I Married a Sick Husband

Just as Meredith had expected, everyone was busy criticising Catarina’s actions.

 

“What on earth happened earlier? I still don’t understand the situation.”

 

“What is hard to understand about it? Princess Schwartz has once again conspired to slander Her Majesty the Empress.”

 

“At this point, I have a reasonable suspicion that what happened to Queen Partille last time was also the work of Princess Schwartz.”

 

“I thought that it was Princess Schwartz’s doing from the beginning.”

 

“Why on earth is Princess Schwartz doing all this? I really don’t understand Princess Schwartz’s logic.”

 

“At least, Her Majesty is compassionate and smart, so she is wisely responding to Princess Schwartz’s provocation.”

 

“If it were me, I would never have forgiven Princess Schwartz.”

 

“Me too. Her Majesty the Empress is truly merciful.”

 

Inversely proportional to Catarina’s declining reputation, Meredith’s reputation was soaring.

 

Everyone expressed their admiration for her, praising her intelligence and beauty.

 

For her part, she had achieved her intended goal.

 

‘But there’s still something I don’t understand.’

 

Meredith tried to loosen her narrowed eyebrows and looked at Prince Fabian standing in front of her.

 

He was all smiles, but Meredith couldn’t trust his smile.

 

After all, he was a man whose plans were still unknown.

 

“I was really taken aback earlier. I didn’t know you would show up like that.”

 

Theodore asked in a shaky voice, “When did you arrive?”

 

“It hasn’t been long, brother. But I believe I showed up at the right moment tonight.”

 

“Yes. Thanks to you, it has become clear that the cake presented by the Empress did not contain any peaches.”

 

Theodore pointed out keenly.

 

“However, I wasn’t aware that you were allergic to peaches.”

 

“It’s not a good story. There’s no need to speak about it at the moment.”

 

After answering softly, Fabian turned his gaze to Meredith.

 

Meredith flinched involuntarily as she met the man’s gaze, such a reaction frequently appeared while dealing with Fabian.

 

“This is my first time meeting Her Majesty the Empress. My apologies for being unable to attend the wedding.”

 

“It’s okay. I heard you are about to graduate, so it is understandable that you must be busy.”

 

“But isn’t this the first time you two are meeting each other?”

 

Theodore finally revealed the curiosity which he had been suppressing for a while.

 

“It doesn’t seem like it though.”

 

“Ah, actually, I had a brief meeting with Her Majesty a while ago when I went downtown.”

 

“Downtown?”

 

“Yes. A pickpocketer had stolen Her Majesty’s purse. I managed to catch him and the purse returned.”

 

Fabian finished speaking, his eyes still on Meredith.

 

“Of course, at the time, I wasn’t aware of Her Majesty’s identity.”

 

Theodore strangely did not like Fabian’s gaze.

 

It simply felt unpleasant.

 

“You went downtown? When was that?”

 

“Ah yes. That was a while ago….”

 

“I never received such a report. Did you go without the guards?”

 

“… It was a simple outing. I apologise for not bringing it to your notice.”

 

“I see. However, next time, make sure to take the royal guards with you, because you never know what might happen outside.”

 

After speaking, Theodore added on as if he had forgotten, “Even so, you don’t have to be reluctant to go out.”

 

He didn’t want to be misunderstood.

 

He said such a thing because he was worried about her safety, not because he was angry.

 

Meredith also noticed Theodore’s concealed feelings and smiled.

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

“Anyway, considering this incident… It must have been quite a while since you returned home.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty. I spent my time exploring the capital.”

 

“Instead of returning to the imperial palace and staying here.”

 

“As you know, I am a free spirit by nature.”

 

Fabian responded with a dry smile.

 

“I felt more comfortable wandering around the capital and its outskirts than living in the imperial palace.”

 

“… Are you planning on returning to college right away?”

 

“Well, I’m thinking about it.”

 

Fabian gave an ambiguous answer.

 

“Unexpectedly, I fell in love with this place.”

 

With those words, Fabian’s eyes turned to Meredith once again.

 

It was perfect timing.

 

“But since I’m about to graduate, I think it will be difficult to stay here for a long time.”

 

“Another option is to graduate and return home.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty. Anyway, congratulations on your birthday.”

 

“Thank you, Fabian.”

 

“The gift from Her Majesty the Empress was truly wonderful.”

 

“… Thank you, Your Royal Highness.”

 

“Well then, I hope you two have a good time.”

 

After saying a proper greeting, Fabian disappeared.

