I Married a Sick Husband

Even after Catarina was dragged away, the tea party continued.

 

“People don’t change, after all.”

 

“No matter what, how could she say such mean things to Her Majesty the Empress…”

 

“I really felt my teeth chatter.”

 

“I can’t even imagine how much Her Majesty the Empress must have been hurt by such abusive words.”

 

The topic of the conversation was definitely Catarina’s misdeeds that had unfolded before their eyes just a while ago.

 

Catarina’s true nature, which was exposed when they were alone, was enough to shock the noble ladies.

 

“You must have been very surprised, but I hope you can rest well for the rest of the day.”

 

“I hope those mean words won’t hurt you.”

 

“We are always on Your Majesty the Empress’s side!”

 

At the end of the tea party, everyone offered warm consolation to Meredith.

 

“….”

 

After everyone left, Meredith, who was left alone, sat there for a while without moving.

 

Yulia approached Meredith cautiously and asked, “Is there something bothering you?”

 

“… No. It’s nothing.”

 

In fact, what Catarina had told had really bothered her.

 

What infuriated Meredith was the fact that Catarina had lied in all that she had said.

 

‘Yes, that must have been why you killed my mother so mercilessly.’

 

Meredith decided to not bother with worthless nonsense anymore.

 

She smiled elegantly and got up from her seat.

 

“I should go visit His Majesty the Emperor.”

 

***

 

But before she could say anything about it, Theodore had already received the news regarding the whole situation.

 

“I heard the news.”

 

“Did it already reach you?”

 

Meredith asked in surprise.

 

“That’s quick.”

 

“Since the matter involved a noble being detained in the dungeon, it was reported immediately.”

 

“Ah…”

 

“But you didn’t get slapped this time, right?”

 

Theodore seemed very pleased with that fact.

 

“Thank goodness.”

 

“I told you that I wouldn’t get hit this time.”

 

“Still. If you got hit like last time, I think I would have been quite angry.”

 

“….”

 

At those words which clearly showed concern for herself, Meredith smiled without realising it.

 

“Thank you for worrying.”

 

“What was I worried about?”

 

Theodore quickly retorted, feeling embarrassed.

 

“I cannot watch someone on my side getting beaten up anywhere.”

 

“I have absolutely no intention of going anywhere to get beaten up.”

 

“Of course you shouldn’t. You are my Empress, of course.”

 

“….”

 

“Anyway, thank you for your hard work.”

 

Theodore gently patted Meredith on the shoulder and said, “I heard that she said some really unpleasant things.”

 

“… ah.”

 

Meredith responded nonchalantly.

 

“At first, I was really upset, but I’m trying to forget about it. It was none other than Princess Schwartz, after all.”

 

“Yes, that’s a good attitude.”

 

Theodore finally looked relieved.

 

“So what punishment have you thought of this time? Is it an exile like last time?”

 

“No, Your Majesty.”

 

Meredith smiled meaningfully.

 

“It’s a more cruel punishment.”

 

“Are you finally going to sentence her to death?”

 

“No. Maybe something even more cruel.”

 

Meredith had a punishment in mind for a long time.

 

A punishment that would fit Catarina perfectly.

 

“What is it? Just tell me.”

 

“I’m only telling Your Majesty.”

 

Meredith lifted her heel and whispered a few words into Theodore’s ear.

 

After a while, Theodore’s eyes widened in wonder at hearing Meredith’s plan.

 

“… Really? You’re going to do that?”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty. How is my plan?”

 

“Very well.”

 

A smile appeared on Theodore’s lips as if he was serious.

 

“Very satisfying. It seems much better than the death penalty.”

 

“Right? I knew you’d say that.”

 

Meredith smiled brightly.

 

“This is how justice is served.”

 

***

 

Meanwhile, the news that Catarina, who had gone to Meredith’s tea party, was detained reached Duke Schwartz.

 

“What? Is that true?”

 

“It is true.”

 

At that time, he happened to be at the palace and was shocked when he heard about the situation at the tea party.

 

‘Meredith, this again…!’

 

At least he thought Catarina wouldn’t be fooled this time!

 

The Duke of Schwartz felt his head hurting from his eldest daughter’s stupidity.

 

‘What should I do? This is going to be a big deal.’

 

Catarina had already assured Blair that nothing would go wrong.

 

‘But in the process, we must not let something like last time happen. The outcome would be worse than not doing anything…’

 

Blair’s last words echoed in his head.

 

It was like a final warning.

