I Faked a Pregnancy, but My Husband Returned - Chapter 48

Every word Alteion spoke became a realization for him.

“Truthfully, I always knew His Majesty might try to harm me, but I avoided facing it.”

Ekian, too, had only been running away because he did not want to face the truth.

As long as he remained missing, the Duke of Mayus could not properly oppose the Emperor.

Even though he was aware of this, he continued thinking, ‘Once I am declared dead, they will give up,’ and did not return. Because his mother had prophesied that he would bring about his father’s downfall.

But what if that father referred to his biological father?

It was not as though the thought had never crossed his mind.

At the time of the curse, his mother, the last priestess, must have believed his father to be the Emperor.

Still, he could not return to Mayus without hesitation. The lingering doubt remained.

He still knew nothing about that curse.

What if, by some chance, it brought harm to Mayus?

So he continued to avoid, to flee, to hesitate.

“Yet rather than sit idle and lose the ones I treasure, I choose to face it head-on. No matter the outcome, it is better to fight.”

And yet, wasn’t this the result of his continued evasion?

His beloved younger brother, Karl, was being ruined by the maid, Sarah, while the Duke and Duchess of Mayus nearly lost their lives to a long-trusted physician.

Even after leaving home, he had continued to keep watch over the Mayus estate.

He had known immediately when someone tried to harm Judith or impersonate Hud.

He had vowed to protect Mayus from a distance, silently.

But—

“But there are things you can’t see from a distance.”

Yes.

There were things he could neither see nor protect from a distance.

He had been keeping watch with all his focus, yet he still had no idea why the woman he left behind wore such a sorrowful expression.

“Just like how you didn’t hear the rumors about Judith Mayus inside that banquet hall.”

He swallowed dryly.

He hated that Judith had to endure those vile rumors. That was why he wanted to erase those who spread them.

But that was the wrong approach.

If he despised those rumors, then he should have been her shield.

Well, there was no real child… But still, as the man officially named as the father—

‘Even if it’s just an excuse, so be it.’

Ekian let out a deep sigh.

‘Even if they say I’m doing this because I want to claim the position of her husband… I have nothing to say in my defense.’

Even so, he had made his decision.

He would return as Ekian Mayus.

“I have decided to sever ties completely with my father, who seeks to kill me. Even if it means committing the crime of patricide, I will accept it.”

Alteion was not one to speak recklessly.

Surely, he would now stand against the Emperor, confronting him head-on.

To support Alteion, it would be more beneficial for him to return as the Young Duke of Mayus.

And so, he too had chosen to commit this crime of defiance.

“It’s not that I’m not afraid of committing such a sin, but I have no choice. Because I, too, have a family I cherish.”

Because he had people precious to him.

His real family, who clung to even the slimmest chance of his survival, who sought to extend his claim as the Young Duke, even for just a little longer.

His mother, who could recognize the smallest details about him, even things he himself had not noticed.

‘Though… my birth mother seems to always prioritize the Marquis of Soden over me.’

Ekian let out a deep sigh, a bitter smile forming on his lips.

At the same time, he recalled a red-haired woman with intelligent, gleaming eyes.

‘Judith.’

She had once told him she loved him.

How would she react to the husband who had returned?

‘Since she once liked me, would it be easy to win back her heart if I pursue her again?’

It was laughable—he had never once struggled over a woman’s heart before. He had always taken admiration for granted, assuming that, no matter whom he married, things would go well.

But when it came to Judith, everything felt complicated. Even the smallest things concerned him, and, for some reason, he felt uneasy.

That difficult, unfamiliar feeling—

Perhaps this was what people meant when they spoke of “affection.”

***

Judith enjoyed the banquet in moderation.

She had been gathering her thoughts on the balcony when Hud found her, saying, “So here you were.” Because of that, she couldn’t stay there much longer.

“It should be fine now.”

“Oh my, really? Did you poison all the whispering guests, Hud? Like Bart?”

“Unfortunately, I am less experienced than Bart as a physician.”

Hud responded with a sly smile, playing along with Judith’s joke.

“I didn’t go as far as poisoning them, but I did notice the Duchess return. Once she coldly uttered a few words, the situation settled down.”

“Oh my.”

Judith let out a cheerful laugh.

“That is as effective as poison.”

Indeed, the atmosphere of the banquet had changed upon their return. Though people still whispered while looking at Judith, they no longer dared to voice insults or lowly curiosity aloud.

“Oh my, isn’t that necklace incredibly expensive?”

“The Duke of Mayus must truly cherish his new daughter-in-law…”

After that, nothing significant happened.

Or perhaps something significant did occur.

As the main character of the banquet, Crown Prince Alteion was attacked by his own guard while descending the stage after his speech.

However, he seemed to have secretly worn armor beneath his attire, as he remained unharmed and even managed to dodge the attack swiftly.

The banquet nearly descended into chaos, but instead, Alteion smiled and exclaimed jovially.

“Did I startle everyone? This was a lively play of my own design.”

Everyone blinked in confusion. Alteion chuckled, slung an arm around the shoulder of the guard who had attacked him, and called out:

“Perhaps I overdid it. Enjoy the banquet, everyone.”

At those words, the lively banquet music resumed. Judith watched quietly and thought,

‘As expected.’

Originally, Alteion should have been gravely wounded and teetering on the brink of death.

‘He received precise information from the Master.’

Now that she thought about it, the Master was truly a fascinating person.

Not only did he know the secret passageways of the Mayus mansion, but he also had direct contact with the Crown Prince.

‘He’s incredibly capable. Even if I marry him in the future, at least my family won’t starve.’

Judith’s thoughts had already drifted far ahead. This kind of overthinking—wasn’t it exactly what people called “affection”?

From there, the banquet naturally proceeded to the first dance. Though Judith hadn’t planned to stay long, she decided to at least follow tradition and participate in the first dance. Her partner, of course, was Hud.

By the time she and Hud began their light waltz, no one dared to cause trouble anymore. Isabella stood in the hall with a dignified expression, arms crossed, keeping watch.

“You were right, Hud.”

Judith smiled as she danced lightly with Hud.

“I really am fine now.”

“That is thanks to you, my lady.” Hud replied with a bitter smile, “I haven’t actually done anything for you.”

“What do you mean? You told me about the improved atmosphere here. That alone is a huge help.”

“Honestly, I wouldn’t say that.”

Just as Judith was about to brush it off again, Hud’s expression remained serious. After sighing once, he asked, “If I become the heir of the Marquis, will there be a day when I can help you more, Judith?”

“Who knows? But I hope that day never comes. It wouldn’t be good if I ever found myself in a situation where I needed someone’s help.”

At Judith’s response, Hud gave a soft smile. “That’s true. I hope such a day never comes.”

Then, gazing at her with gentle eyes, he spoke with sincere determination, “But if you ever find yourself in a situation where you absolutely need help, promise me you will come to me, Judith.”

It was a solemn request, unfitting for the bright music that played around them.

“No matter what the problem is, I will ensure that I have built a foundation strong enough to solve it for you.”