I Faked a Pregnancy, but My Husband Returned - Chapter 106

Beside the Crown Prince stood a young man with jet-black hair and red eyes, wearing a chilly expression. Everyone was shocked, as they all recognized his face.

Originally blond, he had held the title of Young Duke Ekian Mayus.

Missing for nearly five years, he had recently returned and stirred up a commotion—the very same person…

“I raised him not knowing he was of royal blood.”

Duke Mayus slowly opened his mouth.

“However, it is true that I dyed his hair, wanting to take him in as my own son. Due to recent events within the ducal household, his lineage has now been revealed.”

No one could say anything, because Ekian’s face truly resembled the Emperor.

His sharp features and somewhat gloomy impression were distinctly reminiscent of the Emperor in his youth and completely different from Ben Mayus. Revealing his black hair made this resemblance even stronger.

And there was another reason why those attending the noble council could not speak further. Internally, they all clicked their tongues in unison.

‘Is he from hell? What’s with that expression?’

‘He didn’t used to have such a nasty look.’

‘He looks completely unapproachable…’

Ekian Mayus had always built walls between himself and others, but he had been mannered, kind, elegant, and sociable in the typical way of noble sons.

Yet now, after five years, and with black hair, Ekian exuded a cold and menacing aura.

His gaze was sunken, his complexion pale, and the shadows on his sculpted features made him feel completely unapproachable.

So much gloom and decadence emanated from him that he stood in stark contrast to Alteion’s serene presence.

“His Majesty the Emperor, whose whereabouts are currently unknown, would surely have welcomed Ekian with open arms had he known of his existence.”

Alteion lied without a hint of shame, wearing a gentle expression.

“Therefore, as the one currently standing in for His Majesty the Emperor, I, Alteion—”

Ekian stood his ground calmly as Alteion continued his proclamation.

“—hereby bestow upon Ekian Martius the name of the imperial family and the title of Grand Duke.”

Thus, the moment arrived when Ekian Mayus received the name Martius, that of the imperial family.

Applause rang out. Alteion listened for a moment and then continued with a soft smile.

“The Arten region, where His Majesty the Emperor has gone missing, is in great turmoil. Everyone knows that Ekian is fully capable, and so I entrust the Grand Duke with finding His Majesty and restoring stability to the territory.”

Arten was in complete chaos.

It was to be expected. The region was already prone to barbarian invasions, but its lord had always managed to ally with outside forces to repel them.

Moreover, the sight of the barbarians seizing the fortress had alarmed neighboring lands. Fearing they might be next, nearby territories had immediately dispatched reinforcements.

But now, things were very different.

The barbarians who had made a ruckus attacking the fortress overnight scattered and vanished without a trace. For the people of Arten, it was an absurd and baffling situation.

Alteion, gentle in nature and lacking initiative, was not one for martial prowess. However, he was meticulous and cautious, with a strategist’s talent for setting the stage.

Therefore, he had anticipated not only the disappearance of the Emperor and Arten’s lord but also the ensuing disorder in the territory.

The first wave of barbarians, who had been bribed in advance, quickly vacated the fortress to minimize damage. Instead, Alteion spread supplies unofficially, making it easier to secure aid from nearby regions.

However, if another local lord had taken root in Arten and won over its people, there was a high chance they would not accept the suddenly appearing Ekian as their lord.

So Alteion deliberately sent gifts of thanks to nearby nobles to keep them from intervening in Arten’s affairs.

“There won’t be significant damage anyway, so tell them to request resources from nearby commoners or foreigners.”

But even so, Arten could not be left empty for long. The remaining barbarians might invade again.

Therefore, Alteion wanted to appoint Ekian as Grand Duke and send him to Arten at the same time.

Naturally, for the locals, it would not be easy to accept a Grand Duke suddenly appointed from above, claiming to be the Crown Prince’s younger brother, as their rightful lord.

Because Alteion felt sorry toward Ekian, he wanted to make Arten his perfect domain no matter what.

He firmly believed that if Ekian resolved the chaos of the territory swiftly without outside help, the residents would soon open their hearts to him.

He also believed that Ekian had the capability to do so.

In fact, the former lord of Arten had ruled with considerable tyranny and, under the Emperor’s protection, had treated the people rather harshly—so Ekian was sure to do better.

He had once told Ekian before: if he could at least fend off the barbarian attacks effectively, he could quickly win the people’s favor.

According to Alteion’s prediction, the remaining barbarians were likely to attack Arten once more soon. After all, rumors of the lord’s disappearance could have reached them too.

‘Fortunately, Ekian is listening to me.’

So Alteion had subtly persuaded Ekian, saying he would mobilize every information agent in the Empire to find Judith, so Ekian should go to Arten first.

Even as he said it, he had a hunch that Ekian wouldn’t leave the capital—but when he said he’d go to Arten the very next day, Alteion even felt relieved.

Of course, Ekian’s still sharp expression and face steeped in anxiety remained unchanged…

“Then, Grand Duke.”

Alteion offered the final suggestion with a gentle smile, as if sealing the matter.

“Could you head to the Arten territory right away?”

In truth, it was a return only two days after leaving, but Ekian did not appear embarrassed and played along with the performance.

“I accept the order.”

With the bewildered applause of nobles still not fully grasping the situation, Ekian received the title of Grand Duke.

It was, quite literally, a position he had gained by bringing down his father.

To be honest, without the favor of the imperial family, this plan would not have gone through so easily.

Ironically, it was the very blood inherited from his father that had raised him to that position.

But if not for Judith, he would never have even thought to seek it. In other words, without Judith, the title held no meaning.

***

And so, Ekian was immediately bound for Arten again.

“Thank you for everything.”

Ekian bowed deeply to Isabella and Ben. It was the greatest show of gratitude he could offer.

No words could suffice for the couple who had raised him as their own and had truly decided to establish him as the heir of House Mayus.

He could only make one promise—to always follow and love them like his true parents.

“I will never, ever leave you again,” Ekian said in a low but resolute voice.

Now that his surname was Martius, and he had naturally become a prince and a grand duke, he still intended to honor them as his parents for life.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t stop Judith.”

Isabella, having finally grasped the situation, said with a flustered look.

“I didn’t… I didn’t know you two had conceived a child in the meantime… When did it even happen… You were out every day, and according to Sandra, you even took that… medicine to suppress those urges…”

Ekian had nothing to say on that topic either. Any attempt to explain would only leave everyone more bewildered.

Since the whole thing had resulted from Isabella’s overprotectiveness of Judith, he couldn’t even bring himself to resent her.

“We’ll find her again.”