# Chapter 43
"What is this?".
Ekian asked indifferently. In fact, he was thinking of ways to prevent Ayud from attending the imperial banquet.
Since Ayoade was not prepared at all, there were many methods available. The more cowardly Ayoade is, the more numerous and easier these methods become.
'At least, I can't let them dance together.'
From what Judith told him, she hadn't danced well since she was seventeen. This was normal, she was too busy paying off her debts.
In a way, this was the first dance she performed as an adult. As always, the dancing involved a lot of physical contact.
He could not allow such an opportunity to go to Ayud. Just thinking about it made his blood boil and his stomach turn.
At that moment, Judith spoke ashamed, “Actually… I have already planned how I will live after leaving Maius Palace.”
"What?".
"Once I announce the miscarriage, I will have to give up the Maios name. I can't keep insisting on a child that doesn't exist. I only intended to drag it out for a few months at most."
“...Well, that's true.”
“But I keep worrying.”
"On what?".
“The Maios Family.”
Judith sighed deeply and pressed her forehead.
“His Majesty the Emperor will not remain silent... However, I feel uncomfortable just turning my back and instantly finding happiness with another man...”
“Wait a minute.”
Ekian's eyes widened behind his mask as he interrupted the conversation.
“Finding happiness with another man?”
“Uh… I mean, it's possible for me. Now that I'm debt free, I'll be free.”
“But what do you mean by ‘finding happiness instantly’...”
“Well, the man I'm interested in already knows my condition. He knows that I'm not actually pregnant, and that I've been intending to divorce from the beginning...”
Judith continued speaking unconsciously, unaware of Ekian's increasingly erratic breathing.
"And he seems to like me too, so I don't think I'll have much trouble once I'm gone. At least that's what I'm thinking now."
Ikian was so shocked that he couldn't respond.
A man who knows everything and loves her... Isn't this Ayud Soden?!
Judith was thinking about Ayoade all the time. This made sense – everything she had said so far referred to it. It's always been about Hood.
If he thought about it, hadn't Judith recently smiled shyly and beautifully, saying that there was someone who loved her? Didn't she even admit that she was starting to develop feelings for someone too?
It was entirely possible for her to leave the Maius family and live happily!
Suddenly, Ekian felt disgusted with himf.
He didn't do anything all this time. He was upset and upset about many things, yet he justified his inaction by convincing himf that, as a cursed child, he had no right to interfere.
But was it really right for him to remain inactive and not advance?
He had convinced himf that disappearing was the best course of action for the Mayos, but were they really safe in the five years he had been gone?
On the surface, they seemed fine, but in reality, they were exposed to many dangers. If it had not been for Judith, tragedy would have struck the Maios family long ago.
“But the Maios are not safe. Even if I leave, they will still be in danger.”
While Ekian was mired in f-loathing, Judith continued to talk.
“I know I have no right to worry about the Maius family. I'm just an outsider. But at least, my feelings for my mother, father, and Karl are real. That's why I'm wondering if I should stay and protect them. Maybe I can help in some way.”
Judith clenched her fists tightly as she spoke with conviction.
“Well, even after the miscarriage, I can still stay here as Eqian’s wife. Of course, if I did that, I wouldn’t be able to find happiness with this man right away...”
“This is an excellent idea.”
Ekian was listening quietly, and spoke without realizing it.
“The Duke and Duchess of Maius adore you, and Karl follows you too. There is no real reason for you to leave. There are many things in this world that are more important than a man.”
"Hmm? Oh my god."
“In my opinion, it would be better for you to stay longer at Maius’ house.”
Ekian slowly rested his chin on his hand. Then, without realizing it, he muttered, “…And if I stay long enough, Ikian Maius might come back...”
“I told you he wouldn't come back.”
"Well, who knows? That's not certain. If the Maios family faces danger, as you say, Ikian might appear."
“Hmm.”
“If he decides that revealing himf would be the best way to protect his parents.”
“If that is the case, I will feel at ease.”
Judith let out a small sigh and smiled.
"Then I can leave with peace of mind as well. The Mayus family will have some time to breathe. Since he's back, the divorce can go through according to proper procedures."
Ekyan did not respond to this request, and even if he returned, he had no intention of granting the divorce.
But he realized that he would need to prepare countermeasures for Judith's inevitable talk of divorce when the time came.
Judith wiggled her fingers before slowly continuing, "To be honest, I really hope Ikian Maius comes back. Because, as far as I know, he has some connection to His Highness, the Crown Prince."
“Hmm? What does this have to do with anything?”
Ekian tilted his head without thinking.
It was true that the relationship between him and the Crown Prince was strong, and after Eqian's disappearance, the Crown Prince was clearly frustrated.
Since Ekian believed that he was the rightful heir to the Duke of Maios' family, he was close to the Crown Prince. In fact, they were half-brothers. Of course, the Crown Prince was still ignorant of this fact.
“I can't summon the Crown Prince myf, but Ekian Mayus can.”
Judith shrugged as she continued, “At this upcoming banquet, His Majesty the Emperor will attempt to assassinate the Crown Prince.”
Ekian's body stiffened. While he tensed at the ominous statement, Judith simply shrugged.
“Isn’t that obvious? His Majesty does not see the Crown Prince as a son, but rather as a rival. He has already been giving him substances to numb his senses for years.”
She talked about these terrifying things as if they were passing observations.
“Once the Crown Prince realizes this, he will actively oppose the Emperor. This alone will increase the number of enemies His Majesty will have to face, which will benefit the Maios Family. After all, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
It left Ikian speechless. Although he had always known that the Emperor was cruel, he had never imagined that he would plan to assassinate his heir – especially on the Crown Prince's birthday.
How did Judith know all this?
After a long silence, Ekian finally managed to stammer, “How… how do you know this?”
“The last priestess told me.”
Judith smiled weakly.
“Some may consider my words crazy. But you, sir, know that I am telling the truth, right? In fact, all the information I have received over the past three years came from the Last Priestess.”
Ekian was very puzzled. Why did his mother choose to provide Judith with such information? What is the relationship between them specifically?
He felt deeply disturbed. At the same time, he couldn't help but wonder – his mother had helped everyone from Ayud Soden to the Crown Prince, and ensured their happiness. But why didn't you leave a single word for him?
“Judith.”
Ekian suppressed his tense feelings and spoke with deliberate calm –
“Can you tell me more about this?”
– with a little personal interest mixed in.
“It looks like I might be able to help you at the imperial banquet.”
Why do I feel like Ekian is logging in to the party? Basically, the text of the things in the summary appeared, but what was excluded