 

Finally, only two people were left: Meredith and Theodore.

 

Meredith immediately confessed her doubts.

 

“I’m sure that cake had peaches in it. But how is the prince still okay?”

 

“I don’t know. To be honest, I had no idea about his peach allergy until today. I’m surprised in many ways.”

 

“Anyway, I’m sure the prince helped us.”

 

It was one thing that could never be denied.

 

“If any allergy symptoms had appeared on the spot, then I would have definitely ended up in big trouble. He knew that, yet he came forward.”

 

“I know. I don’t know what his plan is.”

 

“What kind of person is His Royal Highness?”

 

Meredith asked with an unsure expression.

 

“He is Her Highness the Empress Dowager’s biological son, so of course I thought he was a political enemy of His Majesty.”

 

“….”

 

“But the atmosphere was different from when you faced Her Highness. I can’t clearly explain it, but certainly there was a difference…”

 

“… Political opponent.”

 

Theodore answered in a dry voice.

 

“He is my political opponent.”

 

“…..”

 

“So even if he helped you this time, you should better not put much meaning into it, if you are sure that you are on my side.”

 

“Of course, I am on Your Majesty’s side.”

 

“Really?”

 

Theodore asked in a voice that somehow sounded sad.

 

“Are you really on my side?”

 

With his question, he looked at Meredith blankly.

 

Meredith thought what he was asking was a self-evident statement.

 

So she was embarrassed because his question seemed to confirm such an obvious fact.

 

Meredith repeated.

 

“Of course, I am on Your Majesty’s side.”

 

“No matter what?”

 

“No matter what happens.”

 

Meredith answered confidently, nodding her head.

 

Theodore looked at her for a moment.

 

“… Okay, if you say so.”

 

However, the expression on his face as he muttered under his breath seemed somewhat unclear to Meredith.

 

It seemed as if he didn’t completely believe her answer, which made Meredith feel somewhat uncomfortable.

 

‘If you ask, you won’t be able to hear the answer you want.’

 

It was that kind of atmosphere.

 

Meredith decided to just change the subject.

 

“Anyway, I am thankful to Your Majesty today. Thanks to Your Majesty’s help, I have achieved all my goals.”

 

“I’m glad you did.”

 

“I’ll leave now. I think I need to talk to other guests.”

 

“Yes, that is right. Everyone will be looking for you a lot.”

 

“You didn’t forget what you promised me earlier, right?”

 

Meredith asked in an urging tone.

 

“Come to my room later at night.”

 

“Okay. See you later.”

 

That’s how Theodore temporarily parted with Meredith.

 

He couldn’t even guess why she was so adamant about wanting him to go to the Empress’ palace.

 

***

 

It was late, just before midnight, when Theodore arrived at the Empress’ palace.

 

His birthday was almost in full swing, so he thought she would have returned home by this time.

 

“Welcome, Imperial Sun, Your Majesty the Emperor.”

 

Theodore was immediately greeted by Yulia upon entering the palace.

 

“Is the Empress inside?”

 

“Yes. She has been waiting for you since a while ago.”

 

It was ridiculous.

 

At that one sentence, his heart strangely pounded.

 

Had it been a long time since he last heard someone was waiting for him?

 

“Your Majesty the Empress, the Emperor has arrived.”

 

With those words, the door opened, and Theodore entered.

 

Meredith smiled and welcomed him.

 

“Your Majesty, you’re here?”

 

It was somehow a little funny when he saw the same welcoming smile that always made his heart beat.

 

As expected, everything felt strange after seeing Fabian on his birthday.

 

“You came late.”

 

“How long did you wait?”

 

“About 30 minutes? Not too long.”

 

Meredith grinned and handed Theodore a well-wrapped box.

 

“Actually, I have something I want to give you.”

 

“… What is this?”

 

“It’s a birthday present.”

 

“I received one earlier.”

 

“It’s not a formal gift that needs to be given in front of others.”

 

Meredith said, smiling awkwardly.

 

“I am giving this to Your Majesty privately without any formality involved.”

 

“… A gift for me?”

 

“Yes. It’s your birthday today.”

 

Meredith nodded her head with a look of obviousness on her face.

 

“Don’t you think you should receive at least one gift like this? That’s what I thought.”

 

“…..”

 

“Hurry and open it. It’s almost midnight. You should open it before the birthday is over.”

 

With those words, Theodore unwrapped the gift box.

 

But until then, he didn’t have much expectations…

 

“….”

 

Theodore’s expression quickly hardened after looking at the contents of the box.