My Husband Caught Me Having an Affair - Chapter 135

“Is that true? Are you saying Duke Girard really kidnapped your wife?” Emperor Henry VII asked, eyes widening in disbelief.

It was late in the evening. Ethan had suddenly come to the palace requesting an audience with the Emperor. If it had been anyone other than Ethan—or if the Emperor hadn’t known the Duchess of Dumont was missing—he never would’ve granted the meeting.

“Yes. Without a doubt. As I explained earlier, all the evidence points to Girard as the culprit,” Ethan said with a blank expression.

“But still… didn’t you say both your subordinate and his wife were commoners? Kidnapping a commoner and kidnapping your wife, a duchess, are entirely different matters. Could Marlon really go that far?”

“Perhaps the old Marlon Girard wouldn’t have. But now, he’s cornered like never before. In his situation, he must have decided that letting Camille go would only bring my wrath upon him.”

“Even so, kidnapping your wife doesn’t change anything. It’ll only worsen the consequences later…”

Henry VII trailed off mid-sentence, his face hardening as if something had dawned on him.

“…Don’t tell me, you think…”

“Yes. Girard never intended to let Camille return from the start.”

“……”

If that were true, the situation was dire.

For Ethan, it went without saying—his wife’s life was on the line. But even for Henry VII, it wasn’t just someone else’s problem.

The Dumont and Girard houses were the two most powerful noble families at the top of the Alveni Empire. If they clashed head-on, it would cause significant unrest within the empire.

If one side were to collapse, it would be even worse. Even the victorious side would expend immense power, which would inevitably weaken the empire.

The same thing had happened when Ethan’s father, Philip, had passed away suddenly.

Among Dumont’s territories were large areas bordering the neighboring country of Borcia. Dumont had been actively supporting border patrols with supplies and military forces.

At that time, tensions with Borcia over the disputed region of Montpellier were even higher than they are now. The moment Borcia heard of the Duke of Dumont’s death, they launched an offensive.

Domestically, Girard tried to seize the power Dumont had held. That was why the Emperor had thrown his support behind the young Ethan—to maintain Dumont’s strength. It wasn’t only because of a debt owed to Philip. It had been a decision made for the peace of the empire.

In that regard, Girard, though not as crucial as Dumont, was still an indispensable figure in the empire. The Emperor had turned a blind eye to Girard’s underhanded actions up to now for that reason.

If Girard were to destroy Dumont, or if the reverse occurred, neither would be a welcome outcome for Henry VII.

The ideal situation was for Dumont and Girard to keep each other in check and maintain balance. If the scale tipped too far to one side, it could eventually threaten the imperial family as well.

‘Could Marlon really have done something so reckless?’

If he had truly kidnapped Camille, even the Emperor would have no way to cover for him. Putting Marlon on trial would be unavoidable, and it might even lead to stripping him of his title—a crime of the gravest degree.

And Marlon surely knew that. Which meant, as Ethan suggested, he had likely abducted Camille with the intent to silence her permanently.

‘Was there a reason he had to resort to such extremes?’

Henry VII glanced at Ethan. Just moments ago, Ethan had said, “I’ve been gathering evidence of Girard’s past crimes.”

If the crimes were so severe that he would need to kill a duchess to cover them up, then perhaps…

Just then, Ethan spoke again.

“Time is of the essence. If we’re too late, the consequences could be irreversible. If that happens, I will never forgive myself.”

Ethan’s voice sounded calm on the surface, but there was an eerie chill in his tone. Henry VII felt that the ‘unforgivable party’ Ethan spoke of might not be limited to just himself.

Henry VII opened his mouth with a heavy tone. “…Of course, I understand how you feel. With your wife missing for days, you must be desperate. I want to help you with every means available. But there’s still no solid evidence that Duke Girard actually kidnapped your wife.”

“If he were careless enough to leave behind proof, he wouldn’t have done this in the first place. We’ve searched every possible location. The only place left is Duke Girard’s estate.”

“That’s exactly my point. Marlon is not someone who acts rashly. Even if your theory is correct, he wouldn’t keep your wife in his mansion—he’d know it would be the first place we’d search.”

“Even if she’s been moved elsewhere, the clues we need will be at Girard’s estate or with Marlon Girard himself. We have to search there first. Otherwise, we can’t start anything,” Ethan said, his expression still unreadable.

