I Faked a Pregnancy, but My Husband Returned - Chapter 17

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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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Karl sat on the bed drinking warm cocoa. While doing so, he glanced at the woman keeping watch beside him.

‘She really… seems like a good person.’

Judith was beside him. She didn’t make him talk excessively, nor did she mention what had happened earlier. She simply helped lighten the mood with small items and books in the room so Karl could feel comfortable.

‘I thought Sera was a good person too, but this person seems like a truly good person.’

Isabella had gone deep into the Duke’s Mansion, saying she would interrogate Sera.

The person who stayed by Karl’s side after receiving Isabella’s permission was none other than Judith.

Having worked as a private tutor many times and seen many children, she had proposed first that they could trust her with this.

‘Actually, I can’t quite believe it. That Sera really said bad things to me…’

‘Then while Sera is gone, slowly try to accept it. What’s right.’

‘Slowly?’

‘Yes. There’s no rush. Being able to grow step by step is a child’s privilege.’

Karl had never heard such words before.

Everyone said he was a genius. So they demanded he accomplish everything quickly.

Because you’re a genius, this too, because you’re a genius, that too.

Sera would also subtly push him saying, ‘Young master understood my words right away because you’re a genius, right? You must act that way starting tomorrow.’

But Judith said the complete opposite. Hearing such words made his heart feel very comfortable.

Karl took another sip of cocoa, then looked at Judith and asked.

“Then when will Baron Ailan start coming into our house?”

It was a sudden question out of nowhere, but Judith smiled gently and answered.

“Um… After talking with the Duke as well, once we officially register the marriage and announce it?”

Originally, everything was supposed to happen today, but after Sera was caught, everything was postponed.

Meius Marquis, who had returned from inspecting the duchy, also immediately joined the interrogation with the Duke’s wife. Naturally, the meeting between Judith and Meius Marquis was also pushed back.

Karl looked quietly at Judith, then smiled broadly.

“Then can I call you sister-in-law?”

“Ah.”

Judith smiled kindly and nodded.

“Of course. That’s how it will be.”

“Then please treat me comfortably. Call me by my name, Karl, too.”

Karl said with his blue eyes shining.

“If you’re carrying my brother’s child, you’re naturally our family. But how is my brother doing?”

“Uh… well, I don’t really know right now either.”

“Ha…”

Karl let out a groan and hung his head low.

“I apologize on his behalf.”

“Oh, no.”

“I didn’t teach him to be like that…”

“Hm?”

“If he comes back, I’ll scold him severely. Sister-in-law, don’t worry about anything.”

Karl couldn’t believe what Ekian had done. To act so irresponsibly, he was really worse than his eight-year-old self. His brother must have grown up terribly after leaving home.

To such an intelligent, kind, and thoughtful woman…

If Ekian had done something he couldn’t take responsibility for, naturally the Meius Ducal House should take responsibility.

Didn’t Judith also say earlier that Ekian leaving meant ‘entrusting his parents to her’? Then there was another person to take care of in place of his brother.

Karl resolved inwardly, ‘I must protect our nephew and sister-in-law.’

Judith slowly stood up after watching Karl fall asleep. She covered Karl with a blanket and was about to leave the room.

Thump, thump, sounds came from inside the wardrobe. Anyone could tell it was an intentional sound.

‘It’s Master.’

He must have entered through the secret passage and been listening to Judith and Karl’s conversation the whole time.

Judith checked once more that Karl was sound asleep, then walked quietly on her tiptoes and opened the wardrobe door. She could see Master wearing a mask, sitting among the children’s clothes.

“Master? Why did you keep following around uselessly when you have nothing to do?”

“I was going to rescue you if something happened. Come in for now.”

Judith quickly entered the wardrobe, worried Karl might wake up. When she closed the door, they were stuck together in the narrow space like before.

“How did you do it?”

Master seemed curious about how Judith had brought the Duke’s wife at such perfect timing. Judith thought he could ask later, but answered, thinking he was quite impatient.

“I sent a letter hinting that I’d like you to prepare tea time in the garden, right?”

“You did.”

“Sera said she would meet Karl in the garden after the meal and give him the vomit-inducing medicine. So it was easy to time it roughly. I just had to catch them in the act.”

Judith explained matter-of-factly.

“I appeared at what seemed like the right timing and told the Duke’s wife that I had taken a wrong turn to the garden on my way and saw something strange, so let’s check it together.”

After all, the person who could punish Sera most severely was the Duke’s wife. No matter what, she was also the person who could most sincerely comfort Karl going forward.

She seemed more hot-tempered and unable to control her anger than expected, but still, it was naturally a matter the parent should know about.

Master didn’t answer and just quietly looked at Judith.

‘What?’

He was wearing a mask so she couldn’t see his expression, and the silence made it even more awkward. When she fidgeted, he let out a small sigh.

“Thank you, Judith.”

“Yes?”

“Just… thank you.”

“For what?”

“I heard what you kept saying to Karl. Um, that…”

He seemed to be choosing his words carefully.

“That… was really warm.”

Though she had dealt with him for three years, this was the first time he spoke in such a way.

“You seem like a good person.”

In the narrow wardrobe, Master spoke as if whispering.

“Judith, you are.”

As always, his low voice didn’t remain in memory and evaporated instantly. But Judith could tell the atmosphere between them was different from usual. The human emotions that had been abundantly contained in Master’s words recently, too.

Judith stared intently at his mask.

“Master.”

And after maintaining silence for a moment, she asked.

“Do you perhaps like me?”

“Yes?”

“Did you perhaps fall for me because of this incident?”

She leaned closer toward Master. Master panicked and pulled back, but since they were in a wardrobe, he had no choice but to touch her.

The flustered Master hurriedly mumbled.

“Wait a moment, Judith.”

“Because I’m intelligent but also warm-hearted?”

“Ah, that’s not…”

“But the timing isn’t very good. I’m about to become a married woman.”

“Of course I know that…”

“I’m a responsible person, so I don’t want to make a lover while I’m at the ducal house.”

“Judith, I…”

Judith faced his mask and smiled mischievously.

“But I’m not rejecting you outright.”

“Yes?”

“I don’t know Master’s face, voice, name, or anything, but if I feel like I want to try something different with you, show me your face at least in a few months. If everything seems fine, I’ll consider you as a remarriage partner.”

“Wait a moment, Judith.”

Master, who had been stammering and at a loss, suddenly became serious.

“Are you already thinking about remarriage?”

“Yes?”

“You haven’t even registered the marriage yet, but isn’t thinking about remarriage too specific?”

Master’s voice even contained some bewilderment. Judith was also bewildered and spoke logically.

“Isn’t it natural? I have no debts now and I’ll have plenty of money once this job is finished.”

“B-but…”

“I’ve been living in misery all this time, so shouldn’t I be allowed to date at least?”

At Judith’s words, Master fell into a flustered silence before interrogating her.

“Wait. Didn’t you say you liked Ekian Meius? You definitely said that last time.”

“That’s in the past. I’ve forgotten about it now.”

“Already? What kind of person is so fickle? Your heart is like a piece of paper!”

“It’s been almost 5 years since he went missing, you know?”

“…E-even so, if you really liked him!”

“I don’t think I liked him that much. He might actually be dead.”

“He could be alive too.”

“That’s possible. But unlike 5 years ago, he could have become really ugly or something, right?”

“What, you’d dump him right away if he became ugly? Why are you so cruel?”

“Why are you getting angry? Oh, have you ever been dumped for being ugly? If so, I’m sorry.”

“…”

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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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