Ethan and Jack seemed lost in thought upon hearing Mile's words.
"The police are likely to find more evidence as the investigation continues. I know you have many questions for the Duchess, but perhaps we should wait until the whole truth is revealed. Please, I respectfully ask this," Mile concluded, bowing his head slightly.
Ethan looked surprised for a moment, and Jack raised an eyebrow.
“Wait, have you already interrogated her?” Jack asked.
“……”
Mael looked puzzled, “How did you know? I haven’t reported yet...”
"You may not have been aware of the details. You must have just learned that the Duchess met Mile and asked him what happened between them," Jack said.
Ethan confirmed this with his silence.
Mael asked: “What did the Duchess say?”
“Nothing. She asked me to wait for Mile to come back and hear your opinion, and said it was a waste of time to explain it now.”
Jack laughed, “That sounds like her.”
Ethan found Jack's comment rather annoying and frowned.
“And what makes you think you know Camille so well?” Ethan asked.
"Maybe she thought you wouldn't believe her without proof. She must have decided it was best to wait for Mile to find proof before she explained," Jack answered.
“What makes you think this is normal for Camille?” Ethan insisted.
“She seemed very upset that you were treating her like a criminal. She expressed her great dissatisfaction with this.”
“What? You didn’t mention that in your previous report.”
"I left out the details because I thought it would be upsetting to you. But I understand her feelings. Even then, she tracked down the killer, and you suspect she's met an informant…" Jack clicked his tongue disapprovingly.
“I wasn't the only one who had doubts, right?” Ethan replied.
“I told you, if the man had been an informant, the Duchess would not have followed him openly, knowing she was being watched,” Jack pointed out.
“…This guy, is he trying to retreat now?” Ethan stared at Jack, who averted his gaze and cleared his throat.
"Anyway, I don't think there's any need to doubt the Duchess about this. As Mr. Mayle said, the evidence is overwhelming, and there's nothing for the Duchess to gain from this. She must have been really worried about Innes. The Duchess seemed to like her very much," Jack said, trying to steer the conversation.
"When did you become so supportive of Camille? Are you now defending her as your wife's savior?" Jack frowned at Ethan's words.
“Of course not. That's not the case.”
Despite his categorical denial, Jack appeared worried.
He looked around aimlessly before exploding in anger at Ethan, “Why do you see it that way? I’m telling you, it’s not like that.”
Mael laughed softly beside them.
Jack stared at him angrily, but Mile was unmoved.
"Anyway, it's too early to draw any conclusions. As I mentioned, let's wait for the official statement from the police," Mael suggested.
“……”
Ethan frowned, feeling a headache coming on.
He realized he hadn't slept since.
“Okay, you can leave now. Handle Patch as I ordered.”
“Yes sir”
Mile and Jack bowed to Ethan before leaving the room.
Ethan leaned back in his chair, his eyes falling on Marcel Patch's diary on the desk.
“It's your loss if you don't believe me. When the truth comes out, you'll apologize for doubting me.
Camille's confident, almost arrogant voice echoed in his mind.
Once again, things happened exactly as Camille said.
“...Dammit,” Ethan muttered under his breath.
***
"You're back? You're so late today-" Ines couldn't finish her sentence when Jack rushed towards her and hugged her tightly.
Because of her small size, Jack lifted her off the ground, leaving her legs dangling. Titi ran around them, barking excitedly.
"Why are you doing this, Jack? I can't breathe," Ines patted Jack's chest in protest.
Jack took a deep breath, burying his head in her shoulder before finally letting her go.
"What's wrong? Did something happen today?"
“...Nothing. I was just checking if you smelled like another man.”
Ennis' eyes narrowed upon hearing his words, "What? You mean you suspect me of being a traitor?"
“No, that's not it… Damn it, think what you want,” Jack scratched his head angrily before pulling Ennis into his arms. Ines stared at him, but Jack ignored her and hugged her head to his chest.
Hugging his wife like that made him feel reality collapsing.
He realized that he probably wouldn't have been able to hug her today.
This thought sent a chill through his veins.
In truth, Jack had no idea that there was such a man lurking around Ennis. If he had come home and found her missing, it would have been absolutely horrific.
But this could have actually happened.
If not thanks to the Duchess's help.
At first, he suspects that the Duchess has an ulterior motive behind her getting closer to Ennis. Maybe she was taking advantage of his wife's safety to blackmail him. This feeling left him with an indescribable feeling of anxiety.
There was some guilt towards the Duchess, but that was not all. He didn't want to admit his mistake.
But he could not ignore the truth because of pride.
Jack remembered what Mile had said.
“Maybe this time she felt compelled to act, even if it meant risking embarrassment if she made a mistake. "She thought saving Jack's wife would be worth it."
Honestly, Jack couldn't believe such a noble person existed in this world. Even Ethan wouldn't do this for him or Ennis.
But Camille knew she would be suspected, so she tracked down the man who had been stalking Ennis.
Despite being the Duchess of Dumont, she took action herself. There was no other explanation for this; It was an undeniable fact.
Even if Jack didn't know what ulterior motives she might have had, that didn't change the truth.
Camille saved Ennis' life.
***
A few days later, the streets of the capital became filled with special bulletins of news.
[The serial killer who terrorized the capital was arrested after six months!]
[The identity of Valerie Junis' killer has finally been revealed!]
The newspapers revealed the identity of the criminal Marcel Patch, indicating that the one who arrested him was none other than Mile Cantona, Commander of the Knight Order of the Duchy of Dumont.
The conclusive evidence was a diary in which he carefully recorded his crimes, in addition to many of the victims’ belongings that were found in his possession. At first, Patch denied his actions, but when confronted with evidence, he eventually confessed.
I put the newspaper aside, remembering yesterday's events.
Mile came to me to explain the situation and apologize for the delay in submitting the report.
“…Don’t you want everyone to know that you were the one who exposed the criminal?”
“Yes”
“But that makes it seem as if I deserve credit for your accomplishments...” he said, and then stopped talking.
“Oh, that's not true. Sir Mayle, you are the one who arrested Patch. "And if you didn't believe me, Patch would still be roaming the streets freely."
“……”
Despite my reassurance, Mile's expression remained tense.
“It's okay,” I said. I didn't do it for the credit. "I'm just happy that Ennis is okay, and there will be no more victims."
Mile looked at me calmly, then knelt down on one knee in front of me.
My eyes widened in amazement.
“Mr. Mayle? Why are you doing this suddenly?
"I apologize. Honestly, I doubted your words. But everything turned out to be true, and thanks to you we saved Jack's wife. “I don’t know how to properly express my apology and gratitude.”
“It's okay. If anyone has anyone to thank, it's me. So, please, get up»
Mael looked up at me, his black eyes shining softly.
“I am honored to serve a lady like you,” he said seriously. Please continue to take care of the Duke and our house.”
«What? “No…” I started, but Mael smiled kindly, then got up. After bowing to me respectfully, he left the room.
“No matter how I think about it, I feel as if he said that on purpose knowing that I asked for a divorce from Ethan,” I thought, frowning.