My Husband Caught Me Having an Affair - Chapter 37

Jacques hurried to follow Camille. She had stopped by a high-end pastry shop to buy a package of desserts and seemed to be heading towards his residence. He assumed she was going to see Ines again, but her sudden deviation from the route was unexpected.

After a while, Camille’s brisk pace slowed down. She opened her parasol and began walking noticeably slower.

‘…Is she following someone?’ Jacques wondered, relying on his instincts honed from years of experience. He scanned the direction Camille was looking, but there were too many people, and he couldn’t pinpoint who she might be trailing.

‘Could it be the informant?’ he speculated.

It seemed unlikely she would be so blatant if she knew she was being followed, but he couldn’t dismiss the possibility entirely.

After nearly ten minutes of shadowing Camille, Jacques finally identified who she might be following.

‘That man?’

The man was quite far away, with his back to Jacques, making it difficult to discern his features. He seemed to have an average build and height, and from his attire, he didn’t appear to be a noble.

Camille suddenly stopped again, and Jacques quickly hid behind a nearby wall. She was intently watching a building that appeared to be a row of rowhouses. It looked like the man had entered that building.

Moments later, Camille turned around and started walking back the way she came. Jacques hesitated for a moment, unsure of whom to follow.

Fortunately, he had instructed two of his subordinates to follow at a distance again today. He quickly scanned his surroundings to locate them and signaled for them to follow Camille. Jacques then hurried towards the rowhouse.

***

“..So, did you catch the man Camille was following?” Ethan asked.

“No, I didn’t. By the time I entered the building, he was already out of sight. He likely went to his room. However, I did obtain the resident list of the building. Considering he had an average build and height, he could be one of these seven men,” Jacques replied, handing over the list.

Ethan took the list and examined it. His eyes suddenly halted on a name: ‘Marcel Bache.’

“Is something wrong?” Jacques asked.

“..It’s nothing. Have you started the background checks?” Ethan responded.

“Yes. We’re looking into their histories, including past activities. I’ve also stationed my men near the building to keep watch.”

“Good. Report to me as soon as you have results.”

“Understood.”

Ethan closed the list and placed it on his desk. Marcel Bache was not an uncommon name. It was likely a coincidence. Whatever the case, they would know more once the investigations were complete.

“What about Camille? What did she do afterward?”

“According to the report, she returned to the carriage and headed back to the mansion. She hasn’t left since.”

Ethan pondered with an expressionless face.

Jacques waited for a moment before speaking again. “What should we do next?”

“The priority is identifying the man Camille was following. Continue the surveillance, but be extremely careful not to alert Camille. If she realizes we’re onto something, we could lose this lead.”

“Understood. However…”

“However?”

“Is it possible that man is really an informant? It seems unlikely that the Duchess would expose him so recklessly, knowing she was being followed.”

“You think it could be a trap?”

“I’m not sure. It might be unrelated. We don’t have enough information to make a judgment yet.”

“Exactly. Keep observing and avoid making any premature conclusions. Consider all possibilities.”

“Yes.”

After Jacques left, Ethan leaned back in his chair, furrowing his brow in contemplation. He had ordered the surveillance, but he hadn’t expected to receive such a report so soon.

As much as he had doubted Camille’s actions, a part of him wanted to believe in her innocence. Perhaps he wanted to trust that Camille had no connection with Girard and that everything she did was for the sake of the duchy.

The surveillance was meant to confirm her innocence. As long as Camille didn’t do anything suspicious, he could continue to trust her. But nothing had been conclusively determined yet.

Despite everything, he couldn’t help but feel a peculiar sense of bitterness.

‘She truly is an unpredictable woman.’

***

A few days later, at the headquarters of the Dumont duchy’s knights, Mael Cantona, the 24-year-old captain of the knight order, was engrossed in paperwork in his office. Most knights disliked dealing with documents, often delegating such tasks to their aides or administrative officers once they attained higher ranks. However, Mael was an exception. From a young age, he had been known for his dual talents in both scholarly and martial pursuits. Born as the third son of a count, he had no title prospects, so he chose the path of a knight, excelling rapidly in the capital’s knight order.

Mael’s swift rise came to a sudden halt when he abruptly resigned from the knight order. Months later, he was recruited by Ethan to become the captain of the Dumont duchy’s knight order. People were puzzled by his decision to remain in a private force when he had the potential to lead the capital’s knight order or even the royal knight order.

Only a few knew the true reasons behind his decision.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

“Come in,” Mael said without looking up. But the visitor was neither a squire, a subordinate knight, nor one of Ethan’s messengers.

“Am I disturbing you?” a familiar voice asked.

“Duchess,” Mael said, standing up abruptly. He was visibly taken aback, as it was the first time she had visited since he took his position.

“What brings you here? If you had something to discuss, you could have sent for me,” he said, noticing that Camille was alone, without even a maid accompanying her. Behind her stood a young knight, looking awkward and uncomfortable, evidently having been coerced into guiding her.

“I realized I haven’t visited the knight order’s building since my marriage. I heard there’s a riding training ground here? If you’re not too busy, I’d like you to show me around,” Camille said with a bright smile.

Mael felt conflicted. Did Ethan know about this visit? Probably not; otherwise, she wouldn’t have shown up unannounced. Yet, he couldn’t just send her away, given her status.

‘People say the Duchess has changed completely since that incident, but maybe not as much as they think,’ he mused. The old Camille would have never shown interest in the knight order.

Could she have an ulterior motive?

Mael recalled Ethan’s suspicion about Camille being an agent for Girard. If that were true, it would be reckless to show her the layout and organization of the knight order.

As Mael hesitated, Camille dramatically fanned herself with her hand. “Oh, it’s hot. Walking under the sun has tired me out. I’d love to see the place, but could I rest here for a bit first?” she asked, plopping down on the sofa without waiting for his response. Her casual manner seemed unbefitting for the Duchess of Dumont, almost too informal.

“Are you not hot, Sir Mael? Could I get some cold water, perhaps?” she asked, looking at him expectantly.

Mael glanced at the young knight standing behind her. “Go fetch some cold water.”

“I’d prefer lemonade if possible. Chilled, please,” Camille added in a slightly playful tone.

“…Go to the main house kitchen. Tell them it’s for the Duchess, and they’ll provide it. If they’re hesitant, tell them it’s on my orders.”

“Yes, sir,” the knight replied, saluting before exiting the office. Soon, only Mael and Camille remained in the room. It dawned on Mael that being alone with her in a confined space was inappropriate.

“You mentioned it being hot. I’ll open the door to let some air in,” Mael said, moving toward the door.

“Leave it as it is,” Camille responded, her tone suddenly calm and serious.

Mael stopped in his tracks, surprised by the change. Gone was her casual demeanor; she now sat with perfect posture, exuding an air of dignity and authority.