IPBHB05

The next morning.

Judith recalled her past life, yet she had still lived twenty years in this world.

That meant she had reached a point where few things in this world could truly surprise her.

Yet…

“This is insane… absolutely insane.”

Her breath caught the moment she stepped into the Meyus ducal estate.

“How could it be this lavish, this magnificent…?”

With each step, a sense of awe pressed upon her. The marble floors sparkled beneath her feet; enormous tapestries adorned the walls; sunlight poured through the exquisite stained glass.

Though she was a baroness and not entirely cut off from noble society, she had never imagined a residence of such scale and opulence. It was no wonder this family was praised as rivaling the royal house itself.

“Good morning, Baroness.”

The butler greeted her the instant she entered the ducal hall. He had already been briefed about Judith’s arrival by the doorman and spoke with polite firmness.

“I apologize, but I wasn’t aware that you had an appointment.”

Judith blinked and met his gaze.

She hadn’t assumed that simply arriving would guarantee a meeting with the duchess. The Lady of Meyus was not someone a low-ranking noble like herself could see on a whim.

Even if she had sent a letter in advance, it likely would have been ignored. Coming first thing in the morning—unannounced—was her only option.

“Even with a busy schedule, the duchess should be at the estate in the morning.”

The Duke of Meyus was away on an inspection tour of his domain, leaving an ideal opportunity for Judith to negotiate directly with the duchess.

The duke and duchess were known for their close relationship. Whatever the duchess decided, he would undoubtedly comply.

It had been the same in the original story. Upon returning from his inspection, the duchess had first proposed, “What if the maid pretends to be pregnant with Ekian’s child? That way, we can buy a few months’ time.”

“Yes, I understand that coming unannounced is impolite,” Judith said calmly, meeting the butler’s upright posture with steady confidence.

“However, I must see the duchess. It concerns the young Baron Ekian Meyus.”

The butler’s eyes flickered. His expression grew cold, and his voice dropped to a low warning.

“Baroness, the young baron’s affairs are treated with utmost secrecy within this household. This could bring great reward—or provoke immense anger.”

Invoking Ekian Meyus’ name might grant her access to the duchess, but if she brought false information—or worse, used it as a pretext—she would face severe consequences.

Judith smiled, undeterred.

“Please inform the duchess that I am aware of something from young Master Ekian’s childhood—his inability to eat pomegranates.”

The butler’s surprise was evident. After a moment, he said,

“I will show you to the parlor. You may wait there.”

Ekian had not eaten pomegranates as a child. Like many children his age, there was no great reason—he simply found them repulsive. Naturally, by his mid-teens, he ate them without issue.

It was trivial information, almost laughably insignificant, and yet so obscure that few outside his family would know.

“In the original story, the villain recalls his brother while looking at a pomegranate.”

Then Judith realized that the estate’s second son—the villain—must be here as well. He had said something like, “If only my brother had been here, this wouldn’t have happened.” Yet Ekian never appeared in the story’s end.

Even if she posed as his fake wife here for several months, Ekian would likely remain absent.

Judith was lost in thought when the sharp tap of heels reached her ears.

She lifted her gaze to find a striking, middle-aged beauty staring at her. Judith, captivated by the perfectly coiled platinum hair and intricate headpiece, snapped to attention and bowed.

“I have the honor of meeting the Lady Meyus.”

“Sit comfortably, Baron Ailan,” the duchess replied.

As they seated themselves, a swarm of maids arrived, presenting tea and delicacies. Everything was ornate and beautiful, yet the tension in the room made it hard to enjoy.

And rightly so—for this meeting could shape the course of Judith’s life. She had spent three years imagining this exact moment.

“The story about the pomegranate was… intriguing,” the duchess said in a cool voice. “But you said you came to speak with me. Proceed.”

“Yes, my lady,” Judith replied.

“I trust you understand how desperate we are regarding Ekian. Speak plainly.”

“Yes,” Judith said, placing her hands on her lap and projecting confidence.

“If you remove the bricks by the head of the bed in the young baron’s room, you will find a small hidden space. Inside are letters he wrote to his parents as a child.”

The duchess’ expression shifted immediately. She rang a bell with trembling hands.

“Have them remove the bricks at once.”

Judith waited calmly. Soon, a maid returned with a worn letter. The duchess’ hands shook as she held it.

“The villain finds this later, but it’s inconsequential. I’ll use this information for now.”

The letter contained simple, heartfelt words: gratitude to his parents, a wish for continued happiness. Ordinary, yet warm.

“If they loved each other so much… why did Ekian Meyus run away when he grew up?”

Judith could not know. She had never experienced life among a loving family. She had remained in her baronial household despite neglect, even inheriting debt. Understanding Ekian fully seemed beyond her reach.

To Judith, the Meyus family was foreign, and Ekian an unknowable man. Being here made that reality all the more vivid.

After a moment of reading, the duchess lifted her gaze and asked softly, her voice trembling with urgency,

“Baroness, how did you learn this? Have you met Ekian? Where is he?”

Her plea was palpable.

“If you allow us even one more meeting with Ekian, our house will grant you anything you desire,” she added.

Judith stared at her, amazed at the vulnerability of someone who had otherwise radiated such cold elegance.

She wondered at Ekian Meyus—how he could have received such love and yet never returned to the estate.

“I…” Judith’s voice cracked slightly as she spoke.

“I possess this information about Ekian, and more besides.”

“What? What else? Tell me!” the duchess demanded.

“I know of the plan you are contemplating,” Judith said quietly. “To temporarily prevent a death report.”

The duchess froze. Judith continued,

“I believe you will need time to investigate me. I will return in two days to discuss matters further.”

It would be neither courteous nor strategic to reveal everything at once; the duchess knew nothing of her. A simple background check would reveal her debts, and she would understand Judith’s purpose without a word.

The duchess nodded slowly.

“Then return in two days. I will keep the morning free.”

“Thank you,” Judith said, bowing politely before standing.

Whew… that was nerve-wracking. The presence there is overwhelming.

Judith staggered toward her small boarding house. It was still morning, yet the alley was already buzzing.

“Did you hear? There were an incredible number of bombs!”

“They say this alley nearly went up in flames!”

The commotion clearly stemmed from the information she had shared with the master yesterday. Judith smiled quietly to herself.

Now, unlike the original story, everyone in the alley had survived—the heroine, the extras, the staff of Grey Information Exchange.

“Thankfully, the disaster was averted.”

As she smiled, a tall young man wearing a mask approached.

“Lady Ailan.”