I Faked a Pregnancy, but My Husband Returned - Chapter 19

Twenty-one years old and already two years into his career? That means he started working at the ducal estate right after graduating from the Medical Academy.

Judith widened her eyes in surprise as Isabella chimed in, “He’s a talent who never lost the top spot at the medical academy. We brought him in with a high salary at the Mayus estate. He primarily takes care of Karl and me. Karl especially has frequent stomachaches, and Hud here prepares medicine for him daily.”

Judith nodded, impressed. Just from the explanation, it was clear that Hud was an exceptional individual. And considering how expensive the medical academy tuition was, even if he was a commoner, he must have been from a well-off family.

“Yes, I look forward to your care.”

When Judith smiled, Hud’s ears turned slightly red.

Then, the other physician standing next to Hud spoke up, “Hello. I’m Bart Kallon, and I’ve been working for the Mayus family for fifteen years now.”

‘Huh?’

“I spent five years as an assistant before becoming the primary physician.”

Judith’s smiling face stiffened slightly.

‘Bart Kallon? If it’s Bart Kallon…’

The Duke, sipping tea, spoke coldly, “Bart mainly monitors my health. He also takes care of the entire family’s nutritional balance, so he’ll also be the one to check your ‘pregnancy.’”

Judith swallowed dryly as she stared at Bart’s gray hair and yellow eyes. She was so flustered that she couldn’t respond immediately.

Her mind raced.

‘If I don’t deal with this man, the Duke of Mayus will soon be in danger.’

She knew who he was.

***

The Mayus family held power comparable to that of the imperial family. They had history, honor, wealth, and military strength. In other words, they were a thorn in the Emperor’s side.

‘And the current Emperor particularly hates the Mayus family.’

Eventually, Karl, who would become the villain, would have a serious confrontation with the imperial family. In the end, Karl would fall at the hands of the Emperor and never reunite with the female protagonist…

‘If it’s Bart Kallon, wasn’t he one of the Emperor’s close confidants?’

Judith remembered his name only because of the original story.

Bart Kallon. He was known for his expertise in poisons and was an exceptional physician.

He was the Emperor’s secret agent, and later, he posed a threat to the male protagonist as well!

In the original story, it had been written clearly: ‘I have served His Majesty faithfully. For over 15 years, I remained hidden and finally fulfilled His Majesty’s wish.’

Judith swallowed hard.

‘So, the place where he remained hidden for over 15 years was the Mayus estate?’

It made sense, considering the sudden death of the Duke and Duchess a year later…

Her mind worked quickly, and a theory began to take shape.

After the Duke and Duchess’s deaths, the nine-year-old Karl inherited the family and slowly led it to ruin.

‘The Emperor must have targeted the Mayus family from the start…’

As Judith drifted into thought, the Duke, with a cold expression, picked up a quill.

“The process isn’t too complicated. One document confirming that the child in the womb carries the energy of the Mayus family, signed by me personally.”

He handed her the document, which had been prepared in the drawing room. It contained the details he had just explained in a concise manner.

Judith snapped back to attention and carefully read through the document. The Duke elegantly signed it with his quill.

“One pregnancy confirmation certificate stating that the baroness is with child.”

This document was also prepared in the drawing room. The certificate had two signature lines, as it required the agreement of both physicians.

It seemed the Duke couldn’t rely on just one opinion, which is why both physicians had been called in.

“I apologize for making you falsify these documents,” the Duke said, though he didn’t appear sorry at all. His tone was merely formal.

“But please understand, this is a parent’s concern.”

Both physicians had undoubtedly been paid handsomely.

‘The Duchess had easily repaid my astronomical debts in no time…’

Judith glanced at the physicians’ faces. It wasn’t hard to imagine how much the Duke had spent to keep them quiet.

‘They must be eager to continue working here, considering the generous salary.’

Both Hud and Bart signed the confirmation certificate. It was all so simple that it almost felt anticlimactic.

“Well, then.” The Duke, resting his chin on his hand, spoke lazily, “My aide will handle the rest of the paperwork… Once the marriage registration is completed, Baroness Judith Ailan should stay at the estate.”

“There’s no need for such formalities, Your Grace,” Judith said as she straightened her posture. “Please feel free to call me Judith.”

“Very well. Since we’ll be family for the next few months,” the Duke emphasized the phrase ‘a few months,’ reminding her that their relationship was temporary.

“I’ll have someone fetch your belongings from your boarding house.”

The Duke’s tone was professional and detached.

“Ahem.” Suddenly, Isabella interjected, “Baroness… I mean, Judith. It seems your dresses are a bit outdated and you don’t have many, do you?”

“Ah, yes…”

Judith had struggled just to keep up with her loan payments, so she hadn’t paid much attention to clothes.

Though she had always tried to dress neatly for her tutoring jobs, she hadn’t been able to afford new dresses.

“You can’t walk around the Mayus estate dressed like that.”

Isabella lifted her chin and continued, “Even if it’s a temporary position, you should take responsibility and present yourself accordingly.”

“Of course,” Judith responded with enthusiasm. “I intend to do my best.”

“Then stand up. We’re going shopping!”

…For a moment, Judith wondered if this was really happening. But just as she had said, she needed to take her role as the temporary daughter-in-law seriously.

In the end, she found herself being practically dragged out of the drawing room by the Duchess.

***

The rest of the day was a blur. The Duchess took Judith to several boutiques.

By the time they reached the second boutique, everything felt hazy. She tried on dress after dress, and the Duchess bought everything.

“Hmph!” Isabella scribbled on a check and muttered, “I haven’t had the chance to shop with a daughter, so don’t think I’m doing this because I like you! I’m just doing what I want! But this yellow dress looks really good on you.”

The Duchess spent an astronomical amount of money. The boutique’s tailor, visibly curious, hesitantly asked, “Pardon me, but who is this young lady…?”

“She’s going to be my daughter-in-law.”

“Sorry?”

Everyone in the boutique was shocked, but Isabella, as haughty as any noblewoman, ignored their surprise and focused only on Judith.

“Hmm, that looks good. Can you finish the alterations quickly? Let’s wear it out. Get rid of the rags she came in with.”

They didn’t return to the estate until evening.

By then, all of Judith’s meager belongings from the boarding house had already arrived. However, the room she had been assigned was unexpected.

“This is Ekian’s room.”

Or maybe it wasn’t so unexpected.

Judith blinked in confusion as she stood in front of the massive room, which was about ten times the size of her boarding house room.

“Of course, it’s also meant for his wife.”

Even though Ekian had been gone for nearly five years, the room was immaculate and didn’t feel abandoned. It was clear that the room had been well-maintained during his absence.

With her arms crossed, Isabella surveyed the room and spoke, “You’ll stay here.”

“Yes…”

Judith nodded, still in a daze, and Isabella looked around the room thoughtfully.

“I hope Ekian returns before long.”

“…As I mentioned, please don’t get your hopes up too much,” Judith said gently. “But… if he does return, I’ll divorce him immediately, as promised. I wouldn’t want to prevent him from marrying someone else.”

Of course, in noble society, remarriage was often seen as a blemish. However, with Ekian’s looks and status, it was clear he would overcome such a flaw easily.

“I promise, there won’t be any trouble because of me.”

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

“Sister-in-law, it’s me!”

“Ah, yes. Come in.”

Karl entered the room with the young physician, Hud. When Karl saw Judith, his eyes widened in surprise.

“…Huh?”

Blinking in astonishment, Karl spoke softly, “Sister-in-law… you look like a completely different person.”