Ethan entered the Dumont Dumont still in his carriage.
For the past few days, he had been leaving at dawn and returning well after midnight due to his busy schedule.
Today, this was the first time in a while that he had come home and the sun was still shining.
As Ethan was lazily looking out the window, he noticed a knight emerging from the palace. The knight was carefully holding something in his hands and walking at a fast pace.
What could this be?
The Knights' Headquarters was a ten-minute walk from the main building, even for a man. It was unusual to see a knight in this area unless summoned by Ethan.
“Welcome back, sir,” Victor greeted Ethan.
“I just saw a knight coming out of the palace.”
“Ah, yes. I saw him. He was sent on a mission by Mr. Mael.”
Under normal circumstances, Ethan would have simply acknowledged this with a nod.
But today, it aroused his curiosity in an unusual way.
“What kind of mission?”
When Ethan pressed for details, Victor hesitated, a hint of discomfort appearing on his face.
“Okay...”
Ethan quickly exhausted his patience due to the fatigue accumulated over the past few days, coupled with the intense heat.
“I asked what the mission was.”
“Actually… it looks like he was bringing the lady a drink.”
Ethan frowned at this explanation.
“Why would a knight do that? And why would Mael send him?”
“It seems that the lady is currently at the Knights’ headquarters. She went out early for a short walk in the park...”
“…Camille is at the Knights headquarters?” , Ethan didn't know she was doing something like this in the past five years.
Given Camille's recent behavior, it was clear that she had ulterior motives. Especially after the incident of her being followed by an unknown man, his suspicions increased.
The order of knights was fundamental to the military power of the duchy, and Camille's presence there was not to be taken lightly.
“Send someone to the Knights headquarters and tell them I need to see Mr. Mayle.”
“Understood”
Ethan changed into his sweat-soaked clothes and headed straight to his office.
He intended to shower and rest, but the sudden change in his plans further frayed his already frayed nerves.
After a short while, Victor returned to the office, not Mile.
“My apologies sir, but Mr. Mayle is currently unavailable.”
"What? Wasn't he at the knights' headquarters a while ago?"
“It seems that he left right after the knight who brought the drink returned. But he didn’t specify his destination...” Victor answered in an uneasy tone.
According to regulations, everyone in the service had to disclose their whereabouts when leaving their post.
This was not just a rule, Mael was, by nature, an adherent to it.
If he does not disclose his destination, there must be a convincing reason.
"And Camille? Did you go with him?"
“No, sir. The lady has just returned. She is supposed to be in her room,” Victor answered.
Ethan frowned, silently considering the situation.
It was getting more complicated as time went by.
"Call Jack. If he's not in his office, call one of his men," Ethan ordered firmly.
“Yes, sir,” Victor said as he bowed and left the office.
A short while later, one of Jack's subordinates arrived with a report that was even more confusing.
“Master Jack suddenly left with Mr. Mayle. I don’t know where they went, but Mr. Mayle said he would explain the matter on the way,” the subordinate explained.
“……”
Ethan's thoughts ran wild.
What's going on in the world?
This was Mile, after all.
His incitement of Jack without informing Ethan indicates that the matter, whatever it may be, is extremely important and urgent.
Ethan couldn't understand what would warrant such drastic measures. The only thing he knew for sure was who started this situation.
Ethan stood up from his seat.
***
The door suddenly opened without knocking, which startled me.
I turned around to see who it was.
"Ethan? What the hell-"
Ethan strode in without saying a word.
Contrary to his habit, he was wearing normal clothes.
Despite the summer heat, I never saw him wearing just a shirt and no tie or jacket. The light moisture of sweat made his muscular body features evident.
“What did you say to Mile?” Ethan asked, his expression unusually stern.
He figured it out faster than I expected.
I had expected Ethan to know that I had visited Mile, but I didn't think it would be this quickly.
“I'm asking you a question. Can't you hear me?” His tone was sharper than usual, perhaps because of the heat.
I too missed the comforts of modern life.
Walking for about thirty minutes under the hot sun increased my longing for the air conditioner.
This world wouldn't even allow me to wear a comfortable T-shirt and shorts. By now, I was wearing three layers of clothing, including underwear. It was too much.
I am the one who suffers the most in this heat, and he is the one who gets upset?
I felt very annoyed, so I replied coldly: “Ask Mr. Mayle later.”
“...what?”
“No matter what I say, you won't believe me anyway. Let's not waste each other's time.”
If I had repeated to Ethan what I said to Mile, his reaction would have been predictable.
He will likely ignore me as delusional without listening to me.
Mael had just headed to Marcel Patch's house, so the truth would soon be revealed. There was no need to spoil my mood by being rude to Ethan.
“How much do you not think about me?” Ethan growled.
“What do you mean? I'm just trying to avoid wasting time.”
“Mael has never acted independently without informing me. What did you say to convince him?” Ethan's voice was full of frustration.
“Me? Do you mean I said something inappropriate to Mr. Mael?” I frowned at his insinuation.
“Then tell me. If there’s nothing to hide, so be it.”
"He'll be back soon. You can hear it from him. Can't you wait a little longer?" I replied.
“……”
Ethan's face grew angrier.
He took a step closer, and I was affected by the smell of his usual woody perfume mixed with a stronger and more specific smell of sweat.
Instinctively, she stepped back, making his eyebrows twitch in response.
He came closer again, and I stepped back. This repetition was repeated.
“…What on earth are you doing?” Ethan asked.
"I should have asked you that! Why are you getting closer?"
“I am your husband. Is there a problem with me approaching my wife?”
“It's because of...race.”
“……”
Ethan paused, frowning slightly as he stepped back.
Did he misunderstand and think I was talking about him?
I meant I would smell...
Although Ethan's smell was stronger than usual, it wasn't unpleasant. The real problem is that I didn't find it unpleasant.
Even after more than two months in Camille's body, I still wasn't used to Ethan's handsome face and fit body.
“So, are you going to hold out without telling me anything?” Ethan insisted.
“No need to wait. Wait a minute. As soon as Mr. Mael returns, if you don’t understand yet, I will explain. How so?”
“…Damn,” Ethan muttered to himself, running a hand through his disheveled hair.
I swallowed hard. My attention was focused on him, so even this simple gesture seemed strangely provocative.
“What are you hiding?” Ethan asked, staring at me.
“I hide nothing. Then and now, I only did what I thought was best for Dumont.”
This was undoubtedly true.
The ledger problem was just me trying to survive. However, thanks to him, Ethan revealed Liam's supporter, something that was not revealed in the original story.