I Faked a Pregnancy, but My Husband Returned - Chapter 66

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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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Anais hadn’t sent the invitation only to Judith. She had sent it to all noble ladies of her age in the capital, even to the Crown Princess.

‘Whether they come or not, it’ll definitely be a hot topic.’

Rumors about the garden party had already spread throughout high society. Since the impression of Judith at the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet had been so vivid, it was obvious that everyone would show up out of curiosity.

‘If she doesn’t come, she’ll be criticized as petty, and if she does come….’

She raised her eyebrows and smiled.

‘The more people watching, the better.’

Anais had already secured a promise of cooperation from the Master of the Grey Information Guild. The Master had agreed to spread scandalous rumors about Judith in exchange for a hefty sum.

Anais had dealt with this type of scandal many times before. Reputation didn’t fall with just one rumor. It had to be as provocative as possible, with as many eyes watching as possible, and talked about for as long as possible.

‘I’ll create a scene where the Master and Judith accidentally meet and talk. I need to make sure many people see that moment. It would be even better if they create a suggestive atmosphere between them.’

That was now the Master’s responsibility. She had already planned everything thoroughly for that as well.

For now, at this garden party, it was important to visually show many people that Judith and this mysterious man had been close from before.

‘If the Master says he can’t do it or acts clumsily.’

She grinned wickedly.

‘I’ll have to secretly pull some strings from this side to make him earn his money, won’t I?’

Crown Prince’s Palace.

Crown Princess Melanie was tilting her head, looking at the invitation.

“Melanie?”

Crown Prince Alteon called to his wife Melanie.

Alteon and Melanie had met through a political marriage but had grown to love each other over time. They now had one son and Melanie was pregnant with their second child.

Melanie’s family background wasn’t particularly good. She was the second daughter of a count’s family whose fortunes were somewhat declining, and the Emperor, who had been wary of the Crown Prince’s growing power, had specifically valued that point and matched Melanie to him. However, Alteon loved and cherished Melanie deeply.

At first, there was naturally gossip, and she was ignored by other noble ladies, but now even that was all forgotten. This was because she had formed a beautiful family with Alteon while maintaining a dignified and upright attitude herself.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ah.”

At Alteon’s question, Melanie smiled and looked at him.

“Oh, it’s nothing. The Anitas Count family is hosting a garden party.”

“Anais Anitas is?”

There was no way Alteon would think favorably of her, who was the Emperor’s mistress and right hand. When he frowned, Melanie nodded.

“Yes. According to rumors, she was quite close with Judith when she was still a baron’s daughter. They grew apart due to a small misunderstanding, but when they met again at the palace banquet, they decided to be as close as before… Since Judith Meius Marquise hasn’t appeared in high society, we can’t verify this, but anyway, it’s supposed to be a gathering to clear up that misunderstanding.”

At Melanie’s words, Alteon chuckled.

“I’m sure that woman organized such a gathering with very good intentions.”

“Well, I think so too.”

Melanie readily nodded.

“It’s clearly just a courtesy invitation to me, so I’m a bit conflicted. I am curious about Judith Meius Marquise, but there’s no particular reason I need to go….”

But at the mention of ‘Judith Meius Marquise,’ Alteon suddenly showed interest.

“Really?”

Alteon tapped the invitation and tilted his head sideways.

“Judith Meius Marquise… she’ll be there?”

“I don’t know for sure, but there’s a high possibility she’ll come. Since they’ve made such a big deal of it, if she doesn’t come, there will be talk about that too.”

Melanie frowned seriously and muttered.

“In high society, not attending after all this would be essentially like raising a white flag, so I think she’ll probably attend.”

“I see. If it’s alright with you, Melanie.”

Alteon said gently.

“Could you go and take a look at the Marquise?”

“Pardon?”

“I was curious anyway. About Ekian’s wife.”

Melanie was well aware that Ekian and Alteon were old friends. Especially since Alteon had worried so much after Ekian disappeared that he clearly thought of him as close. After Ekian suddenly returned on the day of the palace banquet, he definitely looked like he had one less worry.

Alteon had even told Melanie the secret of that day. That Ekian had deliberately appeared to warn him of danger and save him.

“There are many strange things about it. Ekian isn’t the type to irresponsibly get a woman pregnant, and he’s definitely not the kind of man to just neglect and abandon her. So I initially suspected that woman might be a fraud… but that doesn’t seem to be the case either.”

“Really? Why?”

“At the banquet, when Ekian was quietly watching that woman from afar, his gaze was absolute.”

Alteon spoke slowly.

“Ekian, whom I met again after 5 years, seemed somehow… empty. Not the perfect Marquis he used to be, but someone who felt hollow somewhere, as if wounded. He must have been deeply hurt emotionally. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have shown such desperate eyes for one person.”

“Was it that obvious?”

“Yes. That’s why it’s more fascinating, puzzling, and strange.”

Alteon placed his hand on Melanie’s shoulder and smiled.

“So I’d like you to go and see for yourself. I’m a bit curious about what kind of woman she is and what kind of story there is. I’m also worried whether she might be harmful to Ekian.”

“I’ll do that.”

Melanie readily nodded.

“I’ll find out about other things too while I’m at it.”

Actually, Melanie was also looking for an excuse to go out.

After Ekian had hinted that it would be good to have someone other than the palace medical staff examine Alteon’s condition and detoxify him, they had been searching for an external doctor.

Since it was poison used by the Emperor, detoxification wouldn’t be easy. Therefore, they needed a doctor with guaranteed skills.

But it wasn’t something that could be resolved easily. All the skilled doctors in the capital were either already employed by high-ranking nobles or had already entered the palace as court physicians.

“No, no. You don’t need to worry about that.”

Alteon immediately became serious. He didn’t want his wife, who was pregnant with their second child, to worry about that as well.

“I can handle that much myself. You just take care of your health. Actually, I’m worried about you too. I wonder if Emperor will leave you alone.”

“I could look into it slightly while I’m out.”

Melanie smiled gently as she picked up a quill pen. It was to write a reply accepting the garden party invitation.

“After hearing what you said, I’m curious about this woman named Judith too.”

She raised her eyebrows as if finding it interesting.

“I’ll take a good look and come back.”

Just then, there was a knock.

“What is it?”

When Alteon asked, a servant entered respectfully and handed over a letter.

“Well, that is… Ekian Meius Marquis sent this.”

Alteon immediately opened the letter. Then he sighed with a bewildered expression.

“What, really?”

The content of the letter was simple.

Something had come up that would prevent him from entering the Duke’s Mansion for a while, and he would use the excuse that it was because of the Crown Prince’s summons, so please go along with it.

“…How long has it been since he returned, and he’s staying out overnight again? And even making excuses?”

Melanie muttered as if she couldn’t believe it.

“Is that… Marquis really a responsible man?”

Alteon found himself at a loss for words.

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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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