My Husband Caught Me Having an Affair - Chapter 163

Henry VII was deeply troubled.

The verdict for the Dumont vs. Girard trial was just around the corner, yet he still hadn’t reached a decision.

Contrary to Thierry’s firm assertions of innocence, the investigation had grown increasingly unfavorable toward him.

‘If only he’d just kept things moderate.’

Henry had long been aware that the Girards were involved in numerous illegal dealings, both in business and beyond.

The reason he hadn’t imposed sanctions was not only because Marlon had an uncanny knack for staying just within the lines, but also because he had always maintained absolute loyalty to the imperial family.

After Ethan’s father, Philip, died, Henry VII’s active support for House Dumont wasn’t simply out of a sense of debt. He had feared that Girard, seizing the opportunity, might swallow up Dumont’s shares and upset the delicate balance between the two houses.

This time was no different. While Ethan appeared intent on annihilating Girard once and for all, Henry VII wasn’t so keen on that outcome.

‘It would be better to maintain the title but confiscate some lands and assets.’

In fact, just a few days ago, he had tried sounding Ethan out about settling things within that range. But Ethan had flatly refused, saying compromise was not an option.

It had been the same during the trial. Ethan had cornered Girard with an overwhelming array of evidence and witnesses, as if he had been preparing for this day all along.

‘If I had known it would go like this, I’d have brought it before the Council of High Nobles instead of to trial.’

There were certainly plenty of high-ranking nobles in Alveni who would have sided with Girard, thanks to the groundwork Marlon had laid over the years.

Had it been handled in the council, extreme punishments like stripping titles would’ve been dismissed outright. Witnesses wouldn’t have been called up one after another, nor would the evidence have been scrutinized in such detail. The public reaction would’ve been much more subdued as well.

Currently, reports of the trial were making front-page news every day.

With such heinous crimes exposed, harsh punishment was the natural outcome. Granting immunity just because the accused was a high noble was unacceptable.

People from all classes, commoners and nobles alike, were raising their voices.

It wasn’t that Henry VII wished to side with Girard. On the contrary, he was personally closer to Ethan and believed his fury in this matter was completely justified.

The problem was the aftermath if House Girard were to collapse.

‘If only the Borcian problem didn’t exist…’

The neighboring country of Borcia had recently launched a military provocation against Alveni. If they caught wind of Girard’s downfall, they would surely escalate their aggression.

Henry VII let out a heavy sigh.

Just then, an attendant entered.

“Your Majesty. The Duke of Dumont has arrived.”

“Let him in.”

It was a scheduled audience. Unlike before, this time Ethan had requested it. The Emperor was already bracing himself, wondering what Ethan wanted now.

“I greet Your Majesty the Emperor.” Ethan bowed his head.

“So, what is it you wished to speak with me about today?”

“There is something I must urgently report to Your Majesty.”

Just as he suspected. Henry VII furrowed his brow and leaned back in his chair.

“Speak.”

“It won’t be me delivering the report. With Your Majesty’s permission, I would like to summon the one who will.”

At that, the Emperor narrowed his eyes. “This isn’t a courtroom. Are you trying to bring in yet another witness?”

“Yes, I am. But whether in court or not, this will be the last time anyone is called. Nor will I trouble Your Majesty any further with this case.”

Ethan spoke in a low voice. The Emperor watched him for a moment, then sighed.

“…Very well. Let him in.”

Soon, a man entered.

The middle-aged man was so gaunt his cheekbones were visible, and he had an overall haggard appearance. But his eyes shone with a sharp, unusual light.

The man knelt on one knee before the Emperor.

“This humble subject dares to greet the Sun of the Empire.”

“Gabriel Blanchard. He was once a core agent of the Girard intelligence division. Three years ago, he faked his own death and went into hiding. Because he knew there was no other way to escape the intelligence division alive.”

Ethan explained from the side.

“So, what do you expect this man to say?”

“He will report to Your Majesty the crimes of Marlon Girard that could not be revealed during the trial due to lack of evidence.”

At Ethan’s words, Henry VII frowned slightly. “More? Wasn’t the trial enough? A few more charges won’t change anything now.”

