I Faked a Pregnancy, but My Husband Returned - Chapter 95

A few days later.

The weather was bright and clear, with a light breeze fluttering by.

A rather somber air lingered over the Duke of Mayus’s residence from the morning.

“Judith, must you really do this?”

“Yes. It’s a bit excessive, I know. But still, thank you so much for granting my request.”

Judith smiled softly, wearing a maid’s uniform and carrying a small travel bag.

“Thank you for everything.”

“At least let me assign you a guard or a few maids…”

“No, that’s all right. Really. To be honest, it would only feel burdensome.”

Today was the day Judith had decided to leave the Mayus estate for good.

She had made a couple of requests to Isabella. First, that she wanted to leave quietly, in secret. Second, that the announcement of the divorce be made only after her departure.

Naturally, Isabella accepted her requests.

It had all started with a scandal, a fake marriage built on provocative gossip that easily drew people’s attention.

If news spread that Judith divorced and left the Duke’s residence while Ekian was missing, it would surely attract overwhelming attention.

Even third-rate tabloids might start tailing her every move and spreading rumors everywhere.

As the Young Duchess of House Mayus, Judith was no longer a mere civilian. Once the divorce was announced, living peacefully would no longer be easy. So her wish to ‘quietly disappear’ was something Isabella could understand.

“I’m already an adult and have lived well on my own for a long time.”

Judith spoke with a gentle smile.

“I’ll be heading toward the Marquisate of Soden and plan to travel a bit along the way. I’ve never had a proper trip before. I’ve always wanted to roam freely. Once I’m settled, I’ll contact you.”

“So then…”

Tears welled slightly in Isabella’s eyes.

She had already spent the entire night saying farewell to Ben and Karl. Though Judith said she’d return and drop by often, it was still hard to part. Even though Judith insisted she didn’t need anything, Ben pressed a blank checkbook and a pile of jewels into her hands.

Judith hadn’t informed even the maids or servants of her departure. Her wish was to leave without anyone knowing.

She was firm in her intention not to let a single soul know until she was out of the capital.

So Isabella saw her off through a hidden passage in the mansion that Ben had told her about.

“If you keep walking along this path, there’s a separate building. You could stay there for a few days before heading out.”

“Thank you.”

Judith smiled brightly and hugged Isabella one last time. Now, Judith had cut her hair into a short bob and wore glasses.

With her maid’s uniform on, she looked quite different from usual.

To be honest, Isabella thought Judith might be being overly cautious, but she understood the desire not to draw anyone’s eyes and said no more.

“I’ll contact you soon. Please stay well.”

Isabella kept watching Judith’s back for a long time as she finally stepped beyond the Duke’s residence, having repeatedly looked back.

“Ha, goodness.”

She chuckled faintly at Judith’s light steps.

“Most people would carry regret or greed, but she’s walking just the same as the day she first arrived.”

Then she slowly entered Ekian’s room and let out a long sigh. Judith had left behind almost all the gold coins Isabella had formally given her, as well as the checkbook and jewels Ben had provided. Not entirely everything—but it looked like she only took the bare minimum.

“Seriously… right to the very end.”

Isabella sighed and shook her head.

Judith truly stayed just for one season and left. Like a breeze that couldn’t be caught no matter how hard one tried. Without taking anything, scattering only the memories of her presence, and leaving behind no regrets.

“Oh, Ekian, you fool.”

Isabella muttered gloomily.

“She was a girl worth holding onto. You should’ve tried harder. In the end, you lost to Hud Soden.”

And so Judith left.

Leaving nothing behind that could be called hers.

Looking back, Isabella wiped a tear away, regretting that she might not have even given her a proper room.

***

There were countless secret passageways in the Duke of Mayus’s residence.

Aside from the one Master used, there were apparently many similar ones.

Master had once led her through a secret passage, but it had been so dark and complicated that she couldn’t remember the route.

But if she couldn’t remember it, she could just ask. The head of the family was already living in the house, and no one knew the secret passages better than the Duke of Mayus.

So Judith was able to easily ask Ben and Isabella. She requested to be shown a way out of the residence without being seen by anyone.

‘To think it even connects to the annex.’

The small, narrow path out of sight led to the annex of the duke’s residence, which she had visited once before.

‘That annex is where our baby was conceived.’

For some reason, it felt like a good sign. It wasn’t intentional, but starting anew from a place tied to fond memories felt meaningful.

‘Baby.’

Judith moved her steps lightly.

‘Maybe it’s because of you that I want to keep on living.’

She suddenly found herself strongly relating to what Melanie had once said: “I wasn’t originally this kind of person.” Judith was never someone great enough to be involved in power struggles between the dukes and the imperial family. She’d never even wanted such things.

What she wanted was a cozy place she could call ‘home,’ and real family she could call ‘her people.’

So when she realized she’d gotten swept into such a massive conflict, Judith might have just given up everything with a “Whatever happens, happens” kind of attitude. She might have kept looking around, concerned more for others than herself.

But having a child made her selfish beyond measure. In truth, what she asked from the ducal house was far more important than any money or jewels.

‘If I catch my breath in the annex and change my disguise again, I should be able to reach my destination without anyone following me.’

Her destination was clear.

Originally, she had felt completely lost and overwhelmed. Just like when she had first been crushed under a mountain of debt.

Back then, she miraculously came to know the future. It turned out to be the power of the Last Priestess.

The Last Priestess had also left her with another message:

[Come back when you have a hard time. I will guide you.]

At the time, she had brushed it off, thinking “What hardship would I possibly face?” She had barely even noticed, especially with the mansion having collapsed.

But without a doubt, the Last Priestess had said she would ‘guide’ her. For someone with nowhere to go, it was like salvation.

Maybe, just maybe, the Last Priestess could guide her once more to a safe path.

Though it seemed completely baseless, an odd certainty welled up within her. It was a mysterious impulse that couldn’t be explained logically.

‘How shameless of me.’

Judith thought with a bitter smile.

‘I’ve been so preoccupied with my own survival that I never even looked into who the son of the Last Priestess was.’

The priestess had clearly asked her to make her son happy. But not even knowing who he was meant Judith couldn’t fulfill that request.

“Hoo… Still, if it’s for the child, it can’t be helped. I’ll be extra kind to all pregnant women, I promise.”

Thinking of her baby, Judith regained her boldness. She pulled herself together once more, rested briefly in the annex, pressed her hat low, and set out.

She was planning to visit the Shrine of the Last Priestess.

She didn’t know what would happen once she got there, but once she arrived, surely the path would be shown to her. That vague belief was what led her onward.