I Married a Sick Husband

“Your Majesty.”

 

At the sound of her calling, Meredith slowly turned to Duchess Schwartz.

 

“Yes, madam. What’s wrong?”

 

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you for inviting me to this wonderful event.”

 

At the sudden remark, Meredith became alert.

 

‘Why are you saying that all of a sudden?’

 

However, a calm smile appeared around her mouth without showing any expression.

 

“No. I’m glad I did. It has become a pleasure for me to live in a quiet imperial palace.”

 

“In return for today’s noble invitation, I actually brought a present.”

 

“A present?”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

The Duchess of Schwartz called the maid in the drawing-room and handed her a small box.

 

At best, it was about the size of an adult male’s palms put together.

 

Meredith took the Duchess’ ‘present’ from her maid and looked puzzled.

 

“What is this?”

 

“My sincerity, Your Majesty.”

 

At those words, Meredith slowly unpacked the package, guessing what might be inside.

 

And when she opened the box, there were some baby clothes inside.

 

It wasn’t even the clothes of a grown-up baby, but it was a very small, sized piece of clothing that a newborn baby would wear.

 

Meredith asked with her brows slightly narrowed.

 

“What is this?”

 

“As you can see, it’s baby clothes.”

 

“Baby clothes.”

 

“I hope to hear good news from the imperial family as soon as possible.”

 

The Duchess of Schwartz said with a smile.

 

“I personally made it. It would be nice if you like it has been enjoyable.”

 

“……” 

 

Meredith paused for a moment before examining the clothes in the box.

 

‘There’s nothing strange about it on the outside…’

 

Moreover, baby clothes are not something you can essentially do for yourself.

 

‘Why the hell are you giving this to me?’

 

Meredith was embarrassed because she could not understand the intentions of Duchess Schwartz.

 

‘I’m sure she’s up to something.’

 

It seemed difficult to figure it out right now.

 

But once the suspicions were left behind, Meredith smiled and thanked formally.

 

“Thank you, madam. The Madam’s loyalty to the imperial family is truly exemplary.”

 

“No, Your Majesty. Everyone else probably feels the same way.”

 

After saying so, the Duchess of Schwartz sought the consent of those around her.

 

“Right?”

 

“Omo, yes. Of course.”

 

“We all have the same wish as the Duchess of Schwartz.”

 

With everyone being in a friendly atmosphere, Meredith smiled awkwardly.

 

‘…Have you changed your mind?’

 

She thought about it for a while but soon concluded that it wasn’t.

 

Because it was Duchess of Schwartz, not anyone else, who gave her such a good gift.

 

* * * 

 

Afterward, the tea party went smoothly and finally ended without any problems.

 

“Thank you very much for inviting me today, your majesty. It would be an honor if you could invite me more often.”

 

“Especially, the dessert was the best. Tell his majesty that I deeply appreciate his kindness.”

 

“I had a good time today, too. Everyone, be careful on your way.

 

After seeing all the nobles off with a friendly greeting, Meredith buried her back in a soft chair with a rather weary look.

 

Is it because she was in a noisy atmosphere?

 

She was not used to the feeling of silence all alone in this situation.

 

‘…….Oh yeah. This is not the time to be idle like this.’

 

She had to rush to the office and complete the work.

 

Tonight too, I have to sleep with the emperor holding hands.

 

There wasn’t much time left until night.

 

Meredith quickly rose and went out of the drawing-room.

 

‘What I need to deal with right now is this quarter’s budget issue…’

 

It was that moment when she was moving forward, thinking of what she had to do deal in the office.

 

“Wow, the Empress Palace is nice.”

 

A familiar voice entered her ears. It was Catarina. 

 

Meredith stopped before she knew it.

 

“Why, do you want to live here?”

 

This time it was the voice of Duchess Schwartz.

 

Meredith moved towards the voice.

 

After a while, she could see the two still looking around the empress’ palace as if they were looking around their own house.

 

Fortunately or unfortunately, there were no passers-by in the space, and there were the ones there.

 

Meredith hid behind a pillar, for the time being, concentrating on their conversation.

 

“Of course. How happy would it be to live in such a spacious palace, loved by His Majesty?”

 

“That’s what’s going to happen, Catarina. Just wait a little bit.”

 

“How long? To be honest, I can’t stand the thought that Meredith is the Empress and that she’s going to be here.”

 

Catarina was fed up.

 

“This sacred palace of the empress feels filthy! I feel like I’m being contaminated!”

