# Chapter 36
Ekian eventually climbed into Maius's carriage in which Judith arrived.
The ducal palace contained several carriages, all bearing the coat of arms of the Maius family, although they looked very similar.
‘This…the one with particularly large windows, it’s the carriage I used to ride the most.’
Ekian immediately recognized the carriage in which Judith had arrived. It was his favorite stroller when he was a curious child, and it had large windows and a tray for snacks.
He often chose this carriage to travel to different places with Karl.
'I thought I'd never ride it again...'
Sitting in the Mayus carriage with Judith was strange. Memories of the time he spent with his family in this vehicle left him feeling unsettled.
Judith, who sat opposite him, spoke kindly: “You can tell my mother that I simply wanted to repay a debt of gratitude to you.”
Judith's green eyes were calm and collected.
“Before I came to Maius Palace, my mother already knew about the dealings I had with you, sir. Honestly, it was thanks to you that I was able to endure during that time. Finding interesting information for the guild is a given… So, if I say I want to help by fulfilling your request to work together like this, isn’t that enough?”
Her response was rational and intelligent, just as Judith always was.
From behind his mask, Ekian studied her calm face and asked slowly, “Weren’t you surprised when she suddenly appeared at the Shrine of the Last Priestess and, unusually, interfered in your affairs?”
“Oh, I was surprised,” Judith answered frankly. “But I thought there had to be a good reason for that… That’s what I thought. After all, I don’t know everything about your thoughts.”
“What about the minor disagreement we had yesterday?”
“Well… I thought there had to be a reason for that too. Maybe there was something unrelated to me that was bothering you… I’ve accepted that we might have these kinds of conversations from time to time. To be honest, I’ve had sensitive moments too…”
“So, you're saying you're willing to accept everything.”
Ekian laughed lightly and rested his chin on his hand.
“You're so cute.”
It was true that he had been unnecessarily sharp yesterday, and he thought that perhaps she was scolding him for it. However, Judith seemed to really ignore it. It seemed disappointing, considering he'd had a sleepless night thinking about it.
"anyway…".
Judith smiled sweetly and changed the subject.
“You seem to find it strange that the Last Priestess would use her last power to handle Marquis Soden’s affairs.”
“Exactly. As I mentioned before, she has a son… you would think that she would use her last strength on him instead of people other than her relatives.”
"Now that you mention it, it seems weird. I guess I didn't think it through."
Judith moved her hands and sighed softly. "This must be a mother's heart. I thought I understood...but maybe I didn't understand after all."
"What do you mean?"
“Mother’s Heart.”
She laughed softly and looked out the window, speaking slowly, "My mother had a man she loved. Not my father – he was a servant she brought over from her family… She was never interested in me. So I vaguely thought my mother might be interested in someone other than her child. In theory, I knew that wasn't true, but…"
For the first time, Judith spoke about her family. Ekian looked at her calm smile and suddenly said, "You must have had a difficult childhood. Baron Elan wasn't an ideal father either."
"This is correct."
“But you were raised well.”
“I had to...”
Judith narrowed her eyes, looking at the scene outside, and answered slowly.
"I've accepted it. I'm good at accepting things."
Her voice held no sadness or feeling of loneliness, yet her expression remained stuck in Ekian's vision.
“If I didn’t do this, my life would be very painful.”
Ekian suddenly remembered something Judith said earlier.
“I just accepted that we might have these kinds of conversations.”
“So, you mean you are willing to accept everything.”
Judith was not good enough to accept everything just because she was good. She chose to accept things because the alternative—not accepting—was too painful, a choice she made long ago.
“One person's life may be more miserable than another person's, and that may be my life...that's the way it is.”
“Judith, this looks like...”
Before he realized it, Ekian said, “This feels like giving up.”
"…What?".
“But only when it comes to yourf.”
Judith looked surprised and turned from the window to look at Ekian.
He spoke firmly, "From now on, don't give in easily under the guise of acceptance. Not if it's for your own happiness."
“Oh…”
Ekian spoke seriously, but Judith didn't seem particularly affected.
“Why don't you start living this way, sir?”
She smiled cheerfully, as if she was joking.
“Didn’t you also give in to something, that’s why you hide your identity like this?”
Her comment was very touching. Ekian bit his lower lip slightly. Judith smiled boldly and extended her hand.
“Anyway, we're fine now, right?”
Ekian shook her hand with a calm response.
“Have we ever been at loggerheads?”
"Good point. I've been thinking a lot."
As he watched her smile, Ikian smiled softly from behind his mask.
In the distance, the Duke's Palace appeared.
The feeling remained surreal.
To quarrel with her over trivial matters, then ride in Maius's carriage together, and return to the Duke's palace….
It was the kind of thing a husband would do as a matter of course, like breathing.
“Of course, since we are close to each other, we can talk about anything without a specific purpose. But visiting the Duke’s Palace casually… it’s still a bit much.”
Continuing their conversation from the day before, Judith spoke cautiously.
“After all, it's someone else's house.”
“Well, that's true.”
“A good conversation partner,” Ekian replied calmly. He realized that he was being overly concerned with Ayud, “a good conversation partner.”
Well, since he had clearly drawn the line by stating that only a noble would do this, it was unlikely that there would be any further problems.
With complete peace of mind, he calmly crossed his legs in the carriage heading towards Maius's palace.
Isabella was very busy.
“The imperial banquet is approaching.”
While the paperwork to register Judith as a daughter-in-law of the Maios family fell to the Duke, introducing her to high society was Isabella's task.
“We need to formally introduce Judith there.”
The name Judith Ilan was almost forgotten in high society. People once mourned her downfall along with that of Baron Elan, but no one came forward to help her.
From then on, Judith lived for three years no different from a commoner, completely separate from any contact with the nobility.
Thus, if she personally reintroduced Judith to the community at this upcoming banquet, it would certainly cause quite a stir.
"To avoid suspicions, we have to do our best. If we send it in casual clothes, people will question its authenticity. Isn't that right? That's why we need to spend generously to dispel any doubts."
However, Isabella was busy buying dresses and accessories for Judith.
The Duke did not skimp on any expenses either.
“It would be ideal if you caught the attention of a noble at first sight. Would you remarry a commoner? We cannot allow that to happen to someone who has become an honorary member of the Maius family.”
He spoke with as much determination as Isabella.
“Sure, there will be no shortage of nobles willing to marry her with my support… but wouldn’t it be better if she ended up with someone who truly cherishes and loves her?”
They have already decided to arrange Judith's remarriage themves.
“Make sure you keep an eye on the right candidates.”
“Of course. I will keep an eye on any young man who shows interest in Judith.”
At that moment the servant knocked on the door and entered.
“Your Highness, Madam.”
The servant looked somewhat puzzled as he calmly submitted his report.
“Lady Judith, who went to the shrine of the last priestess, has returned, but...”
"but?".