The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

”The investigation has been put on hold until Prince August returns from the capital,” Louis explained, looking at Inspector General Zander, who had come to his office to request permission to take charge of the case.

”Do you know when His Highness will return?” Zander asked. ”The Mancini family wants to see Davis Mancini, and they’ve been waiting for an update.”

”I have no idea, Zander,” Louis replied honestly. ”However, I would advise you not to proceed with the trial in his absence. Prince August will not take it well if someone else handles the matter without his approval. Ever since Flynn died in custody, His Highness has been determined to oversee every part of this investigation himself.”

Zander nodded thoughtfully.

”That is true,” he agreed. ”I’ll inform the family that they’ll have to wait until Prince August returns before the matter can proceed.”

He rose from his seat and straightened his coat.

”Thank you for clarifying the situation, Louis.”

”Of course.”

Zander gave him a brief nod before leaving the office, intending to convey the news to the waiting family.

Louis finished the last of his work for the day and prepared to return home. However, instead of instructing the coachman to take him there, he stopped beside the carriage stand and said, ”Take me to Belmont Restuarant.”

The coachman nodded and opened the carriage door for him. Once Louis had settled inside, he closed it from the outside and climbed back onto the driver’s seat.

”The weather has grown much colder,” Louis murmured, rubbing his hands together. His thoughts soon turned to Elodie, and he wondered whether she had been keeping herself warm in the chilly weather. ”I hope she’s taking good care of herself.”

As the carriage travelled through the cold streets, Louis glanced out of the window and noticed several vendors selling roasted peanuts. The sight reminded him of Elodie, and he immediately instructed the coachman to stop a little farther ahead.

He stepped out, approached one of the vendors, and bought a small quantity of freshly roasted peanuts.

Louis settled back against the seat, glancing down at the packet of roasted peanuts in his hand. ’I hope she enjoys them. But what if she finds it odd?’ he wondered.

He had never gone out of his way to buy such little gifts for any woman before. In fact, he had never given much thought to doing something so simple for someone else.

Yet, when it came to Elodie, he found himself making exceptions without even realizing it. He wanted to see her happy, and the thought alone was enough to make him feel strangely pleased with himself.

After a while, the carriage came to a stop. Louis looked through the window and spotted the signboard of Belmont House. The restaurant appeared busier than usual, with several customers entering and leaving while others sat inside enjoying their afternoon meals.

Louis stepped out of the carriage and adjusted his coat, pulling it closer around himself to shield against the cold.

Holding the packet carefully, he made his way towards the entrance.

Louis found an empty table near the side of the restaurant and took a seat. He placed the packet of roasted peanuts carefully on the table beside him, making sure it remained within reach.

A waiter approached shortly afterwards and handed him the menu. Louis glanced through the list of dishes, taking his time before deciding what he wanted for lunch. Once he had made his choice, he informed the waiter, who noted down his order and left to attend to the kitchen.

Louis leaned back slightly and began looking around the restaurant for Elodie.

However, she was nowhere to be found.

Louis frowned faintly and glanced towards the counter, but there was no sign of her there either.

’Does she work in the kitchen?’ he thought, looking towards the doorway that appeared to lead to the back of the restaurant.

After some time, the waiter returned with Louis’s meal and carefully placed the dishes on the table. Louis thanked him before picking up his fork and knife. He ate without rushing, though his attention occasionally wandered towards the other tables as he continued to look for Elodie.

Once he had finished his meal, he set down his cutlery and wiped his mouth with the napkin. He then called the waiter over, paid the bill, and waited until the man had collected the money before asking his question.

”Do you have an employee named Miss Elodie working here?” Louis asked.

The waiter looked at him with mild surprise before answering respectfully, ”Yes, sir. Is there some problem with her work? Do you have any complaint regarding her?”

”No, nothing of the sort,” Louis replied, shaking his head. ”I just wished to know if she serves the meals here or cooks it?”

”Neither, sir. Miss Elodie washes the dishes along with a few other workers,” the waiter explained.

Louis stared at him in surprise. He had assumed Elodie worked among the serving staff, but he had not expected her to be washing dishes. Before he could ask anything further, the waiter bowed slightly and excused himself to attend to the other customers.

Louis remained seated for a moment, trying to make sense of what he had just heard.

Unable to remain seated any longer, he stood up and made his way towards the back of the restaurant. He passed through a narrow doorway and followed the corridor until he reached the washing area.

The sight before him made him stop.

Elodie stood beside a large basin, washing a pile of dishes by herself. Her sleeves were rolled up, and her hands were submerged in the water as she scrubbed the plates one by one. Several empty baskets and stacks of unwashed dishes stood nearby, suggesting she still had plenty of work left to finish.

’Is she not cold? Her hands... They do appear red though,’ Louis thought. Elodie turned her head when he quickly hid, not wanting her to see him.

Shaking her head, Elodie resumed her work while Louis left the restuarant. But he didn’t go home. Instead, he asked the coachman to drive him to the newly constructed quarters in the central district where Elodie lived.