I Married a Sick Husband

Duchess Schwartz’s Pov

 

“But I wasn’t very good to her.”

 

“The empress? I think she must have been a very kind daughter when I saw her with the Her Highness.”

 

“You were so busy. You couldn’t have time to see me.”

 

Meredith smiled and looked at the Duchess of Schwartz.

 

“Right, madam?”

 

“Y-you mean me…?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Seeing the Duchess of Schwartz in embarrassment and bewilderment, Meredith added a word as if enjoying it.

 

“You didn’t want to see me very much.”

 

“Th-that, your majesty, has been very ill. I tried not to disturb your rest.”

 

In response to the increasingly spectacular answer, Meredith couldn’t help but laugh.

 

As she watched, the Duchess of Schwartz felt her face grow increasingly pale.

 

This situation felt very confusing and uncomfortable.

 

‘Why am I being asked such a question from someone like that?’

 

But even though she was trembling with contempt, she couldn’t behave as such towards Meredith like usual.

 

That made her even more uncomfortable.

 

‘I can’t believe I have to be nice to her!’

 

It was impossible for the Duchess of Schwartz to come to terms with.

 

“But I was desperate for my mother’s attention more than anything else.”

 

“……” 

 

“I wish you had loved me more.”

 

The atmosphere turned strange.

 

The conversation sounded as if the Duchess of Schwartz had neglected the young and ailing Meredith without giving her enough affection.

 

The Duchess of Schwartz could not find a proper answer, so she only bit her lower lip without saying a word.

 

‘That’s what you’re trying to get me into trouble!’

 

Not only Empress Dowager Blair, but in front of so many people, isn’t it obvious why they have to drag this story for a long time?

 

Then her savior appeared.

 

“I think my mother did her best to take care of your Majesty.”

 

It was her lovely biological daughter, Catarina.

 

“Your mother raised you with great care.”

 

“……” 

 

“I saw something from the side, but I didn’t know you would say that. How shocked mother must have been, she cannot say anything now.”

 

Change in pov to Meredith’s

 

Catarina kept protecting the Duchess.

 

“You must have thought you had done your best. I mean, isn’t it so, Mother?”

 

“Yes, that’s right.”

 

Without missing the opportunity, Duchess Schwartz replied quickly.

 

“I thought I took care of you really hard… I’m so sad to hear you say that.”

 

“Both of you think so.”

 

“Do you think your father, as well as us, would think so?”

 

Of course. All three of you abused me together.

 

Meredith’s lips twisted.

 

“Are you all better now, Empress?”

 

Then Blair broke in between the three of them.

 

Meredith turned her head and stared at Blair.

 

‘You must know that I am an illegitimate child.’

 

In addition, you probably know all about how I grew up being treated.

 

‘I think you’re asking me to stop here.’

 

Meredith decided to listen to Blair’s wish. 

 

I didn’t mean to do anything here anyway.

 

“Yeah. Staying in the Imperial Palace is no problem.”

 

“But the aftereffects will definitely remain in the body.”

 

While feeling sorry for her, Blair praised Meredith once again with a face of admiration.

 

“Even though she is not well, she is very eager to take care of the Emperor.”

 

Those who heard it began to praise Meredith’s benevolence and loyalty again.

 

“……”

 

And the faces of Catarina and Duchess Schwartz, who watched this scene, hardened again.

 

***

 

In the end, it would be no exaggeration to say that Blair’s tea party that day started with praises for Meredith and ended with praises.

 

“I didn’t know that your Majesty the Empress would have such a good relationship with the Empress Dowager.”

 

“I know, right. I think it’s good to see Her Highness the Empress Dowager care so much.”

 

“I told you yesterday’s dinner was also offered by Her Highness, wasn’t it?”

 

“Maybe she will be a bridge to restore the relationship between His Majesty, the Emperor, and Her Highness, the Empress Dowager.”

 

Thanks to this, everyone who attended today’s tea party had a good impression of Meredith and went home.

 

And they would have helped to make Meredith’s reputation better by spreading good stories about her at other social gatherings.

 

It was a good situation for everyone.

 

Except for one place.

 

‘How did this happen!’

 

For the Schwartz family, the situation was very unpleasant.

