I Faked a Pregnancy, but My Husband Returned - Chapter 13

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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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Indeed.

Even Judith, who was seeing this scene from the original story again, felt her skin crawl at Sera’s wickedness. The way she spoke with such a gentle and soft voice made the disconnect all the more horrifying.

‘Master has good reason to be angry.’

Judith swallowed dryly as she recalled the original story’s content.

When Sera’s long-cherished dream of marrying Ekian fell through, she began to harbor resentment toward the Meius Ducal House itself.

So she decided to use the bond she had built with Karl since childhood to destroy the Meius Ducal House.

Her reasoning was that if she could never have it, she would feel satisfied only if it was utterly ruined…

Karl, still young, believed everything Sera said, as she had wisely cared for him for so long. The Marquis and his wife had been somewhat neglectful of Karl while searching for Ekian.

“How is your weight? You’re not still eating well, are you?”

“…I can’t not eat. Mother is always watching. If I don’t eat, she gets so sad…”

“But if you grow up healthy and strong, Young Duke Ekian will feel hurt. He’ll think, ‘My younger brother eats and sleeps well even without me here’…”

“But what can I do? I can’t upset Mother when she’s already troubled because of my brother.”

“Hmm.”

Sera spoke quietly.

“Then after you finish your meal, come to the garden for a moment.”

“The garden?”

“Yes. I’ll help you vomit.”

Master, who was beside Judith, held his breath. Judith was restlessly watching him, worried he might get angry and stand up again.

Meanwhile, Sera gently stroked Karl’s cheek as she continued speaking.

“That way, you won’t upset your mother, and you can send a message to Young Duke Ekian by showing him you’re waiting with a gaunt appearance.”

“Ah, good idea, Sera.”

Karl nodded innocently in response. The boy’s voice contained unmistakable trust.

“You’re the only one who truly thinks about my brother. If it’s your words, I can believe them.”

That’s when Master tried to bolt upright as if to rush out immediately.

“You can’t!”

Judith whispered desperately while firmly grasping his waist.

Master’s anger was completely understandable. What kind of behavior was this toward a child? Preventing him from reading books, from eating properly, and even making him vomit what he ate!

“Master, please!”

Even as Judith whispered earnestly, she knew there was no way she could stop Master’s solid body.

“Going out there now won’t change anything. Would Young Lord Karl side with us, strangers and intruders he’s never seen before, or would he side with Sera?”

That’s when Sera slowly turned her head.

“Um, Young Lord?”

“What?”

“Did you hear some kind of sound just now?”

Judith’s heart dropped with a thud. At the same time, Master seemed to regain his senses and stopped moving.

“Really? I didn’t hear anything.”

“Did you perhaps let someone in?”

“No.”

Karl also frowned and narrowed his eyes.

“Did you really hear something? From where?”

“Well…”

Sera got up and approached near the wardrobe.

And once again, her eyes widened. She must have heard the thumping sounds.

“Hmm.”

Sera approached the wardrobe without hesitation.

“It seems to be coming from around here.”

And she immediately flung open the wardrobe door.

“Hm?”

She tilted her head.

“There’s no one here… Did I mishear?”

Huff, huff, huff…

Judith was practically embraced in Master’s arms, gasping for breath.

When Sera had said “Did you hear some kind of sound just now?” earlier, Master had pulled Judith into his arms and quickly took a risky move. He had hidden their bodies at the entrance to the secret passage.

Though Sera opened the wardrobe door because of the noise, they had successfully concealed themselves.

“Hmm. There must be a water leak somewhere. I’ll mention it to the head maid.”

Through the gap at the passage entrance, Judith could glimpse Sera’s elegant face as she peered into the wardrobe. Judith desperately held her breath. It was a truly beautiful face, but it was nothing short of terrifying.

Her blue eyes carelessly swept through the wardrobe interior. As soon as the wardrobe door closed with a thud, Judith let out the breath she had been holding with a long “Whooooo.”

