I Married a Sick Husband

After that, Meredith went to see Theodore. “… Huh?” And on the way to the central palace, Meredith was surprised to encounter an unexpected person. “… Your Highness the Empress Dowager.” It was Blair. She also seemed to be ready to go to the monastery, wearing a plain, deep violet dress. Blair smiled elegantly at Meredith. “My dear, it’s been a while.” Since the day the Duke of Schwartz was sentenced to death, Meredith had not sent Blair a morning greeting. “Yes, Your Highness the Empress Dowager. It’s been a while since I’ve greeted you. How have you been?” “….” However, as soon as she asked, Meredith belatedly realized that it was an inappropriate question. In the end, she immediately apologized. “I’m sorry.” “No, no.” Blair shook her head and looked at Meredith warmly. “What’s wrong with you? It’s okay. It’s all my fault.” “…..” “Please take care of His Majesty while I’m away, my dear.”It was quite funny to hear such words from Blair. ‘To hear such words from the mastermind who attempted to assassinate His Majesty the Emperor.’ And… ‘I’m about to leave.’ But she couldn’t just say that out loud. Meredith just smiled awkwardly and gave a formal greeting. “I hope you have a safe trip.” “I plan to pray for you and His Majesty all day when I go to the monastery. If only that could wash away my sins.” “… Thank you.” “It’s only natural for a mother.” Blair smiled like a truly loving mother as she said such words. It was almost time to leave, but Meredith still hadn’t gotten used to her pretence. In many ways, she was a formidable opponent compared to the Duke of Schwartz. ‘But I’ve dealt with that kind of person well for a long time.’ Meredith was secretly pleased. “Dear.” Blair leaned closer to Meredith and placed a hand gently on her shoulder. Since it was something Blair did often, Meredith wasn’t particularly nervous. That’s probably why what she heard afterwards was even more shocking. “I hope I followed your plan.” “…..” “Don’t forget. I care about you quite a bit. Even if I go to the monastery,my heart will not change.” “… Your Highness, what do you mean?” Meredith asked Blair in a belatedly embarrassed voice. However, Blair simply smiled vaguely and pulled away from Meredith, as if she had no intention of giving her a more detailed answer. “I believe we can continue to have a good relationship in the future.” “…..” “Take care, Meredith.” It ended with a friendly farewell, but what came before was too questionable. Meredith looked at the back of Blair, who walked past her, with a confused face. ‘… She knew.’ That she had approached her on purpose to bring down the Schwartz family, and that she had tried to cause discord between them. ‘… Why on earth did you help me?’ Meredith was genuinely curious, but at least for now, it was a story she could not hear the answer to.   ***   With a confused mind, Meredith arrived at the central palace. “I greet the Hostess/Madam of the imperial family, the Moon of the Empire.” Looking at Felix, who was politely greeting her, Meredith said something without thinking. “Soon, I won’t be able to hear that greeting.” Felix looked at Meredith and asked. “… Are you really thinking of leaving?” Felix also knew about the contract between the two. Meredith nodded. “A traitor’s bloodline as the empress. That’s not right.” “…..” “I thought you’d like it, but you’re surprisingly indifferent.” Meredith responded as if she was genuinely surprised. “Haven’t you always looked at me with displeasure?” “… That’s the first time I’ve heard that. How long are you going to keep that incident in mind?” “The shock I received back then was quite severe.” As Felix’s expression turned bewildered at those words, Meredith added as if it was a joke. “I’m joking. I didn’t know, but it’s fun to tease. I understand what happened back then.” “… I’m sorry, Your Majesty.” “Anyway, is His Majesty inside?” “… Yes.” He couldn’t bring himself to add, ‘He’s waiting.’ Just as Meredith was thinking about the end, Theodore was also prepared for it. If the Schwartz family disappeared into the back alleys of history, Meredith would come looking for him first. To dethrone her. He had revealed his true feelings to Felix, showing some impatience about the matter.  ‘I can’t imagine anyone more suitable as an empress than her, Sir Felix.’ ‘….’ ‘I don’t think I could satisfy anyone else but her.’   At those words, Felix suddenly had a thought. I wonder if this is Your Majesty’s personal feelings. But he couldn’t ask carelessly. The matter was too sensitive and uncomfortable for Theodore. Even if he had personal feelings for her, he was very careful not to touch on it first. So Felix changed his course. ‘If Your Majesty doesn’t want her to leave, why don’t you tell her frankly that she shouldn’t leave?’ ‘You know. I already told her, and she refused.’ ‘But wasn’t that all for Your Majesty’s sake?’ Felix suggested a clever idea. ‘So on the contrary, make up a reason to stay by Your Majesty’s side.’ ‘… Is there such a thing? It would be of no use to her to stay by my side and ask her to help purge the Empress Dowager.’ ‘Not for gain. A promise that hasn’t been kept yet.’ At those words, Theodore seemed to have gotten his answer. ‘So, Your Majesty, what’s left is up to you.’  Watching Meredith go to Theodore, Felix secretly cheered on his master with a tense expression.   ***   “Your Majesty, the Empress is here.” With a short notice, Meredith appeared in front of Theodore. As usual, Meredith bowed gracefully to Theodore. “Greetings to the Sun of the Empire, the Master of Vatlejain.” Despite receiving a perfect greeting, Theodore’s expression was not as good as usual. He looked a little tense, or perhaps even solemn, and met Meredith’s gaze and asked. “… What’s going on?” “I have something to tell you.” He knew, and she knew. “I request for my abdication.” “….” “As promised, I will now leave the palace.” “… Leave?” Theodore asked with a slightly trembling voice. “Where?” “Well, I think I will use my powers to open a hospital or something.” Until marriage, even with healing powers, it was impossible to escape the Schwartz mansion. This was because the Duchess of Schwartz wanted to keep Meredith in a visible place and keep an eye on her. You might wonder, ‘If she is such an eyesore, wouldn’t it be better to just leave the house?’, but the Duchess of Schwartz thought differently. She was worried that Meredith would go somewhere and say that she was of Schwartzbloodline. In that case, it would have been much more comfortable to keep her locked up in the Schwartz mansion for the rest of her life, working her like a servant, and then letting her die. The Duchess of Schwartz thought that it would be unsettling to let the seeds of the affair out. ‘But now I’m free.’ So if she used this ability carefully, she’d definitely be able to live her whole life without any trouble. “Oh, it’s a formality.” Meredith held out something as if she had almost forgotten. “Anyway, it was a contract.” It was the contract. “I brought the contract.” Theodore accepted the contract that Meredith innocently held out and stared at it blankly. “….” And after a while. -Rip! Rip! Theodore tore up the divorce contract with a blank expression. Meredith looked at Theodore and the contract that was torn, flying around in his hands, with a mixture of shock and bewilderment. … Is this man crazy? She almost let out this blasphemous exclamation in earnest. “W-what are you doing!” Meredith let out a screaming question. “If you, tear this up…” “Meredith.” At that moment, Theodore called Meredith by her name. In a rare situation where her name was called, Meredith still looked at Theodore with a round face in surprise. Finally, as if he had made up his mind, words flowed out of Theodore’s mouth. “I think I’m still sick.” “… Yes?” “So don’t leave.” When he continued, putting strength to his voice. “Stay next to me…” Suddenly, Theodore’s face distorted.