 

‘What the hell are you thinking, Empress Dowager? Why are you suddenly wrapped up by that illegitimate child?’

 

As originally planned, the relationship between the two was in conflict.

 

It’s not about love and trust.

 

No, at least I didn’t think she’d get along with her, even if she didn’t hate her.

 

‘It bothers me. It bothers me so much.’

 

It was a different kind of annoyance from when she found out that she had a good relationship with the emperor.

 

‘At that time, the fact that an illegitimate child who had no qualifications to be loved would dare to be loved by the emperor was not acceptable.’

 

Now, political issues were intertwined, which has been accompanied by anxiety. 

 

Of course, Meredith cannot directly harm the Schwartz family. 

 

She doesn’t have any political basis. 

 

However, maintaining a close relationship with Empress Dowager was never a good sign.

 

“Mother, you don’t look well.” 

 

Catrina asked with her forehead creased. 

 

“Is it because of what Meredith said earlier?”

 

“…..”

 

“Forget it. Nothing happened, and it went well.” 

 

“It’s more disturbing that the two are getting along better than before.” 

 

“What are you worried about? She said that she saved Empress Dowager from trouble yesterday. She was lucky to get it.”

 

“……”

 

“Don’t worry too much. It just looks good for now. Will the Empress continue to cherish that illegitimate child?”

 

“Of course it is, but…”

 

“And what harm would it do to us if she became close friends with the Empress Dowager?”

 

Catarina did not seem to have any problems with the situation.

 

“Anyway, she’s an illegitimate child with no house. Don’t worry unnecessarily. You’ll have a headache for no reason.”

 

“……Yes, I got it. Excessive worrying seems wrong.”

 

The Duchess Schwartz’s expression was not relaxed until she listened to Catarina.

 

“It seems that I have become sensitive because she dared to embarrass me at the Empress Dowager’s tea party.”

 

“Next time I’ll humiliate her, Mother, I’ll get even with her, so please relax.”

 

“I’m so proud of you.”

 

Duchess Schwartz kissed Catarina’s forehead with a loving face.

 

Relieving herself that it won’t be a big deal as her daughter said.

 

***

 

“Oh my God, how can she be so brazen?”

 

On the other hand, as she returned to the Empress’s Palace, Diane burst into anger.

 

“I can’t believe she lied without blinking.”

 

“It’s a familiar thing,”

 

“Until when are you not going to correct that lie?” 

 

“Do you think it’s better for me to clarify my birth?” 

 

“Of course, if the truth is revealed, there are some bad things about it.”

 

Diane pointed out the real problem in a slightly depressed voice.

 

“Some might despise your Majesty as an illegitimate child. It should never happen, but…”

 

“……” 

 

“But it’s hard to hate and attack those people openly because they can draw a line saying that they are family. That’s even more annoying.”

 

“Yes, Diane, You’re right. So…”

 

Then, Meredith found someone and naturally stopped talking.

 

Then she slowly approached the man she discovered.

 

“I see the sun of the empire, Your Majesty, the Emperor.” 

 

It was Theodore. 

 

“I didn’t know what to expect here.” 

 

“Same. Where are you coming from?” 

 

“From the Empress Dowager’s Palace.” 

 

Theodore’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected location.

 

Instead of explaining the situation immediately, Meredith smiled and asked. 

 

“Can I help you?”

 

“It’s okay…”

 

He tried to say it was okay.

 

Because he couldn’t walk without someone’s support in the first place.

 

Except when he was really sick, he considered it humiliating as an emperor.

 

“…but.”

 

But for some reason, at that moment, strangely, he changed his mind.

 

He felt Felix staring curiously from behind.

 

Embarrassed for no reason, he gave reasons like excuses.

 

“Strangely, I’m not feeling well today.” 

 

“Oh, really?”

 

Meredith, who took the meaningless excuse seriously, was startled.

 

“I thought you slept well because you were relaxed last night… What was the problem? Is it really bad?” 

 

“It’s not so much to worry about.”

 

Theodore, more embarrassed by her sensitive reaction, coughed loudly. 

 

“I think it’ll be okay if I just go to the palace with the support”.

 

“Yes, Your Majesty, You can have a cup of tea if you need it.” 

 

“…that’s not a bad thing,” 

 

Without hesitation, Theodore held out an arm to Meredith.