Rachel recited the lie she had prepared, voice calm.
“It wasn’t difficult. You completely covered your eyes and hair, but that actually made me suspicious.”
It wasn’t difficult.
It was not uncommon for the Guild’s informants to go into hiding when carrying out covert assignments.
Of course, it was rare to completely hide their eyes and hair like Cian had. Collecting information without being able to see is something that not everyone can do.
“That’s all it took for you to realize I’m the Grand Duke?”
“You didn’t hide your voice either. Even though you don’t appear at official events often, your voice is so nice that it’s hard to forget once one hears it.”
It was good reasoning, but it didn’t fully convince Cian. The average person’s sense of hearing is not as acute as their sense of smell, nor can it take in as much as their sense of sight.
It was difficult to believe that she could remember Cian’s voice, which she had only heard a few times, and not even up close.
Rachel finally added.
“And there was a reason for His Highness to come here.”
This was the most obvious reason.
In the original work, it was a crucial part of the plot as to why Theodore fell in love with Jane and Graham lost his title and surname and had to live as a mercenary.
“I know that the noble council suspects my husband Theodore of plotting a rebellion. I also know that His Highness the Grand Duke goes around in hiding on behalf of the noble council. Isn’t this enough to make a rough guess?”
Yes, it was.
It was a publicly known fact that Cian represented the noble council and sometimes went undercover through guilds. The only thing that was not known was that he was Alias.
Now the question was.
“How did you know that the noble council suspected Theodore Elrosa of rebellion? That is information that only high-ranking elders among the council of nobles are aware of.”
“Theodore often hangs around outside the mansion at night, walking up and down dark alleys. The family’s financial situation is a mess. Even I would have suspected a rebellion.”
Cian’s eyes, hidden under the mask, narrowed.
Everything Rachel said was true. Everything from Cian’s identity to the suspicion of a rebellion.
Last year, they received a report that the behavior of Count Theodore Elrosa of the Elrosa family was suspicious. The council of noble elders who assist the emperor expressed the theory that Theodore might be preparing a rebellion.
From then on, Cian followed Theodore. There were no signs of rebellion. All they found was evidence of an affair.
The problem was that this did not resolve the timid emperors’ doubts. He had no choice but to keep an eye on the activities of Count Elrosa’s manor.
Today too, he stopped in because the noble’s council had told him to go quickly after hearing that they were looking for a guild informant at the Elrosa residence. After receiving the request, he planned to check out the mansion and then return.
But surprisingly, Rachel saw through Cian’s identity. She also understood the thoughts and doubts of the council.
The Rachel he knew of from his research was not this kind of woman. To put it in a good way, she was innocent, but to put it in a bad way, she was a foolish person. She was a woman who did not notice her husband’s affair even as the years passed.
Or that’s what he thought.
When Cian remained silent, Rachel opened her mouth as if to persuade him.
“Theodore just meets his mistress secretly, avoiding me and other people’s eyes. Perhaps the money missing from the finances went to her, not into an army. I need your help to gather the evidence.”
Even though she knew about her husband’s affair, she previously pretended not to know.
Who on earth is this woman?
Never before has his research been so wrong. He was intrigued.
Cian taunted Rachel.
“This is ridiculous, you’re just trying to hide your husband’s treason. I won’t believe your story.”
“I’m telling you this because you won’t believe it. Since you’re suspicious, I want you to follow Theodore until you’re convinced it’s an affair, not a rebellion.”
What did she mean?
As Cian waited quietly, Rachel continued.
“There’s a general store on Lawton Street with a pale-yellow flower on it. Go into the alley to the right of that building, go past two buildings, and you’ll see a two-story house with a red roof. Keep an eye on that house. It’ll become clear what Theodore is up to.”
He already knew where that was. It was the home of Jane, Theodore’s mistress.
This meant that Rachel was not just suspicious of her husband’s affair, but was fully aware of the entire situation.
“Please take a look at the house and come back to me when you are sure that Theodore is having an affair and not planning a rebellion.”
“…Are you saying this because you want to receive compensation?”
“No.”
Although she had been trying to hold back the whole time, Rachel ended up laughing.
“I want solid evidence of adultery that His Highness has gathered. I want to divorce Theodore clearly and safely.”
Using Cian was a good way to obtain clear evidence of the affair without raising Theodore’s suspicions. It also gave her an excuse to see him again.
From Rachel’s perspective, this was the perfect plan to get a divorce and get an in-law.
Now all that was left was for Cian to say yes.
Beneath the mask, Cian’s full lips curled.
