I Faked a Pregnancy, but My Husband Returned - Chapter 43

“What is it?”

Ekian asked nonchalantly. In truth, he was contemplating ways to prevent Hud from attending the Imperial banquet.

Since Hud was entirely unprepared, there were plenty of methods available. The more cowardly Hud was, the more numerous and easier those methods became.

‘At the very least, I can’t let them dance together.’

From what Judith had told him, she hadn’t properly danced since she was seventeen. It was only natural—she had been too busy repaying her debts.

In a way, this would be the first dance she had as an adult. And as always, dancing involved a lot of physical contact.

He couldn’t allow such an opportunity to go to Hud. Just thinking about it made his blood boil and his stomach churn.

At that moment, Judith, blushing shyly, spoke, “Actually… I’ve already planned out how I’ll live after leaving the Mayus mansion.”

“What?”

“Once I announce the miscarriage, I’ll have to give up the Mayus name. I can’t keep insisting on the existence of a child that doesn’t exist. I only intended to drag it out for a few months at most.”

“…Well, that’s true.”

“But I keep worrying.”

“About what?”

“The Mayus family.”

Judith sighed deeply, pressing her forehead.

“His Majesty the Emperor won’t stay quiet… and yet, I feel uneasy about just turning my back and immediately finding happiness with another man…”

“Wait a moment.”

Ekian’s eyes widened behind his mask as he cut in.

“Finding happiness with another man?”

“Ah… I mean, that’s a possibility for me. Now that I’m free from debt, I have my freedom.”

“But what do you mean by ‘immediately finding happiness’…”

“Well, um, the man I’m interested in already knows my situation. He knows I’m not actually pregnant, that I intend to get divorced from the start…”

Judith continued speaking absentmindedly, unaware of Ekian’s increasingly ragged breathing.

“And it seems like he likes me too, so I don’t think there will be much trouble once I leave here. At least, that’s what I think right now.”

Ekian was too shocked to respond.

A man who knew everything and liked her… Wasn’t that Hud Soden?!

Judith had been thinking about Hud all along. It made sense—everything she had said so far pointed to him. It had always been about Hud.

Come to think of it, hadn’t Judith recently smiled so shyly and beautifully, saying there was someone who liked her? Hadn’t she even admitted she was starting to develop feelings as well?

So it was entirely possible that she really would leave the Mayus family and live happily!

Suddenly, Ekian felt disgusted with himself.

He had done nothing all this time. He had resented and been irritated by so many things, yet he had justified his inaction by telling himself that, as a cursed child, he had no right to interfere.

But was it truly right for him to remain idle?

He had convinced himself that disappearing was the best course of action for the Mayus family, but were they truly safe in the five years he had been absent?

On the surface, they seemed fine, but in reality, they had been exposed to numerous dangers. If not for Judith, tragedy would have struck the Mayus family long ago.

“But the Mayus family isn’t safe. Even if I leave, they will still be in danger.”

While Ekian was lost in self-loathing, Judith continued speaking.

“I know I have no right to worry about the Mayus family. I’m just an outsider. But at the very least, my feelings for Mother, Father, and Karl are genuine. That’s why I wonder if I should stay and protect them. Maybe I could help in some way.”

Judith clenched her fists tightly as she spoke with conviction.

“Well, even after the miscarriage, I can still stay here as Ekian’s wife. Of course, if I do that, I won’t be able to find happiness with that man right away…”

“That is an excellent idea.”

Ekian, who had been quietly listening, spoke without realizing it.

“The Duke and Duchess of Mayus adore you, and Karl follows you as well. There’s no real reason for you to leave. There are many things in this world more important than a man.”

“Hm? Oh my.”

“In my opinion, it would be best for you to stay longer in the Mayus household.”

Ekian slowly rested his chin on his hand. Then, without realizing it, he muttered, “…And if you stay long enough, Ekian Mayus might return…”

“I told you, he’s not coming back.”

“Well, who knows? That’s uncertain. If, as you say, the Mayus family faces danger, Ekian might appear.”

“Hmm.”

“If he determines that revealing himself would be the best way to protect his parents.”

“If that’s the case, I would feel reassured.”

Judith let out a small sigh and smiled.

“Then I can leave with peace of mind as well. The Mayus family will have some breathing room. And since he’s back, the divorce can proceed as per the proper procedures.”

Ekian did not respond to that. Even if he returned, he had no intention of granting a divorce.

However, he realized that he would need to prepare countermeasures for Judith’s inevitable talk of divorce when the time came.

Judith fidgeted with her fingers before slowly continuing, “To be honest, I really do hope Ekian Mayus returns. Because, as far as I know, he has some connection with His Highness, the Crown Prince.”

“Hm? And what does that have to do with anything?”

Ekian tilted his head without thinking.

It was true that he and the Crown Prince were close. They had shared a strong bond, and after Ekian’s disappearance, the Crown Prince had been visibly disheartened.

From the time Ekian had believed himself to be the rightful heir of the Mayus ducal family, he had been close with the Crown Prince. In fact, they were half-brothers. Of course, the Crown Prince was still unaware of this truth.

“I can’t possibly summon the Crown Prince myself, but Ekian Mayus could.”

Judith shrugged as she continued, “At this upcoming banquet, His Majesty the Emperor will attempt to assassinate the Crown Prince.”

Ekian’s body stiffened. As he tensed at the ominous statement, Judith simply shrugged lightly.

“Isn’t it obvious? His Majesty doesn’t see the Crown Prince as a son, but as a rival. He has already been administering substances to dull his senses for years.”

She spoke of these terrifying matters as if they were casual observations.

“Once the Crown Prince realizes this, he will actively oppose the Emperor. That alone will increase the number of enemies His Majesty must contend with, which will benefit the Mayus family. After all, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

Ekian was left speechless. While he had always known the Emperor was ruthless, he had never imagined he would plot to assassinate his own heir—especially on the Crown Prince’s birthday.

And how in the world did Judith know all of this?

After a long silence, Ekian finally managed to stammer, “How… how do you know this?”

“The Last Priestess told me.”

Judith smiled faintly.

“Others might dismiss my words as madness. But you, Master, know that I speak the truth, don’t you? In fact, all the information you have received over the past three years came from the Last Priestess.”

Ekian was overwhelmed with confusion. Why had his mother chosen to provide Judith with such information? What exactly was the relationship between the two?

He felt deeply unsettled. At the same time, he couldn’t help but wonder—his mother had helped everyone from Hud Soden to the Crown Prince, ensuring their happiness. But why had she never left even a single word for him?

“Judith.”

Suppressing his swirling emotions, Ekian spoke with deliberate calmness—

“Could you tell me more about this?”

—with just a bit of personal interest mixed in.

“It seems I might be able to assist you at the Imperial banquet.”