43.
“What is it?”
Ekian asked, keeping his voice carefully nonchalant. In truth, his mind was a storm of calculations, agonizing over how to prevent Hyude from attending the Imperial Banquet.
As long as Hyude remained unprepared, there were plenty of ways to obstruct him. The more cowardly Ekian felt, the more those methods—devious and easy—seemed to multiply.
‘At the very least, I cannot let him dance with her.’
Based on his conversations with Judith, she hadn’t danced properly since she was seventeen. It was only natural; she had been too burdened by the weight of her debts. In a sense, this Imperial Banquet would be her first dance as an adult. And, as always, dancing involved a degree of intimacy he could not stomach.
The mere thought of her in Hyude’s arms made his blood boil and his chest tighten.
While he was lost in this turmoil, Judith spoke up, her cheeks flushing with a bashful warmth.
“You see… I’ve actually finished thinking about how I will live once I leave the Mayous Ducal Mansion.”
“Pardon?”
“Once I announce the miscarriage, I will have to return the Mayous name. I can’t keep insisting I’m pregnant when there is no child. I only started this ruse to buy myself a few months, anyway.”
“…That is true.”
“But I keep worrying.”
“About what?”
“The Mayous Ducal House.”
Judith sighed, pressing a hand to her forehead. “The Emperor certainly won’t stay idle. And yet, it doesn’t sit well with me to turn my back, leave, and immediately go off to be happy with another man…”
“Wait a moment.” Ekian interrupted, his eyes widening behind his mask. “Be happy with another man?”
“Ah… well, I have that option, don’t I? Now that I’m free of debt, I’m finally free.”
“But what do you mean by being able to be happy right away?”
“Well, the man I’m interested in knows my situation well. He knows I am not actually pregnant, and he knows I intend to divorce regardless.”
Judith continued, entirely oblivious to Ekian’s ragged breathing. “He seems to like me as well, so I don’t think there will be any major issues for us to be together once I leave. At least, that’s my hope for now.”
Ekian was too stunned to speak. A man who knew the truth and liked her—could it be anyone other than Hyude Shoden?
Because Hyude had occupied his thoughts for so long, it was natural to assume he was the culprit. Everything pointed back to him. Hadn’t Judith been smiling with such shy, radiant beauty lately, claiming she was developing feelings for a man who cared for her in return?
If that were the case, a happy life after leaving the Mayous Ducal Mansion was entirely possible.
A wave of self-loathing crashed over Ekian. He had been stagnant, paralyzed. While he harbored endless grievances and found his situation grating, he had used his cursed birth as an excuse to avoid stepping forward.
Was it truly right to remain this way?
He had told himself his disappearance was for the sake of the Mayous, but had they truly been safe during the five years he was gone? They appeared stable, but in reality, they had been walking a razor’s edge. Had it not been for Judith, tragedy would have befallen the house long ago.
“But the Mayous Ducal House isn’t out of the woods,” Judith continued, oblivious to his internal descent. “I know I’m nothing, and I’m in no position to fret over the Mayous. But my feelings for Mother, Father, and Karl are genuine. Is it right for me to simply abandon my post? I might be able to help, at the very least.”
She clenched her fists, her gaze earnest. “Even after the miscarriage, I could technically remain here as Ekian’s wife. Of course, if I do that, that man and I won’t be able to be together immediately…”
“That sounds like a fine idea.”
Having listened quietly, Ekian spoke before he could stop himself. “The Duke and Duchess Mayous adore you, and Karl follows you, does he not? If that is the case, there is no need to leave. There are many things in this world more important than men.”
“Hm? Oh my.”
“In my opinion, it is right for Judith to stay at the Mayous Ducal Mansion longer.”
Ekian rested his chin on his hand, his eyes darkening. He muttered, almost to himself, “…If you do that, Ekian Mayous might even return.”
“I told you, he isn’t coming back.”
“Well, one never knows. As you said, if he discovers the Ducal House is in danger, Ekian might reveal himself.”
“Hmm.”
“If he judges that his return is a safer path for his parents than his continued disappearance, he might.”
“If that were the case, I think I could feel a bit more at ease.” Judith smiled, her brows drooping slightly. “I could leave with a lighter heart, knowing the Ducal House has breathing room. And since the person concerned would have returned, I could proceed with the divorce through proper channels.”
Ekian did not answer. Even if he were to return, he had absolutely no intention of granting a divorce. However, he decided then and there that when he did return, he would be prepared for that conversation.
Judith toyed with her fingers, continuing slowly. “Actually, I really hope Ekian Mayous returns. To my knowledge, he has connections with the Crown Prince.”
“Hm? What does that have to do with anything?” Ekian asked, tilting his head.
It was true that he and the Crown Prince were close—they had been intimate friends, and the Prince had been devastated by his disappearance. Furthermore, as far as the public knew, they were merely associates. In truth, they were half-brothers, though the Crown Prince remained unaware of that secret.
“I mean that while I cannot dare call upon the Crown Prince, Ekian Mayous could.” Judith shrugged. “During this banquet, the Emperor intends to assassinate the Crown Prince.”
Ekian’s body stiffened. Noticing his sudden, sharpened intensity, Judith shrugged again.
“Isn’t it obvious? The Emperor views the Crown Prince as a rival, not a son. He has been administering drugs that dull the senses for a long time.”
The terrifying words were spoken with chilling casualness.
“If the Crown Prince discovers this, he will inevitably confront the Emperor. That alone will divide the Emperor’s forces, which would be helpful to the Mayous. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, after all.”
Ekian was momentarily speechless. He knew the Emperor was a villain, but he had never dreamed he would plan to assassinate his own successor during a birthday banquet. Furthermore, how on earth did Judith know this?
“How…” he stammered, his voice straining. “How did you…”
“The Last Priestess told me.” Judith smiled brightly. “Others might treat my words as the ravings of a madwoman. But you know that my words are true, don’t you, Master? In fact, all the information I’ve traded with you for the past three years came from her.”
Why had his mother told Judith these things? What was the true connection between them?
Ekian felt a surge of confusion, tempered by a sharp sting of jealousy—his mother, who had looked after the fates of everyone from Hyude Shoden to the Crown Prince, had not left a single message for him.
“Judith,” he said, burying his confusion to focus on the immediate opportunity. “Could you tell me more about that in detail?”
He had his own motives to consider.
“Since it seems I might be able to help you during the Imperial Banquet.”