My Husband Caught Me Having an Affair - Chapter 148

[The most important part comes next. The key to the previous request I made—to find Gabriel Blanchard—is in the hands of that father and son.

According to the information I recently obtained, it was Blanchard himself who smuggled Eric out three years ago. Toma believes it was Blanchard who told me this. At the time, the situation was so urgent that I had to say that to make Toma trust me.

If the Reggiani father and son are known to have reunited, there’s a high chance Blanchard will try to make contact with them in some way. Use that to connect him with me.

Although Duke Marlon Girard is currently in hiding, Blanchard will still be on high alert for various reasons. So you must approach him cautiously so as not to be mistaken for a Girard agent.

Show him the Dumont signet ring I’ve enclosed and tell him to contact me. Considering he must have heard what happened between Dumont and Girard, there’s no need to go into detail.

The meeting place is the confessional booth at Yena Church, where we’ve always met. Tell him I’ll wait there for thirty minutes every Wednesday at 4 p.m.

Considering the importance and effort involved in this task, I’ll send the agreed payment in advance.

The Chimera’s Heart is currently inside the private vault of the Marquis of Lacoste. It’s guarded as heavily as the Imperial Palace, but for you, Baron, that shouldn’t be a problem, right?

I’ll be counting on you.

C.D.

P.S. Needless to say, please destroy this letter after reading.]

‘The Marquis of Lacoste, huh.’

There were a few high-ranking nobles known as collectors, but the Marquis of Lacoste wasn’t one of them. It was unexpected—but perhaps because of that, it carried a peculiar credibility.

Camille had written, “For you, Baron, that shouldn’t be a problem, right?” Arthur recalled the line with a quiet chuckle. It had been a while since he felt his competitive spirit stirred.

‘First, I’ll have to earn the payment I’ve received.’

With his pipe in hand, Arthur stared at the closed door. For now, the reunited father and son deserved time alone together.

***

“Take care, Cam.”

Olivier said from his wheelchair. I’d told him there was no need to see me off, but he had insisted on coming all the way to the front of the estate.

“Yes, Brother. I’ll visit again.”

“No, don’t push yourself on my account. I know how busy you are.”

Though he said that, it was obvious he didn’t mean it. From the morning, he had looked visibly sad at the thought of my departure. That was why I ended up staying through lunch when I had originally planned to leave in the morning.

“Please don’t say that. I said it because I want to see you, not out of obligation.”

Olivier briefly smiled as if genuinely pleased, but the expression quickly turned into one of concern.

“Still, if you’re away from the ducal residence too long, it might be troubling for the Duke…”

“It’s fine. That man hangs on my every word. He’ll tell me to visit as often as I like—no doubt about it,” I replied playfully, winking.

“…Really? But last time, you said—”

Olivier trailed off with a puzzled look. No doubt he was thinking about when I told him, “Ethan and I have been distant lately.”

At the time, I’d still been planning to divorce Ethan, so I had laid the groundwork with that comment. But now, things had changed.

“Oh, that? We were a little awkward for a while, but we’re fine now.”

“Really? That’s such a relief.”

Olivier looked genuinely reassured. Then, lowering his voice slightly, he added, “So… does that mean there’s good news?”

“Pardon? Oh…”

That’s right. I’d also told him the reason for our distance was that we’d gone five years without news of a child. Olivier was now looking at me with eyes full of hopeful expectation.

“No, nothing like that… But we did agree to keep trying.”

It was a casual answer, but my face flushed a beat late. I’d unintentionally remembered that night.

“Really? That’s wonderful. Truly.”

Olivier beamed.

“Oh dear, I’ve kept you too long again. Off you go. Send my regards to the Duke.”

“I will, Brother. I’ll write you once I arrive.”

“Good.”

I kissed Olivier on the cheek and got into the carriage. As I waved at him from the window, he returned the gesture. Clutched tightly in his lap was the pocket watch I had given him.

Leaning back against the seat, I let out a quiet sigh.

‘I wonder if Arthur is doing well.’

By now, he was probably still en route to the village where Eric lived. I had left detailed instructions in the letter, and if it was Arthur, I had every confidence he’d manage it well.

‘If all goes smoothly, I should be able to meet Gabriel the week after next… or maybe the week after that.’

By then, the trial against Girard would be in full swing. Trials usually took a long time to conclude, so the timing would probably work out just fine.

I glanced at the seat next to me in the carriage. There lay a gift wrapped with a ribbon—the watch I had bought yesterday for Ethan.

“Daniel. Could you hurry a bit? I’d like to arrive before dinner, if possible.”

I opened the window toward the driver’s seat and spoke. A reply came quickly.

“Yes, madam. Of course.”

Smiling, I turned back to the scenery outside the window.

***

Perhaps thanks to my urging, I arrived at the ducal residence before sunset.

“Welcome back, madam.”

As I stepped down from the carriage, Victor and the rest of the servants bowed their heads in unison.

“Thank you. Is Ethan inside?”

“Yes, madam.”

I gathered my skirts and quickened my steps. As I entered through the mansion’s front doors, I immediately locked eyes with Ethan, who was descending the staircase.

“Camille.”

He said my name with a smile. It was still a rare and somewhat unfamiliar expression—but one that was deeply charming.

Ethan approached and kissed me on the cheek. It was another display of affection I wasn’t used to, but it felt so natural—as if it had always been this way—that it made my heart flutter.

“Was everything all right? Is Count Chevillotte doing well?”

“Yes. The visit went well, and my brother looked to be in good spirits. He asked me to send you his regards.”

“I see. You must be tired. Go rest. I’ll have dinner brought to your room.”

“Actually, about that… Are you very busy right now?”

Ethan looked slightly puzzled at my question. “No, not really. Why?”

“Then… would you like to have dinner together tonight?”

In the past—and even now, despite being closer—Ethan and I almost never shared meals.

He was often away late for work, and even when at home, he rarely ate at set times.

To be honest, dinner was just an excuse. I wanted a chance to give him the watch.

‘It’s not exactly some grand gift… but I don’t want to just toss it at him like it means nothing.’

Ethan nodded and asked, “Shall we? I’ll tell them to prepare something. When should I come down?”

“Oh, um… if it’s okay with you, could we eat in my room instead of the dining hall? Like you said, I am a bit tired.”

The truth was, there was another reason. The ducal dining room was overly large, and the table so long that even when seated across from each other, it hardly felt like a shared meal.

I wanted to sit closer today—to be able to see his face more easily.

“All right. Then what time should I come?”

“Hmm… would an hour from now be okay? I’d like to take a quick bath first.”

At that, Ethan visibly flinched.

“Ah… maybe an hour is too long? You must be hungry. Then maybe just—”

“No, it’s fine. I’m not very hungry. Take your time, even if it’s longer. Just send someone when you’re ready.”

Ethan cut me off quickly.

“Really? Thank you. I’ll do that, then.”

“All right. See you soon.”

I gave Ethan a bright smile and headed up the stairs.

***

Ethan stood watching Camille’s retreating figure.

It had been ages since she last asked to eat together. So long that he couldn’t even remember the last time.

‘…A bath, huh.’

Of course, after a long journey, she would want to freshen up.

Still, taking a full hour for a bath—and informing him in advance—and suggesting they eat in her room rather than the dining room…

That could only mean—

‘…No. Don’t jump to conclusions.’

Ethan shook his head. He’d made assumptions like this before, only to be completely wrong.

Even so, he couldn’t stop the quiet flutter of anticipation rising in his chest.

Ethan turned and walked away, feeling oddly nervous.