I Married a Sick Husband

Just when Catarina opened her mouth to express that she would like to apologise before things became more troublesome, she heard some very unexpected news.

 

“Duke Schwartz has come to visit.”

 

“… what? Who has come?”

 

“Your father, the Duke of Schwartz, has come to visit.”

 

“…..”

 

“He is waiting for you in the parlor.”

 

A look of surprise flashed across Catarina’s face.

 

***

 

Indeed, it was actually her father.

 

“Catarina!”

 

Catarina went to the parlor and faced her father, the Duke of Schwartz, who welcomed her with a bright smile.

 

‘… It seems like your face has gotten more oily while I haven’t seen you.’

 

Catarina felt her anger rising at the sight.

 

And she said what she thought.

 

“It seems like my father was living a very comfortable life while I was suffering like a dog.”

 

“What do you mean?! You have no idea how quiet the spacious Schwartz Mansion has become without you!”

 

“Ha, this past month, you didn’t even come to see me even once?”

 

It was actually Catarina’s second time seeing Duke Schwartz after she arrived at the monastery.

 

The first time was when she had initially arrived at the monastery and she was told that she had to stay there for at least a month.

 

And now, it was the second time he came to see her.

 

In other words, the Duke of Schwartz had never once shown Catarina his face as she suffered and almost died from strict monasticism, ceaseless service, and poor food.

 

Catarina shot back strongly, as if she was recalling all the sadness she had been feeling.

 

“Why did you come here again? Why? Did you come to tell me that one month seems too short, so you want me to stay for a couple more months? Do you want to tell me to die here?”

 

“That can’t be right, Catarina. By doing that, I’ll only infuriate you. Why would I bring you such news?”

 

His words hinted that the Duke had some good news for her.

 

Catarina asked as she raised an eyebrow at him, “Have you come here to take me away?”

 

“Of course, Catarina.”

 

Duke Schwartz nodded his head.

 

“Now, let’s go back home. His Imperial Highness has returned to Valtejain.”

 

“… Prince Fabian?”

 

It was truly unexpected news.

 

Catarina asked with her eyes wide.

 

“Is that true, father?”

 

“Yes. He appeared again at Meredith’s birthday party.”

 

“He had originally decided to go on a trip for a while.”

 

“However, he didn’t. It looks like he changed his mind. It was so sudden that we were all shocked.”

 

Duke Schwartz shrugged his shoulders as he spoke.

 

“Anyway, isn’t that a good thing for us?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

Catarina, like the Duke of Schwartz, was in a position to hasten her marriage.

 

“Then how is the prince doing now?”

 

“Surprisingly, he is working as a portrait painter at the royal court.”

 

“Yes? For someone as noble as Prince Fabian to do such a thing…! I don’t understand!”

 

Catarina expressed her surprise with her shocked face.

 

“Prince Fabian, shouldn’t he be able to pursue his artistic activities like he wants with the strong support of the royal family?”

 

“I thought the same. But I guess the prince volunteered.”

 

“Of course, artistic people are different.”

 

But even that seemed attractive to Catarina.

 

“He is the next emperor of Valtejain and is expected to become my husband.”

 

“Yes, you should quickly become the princess.”

 

“Of course. I’m now at an age where I feel a sense of crisis.”

 

Catarina spoke in a voice that conveyed her impatience.

 

“I have to walk down the aisle of ceremony hall before I get any older.”

 

“Actually, as soon as His Highness the Prince returned, I told Her Highness the Dowager Empress that we would like to pursue the marriage.”

 

“Oh my, what did she say?”

 

“That… her response was somewhat lukewarm.”

 

“Lukewarm? Why?”

 

“The reason is that you are still in the monastery and His Highness the Prince has just returned home, so he needs some time to adjust.”

 

Duke Schwartz explained that there was no problem up to that point.

 

“But now it’s already been a month since you came here.”

 

In fact, Catarina seemed to feel like it had been almost a year.

 

She was still amazed that it was only a month.

 

“Also, wouldn’t His Highness have adapted to life at the imperial court by now?”

 

“Of course. If he had returned on Meredith’s birthday, he should have been able to adapt by now.”

 

Catarina felt that if she returned to the capital right now, she would be able to adjust to the social world right away.

 

“So am I getting married as soon as I return?”

 

“Don’t be impatient. First, I have to meet with Her Highness the Dowager Empress and make a decision.”

 

“What is the difference between deciding and not deciding? Anyway, our wedding plans have already been decided.”

 

“Still. First, we need to return and take a look at the situation.”

 

Duke Schwartz looked calm, unlike Catarina, who was very excited.

