I Married a Sick Husband

The morning dawned with heightened anticipation. The awaited tea party was scheduled to start at 2 p.m., thus Catarina had been very busy since early morning. She had even forgotten about what she was supposed to do as a lady-in-waiting. “Princess Schwartz is not bringing tea today?” There was no way that such a change would go unnoticed by Meredith, who had come to greet Blair in the morning. “What’s going on?” “No, nothing much.” Blair shook her head calmly. “Well, there is a tea party at the Empress Dowager’s Palace in the afternoon. It’s probably because of the preparation for that.” “You’re holding a tea party?” “Not me, but Princess Schwartz.” “The Princess is holding a tea party? And today?” “Yes. Shouldn’t she return to the society soon?” “Of course… The princess has taken a break from her social life for too long.” “Yes, so I gave her the permission to hold a tea party at the Empress Dowager’s palace.” “I see. You’re kind.” It was a pretty calm answer, but Meredith was intrigued by what Blair had said.‘A tea party…’ When she thought of Catarina’s personality, everything made sense right away. ‘She must have been so excited and busy preparing that she must have forgotten about what she was originally supposed to do as a lady-in-waiting.’ She had again begun indulging in her sweet dreams of becoming a socialite queen. ‘What should I do? Things may not turn out as well as expected.’ Meredith sipped her tea with a relaxed expression on her face.       “It is done, princess.” Catarina finally opened her eyes and looked into the mirror had handed to her by her maid. Before her eyes was a beautiful woman with dazzling blonde hair. Catarina’s eyes were filled with ecstasy as she saw her own shining beauty. “How!” ‘Why am I so pretty?’ Catarina shifted the angle of her mirror around, her face filled with emotion. “Aren’t I looking perfect today?” “You look like a fairy, or rather a goddess from the myths!” “I’m sure everyone will be so blinded by your beauty that they won’t even be able to open their mouths properly.” Catarina’s maids spouted their flattering remarks towards her. And Catarina liked it very much. “Then….since this is my first time showing my face after such a long time, how fresh will everyone feel?” No doubt the news of her spectacular return would spread throughout the capital. ‘Then the honor of my family and me can be quickly restored.’ Catarina smiled in satisfaction and stood up from her seat. “Now, everything is ready, right?” “Of course, princess. Let’s go to the living room.” “Good. I’m sure some, if not all, have arrived by now.” Catarina went straight to the Empress Dowager’s reception room. However, her maid guarding the front of her parlour did not look good. Catarina saw that and became angry. “What’s going on? What’s making you look so pale?” “Oh, princess…” “Think of how distasteful the tea shall taste after the guests see your expression? Can’t you fix it to look better?” “Well, that…” She still had a tearful face, and the maid could not continue her words. In the end, before she had time to report the situation inside, Catarina threw open the door. And… “… What’s this?” She encountered a very shocking sight. Inside, there was no one. There was only silence. “Why is there no one?” Catarina’s face became even more grim than when she had scolded her maid. “Has no one arrived yet?” Of course, there was still time left… Even so, why had not a single person arrived? Catarina’s expression hardened. “Did they all get into a carriage accident on the way here?” “It may be because it’s not time. Don’t be too hasty, princess.” “That’s right. Everyone will probably arrive in time.” In case she would get angry again, Catarina’s maids quickly gave her hope. “… I guess so?” And Catarina nodded her head without even thinking about it. Of course, it did not cross her mind that no one would come to her party. “Just sit down and wait, okay? I somehow ended up arriving first.” “It’s also nice to welcome guests leisurely.” “That’s right. Would you like me to bring you tea first?” “No, it’s okay. I won’t touch it until the guests arrive.” Catarina leisurely declined. “Well, everyone will be here soon.”       ***    Catarina’s prediction was wrong. Finally, the appointed time arrived, but no one came to Catarina’s tea party. “What on earth happened?” Catarina asked in a voice that attempted to suppress the rising anger. The maids couldn’t bear to answer and just stared at her. “Answer me! How did this happen? Did they really get into an accident while riding the carriage?” “Calm down, princess. That can’t be possible.” “What? Isn’t that possible?” Finally, the most terrifying hypothesis came out of Catarina’s mouth. “So no one came to my tea party?” “….” It was the truth. But no one could answer Catarina’s question. It was obvious that if they did that, they would get a slap in the face because Catarina would definitely fail to control her anger. “Hah, how did this happen… !” Catarina couldn’t hold back her anger, which was rising, and her body began to tremble. “Isn’t everyone crazy? How can they insult me like this? How dare they do that!” High ranking ducal princesses were not the only ones to whom Catarina had sent her invitations to. Many daughters of lower-ranking families other than the Schwartz family were also invited. But even they hadn’t come. This was clearly an act intended to antagonize the Schwartz family. “How dare those low-ranking families disrespect the Schwartz family and ME?! Everyone has lost their wits!” It was at this moment when Catarina huffed and her eyes lit up. “Oh, princess, we’re in big trouble!” One of Catarina’s maids rushed into the reception room seeming as if she would run out of breath at any moment. Catarina asked, glaring at the maid,“What’s with this commotion?” “We’re in big trouble, princess. That, that…!” “What is it? If you don’t speak straight, I will rip off your tongue!” “Well, in the empress’ palace right now…!” Her next words were enough to make Catarina fall. “A tea party is being held at the empress’ palace… All the ladies we invited are!” “What!?” The moment she heard those words, Catarina felt dizzy, as if her whole world was spinning. Her maids were so startled that they had to support Catarina as she screamed. “Princess!” “Princess, are you okay?” “Do I look fine right now!” Despite holding the back of her neck in shock, Catarina did not lose her spirit and screamed. The startled maids trembled. “How, how could this happen!” ‘MEREDITH! That wicked girl created this situation to play a trick on me.’ There was no doubt about it! Catarina, firmly convinced, clenched her fists and screamed. “I will not forgive you! I have to go to the empress’ palace right away!”       ***       At the same time, the drawing room of the Empress’ palace was filled with many people. “… A lot of people have come.” Contrary to Catarina’s misunderstanding, the situation was not at all what Meredith had intended to create. She had only found out through her musings that morning that Catarina was holding a tea party at the same time as her. “I didn’t expect so many people to come… I’m afraid I didn’t prepare enough dessert.” Usually, many people attended the tea party hosted by Meredith, which seemed to be crowded. She was the empress, so it was natural for it to happen. But today it seemed to be more crowded than the usual. “All the chefs in the Empress’ Palace as well as the Central Palace are working now, so don’t worry about running out of desserts.” “Even if we run out of desserts, what’s the point? We can enjoy just sitting around and talking to Her Majesty the Empress.” “That’s right. It’s a great honour just to be invited.” “We are so happy to be able to have a cup of tea like this.” “That’s right. Never mind that, Your Majesty. I am worried that her majesty’s beautiful skin may be damaged.” “But Your Majesty, I don’t know if you knew…” At that time, a young lady cautiously tried her luck. “Actually, Princess Schwartz also held a tea party today.” “But you all came here.” “Of course! Isn’t this a place that cannot be compared with any other?”