36.
Ekian ended up boarding the Mayous carriage that Judith had arrived in.
The Mayous Ducal Mansion housed many carriages, all appearing quite similar, yet each bore the distinct seal of the Mayous Ducal House.
‘This one… the windows are unusually large. It’s the carriage I used to ride in often.’
Ekian immediately recognized it. It was the carriage a curious child would love, featuring wide windows and a small tray for snacks and trifles. He had often chosen this particular carriage to travel with Karl Mayous.
‘I never thought I’d be able to ride in it again…’
It felt surreal to be inside a Mayous Ducal House carriage with Judith once more. The memories of his family, tethered to the very seats he now occupied, stirred a tangle of complicated emotions within him.
Judith, seated across from him, spoke with a gentle composure.
“As for Mother, I’ll simply tell her that I wanted to repay a debt of gratitude.”
Her green eyes remained steady and calm.
“Before I left the Mayous Ducal Mansion, Mother knew I was conducting transactions with the Master. Honestly, it’s thanks to the Master that I was able to endure those times. Since it’s only natural for an Information Guild to bring back interesting intel… I can just explain that I wanted to be of service while fulfilling your request to accompany me.”
It was a rational, clever answer. She was exactly the Judith he had always known. Behind his mask, Ekian watched her composed face and asked slowly.
“Weren’t you surprised when I suddenly appeared at The Shrine of the Last Priestess and, uncharacteristically, intervened in your business?”
“Ah, I was.” Judith answered readily. “But I just assumed there must have been a reason for it… I don’t know everything that’s on the Master’s mind, after all.”
“And the argument we had yesterday? That wasn’t like us.”
“That, too… well, I thought there was a reason. Perhaps something entirely unrelated to me was bothering you. I simply accepted that such friction could happen between us. Honestly, I was a bit sensitive myself…”
“So, in short, you can accept everything.”
Ekian chuckled, resting his chin on his hand. “You’re too kind.”
It was true he had been unnecessarily sharp the day before, so he had expected a barrage of criticism. Yet, it seemed Judith had truly just ‘let it go.’ It felt like a hollow conclusion to a night he had spent wide awake.
“Anyway…” Judith smiled brightly, shifting the subject. “You must have found it strange that The Last Priestess mentioned the affairs of House Shoden at the very end.”
“Indeed. As I said before, since she had a son… I thought she would want to use her final strength for him, rather than for strangers.”
“Now that I think about it, it is strange. I was short-sighted.” Judith fidgeted with her fingers and sighed. “Indeed… that is a mother’s heart. I thought I knew it all… or perhaps, I knew nothing at all.”
“Know what?”
“A mother’s heart.”
She offered a faint smile. Looking out the window, she continued slowly.
“My mother had a man she loved. It wasn’t Father, but a servant she had brought from her parents’ home… because of that, she was never interested in my existence. I suppose I vaguely thought that a mother could be interested in someone other than her children, even though, theoretically, I know that’s not how it works.”
This was the first time Judith had spoken of her own family history. Ekian watched her calm expression and blurted out, “It must have been hard, during your childhood. Baron Aylan wasn’t exactly a wonderful father, either.”
“That’s true.”
“But you grew up well.”
“I had to, I suppose…” Judith narrowed her eyes, gazing at the passing scenery with a languid air. “I just accepted it. I’m good at accepting things, after all.”
Her voice held no overt sorrow, no lingering loneliness, yet her expression remained a vivid afterimage in Ekian’s vision.
“Because if I’m not good at even that, I’ll be too miserable.”
Ekian suddenly remembered her earlier words.
*‘I simply accepted that such conversations could happen between us.’*
*‘So, in short, you can accept everything.’*
She wasn’t able to accept everything because she was kind, as she claimed. She had chosen to accept things because, otherwise, she would be in pain. Since a very long time ago.
“That some people’s lives might be more unfortunate than others, and that it might be me. That it’s just something that can’t be helped.”
“Judith, that is…” Ekian said before he could stop himself. “It sounds like you’re saying it’s easy to give up.”
“…Yes?”
“And only regarding your own affairs, at that.”
Judith looked surprised, shifting her gaze from the window to him. Ekian spoke firmly.
“From now on, do not give up easily under the pretext of accepting things. Especially if it concerns your own happiness.”
“Aha…”
Ekian had spoken earnestly, but Judith did not seem particularly moved.
“What about you, Master?” Judith chuckled, as if joking. “Aren’t you hiding your identity because you gave up on something, too?”
It felt like he had been struck in the heart. Ekian bit his lower lip. Judith smiled bravely and held out her hand.
“Anyway, we’ve made up, haven’t we?”
Ekian took her hand and replied with feigned nonchalance. “Did we have an argument?”
“I suppose not. I was talking nonsense.”
He watched her smile, and he returned it softly from behind his mask. The Mayous Ducal Mansion was coming into view in the distance.
He could never get used to this feeling.
Squabbling over trifles, riding together in a Mayous carriage, and pulling up to the Mayous Ducal Mansion… for a husband, these would be the natural rhythms of daily life, as vital as breathing.
“Naturally, since I’m close with the Master, we can talk even without specific business. But coming and going to the Mayous Ducal Mansion as if it were my own home is… well, it’s a bit much.”
Continuing their conversation from yesterday, Judith added cautiously, “It is someone else’s house, after all.”
“Well, I suppose so.” Ekian answered readily. He had perhaps been overly concerned about Hyude, who was someone he could ‘talk to easily.’
He had firmly drawn the line that she must be a noble, so what else could happen?
With a peaceful heart, he crossed his legs comfortably inside the carriage as it rolled toward the Mayous Ducal Mansion.
* * *
Isabella was quite busy.
“The Imperial Banquet is soon.”
If the paperwork to register Judith as a daughter-in-law of Mayous was the Duke’s work, introducing her to high society was Isabella’s duty.
“I must introduce Judith there.”
In high society, the name Judith Aylan was all but forgotten. Everyone had pitied her when she fell alongside Baron Aylan’s debts, but no one had reached out to save her. In the three years since she had lived no differently than a commoner, the nobles had severed all contact.
If Isabella were to reintroduce Judith to society at this banquet, it would undoubtedly cause a significant stir.
“To avoid suspicion, we must pour in all our resources. If we send her dressed shabbily, everyone will suspect she’s a fake. That is why we must spend lavishly to quell such doubts.”
Thus, Isabella was diligently purchasing dresses and ornaments for Judith. The Duke offered equal support.
“It would be ideal if a noble young man falls for her at first sight. Remarriage with a commoner? She is the benefactor of the Mayous Ducal House; I cannot bear to see such a fate.”
He spoke with as much fighting spirit as Isabella.
“If I declare my backing, there will be no shortage of suitors… but it would be better if he were a man who fundamentally likes Judith and cherishes her.”
They had already resolved to arrange Judith’s remarriage themselves.
“You should go and look for a good match as well.”
“Yes, I must. If there is a young gentleman who shows interest in Judith, I will keep an eye on him.”
Just then, the butler knocked and entered.
“Duke, Duchess.”
The butler reported with a troubled look.
“Judith, who went to The Shrine of the Last Priestess, has returned. However…”
“However?”