I Faked a Pregnancy, but My Husband Returned - Chapter 8

“That’s because…” Judith, without avoiding Isabella’s gaze, calmly responded, “If I didn’t know the outcome, it would be one thing, but since I do, I didn’t want to use someone’s hope for my own gain. Especially when it involves hope for their family.”

“What?”

“As you’ve already investigated, I need money. A lot of it, and desperately. But…”

Despite her shabby clothes, Judith’s eyes held a calm and lively energy.

“I don’t want to get money by deceiving someone.”

“……”

“Let me make it clear once more. The plan you’re considering will only damage the honor of the Mayus family. It won’t bring the young duke back. You’ll only be spending money for no reason. But if you still wish to proceed, then… please make me that temporary daughter-in-law.”

Isabella felt a strange sensation. Even though she held the decision-making power, she felt as if she were being cared for.

Judith spoke politely, “I promise I will fulfill my role without causing any trouble for the Mayus family. If you’ve done your investigation, you should know that I’ve always fulfilled my responsibilities whenever I’ve been paid.”

That was true. Judith had always been diligent and had done her best in her tutoring work. That much was clear from the investigation.

Isabella stared at Judith for a while before asking, “Let me ask you just one thing. Aren’t you going to tell me how you know all of this?”

“I will tell you.” Judith responded without hesitation, “I had a dream. Ever since I was young, I’ve occasionally had dreams, and many of the things that happen in those dreams come true. I don’t know why, but I dreamed of the young duke.”

“Then Ekian…”

“That’s all I know.”

Isabella caught her breath. A dream? It was hard to believe, and there was no evidence to support it.

However, Judith had been spot-on about the letters Ekian had hidden and even the plan Isabella had been secretly considering. Given that, it made sense that Judith had made some money by selling small pieces of information through the information guild.

Isabella slowly regained her composure.

There was no need for deep thinking. She needed someone to carry out this specific role, and Judith had come forward as a willing volunteer. It was a simple transaction, nothing more.

“…Very well.” Isabella looked at Judith and said, “If you say so, I understand. There isn’t much time. Since you’re here, let’s get the marriage registration written up now. The duke will return tomorrow, and we can finalize it and submit it.”

“Yes, Duchess.”

“And…”

Isabella, returning to her usual cold demeanor, added icily, “Even if I accept you as my daughter-in-law, I trust you understand it’s only temporary. Let’s make it clear that you won’t be allowed to interfere with the internal matters of the Mayus family.”

“Of course. I expected that,” Judith replied plainly. Being told she wouldn’t be treated like a real daughter-in-law didn’t even faze her. After all, this was just a few-months-long contract. Isabella continued coldly.

“If Ekian returns during that time, you’ll agree to an immediate divorce. I want him to be free to marry the woman he loves. Is that acceptable?”

“Naturally. I know my place. When the time comes, I’ll leave the Mayus estate quietly. You needn’t worry about that.”

Isabella slowly nodded. She then wrote a check right there on the spot. “Here. This is for Baroness Ailan’s debt.”

At those words, Judith, who had remained calm the entire time, turned pale. She blinked rapidly and stammered, “Y-you’re giving it to me now?”

“When this is all over, I’ll give you just as much again.”

Isabella raised her eyebrows, adding with a blank expression, “You’re at the age when marriage prospects are at their peak, and I’ve ruined that for you. Do you think I’m so shameless as to not compensate you?”

“T-thank you. Thank you so much, Duchess…”

Judith’s entire body flushed with joy, starting from her trembling hands and spreading across her face. The calm and noble demeanor she had displayed earlier now seemed like a lie, replaced by an overwhelming sense of relief and gratitude.

Her unabashed joy revealed just how desperate she had been, and Isabella finally understood the weight and sincerity behind Judith’s earlier words: “The young duke will not return.”

“Hmph.”

As Judith’s happiness became more evident, Isabella suddenly opened her fan and hid her face behind it. She felt slightly embarrassed about the comment she had made earlier, telling Judith not to think of herself as a real daughter-in-law of the Mayus family.

“To Mayus, this amount is nothing. That’s why I gave it so easily.”

“Y-yes…”

“And it’s definitely not because I like you, Judith! Don’t get any ideas!” Isabella shouted, then glanced at Judith, whose cheeks were still red with excitement.

***

Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, oh my goodness!

‘I’m free… I’m finally free from this wretched mountain of debt!’

After receiving the check, Judith couldn’t believe it and found herself gasping for air.

She had assumed she would only get the money after the contract ended and she was divorced. But to think the initial payment would be this much!

‘So the Mayus family really does have a lot of money! If the duchess can give me this much without even consulting the duke, then it’s really true!’

Judith, still feeling lightheaded, held the check close to her chest as she left the Mayus estate. Of course, she had already completed the marriage registration as well. She went straight to the bank, accompanied by a guarantor, to pay off her debt.

“Baroness Judith Ailan.”

The bank clerk, after reviewing her loan agreement with the loan shark, smiled brightly.

“Your debt has been fully repaid. Congratulations.”

Judith was so overjoyed that she couldn’t speak for a moment.

Even the loan shark, who had been collecting interest from her for years, couldn’t hide his astonishment. He commented that no one else had ever paid off such a large debt.

“Hah, for Paul, who was obsessed with gambling, to have a daughter like you… Miss, how did you manage to get that kind of money?”

Of course, Judith was now so at ease that she could smile even at the loan shark.

“I gambled as well. A life-changing gamble.”

Leaving the stunned bank clerk and loan shark behind, Judith walked out of the bank with a light step. Now that the weight of the debt, which had pressed down on her every day, was gone, it felt like her feet were floating, as if she were walking on clouds.

‘This is amazing.’

Her life had changed just by getting involved with the Mayus family. It felt like she hadn’t really done anything at all.

‘I can do anything for the duchess.’

And Judith was someone who knew the importance of repaying favors. Since the Mayus family had helped her repay her debt so quickly, she was determined to do her best in return.

Just as she stepped out of the bank, a sudden thought struck her.

‘Oh! The Master asked me to come by!’

Yesterday, the Master had sent someone to ask her to visit the Grey Information Guild.

‘I bet he wants to thank me for saving his life, huh?’

Or perhaps he wanted to hear more about her plan to marry into the Mayus family.

‘Well, I need some information from him anyway.’

Already deeply moved by the duchess’s generosity, Judith was eager to help the Mayus family in any way she could.

‘I’ll ask the Master for help!’

Judith excitedly made her way to the Grey Information Guild. The Master, as usual, was waiting for her, masked.

“What were you doing at the Mayus estate all day? I heard you were there from early morning.”

“Oh, I was busy filling out the marriage registration.”

“…What? N-no, h-how…?”

“The news will spread across the capital soon, but I’m telling you first out of loyalty.”

Since she needed the Master’s help for the Mayus family, Judith decided to tell him the truth about what she had been up to.

“The Mayus family will announce soon that I’m pregnant with the young duke’s child.”

For a moment, the Master was speechless.

Despite having worked with Judith frequently over the years, this was the first time she had seen him so shocked.

Even with his mask on, Judith could feel his overwhelming sense of disbelief.

“Master?”

Sure, it was surprising, but was it really that shocking?

As Judith watched him closely, a sudden realization hit her like a bolt of lightning, and she cried out in shock.

“Master? Don’t tell me…”