Prologue

The ballroom was dazzling with light and luxury.

Ladies and gentlemen of high society gathered in small groups, dancing or chatting amongst themselves. Though they exchanged trivial gossip, their eyes repeatedly drifted toward one particular woman.

“Oh my, that necklace… Isn’t it made with the Otez Diamond that sold for four million gold?”

“I heard Madame Owar closed her atelier for an entire month just to make that dress. It’s absolutely gorgeous…”

The object of everyone’s attention stood alone on the terrace, looking as though she had stepped out of a painting.

Her carefully styled hair, elegant gown, flawless skin, and long, graceful eyes were striking enough. But above all, it was her lush crimson hair and intelligent emerald-green eyes that captivated every gaze.

“Was Baroness Ailan always that beautiful?”

“I had no idea. After she turned seventeen, she only wore old clothes like a commoner.”

“I always thought she was just a poor woman going around borrowing money…”

Throughout the entire banquet, people couldn’t stop talking about Judith Ailan—or rather, Judith Mayeus.

And with good reason. Her recent rise had become the most fascinating topic in noble society.

Judith Ailan had originally been a ruined noble orphan who inherited nothing but a mountain of debt.

When she was young, her family’s circumstances had been decent enough. But when she turned seventeen, her father failed in business and took his own life.

Her mother fled overnight with one of the servants, taking whatever valuables remained, leaving young Judith behind with nothing except the title of Baroness—and overwhelming debt.

Judith had tried borrowing money from friends several times, but the amount she owed was far beyond anything they could help with. Before long, she was seen wandering the city in worn-out clothes, searching for work.

Eventually, people forgot about her.

Just as they forget countless tragedies that have no effect on their own lives.

But then…

“Ah, wait. We can’t call her Baroness Ailan anymore.”

“That’s right. Should we call her Lady Mayeus now? The Young Duchess?”

Only a few days earlier, she had suddenly returned amid a whirlwind of rumors.

The rumor was that she was carrying the child of the Young Duke of House Mayeus.

The problem was…

The Young Duke of Mayeus had been missing for five years.

Even so, House Mayeus had officially announced it.

The child in Judith’s womb was unquestionably of Mayeus blood. Although the Young Duke remained missing, the ducal family had acknowledged Judith as their daughter-in-law.

There had been no wedding, since there was no groom.

Yet Judith had entered the ducal household nonetheless.

“Should we go ask her? Where she met the Young Duke—and how she managed to seduce him?”

“Are we even sure it’s really the Young Duke’s child? He’s been missing for five years.”

“But they said the Duke of Mayeus personally confirmed the direct bloodline.”

“What if it’s all a scam? She suddenly claims she’s pregnant with the Young Duke’s child, but he never even appeared. Even if House Mayeus announced it themselves, I just can’t quite believe it…”

“I’m curious too, but I don’t dare ask. She once begged me to lend her money, and I pretended not to know her…”

Just then—

“Everyone.”

A voice as cold as winter ice sliced through the murmurs.

“Why are you all so interested in discussing my daughter-in-law?”

The gossiping nobles immediately fell silent.

“Who dares speak so carelessly about the daughter-in-law whom House Mayeus has officially acknowledged?”

The woman who strode through the crowd was none other than the Duchess of Mayeus.

A woman famous throughout the Empire for her extravagant tastes and fearsome temper.

Her platinum-blonde hair was elegantly pinned up, and although she was breathtakingly beautiful, her expression radiated icy hostility.

House Mayeus was one of the Empire’s oldest and most powerful noble families.

Though notorious for standing in opposition to the Imperial Family, they were so influential that even the Imperial House could not easily interfere with them.

The Duke of Mayeus was infamous for being utterly merciless, and his wife possessed an equally formidable disposition.

Five years ago, after their eldest son disappeared without a trace, their tempers had only grown sharper.

“I suppose some people think House Mayeus is something to laugh at.”

The Duchess unfolded her lavish fan and glared at the room.

