# Chapter 25
Bart had to admit it.
It was easy to shock the once admired and intelligent seventeen-year-old boy, especially by shaking the roots of what he believed so unquestioningly.
But now Ekyan was a grown man, and life's experiences had hardened him.
There was no way Bart could confuse him like he did in the past, hiding behind the veil of loyalty.
'Well, I guess so.'
He thought as he felt the poison begin to flow through his body.
'It doesn't matter now anyway.'
Hate was boiling inside him as he looked at the young man standing in front of him. Ikian had become taller and stronger than expected, and Bart wanted to hurt him even more because of it.
"to talk."
Ekian's voice was low, and his expression was frightening as he commanded.
“If you were not loyal to Maus, why did you ask me to leave the family?”
Despite the enormous pressure from Ekian, Bart managed to smile awkwardly. His lips were cracked from the previous torture, causing blood to drip as he smiled strangely.
Even in this state, Bart found happiness in the sparkle of hope he saw in Ekian's eyes. Bart knew exactly what to say to his crush.
"Considering how well you've grown... you look a lot like your father, don't you? You've already noticed that, haven't you?" Bart said hoary.
Ikian's dark red eyes trembled.
“Just like the pictures of His Majesty in his youth.”
A deep silence filled the prison cell.
Bart laughed faintly and continued, “You may have come here hoping that you would be the real child of the Duke and Duchess of Mayus, but everything I told you five years ago was true.”
“Do you want to know why I asked you to leave? There is not much time left, so let me tell you the truth.”
the truth.
Ikian let out a shallow breath.
What is this truth that even though he knows it will bring him pain, he cannot help but long for it?
Bart looked at Ekian's dark face and smiled like a devil.
“Because this will hurt you more, Your Highness the Cursed Prince.”
Judith and Ayud spent a long time talking. Their conversation was surprisingly smooth.
They shared the common experience of the Maios' family saving them from poverty.
"When people hear that I went to medical school, they assume that I am from a well-off family, even though I am from the common people. This is because the costs of studying are high, and it is understood that you do not need to worry about earning a living."
“I thought the same thing.”
"But it wasn't like that for me. I owe a lot to my second brother. I feel guilty about it, but now that I have a good salary from the Maios, I can pay for the education of the rest of my brothers."
While he continued talking, Ayoade secretly took out some wine.
He explained that the workers at the Maios estate were given provisions for free, which Judith found admirable. She clapped her hands in admiration and described it as amazing social care.
The wine Ayoade brought was exceptional. It was undoubtedly an expensive crop, rich in flavour.
“Maius’s palace is amazing,” Judith said in amazement, and Eud nodded in agreement with wide eyes.
"It's really wonderful. Both the Duke and Duchess are wonderful people. They may have a cold reputation, but once you get to know them, their relationship won't be as distant as people say."
“That's right. They're not as cold as they seem.”
“In fact, the rumors of the ‘Evil Family’ and the ‘Iron-Blooded Family’ mostly go back to the Imperial Family.”
As the wine flowed, Ayoade became more talkative.
“The Imperial Family has always viewed the Mayus Family as a thorn in its side.”
“Ayud, isn’t it dangerous to say this?”
“It's no secret, really.”
"Is this correct?".
Ayoade laughed, exchanging laughs with Judith before taking another sip.
“When the Duke and Duchess were struggling to produce an heir, it was the Emperor who openly mocked them behind their backs.”
"truly?".
“The Duchess has requested assistance from the Medical Academy several times, and the Emperor even gained access to those records and disseminated the details to high society.”
"impossible?".
“All the professors know this. Fortunately, after Young Duke Eqian was born, the matter was ridiculed, but… However, I think it is wrong for anyone, even the Emperor, to mock such desperate struggles.”
“You're right, and I completely agree with you, Ayoade.”
Their glasses clinked together again, and their conversation became more animated.
Ayoade was a truly good and kind man, as his gentle appearance indicated. Not only was he straightforward in his thinking, but talking to him seemed natural and fun.
As they emptied bottle after bottle, Judith felt drunk, and an idea occurred to her.
'I really have to help him find his real parents soon.'
A generous, kind-hearted man who deserves to return to his real family, not to remain stuck in the role of a doctor who only chases money.
‘But where are Marquis Soden and his wife now? I'm not sure where they are at this point. 'I'll have to ask the master.'
But Judith did not know how to meet the Master. Up until now, he had always been the one to find her, sneaking into Maius' mansion whenever something interesting happened.
Now, with the major events involving the Maius family coming to an end, there may be no reason for him to appear again.
‘I can’t summon him or search for him myf…’
Living in a mansion with luxurious clothes and delicious meals was fun, but there was one thing she missed greatly – freedom.
Judith knew that wherever she went her movements would be reported to higher-ups. This was expected to happen, as she was now privy to important secrets about the Maius family.
'Mmm, there's nothing I can do about it.'
Judith looked at Ayoade and thought, 'At least I've made some friends here. 'It might be better to ask him.'
As the official physician to the Maios family, Ayaud had more freedom than Judith, who was temporarily restricted in her role. Hood would not arouse any suspicions if he delivered a letter abroad.
“Ayud.”
“Yes, Judith?”
“Can I ask you a small favor?”
"Of course! Anything you need."
"Before I came to Maius' house, I worked as a teacher and had some dealings with the Information Guild... I'd like to send some letters to some acquaintances. It's not important, just a quick greeting to let them know I'm okay."
Judith deliberately mixed up multiple recipients to make it less suspicious.
“I know it seems a bit difficult, but can you deliver these letters to me? I don't know the servants well enough to ask them.”
“No problem at all. Don't worry about it.”
As expected, Ayoade smiled warmly and agreed without hesitation.
“Actually, I was planning to go out tomorrow to collect the ingredients for the antidote. I can deliver the messages myf.”
"Thank you very much."
Judith smiled brightly, and Eud closed his eyes in surprise, quickly finishing another glass of wine. And Judith drank with him.
After finishing several more bottles of wine, Ayoade finally left her room when his words began to become slurred beyond recognition.
Even in his drunken state, Ayoade carefully collected the empty bottles before stumbling his way out.
“Okay, I will… deliver the messages… tomorrow and… come back… this.” (Hazrouqa)
“Thank you. I really appreciate it.”
Judith motioned to him while he was still sitting at the table.
She was also drunk, but she didn't show it much. Even when she was drunk, she didn't speak erratically, and her face didn't turn red, so it was hard to tell.
'Ah, I definitely feel it now.'
Judith was about to collapse on the bed when—
“What in the world...”
The door of the bookshelf opened, and the master appeared, looking dissatisfied.
“How much wine did you drink with another man? In your husband’s room, no less?”
Judith blinked and furrowed her eyebrows. No, I had already planned to call him tomorrow via Ayoade, so why did he come already?
One thing was clear – his mood was worse than she had ever seen him.
Even though he was wearing a mask, the dark and gloomy aura surrounding him was evident. She couldn't see his face, but if his expression matched his mood, the face behind this mask must be fierce.
'What's going on here?'
She has been dealing with the master for three years, and lately, they have been spending more time together. However, this was the first time he had radiated such an atmosphere.
'There's something definitely wrong.'
Judith, who was lying on the bed, tried to sit up slowly….
But despite her determination, she couldn't get up. The reason behind this was her annoying drinking habit.