Chapter 4

At that time, he did not have the state of mind to properly look after his second nephew.

He was in the middle of a political struggle at this point.

The king was incompetent, and the queen was lost in madness.

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

Day after day passed without a moment to catch his breath.

He vaguely remembered telling the butler to find a suitable hospital because Genevieve’s constant talking had annoyed him.

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

Remembering the old man who had spoken while nervously squeezing his eyes shut, he added Butler Willen to his ‘list of people to keep.’

“I will not send him to a hospital.”

“Yes, that is a wise decision… What?”

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

“!”

Right after the second child was sent to a mental hospital, the first child began to go wildly astray.

Victor had not forgotten the sight of the boy, who had always been calm because he had inherited so much of the Bayern blood, screaming like a monster and spitting out bitter resentment.

I can’t repeat the same thing.

This time, he would live differently.

The words he had said to Abel at the very end had all been sincere.

If he had to go to war again, he would go with the honor of Bayern on the line, but…

It would be better not to go in the first place.

“Yes, you are the head of the family, after all. If that is your decision, there is nothing I can do.”

Genevieve complained as she tucked her long hair behind her ear.

When the meal was almost over in silence, Genevieve asked him another question.

This time, her tone was much softer than before.

“So, when are you going back to the capital this time?”

“I don’t know.”

“Isn’t there much work in the capital? I don’t even remember the last time I went to the capital mansion. I was always so busy taking care of the children and looking after the household.”

Victor quietly stared at Genevieve as she subtly praised herself, then slowly tilted his head.

“I will be away for a while, but after that, I don’t plan to go back.”

“What?”

“My vacation will become longer.”

It was true.

His coming down to his territory had been under the name of ‘vacation,’ after all.

There were many complicated circumstances involving the mad queen hidden beneath it, but there was no need for other people to know about them.

And yet, it was rather funny.

As soon as Genevieve realized that he did not seem likely to leave for a long time, a tiny crack appeared in her expression.

Soon, she smiled as if nothing had happened and whispered, “Yes, it’s time for you to rest.”

Victor picked up his napkin, leaving his aunt behind.

It’s been a very long time since I’ve taken care of my family, Victor Bayern.

He gave a bitter smile inwardly.

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

He had simply never had the time to point it out or question her because he stayed at the mansion in the capital while his aunt remained on the estate.

No. To be exact, it had always been a lower-priority matter.

And he always had higher-priority matters.

Something that was low priority would always remain low priority.

Victor Bayern was always busy.

During the previous king’s reign, it was because he had been in charge of the intelligence department.

Under the current king’s reign, it was because he needed to understand the rapidly changing state of the world.

In that way, he always had a clear reason to ignore the situation within his family.

Besides, if he drove his aunt away, who would raise the two slightly insane little children who were not even ten years old?

His gaze fell on the marigolds decorating the dining table, and he thought of someone with eyes of that color.

Abel.

The most rational and strong-willed person he knew.

Wasn’t he the same person who, when a delirious soldier came charging at him while foaming at the mouth, did not even flinch before swiftly striking the back of his neck?

As he remembered that calm and clear face, he added if I can find him to his plans.

“I plan to get married soon, so you should know that.”

“What? Who are you going to marry?”

“You don’t need to worry about it. Aunt, don’t you think you should rest for a while now?”

[Grand Duchess Wanted for Contract Marriage]

Benefits:

Minimum contract period: 3 years

All accommodation and transportation expenses provided

Absolute protection of the Grand Duke’s family during normal duties

Salary negotiable

Requirements:

Woman aged 25 to under 30

Internal Medicine specialist

Minimum education: Graduate of the Royal St. Elburn University of Medicine and Pharmacy

Preference given to valedictorians

Special Conditions:

There are two nephews.

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

※ Former military doctors welcome

Ibel froze when she opened today’s newspaper.

It had been three days since the flash of light and the moment she realized that, even though she had thought she was certainly dead, she had returned to the past.

Perhaps it was because she had experienced so many unbelievable things on the battlefield—or perhaps because of them.

Either way, she accepted this miracle without much trouble.

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 after she had opened a small clinic in a little town.

Before work.

After making herself a cup of coffee and sitting at the small dining table, her amber eyes remained fixed on the bizarre advertisement taking up the front page of the newspaper.

“No way…”

It might have been paranoia, but Ibel could not shake the feeling that this strange advertisement was a way of searching for her.

The fact that it specifically said internal medicine specialist was one thing.

The fact that it also said former military doctor was another.

Who else could possibly meet all these conditions?

At this point in time, no less.

What if the Grand Duke also returned to the past?

It was truly a ridiculous assumption.

Ibel shook her head, but soon fell into thought again.

Well, it could happen. The two of us died together there, after all.

The reason she hesitated was the word woman.

Did he realize that I’m a woman?

She had thought she had hidden it perfectly.

Of course, at this point, the Richter-Franche War had not happened yet. Therefore, she had not actually violated military law either.

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

Absolute protection of the Grand Duke’s family during normal duties.

She did not know why the Grand Duke was looking for her as a ‘contract Grand Duchess,’ but honestly, the conditions were tempting.

Besides… if he already knew that she was a woman, perhaps the other officers had noticed long ago as well.

And yet, the reason she had never suffered any kind of sexual mistreatment might have been thanks to Victor Bayern’s protection.

There had been little things, such as him giving her one extra piece of bread for no particular reason, or quietly appearing and watching whenever she was spending time with the other officers.

Should I trust him and go? If it’s only a contract, I won’t have to feel pressured by a position that doesn’t suit me. Besides, there isn’t much hope for me if I stay here anyway.

Tap. Tap-tap.

Her fingers, which had been restlessly tapping on the advertisement, eventually stopped.

If, just if, he had also returned…

It might become proof that she was not going insane.

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

Whenever she closed her eyes, she could hear the groans of dying people again.

So she had not completely ruled out the possibility that she had turned around—no, that she had been broken beyond repair—and was now seeing hallucinations.

There was no way traveling back into the past could make sense scientifically.

I’ll know when I meet him.

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

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

What a ridiculous man.

Ibel sighed and opened the door.

At that moment, the strong smell of alcohol rushed in, and a man who looked exactly like her collapsed forward.

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

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

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