# Chapter 7
Originally, Judith had decided to visit the Duke's Palace after two days. However, the very next morning, there was someone standing in front of her house from dawn.
With the shadow of dawn behind him, he said politely:
“The Duchess of Maieus has personally requested that the Baroness attend.”
The alley where her house is located is too narrow for a cart to enter.
It may seem surprising that a noblewoman with the title of baroness should live in such a confined space, but Judith showed no signs of shame. If she cared about those things, she wouldn't be able to live like this
She was doing it skillfully. She has been like that since she was young.
“Ah, wait a minute. I have some home lessons today… I will write urgent cancellation letters and then I will come with you.”
“No need to worry. Everything has already been handled by the Duke’s family.”
“Ah… okay.”
There appears to have been careful scrutiny of her class schedule, as everything was canceled in advance.
Judith chose elegant clothes, then walked through the alley towards the place bearing the Maios family crest.
I climbed into the plaid carriage.
It is evident that my use of the carriage was treated with the utmost politeness, which shows that the Duchess of Maios greatly admired it. She watched the Maios crest engraved on the cart as she rested her chin on her hands.
After a long distance, the huge palace of Maios appeared in the distance.
'What's the problem with Ekian Maios?'
What reason made him leave the ducal palace, despite a secure future, a happy family, and enormous wealth?
Judith was having none of it, and even though she knew she didn't know the answer, her curiosity was hurting her.
She was always wondering.
How could a young man with perfect status and perfection, like the young duke, become a runaway teenager in his mid-teens?
Whatever he's doing now, he's probably dead, right? So he doesn't appear in the novel.'
He had a younger brother, Carl Maius, whom he loved terribly.
Carl, who was originally a villain in the novel, became an orphan, suffered hardships, and finally turned evil after his situation worsened. If Ekian were alive, he would have tried by all means to help Karl.
'Did he have a limited life span?'
She began to imagine, supporting her chin with her hand.
'Maybe he was hiding to bury his illness so as not to make his family feel sad?'
The Maios had blond hair. Only the Duchess of Maios had platinum blonde hair.
The Duke, and Karl, of course, were known for having blonde hair as well.
‘Ekian Maios… was said to have blond hair and crimson eyes.’
Even though she heard this information, she did not have any clear image of what the young Duke looked like in her memory. As the Master said, in fact, Judith was...
Because she had never met Ekian before.
'Blonde or platinum hair is not common, it is considered exceptional in that regard.'
Even the master's hair, which she could sometimes see through the wigs he changed daily, was black. And dyes were expensive here. So far, the platinum hair was the first she had seen from the Duchess of Mayus.
While she was thinking about this, the carriage arrived in front of Maios Palace.
'Okay.'
Judith smiled.
She gathered her thoughts together.
'Now, it's really time to make up your mind and go.'
The Duchess of Maios, Isabella Maius, could not sleep for two days. This is thanks to the sudden appearance of a red-haired woman, Judith Aylan.
The information you provided about Ekian was very personal and accurate, even in its small details.
Information that had no use meant that not much was known…
'Surely that girl has something to do with Ekian.'
Isabella thought, closing her eyes tiredly.
Judith Ilan, a woman pursued by creditors to the point that her baronetcy seems ridiculous.
After Judith's visit, Isabella began investigating Judith based on her advice.
Although she lost her parents at an early age and inherited only debts, she was a woman who lived seriously to the point of appreciation.
The home teacher's schedule was killer,
She was managing information and ling trivial details via the Information Guild, however, it was just paying off the benefits.
'Did you find out in the information union details about Ekian?'
What was certain was that she would have to be summoned again.
'Ekyan, my dear son...'
Isabella looked down. She had no idea why Ekian had suddenly disappeared without a word, and why no news of him had appeared.
‘We should meet again… We love you, and we need to talk to you.’
Soon, it will be five years. If the situation continues as it is, Ekian...
If we cannot find any evidence about Ekian, the death proceedings will be carried out naturally.
Even though she knew she was grasping for anything she could, she wanted to forcefully postpone things. Rather, she wanted to show Ekian, in any way, that she was late in submitting the death report.
Meaning we are waiting for you very much...
So, Isabella had no other choice.
“I understand what you're thinking.”
Judith, who came at dawn, arrived smartly.
said Judith, her eyes sparkling:
“You intend to announce that there is a woman pregnant with Ekian’s child, and you claim that the distinctive energy of the Maios family is present in the fetus. Although this may harm Ekian’s reputation, you are trying by all means to avoid submitting a death report.”
"… correct."
Isabella nodded heavily
The Maios usually do not need to examine biological paternity, because there is a special energy that flows only to the immediate family. The distinctive energy of the Maios family is present even in the fetus in the mother's womb.
From the moment the fetus begins to form, this energy can be felt.
So, this was a temporary idea. A child that does not exist cannot be created, so she will be said to have had a miscarriage several months later.
‘Maybe this is a message to Ekian, who might be out there somewhere.’
But how did Judith, to whom only those close to her told her, know about this idea? However, since the matter had been reported to even the closest people, the secret was no longer guaranteed.
“I'll tell you, Duchess.”
Judith said politely. Despite her miserable appearance, her stance was straight and firm.
“Even if the woman carrying Ekian’s child is recognized as a wife and declared so in aristocratic society, Ekian will not return.”
Isabella's heart sank. Judith's words were full of confidence, just as they had been when giving information about Equian or when guessing the feelings of the Duchess.
“Ekian will not return no matter what happens in the Duke’s family.”
Judith continued coldly:
“If you still want to use this method...”
“Do you want to use it?”
“I would like to be the temporary wife.”
"… What?"
“I mean the wife who will pretend to be pregnant with Ekian’s child, then her miscarriage will be announced several months later.”
Isabella was completely confused.
Even if it only lasts a few months, the position of “wife” will still be registered, meaning that the marriage and divorce will be documented in the records.
The husband will never be there or appear.
Even if Ekeane returns, the problem will remain. In the end, since the situation is a sham, the miscarriage will be faked and then the divorce will occur.
The Empire is still not a common country where divorce is common, especially for nobles, as divorce is considered a major disadvantage in remarriage.
Even if Ekyan were to be declared dead soon, the woman's situation would be different.
So, Isabella had secretly identified a poor maid from abroad who was desperate for money.
“Baroness Ailan, this matter… I can’t…”
“This is not something that could be asked of a noble person.”
“My motivation is simple: money.”
Judith answered clearly and simply.
“If you check my background, you will realize that I am greatly in debt. No matter what I do, I will never be able to repay the debt in full. Luxury and aristocratic honor have become a luxury that I cannot afford.”
Isabella watched Judith silently. In the end, the girl had come to propose a deal. They both had what they wanted, and it was reciprocal
However, it was unexpected for the girl to come and ask for a deal like this…
Isabella remained silent for a while and then suddenly asked:
“Does the Baroness not know how to make deals? If you have what you want, why did you start making those statements in the first place?”
"Yes?"
“To say that Ekyan will not come back to us even if we do this.”
“If the Baroness really wanted to make this deal work, she should have said that after a few months, Ekian might come back. And if you don’t prefer to lie, it would have been better not to bring it up in the first place.”
Judith was not surprised.
Instead, she opened her mouth confidently, as if she was completely expecting this.