My Husband Caught Me Having an Affair - Chapter 143

In the end, nothing more happened that night. Ethan stepped back without protest when I gave the excuse that I was tired and wanted to rest.

He personally escorted me back to my bedroom.

“For now, don’t think about anything. Just rest and focus on recovering.”

“But considering everything that needs to be dealt with…”

“A few days won’t make a difference. I won’t make any important decisions without consulting you, so don’t worry. Besides, even if I wanted to, I probably couldn’t now.”

Ethan said that and then leaned in close to my face. For a moment, I tensed up, wondering if he was about to kiss me again.

But he kissed my cheek, not my lips.

“Sleep well.”

He whispered softly and got off the bed.

Only after he left and the room fell silent did I realize it—my heart was pounding like crazy.

In the original story, Ethan had been nothing more than Elodie’s father. So I had never known, never imagined he could be so sexy as a man.

We had found ourselves in similar moods before, but this time was completely different in every sense. Back then, Ethan had seemed confused and hesitant. But now, he wasn’t.

The way he looked at me, the way his hands touched and caressed me, his lips—everything conveyed a powerful desire for me.

Just remembering it left me breathless and dizzy.

The crazy part was that I hadn’t disliked it at all.

‘…Oh god.’

I squeezed my eyes shut and pulled the covers over my head. My whole body clearly needed rest, but there was no way I was falling asleep like this.

***

Because I ended up falling asleep very late, it was already afternoon the next day when I woke up.

I rang the handbell absentmindedly, and Marie came into the room.

“Madam, you’re awake? Are you feeling all right?”

She looked terribly worried.

“…Honestly, not really. I feel like I could sleep even longer,” I replied in a groggy voice.

“Then rest more. But first, please get a quick checkup and eat a little something. I’ll call the doctor right away. Your meal will be ready soon too.”

At her words, I narrowed my eyes slightly. “You’re unusually efficient today.”

“Oh come on, I’ve always been good at my job, haven’t I?”

Marie said shamelessly, then added with a slightly guilty look, “Actually, it was the master’s order. He told me to have the doctor ready to examine you as soon as you woke up. So he’s been on standby for hours.”

“…Ethan did?”

“Yes. Please wait just a moment.”

Marie left the room. Soon after, the duke’s personal physician came in, checked my temperature and pulse. Then I ate the food the maids had brought and fell back asleep like the dead.

When I woke up the second time, it was already evening. My body still ached here and there, but I felt noticeably better than earlier.

I changed clothes and left the room.

“Madam. Are you sure it’s okay for you to be moving around?” Victor came rushing over and asked.

“As you can see, I’m perfectly fine.”

“Still, I think you shouldn’t push yourself yet…”

“It’s just a short walk. The doctor even said too much bedrest isn’t good.”

Even so, Victor still looked worried. I changed the subject.

“Where’s Ethan? In the office?”

“Ah, yes. That’s correct.”

I headed to the study. Victor quickly followed behind.

To be honest, I felt a little shy about facing Ethan after what happened last night, but that wasn’t the point.

There were a mountain of issues we needed to discuss and decide together.

I reached Ethan’s office and knocked on the door.

“Ethan. It’s me. I’m coming in.”

Inside the study, guests had arrived before me. It was Mael and Jacques.

They both turned to me with surprised expressions.

“…Duchess.”

“Your Grace, are you feeling better now?”

“Everyone keeps asking me that today. I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.” I smiled brightly as I spoke.

Ethan looked at me with concern. “You should be resting in bed. If you had something to say, you could’ve just sent someone to call me.”

“No need to go that far. So, what were the three of you talking about?”

As I asked, a strange silence fell over the room.

I tilted my head. “What is it? Was it something serious?”

Then Jacques spoke up, “…I was just telling His Grace that I wish to resign.”

I narrowed my eyes and turned to Jacques. “What? What are you talking about?”

“I was prepared for this from the beginning. From the moment I begged you to save Ines that day. I know full well that just submitting a resignation isn’t enough. I’ll accept whatever punishment His Grace deems fit,” Jacques said with a firm expression.

He continued, “This time, I’ve committed too many unforgivable acts as a vassal of Dumont. I sold information about the Duchess to the enemy and used her to bargain for my wife’s life. And I did all of that without saying a word to the Duke.”

“You had no choice. Besides, I was the one who decided to meet the contact in secret without informing Ethan.”

Jacques shook his head at my words. “Even so, I’m still responsible. Even if I had safely escorted you back, it wouldn’t have been forgivable. And yet, you ended up in Girard’s hands…”

“That’s not your fault. I was the one who insisted on going ahead on horseback, and I was the one who forced your agreement. So if anyone’s to blame, it’s me.”

“No, it’s my responsibility. None of this would’ve happened if I hadn’t insisted on staying behind in enemy territory.”

Mael cut in.

“Likewise, it was my fault that Her Grace was captured by Girard. I’m a knight of Dumont. Protecting the Duchess is my duty above all else.”

“…Don’t tell me, Sir Mael—you’re planning to step down as captain of the knights too?”

I frowned and asked. Mael replied with silence.

“What? No, both of you—what is this nonsense? I told you from the start. Every decision was mine, and I’ll take full responsibility.”

“……”

Mael and Jacques fell silent. I turned to Ethan.

“Say something! Don’t tell me you’re actually going to accept this absurdity?”

“……”

Ethan quietly looked at the two men without answering. I widened my eyes instinctively.

“Ethan.”

“They’re not wrong. Acting without reporting to me, putting you in danger—it’s all true. And as Dumont’s vassals, these are acts they should never have committed,” Ethan said in a low voice.

“But still… everything worked out in the end. I came back safely, and Marlon Girard’s crimes were exposed to the world. The Girard house suffered a crushing blow.”

“That doesn’t mean their wrongdoings are justified.”

“Of course not. But resigning is going too far. They’re both essential to Dumont. And no one knows that better than you, Ethan.”

“……”

“Ethan. Please.”

I looked at him earnestly. But Ethan continued speaking without meeting my eyes.

“I’ll summon you again once the punishment has been decided. For now, both of you are to remain at home on probation.”

“…Understood.”

Mael and Jacques bowed deeply and left the study.

“Ethan, what are you going to do? You’re not seriously going to let them resign, are you?”

When I demanded an answer, Ethan replied with an unrelated question.

“Are you feeling any better?”

“What? Of course. I told you earlier—I’m fine. And that’s not what’s important right now.”

“What could be more important than you being okay?”

“What? No, I mean…”

I was momentarily at a loss for words when Ethan stood from his desk and came toward me.