I Faked a Pregnancy, but My Husband Returned - Chapter 68

“…Could you tell me in advance?”

“Oh, come on. Why ruin the surprise? Just wait until the day—it’ll be quite amusing.”

Behind his mask, Ekian’s expression twisted slightly. It was a story involving him, yet he, the person in question, couldn’t be told about it in advance.

He even felt a strange sense of unease. Surely, it wasn’t something he had forgotten? Hopefully, it wasn’t a misunderstanding that would put him in an awkward position.

“Now that I think about it, I’ve never heard much about your childhood.”

“Well, there’s not much to tell. I was just a noble daughter who existed quietly.”

She shrugged as she spoke.

“Ah, but according to my mother, I was apparently quite smart. My tutors praised me a lot. Whether they meant it sincerely or just wanted me to sit quietly in class, I’ll probably never know.”

Ekian instantly recognized the subtle sadness hidden in her casual words. He asked slowly, “Do you want to know about your mother?”

“No. She abandoned me anyway.”

“But wouldn’t it be better to confront her, even just to express your resentment? Do you really not want to see her at all?”

At that, Judith frowned slightly but quickly adjusted her expression and cheerfully asked, “If I request it from you, will you find her for me?”

“I am the Master of an information guild. And since you’re a valued client, I’ll do it free of charge.”

“Oh my, what an honor. I’ll let you know if I ever feel ready.”

Judith casually deflected the topic, making it clear she wasn’t ready yet.

“By the way, I heard Young Duke Ekian won’t be returning to the ducal estate for a while since the Crown Prince has summoned him.”

She stood up as she spoke with an easy smile.

“If you ever need to discuss something, feel free to visit.”

Ekian froze momentarily.

“Ah, well, maybe not anytime. Try to pick the right moment—you can manage that, right?”

Wait. Was she just dismissing him like that?

Was she kicking him out?

Ekian was momentarily dazed.

He had planned to act as if nothing had happened, yet Judith was playing along so naturally that it felt oddly unsettling.

Had she really forgotten? Had she been so drunk that she didn’t remember anything? Just as he had hoped?

Ekian watched her composed expression and suddenly felt uncertain.

‘…Did I really want that?’

He had been so sure earlier. When he first saw her today, he had believed that was what he wanted.

But realizing that he alone remembered that night filled him with unexpected disappointment.

“Well… Ahem. Do you have anything else to say?”

Though it made him look rather pathetic, he deliberately stalled as he stood up.

Judith simply smiled brightly and shook her head. “Not really?”

“Ah…”

“Then, take care, Master.”

Judith waved cheerfully.

Chapter 4: I Like You

On the day of the Anitas family’s garden party.

Judith left the ducal estate with a sense of confidence.

“If you don’t like it, don’t feel obligated to be nice.”

After learning about the situation, Isabella had gone all out in dressing her up from head to toe and gave her a firm reminder before she left.

“If you don’t feel like reconnecting, just say so and leave. As a member of Mayus, you can do that. That’s your position. I’ve always done the same.”

But that was because you are the Duchess. I can’t do that yet.

Judith forced a smile while internally breaking into a cold sweat.

“I’ll just go and handle things properly. Don’t worry.”

“These kinds of gatherings are never beneficial. At best, you’ll come back without feeling terrible.”

Isabella’s words were spot-on, but Judith couldn’t exactly say she disagreed. She just smiled and nodded. Seeing that, Isabella sighed deeply.

“I really wish I could go with you… but that kind of gathering isn’t meant for someone like me, is it?”

“Ah, probably not.”

Honestly, this wasn’t an event Isabella should attend.

Anais had only sent invitations to women of her own age group. The premise was that they were rekindling old friendships from their youth, meaning only noblewomen in their twenties had been invited. Isabella had no place among them.

“Well, if young women want to have fun among themselves, I have nothing to say about that.”

She grumbled as she followed Judith all the way to the carriage.

“Personally, I never found any of them to be decent people. They were the type to change their attitudes depending on one’s status. Especially Countess Anitas…”

Isabella trailed off, closing her mouth. Then, with a slight smile, she added, “No matter what she tries to do, as a Mayus, you can crush someone like that without a second thought. Don’t worry and just do whatever you feel like.”

At first, she had meant to warn Judith to be wary of the emperor’s mistress, but in the end, her words turned into encouragement, assuring her that the ducal house would handle anything that arose.

Judith understood her sentiment and felt an overwhelming warmth in her heart.

Though their relationship had started with deception, she genuinely appreciated Isabella’s affection and concern.

“…If only Ekian were a bit more affectionate.”

Holding Judith’s hand, Isabella sighed.

Ekian had been staying out for days. He still hadn’t returned home. But since he had been absent for so long before, his absence didn’t particularly stand out.

“Well, I suppose that’s to be expected… Honestly, even I can’t figure him out.”

Isabella was conflicted. She couldn’t bring herself to force Ekian to grow close to Judith, but at the same time, she couldn’t demand an immediate divorce either. Ekian had clearly stated, “You did well. The marriage will continue.”

But she hadn’t expected him to maintain it in this manner. Isabella felt utterly helpless and unsure of what to do.

“I just want you to be happy, Judith.” Suppressing her complex emotions, Isabella murmured, “That’s my true wish.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Judith hugged Isabella tightly.

“Thank you. Truly.”

After that, she climbed into the carriage. It felt as if she were heading into battle.

‘Master will probably come, too.’

Judith slowly blinked as she gazed out the window. The plan she and Master had devised was flawless. There would be no room for criticism, and they might even be able to counterattack.

Moreover, if Anais crossed the line, Judith had plenty of ammunition to retaliate.

‘Though I didn’t bother telling Master about that. He might enjoy the spectacle.’

During her childhood, she had been present in noble social circles, though she had drifted quietly in the background. That didn’t mean she had forgotten everything. Even though she had withdrawn from society at seventeen, the memories from that time were still vivid.

‘Anais, please.’

Judith composed her thoughts calmly.

‘Let’s not make this too messy.’

She wasn’t the type to seek conflict. If she could avoid it, she preferred to. Not because she was afraid or intimidated, but simply because she found no meaning in such things.

That didn’t mean she would sit back and let herself be trampled.

If Anais intended to harm her, she was more than capable of retaliating tenfold. That was precisely why she wanted to handle this quietly.

The scandal Anais had orchestrated between her and Master would dissipate into nothing. Judith would simply meet with Melanie, take care of her business, and leave.

‘Please, Anais.’

Judith prayed earnestly inside the carriage.

‘Let’s not take this fight too far.’

However, the moment she arrived at the Anitas estate—

“Oh my, oh my, oh my, oh my! What do we do?!”

Judith instantly realized she had underestimated Anais.

“Judith! I’m so sorry! What do we do?! No, how could this happen?!”

Unbelievable.

“What should we do? Hm? At least no one else is here yet.”

She hadn’t expected to be drenched the moment she arrived.