I Married a Sick Husband

The curtains were pulled back on both sides, and numerous young ladies were looking at Catarina with astonished faces.

 

In such a completely unexpected situation, Catarina forgot how to breathe and could only look at them.

 

“Wha-what is this..!”

Earlier, she hadn’t thought much of it because all the other walls were visible except for that one side which was covered with thick curtains.

 

Naturally, she had thought there would be a wall behind those curtains.

 

But why, out of nowhere, did a space appear?

 

“I have saved you the trouble, princess.”

 

Meredith spoke in a chilly voice.

 

“I’m sorry, everyone. I was wrong.”

 

Meredith said, looking over the curtain at the young ladies, who were as surprised as Catarina was.

 

“As you said, people don’t change so easily.”

 

***

 

So, what happened was…

 

“Princess Schwartz returned from the monastery this time?”

 

“She invited Her Majesty the Empress to the tea party next week.”

 

“Don’t believe it too much. People don’t change that easily.”

 

Meredith’s guests had already gathered in the reception room thirty minutes before Catarina had arrived.

 

“…..”

 

Meredith just listened to their conversation in silence.

 

Then someone asked Meredith.

 

“Your Highness, do you really think Princess Schwartz repented at the monastery?”

 

“… Well.”

 

Meredith carefully parted her lips.

 

“I don’t know what other people think, but I think it’s quite possible that Princess Schwartz has changed her ways.”

 

“Your Majesty the Empress is too kind.”

 

Someone voiced a negative opinion: “I absolutely don’t think so. Even if she does, it’ll probably last only for a short while. After all, people’s true nature doesn’t change that easily.”

 

“But I still want to trust Princess Schwartz before judging her with words.”

 

Meredith said, looking around with a calm expression.

 

“I guess everyone thinks Princess Schwartz hasn’t changed.”

 

“Most of us think the same.”

 

“Then let’s try it out.”

 

“How…”

 

“There is a way.”

 

Meredith smiled elegantly and looked at the young ladies to whom she had been talking to for quite some time.

 

“Your Majesty, are you saying that we can find out if Princess Schwartz’s personality has really changed?”

 

“….”

 

“Whatever it is, tell us quickly!”

 

“Yes. I wish the social world would be a little more peaceful now. Honestly, if Princess Schwartz continues to cause friction with Your Majesty…”

 

The young ladies became noisy among themselves when Meredith told them that there was a way to find out Catarina’s true feelings.

 

“Wait a minute.”

 

However, when Meredith spoke, everyone stopped talking and gathered their attention at one place.

 

“I have something to tell you.”

 

“What’s the matter, Your Majesty?”

 

“Actually, Princess Schwartz will be here soon.”

 

Everyone began whispering at the unexpected words.

 

“Did you invite Princess Schwartz to the tea party today?”

 

“As you all know, Princess Schwartz invited me to the tea party next week. She said she wanted to meet me and apologise for what had happened.”

 

“But I understand that you have already indicated that you will not attend.”

 

“Yes, as the Empress, I have to be cautious when I attend the princess’ tea party.”

 

Meredith continued.

 

“But I think it’s right to welcome back the prodigal child. If we have forgiveness and tolerance, wouldn’t Valtejain become warmer and more beautiful?”

 

“As expected, Your Majesty the Empress. You are truly kind and merciful.”

 

“However, everyone seems sceptical about Princess Schwartz’s change…”

 

Meredith made an eye contact with those around her as she spoke, “I think Princess Schwartz has fully repented her past mistakes. And I want to prove it to everyone.”

 

After finishing her words, Meredith stood up and suddenly walked towards the curtained wall.

 

-CLAP

 

At her command, the maids standing on both sides quickly pulled back the curtains.

 

In an instant, another reception room was revealed.

 

Everyone looked at the scene beyond the curtains with surprised eyes.

 

“We will hear Princess Schwartz’s sincere apology here. If you listen to the princess’s true feelings, you will surely agree that I am right.”

