NOVEL ONLINE FREE Vol. 3 Chapter 59
(Theodore’s POV)
“Your Majesty, is it alright if I sleep at the Empress’ Palace tonight?”
They were riding a carriage on the way to the banquet hall.
Theodore looked at her as if wondering why he heard Meredith say something so unexpected.
“I’m too tired today.”
Meredith answered in a low voice.
“I think it will be very difficult for me to get to the central palace.”
“Did you work all night?”
Theodore was aware that Meredith had stayed up all night last night because of palace work.
“The banquet will go on until late night. So, let’s take it easy today.”
“If I take it easy tonight, it will be harder for me tomorrow. You know.”
“That’s right.”
Theodore nodded and then expressed a different opinion.
“Or we can just skip the idea of sleeping together tonight too. Anyways, it’s okay these days.”
“Yes? No!”
Meredith:
‘Wait a minute, I wasn’t expecting things to unfold this way.’
Meredith:
‘If we did it this way, then I can’t find a proper opportunity to present to you the gift I worked so hard to make!’
Embarrassed, Meredith hurriedly spoke up.
“That can’t be possible. We haven’t been able to sleep together for two days now.”
“Now I can survive the daytime quite a bit. And it seems like my condition is improving too quickly, so I need to slow it down a bit.”
“But…”
“Besides, your health comes first. Don’t push yourself too hard.”
“I’m fine, Your Majesty.”
“It’s for my sake.”
Theodore said, deliberately adding strength to his voice.
“If your body is not in good condition, then the quality of life force coming to me will not be of good quality.”
Hearing those words, Meredith realized that it was impossible to persuade Theodore any further.
Meredith, ‘If I had known that it would turn out like this, then I would have just gone to the central palace with the present…’
She wanted to give him a perfect surprise gift, she had already thought about it but it ended up like this.
Meredith, ‘Isn’t there any better way?’
Meredith, who was worried, soon found a good reason.
“But if His Majesty shares a private room without the Empress on an auspicious day like the Emperor’s Birthday, there will definitely be talk about it.”
“It’s just a tiring day. There won’t be any problems arising.”
“No, I still don’t like it. I’m worried that there will be rumors of discord for no reason.”
Meredith said firmly.
“I don’t like seeing anyone talking and speculating about our relationship.”
“….”
“So, please come to the Empress’ Palace later. “
Meredith said, making eye contact with Theodore.
“Let’s sleep together. Okay?”
‘… How could someone say such incredible words so casually?’
‘… Are you that bold, or do you not see me as a man at all?’
Theodore felt somewhat shaken, but if he was asked if he didnt like the current situation then…
‘Not really.’
Theodore cleared his throat loudly and then nodded his head.
Meredith’s expression quickly brightened at the sight.
“You promise? I guess we’ll sleep together at the Empress’ Palace tonight?”
“… Okay, so be quiet.”
Even though no one was listening, He suddenly felt embarrassed.
Meredith grinned and covered her mouth with her fingertips.
‘… It’s needlessly cute.’
Theodore’s ears turned red as he watched this without her noticing.
***
A carriage stopped in front of the banquet hall.
Everyone’s eyes were focused on the carriage that had just arrived.
There were only two people who could dare to arrive by carriage.
“I will support you, Your Majesty. Please get off carefully.”
The Empress.
“Thank you, Empress.”
And the Emperor.
Theodore got out of the carriage with great difficulty, just as he had planned.
And then, supported by Meredith, he entered the banquet hall.
When the two main characters of the night’s celebration appeared, everyone in the banquet hall saw them and started whispering.
“Did the two of them come together just now?”
“Just as I heard, they really do get along well.”
“If that’s the case, then a crown prince will be born soon.”
“Oh my, it’s still early. Is it even possible when His Majesty is so sick?”
“You never know. I heard the two often spend the nights together.”
“I don’t know. They said they would just hold hands and sleep.”
There was no way that these two people wouldn’t have heard such gossip about themselves.
Meredith smiled and opened her mouth.
“The rumors are spreading well.”
“You don’t like it?”
“That can’t be. It’s a good thing for me.”
Meredith answered honestly.
“An illegitimate daughter being the Empress is likely to lose power quickly if she is not favoured by His Majesty.”
“So do we have to stay together all night long?”
“Only if His Majesty doesn’t mind.”
“I don’t mind. Because that way I won’t have to deal with the annoying nobles all by myself.”
Theodore asked, shrugging his shoulders.
“If I’m with you, won’t fewer come to us?”
“I’m sure there are people who would still approach us to win the favor of both of us.”
“Because we can still respond together. It will be much easier.”
“Ah, here comes the first one.”
When Theodore turned his head towards what Meredith said, he saw Blair coming their way.
Theodore said, shaking his head.
“Thus, we get a strong enemy right at the start.”
“Your Majesty, you will feel at ease if you finish the difficult task first.”
Meredith smiled brightly and welcomed the Empress Dowager.
“Mother.”
“Baby, you look so beautiful today.”
Blair exclaimed and grabbed Meredith’s hand.
“Of course, you’re always beautiful, but today, especially so. Did you always look like a goddess who descended from the sky? You look absolutely lovely.”
“I’m embarrassed. Mother also looks beautiful.”
“Compared to your beauty, I’m far behind.”
After exchanging a brief greeting with Meredith, Blair turned her gaze to Theodore.
“Your Majesty, congratulations on your birthday.”
“Thank you, Your Highness, the Empress Dowager.”
“Fabian is here today. Have you met him?”
“Not yet. We just arrived some time ago.”
“Oh, I see.”
Blair responded with regret.
“The brothers must be reunited soon. Maybe he hasn’t arrived yet, so you haven’t seen him.”
“The banquet hall is small, so we will meet soon. I don’t know how Fabian is doing.”
“He is doing well. Please meet in person and ask for detailed information. He wanted to see Your Majesty a lot.”
“….”
“How is your health?”
“Not very good.”
With those words, Theodore leaned closer to Meredith.
Meredith accepted Theodore in a familiar manner and chimed in.
“I heard His Majesty had a bad headache last night and didn’t sleep well. I am worried now because His Majesty’s health is not improving at all.”
“Oh my.”
Blair clicked her tongue as if she felt sorry.
“You should get better quickly. This illness of unknown origin has been tormenting Your Majesty for too long.”
“Well, I will get better someday.”
Watching Theodore speak indifferently as if it were someone else’s business made Blair grin.
“Of course. I will do my best to pray for your Majesty’s health to improve soon.”
“As expected, Her Highness the Empress Dowager is the only one who thinks of me.”
Meredith thought Theodore’s last words were a bit excessive.
Even Blair wouldn’t believe that.
Feeling embarrassed for no reason, Meredith just laughed.
“Then I hope you have a nice banquet, Mother.”
“I believe you would like to spend some quality time with His Majesty.”
Finally, the most powerful enemy disappeared.
After the Empress Dowager went away, Meredith took a deep breath and opened her mouth.
“What you said earlier was too pretentious. I was so embarrassed.”
“It seemed a bit like that to me. I regretted having it slipping out.”
“More than that, I really don’t see Prince Fabian. Is there a problem?”
“I like that kid, but I need to focus more on other people today.”
“… Ah.”
At Theodore’s words, Meredith looked around for a moment.
Eventually, she found the person she was looking for and she smiled.
“There you are, Princess Schwartz.”
Catarina was surrounded by her rich feathers and sparkling jewels.
She definitely looked gorgeous, but Meredith couldn’t help but think it was a bit too much.
After what happened at her last tea party, Catarina’s reputation had been ruined.