I Faked a Pregnancy, but My Husband Returned - Chapter 121

It was the immediate elimination of the barbarians outside the territory.

Of course, for the sake of the residents, the barbarians needed to be swiftly annihilated.

He knew the best political strategy.

It was to wait until the barbarians invaded the territory, then exterminate them all when the people felt extreme anxiety.

There might be a few casualties at first, but witnessing the Grand Duke’s power firsthand would quickly subdue the populace.

But excluding political strategies—if the safety of the people was the only concern—it was best to subjugate them in advance before any harm occurred.

If he said it was because of the war with the barbarians, he wouldn’t have to attend the Emperor’s funeral, which he had no desire to attend anyway.

And he could keep an eye on Elizabeth.

While dealing with the barbarians, it seemed best to eliminate any potentially problematic figures as well.

“Is this something our knights can handle on their own?”

“If Your Grace joins them.”

“Then so be it.”

Despite the long travel and the many sleepless nights, Ekian rose without hesitation.

“We depart immediately. Also—”

His eyes glinted chillingly as he added, “Send someone to Ron Dale. Bring him and his son. And for the time being, spread this rumor to any outsiders entering the territory.”

He began setting up a meticulously tight plan—so that Ron could never approach Judith again, and even if Judith learned of it later, it wouldn’t emotionally harm her.

And once again, he felt it keenly.

More than Judith refusing to accept him—he feared her being hurt.

***

The small house where Judith, Castin, and Hud lived.

A subordinate in black clothing arrived and delivered a letter.

“…Isn’t this a bit much?”

Hud muttered with a frown.

“I feel like I’m the one getting hurt.”

The letter was from Ekian.

Upon reading it, it explained that the barbarians outside the territory were manageable and he would be heading out to eliminate them.

[Though it will become known to the territory anyway, I wanted to personally inform you first, so I’m sending this letter.]

The expected duration of the campaign was one week.

The residents were stirred by the announcement that came less than a full day after the Grand Duke’s arrival.

To them, the barbarians had always been a source of constant fear.

Because of the fertile fields and the river, they couldn’t easily abandon the territory, but they always kept their evacuation belongings packed. And now, the Grand Duke was suddenly promising to eliminate the barbarians who had tormented them?

Additionally, good news came that the masked madman would never reappear.

[I’ll return soon. In the meantime, I hope you will think carefully.

I want to take you as my wife again.

I want to hold a wedding ceremony, which we didn’t have the chance to before, and prepare a nursery in the Grand Duke’s estate. 

Though I haven’t been with you for all nine months, I want to spend the remaining days with twice the joy we missed.

I understand how disappointed and bewildered you must feel. I will live the rest of my life in repentance.

If you wish, I’ll return to being the masked madman and endure public shame again.]

The subordinate who delivered the letter did not leave.

It was because of the postscript attached to the letter.

[P.S. I hope you will live more comfortably and safely.

I’ve told the staff to introduce you as a guest, so please move from the government quarters to the Grand Duke’s estate.

I’ve informed everyone so that you’ll be treated without any inconvenience.]

The quietly waiting subordinate was there to escort her to the estate.

Whether the subordinate listened or not, Hud muttered in irritation, “At the very least… shouldn’t he have waited a bit before heading off to a campaign?”

Judith folded the letter again and shook her head. “No. There’s me and the baby—two people. But the residents of the territory are countless. Once he was appointed as the one responsible for this land, thinking of the many comes naturally.”

“But still!”

“I’m a resident of this territory too. And I’m pregnant. The barbarian raids are scary. If Ekian eliminates them all, I’ll welcome it.”

Judith genuinely thought so. She didn’t particularly feel hurt.

However, she did feel that something was clearly off.

Ekian’s actions lacked consistency.

She had a strong feeling that he was hiding something.

‘He said he left the capital urgently because of someone who posed a threat to me. But was it really such a pressing matter that he couldn’t even say a word to me before leaving?’

Of course, assassinating the Emperor would have required precise timing.

Ekian had said he wanted to reveal his identity only after he had everything in place—but even if he hadn’t disclosed the truth, couldn’t he at least have shown his face before departing?

‘And even now…’

Judith lowered her gaze to the letter folded in half.

To be honest, knowing Ekian’s nature, she had thought he would at least arrange for her to be treated as the Grand Duchess if she wished.

But there was no mention of that at all.

“Judith, are you going to go?” Hud asked with a sigh that sounded like he was about to burst with frustration.

Judith hesitated briefly, then nodded.

“…Really?”

“Yes. There’s something missing. Something he hasn’t told me.”

She had decided not to just wait passively anymore.

“I think I need to find out the reason myself.”

***

Judith had been fairly satisfied with the living conditions at the government quarters.

In any case, it was far better than Castin’s house in the forest.

But as soon as she arrived at the Grand Duke’s manor not far away, old memories came flooding back like a lie.

They were memories of living at the Mayus Duke’s estate.

‘I see.’

She swallowed dryly and thought to herself.

‘Once you experience something good, it’s hard to forget it.’

Just like the Duke’s estate, the Grand Duke’s manor was spacious and splendid. The moment she set foot at the main entrance, the staff all welcomed her in unison.

“Lady Judith!”

“Oh my, it’s been a while!”

Among them were some familiar faces. They were staff she had seen during her time at the Mayus Duke’s estate.

They had served Ekian closely during his days as the Young Duke, and Ben had sent them along when Ekian left for Arten.

“This way, please.”

The staff greeted her politely.

She hadn’t been particularly close to them at the Duke’s estate, but seeing them here now, she couldn’t help but feel a wave of fondness.

She didn’t know exactly what Ekian had told them, but they asked her nothing. They simply guided her to an incredibly large and comfortable room.

“Your friends will be over here.”

A man who appeared to be the butler followed after Castin and Hud.

“We’ve prepared rooms for both of you.”

Ekian had already given the order to send all external medical support staff back.

Since the outside medical staff were nearly surplus from the start, the directive made sense.

That command seemed to carry the message, ‘Castin and Hud should also return,’ but it also suggested that if they insisted on staying by Judith’s side, he wouldn’t forcibly separate them.

Perhaps that was why rooms for Castin and Hud had already been prepared at the Grand Duke’s manor. Though, even so, their rooms were on a different floor from Judith’s.

‘Seriously.’

As soon as she entered her room, Judith let out a deep sigh.

It was obvious at a glance.

‘This is clearly a room meant for the Grand Duke and his wife.’

It felt incredibly burdensome, but she had no choice but to accept it.

It wouldn’t be right to make a fuss about refusing to stay in such a room when she was just a guest—it would only trouble the staff.

“Lady Judith, may I come in?”

As she was looking around the room, a staff member entered. It was someone she hadn’t seen before, likely from Arten.

“All the students at the school have been informed. From now on, afternoon classes will be held here at the Grand Duke’s manor.”