I Faked a Pregnancy, but My Husband Returned - Chapter 70

Anais trembled, taking a deep breath. Judith didn’t give her a chance to counterattack and continued sharply.

“Seeing how you’re coming after me like this and went so far as to arrange this event, it must really hurt that I achieved your dream, doesn’t it?”

The guests gathered at the garden party began exchanging silent glances.

Most of them had come expecting to witness Anais publicly humiliating Judith. Others had simply come out of curiosity to see Judith for themselves.

Mixed in was a hint of envy and jealousy. After all, a fallen noble lady had suddenly become the cherished daughter-in-law of House Mayus.

And now, even Ekian had returned, resuming his role as the Young Duke as if nothing had happened, his face as handsome as ever.

However, they all knew that such feelings were shameful.

There was a vast difference between hiding such emotions, revealing them, and getting caught.

It was common knowledge that Anais had liked Ekian since her youth, but now that Judith had presented undeniable proof while bluntly asking, “Is this why you’ve been tormenting me?” the atmosphere began to shift.

Anais trembled violently, her voice faltering. “You… you forged that…”

“Forged? This kind of old paper isn’t even easy to recreate anymore. And if you still don’t believe me—”

Judith continued calmly, “I have plenty more. Want me to show them?”

A brief silence fell. Judith smiled leisurely.

“There’s a reason people talk about ‘girlish sentiments.’ Back then, we were truly innocent and honest. Even my own writings from that time make me cringe a little.”

Most of the attendees were young women. They all knew exactly how embarrassing their childhood sentiments could be.

Seeing Judith’s confidence and not knowing what other remnants of the past she might have, Anais bit her lip hesitantly.

“Didn’t you reach out to me first, saying you wanted to rekindle old friendships?”

Judith smiled sweetly, her eyes curving gently.

“I actually brought these letters hoping we could reminisce together. Looking through them, our childhood memories seemed quite fond.”

The atmosphere was completely different from when she had slapped Anais earlier.

“Thank you so much for arranging this opportunity. Ah, is my seat over there? I see my nameplate. I’ll go take my seat.”

At that moment—

As if he couldn’t bear to see her drenched any longer, Master stepped up beside her.

“If you stay like this, you’ll catch a cold. At least take my coat…”

Originally, Master had been invited as a special guest by Anais, so this wasn’t the time he was supposed to make an appearance.

However, it seemed he couldn’t stand by and watch Judith remain in such a state.

All eyes turned to the masked man and Judith.

Judith politely declined. “Thank you, but I’m fine.”

Without sparing him another glance, she walked gracefully through the crowd, heading to her designated seat. Just as Master reached out once more to stop her—

“Wait a moment.”

A woman in an elegant dress stepped in front of him.

“Would you mind stepping aside for a moment?”

As soon as the crowd recognized her, they parted like the sea.

She had light brown hair and soft brown eyes—a rather unassuming appearance at first glance.

“Hello. This is our first time meeting, isn’t it?”

She smiled warmly and approached Judith. Before anyone could react, she gently introduced herself.

“I am Melanie Ainstra Ernestia.”

Judith, who had just sat down and was squeezing the water from her hair, froze on the spot. Then, she quickly stood and offered a formal greeting.

“It is an honor to meet Your Highness, the Crown Princess.”

Even though she had never been involved in high society and hadn’t heard much about its affairs, there was no way she wouldn’t know the name Melanie Ainstra Ernestia.

Since ‘Ernestia’ was the surname given to the imperial family of the empire, and ‘Melanie’ was the name of the Crown Princess, it was a name that frequently came up.

‘Even though she wasn’t featured much in the original story.’

That was also the reason she had come to this event.

The emperor had countless informants. It was highly likely that they already knew about the search for a physician—because Alteion had survived after the imperial banquet.

It wouldn’t have been difficult for the emperor to deduce that they had noticed the poison that had been gradually administered over a long period.

Thus, Melanie had come here to approach the matter naturally, without alerting those informants. In reality, Judith’s true objective at this garden party was not Anais, but rather Melanie.

‘Ah, so Her Highness the Crown Princess had already arrived earlier.’

Judith thought to herself in dismay.

‘I naturally assumed she would arrive much later.’

She hadn’t expected Anais to invite Melanie at the right time.

Typically, in these types of garden parties, the host staggers the arrival times to personally greet each guest and guide them. Naturally, the more distinguished guests arrive later.

Judith had assumed that Anais had only invited people she was close to before summoning her. But the fact that Melanie was already present was truly unexpected.

‘Everything’s ruined.’

Before Anais could start picking a fight, Judith had to find a way to get in Melanie’s good graces. It might have sounded arrogant, but Judith never found it difficult to win someone’s favor.

Developing deeper emotions was challenging, but getting along with others using a kind demeanor and an innocent appearance was easy. That was why, during her time as a private tutor, every single parent had been fond of her.

‘But after arriving here in this state…’

She had never intended to arrive at the garden party and immediately slap Anais across the face. It certainly wasn’t a good first impression.

‘Honestly, it might have been better to quietly endure the humiliation. At least I could have gained some sympathy…’

Judith kept blaming herself. At this point, it seemed futile to act as if she were kind-hearted.

However, Melanie smiled gently and made an offer first. “Would you like to wear one of my spare dresses?”

“Pardon?” Judith stared at her blankly.

Melanie spoke with a warm expression, “I am expecting my second child, you see. I dressed up today to look nice, but I also brought a looser dress just in case I started feeling uncomfortable after sitting for too long.”

She continued kindly, “Countess Anitas’s dresses are not made for expectant mothers, so they might be uncomfortable. I understand how you feel. But my dress should be comfortable to wear. Won’t you accept my offer?”

Judith was genuinely impressed. It was no wonder she was the Crown Princess—her graceful and tactful speech in social settings was remarkable.

‘Not only did she immediately notice my reluctance to wear Anais’s dress, but she also framed it as a concern for expectant mothers, making it more palatable.’

From Judith’s perspective, there was nothing to hesitate about.

“I truly appreciate Your Highness’s kindness.”

Judith beamed and bowed deeply once more.

“Thank you so much.”

Melanie widened her eyes slightly before waving her hand dismissively. “Think nothing of it. Then, Countess Anitas, may we borrow a room?”

There was only one answer Anais could give.

“…Of course.”

It would have been strange for her to insist Judith wear her dress now. Moreover, due to Judith’s earlier revelation, there were certainly nobles in attendance who had started to look down on Anais.

“I will have a maid escort you. Please follow her.”

However, Anais couldn’t let things go without at least a small act of retaliation.

She discreetly whispered to the maid, ‘Do not give her a room with a private bath,’ before smiling sweetly as she watched them leave.

It was a petty move, but she intended for the lingering unpleasant smell on Judith’s body to remain.