“Let’s stay like this for a moment. Just in case.”

Master whispered against her ear. Since he was still embracing her with his body lowered, Judith was practically on top of him.

“Yes…”

In the pitch-black darkness, she placed her hand on his solid chest and waited quietly. She could feel his heart beating thump, thump.

“Ahem… Sorry for getting excited.”

It seemed Master had regained his composure. He spoke quietly, apparently finding this situation somewhat awkward.

“That maid Sera, I never imagined she had such a side to her.”

“Who could have imagined it?”

Not only the head maid, but even the Marquis and his wife didn’t know. When Judith shrugged her shoulders, he asked quietly.

“But what do you plan to do?”

“Pardon?”

“You stopped me earlier because you had other thoughts, didn’t you?”

“Ah.”

“It seems like you came here in the first place because you couldn’t just leave Young Lord Karl alone.”

“Wow.”

Judith felt her tension ease slightly and giggled without realizing it.

“Master, this is the first time I’ve seen you talk so much. You must like children.”

She found this newfound fact somewhat amusing. Until now, Master had seemed like an inhuman being to her, truly like a character from a book. The fact that she couldn’t even remember his voice after they parted probably contributed to that impression.

“…Stop…”

Master muttered in a hoarse voice.

“Stop laughing.”

“What? Why?”

“…Every time you laugh, your breath touches my neck and it’s difficult.”

“That’s really too much. Making a fuss about someone laughing.”

Judith grumbled sulkily.

“Just bear with it. It’s not like anything significant is touching you.”

“Judith.”

“Yes?”

“One thing is certain.”

“What?”

“You’re not pregnant.”

“What kind of obvious fact is that…”

“And I can clearly see that you don’t know much about men.”

Before I could respond, Master let out a soft groan and asked again.

“Anyway, what will you do?”

“What do you mean, what will I do?”

She shrugged her shoulders.

“I’ve achieved today’s goal completely. Now I can handle it.”

And she said confidently.

“We’re not the ones who can save Young Lord Karl from that situation.”

“You mean…”

“It’s Young Lord Karl’s parents.”

Master nodded as if he had caught on to her plan.

The next day.

It was the day when Meius Marquis, who had gone to inspect his territory, was returning.

And it was also the day when Duchess Isabella had promised to introduce Judith to the Duke.

From that morning, a letter arrived from the Meius Mansion.

[How about having lunch with me today?

Since we’ll soon be family, I’ll introduce you to Karl as well.

The Duke is said to arrive this afternoon.

It would be good to meet the Duke during afternoon tea time.]

Judith told the servant who brought the letter to wait as she would give a reply soon, then picked up her pen.

“A reply?”

Master, who was sitting in front of her, tilted his head.

“It’s almost lunch time, isn’t it?”

He was saying it would be better to just go.

Judith looked at Master and let out a deep sigh. Master had been at her boarding house since this morning.

“Master, aren’t you busy?”

“I am busy.”

Master answered cheekily.

“I’m busy being curious about what Judith is thinking.”

“Ha. I told you I’ll handle it well on my own, so don’t worry…”

The reason he was in her cramped boarding room was obvious.

‘It must be because of Karl.’

Hadn’t he lost his composure and gotten angry enough yesterday? She was inwardly surprised that his range of emotional expression was broader than she had thought.

“I also have a younger brother like Karl.”

As if roughly guessing her thoughts, Master said in a low voice.

“So it doesn’t feel like someone else’s business.”

“Is that so?”

Judith still looked at Master with surprised eyes.

“What’s with those eyes?”

“I’m surprised anew that Master also has family. I thought you were a man with no blood, tears, friends, or family—nothing at all.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“Of course not.”

Judith answered playfully and quickly picked up her quill pen before Master could say anything.

Her reply was as follows:

[I’m sorry, Madam.

I have a prior engagement for lunch.

I will come in time for tea.

The roses in the garden bloomed very beautifully.

I look forward to our tea time together.]

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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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