My Husband Caught Me Having an Affair - Chapter 38

Mael stared at Camille, momentarily at a loss for words. He suddenly realized why she had insisted on having a drink, acting frivolous. She wanted to be alone with him without arousing suspicion from the young knight.

Mael walked over to the sofa where Camille sat and stood at attention, bowing slightly. “Speak, please.”

“Sit down. Are you uncomfortable?” Camille asked.

“I’ll stand and listen.”

“Alright. I don’t have much time, so I’ll get straight to the point. Do you remember the name Marcel Bache?”

“……”

For the first time, Mael couldn’t hide his surprise. His eyes widened involuntarily.

“Judging by your reaction, you remember,” Camille observed.

“How do you know that name?” Mael asked, regaining his composure.

“I was looking into some matters and came across a surprising coincidence. Four years ago, Marcel Bache served in the 1st Battalion, 3rd Company of the capital’s knight order. And the captain of the 3rd Company at that time was none other than Sir Mael.”

“……”

Mael scrutinized Camille, trying to understand her motive for bringing this up.

“What kind of soldier was Marcel Bache?” she inquired.

“I cannot disclose internal matters of the knight order. I apologize.”

“Even though neither you nor Bache are part of the capital’s knight order anymore?” Camille pressed.

“Even if our affiliation was temporary…”

“The oath is eternal.”

Camille finished his sentence for him, leaving Mael visibly unsettled once more.

She smiled softly. “Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. I heard it’s something knights often say.”

“……”

Knights typically felt a strong sense of belonging to their order. The phrase meant that, regardless of where they transferred or even after retiring, they always remembered their original affiliation. The original saying had a historical context.

“It’s attributed to Cadrit, a knight of ancient Alec. Originally, Cadrit was a knight of Daershilant, but he was unjustly cast out by his liege. He wandered aimlessly until he pledged loyalty to Prince Loewyd of Alec, who saved him from certain death. Years later, when a war broke out between Alec and Daershilant, Loewyd asked Cadrit for information about Daershilant. Cadrit said he’d lay down his life if ordered, but he couldn’t betray his oath by divulging secrets. That’s when he first uttered those words.”

“…You even know that story?”

“I came across it in a book once. It was such an impressive tale that it stuck with me.”

It was a famous story among knights, representing the ideal of maintaining one’s oath even if betrayed by their liege. That Camille knew of it was genuinely surprising to Mael.

“The conversation veered off for a moment. Anyway, are you truly unwilling to speak about Marcel Bache?” Camille asked again.

“I’m sorry, but I cannot,” Mael replied firmly.

“I’m not trying to question you about what happened back then, Sir Mael. I don’t hold you responsible for it either.”

“……”

Camille’s words confirmed that she knew about the incident. Marcel Bache had attempted suicide due to severe bullying within the unit, leading to his dishonorable discharge. Mael had left the capital’s knight order because of that incident. As a company commander, he felt responsible for not being aware of the bullying. The decisive factor, however, was that the victim, Bache, was dishonorably discharged, while one of the perpetrators was the child of a high-ranking official. Disgusted by the injustice, Mael resigned.

“I only want to know what kind of person Marcel Bache is. Can’t you tell me that?”

“I’m sorry, I cannot.”

Camille sighed softly. “That’s very much like you, Sir Mael. You didn’t even ask why I wanted to know.”

Mael felt a strange unease at her comment about his character but didn’t show it.

“Then let me change the question. Do you remember the murder that happened six months ago? The opera singer named Valerie Jeuness who went missing after a performance and was later found dead in an alley?”

This question was as unexpected as her mention of Marcel Bache.

“Yes, I remember. But what does that have to do with Bache?”

“The truth is, I was at that opera, the one that became Valerie’s last performance. I think I saw the murderer.”

Mael stared at Camille, unable to find the words to respond immediately.

“Are you saying… you suspect Bache?”

“Yes, I suspect Marcel Bache.”

If this had been the Camille of old, Mael might have thought she was influenced by some recent mystery novel. But now, he couldn’t dismiss her claims. Her eyes were calm, devoid of any excitement or ulterior motives. It was a serene conviction that suggested she was neither thrilled by a sense of adventure nor trying to deceive herself.

“May I ask what evidence you have?”

“On the way home in my carriage that night, I saw a suspicious man. I didn’t realize it at the time, but upon reflection, I think it was near the alley where Valerie was found the next day.”

“You believe that man was Bache?”

“Yes.”

“How did you identify him as Bache? And why didn’t you report this immediately, six months ago?” Mael questioned, then paused. “I’m sorry if I sounded accusatory.”

“It’s alright. I’ll explain step by step. A few days ago, I visited Jacques’ house and met his wife, Ines.”

“Jacques’ wife, Ines?” Mael echoed, taken aback by the unexpected name.

“Yes, she’s a lovely woman. I can see why Jacques is so smitten with her. I wanted to talk to Ines more, so I visited again the next day. I found myself even more impressed by her. Despite my status, she treated me with sincerity and without fear, which is not an easy thing to do.”

Mael recalled hearing from Victor about Jacques’ wife being a person of great character. Still, it was surprising to hear Camille speak so highly of a commoner.

“Anyway, I went to see Ines again the next day. I hadn’t planned on it initially, but I bought some delicious pastries from a popular shop and thought she might like some,” Camille continued, her story surprising Mael, though he didn’t show it.

“But on my way, I saw Ines through the carriage window. She was walking her dog. I was about to call out to her when I noticed a man following her.”

Camille paused before continuing slowly, “The moment I saw his face, I knew. It was the same face I saw the night Valerie was killed.”

“……”

Mael’s eyes widened slightly. The murderer who had killed Valerie Jeuness was suspected of having killed at least two more women. If Camille’s words were true, Ines could indeed be the next target.

“The man watched Ines until she entered her home, then he turned and walked away. He went down a path where the carriage couldn’t follow, so I had to get out and follow him myself,” Camille said.

Mael couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “You followed him? Yourself, Duchess?”

“I had no choice. If he intended to harm Ines, I couldn’t let him get away. It was broad daylight, and there were many people around, so I thought it would be safe.”

“Still, it was a reckless and dangerous thing to do. Wasn’t there anyone else who could have followed him?” Mael asked, his concern evident.

“I initially told the coachman, Daniel, to follow the man, but he was so taken aback by my sudden request that he couldn’t figure out who I was talking about,” Camille explained.

“You took a great risk. If something had happened to you, what would the Duke have said…”

Camille smirked bitterly. “He might not have been surprised at all, thinking it was just another foolish thing his undignified wife would do.”

Mael frowned at her self-deprecating comment. “What do you mean by that?”

“Anyway, listen. I followed the man until he entered a building, a cheap rowhouse. I memorized the address and then returned to my carriage,” Camille continued.

“And then? Did you ask Jacques to investigate?”

Camille shook her head. “No, I couldn’t. Jacques is still following me on Ethan’s orders. It would have been suspicious for me to ask him to investigate someone else. I wasn’t in a position to bring it up.”

“……”

Mael waited silently for her to continue.

“In fact, Jacques probably knows I followed Bache. They might have already identified him too,” Camille said.

“…Has the Duke said anything about this?”

“No. He probably suspects I was trying to contact Girard’s informant. If he revealed his knowledge, he might lose the trail he’s been following. Instead, he’s likely watching my every move more closely. I wouldn’t be surprised if, once I leave, Ethan calls you in to ask about our conversation,” Camille said, her tone disconcertingly calm.

“……”

If what she said was true, it demonstrated a remarkable level of insight.