I Faked a Pregnancy, but My Husband Returned - Chapter 100
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
5. My World
Judith slowly opened her eyes. The sunlight gently tickled her eyelashes. She could hear the clatter of dishes being washed in the kitchen. In a small cottage, you could immediately tell what anyone was doing.
She slowly got up and headed to the kitchen. Then a middle-aged woman who had been washing dishes in the kitchen turned around with a bright smile.
【Yus, how are you feeling today?】
It was Merti language, not Imperial. Fortunately, Judith had learned Merti as a child, so she could communicate without difficulty.
【Yes. Did I wake up too late?】
This was the border region between the Merti Kingdom and the Empire. Though not large, a few cottages nestled in a peaceful forest where people lived simple lives.
【Have breakfast first. I’ve set it on the table.】
【I’m so sorry about this. I should have done the dishes…】
【You’re not alone anymore, so don’t even think about doing housework. Just go eat well.】
Judith smiled broadly and sat at the table, picking up her fork.
It had already been several days since she came here. She began eating heartily a salad made of fresh vegetables and berries.
When she had nowhere to go, was scared and exhausted, and headed to the Shrine of the Last Shaman.
When she lifted the priestess’s portrait, she immediately felt dizzy and something pulled her in. She lost consciousness, and when she opened her eyes again, she was amazingly far away.
【Yus, are you conscious?】
Before her eyes was a middle-aged woman she had never seen before in her life.
In Merti language, ‘Yus’ was a word used to address people of niece or nephew generation. Judith instinctively stroked her belly. Seeing this, the middle-aged woman spoke gently.
【The baby is fine. I’m not a great doctor, but I can still provide simple medical care.】
The woman introduced herself as Kastin. Judith was initially puzzled about why she had come here, but soon she was able to understand the reason.
【You’re a child of our tribe. There aren’t many left… Then we’re family. Please stay here comfortably.】
【A child… of the tribe? Me?】
【Yes. Would you like some soup?】
Kastin was a very good person. Sometimes the conversation was a bit superficial and she spoke in riddles, but she took good care of Judith.
Since it wasn’t the Empire, Judith felt like she had traveled somewhere far away.
Moreover, this was the countryside where news traveled slowly, so things like emperors and marquises all felt like dreams.
After spending several days with her, Judith realized a few facts. Kastin was a collateral member of the Oilte Clan.
The Oilte Clan was also the tribe of the fallen Last Shaman. Chaska, known as the Last Shaman, was the last heir of the Oilte Clan, and all the other tribe members had either fallen or scattered. Kastin was one of those scattered people.
【I’m collateral among collateral, so I can’t make prophecies. But I can sense the aura of the Oilte Clan emanating from you.】
Kastin didn’t tell her more than that. Judith began to slightly suspect that perhaps some of the Ailan Baronial Family’s ancestors had Oilte Clan blood mixed in. Or maybe it was Elizabeth.
‘So that’s why I was chosen by the Last Shaman? There must have been some bloodline connection, even if slight.’
No one could tell her the correct answer, but she could only speculate that much anyway.
‘But this place is really nice.’
In the clear air and beautiful scenery, Judith could wait for her child with peace of mind. She quickly became close with Kastin, who now introduced her as her real niece wherever they went.
Kastin was a quite skilled physician, so people often came from far away to see her.
Judith spent all her leisurely afternoon hours helping Kastin sort and dry medicinal herbs. Smelling the sharp and fragrant grass scents made her feel good and think that everything would work out well.
Just one thing – she thought she should let Master know she was safe, but that didn’t seem easy. This place had no connection to the Empire to begin with. So she carefully asked Kastin.
【Excuse me, is there any way to learn news from the Empire?】
【The Empire? Well… This is near the border with the Empire, but it would be difficult to communicate with the Empire. Because the roads are blocked by barbarians. But I’ll look into it more. Is it because of the baby’s father?】
【Yes, that’s right.】
Kastin was someone satisfied with life in a small cottage, but she still promised to do her best to find a connection to the Empire for Judith’s sake.
Not only Master’s whereabouts, but knowing what was happening in the Empire would also put Judith at ease.
So Judith, unlike herself, asked Kastin several times that she wanted to know news from the Empire.
Alteon and Melanie spent anxious days in the capital. They simply couldn’t find Judith.
Whether she had soared to the sky or sunk into the ground was unknowable. She had traveled alone, so she couldn’t have gone far, but even after searching and searching the area, Judith’s whereabouts remained mysterious. This couldn’t happen unless truly supernatural forces were involved.
Of course, there was a factor that made her disappearance anxiety-inducing for them. The Emperor’s retainers were also looking for her.
“S-s-sorry! W-we… j-just…”
Knowing of the Emperor’s death, Alteon hastily summoned Elizabeth and Ron for interrogation. They couldn’t hold out long and confessed.
“If we killed… Judith and pinned that murder suspicion on the Meius Ducal House… he said he would give Pedro territory and a title…”
Alteon and Melanie’s jaws dropped after learning the whole story.
Not only had they burdened an innocent child with all those debts, but they had ultimately tried to kill her to use her.
It was understandable that Ekian had departed quickly, saying he had to stop Elizabeth somehow.
Moreover, the Emperor’s retainers whom Ron had contacted first were also earnestly searching for Judith. As soon as they heard rumors that Judith had left the Meius Mansion, they began searching the capital at a similar pace to Alteon.
Since the Emperor’s death wasn’t yet confirmed, they were doing their best in their own way.
“I understand why Judith ran away so desperately.”
Melanie said in a trembling voice.
“It was to survive… Just to survive. She knew she was in danger.”
They couldn’t even guess where or how the situation had gotten so tangled.
Everyone had done their best and acted rationally, but as a result, the two people had ended up separated.
Fortunately, the Emperor’s retainers also couldn’t find Judith.
At least the fact that Judith’s body hadn’t been found also meant she was still safe for now. The opinion of the Emperor’s retainers caught by Alteon was also unified as ‘we have no idea where she went.’
“But where on earth did she…”
Melanie’s anxiety was eventually conveyed to Isabella at the Duke’s Mansion.
Isabella had thought Judith was leisurely traveling somewhere, but after hearing rumors that even the Crown Prince’s retainers had all mobilized but couldn’t find her whereabouts, and that Ron and Elizabeth had actually been targeting Judith’s life, she couldn’t come to her senses.
“Then that child… really left so as not to be a burden to the Marquis’ Household? She didn’t even go to Huyd?”
While Ben and Isabella were also completely turned upside down.
“Judith.”
Ekian arrived in the capital.
“Where is Judith?”
With eyes that had already become gloomy to the extreme from anxiety and impatience.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————