Chapter 08
“That’s because…”
Judith met Isabella’s gaze without looking away and spoke calmly.
“If I didn’t know the outcome, that would be one thing. But knowing the result and still hiding it while taking advantage of someone else’s hope—especially hope involving family—is something I don’t want to do.”
“What?”
“As you discovered during your investigation, I need money. A lot of money. Desperately.”
Despite her shabby clothing, Judith’s eyes remained clear and composed.
“But even so, I don’t want to obtain it by deceiving someone.”
“…”
“I’ll say it again. The plan you’re considering will only damage the duke’s family’s reputation. It will not bring Young Duke Ekyan back. It will only cost you a great deal of money. Even so, if you still wish to proceed…”
She paused.
“Then please make me that temporary daughter-in-law.”
A strange feeling came over Isabella.
The decision was entirely hers to make, yet somehow she felt as though she were the one being shown consideration.
Judith continued politely.
“I will fulfill my role properly for the duration of the contract and will never cause trouble for the ducal house. Since you investigated me, you probably already know this, but whenever I have accepted payment, I have always fulfilled my responsibilities.”
That was true.
Judith had worked harder and more sincerely than anyone as a private tutor. The investigation had made that abundantly clear.
After silently studying her for a moment, Isabella asked,
“One thing. Are you not going to tell me how you know all of this?”
“I will.”
Judith answered without hesitation.
“I had a dream. Since childhood, I have occasionally dreamed of events that later came true. I don’t know why, but I happened to dream about Young Duke Ekyan as well.”
“Then Ekyan—!”
“I don’t know anything beyond that. Truly.”
Isabella drew a sharp breath.
A dream. It was difficult to believe and impossible to prove.
Yet Judith had correctly known about the letter Ekyan had left behind and even the plan Isabella had been secretly considering.
It also explained how Judith had occasionally earned money by selling bits of information to information guilds.
Slowly, Isabella regained her composure.
There was no need to overthink it.
She needed someone capable of carrying out a special task, and Judith had volunteered for that task.
It was a simple transaction. Nothing more.
“…Very well.”
Looking directly at Judith, Isabella spoke.
“If that is what you say, then fine. There isn’t much time. Since you’re already here, would you fill out the marriage registration forms before you leave? The Duke is returning tomorrow, so I’ll discuss it with him before we submit them.”
“Yes, Madam.”
“And…”
The familiar coldness returned to Isabella’s expression.
“Even if I accept you as my daughter-in-law, I trust you understand better than anyone that this is only temporary. Let us make it clear from the start—you will not be involved in the internal affairs of House Mayeus.”
“Of course. I expected as much.”
Judith answered matter-of-factly.
The implication that she would never be treated as a real daughter-in-law could not possibly hurt her.
After all, they would only be a contract family for a few months.
Isabella continued coldly.
“If Ekyan returns during that time, you must agree to divorce immediately. I want Ekyan to marry the woman he loves. Is that acceptable?”
“Of course. I know my place. When the time comes, I’ll leave the ducal estate without causing any trouble. You needn’t worry about that.”
Slowly, Isabella nodded.
Then, right there on the spot, she wrote out a check.
“Here. It’s enough to cover all of Baron Ailan’s debts.”
For the first time during the entire conversation, Judith’s composed expression shattered.
Her face turned pale.
“Y-you’re giving this to me… now?”
“Yes.”
“If this arrangement concludes successfully, I’ll give you the same amount again afterward.”
Raising an eyebrow, Isabella added expressionlessly,
“I’m effectively ruining a young woman’s marriage prospects. Did you think I would be so shameless as not to compensate you properly?”
“Th-thank you. Thank you so much, Madam…”
Her trembling hands, the blush spreading across her face, the uncontrollable joy radiating from her entire body—
It was as though the dignified young woman who had insisted she would never deceive others for money had vanished completely.
The sincerity of her desperation became obvious in that unhidden delight.
