I Faked a Pregnancy, but My Husband Returned - Chapter 137

“A secret?”

Karl looked dumbfounded.

“But why?”

“W-well…”

Even Judith felt it was a bit unfair.

She had found out the baby’s gender just before entering the wedding hall.

“There was a foreign doctor who treated me like her own niece. Her name’s Castin…”

According to the Empire’s medical texts, it was still too early to determine the baby’s gender.

But Castin’s medical knowledge differed from that of the Empire. Just the night before, she had cheerfully said, “I’m not sure yet! Let’s wait a bit!” But while holding Judith’s hand in the bridal waiting room, she suddenly gasped and whispered, ‘It’s a boy.’

“The moment I heard it was a boy, they told me to enter the hall. I didn’t even have time to ask more. Right as I asked her to keep it a secret for now, the wedding began.”

The ceremony was sacred and grand. With so many distinguished guests present, it was only natural.

Which meant there were many eyes on them, and many people surrounding them.

As soon as the ceremony ended, people swarmed Judith and Ekian. The entire Mayus family, the imperial couple—it was only natural since they hadn’t seen each other in so long.

Even Karl had been waiting, gritting his teeth to speak with Judith.

Karl spoke cautiously, “Still… Even so, it’s not like you couldn’t say ‘It’s a boy’ to my brother. You must’ve spent a lot of time together. And why is it a secret in the first place? You can tell people now.”

Even in surprise, the boy remained logical.

“And why did you even ask that Castin person to keep it a secret?”

Judith rolled her eyes and murmured, “Ah… Well…”

There was a reason behind it all.

***

Of course, the topic of the baby’s gender had come up between Judith and Ekian before. They had spent so much time debating names, both for the fetus and for after birth—it was only natural.

Up to the wedding day, Ekian treated Judith with great care.

As if trying to make up for everything he hadn’t been able to do, he surrounded her with the best of everything and didn’t let her exert herself in the slightest. At Castin’s recommendation for moderate exercise, he even tried teaching her himself.

“Here, Judith. Try it like this.”

“Aaaaaargh!”

“…Then like this?”

“Waaaargh!”

“Surely you can manage this much?”

“Kyaaaaaaagh!”

He gave up after a few tries, of course. Judith had no talent or aptitude for exercise.

Even the slightest movement of her muscles made her scream, so Ekian ultimately gave up on his definition of ‘proper exercise’ and decided on walks instead.

“Shall we take a walk, Judith.”

“Kyaaah… Yes. That sounds nice.”

“Bit of exaggeration, huh.”

“Honestly, yes.”

While walking around the estate, Judith said bashfully, “If this child is a boy, I hope he takes after you.”

“What?”

“If he inherits my lack of athleticism, he’ll probably resent me—always comparing himself to you. Boys usually want to be like their fathers.”

“What…”

Ekian slowly nodded.

Of course, the ‘father’ she meant wasn’t the Emperor, but Ben. Judith immediately sensed the hesitation in his slow words.

“Why? Did something bother you?”

“No, not exactly.”

Ekian gave a faint smile.

“I just hope the child doesn’t take after me. Sorry, I can’t wish for the same thing you do.”

Only then did Judith realize her misstep.

Ekian, after all, had used his outstanding athleticism to kill his own father. She hadn’t needed to say ‘definitely’ take after him.

“Whether it’s a boy or girl, I hope they take after you, Judith. I really hope the traits come from your side.”

When Ekian said that, Judith decided she wouldn’t bring up the baby’s gender again.

Even though he said it didn’t matter if it was a boy or a girl, ‘I hope he doesn’t take after me’ sounded like he didn’t want a son.

“Let’s not worry about our child.”

Ekian smiled gently.

“Even without athletic talent, that’s fine. I’ll carry him around and show him the world. I’ll be both the sword and shield for you and the child.”

Judith smiled contentedly, but she couldn’t help feeling a little unsettled.

It was because the former Emperor and Ekian resembled each other so much, it was almost shocking. Especially now that Ekian’s hair had returned to black—it was easy to mistake him for a young version of the Emperor from a distance.

If the baby turned out to be a boy who looked just like them, she worried that it might remind Ekian of the biological father he had killed.

Seeing Judith grow quiet, Ekian spoke gently, “Judith, whatever you’re thinking, don’t cast any shadows on yourself or the child.”

“And what about you? Shouldn’t you keep darkness away from yourself, too?”

“I’ve killed many people. So it’s only natural I carry my share of darkness. But that has nothing to do with you or the child.”

Everything he said was correct.

Still, it wouldn’t be pleasant to see his own shadow reflected in the child. But she decided not to dwell on it further.

Because she agreed with Ekian’s words: ‘That’s not the child’s burden.’ Negative thoughts about the baby were wrong. The child had done nothing wrong.

“Thinking that I want our baby to take after you… Isn’t that a natural hope?”

Ekian brushed her hair aside and continued, “Because I love you. I adore everything about you, so of course I’d want those qualities to appear in our child.”

Then, he added jokingly, “Though you only said you hoped the baby would inherit just my athletic talent…”

“You’re quite the fabricator. I said I hoped he’d inherit your athletic ability—not only your athletic ability.”

Judith responded just as playfully.

“You really are the cunning head of the Grey Information Guild. Your skill in handling and spinning information is impressive.”

Their peaceful walk continued.

But after that, Judith didn’t bring up the baby’s gender again.

***

Later on, even when she found out the baby really was a boy, Judith believed Ekian would accept it and love the child just as he was—even if he bore the Emperor’s face.

Judith had no doubt about it. So she didn’t feel anxious or disappointed just because the baby was a boy.

But when Castin told her, her instincts said, ‘Better not say anything during the wedding.’ Too many eyes were on them.

If she whispered ‘It’s a boy’ to Ekian and his expression even slightly stiffened…

She would’ve been hurt. Better to wait until after the wedding, when the guests had all gone, and say it slowly.

If Ekian’s expression hardened at the news, she could immediately follow up by saying, ‘This child is his own person and carries my blood too.’

Of course, she couldn’t explain all of this to Karl. She couldn’t even bring up the topic of the Emperor’s assassination to him.

“W-well… Um… That’s just how it happened. It just did.”

So Judith dodged the question. Even as she did, she glanced over at Karl. She worried he might sulk again, thinking, ‘So you’re saying you can’t tell a little kid?’

Earlier, he’d already looked downcast, saying, ‘I was the only one kept in the dark because I’m a kid.’

But surprisingly, Karl’s lips twitched.

“Then… Then that means…”

Finally, when he opened his mouth, Karl’s eyes sparkled.

“I’m the first one you told? Oh wow! I have a secret now too! Just for me! Not the adults! For me! Hooray!”