 

“Good idea. If Princess Schwartz finds herself alone with Her Majesty the Empress, she will feel relieved and may end up revealing her true nature.”

 

“Then we will listen quietly.”

 

“Your Majesty the Empress.”

 

At that moment, Diane approached Meredith and informed her of the news.

 

“I heard that Princess Schwartz is entering the Empress’s palace right now.”

 

The timing was perfect.

 

Meredith smiled and nodded.

 

“Then shall we go find out Princess Schwartz’s true feelings?”

 

***

 

And of course, the result was disastrous.

 

Only then did Catarina realise that she had fallen for her trickery.

 

‘You called me later than everyone else on purpose!’

 

‘To create this situation!’

 

Catarina trembled with anger.

 

‘How dare you?! How could you fool me?!’

 

Meredith couldn’t help but laugh as she looked at her expression that seemed to have been deceived.

 

‘After all, there was no trickery in this situation itself.’

 

If Catarina had been polite to her as she had originally planned, the young ladies who were listening from beyond the curtains would have seen her in a new light again.

 

Since Meredith had already shown that she trusted Catarina, it would have been a matter of time before she could regain her original reputation in society.

 

‘You kicked away the opportunity that had rolled over.’

 

But she didn’t know why she was making such a face as if she had been fooled.

 

“You… you…”

 

Catarina was so embarrassed by this situation that she asked without even being polite.

 

“What the hell are you doing? You didn’t tell me that there was anyone here!”

 

“I never said there wasn’t.”

 

Meredith pointed out.

 

“It sounds like you would have acted differently if there was someone.”

 

“….”

 

Catarina was momentarily speechless, because Meredith had guessed correctly.

 

Meredith laughed at Catarina’s appearance.

 

“The way you act towards me when we’re alone is probably your true feelings, Princess. I understand.”

 

“Shut up! Shut up!”

 

Catarina shouted at the people beyond the wall, tossing her well-groomed blonde hair violently.

 

“This is all a set-up! Meredith called me late on purpose! You shouldn’t be fooled by this woman’s hypocrisy!”

 

But no one listened to Catarina’s desperate screams.

 

Everyone just looked at Catarina with disgusted faces, saying, “Well, that’s right.”

 

Even if Catarina’s words were true, it was undeniable that she had shown her ugly true feelings in a situation where they were alone.

 

In the end, it was a result that Catarina herself could have controlled if she was more careful.

 

In addition, wasn’t the verbal abuse she gave Meredith extremely ‘vulgar’?

 

It was shocking that it came from the mouth of a noble.

 

Everyone turned their gaze away from Catarina as if they were uncomfortable with even making eye contact with her.

 

“You, you dare…!”

 

Catarina eventually lost her senses as everyone turned away.

 

She was about to rush at Meredith threateningly, sharpening her claws.

 

“I won’t let this go… Ouch!”

 

Just before she reached Meredith, soldiers suddenly appeared and grabbed Catarina from both sides to restrain her.

 

Catarina screamed and resisted at the unexpected situation.

 

“Let go of me! How dare you do this?!”

 

“Princess Schwartz, don’t make a fuss.”

 

“Meredith!”

 

Meredith stared at Catarina with dry eyes as the latter tried to run towards her, yelling at her.

 

Finally, she decided Catarina’s fate in a stern voice.

 

“You dare to insult and slander the Empress of the Empire. Hence, I will have you detained in the palace prison.”

 

“How dare you?! How dare you?! Who dares…!”

 

“Take her away.”

 

“Ack, no! Let go of me! How dare you touch me knowing who I am!”

 

Catarina was not easily dragged away.

 

The Empress ordered for them to leave but she held her ground, unwilling to take a single step off the spot.

 

But in the end, it was useless.

 

At some point, Catarina’s screams could no longer be heard.

 

Meredith turned her head toward the remaining people with a slightly tired expression.

 

“You will be the witnesses to today’s events.”

 

Everyone agreed, and only then did Meredith smile faintly.

 

***