The Military Doctor Excels at Being a Contracted Duchess - Chapter 9

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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 9】

There stood a perfect woman as if she had just stepped out of an etiquette textbook.

Victor chuckled at Matthias’s reaction, though he was feeling similar emotions himself.

Summer sunlight lay sprawled like a cat across the hem of her white dress.

Following the fashion of the time, the dress was cut from neck to shoulders, accentuating her graceful neckline, while the semi-transparent fabric with ruffles spread just enough to add swan-like elegance.

And what of her posture, standing with her gloved hands neatly clasped together? She was dignified enough to escort to a ballroom without any shame.

In short, Matthias’s worry that “it would be difficult to pretend to be high nobility” evaporated and disappeared into the distance the moment Ebel appeared.

Especially Ebel’s characteristic expressionless face gave off an aura that made it difficult for inferiors to approach carelessly.

While everyone was amazed, only Ebel remained nonchalant.

Victor became somewhat amused when he detected a faint trace of annoyance in her amber eyes.

“It suits you well.”

This compliment was sincere. Ebel, who had been looking at him as if surprised, shrugged her shoulders.

“Military uniform is much more comfortable.”

“Have you learned ballroom dancing?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“That’s good.”

Considering Ebel’s excellent learning ability, he had planned for two months. However, at this rate, a generous month would suffice.

Once her adaptation was complete, he planned to return to the estate first and come back to fetch her when everything was finished, which also seemed problem-free.

“Starting tomorrow, articles about us will gradually appear. From gossip magazines to daily newspapers.”

“Yes.”

“Today, in a little while, we’ll show ourselves taking a stroll together in the nearby park. Would that be alright?”

“It doesn’t mat… I mean, it doesn’t matter.”

Ebel, conscious of the military speech that had unconsciously slipped out, awkwardly softened her ending. The Grand Duke’s lips curved up ever so slightly at this.

It was a small change, but he seemed pleased.

Meanwhile, Banya excitedly addressed the Grand Duke.

“My, wouldn’t this Banya be surprised while helping with the preparations? She could tell exactly where the fabric came from just by touching it with her fingertips, and she instantly knew what embroidery was refined and what was tacky. She even chose shoes with just the right shine and heel height.”

“Is that so.”

“Yes, of course. Such things can only be known if learned in a noble family…”

A noble family.

Ebel, who had been listening quietly, snorted inwardly.

She had been preparing since around age seven to be sold as a “valuable commodity” in the future.

A ten-year-old had to practice dancing until her feet swelled, and if etiquette was even slightly wrong, there would be no meal that day.

As a result of those harsh and terrible times, Ebel finally became perfect enough to satisfy her greedy parents.

Of course, after age fifteen, her parents couldn’t spare even a grain of millet’s worth of attention for her as they were busy cleaning up after Abel’s wild antics.

“It would be very helpful if you could distinguish between what you know and don’t know and inform me.”

Ebel placed her hand on the one politely extended to her.

Though a simple gesture, it showed an elegance that was neither lacking nor excessive, causing Matthias and Banya to exclaim in admiration simultaneously.

“Do you remember Colonel Eberstain?”

“Of course.”

“I’m thinking of having you adopted into the House of Eberstain.”

Colonel Konrad von Eberstain.

The official owner of this secret hideout and someone with quite a high position within the Bavarian Army.

He was also one of the twelve who survived until the very end along with her… and had been like a father to everyone. Ebel too had followed him like a father.

“Could I meet him?”

“Of course. I’ve already sent a telegram asking him to come here in a month.”

She could meet the living Colonel Konrad. At these words, Ebel’s complexion brightened.

“Do you also remember that the Colonel played the reed pipe well?”

“Yes.”

“I too remember he was a man who always boosted the morale of the troops.”

Though the words were brief, the emotion was weighty.

Those days were now gone. Only the two of them could share those memories.

Victor exhaled quietly and looked at Ebel.

“Is it difficult to fall asleep?”

“My body is much more comfortable than back then, so it’s fin… it’s fine.”

In truth, there was no reason for it not to be fine. The bed the Grand Duke had provided was very expensive, so it was indeed comfortable.

Food, clothing, cosmetics. Everything was of the highest quality, so how could it be difficult?

But he seemed to see through her lie and said:

“If you have trouble sleeping, come find me. We’re going to be husband and wife, so what’s difficult about sharing a drink?”

“I will.”

Knowing this was the Grand Duke’s way of showing consideration, Ebel quietly accepted.

“Shall we go out now, Lady?”

What a man skilled at both entering and exiting. He knew well how to make people comfortable.

‘It’s sunny.’

Having been inside for several days, she was feeling stuffy.

Fortunately, the weather was nice today. Nice enough to endure the inconvenience of a trailing dress.

Boarding the carriage, Ebel enjoyed the view of the streets while feeling the humid breeze from the window.

People were lively, and their faces were uniformly bright.

Come to think of it, how long had it been since she’d seen such a scene?

Well, even if war broke out in some distant place, it would be someone else’s business in the capital.

“Would it be alright to become Colonel Eberstain’s adopted daughter?”

“It would be an honor for me. He was… truly like a father to me.”

That man was truly honorable until the very end.

But even calling his death honorable felt like an insult to him.

‘Because I couldn’t save him.’

Again, she was not a surgeon. Even the most brilliant doctor couldn’t have saved someone whose lungs were punctured.

Ebel couldn’t even properly stay by Colonel Konrad’s side as his breath faded.

Because he had told her, almost scolding, to quickly go save those who could be saved.

“I can’t believe I’ll be able to see him again. This time, I really… want to do well by him. Though he won’t remember me.”

“I feel the same way. So that all those people don’t die in vain, this time I plan to try to prevent the war from happening.”

“Ah.”

“Even so, if war breaks out, I’ll try my best to survive.”

If she had been alone, she wouldn’t have even thought of trying to prevent the war.

How fortunate it was to return to the past together with the Grand Duke.

Ebel looked into his deep eyes and inwardly felt relieved.

If there were any special feelings between them, it would probably be called camaraderie.

There are more couples who live together out of loyalty than one might think, so what reason would there be not to live together with feelings stronger than love?

‘Though sharing the same bed would feel quite strange.’

What would it be like to sleep body to body in a peaceful situation?

They had slept together so many times on the battlefield that in some ways, there was no reason for it to be strange…

Just as she was pondering this, the carriage slowly stopped.

They had arrived at Gruga Park.

A park where sculptures by world-renowned masters were displayed, famous as both a dating spot and a family outing destination.

It was a place so well-known among people that even Ebel, who had refrained from going outside school for fear of being caught by her family, had heard its name.

“Allow me to help you with your hand.”

“Thank y… ahem, thank you.”

Ah, how awkward.

Such lady-like treatment.

Though it gave her slight goosebumps, Ebel reminded herself that this was all an act and placed her hand on the man’s.

The coachman who had gotten down from the driver’s seat opened a parasol and handed it to her—quite suitable for blocking the afternoon’s blazing sun.

On the surface, it was a perfect date between two people.

Except for the fact that their conversation topics were a bit different from other lovers.

“Then Your Excellency hasn’t been able to visit the Estate very often either.”

“That’s right. I left everything to my aunt. And in the meantime, the two children have gone somewhat astray.”

“Gone astray…?”

“The second one doesn’t speak like a human. The first is taking various lessons to take on an important role within the Family later and receives good evaluations, but the second shows behavioral patterns like a beast.”

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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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