Mael stared at Camille, momentarily at a loss for words.
He suddenly realized why she insisted on drinking, and was acting so recklessly.
She wanted to be alone with him without arousing the young knight's suspicions.
Mile headed towards the sofa on which Camille was sitting, stood at attention, and bowed slightly.
“Speak, please.”
“Sit down. Do you feel uncomfortable?” Camille asked.
“I will stand and listen.”
"Okay. I don't have much time, so I'll get straight to the point. Do you remember Marcel Patch's name?"
“……”
For the first time, Mael couldn't hide his surprise.
His eyes widened involuntarily.
“Judging by your reaction, you remember,” Camille noted.
“How do you know this name?” Mael asked, regaining his composure.
“I was looking into some things, and I came across a strange coincidence. Four years ago, Marcel Patch served in the 1st Battalion, 3rd Company, of the Metropolitan Order of Knights. The commander of the 3rd Company at the time was Mr. Mayle.”
“……”
Mael examined Camille, trying to understand her motive for bringing this up.
“What kind of soldier was Marcel Patch?”
“I cannot disclose internal matters related to the Knights Order. I apologize.”
“Even though you and La Patch are not part of the Capital Knights anymore?” Camille insisted.
“Even if our affiliation is temporary...”
“The oath is eternal”
Camille finished for him, leaving Mael visibly disturbed once again.
She smiled softly.
“Sorry, I couldn't help myself. I heard that's what knights usually say.”
“……”
“Knights usually felt a strong sense of belonging to their factions.
This phrase means that, no matter where they move or even after they retire, they will always remember their original affiliation. The original saying had a historical context.
It is attributed to Cadret, an ancient Alec knight.
Cadret was originally a Knight of Dirchilant, but was unjustly cast out. He wandered adrift until he declared his loyalty to Prince Lloyd of Alec, who saved him from certain death.
Years later, when a war broke out between Alec and Derchelant, Lloyd asked Cadret for information about Derchelant.
Cadret said he would sacrifice his life if ordered to do so, but would not betray his oath by revealing secrets. That's when he uttered those words for the first time.
“…Do you even know this story?”
“I found it in a book once. It was a story so moving that it stuck with me.”
It was a famous story among knights, embodying the principle of fulfilling an oath even if their master betrayed it. Camille's knowledge of it was really surprising to Mile.
“The conversation got sidetracked for a moment. Anyway, are you really unwilling to talk about Marcel Patch?” Camille asked again.
“I'm sorry, but I can't,” Mael replied firmly.
“I'm not trying to question you about what happened then, Mr. Mayle. Nor do I hold you responsible for it.”
“……”
Camille's words confirmed her knowledge of the incident.
Marcel Patch attempted suicide due to the severe bullying he experienced within the unit, which resulted in him being dishonorably discharged.
Mael left the Metropolitan Order of Knighthood due to this incident. As a company commander, he felt responsible for not knowing about the bullying.
But the deciding factor was that the victim, Patch, had been dishonorably discharged, while one of the perpetrators was the son of a high-ranking official.
Disgusted by the injustice, Mael resigned.
"I just want to know what kind of person Marcel Patch is. Can't you tell me?"
“I'm sorry, I can't”
Camille sighed softly, "That's just like you, Mr. Mayle. You didn't even ask me why I wanted to know that."
Mile felt strangely uncomfortable at her comment on his personality but he didn't show it.
"Let me change the question. Do you remember the murder that happened six months ago? The opera singer Valerie Junis who disappeared after her performance, then was found dead in an alley?"
This question was as unexpected as her mention of Marcel Bach.
"Yes, I remember. But what does this have to do with Patch?"
“The truth is that I attended that opera, the one that was Valery's last performance. I think I saw the killer.”
Mael stared at Camille, unable to find the words to respond immediately.
“Are you saying...that you suspect Patch?”
“Yes, I doubt Marcel Patch.”
If this were old Camille, Mile would think she was influenced by a modern detective novel. But now, he couldn't refute her claims.
Her eyes were calm, devoid of any enthusiasm or hidden intentions.
It was a calm conviction that suggested that she was not aroused by the spirit of adventure and was not trying to deceive him.
“May I ask what evidence you have?”
"On my way home in my car that night, I saw a suspicious man. I didn't realize it at the time, but upon reflection, I think he was near the alley where Valerie was found the next day."
“Do you think that guy was Patch?”
"Yes."
"How did you know it was Patch? And why didn't you report this immediately, six months ago?" “I’m sorry if I sounded accusatory,” Mael asked, then paused.
“It's okay. I'll explain step by step. A few days ago, I visited Jack's house and met his wife, Ines.”
“Jack's wife, Ines?” , repeated Mael, surprised by the unexpected name.
“Yes, she is a wonderful woman. I understand why Jack liked her. I wanted to talk to Ines more, so I visited her again the next day. I found myself liking her even more. Despite my status, she treated me honestly and without fear, which is no small thing.”
Mile remembered hearing Victor describe Jack's wife as a great person. However, it was surprising to hear Camille speak so fondly of the common people.
"Anyway, I went to see Ines again the next day. I wasn't planning to at first, but I bought some delicious pastries from a famous shop, and I thought she might like them," Camille continued, her story surprising Mile, 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: “As soon as I saw his face, I knew. It was the same face I saw the night Valerie was killed.”
“……”
Mile's eyes widened slightly.
Valerie Jones' killer is suspected of killing at least two other women. If Camille's words were true, Ines might indeed be the next target.
"The man watched Ennis until she entered her house, then turned and went away. He took a path that the carriage could not follow, so I had to get off and follow him myself," Camille continued.
Mael couldn't believe what he heard, "You followed him? You, Duchess?"
“I had no other choice. If he meant to hurt Ennis, I couldn’t let him get away. It was bright day, and there were a lot of people around, so I thought it would be safe.”
“However, that was reckless and dangerous. Wasn’t there someone who could follow him?” Mael asked, his concern evident.
“At first I asked the driver Daniel to follow the man, but he was so surprised by my sudden request that he couldn’t tell who I was talking about,” Camille explained.
“You risked a lot. If something happened to you, what would the Duke say…?”
Camille smiled bitterly, “Maybe he wouldn't have been surprised at all, thinking it was just another foolishness from his insulting wife.”
Mael frowned upon hearing her insulting comment.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Anyway, listen. I followed the man until he entered a building, a small house. I memorized the address and then returned to my carriage.”
"What? Did you ask Jack to investigate?"
Camille shook her head.
“No, I can't. Jack is still following me under Ethan's orders. It would have been suspicious to ask him to investigate someone else. I couldn't bring this up.”
“……”
Mile waited silently for her to finish speaking.
"Actually, Jack probably knows I tracked Patch down. Maybe he recognized him, too," Camille said.
“…Did the Duke say anything about this?”
"No. He probably suspects me of trying to contact Gerard's informant. If he reveals his information, he might lose track of him. Instead, he's probably monitoring my every move closely. I wouldn't be surprised if Ethan calls you after I leave to ask about our conversation," Camille said in a worryingly calm tone.
“……”
If what she said was true, it demonstrated a remarkable level of insight.