I Married a Sick Husband

Fabian’s request was completely unexpected, Meredith was taken aback when she heard it.

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“It is just as I said. That way, the work will be completed before it is too late.”

 

“What work?”

 

“There is not a single portrait of Her Majesty the Empress in the palace.”

 

“Oh, that… I’ve been busy with my palace duties so I’ve been putting it off…”

 

It was just an excuse.

 

The real reason why she hadn’t done it was different.

 

‘I’m not the one who’s going to stay here anyway.’

 

After the fall of the Schwartz family, she too, would leave the imperial palace in search of her freedom.

 

So she didn’t feel the need to leave behind a portrait of herself.

 

‘It’s a waste of manpower and time.’

 

But there was no way for Fabian to know the inside story.

 

“It has been customary to paint portraits of the emperor and the empress. No matter how busy you are with work, you can’t put it off any longer.”

 

“But it’s not urgent.”

 

“This is my first job as a court painter. Please spend just one hour with me every day.”

 

Fabian requested firmly.

 

“It will be completed in less than a month. Are you okay with that?”

 

“…..”

 

She had no reason to refuse.

 

***

 

That night. Central Palace, Emperor’s Bedroom.

 

“… So, I decided to sit with Prince Fabian for an hour starting tomorrow in order to have the portrait made.”

 

“….”

 

“There was absolutely no reason to refuse. Of course, I couldn’t tell him that I would leave the palace someday, so he didn’t have to waste his time on me right now.”

 

After she finished speaking, Meredith looked at Theodore.

 

Theodore was silently thinking about something with a serious expression.

 

‘Is he thinking of something else…?’

 

Slightly squinting the corners of her eyes, Meredith asked, “Your Majesty, are you sure you are listening to me?

 

“… Oh, of course. I’m listening.”

 

The problem was that he was listening too well.

 

The moment he heard Meredith’s words, an inexplicable feeling of dread enveloped Theodore’s entire body.

 

“So you will spend an hour with him every day?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“…Alone?”

 

“Well. I haven’t thought about it that far.”

 

It was an unexpected question, so Meredith was momentarily taken aback.

 

“Perhaps, I could have the maids accompany us?”

 

“Make sure you do that.”

 

Theodore strongly suggested.

 

“Because you never know what might happen.”

 

“What could happen?”

 

On the other hand, Meredith was calm.

 

“It’s just painting a portrait.”

 

“I think you forgot that the prince is my political opponent.”

 

“I wonder if His Highness the Prince will kill me with a paintbrush.”

 

Meredith smiled lowly and joked as if to cheer him up.

 

But that wasn’t what Theodore was worried about.

 

‘… It seems that Fabian has impure feelings towards the Empress.’

 

There was something about the whole matter that made him feel reluctant from the beginning since the time he expressed excessive intimacy with Meredith at his birthday party.

 

At that time, he thought he was just being sensitive… 

 

‘But, everything became clear when I saw him present Noble birth at the Empress’s birthday banquet.’

 

By common sense, it was incomprehensible for him to give such a precious gift to Meredith, whom he had met only twice.

 

‘The same goes for returning to the palace.’

 

There was no reason for Fabian to suddenly change his plans of staying abroad and returning to Valtejain.

 

‘It seems suspicious.’

 

Of course, it could also be that he was just being too sensitive.

 

‘However, a man’s intuition was more accurate than one could think.’

 

He was already convinced that his judgement was correct.

 

“Anyway, don’t worry too much. It’s only an hour. Nothing will happen.”

 

Seeing her speak so calmly, it was clear that Meredith didn’t suspect anything.

 

‘That’s true. Fabian’s plan was quite meticulous.’

 

Theodore sighed involuntarily, and Meredith looked puzzled at the sight.

 

“Why are you sighing, Your Majesty?”

 

“… Nothing.”

 

But Meredith is a smart woman.

 

‘Nothing will happen.’

 

He thought that nothing would happen.

 

He worked hard to believe it.

 

***

 

Believing meant believing.

 

“….”

 

However, being anxious was another problem.

 

“… I’m worried.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Felix asked with a look of confusion at the sudden declaration, “What do you mean, Your Majesty?”

 

“I’m worried about the Empress.”

 

Theodore answered honestly.

 

“She has decided to sit with Fabian for an hour starting today to have her portrait painted.”