And only then did Isabella truly understand the weight behind Judith’s earlier words:
“Even if I do this, Young Duke Ekyan will not return.”
And how much honesty had been contained within them.
“Hmph.”
Seeing Judith so happy, Isabella suddenly snapped open her fan and hid her face.
She felt slightly embarrassed.
A girl who had maintained her dignity despite such desperation—and Isabella had still felt the need to warn her not to dream of becoming a true Mayeus daughter-in-law.
“This amount is nothing to House Mayeus. That’s why I gave it so easily.”
“Y-yes…”
“And don’t misunderstand! It’s not because I happen to like you, Judith!”
Isabella shouted before stealing a glance at Judith’s flushed cheeks.
My goodness. My goodness. My goodness!
‘I’m free…! Free from that mountain of debt that was supposed to follow me for the rest of my life!’
Holding the check in her hands, Judith could hardly breathe.
Honestly, she had expected to receive payment only after everything was over and she was divorced and sent away.
Yet this was merely an advance.
‘They really are rich! Rich enough that she can hand over this much money without even consulting the Duke first!’
Dizzy with excitement, Judith clutched the check tightly and left the ducal estate.
Naturally, she had completed the marriage registration paperwork with great enthusiasm.
Afterward, she went straight to the bank with a guarantor and paid off her debts.
“Baroness Judith Ailan.”
After reviewing the loan contract, the bank employee smiled warmly.
“Your debts have now been fully repaid. Congratulations.”
The happiness was almost overwhelming.
For a moment, Judith could not speak.
Even the loan shark, who had faithfully collected interest from her for years, looked stunned.
Apparently, Judith was the first person ever to repay a debt like this.
“Ha… To think Paull, who wasted his life gambling, had a daughter like you. Miss, how in the world did you come up with such a huge amount of money?”
Now that the burden was gone, Judith was in such a good mood that she could even smile at the loan shark.
“I gambled too.”
The bank employee and loan shark stared blankly.
Judith grinned.
“A gamble with my life.”
Leaving them both speechless, she walked lightly out of the bank.
The debt that had weighed her down every single day was gone.
She felt as though her feet no longer touched the ground.
‘This is the best.’
Simply becoming involved with House Mayeus had changed her entire life.
And she hadn’t even done anything yet.
‘I can do anything for the Duchess.’
Judith was not the type of person who lacked gratitude.
Since the Duchess had helped her repay her debts so quickly, Judith wanted to do everything within her power in return.
Just as she stepped out of the bank, a thought suddenly flashed through her mind.
“Ah! The Master wanted me to come!”
The day before, the Master had sent someone to summon her to Gray Information Company.
‘He probably wants to thank me for saving his life.’
Or perhaps he wanted to hear more about her upcoming marriage into House Mayeus.
‘Ah, and I actually need some information myself.’
Judith was still deeply moved by the Duchess’s generosity.
If there was even the slightest thing she could do to help House Mayeus, she wanted to do it.
‘I’ll ask the Master for help!’
Filled with excitement, she headed straight for Gray Information Company.
As always, the Master was waiting for her behind his mask.
“What exactly kept you at the ducal estate all day? I heard you arrived there before dawn.”
“Ah, we ended up filling out marriage registration papers.”
“…What? N-no… H-how… how did…”
“I’m telling you first out of courtesy, since the news will spread throughout the capital soon anyway.”
She needed the Master’s help for the sake of House Mayeus.
That meant she had no choice but to explain honestly.
“Soon, House Mayeus is going to announce that I’m pregnant with Ekyan’s child.”
For a long moment, the Master could not speak.
Although Judith had done business with him many times over the years, she had never seen him so shocked.
Even through the mask, she could practically feel his disbelief.
“Master?”
Sure, it was surprising, but was it really enough to horrify him this much?
Judith studied him for a moment.
Then a sudden realization struck her like lightning.
Her eyes widened.
“Master? Don’t tell me…”
