<CHAPTER 9>

Here is a polished literary translation that keeps the period-drama atmosphere, restrained emotion, and character dynamics intact.

There stood a woman so perfectly composed that she looked as though she had just stepped out of a manual on proper etiquette.

Victor gave a quiet laugh at Matthias’s reaction, though, truth be told, he felt much the same.

Summer sunlight sprawled across the hem of her white dress, rolling about like a lazy cat.

Following the fashion of the time, the dress was cut low from the neck to the shoulders, drawing attention to the long, graceful line of her neck. The translucent fabric gathered into delicate ruffles spread just enough to lend her the elegant air of a swan without seeming excessive.

And the way she stood, both gloved hands neatly folded before her—what of that? She possessed enough poise that she could have been escorted straight into a ballroom without looking the slightest bit out of place.

In short, the concern Matthias had been fretting over so much—She’ll have trouble pretending to be a high-ranking aristocrat—vanished into thin air the moment Ibel appeared.

In particular, Ibel’s characteristic impassive expression gave her an air that made even those beneath her station hesitate to approach her casually.

While everyone else stared in astonishment, Ibel alone remained perfectly unfazed.

Victor noticed the faint trace of annoyance in her amber eyes, and it amused him somewhat.

“You look very good.”

The compliment was sincere.

Ibel looked at him as though surprised, then shrugged.

“Military uniforms are much more comfortable.”

“Have you ever learned ballroom dancing?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Taking into account Ibel’s remarkable ability to learn, he had allotted two months. But seeing her like this, a month should be more than enough.

Once the matter of her adapting to her new role was settled, he had intended to return to his estate first and come back for her when everything was ready. It seemed there would be no problem with that plan, either.

“Starting tomorrow, articles about us will begin appearing. First in the gossip papers, then in the daily newspapers.”

“Yes.”

“For today, a little later, we’ll take a walk together in a nearby park where people can see us. Would that be all right?”

“I don’t mind… Ah, no. I don’t mind.”

Realizing that she had unconsciously slipped into her military manner of speaking, Ibel awkwardly softened her ending.

At that, the Grand Duke’s lips curved upward ever so slightly.

It was a tiny change, but he seemed quietly pleased.

Meanwhile, Aunt Vanya, still excited, turned to the Grand Duke.

“Oh, but wasn’t this Vanya simply astonished while helping her get ready? The moment she touched the fabric, she knew exactly where it had come from. And she could tell at a glance which embroidery was elegant and which was hopelessly old-fashioned. Even the shoes—she chose the perfect polish and heel height without hesitation.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, indeed. You simply can’t know such things unless you were raised in a distinguished family…”

A distinguished family.

Listening quietly, Ibel gave a derisive snort inwardly.

Ever since she was around seven years old, she had been prepared to be sold into the future as a valuable commodity.

A ten-year-old child had been made to practice dancing until her feet blistered, and if she made even the slightest mistake in etiquette, she was denied dinner that night.

After enduring those harsh, dreadful years, Ibel had finally become perfect enough to satisfy her greedy parents.

Of course, after Abel turned fifteen and began running wild like an unruly colt, her parents had been far too occupied cleaning up after his disasters to spare her even a grain of attention.

“If you could tell me what you know and what you don’t, I believe that would be of great help.”

Ibel placed her hand in the one politely extended toward her.

It was a simple gesture, yet it possessed an understated elegance—neither too little nor too much—that made both Matthias and Aunt Vanya sigh in admiration at the same time.

“Do you remember Colonel Eberstein?”

“Of course.”

“I intend to have you formally adopted as a daughter of the Eberstein family.”

Colonel Konrad von Eberstein.

The official owner of this secret residence, and a man who held a considerably high position within the Bavarian army.

He had also been one of the twelve who survived alongside her until the bitterest end… and, in a way, he had been like a father to them all. Ibel, too, had looked up to him as a father.

“Will I be able to see him?”

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

At the words you’ll be able to meet Colonel Konrad alive again, Ibel’s expression brightened.