“This is different. It’s an assassination contract. Against the previous Duke of Dumont.”

At those words, Henry VII could hardly believe his ears.

“…What did you say?”

“Just as I said. The person who killed my father, Philip Dumont, was not solely my uncle, Maxime Dumont. It was in collusion with Marlon Girard.”

Despite the shocking revelation, Ethan’s voice and expression remained perfectly calm.

“What on earth are you talking about…?”

When Ethan glanced at Gabriel, he began to speak.

“I worked in the Girard intelligence division for eighteen years. My duty was the most covert and forbidden of all—assassination.”

Still kneeling on one knee with his head bowed, Gabriel continued, “The assassination of the previous Duke of Dumont, Philip, was one of the most thoroughly planned operations I ever saw. Maxime Dumont had long harbored a deep inferiority complex and resentment toward his brother. The Duke of Girard sent a specialized agent to befriend Maxime and slowly instigated him. He told him that if Philip died in an accident, Maxime could become Duke of Dumont—and that it was the right thing to do for the sake of the family.”

“……”

“The plan progressed smoothly. It was ultimately decided that when Duke Philip returned from a trip to the South, his carriage would be overturned in the mountains. But on the night before the incident, Maxime suddenly changed his mind. Drunk, he summoned the agent, tearfully saying he couldn’t go through with it. Startled, the agent quickly sent word to the Girard estate asking what to do. The Duke of Girard ordered the agent to drug Maxime’s drink so that he would remain unconscious until the assassination was carried out, unable to call it off. The agent followed the order. The rest, as Your Majesty already knows.”

“…Is that really true?” Henry VII asked in a hoarse voice.

“I would never dare lie in front of Your Majesty. It is all the undeniable truth,” Gabriel replied.

“Proof… Do you have any evidence besides your testimony?”

“I have a handwritten letter from Maxime Dumont to the agent. The Duke of Girard ordered everything destroyed, but the agent secretly kept one. He thought it might be the only way to protect himself if the Duke ever tried to silence him.”

Gabriel paused for a moment before continuing.

“…That agent later died on another mission. I learned about the letter through a will he left to me. I’ve kept it ever since.”

“Do you still have the letter?”

“Yes.”

Gabriel drew a letter from inside his coat and held it out to the Emperor. With trembling hands, the Emperor took the letter and opened it.

The old paper was filled with resentment and lament toward Philip.

And at the end, it said:

[Thanks to you, I now realize the only thing I lack is courage. It seems the time has come to make a decision—for the sake of the House of Dumont, not myself.]

Henry VII slowly lowered the hand holding the letter.

“…Why now? Why didn’t you come forward sooner?”

“I am deeply ashamed. I was too fixated on self-preservation to summon the courage to speak. But when I heard about what happened this time, I knew if I didn’t act now, the chance would never come again. That’s how I finally made up my mind.”

“……”

Henry VII silently closed his eyes. He was filled with unspeakable sorrow.

‘…I’m sorry, Philip.’

After a long pause, Henry VII opened his eyes again. With a hardened expression, he spoke, “This matter will be officially announced by the imperial court. We must expose the Duke of Girard’s crimes to the world so that something like this never happens again.”

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s wise judgment.”

Ethan bowed his head.

***

Ethan left the palace with Gabriel.

Outside, it was raining. The coachman approached with an umbrella to meet Ethan.

“You’re not coming with me?” Ethan asked, turning to Gabriel.

“I’ll go on my own.”

“It’s quite a distance to the main gate.”

“It’s fine.”

Ethan quietly nodded and said, “Thank you. Thanks to you, we were able to deliver the final blow to Girard.”

“Not at all. As I told His Majesty, I’d been waiting for the chance to come forward. You were the one who gave me that chance.”

Ethan looked at Gabriel for a moment in silence, then asked again.

“There’s just one thing I’d like to ask before you go.”

“What is it?”

“The agent who approached my uncle under Marlon Girard’s orders. That was you, wasn’t it?”

At those words, Gabriel’s eyes wavered slightly.