I Faked a Pregnancy, but My Husband Returned - Chapter 36

Ekian eventually boarded the Mayus carriage that Judith had arrived in.

The Duke’s mansion had several carriages, all bearing the Mayus family’s emblem, though they looked quite similar.

‘This one… the one with the especially large windows, it’s the carriage I used to ride often.’

Ekian immediately recognized the carriage Judith had arrived in. It was one he had favored as a curious child, with large windows and a tray for placing snacks.

He had often chosen this carriage to travel to various places with Karl.

‘I thought I’d never ride it again…’

Sitting in the Mayus carriage with Judith felt strange. Memories of the time he spent with his family in this very carriage left him feeling unsettled.

Judith, seated opposite him, spoke kindly, “You can tell Mother that I simply wanted to repay a debt of gratitude.”

Judith’s green eyes were calm and composed.

“Before coming to the Mayus mansion, Mother already knew about the dealings I had with you, Master. Honestly, it was thanks to you that I was able to endure during that time. Finding interesting information for the guild is a given… So, if I say I wanted to help by granting your request to work together like this, wouldn’t that suffice?”

Her response was rational and intelligent, just like Judith always was.

From behind his mask, Ekian studied her composed face and slowly asked, “Weren’t you surprised that I suddenly appeared at the Shrine of the Last Priestess and, uncharacteristically, got involved in your affairs?”

“Oh, I was surprised,” Judith answered candidly. “But I figured there must have been a good reason for it… That’s what I thought. After all, I don’t know everything about your thoughts.”

“And the minor argument we had yesterday?”

“Well… I figured there must have been a reason for that, too. Perhaps something unrelated to me was bothering you… I just accepted that we might have such conversations occasionally. Honestly, I’ve had my sensitive moments, too…”

“So, you’re saying you’re willing to accept everything.”

Ekian chuckled lightly and propped his chin on his hand.

“You’re too kind.”

It was true that he had been unnecessarily sharp yesterday, and he thought she might have scolded him for it. Yet, it seemed Judith had genuinely brushed it off. It felt anticlimactic, considering he’d spent a sleepless night brooding over it.

“Anyway…”

Judith smiled gently and changed the subject.

“It seems you find it odd that the last Priestess used her final strength to address the affairs of the Marquis of Soden.”

“Exactly. As I mentioned earlier, she had a son… You’d think she’d use her last strength on him rather than unrelated people.”

“Now that you mention it, it does seem strange. I guess I didn’t think it through.”

Judith fidgeted with her hands and sighed softly. “That must be a mother’s heart. I thought I understood… But maybe I didn’t after all.”

“What do you mean?”

“A mother’s heart.”

She chuckled softly and gazed out the window, speaking slowly, “My mother had a man she loved. Not my father—he was a servant she brought from her family… She was never interested in me. So I vaguely thought that a mother might care for someone other than her child. Theoretically, I knew it wasn’t true, but…”

For the first time, Judith spoke of her family. Ekian watched her calm smile and suddenly said, “It must have been tough, your childhood. Baron Ailan wasn’t exactly an exemplary father either.”

“That’s true.”

“But you grew up well.”

“I had to…”

Judith narrowed her eyes, gazing at the scenery outside, and answered slowly.

“I just accepted it. I’m good at accepting things.”

Her voice carried no sorrow or loneliness, yet her expression lingered in Ekian’s vision.

“If I didn’t, life would be too painful.”

Ekian suddenly recalled something Judith had said earlier.

“I just accepted that we might have such conversations.”

“So, you’re saying you’re willing to accept everything.”

Judith wasn’t kind enough to accept everything simply because she was kind. She chose to accept things because the alternative—not accepting—was too painful, a choice she had made long ago.

“That someone’s life could be unhappier than someone else’s, and that it could be mine… That’s just how it is.”

“Judith, that sounds…”

Before he realized it, Ekian said, “That sounds like giving up.”

“…What?”

“But only when it comes to yourself.”

Judith seemed startled and turned from the window to look at Ekian.

He spoke firmly, “From now on, don’t give up so easily under the guise of acceptance. Not if it’s for your own happiness.”

“Oh…”

Ekian spoke earnestly, but Judith didn’t seem particularly moved.

“Why don’t you start living like that, Master?”

She grinned mischievously, as if joking.

“Didn’t you also give up on something, which is why you’re hiding your identity like this?”

Her remark hit home. Ekian bit his lower lip slightly. Judith smiled boldly and extended her hand.

“Anyway, we’re good now, right?”

Ekian shook her hand with a composed reply.

“Were we ever at odds?”

“Good point. I was overthinking.”

As he watched her smile, Ekian smirked quietly behind his mask.

In the distance, the Duke’s mansion came into view.

The feeling remained surreal.

To bicker with her over trivial matters, then ride the Mayus carriage together, and return to the Duke’s mansion…

It was the sort of thing a husband would do as a matter of course, like breathing.

“Of course, since we’re close, we can chat about anything without a specific purpose. But casually frequenting the Duke’s mansion… That’s still a bit much.”

Continuing their conversation from the previous day, Judith spoke cautiously.

“After all, it’s someone else’s house.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Ekian replied smoothly. He realized he had been overly mindful of Hud, the “good conversational partner.”

Well, since he had clearly drawn the line by stating that only a noble would do, it was unlikely there would be any further issues.

With a peaceful mind, he crossed his legs leisurely in the carriage heading toward the Mayus mansion.

***

Isabella was quite busy.

“The Imperial banquet is approaching.”

While the paperwork to register Judith as the daughter-in-law of the Mayus family fell under the Duke’s responsibility, introducing her to high society was Isabella’s task.

“We need to formally introduce Judith there.”

The name Judith Ailan was almost forgotten in high society. People had once pitied her fall alongside Baron Ailan’s ruin, but no one had stepped forward to help her.

Since then, Judith had lived for three years no differently from a commoner, completely cut off from contact with the nobility.

Thus, if she were to personally reintroduce Judith to society at this upcoming banquet, it was certain to cause a significant stir.

“To avoid suspicion, we must go all out. If we send her in half-heartedly dressed, people will question her authenticity. Isn’t that right? That’s why we need to spend generously to dispel any doubts.”

With that, Isabella busied herself purchasing dresses and accessories for Judith.

The Duke spared no expense either.

“It’d be ideal if she caught the eye of a nobleman at first glance. Remarrying to a commoner? We can’t let that happen to someone who has become an honorary member of the Mayus family.”

He spoke with as much determination as Isabella.

“Sure, there’ll be no shortage of nobles willing to marry her with my backing… But wouldn’t it be better if she ended up with someone who genuinely cherishes and loves her?”

They had already resolved to arrange Judith’s remarriage themselves.

“Make sure you keep an eye out for suitable candidates.”

“Of course. I’ll watch for any young men showing interest in Judith.”

Just then, the butler knocked and entered.

“Your Grace, Madam.”

The butler looked somewhat perplexed as he reported calmly.

“Lady Judith, who went to the Shrine of the Last Priestess, has returned. However…”

“However?”