 

“Oh, I’ve heard about it. But what’s wrong with that?”

 

“… Am I the only one who is worried about it?”

 

In response to Felix’s attitude being as indifferent as Meredith’s, Theodore finally turned his expression serious and asked, “Don’t you see any problems in this situation?”

 

“Painting a portrait… how is it going to be a problem?”

 

“There is no problem in itself.”

 

Theodore responded while still keeping a serious expression, “But the longer they spend time together, the closer they will naturally become.”

 

And naturally… there would be more opportunities for Fabian to make moves against him.

 

Theodore’s expression became more serious.

 

“Alas, are you afraid that Her Majesty will change her mind?”

 

“Switch sides?”

 

“Your Majesty, don’t worry too much. Her Majesty the Empress is very loyal.”

 

“…..”

 

“She is not so spineless that she would fall for His Highness the Prince, whom she only meets for an hour every day.”

 

“Of course.”

 

That was almost the only thing that reassured Theodore at the moment.

 

The Meredith he knew would never fall for Fabian’s tricks.

 

But that’s it.

 

“I guess I should visit the Empress’ Palace.”

 

“When?”

 

“Right now. Get ready.”

 

Theodore suddenly stood up, and Felix was somewhat taken aback.

 

“No, Your Majesty. Why go to the Empress’s Palace so suddenly…?”

 

“Now that I think about it, I forgot about the promise I made to the Empress.”

 

“Promise? What promise did you suddenly remember, Your Majesty ….?”

 

“I had made a promise that I would personally paint a portrait of the Empress.”

 

Of course, in reality, there was no such promise.

 

He had just made it up.

 

“I should draw alongside Fabian. Then the Empress won’t have to take time off twice.”

 

“Portrait…? Your Majesty, are you going to pick up painting once again?”

 

Felix asked with a surprised expression.

 

Theodore looked at Felix as if asking if there was any problem with that.

 

“No, there’s no problem…”

 

No. Actually, there were some problems.

 

‘… After that incident, he never picked up a paintbrush again.’

 

He didn’t expect him to suddenly change his mind.

 

While Felix was inwardly shocked and unable to say anything, Theodore asked Felix with puzzled eyes.

 

“What are you doing?”

 

“What?”

 

“We should pack the necessary tools and hurry to the Empress’ Palace.”

 

Only then did Felix realise that Theodore was really not joking.

 

“Ah yes. I will prepare it, Your Majesty.”

 

He answered hastily.

 

***

 

At the same time, the Empress’s Palace’s Drawing Room.

 

Meredith was sitting in a plush velvet armchair, wearing the dress that had been a gift from Blair for her birthday.

 

The aristocrats of Valthejain had always had portraits of themselves painted by portrait artists since they were young.

 

Catarina, of course, and the Duchess of Schwartz were no exceptions.

 

But there was no way that such an opportunity would be given to the illegitimate daughter, Meredith.

 

Having her portrait made was a completely novel experience to Meredith.

 

“What should I do?”

 

“You just have to sit there.”

 

Fabian answered with a look on his face as if saying that there was nothing difficult about it.

 

“But you might be a little bored. It’s okay to talk to other people as long as you keep your posture steady.”

 

“It’s okay. It’s worth it.”

 

Meredith was surrounded by her numerous maids, including Julia.

 

Except for Fabian, they were all comfortable people, but Meredith didn’t want to say anything out loud.

 

‘You might make a mistake or leak important information.’

 

Fabian, like Blair, was Theodore’s political enemy.

 

Meredith didn’t want to show her weakness to him as much as possible.

 

“Then do whatever you feel comfortable with.”

 

He responded as if it didn’t matter.

 

Soon, Fabian started sketching.

 

-Scritch scritch

 

In the quiet room, only the sound of the tip of the pencil rubbing against the paper resonated softly.

 

This sole noise sounded like a lullaby to Meredith, who had been sitting still, and she began to feel drowsy.

 

As it happened, they had begun the portrait work right after lunch.

 

‘I can’t sleep…’

 

Meredith strained her eyes to keep herself from falling asleep, but there were limits to everything.

 

“….”

 

Eventually, she settled and began to doze off,

 

Fabian thought about waking her but then gave up.

 

And he decided to tinker with his sketch some more until he got back on his feet.

 

Then it was time.

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