19.
Twenty-one years old and already in his second year of practice? That meant he had started at the Ducal Mansion immediately upon graduating from the Medical Academy. As Judith widened her eyes in surprise, Isabella chimed in.
“He is a prodigy who never lost his top rank throughout his time at the Academy. We offered him a generous salary to bring him to Mayous. He primarily looks after Karl and me. Karl in particular suffers from frequent indigestion, so Hyude prepares his medicine every single day.”
Judith nodded, slightly impressed. It was clear from the explanation alone that he was exceptionally gifted. One had to be quite wealthy even as a commoner to afford the tuition at such an elite institution.
“Yes, I look forward to working with you.”
When Judith smiled brightly, the tips of Hyude’s ears turned red.
Just then, the other physician standing beside him spoke up.
“Greetings. I am Bart Kalon. I have been working for the Ducal House for ten years.”
‘Huh?’
“Including my time as an assistant before becoming a primary physician, it has been well over fifteen years.”
Judith’s smile faltered.
‘Bart Kalon? If it’s Bart Kalon…….’
The Duke, while sipping his tea, spoke with cold detachment.
“Bart primarily monitors my health. He is also responsible for the nutritional balance of every member of this family, so Hyude will be overseeing your fake pregnancy for the time being.”
Judith swallowed hard as she studied Bart’s silver hair and sharp, yellow eyes. She was so rattled that she couldn’t find her voice.
Her mind raced, frantic and sharp.
‘If I don’t deal with this man, the Duke of Mayous will be in danger!’
She knew his true identity.
* * *
The Mayous Ducal House possessed power comparable to the Imperial Family. This wasn’t just a matter of history or prestige; it was a testament to their immense wealth and military might. In other words, they were a thorn in the side of the throne.
‘And the current Emperor, in particular, finds the Mayous Ducal House intolerable.’
The Emperor despised the family. Karl, who would eventually become a villain, stood in fierce, open opposition to the Imperial Court.
In the original timeline, Karl is eventually brought down by the Imperial Family, meeting his end without ever reuniting with the female lead, but…….
‘Bart Kalon. He was the Emperor’s confidant!’
The name had stuck in her memory solely because of the original novel.
Bart Kalon. A man as skilled with poisons as he was with medicine.
As the Emperor’s secret blade, he was the one who would later orchestrate the male lead’s downfall.
It had been written clearly in the text:
「I am a loyal servant of His Majesty. Did I not eventually fulfill His Majesty’s long-cherished wish by lurking for over fifteen years?」
Judith swallowed a dry lump in her throat.
‘Then, is the place he has been lurking for fifteen years the Mayous Ducal Mansion?’
That would explain why the Duke and Duchess were destined to die in a year’s time…….
Her mind, sharpened by constant survival, formed the hypothesis with chilling, logical precision.
Once the Duke and Duchess passed, nine-year-old Karl would take the mantle, only to be driven into ruin.
‘Since he was tasked with keeping them in check, he must have been aiming for their destruction from the start….’
“The procedures are not particularly complicated.”
While Judith remained lost in a daze, the Duke picked up a quill with a detached expression.
“One handwritten statement from me, confirming that I sense the energy of the Mayous line in the fetus.”
He handed her the documents prepared in the parlor. What he had just explained was written in concise, legal script.
Once Judith regained her composure and read the papers, the Duke signed them with a swift, elegant hand.
“One pregnancy confirmation certificate, stating that the Baroness is with child.”
That, too, had been prepared. The certificate required two signatures—they couldn’t rely on a single opinion. That was why he had brought both physicians.
“I apologize for making you both forge these documents.”
The Duke said it as a matter of dry form, without a hint of genuine regret.
“But please, understand the heart of a parent.”
It was obvious that both men had been handsomely compensated for their silence.
‘The Duchess even paid off my astronomical private debt in the blink of an eye…….’
Judith glanced at the physicians. She could only imagine the fortune the Duke had spent on hush money.
