“Do you want to borrow a servant?” Audrey asked, her eyes showing curiosity.
“Yes, just for one day. A discreet and trustworthy person.”
Audrey's facial expression revealed her confusion.
“Why do you need a servant from here when there are so many of them in Dumont Palace?” That's what she seemed to be thinking.
“This is something I don't want my husband to know. Please, I need your help.”
“…Is it related to the topic you mentioned earlier?” Audrey lowered her voice slightly as she asked.
I had previously told her about my supposed memory loss after a serious illness, which Ethan was unaware of, to get her help navigating my social circles.
“Yes, it is. I'm sorry to ask for your help again, but I promise to make it worth your while.”
“No need for rewards. You gave me a lot of gifts.”
She had been showered with gifts by the jeweler and tailor earlier.
Audrey objected quietly, as she did not want to accept such expensive things, but I insisted, saying it was the least I could do to show my gratitude.
“Okay, I will lend you a servant tomorrow. Will he accompany you?”
“No, I need him to run an errand. It won't take more than two hours.”
“It's okay. Use it as long as you need.”
“Thank you. And please, keep this a secret like last time.”
“Of course, don't worry.”
Audrey placed her hand over her heart with a serious expression, assuring me of her appreciation.
I also gave her a wallet with money in it, suggesting that my husband might try to investigate, so it was necessary to make sure the servants remained quiet.
At the time, I seemed skeptical about such a scenario, but my predictions proved correct.
My maid told Audrey that a stranger had given her coins, and asked her what had passed between the Viscountess and me.
Realizing that I was being watched, Audrey looked at me more sympathetically.
"Thank you. I need someone with black hair, early to mid-twenties, average height and build, and an average face. Does anyone come to mind?"
Although a little surprised by my specific request, Audrey quickly hid her reaction and thought for a moment.
“Ah, Jan would be perfect. He fits your description perfectly. He has been with our family since he was young, loyal and hardworking.”
“Thank you. Can I meet him in person?”
“Of course”
Audrey rang a bell to summon a maid, and asked her to bring Jean. After a short wait, a knock was heard at the door, and a young servant entered the room.
“You called me ma’am?”
As Audrey mentioned, Jan fit the criteria perfectly.
His appearance was so ordinary that even if he passed by someone on the street, he would not remember him.
As for Marcel Patch, he was of average height and physical build, and had an ordinary face. Therefore, eyewitness accounts were of little help. This is how Marcel is described in the original story.
I nodded slightly at Audrey.
“This is the Duchess of Dumont. She needs you to run an errand tomorrow,” Audrey spoke.
“At your service,” Jean replied, bowing politely.
He seemed trustworthy, just as Audrey promised.
“This is a secret mission, so it must remain secret. I hope you understand?”
“Yes ma'am”
“Can you come closer to me for a moment?”
Jean did as he was told, his cheeks slightly red with tension.
I lowered my voice and asked him, "Do you have a hat? Black or brown would be perfect."
Jean's eyes widened at the sudden question.
"Hat? Yes, I have a black one."
"Okay. Put it on, along with the shirt and pants you're wearing now. Meet me at the Rustic Square fountain at one o'clock tomorrow afternoon."
This was a typical outfit worn by countless ordinary men on the streets.
"Wait there about thirty minutes, looking toward the clock tower. You'll see a brown-haired woman in her early twenties walking with her black and white Border Collie. Follow her. Keep a safe distance so the dog doesn't notice you. Understood?"
"Yes? Oh yes"
I looked directly into Jan's eyes.
“This is important, so remember it carefully. When and where did I say? Who are you waiting for?”
“At one o'clock in the afternoon, at the fountain of Rustic Square. A brown-haired woman with a border collie.”
Ines used to take her dog for a walk after lunch every day, always passing by the fountain in the square.
This detail was mentioned in Marcel Patch's diary, which was found after his arrest in the original story.
Jan looked a little nervous, perhaps wondering why I was asking him to do this.
“Don't worry. I'm not asking you to do anything wrong. Just follow the woman for a bit and then come back. There will be a lot of pedestrians around, so if you keep your distance, no one will notice you.”
“Yes ma'am”
“After following her for about fifteen minutes, you will see her entering a house on the outskirts of the Rogier district. Then return to Place Rostec at your usual walking pace. When you return to the square, head to the address mentioned here. I have marked the route on the map. Just follow it.”
I handed Jan a letter I had prepared.
It contained the address of the house that Marcel Patch was inhabiting when he killed Ennis in the original story.
Jean stared at the letter for a long time before looking up.
“And when I get there...what should I do next?”
“Nothing. Just go in the front door and out the back. Turn left in the alley, and you'll reach the main street. Then go back to the Grandbert Palace. It's simple, isn't it?”
“……”
Jan nodded in confusion, clearly confused as to the purpose of my instructions.
“Now repeat everything I told you from the beginning.”
Jan stuttered a little, but he remembered my instructions with almost perfect accuracy.
He seemed to have mastered his usual tasks. I only told him once, and yet he remembered everything accurately.
I took out a gold coin and gave it to Jan.
It was equivalent to twice a servant's monthly salary.
Jean's eyes widened, “This is too much, ma'am.”
“Because this mission is extremely important. It may be a simple mission, but it cannot fail. Understood?”
“Yes ma'am, I understand that.”
“And don't tell anyone about this. It's a secret that only the three of us here know. Now, swear it before me.”
“I swear I will not tell anyone what the Duchess ordered me to do today.”
“Okay,” she took out another gold coin, and placed them in Jan’s palm.
“Thank you, Duchess.”
“Take care, Jan.”
Jean swallowed hard and nodded.
I looked at Audrey, indicating we were done.
“You can leave now”
“Yes, ma’am,” Jean bowed and left the room.
“He's a smart guy. You were right to recommend him.”
Audrey smiled spontaneously, but she could not hide the confusion in her eyes.
“May I ask you what’s wrong? Why did you ask Jane to do this task? From what I heard, I can’t understand it...”
Even the understanding Audrey couldn't contain her curiosity this time.
“Sorry, I can't give you the details yet. Rest assured, it's nothing serious.”
According to my plan, Jack or his subordinates might follow Jean, but there was no possibility of catching him.
I intended to follow Jan from a distance, close enough to observe him, and far enough to remain unnoticed.
The area was bustling, and I deliberately chose the busiest road. They won't be able to pinpoint exactly who I'm following for a while.
When Jean enters Marcel Patch's house, I plan to stay there, pretending to memorize the address before turning away.
They will be wary of my presence and hesitate to follow Jan immediately.
By the time they get home, Jan will be long gone.
The surrounding streets are full of men with a similar physique and appearance, making it almost impossible to find him again.