"Nothing. Wait and see. I'm sure something will change between them starting today," Jack spoke confidently. He was known for his common sense.
"I hope so. The master has issued strict orders, so we won't be able to plan anything else," Victor muttered quietly, looking towards Camille's room with a slightly worried expression.
“Is she really okay...”
He heard that she fainted from shock due to the thunderstorm.
Although this is common for women, it still bothers him.
Victor secretly prayed that things would go well, including the Duke and Duchess's relationship.
***
I had a cold for several days, most likely due to exposure to the rain and emotional trauma.
After that, Ethan never visited my room again.
Well, after the way he left, it's not like he wanted to come back.
Honestly, I didn't think I said anything I shouldn't have said.
However, after hearing what happened from Mary, I felt a little sorry for Ethan.
“I didn't mean to eavesdrop, it just happened by accident, and I thought I should tell you...”
According to Mary, Mile, Victor and Jack were deliberately behind this incident. Apparently they wanted to bring Ethan and me closer together, so they arranged for us to be alone.
You idiots. Ethan and I wouldn't fight unless we were left alone.
Accordingly, Ethan was an innocent victim.
Not only did he miss his much-anticipated race with Mile, but despite the trouble of carrying me in the rain, he didn't even receive a word of thanks.
However, apologizing to Ethan first was a bit embarrassing as well.
I clearly told him that I was drawing a line and had no intention of reconciling, so it would be silly for me to say “I'm sorry about that time” now.
Good. Furthermore, my goal is to divorce Ethan.
If this incident so spoils his feelings for me that he thinks: “If you want a divorce so badly, I will agree!”, then all the better for me.
I decided to move on.
After I had fully recovered from my cold, I received a timely message that the dresses I had ordered were ready.
I contacted Josephine and went through the preparation process.
Both dresses were simpler and more subdued compared to what Camille used to wear.
One was a cream-colored dress with floral embroidery and a black velvet ribbon as an accent, while the other was a purple off-the-shoulder dress adorned with small diamonds.
"Oh my God, you look really gorgeous. Honestly, I was a little worried because this is a different style to what you usually wear, but you pull off this subtle elegance brilliantly. As expected of a Duchess."
Josephine couldn't stop showering me with compliments.
Well, I have to admit, it suits me. When you have a good foundation, any makeup can work wonders.
I thought while looking in the mirror.
“No need for any size adjustments. The dresses will be ready tomorrow.”
“Okay. Here you go.”
“Yes, Duchess. By the way, this is…”
Josephine whispered as she handed me a small bag.
By the texture and weight, it was clear that it was payment for the used dresses I sold.
“Thank you,” I smiled warmly.
Josephine bowed her head, “Call me anytime if you need anything.”
Three days later, it was time for the banquet I had decided to attend.
This was a meeting hosted by Count Lenucci.
Among the many invitations, I chose this one because Countess Sophia Linucci was famous for her talkativeness and showmanship.
She's already sent a reply confirming my attendance, so she's likely already spread the word about my participation throughout the capital.
This way, Nicholas will know in advance and come to see me.
In the original story, Nicholas first appears when Elodie turns eighteen.
He thought that seducing Elodie, whom Ethan was deeply in love with, would be a sure way to ensure victory against Dumont, so he approached her.
However, contrary to his original plan, Nicholas found himself sincerely opening his heart to the innocent and kind-hearted Elodie.
Nicholas lost his mother when he was young, and has always longed for affection.
The reason for his persistent pursuit of his father's approval was this deep longing.
While trying to understand his feelings for Elodie, Nicolas overhears a conversation between Marlon and his eldest son, Thierry.
Thierry was confronting Marlon about Nicolas being his illegitimate son.
At that moment, Marlon said something shocking.
“The only reason I keep him close is to keep him from doing anything stupid. But it turned out to be more efficient than I expected.”
Marlon's voice was colder than usual, sending a shiver through Nicholas.
“It's just another piece of paper that I can throw away whenever I want. So, stop wasting my time and leave.”
Devastated, Nicholas betrays Gerard and joins forces with Ethan.
Thanks to inside information provided by Nicholas, Ethan successfully corners Marlon.
However, when Marlon's life became in danger, Nicholas was unable to bring himself to abandon his father and ended up saving him.
“What I said to Thierry that day was not true. "It was a lie to protect you from danger."
“Kill Ethan Dumont,” Marlon told Nicholas. He trusts you completely now, so there will be a chance. If you succeed, I will make you my heir.
Acting on his father's words, Nicholas went to assassinate Ethan. But, refusing to witness Elodie's grief, he deliberately allowed himself to be killed by Ethan's sword.
“Please don't tell Elodie what happened today. Just say that I left because I could not bear the guilt of betraying my father... This is my last request.”
With those last words, Nicholas took his last breath.
He was a character who became famous because of his tragic story, as his father always used him and in the end he sacrificed himself for Elodie.
I remember crying when I read that...
Nicholas never realized that Marlon only viewed him as a tool.
For Nicholas, Marlon was his only relative of the same blood, so despite his betrayal, he could not abandon him.
'But if Nicholas knew that Marlon was responsible for his mother's death, he might think differently.'
If she can influence Nicholas, Dumont will not only eliminate a major threat, but also gain a valuable ally.
Moreover, Nicholas himself will be saved.
The challenge is how to find the evidence...
I already had some ideas in mind for this.
Of course, I wasn't entirely sure it would work. There was still a lot of preparation to do.
The first step of this preparation will be tomorrow.
Tomorrow I will be going to church for the first time to be a volunteer with Audrey.
***
“Duchess, are you sure you are okay?”
On the way there, Audrey looked at me worriedly.
She knew I had a cold, and suggested canceling today's plans. Although I assured her that I had fully recovered, she seemed worried.
“I'm fine. You can see for yourself, right? I'm healthy now.”
“Still...”
“I was bored after being stuck at home for days. Even my family doctor said it would be good to get some fresh air and exercise during my recovery period. So, no need to worry.”
Only then did Audrey reluctantly nod her head.
“Okay. But if you feel unwell, please tell me immediately, Duchess.”
"I will. And now you're calling me 'Duchess' again. We agreed that you'd use my name when we're alone."
“Okay, sorry, Camille,” Audrey smiled sheepishly.
After a while, the carriage arrived at the church.
While the largest church in the capital was the Etoile Cathedral, where the archbishop resided, the church Audrey attended was Jena, the one closest to the Grandpert area. Elodie lived in an orphanage run by the Jena Church.
The thought of seeing Elodie soon made my heart beat involuntarily.