I Married a Sick Husband

 

The person who was most excited about Fabian’s sudden return was the Duke of Schwartz.

 

“Her Highness, the Duke of Schwartz requests to see you.”

 

He visited Blair the morning after Meredith’s birthday banquet.

 

“Greetings to Her Highness the Empress Dowager.”

 

“Duke Schwartz.”

 

Blair welcomed the Duke of Schwartz with a somewhat tired face.

 

“I didn’t expect you to come visit me this early in the morning. What is the matter?”

 

“Of course, I came to see you on behalf of His Highness the Prince.”

 

Duke Schwartz responded politely.

 

“I was so surprised yesterday.”

 

“I was very surprised yesterday too.”

 

“Isn’t His Highness planning to travel abroad for a while?”

 

“That’s right. We all knew he was going to do so.”

 

“But why did he suddenly come to Valtejain…?”

 

Duke Schwartz carefully looked at Blair.

 

“Have you changed your mind?”

 

“I haven’t changed my mind.”

 

Blair shook her head.

 

“He changed his mind.”

 

“That means…”

 

“For now, I have decided to respect the prince’s wishes. He says he wants to stay here for a while.”

 

“Oh, I see!”

 

At Blair’s answer, Duke Schwartz’s face lit up with a color that could not be hidden.

 

‘At this point, I guess we can push ahead with the marriage between Catarina and Prince Fabian.’

 

Duke Schwartz wanted to get those two married as soon as possible.

 

Isn’t the closest relationship in the world a married couple?

 

‘If I officially become in-laws with Her Highness the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager will not abandon the Schwartz family.’

 

In a word, marriage will be the surest safety device.

 

“What is the Duke’s opinion?”

 

“I think it’s a good thing.”

 

Duke Schwartz quickly answered.

 

“Actually, I felt bad that the prince seemed to be wandering abroad for too long.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Yes. Life abroad is never easy.”

 

“But the emperor could use this opportunity to purge me and Fabian.”

 

Blair frowned and expressed concern.

 

“Fabian wants to stay here, so I gave him permission, but I’m still concerned about that.”

 

“If we see such a sign, we can just have His Highness flee abroad again. You don’t have to worry too much.”

 

“I guess so?”

 

“Yes. Rather…”

 

Duke Schwartz quietly got to the point.

 

“I hope that His Highness the Prince will welcome the Princess since he is returned home.”

 

“The princess?”

 

“Yes. The prince is now at an age where he can get married. I don’t think it’s a good idea if it’s too late.”

 

Of course, this was said under the premise that the other person was Catarina.

 

“It’s not just His Majesty who needs to give birth to a successor to strengthen his position.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

After hearing Duke Schwartz’s words, Blair looked thoughtful for a moment.

 

“Marriage…”

 

And Duke Schwartz was desperately waiting for a positive answer from Blair.

 

“Okay, marriage.”

 

The Duke of Schwartz wanted to shout his cheers at that moment.

 

However, her next words were very disappointing.

 

“But I don’t think now is the time.”

 

“Yes? Your Majesty, what do you mean…”

 

“Isn’t Young Lady Catarina at Rimorsy Monastery now?”

 

“Oh, of course, yes.”

 

Duke Schwartz hastily answered.

 

“We can bring her in right away, even today. No, I will go to Rimorsy Monastery right now.”

 

“No, no. Duke, there is no need to be in such a hurry.”

 

Blair dissuaded Duke Schwartz.

 

Duke Schwartz suddenly became more impatient with her attitude.

 

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to get the two married now.”

 

“Yes? but…”

 

“There is no sense of urgency. It’s been less than a month since Princess Schwartz went to the monastery, right?”

 

“Of course, but…”

 

“It’s better to fill a month. Wouldn’t that make it meaningful that Princess Schwartz went to the monastery?”

 

“Of course, but…”

 

“And Fabian has just returned home.”

 

Blair defeated the purpose of Duke of Schwartz’s request for audience for her own reasons.

