm explained to Victor how the previous game had gone, Florian looked tearful. Dominique calmly sipped his tea.

Victor, slowly surveying all this, set down the bag of peanuts and shrugged his shoulders.

“Haha, hahahaha!”

Those seeing Victor laugh so heartily for the first time froze in surprise.

But Ebel alone looked at him with understanding eyes.

This warmth and tranquility. Peace.

Time filled with affection.

‘I’ve always wanted to enjoy something like this.’

Surely there had been serious matters.

But now, what did any of that matter? It was truly strange.

While Damian played with his toys again, and this time Angelm and Dominique played chess, Victor sat on the sofa with Ebel and whispered.

“There’s a hotel where Lucas was supposed to stop and stay on his way. I sent a telegram there, so if there are any problems, we’ll receive word.”

“I hope nothing happened…”

“I’m sure it’s fine.”

“I still have no idea who Lucas is. I feel nothing at all.”

At Ebel’s confused confession, Victor felt his chest tighten, but he quickly shook it off.

It’s okay.

She might remember when she sees his face again.

Of course, it would take several years for Lucas to return… but still.

“I should still find my maternal grandmother, shouldn’t I?”

“I’ll look for an opportunity to bring her here. Please don’t worry.”

“Thank you, Victor. Then… um, will you tell me what I’ve forgotten?”

It was clear she wasn’t curious at all. Others might not notice, but Victor could tell.

Still, grateful that she was making the effort, he kissed her cheek again.

“How about roasted peanuts and beer?”

“That sounds good. It’s just… I’m sorry that we should share the same memories, and I should know, but I don’t. If not me, no one else would understand you.”

It was truly the right thing to say.

The bond between them originated from those terrible memories.

However, Victor thought differently.

What if Ebel just forgot everything?

Was there really a need to hold onto all those memories that tormented her mind?

If they could be erased, it would be better to erase them.

Ebel still flinched at loud noises. She remained vigilant in unfamiliar places and kept her heart closed.

Worry about an uncertain future always occupied a corner of her mind.

‘If she could forget all the memories of war…’

Perhaps Ebel would become happier.

Of course, then she wouldn’t understand why she had become the Grand Duchess and would be confused.

“Victor, are you alright?”

“…I was just thinking about various things.”

He looked at his wife with deep eyes.

Many words swirled in his head, but what finally came out was this.

“How was today’s gathering?”

“Everyone treated me well.”

Only after hearing that nothing had happened did he feel relieved.

Though he thought he seemed to have developed an obsession with Ebel, he didn’t want to stop it.

* * *

Somehow the night passed and the next day came.

“Oh my, Lord Edward has quite a hairy chest.”

“I’m not really fond of hairy men.”

“Lord Julian has a better body than I expected?”

“William! Win!”

Participating in the Royal Hunt for the first time in her life, Ebel was left speechless with her mouth agape at the beast-like brawling unfolding before her eyes.

“What is… this…”

So the Royal Hunt wasn’t about hunting animals, but about men fighting and brawling with each other.

While she was confused, she saw Victor walking out leisurely with a towel draped over his shoulder.

He too was fully displaying his densely built muscles.

In other words, to put it bluntly, he was completely shirtless.

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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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