 

“It’s my opinion, but Her Highness the Dowager Empress doesn’t feel completely enthusiastic about this marriage.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“It means that she may change her daughter-in-law candidate.”

 

Duke Schwartz spoke of the worst possibility.

 

“Of course, I am merely assisting her.”

 

“Father, how could you say such a thing! How can she break a promise made so easily?”

 

“Shh, it’s a story of possibilities. Anyway, the Empress Dowager is a woman who can do anything she pleases, so your attitude, this time, is important.”

 

Duke Schwarz requested.

 

“When you return to the capital, be sure to be nice. Be quiet and calm. They shouldn’t be able to find any fault. You’re not planning on putting all your hard work for a month in vain, right?”

 

“Of course not. The time I spent here… It was truly the worst time of my life!”

 

Catarina shook her head as if it was something terrible to recall it.

 

“I will make a grand comeback, father. I’m going to take down Meredith and I’m going to be the queen of society.”

 

“Yes, daughter. Your father trusts you.”

 

Duke Schwartz had a feeling that it might just work this time.

 

***

 

Catarina immediately returned to her residence with the Duke of Schwartz.

 

She had finally returned home after spending a month in the monastery.

 

“Prepare seafood and meat dishes by recipe, and set desserts by type. Oh, and bring me a bottle of top-quality wine. Fill my bathtub with warm water, pour a whole bottle of rose oil, and prepare a silk bathrobe. After I take a bath, I’m going to wear the most expensive dress that I own.”

 

As soon as Catarina returned to the mansion, she made numerous demands.

 

I have not been able to enjoy the benefits of nobility for too long.

 

Catarina thought that her life at Rimorsy Monastery was no different than that of being stranded alone on a remote island.

 

‘No, if I was stuck alone on an island, I still wouldn’t have been forced to do that kind of work.’

 

Even thinking about that tight daily schedule made her feel disgusted.

 

‘Wow, I think I’ve seen all the bugs I’ll ever see in one month!’

 

But now that kind of life is completely over.

 

The faces of the nuns, who had tormented her like witches for a month, had long since been erased from her mind upon her return.

 

For the first time in a while, Catarina was not on a hard bed and rough blankets, but on a soft bed and an embroidered blanket sewn by a craftsman, one stitch at a time. Thus, she slept peacefully all night.

 

And as soon as the next day began, she took action.

 

***

 

“Your Majesty, I have news for you.”

 

During a short break, Meredith, who was drinking her tea, raised her head at Yulia’s words.

 

“Did something interesting happen?”

 

“It’s not interesting.”

 

Yulia shook her head regretfully.

 

“Princess Schwartz has returned from the Rimorsy Monastery.”

 

It was a really boring story.

 

“And she is said to be sending invitations to tea parties to ladies from all over the capital.”

 

“I think she wants to restore the family’s reputation with a much different image.”

 

“Yes, and…”

 

Yulia carefully held out something.

 

“She has also sent an invitation to Your Majesty the Empress.”

 

“Where is it?”

 

As if Meredith had actually expected it, she did not show the slightest sign of surprise and accepted the invitation.

 

To commemorate her return from the monastery, Catarina was going to host a tea party at the Schwartz Mansion in three weeks.

 

But there was more to Meredith’s invitation.

 

“She wants to meet me in person and apologize for what had happened.”

 

As soon as Meredith read it, she handed it back to Yulia.

 

“It is said she is a completely different person now.”

 

“People don’t change very often.”

 

If it were Catarina, it would be even harder to expect.

 

“That would be a lie.”

 

“I know. … Did you think I wouldn’t go there?”

 

Meredith muttered with a puzzled look on her face.

 

“No matter what. It’s possible to use this as a way to criticize that I can’t tolerate the welcoming of the return of the prodigal child”

 

“There is no need to worry.”

 

Yulia said, shaking her head.

 

“Her Majesty’s reputation is already at a level where others cannot carelessly overlook it.”

 

It was the result of a series of events that had occurred so far and the character that was revealed later.

 

“The way I see it, it’s much more beneficial to not go, than to voluntarily enter a useless trap. Also, as the venue is that place… You could be going for no reason and coming back feeling upset.”

 

“Yulia is right.”

 

Meredith also didn’t want to go back to the Schwartz mansion.

 

“More than anything, it is not in line with the law for the Empress to attend a tea party thrown by a mere princess.”

 

“Yes, fundamentally it is like that.”

 

“But I don’t want to seem too cold-hearted either. So…”

 

Meredith concluded her sentence by elegantly pulling up the corners of her mouth.

 

“Yulia, please send my reply saying that instead of going to the Schwartz Mansion, she will be invited to a tea party that is to be held at the Empress’ Palace in two weeks.”

 

***