I Faked a Pregnancy, but My Husband Returned - Chapter 71

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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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‘That was quite an entertaining spectacle.’

Melanie’s invited time was actually 30 minutes from now.

But Melanie knew Anais’s methods well. She usually gathered her supporters first to create an atmosphere of humiliating one person, then guided the latecomers to join in on that atmosphere.

Originally, Melanie had no particular feelings about Judith. She had come simply because Alteon was curious, thinking she would observe her carefully. She also had the purpose of secretly stopping by somewhere to find a doctor she could meet in private.

‘She’ll definitely call Judith a bit early. To properly understand that person, I need to go early too. Otherwise, I might be swayed by something I didn’t see.’

So even knowing it was rude, she went earlier than her invited time. There, she was able to watch Judith being humiliated by Anais.

At that time, Melanie was extremely displeased inside. Because the scene of being mocked for having a husband of higher rank despite her low status reminded her of her own past.

Now no one bothers her because she has a child and everyone knows she gets along well with Alteon, but when she was first mentioned as a candidate for the royal marriage, Melanie suffered many humiliations at similar social gatherings.

Doubts like ‘Will she really become the Crown Princess?’ combined with jealousy like ‘Really, that utterly ordinary Melanie?’ led most people to attack her.

Melanie had simply endured that situation. She endured and endured, and eventually came this far.

For Judith too, enduring was actually the standard approach. Time conquers all anyway. If Judith bore the Meius Marquis’s child and continued to hold her position, the harassment would disappear.

But Judith satisfyingly slapped Anais’s cheek!

‘I like her!’

Melanie was excited inside.

‘Completely, completely, completely like her!’

Her attacking power that struck directly while maintaining composure, and her utterly dignified appearance despite becoming a spectacle.

However, as a fellow pregnant woman, she couldn’t just watch her stay there soaked with water. If she caught a cold, she couldn’t even take medicine!

So she gladly offered to provide spare clothes first.

‘I don’t know what Ekian Meius Marquis is thinking, but she’s definitely an attractive woman.’

The garden party was continuing smoothly as if nothing had happened. People gathered in small groups, chatting and enjoying refreshments.

Melanie smiled brightly as she looked at Judith sitting beside her.

Judith had already dried herself with a towel and changed into Melanie’s clothes. Though a bit large, they fit reasonably well.

Since the room had no bathroom, she couldn’t wash properly. But actually, washing in someone else’s manor without her own proper maid would be inconvenient anyway, so neither Melanie nor Judith bothered to ask the maid for ‘a room with a bathroom.’

“I’ll have the clothes cleaned and returned to you.”

Judith spoke politely with proper courtesy.

“Thank you so much. I’ll never forget this kindness.”

“Well, pregnant women should help each other. May I ask how many weeks along you are? Since this is my second, my body seems to be getting heavy quickly.”

Since Melanie immediately liked Judith, she spoke friendly, wanting to become close. Fortunately, they had pregnancy as a common topic, so finding conversation material wasn’t difficult.

But Judith, who she expected to excitedly talk about her physical condition, smiled somewhat awkwardly.

‘Hmm?’

Then she quickly erased the awkward expression and answered.

“If you’re feeling unwell, I could introduce you to a doctor. He’s a physician who worked at the Meius Estate, and I guarantee his skills.”

“What? I’m not feeling unwell, but… hmm, did a physician leave the Meius Estate?”

She didn’t hear about Judith’s physical condition, but she was somewhat curious about the Meius Estate’s physician. If he worked at the Meius Estate, his skills would be guaranteed.

“Yes. Thanks to me, he found his birth parents and went to his hometown. Even so, he said he’d repay the favor and would come anywhere anytime if I called.”

While Judith was speaking with a bright smile.

Anais, the garden party’s host, tapped her wine glass. It meant to pay attention.

“Is everyone enjoying the party?”

Anais spoke with a smooth smile.

“For a more enjoyable party, I’ve specially invited someone. It’s exactly that person you’re all wondering about.”

Melanie’s eyes widened with curiosity. She seemed to know who ‘that person’ was.

In this place full of young women, a strange masked man who had been drawing attention was standing beside Anais.

When Judith was doused with water at the main gate as soon as she arrived.

Ekian happened to witness that scene, and since then he couldn’t bear how much it bothered him.

However, since Judith had given him a look saying ‘don’t interfere,’ he only watched. It wouldn’t be wise to act familiar with her at a gathering designed to create a scandal between her and him.

He knew that, but.

‘Is this really something to pretend not to know to this extent?’

Actually, having a friendship with the Master of the Grey Information Guild was something that couldn’t be hidden anyway.

She wasn’t particularly careful about her past activities, and the fact that Judith had dealt with an information guild during her difficult times would be discovered with just a little interested investigation.

“So let’s act naturally with each other. Just like we’re acquaintances. If we pretend to be complete strangers, that might actually raise more suspicion.”

“That would be better. If we pretend not to know each other at all, that could later lead to talk of ‘don’t they have something to hide?'”

So they had agreed from the beginning. If they encountered each other at the garden party, they would simply acknowledge each other and not hide that they had some friendship.

Ekian had roughly thought about that range. Greeting each other warmly, asking about each other’s well-being, and having leisurely small talk.

But Judith’s thoughts seemed somewhat different.

‘Is this the level of public friendship Judith thinks of?’

Judith did acknowledge him with a nod. However, her expression wasn’t very bright, and when he tried to start a conversation, she cut it short and went elsewhere.

Since following her there to talk would be ridiculous, Ekian had no choice but to mingle with other people.

At a garden party attended only by young ladies, being the only masked man, people approached him with curiosity. Even Anais raised expectations by saying ‘this person is the key figure of this party whom I specially invited,’ so everyone spoke to him.

Light personal conversation was very skillful for him, so mingling with them wasn’t difficult. However, his gaze kept turning toward Judith.

Whether the water wasn’t too cold.

She seemed to have let her hair down after getting soaked to the ends, wondering if she was okay.

It was good that she brought up childhood memories to make Anais look foolish, but still, having heard harsh words in front of people, she couldn’t be feeling good.

But the idea that she wasn’t saying anything to Ekian because she was feeling low was nonsensical.

Because she was currently continuing a pleasant conversation with Melanie, laughing and enjoying herself.

“Earlier, were you alright?”

Finally, Ekian couldn’t stand it and approached them to say something.

“The new clothes suit you very well too.”

But didn’t Judith smile brightly and stand up?

“Thank you. But excuse me for a moment.”

Then she went straight toward the bathroom. Really, there’s no reason to avoid him this much, is there?

A few days ago, she had covered her own eyes and clumsily bumped her lips against his cheek, but now she seemed like a completely different person.

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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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