I Faked a Pregnancy, but My Husband Returned - Chapter 73

“Thank you very much.”

Judith gently expressed her gratitude to the coachman.

As the Young Duchess, she didn’t need to be so kind to the servants, yet she was always considerate and warm to everyone.

At first, there had been plenty of doubts about the woman who had suddenly appeared claiming to be pregnant, but now, none of the staff harbored any ill feelings toward her.

She was kind and graceful, yet rational, and every one of her actions carried a subtle nobility.

‘Yes.’

The coachman pondered as he steered the carriage.

‘It must be awkward for them at the ducal estate. Since they met outside, of course they would want to meet privately elsewhere. The Young Duke certainly knows how to set the mood.’

He deliberately took the longest, most winding route through the alleys to buy time. Judith, ever good-natured, merely leaned against the window and dozed off slightly without a word of complaint.

‘Hope the two of them have a wonderful time together.’

After taking an intentionally long detour, they finally arrived at the annex on No. 37.

The coachman assisted Judith in stepping down from the carriage and said, “I’ll go purchase a few outfits from a dressmaker nearby. Since I didn’t make a prior appointment, it may take a while, so please take your time to rest.”

“Yes, thank you so much.”

Judith smiled warmly and entered the annex.

The coachman bowed respectfully and firmly secured the gate latch—ensuring that no one else could enter.

***

Judith carefully stepped inside the annex. Naturally, it was much smaller than the ducal estate, yet it was still about the size of five of her old boarding rooms put together.

‘Oh, I never knew they had a place like this.’

She had been aware that noble families often maintained annexes, but she hadn’t expected House Mayus to own one right in the heart of the capital.

‘As expected of the Mayus Ducal House. They really are wealthy.’

Owning an estate in this prime location and leaving it mostly unused was an extravagant luxury. Most noble families built their annexes on the outskirts, making this an unusual indulgence.

Judith closed the front door after confirming that the coachman had left. A hum of satisfaction escaped her lips. Everything had gone rather smoothly.

When she had subtly mentioned Hud to Melanie, the Crown Princess had shown significant interest.

From there, things had progressed swiftly.

Melanie had expressed her wish to meet him, and after a brief discussion, Judith had set up a future meeting between them.

“I’ll have the dress cleaned properly before returning it, along with a thank-you note.”

She planned to contact Hud and include the details of the meeting—time and location—within that note.

No matter how many eyes were watching the imperial palace, the fact that this arrangement had been initiated at Anais’s garden party made it appear completely aboveboard. After all, wasn’t it Anais who had started the entire ordeal by dousing her in water?

“The timing is quite fortunate.”

Melanie had also chuckled softly.

“His Majesty the Emperor will soon be departing on a tour of the Arten region.”

With the emperor away, the situation couldn’t have been more perfect.

At first, Judith had worried that Melanie wouldn’t trust her entirely. However, seeing Judith openly opposing Anais seemed to have convinced her.

‘Perhaps this was a better strategy than pretending to be some naive, kindhearted fool.’

It hadn’t been her initial plan, but luck had been on her side.

‘If I were truly an agent of the emperor, I wouldn’t have humiliated Anais to this extent.’

If enduring a few more instances of being drenched in water was the price for ensuring success, she could certainly handle it.

‘Ah, but first, I really want to take a bath.’

With a deep sigh, she glanced around the room. According to the coachman, the annex had a bathroom.

Although she had wiped herself down, the faint unpleasant odor still clung to her, making her uncomfortable.

‘Of course, that’s exactly why they intentionally led me to a room without a bathroom earlier, wasn’t it?’

She couldn’t just demand a room with a bathroom on the spot. The maid had no authority to grant such a request, and asking Anais would have only prolonged the matter. Making Melanie wait would have been impolite.

Even after changing her clothes, she had endured the lingering unpleasant smell rather than leave early.

“Each of you will take turns asking him questions—anything at all! You may ask the man who knows everything, and he will provide an answer! Doesn’t that sound delightful?”

She hadn’t wanted to stay any longer in that situation. She had sat long enough to avoid looking like she had been driven out.

‘Ha…’

When she saw Master at the garden party, a strange feeling overtook her.

Until now, she had only ever met Master alone, always in secluded places—his office, Ekian’s room, or the secret passage.

Even then, she had thought he had a strong and solid build. But seeing him standing in broad daylight against the backdrop of a garden felt different.

‘…Why does he look good even with a mask on?’

He had a commanding presence, a well-built physique, and excellent proportions. Even with his face hidden, his aura alone exuded confidence and charm.

No wonder the other women were drawn to him, asking, “Who might you be?” one after another.

It was likely his first time attending such an event, yet the women hovered around him, their curiosity evident. It was understandable—his posture, movements, and even the way he adjusted his clothing were all graceful and refined.

Among the young noblewomen gathered, he stood out even more.

‘Ah.’

Watching him converse effortlessly among the elegantly dressed women, Judith felt an odd emotion rise within her.

‘He… he shines on his own, just like that.’

Had she mistakenly thought he was someone unique to her simply because he concealed his identity behind a mask? In reality, he could easily blend in and captivate others.

‘Even like this, he’s still incredibly attractive to others…’

Perhaps his everyday life was actually like this—surrounded by noblewomen, effortlessly enjoying their attention without concern.

‘What do I even know about Master? The truth is, I know nothing at all.’

He suddenly felt incredibly distant, impossibly dazzling. A petty jealousy stirred within her.

When Anais naturally took his arm, guiding him in an escort, it was difficult to keep her expression neutral. She had never even received an escort from him before.

And yet, he performed the gesture so naturally. Having been raised as a noblewoman, Judith could tell—he was well-versed in such etiquette.

It was obvious this wasn’t his first time. He had undoubtedly escorted many noble ladies before. Even Anais, dressed in a provocative outfit, didn’t faze him as he moved with practiced ease.

Every step he took exuded nobility and elegance. It was clear he had been trained in such things for a long time.

‘Can I really say I’m close to Master? Was that just my own illusion?’

The thought made her feel foolish.

‘I’m truly pathetic. I actually thought I was special to someone—how ridiculous.’

Her delusion had been reinforced by that kiss just days ago.

If she were to be honest, Master had kissed her as if he were about to devour her. In that heated moment, the sheer intensity of his desire had made her feel like the most special woman in the world.

But perhaps that was an illusion, too.

Maybe he had done it countless times before. Maybe she had merely been another woman he had “kissed.” Maybe that night, he had simply been overwhelmed by the effects of the drug.

‘Is that why he wanted to pretend it never happened? I played along, but still…’

As she gloomily approached the bathroom—

“You’re here.”

A voice suddenly called out from nearby, startling her.

She had sensed no presence. She hadn’t expected anyone to be here. Even the coachman had assured her that the place was empty.

“May I have a word with you?”

Master was sitting leisurely on the living room sofa.