# Chapter 39
“It seems that Ayud… or rather, Young Master Soden, has feelings for Judith,” Isabella continued.
Ayaud's original name was different, but due to how long he had lived as Ayud, the Marquis' family decided to continue calling him that instead of Felix.
"He immediately asked her to accompany him. Of course, he added that since Ekyan wouldn't be there, dancing with someone else might be awkward, so he told her she could think of it as a favor between co-workers..."
Knowing the circumstances, such a suggestion was not strange.
Especially since Ayoade was indebted to Judith.
“Judith seems unaware, and thinks it's just good faith, but I've never seen Ayoade make that expression before. He's been with our family for a long time, after all.”
"truly?".
"We were offered to stay in our palace until a replacement was found. I think it's because of Judith."
Isabella's voice was full of excitement, and Ben frowned as she answered, “The question is whether the Marquis and Marchioness of Soden would accept a divorced woman who is supposedly pregnant...”
“They have to, otherwise they'd be heartless, wouldn't they?”
Isabella's voice became frightening.
"Thanks to Judith, they were able to find their son and even uncover a scam. If it weren't for Judith, they might have fallen victim to fraud by the wrong man."
"This is correct."
"Besides, Ayoade knows everything, doesn't he? Judith isn't really pregnant and has no personal connection to Ekian. So there shouldn't be any real problem. And there's no need for any explanations; doesn't that make them a perfect pair?"
Ekian rubbed his forehead.
It was as if both his mother and father were eagerly trying to bring Ayoade and Judith together. Especially his biological mother - who started all of this - it was completely confusing.
Even now, with her remaining soul, she did her best to uncover Ayud's real parents. Did she really hate her son until the end?
“If Judith also loves Ayud, but the Soden family rejects it without gratitude...”
Isabella's voice became sharp as she continued, "I won't stand it."
“But there is also the possibility that Judith may not like Ayoade.”
“We'll find out at the banquet.”
Isabella shrugged.
“With a new environment, Judith's feelings may develop. Ayoade will likely do his best as well.”
"You're quite determined. But don't you think we should wait and see how Judith feels first?"
“That's because I feel sorry for Judith.”
She let out a light laugh, then rested her chin on her hand. Then she said in a bitter tone: “I’ve been thinking about Ikean a lot today...”
“Ekian?”
“Yes, Judith brought someone from the Information Guild, and even though I didn’t see his face, I felt like this is what Ikian might look like when he grows up. Thinking about Ikian all day made me feel guilty about Judith.”
Ikian swallowed dryly, his body tense.
“As for Ekeane...we are the ones who put him in this position.”
“But you don't regret it, do you?”
“Postponing his death certificate, even if for six months,” Ben added in a low voice.
There was a touch of complexity in his slow words.
“Honestly, I have no regrets either.”
Ekian, hiding in the secret passage, was struggling to breathe evenly. Their waiting and their love was both touching and sad at the same time.
“That's why I feel even more sorry for Judith.”
Isabella and Ben remained in silence for a long time.
Eventually, Karl walked in to say goodnight, and the conversation ended.
Ikian walked away slowly.
But he was unable to persuade himf to leave the ducal palace.
He decided not to visit Judith's room, but he could not calm his troubled heart.
Judith and Ayud go to the imperial banquet together...as partners...
The thought of that alone made his blood boil.
'I'll just listen for a moment, that's all.'
He made a firm promise to himf.
‘Don’t expose yourf, just… just listen. See if she sleeps well. That's it. She was probably still surprised after nearly suffocating. No matter what happens, do not interfere.'
With determination and determination, he headed to a familiar place.
'I'm not a crazy fool. You told me not to come only yesterday; I can't appear again so soon.'
Judith was in her room, leafing through the catalogue.
Isabella told her: Choose a dress for the Empire ball.
She tried to refuse, saying that she already had enough dresses, but Isabella told her, to Judith's horror, “I'll order everything then!” Since Judith had no other choice, she reluctantly accepted the catalog, saying: “I will choose something myf.”
However, while her eyes were on the catalogue, her mind was elsewhere.
“This man really lied.”
When the cunning servant pounced on her, Judith naturally assumed she would be strangled. She knew that she wouldn't actually die – there were too many people around for her to die.
But that doesn't mean she wasn't afraid. At that moment, her heart sank. Then someone quickly intervened to prevent the attack. That was the teacher.
‘He was sitting behind me, but… how did he move so fast?’
As the servant tossed aside with ease, Judith could not take her eyes off the broad back that filled her field of vision. At the same time, she felt an unfamiliar emotion – something she had never experienced before.
The name of this feeling that she had been thinking about all day was “relief.”
"Unrequited love then? Ma'am, you might want to give it a chance. It's rare to find someone willing to risk exposure for you."
Even in the Shrine of the Last Priestess earlier, Marquis Soden said the same thing.
The master ran to her aid without hesitation, even amidst the raging storm in the shrine.
Judith had lived alone for a long time, and she never imagined that anyone would risk their lives for her like this.
That's why she thought one day that she might want to date and marry one day, hoping to find someone like him.
Could it be...?
A strange idea began to move inside her.
Does the master love me?
The Marquis of Soden was adamant that “this man loves Judith.” It seemed obvious in hindsight – after all, he had jumped into such danger without a moment's hesitation.
At the time, she hadn't thought much about it. But when she remembered the way he stopped the servant earlier, her heart began to flutter.
'I've been thinking about Master all day.'
Even when Eaud was revealed to be the eldest son of the Sodin family, and the Marquis and Marchioness tearfully embraced him, Judith's thoughts were elsewhere – focused solely on the Master.
Naturally, he had quietly left even before witnessing this scene.
'But this is a bit unfair. I don't even know what he looks like...'
However, even though she didn't know his face or his voice, she couldn't stop thinking about him. Judith felt pity.
What was so special about someone whose face or voice you didn't even know?
As she let out a deep sigh, there was a soft knock on the door.
“Judith?”
It was Ayoade's voice.
“Can I come in for a moment?”
The Marquis wanted to take Ayoade in immediately, but Ayoade insisted on staying at the ducal palace until a new doctor could be appointed. He argued that it would not be right to abandon the family that saved him.
The Duke had agreed to this, saying that he would appoint a new doctor as soon as possible, and Ayaud decided to remain in the palace until then. In return, the Marquis and Marchioness, who were residing in the capital, agreed to meet him frequently at their home.
“I couldn't sleep and I thought we could talk for a while...”
It was late, but there was no harm in talking. Judith was about to subconsciously agree to this when—
Your pleasure.
As if on cue, a hidden door connected to the bookshelf opened.
As usual, the gentleman appeared. His facial expression, which was hidden behind the mask he always wore, remained unreadable.
Jealousy and what it does