I Faked a Pregnancy, but My Husband Returned - Chapter 100

Chapter 5: My World

Judith slowly opened her eyes. She felt the gentle tickle of sunlight on her lashes. From the kitchen came the clatter of dishes being washed. In this small cabin, one could immediately tell what anyone was doing.

She slowly sat up and walked toward the kitchen. There, a middle-aged woman washing dishes turned around with a warm smile.

<Yuth, are you feeling all right today?>

It wasn’t the Imperial tongue—it was Mertian. Thankfully, Judith had learned Mertian as a child, so she had no trouble communicating.

<Yes. I woke up far too late, didn’t I?>

This was a border region between the Kingdom of Merti and the Empire. Though small, it was a peaceful forest village where a few cabins formed a modest community.

<Start with breakfast. It’s already set on the table.>

<I’m sorry. I should’ve done the dishes…>

<You’re expecting. Don’t even think about doing housework. Just eat and enjoy.>

Judith smiled bashfully and sat down at the table, picking up her fork.

It had already been several days since she arrived here. She began eating a salad made of fresh vegetables and berries with a healthy appetite.

When she had nowhere to go, felt afraid and exhausted, she’d headed to the Shrine of the Last Priestess.

The moment she lifted the priestess’s portrait, she felt dizzy and as though something was pulling her. She lost consciousness—and when she awoke, she found herself in an unimaginably faraway place.

<Yuth, are you awake?>

Before her stood a middle-aged woman she’d never seen before.

In Mertian, ‘Yuth’ was how one referred to someone like a niece. Judith instinctively placed her hand over her belly. Watching her, the woman spoke gently.

<The child is fine. I’m not much of a doctor, but I can manage simple care.>

The woman introduced herself as Castin. At first, Judith was bewildered as to why she’d come here, but soon she understood.

<You must be one of our tribe’s children. There aren’t many left… That means we’re family. Please rest here comfortably.>

<A child…? Of the tribe? Me?>

<Yes. Would you like some soup?>

Castin was an incredibly kind person. Though their conversations sometimes wandered and her words were occasionally cryptic, she looked after Judith with great care.

Since this was outside the Empire, Judith felt as though she’d truly come far away.

This was such a rural area that news traveled slowly—things like emperors and dukes felt like dreams now.

After spending a few days together, Judith came to realize several things. Castin was a branch member of the Oilte tribe.

The Oilte tribe had been the tribe of the fallen Last Priestess. The one known as Chaska, the Last Priestess, had been the final heir of the Oilte tribe, and the rest had either perished or scattered. Castin was one of the scattered survivors.

<I’m a distant branch, so I don’t have the gift of foresight. But I can sense the aura of the Oilte tribe from you.>

That was all Castin ever said. Judith began to wonder if one of the Ailan baronial ancestors had Oilte blood—or perhaps Elizabeth did.

‘Is that why I was chosen by the Last Priestess? Maybe there’s some lingering bloodline.’

No one could give her a clear answer, but that was the most reasonable guess she could make.

‘Still… this place is truly wonderful.’

In the clear air and beautiful landscape, Judith could wait for her child in peace. She soon grew close to Castin, who would now introduce her as her niece wherever they went.

Castin was a skilled herbalist, and people from far away often came to see her.

During slow afternoons, Judith helped Castin sort and dry herbs. The pungent yet fragrant scent of the plants lifted her mood and made her feel as if everything would turn out fine.

There was just one thing—she did think she ought to let Master know she was safe. But that didn’t seem easy, since this place wasn’t connected to the Empire at all. So she cautiously asked Castin for help.

<Um, is there any way to hear news from the Empire?>

<The Empire? Hmm… well, this place is near the border, but it’s probably hard to get in contact with them. The roads are blocked because of the barbarians. Still, I’ll look into it. It’s about the child’s father, right?>

<Yes, that’s right.>

Castin was someone content with her quiet life in a small cabin, but she still promised to do her best to find a way to connect Judith with the Empire.

Knowing not only Master’s whereabouts but also what was happening in the Empire seemed essential to put Judith at ease.

So, quite unlike herself, Judith asked Castin several times if she could find out any news from the Empire.

***

Alteion and Melanie spent each day in turmoil in the capital, unable to find Judith.

It was as if she had vanished into thin air. She hadn’t traveled far alone, yet no matter how thoroughly they searched the surrounding areas, her whereabouts remained a mystery. It was as if some supernatural force had intervened.

What made the situation worse was that the emperor’s aides were also searching for her.

“W-we’re so sorry! W-we just… we merely…”

Alteion, already aware of the emperor’s death, urgently summoned Elizabeth and Ron for questioning. They didn’t last long under pressure.

“We… we were going to kill Judith and pin the murder on House Mayus… and in return, His Majesty promised our Pedro a territory and a noble title…”

Alteion and Melanie were dumbfounded upon learning the truth.

As if it wasn’t enough to saddle the poor girl with massive debt, they tried to kill her just to use her.

It made perfect sense now why Ekian had rushed off saying he had to stop Elizabeth.

To make matters worse, the emperor’s aides, contacted first by Ron, were now seriously searching for Judith. The moment rumors spread that she had left the Mayus estate, they began scouring the capital just as swiftly as Alteion.

Since the emperor’s death wasn’t yet confirmed, they too were doing their best in their own way.

“Now I understand why Judith ran away so desperately.”

Melanie spoke in a trembling voice.

“It was to survive… That’s all. She knew she was in danger.”

No one could tell where things had gone so wrong.

Everyone had done their best and acted rationally, yet in the end, the two were separated.

Fortunately, the emperor’s aides had not found Judith either.

The fact that no body had been found suggested she was still alive. The captured aides all gave the same answer: “We have no idea where she could be.”

“But then… where in the world could she be…?”

Melanie’s anxiety eventually reached Isabella at the ducal estate.

Isabella had thought Judith was just enjoying a leisurely trip. But when even the Crown Prince’s aides couldn’t track her, and she learned of the rumors that Ron and Elizabeth had tried to kill Judith, she couldn’t keep calm.

“Then she really left so she wouldn’t be a burden on the Mayus family? And she didn’t go to Hud either?”

Ben and Isabella were both thrown into turmoil.

“Judith.”

Ekian had arrived in the capital.

“Where is Judith?”

His eyes were already darkened by deep anxiety and dread.