<CHAPTER 4 >

At the time, he had neither the time nor the presence of mind to properly look after his second nephew.

He was in the very center of a political struggle, after all.

The king was incompetent, and the queen had descended into madness.

As industrialization accelerated and the world changed with each passing day, he had to know, understand, and make decisions about everything as the Grand Duke.

There was never a moment to catch his breath.

He vaguely remembered being so annoyed by Genevieve’s incessant chatter that he had told the butler to find some decent hospital or something.

“My lord, I swear on my life. But the second young master is still so young. Perhaps that isn’t quite the right thing to do…”

The moment he recalled the old man squeezing his eyes shut as he spoke despite his hesitation, Victor added Butler Willen to his list of ‘people to keep alive.’

“I will not send him to a hospital.”

“Yes, that’s a wise decisi— What?”

“I said I will not send him. He is still a child. Sending him to a psychiatric hospital already? Are you out of your mind?”

“!”

Not long after the second child was sent to a psychiatric hospital, the eldest began to spiral out of control.

Victor had never forgotten the sight of the boy who had always been calm, having inherited the Bavarian blood so strongly, suddenly screaming like a monster and spewing venomous resentment.

I can’t let the same thing happen again.

This time, he would live differently.

Everything he had said to Abel in his final moments had been sincere.

If he had to go to war again, he would go bearing the honor of House Bavaria…

But it would be better if he never had to go in the first place.

“Yes, well, you’re the head of the family, after all. If that’s your decision, there’s nothing I can do.”

Genevieve grumbled as she swept her long hair behind her ear.

And just as the meal was drawing to an end in silence, Genevieve asked him another question.

This time, her tone was considerably softer than before.

“So, when are you heading back to the capital?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Isn’t there much work waiting for you in the capital? I can’t even remember the last time I visited the capital residence. I’ve been so busy looking after the children and tending to the household.”

Victor stared impassively at Genevieve as she subtly tried to take credit for her efforts.

Then he slowly tilted his head.

“I will be away for a short while, but after that, I don’t intend to return to the capital.”

“What?”

“My vacation will be getting rather long.”

Indeed.

His descent to the family estate had been under the pretense of taking a ‘vacation.’

There were countless complicated circumstances beneath that excuse, all of them involving the mad queen, but there was no reason for anyone else to know about them.

And yet, it was rather amusing.

The moment Genevieve realized that he did not seem inclined to leave anytime soon, a faint crack appeared in her expression.

She quickly turned her hand over as if nothing had happened, smiling and murmuring, “Yes, I suppose it’s about time you got some rest.”

Victor picked up his napkin.

It’s been a very long time since you last took care of your family, Victor Bavarian.

He gave a bitter smile inwardly.

He had already suspected that something about his aunt’s movements was strange.

The only reason he had never pointed it out or questioned her was because he had been staying at the capital residence while his aunt remained at the estate.

No. To be more precise, it had always been a lower priority.

And there had always been something more important waiting above it.

Things that were lower priority simply remained lower priority.

Victor Bavarian had always been busy.

During the previous king’s reign, he had been responsible for virtually all the affairs of the intelligence department.

Under the current king, he had been occupied with keeping track of the rapidly shifting political landscape.

He had always had perfectly legitimate reasons to turn a blind eye to what was happening within his own family.

Besides, if he drove his aunt out, who would raise the two children—both not even ten years old and already a little unhinged?

His gaze settled on the marigolds decorating the dining table.

And he thought of someone with eyes that color.

Abel.

The most rational and steadfast person he knew.

Wasn’t he the man who, when a delirious soldier came charging at him foaming at the mouth, hadn’t even flinched before swiftly striking the back of his neck?

As Victor recalled that calm, clear face, he added one more condition to his plans.

If I can find him.

“I intend to get married soon, so keep that in mind.”

“What? Who are you planning to marry?”

“There’s no need for you to concern yourself with that. Aunt, don’t you think it’s time you got some rest as well?”