“Do you remember that the colonel was good at playing the leaf flute?”

“Yes.”

“I remember him as a man who could always lift the morale of the troops.”

Her words were brief, but the emotion behind them was heavy.

Those days were gone now.

Only the two of them could share those memories.

Victor let out a quiet breath and looked at Ibel.

“Is it difficult for you to fall asleep?”

“My body is much more comfortable than it was then, so I’m fi—fine.”

There was, in truth, no reason she should be unable to sleep. The bed the Grand Duke had provided was extraordinarily expensive, and therefore exceedingly comfortable.

The food, the clothes, even the things she used on her skin—all of them were of the highest quality. How could any of that be difficult?

And yet, as though he had seen straight through her lie, he said,

“If you have trouble falling asleep, come find me. We’re going to be husband and wife soon. Surely there’s nothing wrong with sharing a drink.”

“I will.”

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

“Shall we go, then, Lady?”

He truly was a man who knew exactly how to enter a room—and how to leave it. He knew how to keep people from feeling uncomfortable.

What lovely weather.

She had been cooped up inside for days, and her body was beginning to feel stiff.

As luck would have it, the weather was beautiful today. Beautiful enough to make enduring the inconvenience of her trailing skirts worthwhile.

Once inside the carriage, Ibel watched the streets while letting the muggy breeze coming through the window brush against her face.

The people were lively, every one of them wearing bright expressions.

Come to think of it, how long had it been since she had last seen a sight like this?

Well, even if war had broken out somewhere far away, in the capital it was still someone else’s problem.

“Would you be all right with becoming Colonel Eberstein’s adopted daughter?”

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

He had remained honorable to the very end.

And yet, Ibel felt that even calling his death honorable was somehow an insult to him.

Because I couldn’t save him.

To say it again, she was not a surgeon. No matter how brilliant a doctor might be, there was no saving someone whose lungs had been pierced.

Ibel had not even been able to remain properly at Colonel Konrad’s side as his breath slowly faded.

Because he had ordered her, almost as though scolding her, to hurry and save whoever could still be saved.

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

“I feel the same way. I intend to do everything I can to prevent the war from happening this time, so that none of those people will die in vain.”

“Ah.”

“And if war does break out despite that, I will do my best to make sure we all come back alive.”

If he had been alone, he would never even have dared think of stopping the war.

How fortunate they were to have returned to the past together.

Ibel looked into his dark eyes and inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

If there was any special feeling between them, perhaps it could be called comradeship.

There were more married couples than one might think who lived together out of loyalty. So why shouldn’t two people bound by something even stronger than love live together?

Though sharing the same bed might be… rather strange.

What would it be like to fall asleep pressed against another person in a time of peace?

They had slept together countless times on the battlefield, so perhaps there was no reason for it to feel strange at all…

Just then, the carriage slowed to a stop.

They had arrived at Gruga Park.

It was a park famous for displaying sculptures by world-renowned masters, as well as being a popular destination for dates and family outings alike.

Even Ibel, who had avoided leaving school for fear of being caught by her family, had heard of the place. That was how well-known it was.

“I’ll give you my hand.”

“Thank you, I—cough, thank you.”

Oh, this is awkward.

Being treated like a proper lady…

It made her skin crawl a little, but reminding herself that all of this was merely an act, Ibel placed her hand in the man’s.

The coachman, who had climbed down from his seat, opened a parasol and handed it to her. It was quite suitable for shielding her from the blazing afternoon sun.

To anyone watching, they looked like the perfect couple on a date.

If only the subject of their conversation were a little more conventional for lovers.

“So His Grace doesn’t get to visit the estate very often either, then.”

“That is correct. I left everything in my aunt’s hands. In the meantime, the two children have strayed somewhat from the proper path.”

“Strayed…?”

“The younger one does not speak like a human being. The elder is taking numerous lessons in preparation for an important role within the family in the future and has received good evaluations. But the younger one behaves more like a beast.”I’ve kept the narration literary while preserving the restrained, period-romance tone and the contrast between Ibel’s military background and her aristocratic façade.