Chapter 8
Chapter 8
"That's because..."
Judith met Isabella's gaze steadily and spoke calmly.
"If I hadn't known, that would be one thing. But knowing the outcome and still hiding it while exploiting someone else's hope—especially hope for family—was something I couldn't do."
"What?"
"As you've investigated, I do need money. Desperately. A great deal of it. But..."
Even in her shabby clothes, Judith's eyes held a quiet vitality.
"Even so, I don't want to obtain money by deceiving someone."
"......"
"Let me reiterate. What you're considering, madam, will only tarnish the ducal family's honor without bringing the Young Duke back. You'll merely be paying for nothing. Still, if you wish to proceed... please take me as that temporary daughter-in-law."
Isabella felt strangely moved. Despite having all the decision-making power, she felt as though she were the one being considerately treated.
Judith continued politely.
"I swear I won't cause any harm to the ducal house and will fulfill my role impeccably during the agreed period. You may conduct background checks, but you'll find I've always honored my responsibilities when paid."
This was true. Judith had carried out her tutoring duties more diligently and wholeheartedly than anyone else—a fact thoroughly confirmed by background checks.
Isabella studied Judith quietly before asking:
"Just one question. Will the Baroness tell me how she knows all this?"
"I will explain."
Judith replied composedly.
"I had dreams. Since childhood, I've occasionally dreamed of events that later came true. I don't know why, but I also dreamed about the Young Duke."
"Then Ekian—!"
"Beyond that, I know nothing either."
Isabella drew a sharp breath. Dreams—it was hard to believe, with no evidence.
Yet hadn't Judith precisely described the letter Ekian left and the plans Isabella had secretly considered? In that case, Judith's story about making money by selling minor information to intelligence guilds also made sense.
Gradually, Isabella regained her composure.
There was nothing to overthink. She needed someone for a special task, and Judith had volunteered to do it. It was simply a suitable transaction.
"...Very well."
Isabella looked at Judith and said:
"If that's what the Baroness says, I'll accept it. Time is short. Since you're here, shall we draft the marriage registration? The Duke returns tomorrow, so we can discuss and submit it then."
"Yes, madam."
"And..."
Isabella's voice regained its usual chill as she spoke coldly:
"Even if I take you in as a daughter-in-law, I trust you understand it's temporary. Let me make this clear first—you will have no involvement in the ducal family's internal affairs."
"Of course. I expected as much."
Judith replied plainly. The implication that she wouldn't be treated as a real daughter-in-law couldn't even wound her. Weren't they just a contractual family for a few months anyway? Isabella continued frostily:
"If Ekian returns during that time, we'll add a condition for immediate divorce. I want Ekian to marry the woman he loves. Is that acceptable?"
"Naturally. I know my place. When the time comes, I'll leave the ducal residence cleanly. Don't worry about that."
Isabella nodded slowly. Then, right there, she wrote out a check.
"Here. This covers Baron Aillan's debts."
At those words, Judith—who had remained composed throughout—turned deathly pale. She blinked rapidly, stammering:
"Y-you're giving... this to me now?"
"When this is over, I'll give you the same amount again."
Isabella raised an eyebrow expressionlessly.
"Would I have the audacity not to, after disrupting a young lady's marriage prospects?"
"Th-thank you... Thank you, madam..."
From her trembling hands to the blush spreading across her face, Judith's entire body radiated euphoria. As if her earlier noble stance about not deceiving others for money had been a complete lie.
The unmistakable joy she couldn't conceal revealed the desperation she'd harbored all this time, and only then did Isabella truly grasp the weight behind Judith's earlier words—"Even if I do this, Young Duke Ekian won't return"—and the sincerity with which she'd spoken them.
"Hmph."
Seeing Judith's overwhelming delight, Isabella abruptly snapped open her folding fan to hide her face for no particular reason. She felt slightly ashamed of having warned the girl—who'd maintained her dignity despite such desperation—"Don't even think about becoming a real Meius daughter-in-law."
"For House Meius, this amount is nothing. That's why I gave it so readily."
"Y-yes, of course..."
"And absolutely do not misunderstand—I didn't give this because I've taken a liking to you, Miss Judith! Mark my words!"
Isabella shouted the last part before stealing a glance at Judith's flushed cheeks, now rosy with excitement.
Oh god, oh god, oh god!
'I'm free...! Free from this godforsaken mountain of debt that was supposed to shackle me for life!'
After receiving the check, Judith gasped for breath, unable to believe her eyes.
She'd assumed she'd only get paid after everything was over and she'd been divorced and sent away. But this was just the initial payment—how could it be so much?
'Being filthy rich is real! She can give this much without even consulting the Duke!'
Dizzy with disbelief, Judith clutched the check to her chest as she left the ducal residence. Naturally, she'd already filled out the marriage registration in high spirits.
She went straight to the bank afterward and repaid all her debts with the cosigners.
"Baroness Judith Aillan."
After verifying the loan contracts with the moneylenders, the bank clerk smiled brightly.
"With this, all your debts have been settled. Congratulations."
The relief was so intense it made her head spin. Judith was speechless for a long moment.
Even the moneylenders—who'd always punctually collected their interest—couldn't hide their astonishment. They remarked that Judith was the only one who'd ever managed to repay such debts.
"Ha... To think Paul, that gambling addict, had a daughter like you... Young lady, how on earth did you procure such a large sum?"
Of course, Judith was now relaxed enough to flash them a smirk.
"I gambled too. A gamble with my life on the line."
Leaving the stunned bank clerk and moneylenders behind, Judith stepped lightly out of the bank. With the debt that had weighed her down daily now gone, she felt as if her feet had left the ground, floating through the clouds.
'This is the absolute best.'
Just getting entangled with House Meius had changed her life. And she hadn't even done anything particularly impressive.
'I'd do anything for the Duchess.'
Judith was a person who knew gratitude. Since they'd helped her repay her debts so quickly, she wanted to give her absolute best in return.
As she was leaving the bank, a sudden thought struck her.
"Ah! The Master told me to come by!"
Yesterday, the Master had sent someone to tell her to visit the Gray Information Guild.
'He probably wants to thank me for saving his life, right?'
Or maybe, since she'd mentioned marrying into House Meius, he wanted to hear the details.
'Ah, perfect timing—I need some information too.'
Already deeply moved by the Duchess's check, Judith was eager to do anything that might help House Meius, no matter how small.
'Let's ask the Master for help!'
Excited, she headed to the Gray Information Guild. The Master, masked as usual, was waiting for her.
"What on earth kept you at the ducal residence all day? I heard you went there at dawn."
"Ah, well, I had to fill out the marriage registration and all..."
"...What? N-no... Wh-wh-what... how...?"
"It'll spread through the capital soon anyway, so I'll tell you first as a courtesy."
She also needed the Master's help for House Meius. So she had no choice but to explain everything truthfully.
"Soon, House Meius will announce that I'm pregnant with Ekian's child."
The Master was speechless for a long while.
Though Judith had dealt with him frequently over the years, this was the first time she'd ever seen him so shocked.
Even with his mask hiding his expression, his utter astonishment was palpable.
"Master?"
Well... it was surprising, but was it really this shocking?
As Judith studied his reaction, a lightning bolt of realization struck her, and she gasped.
"Master? Don't tell me...?"