—

[Grand Duchess Wanted — Contract Position]

Benefits:

Minimum contract period: 3 years

Full accommodation, meals, and transportation expenses provided

Absolute protection by the Grand Ducal Family while on duty

Salary negotiable

Requirements:

Female, aged 25 to under 30

Board-certified internal medicine specialist

Minimum educational qualification: Graduate of the Royal Saint Elburn University of Medicine

Preference given to valedictorians

Special Note:

There are two nephews.

You will be required to monitor the children’s health as their personal physician.

※ Former military doctors welcome

Ibel opened the newspaper of the day and froze.

It had been three days since the flash of light and her realization that, despite being certain she had died, she had somehow returned to the past.

Perhaps it was because—or perhaps thanks to—the fact that she had experienced so many utterly absurd things on the battlefield.

Either way, she accepted this miracle with surprising ease.

If I had gone back to right after entering university, I would have cursed God.

Thankfully, she had returned to a point after graduation, just as she had opened a small clinic in a quiet little town.

Before work.

After making herself a cup of coffee and sitting down at the small dining table, Ibel’s amber eyes remained fixed on the bizarre advertisement occupying the front page of the daily newspaper.

“No way…”

Perhaps it was nothing more than her own paranoia, but Ibel couldn’t shake the feeling that this strange advertisement was a way of searching for her.

The fact that it specifically called for an ‘internal medicine specialist.’

And the mention of being a ‘former military doctor.’

Who else could possibly meet all of those requirements?

At this point in time, no less.

What if the Grand Duke has also returned to the past?

It was an utterly ridiculous assumption.

Ibel shook her head, yet soon found herself lost in thought again.

Well… it could happen.

After all, the two of them had died together back then.

The reason she hesitated was the requirement that the applicant be a ‘woman.’

Did he figure out that I’m a woman?

She had thought she had concealed it perfectly.

Of course, at this point in time, the Richter-France War had not yet broken out.

Which meant she technically wasn’t violating military law either.

Restlessly pacing around the kitchen, she read through the advertisement again.

‘Absolute protection by the Grand Ducal Family while on duty.’

She had no idea why the Grand Duke was looking for her as a ‘contract Grand Duchess,’ but honestly, the terms were tempting.

Besides…

If he already knew she was a woman, perhaps the other officers had noticed long ago as well.

And yet, she had never suffered any kind of sexual harassment or anything else unsavory.

Perhaps that, too, had been thanks to Victor Bavarian’s protection.

There had been little things.

Like the way he would somehow give her an extra loaf of bread.

Or how, whenever she was spending time with the other officers, he would suddenly appear and quietly keep watch over her.

Should I trust him and go?

If it’s a contract, there’s no burden of having to live up to a position that’s beyond my station.

Besides, there isn’t much hope for me if I stay here anyway.

Tap, tap-tap.

Her fingers, which had been nervously drumming against the advertisement, finally stopped.

If—if he really did return as well…

It might become proof that she wasn’t going insane.

Even now, Ibel could still hear the cannon fire in her ears.

Whenever she closed her eyes, the groans of dying men played again in her mind.

So she hadn’t completely ruled out the possibility that she had simply gone around the bend—that she had deteriorated beyond repair and was hallucinating.

After all, scientifically speaking, there was no way returning to the past could possibly make sense.

I’ll know once I meet him.

But first, she needed to get rid of the bastard who had been pounding relentlessly on her door.

“My beloved little sister! If you don’t open this door, I’m going to piss right here!”

Honestly, does he have no shame?

With a deep sigh, Ibel opened the door.

The strong stench of alcohol immediately hit her, and a man whose face was exactly identical to hers promptly collapsed forward.

“My proud little sister! My little sister who stole her big brother’s name and ran away!”

“If you need money, take it and get lost. And shut up.”

“How did you know? As expected, you’re the only one who understands this big brother’s heart. You’re the only one.”