My Husband Caught Me Having an Affair - Chapter 62

Honestly, at first, I didn’t expect to see Elodie in person.

This was because I was planning to divorce Ethan early to avoid interfering with the original storyline.

However, after everything got tangled in various ways, I concluded that I should directly lead Elodie’s adoption for a more certain outcome.

Elodie was, without a doubt, my favorite character in my beloved romance fantasy novel “I Became the Daughter of a Distrustful Duke.”

Ethan might not have had time to think such thoughts due to the circumstances, but I felt a certain thrill even when I first met supporting characters like Victor or Mael.

It was a work I had loved so much that seeing the characters come to life made me feel incredibly moved.

‘Wow, a living, breathing Elodie… What do I do? I’m not ready for this…!’

Since it was late August, and her birthday hadn’t passed yet, Elodie must still be ten years old.

‘Ten-year-old Elodie! She must be so cute and lovely that I’d faint on the spot. What if I lose control and hug her as soon as I see her? No, I must hold back. I can’t let Elodie get scared and run away…’

Just imagining it overwhelmed me. Truly, if I actually did that, I might suffer irreversible mental damage.

“Camille, are you alright? Maybe you’re still not fully recovered?”

Audrey’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

“Oh, no, I’m fine. I think I just got a bit dizzy from the sudden sunlight. Let’s go; I’m alright now.”

I smiled and gently nudged Audrey forward. She still seemed unsure, but she led the way into the church.

“Viscountess Grandbert. You’re here.”

A middle-aged priest came out to greet us. Audrey smiled at him.

“Hello, Father Dreyfus. Have you been well?”

“Yes, of course.”

‘Curly black hair, a slender build, glasses… just as described in the original.’

At that moment, Father Dreyfus turned his eyes toward me.

“This must be…”

“Oh, yes. This is the Duchess of Dumont. She decided to join me in the volunteer work this time.”

“Hello, Father,” I greeted Father Dreyfus with a friendly smile on my face.

“Nice to meet you. I am Claude Dreyfus. It’s truly an honor to have the Duchess of Dumont participate in such a good cause.”

“It’s all thanks to Viscountess Grandbert. I’ve been watching her and wondering if there might be something I could do for those in need as well. Even if it is late, I’m glad I finally found the courage to try.”

“There’s no such thing as late or early in these matters. With such a kind heart, surely Lord Armas will bless you.”

“Thank you. Actually, I originally intended to bring some relief supplies, but I thought you at the church would know better what’s needed… so I decided to make a small donation instead, if that’s alright?”

Father Dreyfus nodded at my words. “Of course. Any donation would be used for a good cause.”

Though there were priests who embezzled donations for their own gain, Dreyfus was not one of them. He was known for being sincere and virtuous.

Just then, I heard a high, thin voice from behind me.

“Father Dreyfus.”

The moment I heard that voice, a shiver ran down my spine.

For some inexplicable reason, I couldn’t bring myself to turn around.

“Excuse me for a moment,” Father Dreyfus said, asking for our understanding as he walked past us.

“What is it, Elodie?”

I heard Father Dreyfus ask, and my heart sank.

‘…Elodie? He definitely said Elodie just now, didn’t he?’

I had come here with a good chance of meeting Elodie today. But I had assumed it would be after we visited the orphanage. I never imagined I would see her right upon arriving at the church.

Stunned by the unexpected encounter, I was frozen in place, unable to move a muscle. At the same time, all my senses were focused on hearing Elodie’s voice.

“Um, I finished reading the book you lent me, so…”

Elodie trailed off hesitantly.

I heard Father Dreyfus chuckle softly.

“You want the next volume, don’t you?”

“Yes. I was trying to wait until dinnertime, but I was too curious about what happens next… I’m sorry for bothering you, Father.”

Elodie spoke in a whispering tone, her voice barely audible.

‘So cute!’

I involuntarily clutched my chest.

‘Whatever book it is, I’ll buy it for you. I’ll buy a hundred copies of each volume! If it’s not complete yet, I’ll find the author and have them finish it for you!’

As I was shouting this in my head, Audrey, who was next to me, walked over toward Elodie.

“Hello, Elodie.”

“Hello, Viscountess Grandbert.”

I heard Elodie greet her in a clear voice.

‘Viscountess Grandbert! So cute! So smart! Say my name too! …No, wait, cancel that. I’m not ready yet. And they know each other? I knew they were acquainted, but still, to approach her so casually… I’m jealous!’

I still had my back turned to Elodie, unable to muster the courage to face her.

Her voice alone was enough to have this effect on me; I couldn’t trust myself to keep it together if I actually looked at her.

Then I heard Audrey call my name.

“Duchess of Dumont?”

“Oh, yes, Audrey. What is it?”

“Are you alright? You don’t seem well.”

“No, I’m fine. Really,” I replied, still with my back turned.

After a moment of silence, I heard Father Dreyfus speak.

“Sorry, Elodie. I have some important guests right now. Could you wait for me at the orphanage for a bit? I’ll bring it to you soon.”

“Yes, I understand, Father Dreyfus. I’m sorry for the interruption.”

“No, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

‘Is she leaving? Is Elodie leaving?’

As regret washed over me, I still couldn’t bring myself to turn around.

Eventually, Father Dreyfus and Audrey returned to me.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Duchess.”

“It’s fine. More importantly, that child…”

“Oh, you mean Elodie. She’s one of the children at our orphanage. She’s very mature for her age, always putting her younger siblings first. She’s a bright child, already reading books meant for adults. She came today to borrow another book,” said Father Dreyfus quickly, almost as if he were making an excuse.

“Oh, I see. I was just about to suggest you go ahead and find it for her.”

“…Pardon?” Father Dreyfus blinked in confusion.

“The book she was looking for. She seemed eager to read it, so why not give it to her now?”

“Oh… I thought I shouldn’t keep you both waiting…”

“I don’t mind. It won’t take long, will it? Right, Audrey?”

“Yes, exactly.” Audrey quickly agreed.

“I see. Since the Duchess insists, I will bring it to her now.”

“Take your time.”

I smiled as I watched Father Dreyfus leave.

Audrey looked at me for a moment before speaking, “I thought you might be uncomfortable, Duchess… but it seems I was mistaken.”

“What? Uncomfortable? Why would I be?” I asked, widening my eyes.

“Because you didn’t try to look at Elodie at all… I’m glad to hear that wasn’t the case. As Father Dreyfus said, she’s really a sweet child.”

“Yes, I know… I mean, she seems that way. I just thought, as a stranger, I might scare her, so I kept my distance.”

Audrey seemed to believe my little lie without question.

“I see. I apologize for misunderstanding you, Duchess. I shouldn’t have assumed.”

“Why apologize? I was the one acting in a way that could be misunderstood. And there you go again, calling me ‘Duchess.'”

“Oh, right. Camille. Sorry.”

I smiled softly at Audrey’s embarrassment.

‘Uncomfortable, huh… She thought I avoided Elodie because I didn’t want to interact with an orphanage child?’

It was an assumption that I had never even considered, but now that I thought about it, it was possible there were indeed noblewomen who acted like that.

Honestly, I didn’t care if Audrey or Father Dreyfus misunderstood me, but if Elodie thought the same, it would make me a little—no, a lot—sad.

‘No, Elodie. I’m not like that. Quite the opposite. I just didn’t have the courage to look at you…!’