I Faked a Pregnancy, but My Husband Returned - Chapter 80

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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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At Isabella’s suddenly prim tone of voice, Judith finally burst out laughing. Seeing her smile, Isabella belatedly asked.

“By the way. Was there any trouble at today’s garden party? I was really worried about that too…”

“Ah.”

Judith answered nonchalantly.

“Actually, the Countess wanted to use me to bring down the honor of the Meius Ducal House, but I left before that happened.”

“What? Oh my, good heavens…”

“Don’t worry.”

Judith said with a shrug.

“I resolved it well before leaving. There’s no way I’d stand by and let myself become a burden to Meius.”

Then she squeezed Isabella’s hand and added.

“They’re like family to me.”

Not real family, but people who had been as warm as family.

They were truly so brilliant that I sometimes wished that place could be mine.

Deep into the night.

On the secret Imperial Palace roof where they had met during the palace banquet. Ekian was waiting for Alteon, gazing into the distance.

“Ekian!”

Alteon, who had come after hearing from Melanie that she would be introduced to ‘the Meius Ducal House’s physician,’ called out to Ekian warmly.

“Did you wait long?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“That… your wife said she would introduce Melanie to Meius’s former physician. Did you hear about it?”

“Ah, yes.”

Ekian nodded readily. Apart from his personal feelings about Huyd, it was true that he had quite excellent medical knowledge and was someone who could maintain confidentiality.

“I don’t know him well and have no personal connection with him, so I didn’t think of it, but if it’s Judith’s request, he’ll probably agree. I know his skills are decent.”

“Haha.”

Alteon laughed good-naturedly.

“What a relief. Both you and your wife… are my life’s benefactors.”

He patted Ekian’s shoulder familiarly. Then he sat down comfortably on the roof and said.

“So, you said you had something to tell me?”

Ekian sat down next to Alteon as they used to do before. Alteon looked at him and continued speaking.

“Actually, I had something I wanted to say too. Would it be alright if I speak first?”

“Yes, please go ahead.”

“Do you happen to know about Garseia?”

“…Garseia? Isn’t that the peninsula region at the eastern end?”

Ekian tilted his head at Alteon’s question. Garseia out of nowhere – wasn’t that quite a distant and unremarkable region?

“The Emperor’s informant has departed for Garseia. And he’s an extremely capable informant. It won’t be ordinary business. But according to the information we have, there’s absolutely no reason to go to Garseia. What on earth could it be…”

Alteon frowned and shook his head.

“He was even dispatched immediately after receiving information about the garden party. I’m worried it might be connected to Judith Meius or you.”

At that moment.

As soon as he heard the name ‘Judith Meius,’ something flashed through Ekian’s mind.

“Do you want to know about your mother?”

“No. After all… she’s someone who abandoned me.”

“Couldn’t you at least go to resent her? Don’t you want to see her even a little?”

During that conversation, Judith had a quite complicated expression.

It was an emotion different from resentment or anger. Now that I think about it, it was hurt.

“If I request it from Master, will he find her?”

“I am the Information Guild leader, after all. Since you’re a regular customer, I’ll look into it for you without a commission fee.”

“Oh my, what an honor. I’ll let you know when I’m mentally prepared.”

Judith turned the topic away like a joke, talking about ‘mental preparation.’

But Ekian could tell.

She would never be able to prepare herself to face her birth mother.

The memories of hurt accumulated since childhood were too thick, so she was avoiding it, unable even to feel anger.

That sight was quite pitiful, so he had once secretly asked an informant to look into it.

“She’s presumed to be in the Eastern Coastal Region. The traces of her last destination are there. Should I investigate further?”

“No, that’s enough.”

The Eastern Coastal Region was all the same anyway. He thought there was no need to investigate further.

But one of those places was Garseia.

If the Emperor, after receiving information about Judith, sent someone to where Judith’s birth mother was…

Ekian’s expression became serious.

“…I think I know.”

“Hm?”

“Judith’s birth mother is probably there.”

“Birth… mother?”

Alteon’s eyes widened. He crossed his arms as if this was quite serious.

“She must have been separated from her birth mother at a young age. But isn’t he trying to do something by taking that birth mother hostage? If there’s deep maternal affection, she might commit suicide before being used.”

“The maternal affection isn’t deep.”

Ekian muttered slowly.

“That’s why it’s a problem.”

She was a woman who neglected Judith when she was young, then unable to do this or that, just dragged out time before abandoning her daughter and running away when crisis struck.

When the Emperor proposed something, she would be someone who would make decisions only for herself, not for Judith.

“Then isn’t there no time?”

Alteon’s complexion darkened.

“As you know, the Emperor is cruel and vicious. He’ll definitely use Miss Judith’s birth mother in the most evil way.”

That was something Ekian agreed with too.

“Doesn’t that mean she’ll act in ways harmful to Miss Judith without even taking time to think?”

Everyone has weaknesses. Those kinds of weaknesses that catch at the very edge of one’s heart and throw a person into panic.

From Ekian’s assessment, Judith’s birth mother was exactly that kind of existence for her.

Judith resented her birth mother while being unable to escape from that shadow. Whatever choice her birth mother made, she would be hurt.

What if Judith’s birth mother suddenly appeared before her, demanding money from the Meius Ducal House in a very disgraceful manner or fabricating a past that never existed?

“I can name over twenty vicious moves the Emperor could think of.”

Alteon said worriedly. Ekian could also easily imagine Judith’s birth mother going around causing problems everywhere, claiming ‘I’m the birth mother of the Meius Marquis’s wife.’

Meius could naturally cover up that much, but thinking of the wounds Judith would receive made his heart feel distant.

‘As expected.’

Ekian closed his eyes tightly and opened them.

‘The moment she gets involved with Ekian Meius, Judith becomes troubled.’

In the end, if she hadn’t gotten involved with him, this wouldn’t have happened to Judith.

“Let’s discuss this a bit later for now. I’d like to hear about your business first.”

It was a night with bright moonlight streaming down. The Imperial Palace roof was quiet with no sign of anyone else besides them.

“Yes, then.”

Ekian nodded with a rigidly hardened face. His expression was calm as always, but Alteon somehow thought he looked quite sad.

“Your Highness.”

Ekian stared at Alteon with red eyes.

“The reason I’m telling you this… is to discuss the path I should take.”

“Hm?”

“To acknowledge my bloodline and find my position.”

“Hmm?”

“To stand as a definite existence before someone.”

With an expression that looked more complex and subtle than ever before, Ekian took out a dagger from his chest.

Alteon didn’t even have time to be startled.

Ekian raised the dagger and drew it across his own arm.

“Ekian!”

It was when Alteon cried out in surprise.

“…Huh?”

The moonlight shone down, and Ekian’s wounds began to heal rapidly.

Alteon stared at the sight with dazed eyes.

Wounds healing in moonlight….

That was a characteristic of the imperial family. Moreover, one that only appeared in the direct bloodline.

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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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