My Husband Caught Me Having an Affair - Chapter 65

When Audrey first mentioned, ‘The Duchess of Dumont wants to participate in volunteer activities,’ I had my doubts.

It wasn’t as if noblewomen hadn’t come to volunteer at the orphanage before. But most of them participated on a whim, only to end up complaining and never returning. And that would have been the best-case scenario. Some would snap at the children or push them away in disgust when they got snot on them. Physical wounds from falling could heal quickly, but emotional scars could last a lifetime—sometimes never healing at all.

For this reason, we had recently stopped accepting volunteers and relied solely on donations. But this time, Audrey had pleaded earnestly, and after much consideration, I agreed.

Audrey had been volunteering for a long time, since her maiden days. Everyone at the church acknowledged her character and devotion. But there was no guarantee her friend would be the same. In particular, the Duchess of Dumont was known for her love of extravagance and luxurious lifestyle. It was hard not to suspect that her desire to volunteer was a passing fancy.

However, in the end, Miriam was wrong.

Camille treated the children with as much care as Audrey did. Although the dress she wore—which, by her standards, was likely simple and easy to move in—was obviously high-end, she didn’t mind getting it dirty.

Camille held the children close and patted their heads without hesitation, all the while smiling brightly and genuinely. The children, sensing her sincerity, opened up to her in no time—even those who had grown withdrawn after being hurt by other noblewomen in the past.

‘Armas taught us not to treat people with prejudice, yet I still have a long way to go.’

Miriam closed her eyes briefly, then looked at Audrey.

“Please convey my heartfelt thanks to the Duchess and let her know she’s welcome anytime.”

Audrey smiled brightly, clearly pleased. “Of course, Mother Superior. I’ll be sure to do that.”

***

I sat in the waiting area outside the confessional, my face hidden under a veil.

I wasn’t particularly waiting for my turn to confess. I was waiting for the person currently inside the confessional.

In the original story, he was said to come to Father Dreyfus for confession here at Yena Church on the last Wednesday evening of every month.

Soon, the confessional door opened, and a man dressed in a black silk hat and suit stepped out. He glanced briefly at me before trying to walk past.

With my head still bowed, I spoke up, “Baron Arthur Roban, isn’t it?”

The man’s footsteps halted.

“Who are you?”

“I have a job I’d like to commission.”

“A job? You must be mistaken. I’m just an ordinary—”

“Crimson Perennial Snow.”

At my low murmur, the man immediately fell silent.

I continued, “El Durani Tiara. Dragon’s Eye.”

“……”

“I didn’t mistake you for someone else. I came here knowing exactly who you are.”

Those words I had just mentioned were all famous gemstones. One was owned by a well-known high-ranking noble from Alveni, another by a distant royal family, and the last was said to have been lost during a war.

But I knew. The man in front of me, Arthur Roban, possessed all three genuine gemstones.

It was information that only someone well acquainted with him would know.

“…Who are you?”

It was the same question as before, but now his voice was much more guarded.

I placed the item I had been holding next to me on the bench—a ring engraved with the Dumont crest.

Arthur slowly walked over, picked up the ring, and examined it.

“You are…”

I looked up at him through the veil.

Arthur was an impressive-looking man, with thick eyebrows, a straight, prominent nose, and a well-groomed mustache. He met my gaze with narrowed eyes.

“I’ll say it again. I have a job I want to commission.”

He stared at me for a long time, his expression unreadable, before placing the ring back beside me.

“…This isn’t the kind of place for such discussions. Let’s arrange another time and place.”

It seemed Arthur no longer intended to deny his identity. No doubt he had decided that if the Dumonts’ intelligence network knew of him, there was no point in hiding. Just as I had expected and intended.

Even though my sudden approach had surely been unexpected, his reaction was swift and calm rather than panicked.

In the original story, Arthur Roban was called the “Black Gentleman.”

By day, he played the role of a wealthy idler, but by night, he was an elusive master thief and a major figure in the underworld.

After the conflict between Dumont and Girard intensified, he played a key role in assisting Elodie.

“If not today, it will be difficult. I’m under surveillance.”

At my words, Arthur’s gaze changed again. “You’re saying we’re safe right now?”

“Yes. The confessional waiting area only has one entrance, and unless someone shouts loudly, sound doesn’t leak outside. So even if we’re being followed, they can’t eavesdrop on this conversation.”

I took a pocket watch out of my coat and checked the time before continuing, “I have an appointment with Father Dreyfus for confession in twelve minutes. No one else will come in until then.”

“……”

Arthur sat down at a distance of about one person away from me on the bench.

“Tell me what you need.”

“Find someone for me. His name is Gabriel Blanchard. Until two or three years ago, he worked as a spy for the Girard dukedom. He faked his death during a mission, but I’m sure he’s still alive.”

Gabriel was a character in the original story who provided crucial evidence exposing Marlon’s crimes. He had grown disillusioned with Girard’s ruthless methods but faked his death to avoid being quietly eliminated.

Gabriel knew that it was Marlon who killed Nicolas’s mother. However, in the original, this fact wasn’t revealed until after Nicolas was already dead.

‘If I find Gabriel sooner and uncover the truth, maybe I can sway Nicolas, unlike in the original. Then I might even end the conflict with Girard early.’

Of course, finding Gabriel wouldn’t be easy. He had managed to deceive Marlon, after all, proving himself a highly capable agent.

But if anyone could find him, it was Arthur. If even he couldn’t, then it would be impossible for anyone.

“It won’t be an easy job. It could take several months, maybe even over a year. Still, I hope you won’t give up and will see it through to the end. If you succeed, I’ll make sure you’re compensated accordingly.”

“And what is that compensation?”

“The location of the ‘Chimera’s Heart.'”

Arthur’s eyes flashed with an entirely different intensity at my words.

The Chimera’s Heart was the name of a diamond mined about ten years ago. It was over 300 carats, drawing much public attention.

But the Chimera’s Heart had vanished without a trace after being ambushed during transport. The entire escort had been wiped out in the attack.

“…How do you know where the Chimera’s Heart is?”

“I can’t tell you that. And I don’t have any proof to show you.”

“Then how can I believe you?”

“I showed you the Dumont crest. I wouldn’t make false promises under that name.”

“……”

“Of course, I don’t expect you to accept the job based on just my word. As a retainer, I’ll give you the gemstones I have. They’re all of the highest quality.”

I handed over a pouch I had prepared in advance.

Arthur took out a few of the gemstones and examined them closely.

He had the eyes of a top-tier appraiser, so he would recognize their value immediately. And I was sure he knew safe routes to discreetly sell them.

Arthur put the gemstones back into the pouch and placed it on the bench beside me.

“Give me some time to think about it.”

“Take all the time you need. However, that’s not my only request.”

“What else?”

“I need a safe way to leave the country, along with a new identity and a place to settle. I’ll compensate for all the costs and your fee in gemstones as well.”

“……”

Arthur’s eyes narrowed at that.