I Faked a Pregnancy, but My Husband Returned - Chapter 106

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Beside the Emperor stood a young man with jet-black hair and red eyes, wearing a cold expression. Everyone couldn’t help but be shocked since they all recognized that face.

The young man who originally had blonde hair and held the position of Ekian Meius Marquis.

He had been missing for nearly five years but had recently returned, causing quite a stir…

“We raised him without knowing he was royalty.”

The Meius Marquis slowly opened his mouth.

“However, it’s true that we dyed his hair because we wanted to raise him as our own son. Due to recent events within the Marquis’ household, his bloodline has been revealed.”

Everyone was speechless because Ekian’s face truly resembled the Emperor’s.

His distinct features reminiscent of the Emperor’s younger days and his somewhat gloomy impression were certainly completely different from Ben Meius. It was even more apparent now that he revealed his black hair instead of blonde.

And there was another reason why those attending the noble council couldn’t speak. They were all clicking their tongues inwardly with one mind.

‘Did he come from hell? Why does he look like that?’

‘He didn’t originally have such a terrible expression.’

‘He looks completely unapproachable…’

Originally, Ekian Meius Marquis had always put up walls with everyone, but he was a mannered and kind, elegant and appropriately sociable typical noble family’s young master.

However, Ekian, who appeared after five years and had even changed to black hair, emanated a cold and menacing atmosphere.

His eyes were sunken, his complexion was pale, and shadows fell across his sculpted features, creating an aura that was utterly unapproachable.

His gloomy and decadent aura was so strong that it contrasted intensely even with the peaceful-looking Alteon.

“If His Majesty the Emperor, whose whereabouts are currently unknown, had known of Ekian’s existence, he would surely have welcomed him with open arms.”

Alteon spoke the lie casually with a gentle face.

“Therefore, I, Alteon, who am currently representing His Majesty the Emperor.”

Ekian calmly maintained his position. Alteon’s declaration continued.

“Personally bestow upon Ekian Martius the Imperial family name and the title of Grand Duke.”

That was the moment when Ekian Meius received the surname Martius, the Imperial family name of the Empire.

Applause rang out. Alteon listened to the applause for a moment, then smiled gently and continued speaking.

“The Arten region where His Majesty the Emperor is currently missing is in great chaos. Since everyone knows that Ekian has sufficient ability for this, I wish to entrust the Grand Duke with determining His Majesty’s whereabouts along with stabilizing the territory.”

Arten was chaos itself right now.

It was natural. Originally, it was a place frequently invaded by barbarians, but the Marquis of Arten would usually ally with outsiders to drive out the barbarians.

And most importantly, outsiders couldn’t stand by and watch barbarians who had conquered a castle. Expecting that they would be the next target, neighboring territories immediately sent reinforcements.

However, now it was very different from usual.

The barbarians who had noisily conquered the castle in one night scattered somewhere anticlimactically despite having charged in so loudly. It was a situation that would be absurd for the residents of Arten.

Alteon had a gentle personality and weak drive, not moving easily until pushed, lacking warrior qualities. However, he was meticulous and careful, possessing the talent of a strategist who could plan schemes.

Therefore, he had already considered the chaos in the territory after the Emperor and the Marquis of Arten went missing.

First, the initially bribed barbarians quickly left the castle to minimize damage, and instead, supplies were unofficially distributed sufficiently to easily obtain nearby help.

However, if other nearby lords had established themselves in Arten territory and won over the hearts of the territorial people, there was a high possibility they wouldn’t serve the suddenly appeared Ekian as their lord.

So he deliberately sent inspectors to nearby nobles to prevent them from responding to Arten’s affairs.

‘Since there won’t be major damage anyway, have them request resources from nearby commoners or foreigners.’

But that didn’t mean Arten could be left empty forever. Other barbarians might invade.

Therefore, Alteon wanted to appoint Ekian as Grand Duke and simultaneously send him to Arten.

Naturally, it wouldn’t be easy for local people to suddenly serve as their true lord a Grand Duke who came down from above claiming to be the Emperor’s brother.

Since Alteon felt sorry for Ekian, he wanted to somehow make Arten completely his territory.

He believed without doubt that if Ekian quickly resolved the territorial chaos without active external help, the territorial people would quickly open their hearts to Ekian.

He also believed that Ekian had such ability.

He even believed Ekian would do better since the previous Marquis of Arten had implemented considerable terror politics and treated the territorial people quite harshly under the Emperor’s protection.

As he had once told Ekian before, if Ekian could effectively block even barbarian attacks, he could quickly win the favor of the territorial people.

According to Alteon’s prediction, the remaining barbarians would likely attack Arten once more soon. Rumors that Arten’s lord had gone missing could reach them too.

‘Fortunately, Ekian is listening to me.’

So Alteon had been subtly persuading Ekian, telling him to go to Arten first while he would find Judith even if it meant using all the Empire’s intelligence sources.

Even while saying that, he felt like Ekian wouldn’t leave the capital, but when he said he would go to Arten the very next day, he even felt relieved.

Of course, his still rough expression and anxiety-consumed face couldn’t be helped…

“Then, Grand Duke.”

Alteon smiled gently and suggested as if driving in a wedge.

“Could you go to Arten territory right now?”

It was essentially going back again in just two days, but Ekian didn’t feel embarrassed and participated in that performance.

“I shall obey your command.”

With the bewildered applause of nobles who still couldn’t grasp the situation well, Ekian received the position of Grand Duke.

It was literally a position found by bringing down his father.

Honestly speaking, without the protection of royalty, it would have been a plan he couldn’t have achieved so easily.

Paradoxically, the blood inherited from his father had placed him in that position.

But if it weren’t for Judith, he wouldn’t have even thought of seeking it. Conversely, it also meant that without Judith, it was a meaningless position.

Thus, Ekian was to head to Arten again immediately.

“Thank you so much for everything.”

Ekian bowed to Isabella and Ben. It was the greatest expression of gratitude he could offer.

No words of thanks would be sufficient for the couple who had raised him like their own child and had truly decided to establish him as Meius’ heir.

He could only promise one thing: that he would continue to follow and love them like his birth parents.

“Never, never again will I leave my parents.”

Ekian spoke in a low but clear voice.

Now his surname had become Martius and he had naturally become a prince and Grand Duke, but still, Ekian intended to serve them as his parents for life.

“I’m sorry for not being able to hold onto Judith.”

Isabella, who had belatedly grasped the situation, spoke restlessly.

“I… I didn’t know you two had made a child in the meantime… When exactly… You were out every day, and according to Sandra, you even took medicine that… suppressed those desires…”

Ekian had no words to answer about that topic either. Even if he explained everything in detail, everyone would only become more bewildered.

Since it was something that happened because Isabella had taken excessive care of Judith, he couldn’t even resent Isabella.

“I’ll find her again.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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