“I understand what you’re saying. But frankly, it’s not easy to dispatch knights to the Girard estate based solely on your word, without any evidence.”

Henry VII continued with a troubled expression, “There’s already ongoing talk that I show favoritism toward you, despite my repeated denials. If I send the knights to the Girard estate and they find nothing, there will undoubtedly be backlash. It would only strengthen Marlon’s position.”

It wasn’t that he didn’t understand Ethan’s feelings. Especially because he had noticed how Ethan’s attitude toward his wife had changed recently. His affection for Ethan was also genuine.

But Henry VII was the emperor of this country. He had to prioritize his responsibilities as emperor over personal sentiments. Even if Ethan came to resent him for this, it couldn’t be helped.

Yet Ethan’s expression didn’t change at all.

“I understand. But that’s not why I came to request an audience with Your Majesty.”

“Then why? Don’t tell me—you plan to strike the Girard estate yourself? Are you saying you came here to seek my permission for that?”

But that too was a difficult request. In the end, the emperor would still be accused of siding with Ethan without just cause.

“No. I have no intention of asking for permission.”

At that, Henry VII furrowed his brow.

“…What?”

“I am going to lead the knights to the Girard estate myself. All preparations are already complete. Everyone is merely awaiting my order.”

“What did you say? You’re going to wage a full-on battle with Girard right in the middle of the capital?”

“That won’t happen. The advance team is made up of only the minimum number necessary to avoid alerting the enemy. The support team will depart afterward, solely to act as a deterrent in case Girard’s knights try to respond belatedly.”

Ethan continued calmly, “We’ll use the cover of darkness to breach the entrance in the shortest time possible and secure Marlon Girard first. That way, Girard’s knights won’t be able to act recklessly. The situation Your Majesty fears will not occur.”

Henry VII stared at Ethan in disbelief. “Do you even realize what you’re saying? You plan to draw blades right here in the capital, right under my nose? And you don’t even intend to ask for my permission? If I say no, will you disobey an imperial command?”

“I believe Your Majesty will not say no.”

“What?”

“Your Majesty must also know. Even if there’s no definitive proof, based on all the circumstances, there’s no other suspect but Girard. And you know that in a situation where Camille’s life is in danger, I wouldn’t hesitate to act.”

Ethan’s pale blue eyes shone calmly.

“Of course, I fully understand Your Majesty’s position. That’s why I’m not asking for the imperial knights to be dispatched, nor even for permission for my personal actions. I only ask one thing—that Your Majesty observe the situation tonight. It will be resolved before sunrise. I will rescue Camille before then. Please issue Your Majesty’s official stance after that.”

“……”

Henry VII stared at Ethan with a tight-lipped expression. “And if you fail to rescue your wife? What if you can’t even find proof that Marlon kidnapped her?”

“Then I will accept whatever decision Your Majesty makes.”

He said that, but his eyes made clear he had no intention of letting that happen. Henry VII had never seen Ethan’s gaze burn with such certainty and intensity.

Henry VII sensed it instinctively. Unless he had Ethan arrested right now, the man would not stop.

That might prevent a direct clash between Dumont and Girard—for now. But in the long run, it would be the same. Worse still, if Camille were to die because of it, the situation would deteriorate even further. Then Ethan Dumont would become an enemy of the throne.

‘…Damn it.’

After several seconds of deliberation, Henry VII let out a long sigh.

***

I was forced into a chair by a hand pressing down on my shoulder. Then I felt the sensation of my arms and legs being bound.

Moments later, someone pulled the hood off my head.

I furrowed my brow and opened my tightly shut eyes.

Only a few lamps lit the dark room. Beside the chair I was bound to was a table resembling an operating table, upon which lay various implements unmistakably designed for torture.

The man who had removed my hood was one of the two who had dragged me here. They stepped away toward the door and folded their arms as they stood on either side.

I could feel my heart pounding rapidly. I swallowed to moisten my dry throat.

Soon, the doorknob rattled, and the door opened.

With indescribable desperation, I prayed.

‘Please, please. Please!’

A man entered the room.

He was tall and gaunt, with an eyepatch over his right eye and an expressionless face.

I instinctively clenched my fist.

‘Got him!’