 

“We must give the prince time to adjust to this place. Marriage is important, Duke. I don’t think anything good comes from rushing.”

 

“… I understand, Your Highness the Empress Dowager.”

 

Having said this, he couldn’t urge the marriage any further.

 

But it was no use for him to leave like this without any results.

 

“Then, when are you thinking?”

 

“I will ask Fabian about that later.”

 

Blair said in confusion.

 

“Let’s pick a suitable time and get them married, Duke. You know what I mean, right?”

 

“… Yes, Your Highness the Empress Dowager.”

 

In the end, Duke Schwartz did not receive any confirmation and had to step down.

 

‘His feet are on fire.’

 

There was no way Blair could not see through Duke Schwartz’s intentions.

 

‘How important is marriage? I can’t hastily get my son married like roasting beans in a flash.’

 

Marriage is something that can easily fail even if you are confident.

 

Moreover, Blair’s confidence in Catarina had long since disappeared.

 

‘It’s a bit difficult to have her as a daughter-in-law… a bit stupid.’

 

She couldn’t have an illegitimate child as her son’s partner, so she chose Catarina, but she didn’t know that it would be such a regrettable choice for her.

 

‘Who knew I would like the illegitimate child more?’

 

She was incomparably smarter than Catarina, and she was a good daughter-in-law since her maternal relatives did not have any influence over her.

 

If she could turn back time, Blair would choose Meredith without hesitation.

 

‘No. It’s not too late yet.’

 

Fabian seemed to like Meredith.

 

‘The child who had followed my wishes all his life became greedy for the first time. We should use that to change his thoughts about the throne.’

 

It was not entirely impossible that when Fabian became emperor, she would welcome Meredith as her empress.

 

‘Anyway, there’s still time.’

 

For now, she was planning to postpone marriage for as long as possible.

 

‘And in the meantime, I’ll have to look for another helper.’

 

The Schwartz family was already out of Blair’s mind.

 

***

 

Contrary to their concerns, after the birthday banquet, there was no contact with Prince Fabian for Meredith.

 

She almost forgot that he was back.

 

“Her Majesty, Prince Fabian requests to see you.”

 

One day, after hearing those words, Meredith realized that she had completely forgotten Fabian’s existence.

 

“His Imperial Highness?”

 

“Yes. He’s waiting in the drawing room now.”

 

Meredith went straight to the drawing room.

 

Fabian was sitting upright in front of the table, sipping tea.

 

“Ah, Your Majesty the Empress.”

 

Fabian, sensing that she entered, stood up and showed courtesy to Meredith.

 

“I See the beautiful month of the Empire. May you always be at peace.”

 

“Why are you here…?”

 

“I came to see Her Majesty the Empress in hopes of having some tea with her.”

 

While Meredith was embarrassed by this extremely personal matter, he continued speaking.

 

“I have something to tell you. Please sit down first.”

 

Meredith did just that.

 

A moment later, after Diane had poured Meredith her tea, she withdrew.

 

“….”

 

Meredith took a sip and was the first to break the silence.

 

“How is life in the imperial palace?”

 

“Thanks to His Majesty’s grace, I’m drawing safely and peacefully.”

 

“Thank goodness. Well, this is your original home.”

 

“So, Her Majesty the Empress.”

 

Fabian asked the same question.

 

“Is life in the imperial palace worth it?”

 

“Me too, it’s already been a few months.”

 

“I heard that you and my brother have a close relationship.”

 

It was a fairly personal question.

 

Meredith flinched for a moment, but then responded calmly.

 

“He is a kind person.”

 

It was a formal answer, but it was true.

 

Compared to the first time when he pushed the knife to the side of her neck, he was really gentle these days.

 

“You are kind, brother.”

 

“You said you came because you had something to tell me, right?”

 

Meredith quickly asked what was going on.

 

“Is it important?”

 

“It’s important.”

 

Fabian nodded his head, then said something unexpected.

 

“I want you to spend an hour with me every day in the future.”