 

“The dirty palace should be cleaned. What are you so sensitive about?”

 

“Nevertheless. To use a palace that vulgar illegitimate child used……”

 

Catarina frowned and shook her head.

 

“No matter how many times it is cleaned off, It can never erase the fact that bug crawled around.”

 

“If you are uncomfortable, you can change the palace after becoming the Empress. Would this be the only palace you could use?”

 

“Um, mother is right. If I do, I can change the palace. The person who will become my husband will definitely understand.”

 

It was a dumbfounding conversation.

 

Meredith barely resisted the laughter that was about to come out.

 

And at that moment, the conversation between the two entered a different phase.

 

“Oh, by the way, I didn’t expect mother to really give it to her.”

 

“It? Ah, that’s what you mean.”

 

According to the flow of the conversation, it seemed to mean the gift I had received earlier.

 

“I didn’t even plan to give it to her today. I was trying to save it and cherish it.”

 

“But why did you change your mind?”

 

“I wanted to make a fool out of her somehow.”

 

The Duchess of Schwartz replied with a frown.

 

“What a spectacle it was to pretend to be noble and smile. My eyes feel sour*. Acting like that wouldn’t change her disgusting birth.”

(t/n: 눈꼴이 시리다 means to feel sour in one’s eyes or to feel sick, hate to see or to get on one’s nerves.)

 

“That’s right. It was a terrible sight to see. How much do you think I will get if I get His Majesty’s favor!”

 

Catarina laughed and responded.

 

“Still, thanks to mother, I felt a little better at the end. Do you think she knows what she received today?”

 

“She’ll never know. How will she realize?”

 

And the words that followed froze Meredith completely on the spot.

 

“She’ll never know that I killed her pregnant mother. Like an idiot.”

 

“She will never know for the rest of her life that the clothes she received today were made by her deceased mother for her younger brother.”

 

Katarina laughed as she talked about it.

 

“What do you think she’ll do when she’ll look at the clothes? I don’t know if she’s going to rip it off because mother gave it to her.”

 

“If that happens, there won’t be another such affair. In a way, it’s the last thing her mother left behind, isn’t it?”

 

“There’s no way to know that. She thinks her mother ran away, that stupid girl.”

 

Catarina’s giggling sound continued to be heard.

 

“That girl, how much will she grieve when she finds out the truth?”

 

“I’m glad you gave it to her anyway. I kept wanting to throw it away because I felt uncomfortable and bothered.”

 

“Good job. I was annoyed every time I saw it.”

 

After responding like that, Katarina added with a scornful look.

 

“Anyway, it’s better to remove any traces of that woman, right? I can’t bear to see that vulgar blood defile the duke.”

 

“That’s why I killed that girl.”

 

The Duchess of Schwartz laughed and said.

 

“How dare she try to convince the Duke and getting pregnant again. After all, there’s nothing you can do about the vulgar blood.”

 

“I mean, Meredith, how much mercy did mother have for keeping the girl alive. Without knowing it, the thought of slaughtering father’s illegitimate child again.”

 

As Catarina comforted her mother, she grabbed her hand.

 

“You did a good job. Those things don’t change their nature. Those bugs.” 

 

“I did a good job for you. If the illegitimate child was a boy, he would have threatened your place. To not even know their place.” 

 

The Duchess of Schwartz shook her head as if she were horrified just thinking about it. 

 

“No matter what happens, we must stop such a terrible situation.” 

 

“That’s right. The baby was destined to die anyway. In anyone’s hands. 

 

Immediately, Catarina smiled with a cold look. 

 

“If my mother hadn’t killed her, I would have killed her.” 

 

“It’s all right now. You’ve gone through many difficulties because of that filthy blood, haven’t you?” 

 

The Duchess of Schwartz shrugged her shoulders as if she didn’t care anymore. 

 

Soon after, she looked at Catarina lovingly, gently covering her shoulders. 

 

“My Catarina, when you become the empress, there is nothing more for this mother to wish for.” 

 

“Mother, let’s wait a little longer. I’ll definitely make my mother happy when I become Empress.” 

 

“Even now, I’m only looking at you, Catarina. This mother will do her best to make you Empress.” 

 

Duchess Schwartz smiled pleasantly and patted Catarina on the shoulder. 

 

 “So let’s go back to the good mood. I gave the cruelest gift of the day to that stupid girl.” 

 

“Yes, mother.” 

 

Before long, the two left with a light step. 

 

“……” 

 

And only Meredith was left alone.