“Judging by how lightly they speak of my daughter-in-law, who carries Mayeus blood.”

Her frigid voice silenced everyone.

One thing was perfectly clear.

The Duchess truly cherished her daughter-in-law.

Simply because she carried the bloodline of her missing son.

To be fair, it was obvious how devoted she was.

The woman who had once lived little better than a beggar had been transformed from head to toe into a vision of nobility.

“Come, my dear.”

The Duchess slowly walked over to Judith herself.

“His Grace is waiting. We don’t have time to waste with such insignificant people. And the baby in your womb needs its rest.”

Judith smiled shyly and stepped beside the Duchess, gently rubbing her still-flat stomach as though she were already noticeably pregnant.

The carriage rolled back toward the Mayeus estate.

“The rumor should have spread throughout high society by now.”

The Duchess of Mayeus, Isabella Mayeus, sat with her arms folded, speaking proudly.

“Everyone now believes you’re carrying Ekian’s child. And that we personally confirmed the Mayeus bloodline.”

“Y-Yes.”

Judith—the mastermind behind the fake pregnancy—sat up straight and smiled politely.

“I believe so. Now they won’t be able to proceed with declaring the Young Duke legally dead. Since I’ve appeared.”

The Duke and Duchess of Mayeus were accomplices in the deception.

In truth, they were less like Judith’s in-laws and more like her employers.

“Hmph.”

Isabella snorted before giving Judith a thorough once-over from head to toe.

Noticing the Duchess’s gaze, Judith quickly said,

“I kept everything in perfect condition. Once we return to the estate, I’ll return the jewelry and the dress immediately—”

“Have you lost your mind?!”

Isabella exploded before Judith could finish.

“What do you take House Mayeus for? Do you honestly think we’d ask for those things back? If they suit you, then keep them!”

“…What?”

“Even if this is only a contract, you’re still our daughter-in-law! Do you think we can’t afford to give you something like that?”

She huffed indignantly.

“Light-colored dresses look wonderful on you! Tomorrow we’ll have another one made. Understood?”

“Ah… Y-Yes.”

“And you’re far too skinny! Fake pregnancy or not, the moment we get home you’re eating a proper late-night meal!”

Recognizing the kindness hidden beneath Isabella’s harsh words, Judith smiled warmly and nodded.

She had suffered terribly beneath crushing debt.

But now…

She was living in unimaginable luxury.

It almost made her forget every hardship she’d endured.

All because she’d suddenly remembered her previous life and used her knowledge of the original novel to come up with an outrageous plan.

A fake contract marriage into a villainous family? This is actually amazing!

She intended to endure for only a few months before announcing both a miscarriage and a divorce.

According to the original story, her husband, Ekian Mayeus, was never supposed to return.

It’s only temporary, but I’ll enjoy these few months. They’re all such good people, after all.

Everything was unfolding exactly as Judith had planned.

At least…

It was.

Until late that night, when she and Isabella returned from the banquet and arrived at the ducal estate.

“You’re rather late.”

As Judith stepped out of the carriage beside Isabella, both women froze.

A low, languid voice split the warm summer night like a bolt of lightning.

“It’s been a long time… Mother.”

Standing beneath the dark night sky, a handsome young man smiled at them.

“E-E-Ekian?”

Isabella’s eyes widened as she stared at her eldest son, who had vanished without a trace five years ago.

“Ekian… you…”

The breathtakingly handsome man smiled gently at his speechless mother.

Then his intense crimson eyes slowly shifted toward Judith.

“And this must be…”

Judith herself had fallen into complete panic.

Ekian Mayeus.

Her husband on paper.

A man she had never even met.

According to the original novel, no matter what happened—even if a woman claiming to carry his child appeared—he was never supposed to come back.

His crimson gaze slowly swept over her frozen figure as though savoring the sight.

“My wife, I presume.”

Silence filled the air.

Crossing his arms, he calmly added,

“The one who’s supposedly carrying my child.”