I Faked a Pregnancy, but My Husband Returned - Chapter 21

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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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I tried not to be conscious of it, but I couldn’t stop the thoughts that naturally flowed.

‘It’s all because Judith said such things.’

Asking if he liked her, saying now wasn’t the right time, and all that…

She really had a talent for making people flustered. But what was strange was that the question ‘do you like me’ didn’t feel bad at all. Rather, his heart felt restless as if something had hit the mark.

Even…

‘I knew she was pretty before…’

He had thought she had a delicately cute appearance before too. However, her makeup-free face with a tired complexion from fatigue, and her carelessly tied-up hair had prevented her appearance from standing out much.

But when Isabella put all her effort into dressing her up, she was truly beautiful.

He was amazed that such a curvaceous body existed beneath that neat but worn ready-made dress. If she went to a banquet like that, it was obvious that many men wouldn’t be able to take their eyes off her. He himself was so surprised that he couldn’t speak for a while.

When he saw the pure white skin showing through the subtly revealing dress, his heart even pounded. The times they had been close together in this secret passage came to mind like a lie.

‘This won’t do. It’s dangerous.’

Ekian thought to himself.

‘I should never come to the Duke’s Mansion again from now on.’

Both this secret passage and frequently encountering Judith.

Strange imaginations kept arising. He knew best that those imaginations would eventually become close to greed in an instant.

What would happen if he just pretended nothing was wrong and returned like this?

His parents would be happy and he could face Judith without a mask.

And Judith was, at least on paper, his wife and no one else’s. She had even liked Ekian himself before…

He was afraid of himself succumbing to strange greed and desires he was trying to ignore.

But then.

“Right now, all three members of the Marquis’ household are in danger of being poisoned to death.”

Judith said something like a bolt from the blue. Ekian could face reality instantly as if cold water had been poured over him.

“Fortunately, it doesn’t seem too late yet. Anyway, that’s why I’m trying to catch the culprit in advance and prevent the poisoning, but I need Master’s help. Please help me.”

He had no choice.

His family, more precious than his own life.

His family, whom he wanted to protect even if he had to disappear from this world himself.

“Please tell me, Judith.”

He said with a cracked voice, looking at her who had become his wife, in his own room.

“What should I do?”

At that moment, in Meius Marquis’s study.

“It’s too precious to let rot like this in many ways. If she were a commoner it would be different, but I feel bad about ruining the marriage of a child who even has a noble title.”

Isabella was having a conversation with her husband while drinking tea.

“How about we arrange a marriage ourselves later? Then even if it’s a remarriage, with the Marquis’ household’s name, she could marry a second son from a decent noble family.”

Her husband gave no response. Isabella sighed again and continued speaking.

“She’s quite pretty and sincere… and seems to have a kind heart too.”

It was something she couldn’t bring herself to say in front of Judith because it was embarrassing.

“She seemed to take good care of Karl’s feelings yesterday too. Karl overcame it bravely. She pointed out that even if he’s a genius, he’s still a child…”

Isabella held her teacup with a complicated expression.

“Even though her irresponsible parents left after accumulating debts, didn’t she grow up very well?”

“Hmm.”

“Ben.”

The mouth of the marquis, Ben, which had been shut the whole time, opened only when Isabella couldn’t stand it and called his name.

“You seem to like that girl quite a lot.”

“…Ahem.”

Isabella rolled her eyes slightly. She felt a bit resentful toward Ben, who had emphasized ‘you’re temporary’ to Judith when she said she would do her best responsibly, but she couldn’t show her feelings. She had said the exact same thing when she first saw that child.

But thinking about it the other way, Ben might eventually become like Isabella too.

Perhaps he wanted to do something more for her because the expression of that child, who had reacted calmly saying ‘I thought so’ to those words, kept weighing on his mind.

Isabella blinked and asked.

“What about you? What do you think?”

“What is there to think about?”

Ben said indifferently.

“In a few months, we’ll be strangers anyway.”

From Ben’s perspective, she was a woman he had only briefly seen once. There was no reason for him to be interested.

He, who had a slightly more heartless personality than Isabella, actually thought that Ekian wouldn’t return even if they did this. It was a heart-wrenching prediction, but still, if it was the Ekian he knew, he would definitely do that.

Anyway, they had to send Judith away. As Isabella suggested, taking care of that child a bit more then was really none of his concern.

“Arranging a marriage and all… If that would put your mind at ease, then do as you wish.”

Ben answered lukewarmly and took another sip of tea.

“But honestly, just the cost of the dress you bought today is excessive for that poor girl, isn’t it?”

“Hmph.”

Isabella muttered with her lips pouted.

“He says that, but if he likes someone, he’ll shower them with more things than anyone else.”

The next morning, Ben was in his study. He had returned from inspecting his territory and needed to do paperwork. Additionally, he had to finish the marriage registration procedures for his son.

Then he heard a knock-knock sound.

“Marquis?”

Ben was momentarily startled by an unfamiliar woman’s voice. He was thinking about who it could be when the voice continued.

“This is Judith Ailan. May I come in for a moment?”

It was that woman who had agreed to pretend to be pregnant with Ekian’s child. So, his temporary daughter-in-law.

“Come in.”

As soon as permission was given, Judith entered. Behind her, a maid came in pulling a tray with a tea set.

“Ah, it’s nothing major.”

Judith said gently.

“I came because there’s something bothering me regarding the marriage registration.”

“Hmm.”

He was about to tell her to just leave if she was going to make trivial small talk, but if it was official business, he was willing to listen. Ben looked at her indifferently.

Well, getting pregnant and then divorced… leaving such a record wouldn’t be easy.

He was prepared to cancel it anytime if Judith said she wanted to cancel.

“Well, sit down.”

Ben gestured toward the table with his chin.

“I have my tea. You don’t need to prepare a separate teacup.”

There was already a cup of tea on his desk. That tea was something Bart, the Marquis household’s personal physician, gave him morning and evening.

It was something Bart personally prepared by adding various medicinal herbs according to his physical condition, and this was what it meant for Bart to manage the overall nutrition of the Marquis household.

Not only Ben, but Isabella and Karl also drank tea prepared by Bart according to his prescription for nutritional management morning and evening.

The marquis trusted Bart.

After Ekian disappeared, the marquis couple’s health deteriorated day by day as they suffered emotionally.

But after Ben started taking that tea prescription, the marquis’s health improved. Isabella also said that after drinking that tea, she slept well and felt at peace.

“Ah, I received mine this morning too.”

Judith smiled brightly and showed her teacup.

“Bart personally checked my physical condition and prescribed it for me. He didn’t go into detail, just said he focused on nutrients my body was lacking.”

Ben nodded halfheartedly. He didn’t think much of that tea in particular.

Judith seemed to notice Ben’s expression telling her to get to the point quickly and smoothly changed the topic.

“The thing is… it’s been less than a week since my birthday.”

“Hmm?”

“But if we announce the pregnancy… I would have essentially gotten pregnant when I was a minor. Well, such things aren’t unheard of, but still, it’s a matter involving the young marquis’s honor, so would it be okay?”

It was something he hadn’t even thought of. Ben frowned and fell into thought for a moment.

At the same time, he felt she was a very thoughtful child. She could have just taken the money and left, but she was even considering Ekian’s honor…

Even though she had never even met Ekian. In a way, it was no different from considering the Marquis household’s honor as well.

“Then even if it’s a bit artificial, we could match it to just before the death declaration date…”

That’s when it happened.

“Wait a moment, Marquis.”

Judith, who had finished her tea, frowned and went “Phew.”

“This… seems a bit strange.”

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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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