I Faked a Pregnancy, but My Husband Returned - Chapter 39

Isabella continued, “It seems Hud… or rather, the young master of Soden, has feelings for Judith.”

Hud’s original name was different, but given how long he had lived as Hud, the Marquis’s family decided to continue calling him that instead of Felix.

“He immediately asked to escort her. Of course, he added that since Ekian wouldn’t be there, dancing with someone else might feel awkward, so he said she could think of it as a favor between coworkers…”

Knowing the circumstances, such a suggestion wasn’t out of place.

Especially since Hud was indebted to Judith.

“Judith seems unaware, thinking it’s just a gesture of goodwill, but I’ve never seen Hud make that expression before. He’s been with our household for a long time, after all.”

“Really?”

“He even offered to stay at our mansion until a replacement is found. I believe it’s because of Judith.”

Isabella’s voice was filled with excitement, and Ben frowned as he replied, “The question is whether the Marquis and Marchioness of Soden would accept a divorced woman who is supposedly pregnant…”

“They should. Otherwise, they’d be heartless, wouldn’t they?”

Isabella’s voice turned chilling.

“Thanks to our Judith, they found their son and even uncovered a fraud. Without her, they could have been swindled by the wrong man.”

“That’s true.”

“Moreover, Hud knows everything, doesn’t he? That Judith isn’t really pregnant and has no personal connection to Ekian. So there shouldn’t be any real issue. There’s no need for any explanations; doesn’t that make them a perfect match?”

Ekian rubbed his forehead.

It seemed as though both his mothers were eagerly trying to pair Hud and Judith together. Especially his biological mother—it was downright baffling.

Even now, with her final lingering spirit, she’d gone out of her way to reveal Hud’s true parents. Had she truly hated her own son to the very end?

“If Judith also likes Hud but the Soden family ungratefully refuses…”

Isabella’s voice sharpened as she continued, “I won’t stand for it.”

“But there’s also the possibility that Judith might not like Hud.”

“We’ll find out at the banquet.”

Isabella shrugged.

“With a new setting and environment, perhaps Judith’s feelings might develop. And Hud is likely to try his best, too.”

“You’re quite determined. But don’t you think we should wait to see how Judith feels first?”

“It’s because I feel sorry for Judith.”

She let out a small scoff and propped her chin on her hand. Then, with a bitter tone, she murmured, “I’ve been thinking about Ekian a lot today…”

“Ekian?”

“Yes. Judith brought someone from the Information Guild, and although I didn’t see his face, I felt like that’s what Ekian might have grown up to look like. Thinking about Ekian all day made me feel even guiltier toward Judith.”

Ekian swallowed dryly, his body tensing.

“For Ekian… we’re the ones who put him in that position.”

“But you don’t regret it, do you?”

Ben added in a low voice, “Postponing his death certificate, even for six months.”

There was a tinge of complexity in his slow words.

“To be honest, I don’t regret it either.”

Ekian, hidden in the secret passage, struggled to breathe evenly. Their waiting, their love—it was both touching and sorrowful.

“Which is why I feel even more apologetic toward Judith.”

Isabella and Ben fell silent for a long time.

Eventually, Karl entered to say goodnight, and the conversation came to an end.

Ekian turned away slowly.

But he couldn’t bring himself to leave the Duke’s mansion.

He had resolved not to visit Judith’s room, but he couldn’t calm his restless heart.

Judith and Hud going to the Imperial banquet together… as partners…

The thought alone made his blood boil.

‘I’ll just listen for a moment, that’s all.’

He made a firm promise to himself.

‘Don’t make yourself known, just… just listen. See if she’s sleeping well. That’s it. She might still be startled after nearly being strangled. Whatever you do, don’t go in.’

Resolutely, he headed to a familiar place.

‘I’m not some insane fool out of my mind. She told me not to come just yesterday; I can’t show up again so soon.’

***

Judith was in her room, looking through a catalog.

Isabella had told her, “Pick a dress for the Imperial banquet.”

She had tried to decline, saying she already had enough dresses, but Isabella, to Judith’s horror, had declared, “Then I’ll just order everything!” Left with no other choice, Judith had reluctantly accepted the catalog, saying, “I’ll choose something myself.”

Still, while her eyes were on the catalog, her mind was elsewhere.

“This man indeed lied.”

When the deceitful servant had lunged at her, Judith had naturally assumed she would be strangled. She knew she wouldn’t actually die—there were too many people around for that.

But that didn’t mean she wasn’t afraid. At that moment, her heart had dropped. Then, someone had swiftly stepped in to block the attack. It was the Master.

‘He was sitting behind me, but… how did he move so quickly?

When he so effortlessly tossed the servant aside, Judith couldn’t tear her eyes away from the broad back that filled her view. At the same time, she felt an unfamiliar emotion—something she had never experienced before.

The name of that emotion, which she had been pondering all day, was relief.

“Unrequited love, then? Miss, you might want to give him a chance. It’s rare to find someone willing to risk running into danger for you.”

Even at the Shrine of the Last Priestess earlier, the Marquis of Soden had said as much.

The Master had run to her aid without hesitation, even through the raging storm at the shrine.

For so long, Judith had lived alone. She had never imagined someone would risk themselves like that for her.

It was why she had once thought she might want to date and marry someday, in hopes of finding someone like that.

‘Could it be…?’

A strange thought began to stir within her.

‘Does the Master like me?’

The Marquis of Soden had been adamant: “That man is in love with Judith.” It seemed obvious in hindsight—after all, he had leapt into such peril without a moment’s hesitation.

At the time, she hadn’t thought much of it. But remembering the way he had tossed aside the servant earlier, her own heart began to flutter.

‘I’ve been thinking about the Master all day.’

Even when Hud was revealed to be the eldest son of the Soden family, and the Marquis and Marchioness tearfully embraced him, Judith’s thoughts had been elsewhere—focused solely on the Master.

Of course, he had left quietly before even witnessing that scene.

‘But that’s a little unfair. I don’t even know what he looks like…’

And yet, despite not knowing his face or voice, she couldn’t stop thinking about him. Judith felt pathetic.

What was so special about someone whose face and voice she didn’t even know?

As she let out a deep sigh, there came a soft knock at the door.

“Judith?”

It was Hud’s voice.

“May I come in for a moment?”

The Marquis had wanted to take Hud immediately, but Hud had insisted on staying at the Duke’s mansion until a new physician was hired. He argued that it wouldn’t be right to abandon the household that had saved him.

The Duke had agreed, saying he would hire a new physician as soon as possible, and Hud had decided to stay at the estate until then. In return, the Marquis and Marchioness, who were staying in the capital, had agreed to meet him frequently at their townhouse.

“I couldn’t sleep and thought we might chat for a bit…”

It was late, but there was no harm in talking. Judith was about to absentmindedly agree when—

Srrrrk.

As if on cue, a hidden door connected to the bookshelf slid open.

And, as usual, the Master appeared. His expression, concealed by the ever-present mask, remained unreadable.