I Married a Sick Husband

Chapter 1. Dubious marriage 

Before opening the door and entering, Meredith took a deep breath.

 

‘There’s nothing to be nervous about, Meredith.’

 

It indeed was. Nothing will happen tonight anyway.

 

To add credibility to her thoughts, Meredith recalled the image of the Emperor she had seen during today’s wedding.

 

‘He looked very sick. Like he is going to die at any moment.’

 

A pale complexion and eyes sunken as if darkness had fallen.

 

Trembling hands and intermittent coughing.

 

These signs showed that the man she married today was very sick.

 

‘How would a man that sickly spend his first night properly?’

 

So tonight was going to pass very peacefully.

 

All she had to do was lie down on the same bed and sleep quietly.

 

Meredith looked like she had finally made up her mind.

 

She then opened the door herself and went inside.

 

From now on, no one could come through the door.

 

“….”

 

Meredith slowly walked into the room, not even making a sound as she walked.

 

Finally, the emperor’s bedroom appeared… 

 

“… heok.”

 

The sight before Meredith’s eyes and the situation she was in now, were in stark contrast to what she had thought.

 

Men in black masks lying down with blood everywhere.

 

Perhaps, assassins.

 

The thick, pungent smell of blood trickling.

 

Originally neat, but now a messy room.

 

But more than anything else, there was something else that shocked her most now.

 

“… Th-this.”

 

The man, covered in blood, pointed a sword at her neck.

 

“I got caught.”

 

“…..”

 

“I thought you wouldn’t come.”

 

 

It was her husband, who had a hard time even standing properly until this afternoon.

 

***

 

Three months ago.

 

“You’re getting married.”

 

When she first heard it, Meredith thought she had heard it wrong.

 

“…What?”

 

“It’s a marriage to His Majesty the Emperor. The wedding will take place in three months.”

 

“Your Grace, wait a minute…”

 

Meredith stuttered as she opened her mouth.

 

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

 

At those words, Duke Schwartz looked at Meredith with incomprehensible eyes.

 

It seemed to question why she couldn’t understand.

 

For a moment, Meredith felt like she couldn’t breathe. But soon she calmly opened her mouth.

 

“Suddenly I’m marrying into the royal family. It’s too sudden.”

 

“….”

 

“Also, Lady Katharina is not married yet, so how can I first…”

 

“Are you saying you can’t do it?”

 

“… I’m trying to say it that it’s too sudden.”

 

“Meredith, I hate saying things twice. You know that.”

 

“….”

 

“Marry the emperor in three months. Become the empress.”

 

It was a firm command.

 

“I didn’t call you to ask about your thoughts.”

 

It seemed so.

 

“I just called you to tell you that this is what will happen.”

 

“Do the Duchess and Lady Catarina know about this?”

 

“Yes. Does it matter?”

 

“… Their will is, of course, important. You know why I’m asking.”

 

Meredith resignedly accepted her father’s ridiculous notice.

 

“What do I have to prepare to marry His Majesty…”

 

“A teacher will be dispatched from the imperial palace to teach you etiquette.”

 

Duke Schwartz spoke to Meredith in a dry voice.

 

“Until then, behave yourself and wait for the wedding.”

 

“… yes.”

 

Meredith answered briefly and then left Duke Schwartz’s study.

 

But she stopped in that spot again after taking a few steps.

 

She couldn’t believe what was going on right now.

 

‘To marry His Majesty?’

 

She was disconcerted to be suddenly asked to marry, and even more so when the other person was the emperor.

 

‘Furthermore…’

 

That wasn’t the only unsettling thing.

 

‘The Duchess of Schwartz and Catarina know about this yet remain silent?’

 

Right now, that made the least sense.

 

‘It’s so suspicious.’

 

The two were people who thought that her finding a good partner and getting married was a disaster that had to be prevented at all costs.

 

‘But seeing them be so quiet…’

 

After all, it is a suspicious marriage.

 

‘No, there is no need to think about the Duchess of Schwartz and Catarina.’

 

It made no sense for the Duke of Schwartz to recommend such a good marriage partner for her.

 

‘But is there nothing suspicious about it?’

 

It’s not just anyone else, it’s a marriage to the emperor.

 

If you are very old, you may be unaware, but the new emperor had just ascended the throne.

 

No matter how much she thought about it, it was a marriage where she could not find any loopholes.

 

Meredith became confused.

 

“What?”

 

At that time, a sharp voice rang out from behind.

 

When she turned her head, there was a woman about Meredith’s age standing there with her gorgeous blonde hair flowing down.

 

Glaring at her with her fierce red eyes, the woman opened her mouth.

 

“Why are you standing here blocking the path?”

 

This woman was Catarina.

 

Catarina Schwartz.

 

The Duke of Schwartz’s eldest daughter.

 

Has a half-sister relationship with Meredith Schwartz.

 

However, Meredith did not even dare to say the word ‘half-sister’ in front of Catarina.

 

“I’m sorry, my lady.”

 

Meredith quickly moved towards the wall to get out of her way.

 

In fact, she even found the expression ‘to get out of her way’ funny.

 

Because the path was wide enough.

 

‘I guess she just didn’t want to see me in front of her.’

 

To Catarina, Meredith was not a half-sister.

 

She was like a disgusting cockroach.

 

A unique but fatal stain on her, as both of her parents were of noble descent.

 

That’s who Catarina thought she was.

 

But Catarina was not the only one who despised her.

 

That’s how Catarina’s biological mother, the Duchess of Schwartz, and even her biological father, the Duke of Schwartz, regarded Meredith.

 

After her own biological mother died, she gave up expecting her family’s affection from anyone.

 

She kept her distance and used honorific titles so as not to offend them.

 

It was as if she had become a servant.

 

In fact, she didn’t think it was that strange, since Meredith’s situation in the mansion was no different from this.

 

She clearly knew, seeing as no one questioned her speaking habits.

 

“… oh.”

 

Just as Catarina was about to pass by Meredith, she stopped her steps and looked back at her.

 

Meredith quickly lowered her head to avoid eye contact with Catarina.

 

She had met her eyes once before, and Catarina got very angry, calling her impertinent.

 

“Did you hear what father said?”

 

“What…”

 

“A sly thing. Pretending not to know.”

 

Catarina’s voice became more vicious.

 

“To marry His Majesty.”

 

“…”

 

“You should know what an honor it is. A lowly illegitimate child becoming the empress of the empire.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“What?”

 

“I also had doubts. I will become His Majesty’s empress instead of you.”

 

Meredith lifted her head and looked directly at Catarina.

 

A look of confusion was evident.

 

Meredith continued speaking, staring at Catarina.

 

“Why should I, a lowly person, go to that glorious place instead of a noble lady?”

 

“…  How do I know what the elders think?”

 

Catarina responded in a strangely perplexed voice.

 

“I’m sure father has his own thoughts.”

 

“It is the will of elders…”

 

“You just have to be happy and marry His Majesty.”

 

Catarina spoke as if warning.

 

In a sharper voice than before.

 

“Stop asking unnecessary questions.”

 

“…”

 

“I’m telling you to stay quiet. Don’t tarnish our family’s reputation.”

 

After leaving a sharp remark, Catarina continued on her way.

 

With a sunken gaze, Meredith narrowed her brows and stared at Catarina’s back.

 

“….”

 

After a while, when Catarina’s silhouette had disappeared, Meredith muttered to herself.

 

“As expected, it’s suspicious.”

 

***

 

But a few days later, something far more suspicious occurred.