‘And given their lucrative salaries, they would certainly want to protect their positions.’
Hyude and Bart signed the certificate. Everything was so simple it felt anticlimactic.
“Now then.”
The Duke rested his chin on his hand, his posture languid.
“My adjutant will handle the rest of the paperwork. Since the marriage registration will be finalized shortly, it would be best for Baroness Judith Aylan to remain at the Ducal Mansion.”
“Please, feel free to speak comfortably.”
Judith said primly, straightening her back.
“Just call me Judith.”
“I shall. After all, we must act as a family for the next few months.”
The Duke emphasized ‘few months.’ His tone served as a sharp reminder that their arrangement was strictly temporary.
“I will send someone to your boarding house to collect your belongings.”
Just as the Duke turned back to business, a voice interrupted.
“Ahem.”
Isabella stepped forward.
“Baroness…… no, Judith. Seeing as your dresses are quite outdated, and you don’t seem to have many of them, at that.”
“Ah, yes…….”
It had been a struggle just to keep up with the interest on her debt; she hadn’t had the luxury of caring for her wardrobe. As a tutor, she kept herself neat, but new clothes were a distant dream.
“It is simply unacceptable for someone to walk around like that in the Mayous Ducal House.”
Isabella held her chin high.
“Even if the position is temporary, you must work with a sense of responsibility.”
“Ah, of course.”
Judith replied eagerly.
“I fully intend to do my best.”
“Then stand up at once. We are going shopping!”
……For a moment, she wondered if this was appropriate. However, as she had just stated, she had to fulfill her role as a temporary daughter-in-law with dignity.
In the end, she was practically dragged from the parlor by the Duchess.
* * *
The events that followed were a blur. The Duchess swept Judith through several boutiques, and after the first shop, her memory grew hazy. Trying on garments, shedding them, and buying every single one of them.
“Hmph!”
Isabella said, scribbling another check.
“I’m only doing this because I never had a daughter to take to these places—it’s not that I’m particularly fond of you! I’m doing this because I want to! Though, this yellow dress does look quite good on you.”
She had spent an astronomical sum. The dressmaker, who had been suppressing her curiosity, asked cautiously.
“If I may ask, who is this young lady…….”
“She is going to be my daughter-in-law.”
“Pardon?”
Everyone present was stunned, but Isabella was the type to only say what she pleased, like the arrogant noblewoman she was. She offered no further explanation, her eyes fixed solely on Judith.
“Hmm, that one is fine. Can it be altered immediately? Let’s wear it out. Throw away those rags you arrived in.”
It wasn’t until evening that they returned to the Ducal Mansion.
Judith’s meager belongings had arrived, but the room assigned to her was unexpected.
“This was Ekian’s room.”
Or perhaps, should she have expected it?
Judith blinked in bewilderment, standing in a space that felt like ten of her boarding rooms combined.
“Of course, it is also the room you will share with your husband.”
Though it had been nearly five years since Ekian left, the room was immaculate. The owner was gone, yet it had been kept with meticulous care.
Isabella crossed her arms.
“You should stay here.”
“Yes…….”
As Judith nodded, dazed, Isabella scanned the room with thoughtful eyes.
“I truly hope that Ekian returns in the meantime.”
“……As I mentioned before, please don’t expect too much.”
Judith said to Isabella, her voice steady.
“However…… if the Young Duke does return, as we agreed, I will divorce him immediately. I wouldn’t want him to be unable to marry someone else because of me.”
Remarriage was a significant blemish in aristocratic society, but given Ekian’s status and presence, he could surely overcome such a flaw.
“I promise. I will make sure no complications arise because of me.”
Just then, a knock echoed.
Knock, knock.
“Sister-in-law, it’s me!”
“Ah, yes. Please, come in.”
Karl entered, accompanied by the young physician, Hyude. Karl pushed the door open and stopped dead, his eyes widening at the sight of her.
“……Oh?”
He blinked repeatedly, his expression blank, before whispering.
“Sister-in-law……. You really look like a completely different person.”