I Faked a Pregnancy, but My Husband Returned - Chapter 60

With Ekian’s permission secured, Judith wasted no time preparing to go out.

She put on a pretty outfit and carefully applied makeup, following everything she had learned from books.

Since she was now sharing a room with Ekian Mayus, Master might misunderstand the situation. Or, he might completely lose any feelings he had for her.

She needed to explain the situation and make it clear that she had no feelings for Ekian Mayus.

“Ah, I should bring a gift, too.”

She picked up the small vial Sandra had given her.

Originally, it was a neutralizer meant to counteract the effects of the suppressant Ekian had taken, but for regular people, it was sold as an expensive nutritional supplement.

‘A luxury nutritional supplement made by the ducal family’s physician! It’s a perfect gift—classy but not overwhelming!’

Since Ekian would never drink it, it was effectively Judith’s to do with as she pleased. Sandra had even said she could drink it herself if she wanted.

With light steps, she left the ducal estate.

***

“Something filthy has attached itself.”

Ekian muttered irritably as he looked at the report.

The document detailed Anais’s recent movements.

After learning that Anais was investigating Judith, Ekian had acted immediately. He had contacted all of Judith’s former employers before she could reach them, cutting off any potential avenues.

Additionally, he had deliberately leaked information about the Grey Information Guild.

He didn’t know exactly what Anais was after, but he had a good idea of the type of person she was searching for.

Someone who seemed financially desperate—or could be made desperate. A commoner with ties to Judith dating back to her past.

That included the Master of the Grey Information Guild. Sure enough, Anais had reached out immediately.

[I’ve heard that the information guild is struggling.

I’d like you to take on a request regarding Judith Mayus.

It’s not a particularly difficult task—something well within your capabilities.

If you accept, your guild won’t have to shut down.]

Her exact intentions weren’t clear, but one thing was certain—she intended to use Judith in some kind of scheme.

‘It’s because of her ties to the Mayus family, no doubt.’

Ekian sighed, feeling a vague sense of guilt.

‘For the emperor’s mistress to be targeting Judith like this…’

Originally, he had planned to shut down the information guild and bid Judith farewell. He hadn’t intended to keep deceiving her with this double life any longer.

But now that things had escalated, he could no longer abandon his role as Master.

After all, he needed to know the enemy’s intentions in order to counter them.

Without hesitation, Ekian wrote a reply. Situations like this required swift action.

[Let’s meet after 6 p.m. Please come to the guild directly.]

He had an appointment with Judith soon, so he planned to meet Anais afterward.

‘Looks like I’ll have to maintain my identity as Master for a few more days.’

He had no idea why Judith wanted to meet him.

‘Is she coming to tell me to stop seeing her now that Ekian Mayus is back?’

But it wasn’t possible for the Master of the Grey Information Guild to be unaware of Ekian’s return. After all, Ekian’s homecoming had been anything but quiet. The entire capital was abuzz with the news, and the rumors surrounding Judith were already dissipating.

Ekian had publicly declared, “There were circumstances. I had always intended to return.”

Judith, being indifferent to high society, likely wasn’t aware of it, but that had been the first thing he had made clear.

He never wanted to see Judith wear that lonely, sorrowful expression again—the one he had seen on the balcony during the banquet.

He wanted to ensure that everything surrounding her felt natural, that everything she had was rightfully hers.

‘But why exactly is she seeking me out? Does she have a request?’

Several unpleasant scenarios ran through his mind.

Maybe she wanted him to deliver an urgent letter to Hud Soden.

Maybe she wanted to ask for Hud Soden to come quickly.

Maybe she was looking for a way to sneak away and meet Hud Soden in secret…

All of these thoughts stemmed from one unavoidable fact—Judith had openly stated that she was in love with another man.

Just then, a bell rang, accompanied by the sound of light footsteps approaching.

It was Judith.

“Hello, Master.”

The attendant at the entrance casually guided her to Ekian. As she walked in with a bright smile, Ekian silently observed her from behind his mask.

Her expression was bright, but in a different way than when she was at the Mayus estate.

It was the kind of radiant smile she showed to Ben, Isabella, and Karl—but not yet to Ekian.

‘Looks like I still have a long way to go.’

He had thought they had grown closer, but facing her as Master made him realize otherwise. She had yet to open her heart to Ekian.

“How have you been?”

Judith sat before him cheerfully. Her neatly styled hair and the light green dress that complemented her eyes made her look stunning.

Even though he had taken the suppressant prescribed by Sandra, his heart still fluttered.

If he hadn’t taken the medicine, spending every night in the same bed as Judith in her loungewear would have surely driven him mad.

“Yes, Judith.”

Ekian responded leisurely.

“I heard the news. Your husband has returned?”

At that, Judith burst into laughter.

“Oh my, at first, you used to flinch whenever I called him my husband, said I was his wife, or referred to myself as Mayus’s daughter-in-law. But now, you’re the one saying it first?”

It was true—there had been a time when those titles had made him uncomfortable. But now, they felt completely natural.

As if this had been his rightful place from the beginning.

“But the Young Duke Ekian and I have already talked things through. We agreed to part ways when the time is right.”

Wait a moment.

That was an oversimplification.

He had never explicitly agreed to part ways.

“I will definitely live my own life!”

Judith declared boldly.

“I will make sure to be with the man I love, and I’ll work hard until our hearts are fully in sync!”

At that moment—

Ekian’s vision blurred slightly, and a strange hallucination echoed in his ears.

“So, you were hiding here, Judith. I was hoping this wouldn’t be the case.”

“E-E-Ekian…”

“Where is the child?”

A scene he had never experienced or even imagined before.

“I asked where my child is.”

Something was wrong.

A hallucination about a nonexistent child—why…?

And Judith was sitting right here, not running away, perfectly fine in front of him.

While he was momentarily stunned by the hallucination, Judith continued speaking.

“Anyway, I really appreciate what you did for His Highness the Crown Prince. I always knew you were capable, Master, but I never expected you to be that incredible. By the way, did you already know that Young Duke Ekian Mayus would return?”

Because of the mask, Judith didn’t notice the way Ekian’s eyes had lost focus.

“Master? Master?”

“…Ah.”

The hallucination that had suddenly overwhelmed him vanished just as abruptly. Ekian quickly composed himself and resumed the conversation.

“I’m sorry. I’ve been overworked lately, and I momentarily felt lightheaded.”

“Ah, really?”

Judith looked concerned but also seemed to take it as an opportunity. She suddenly rummaged through her bag and pulled out a glass vial.

“Actually, I brought a gift.”

She smiled as she handed it to him. A small ribbon was tied around the vial.

“It’s a nutritional supplement prescribed by the Mayus Ducal House’s physician. Apparently, it’s quite expensive. You don’t look well, so you should take it.”

“Ah, thank you.”

Ekian had never once thought of himself as lacking in strength or stamina. But this was the second time he had experienced such a hallucination.

Maybe taking a supplement wasn’t a bad idea. Besides, it was a gift from Judith.

“Now that I think about it, this is the first time I’ve ever received a present from you.”

He smirked as he accepted the vial.

“Even Hud Soden at least got to drink with you. But I, on the other hand, have never received anything.”

“Oh, you’re right.”

“I’ll make sure to drink it.”