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So basically Martina didn't know this was the same curse, because Present Theodore was said to turn into a beast. That's why she freaked out hearing that guy who returned the portraits mention how one of the earlier dukes died, which was exploding as a beast. That was how she connected the dots. Plus, Past Theodore didn't show signs of turning into anything as far as she knows because he secluded himself and she killed him per his order/request.
Now, the confusing bit where people seem to think Martina knows how to cure it when no one had any record of how to cure the curse besides the Shitty Brother, Waldo, is that the Dukes family DOESNT know how to cure it and she barely learned it in the present. The Duke family would just have the current head married and have an heir before he would succumb to the curse and die in the end in case yall forgot.
Also cmon people. Literally seeing Present Theodore everyday triggers her trauma for Past Theodore. Lol. Past Theo was literally her last hope and light and she took his life per his selfish request. Ye, they had doodoo communication and she loved him, BUT the point is that she couldn't forgive him or give in to truly love him at the time due to all the political strife and then his illness. You see how angry she was with him. Fast forward to Present Theo and she has lingering feelings for Past Theo on top of not quite being "in love" with him just yet- just growing more fond of him. Now, she's not just freaking out with what happened to Past Theo, but is now panicking for Present Theo.