I Faked a Pregnancy, but My Husband Returned - Chapter 36

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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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Ekian ended up taking the Meius carriage that Judith had arrived in.

There were several carriages at the Meius Mansion, and while they all looked similar, they all bore the crest of the Meius Ducal House.

‘This one… has particularly large windows, so it’s the carriage I used to ride often.’

Ekian immediately recognized the carriage Judith had taken. It was a carriage that a curious child would like, with large windows and even a stand where snacks and such could be placed.

He used to enjoy choosing this carriage to go to various places with Karl.

‘I thought I’d never be able to ride it again…’

It felt strange to be riding a Meius Ducal House carriage again with Judith.

He even felt wistful remembering the times he had spent with his family in this carriage.

Judith, sitting across from him, spoke kindly.

“To Mother, I’ll just say that I wanted to repay a debt of gratitude.”

Judith’s green eyes were utterly calm.

“Mother knows that I was doing business with Master before I came to the Meius Mansion. Honestly, I was able to endure during that time thanks to Master. Since finding interesting information at the Information Guild is natural… I can say that I wanted to help by accepting your request to work together.”

It was a rational and clever answer. Just like Judith always was.

Ekian looked at her composed face from behind his mask and slowly asked.

“Weren’t you surprised that I suddenly appeared at the Shrine of the Last Shaman and uncharacteristically interfered in Judith’s affairs?”

“Ah, I was surprised.”

Judith answered readily.

“But I thought there must have been a good reason for it… Something like that. I don’t know all of Master’s thoughts after all.”

“What about yesterday when we had that somewhat unusual argument?”

“That too… well, I figured there must have been a reason for it. Some completely different matter might have been troubling Master… I just accepted that we could have such conversations. Honestly, I had some sensitive areas too…”

“So you can accept everything, is that it.”

Ekian chuckled and rested his chin on his hand.

“You’re too kind.”

Since he had indeed been unnecessarily sharp yesterday, he thought harsh words might come pouring out. However, Judith really seemed to have just thought ‘that’s how it is.’ It was quite an anticlimactic ending for staying up all night.

“Anyway…”

Judith smiled brightly and changed the subject.

“You must have thought it was definitely strange that the Last Shaman mentioned the Soden Marquis family as her final words.”

“That’s right. As I said earlier, since she had a son… I thought she would want to use her last strength on that son rather than on unrelated people.”

“Now that you mention it, it could seem strange. I was short-sighted.”

Judith fidgeted with her hands and sighed.

“That’s right… That’s a mother’s heart. I knew everything, but… I guess I didn’t know everything after all.”

“What do you mean?”

“A mother’s heart.”

She chuckled. Then she looked toward the window and spoke slowly.

“My mother had a man she loved. Not my father, but a servant she brought from her family home… So she was never interested in my existence either. So I vaguely thought, well, a mother could focus her attention on someone other than her child, something like that. Theoretically, I know that’s not how it works.”

This was the first time Judith had spoken about her family history. Ekian looked at Judith’s calm smile and suddenly said.

“It must have been difficult in your childhood. Baron Ailan wasn’t exactly a wonderful father either.”

“That’s right.”

“But you grew up well.”

“I had to, well…”

Judith narrowed her eyes and looked at the scenery outside the window, answering slowly.

“I just accepted it. I’m good at accepting things.”

Though her voice contained no sadness or loneliness, strangely, Judith’s expression remained strongly as an afterimage in Ekian’s vision.

“If I’m not good at at least that, I become too miserable.”

Ekian suddenly remembered what Judith had said earlier.

“I just accepted that we could have such conversations.”

“So you can accept everything, is that it.”

Judith wasn’t able to accept everything because she was kind as she claimed.

She simply chose to accept things because otherwise it would be painful. From a very long time ago.

“Someone’s life can be more unfortunate than someone else’s, and that someone could be me. That’s something that can’t be helped.”

“Judith, that’s…”

Ekian found himself saying without realizing.

“That sounds like giving up is easy.”

“…Pardon?”

“And only about your own matters.”

Judith seemed slightly surprised as she shifted her gaze from the window to look at Ekian. Ekian spoke firmly.

“From now on, don’t give up easily under the pretext of accepting things. If it’s for Judith’s happiness.”

“Ah…”

Though Ekian spoke seriously, Judith didn’t seem particularly moved.

“Master should live that way first.”

Judith giggled and spoke as if joking.

“Isn’t Master hiding his identity like that because he gave up on something too?”

He felt like he’d been hit right on target. Ekian bit his lower lip slightly. Judith smiled cheerfully and extended her hand.

“Anyway, we’ve made up, right?”

Ekian took that hand and responded nonchalantly.

“Were we fighting?”

“That’s right. I was talking nonsense.”

He looked at the smiling Judith and grinned slyly behind his mask.

The Meius Mansion could be seen in the distance.

He couldn’t get used to this feeling at all.

Bickering with her over trivial matters, then riding a Meius carriage together, entering the Meius Mansion…

These were things that would naturally be part of daily life for a proper husband, like breathing.

“Of course, since Master and I are close, we can talk about various things even without specific business. But coming and going to the Meius Mansion as if it were my own home… that’s still a bit much.”

Continuing from yesterday’s conversation, Judith spoke carefully.

“It’s someone else’s house, after all.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Ekian answered readily. He seemed to have paid too much attention to Huyd, who was a ‘good conversationalist.’

Well, he had clearly drawn the line that one must be a noble, so what trouble could there be in the future.

He leisurely crossed his legs in the carriage heading to the Meius Mansion with a peaceful mind.

Isabella was quite busy.

“The Imperial Court banquet is coming up soon.”

While the paperwork to register Judith as a daughter-in-law of Meius was the Duke’s job, introducing her to society was hers.

“I have to introduce Judith there for the first time.”

In society, the name Judith Ailan was almost forgotten.

Everyone had pitied her when she fell along with Baron Ailan’s debts, but no one had stepped forward to save her.

After that, Judith had lived for three years no different from a commoner, and the nobles had all cut contact with her.

So when she personally introduced Judith to society at this banquet, there would surely be considerable aftermath.

“To avoid suspicion, we have to pour in all our resources. If we dress her carelessly and send her, everyone will suspect she might be fake. Right? So we need to spend money generously to quell such suspicions.”

Thus Isabella was busily purchasing dresses and jewelry for Judith.

The Meius Marquis also spared no support.

“It would be good if there’s a noble young man who falls for her at first sight. Remarrying a commoner? We can’t let our benefactor suffer such a fate.”

He spoke with fighting spirit no less than Isabella’s.

“Well, if I say I’ll back them, there will be plenty of nobles wanting to marry her… But still, it would be good if it’s a man who basically likes Judith and will cherish and love her.”

They had already decided to arrange Judith’s remarriage themselves.

“You should also go and keep a good eye out for suitable partners.”

“Yes. I should. If there are any young men showing interest in Judith, I’ll keep an eye on them.”

Just then, the butler knocked and entered.

“Your Grace, Madam.”

The butler reported calmly with a somewhat troubled expression.

“Lady Judith, who went to the Shrine of the Last Shaman, has returned. However…”

“So?”

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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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