 

If he failed this time, there really wouldn’t be another chance left.

 

His chances of reaching the pinnacle of power would be completely gone.

 

‘… No, I can’t just sit here and give up.’

 

Duke Schwartz decided to visit Blair again.

 

‘But we still have a partnership.’

 

Despite fervently hoping that it would work out somehow, it must work.

 

***

 

“Go back.”

 

But, Blair was firm.

 

“This time, I can’t help you.”

 

“Your Highness, but…!”

 

“I clearly remember ‘warning’ you last time.”

 

Blair pointed out sharply.

 

“If something bad happens this time, it won’t be as bad as not doing anything, rather worse.”

 

“…..”

 

“It seems you took my words lightly.”

 

“Rather, my daughter fell for Meredith’s schemes…”

 

“Schemes? I heard that wasn’t even the problem.”

 

Blair snorted.

 

“It was a trap that even a three-year-old would avoid! The palace is a place where there are eyes everywhere. Duke Schwartz, did Princess Schwartz really not know that? How could she reveal her true feelings so easily because she was relieved that they were alone together?”

 

Every word was the truth, so Duke Schwartz couldn’t refute it.

 

Then, he heard something several times more shocking

 

“If Princess Schwartz is that stupid, I have no desire to have a daughter-in-law like that.”

 

“Your Majesty!”

 

The Duke of Schwartz shouted in astonishment.

 

“Are you really going to abandon the Schwartz family?”

 

“Abandon? A passing dog would laugh.”

 

Blair sneered.

 

“How many times do you think this is happening? How long do you think I’ll tolerate it?”

 

“….”

 

“If you want to stay on my side, Duke of Schwartz, abandon your daughter. I will never get involved in this matter.”

 

However, Blair had already decided to abandon the Schwartz family.

 

“… That’s ridiculous. You’ve already lost interest in our family.”

 

And the seasoned Duke of Schwartz could not have been unaware of this fact.

 

“If my daughter is punished, the reputation of the Schwartz family will fall to an irreparable level.”

 

“Hasn’t that already happened?”

 

“And if we’re not related by marriage, there’s no way to completely connect me with Her Highness the Empress Dowager.”

 

“… What do you want to say?”

 

“Please think it over again, Your Highness. If you spare me this one time, I will confine my daughter to the Schwartz Mansion and prevent her from leaving the house until she gets married.”

 

‘What if she becomes mentally ill? She is naturally wicked. How can we make her the empress of the empire?’

 

Blair muttered these words to herself instead of saying them out loud.

 

“… Let me think about it.”

 

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

 

The conversation had ended peacefully, but their relationship was already coming to an end.

 

‘I must abandon the empress dowager before she abandons me.’

 

Duke Schwartz was already thinking of stabbing Blair in the back.

 

‘I have to hurry and convince Duke

Arvid

.’

 

Meanwhile, Blair was trying to establish a new alliance.

 

***

 

In fact, Duke Schwartz had made another decision.

 

As soon as he left the Empress Dowager’s Palace, he went straight to the Empress’ Palace.

 

“I am here to see Her Majesty the Empress.”

 

Knowing that the relationship between the father and daughter was not good, Yulia was inwardly surprised.

 

“I’m sorry, your grace, but Her Majesty the Empress is not here right now.”

 

“It doesn’t matter. I’ll wait.”

 

“….”

 

It was obvious that he wanted to see Meredith because of Catarina’s issue. The man was the Duke of the Empire and even the Empress’ biological father, even so, she couldn’t let him in.

 

In the end, Yulia let Duke Schwartz wait in the reception room.

 

He waited for Meredith, who might return at any time.

 

***

 

It was an hour later when Meredith returned to the Empress’s Palace.

 

“Actually, Duke Schwartz has been waiting for you since a while ago.”

 

Meredith was taken aback by the unexpected news that she heard as soon as she returned.

 

“Duke Schwartz…?”

 

But soon, she realised why he had come to see her.

 

“It’s because of Catarina.”

 

“That’s what it seemed to be.”

 

“…..”

 

“Will you meet him?”

 

Meredith nodded after thinking for a moment.

 

“I’d like to hear what he has to say.”

 

However, if he said even the slightest nonsense, she would immediately get up.

 

Meredith headed straight to the reception room.

 

“Your Majesty, the Imperial Moon.”

 

As soon as Meredith entered the reception room, the Duke of Schwartz quickly stood up from his seat.

 

His rather polite attitude was something she could never have imagined before becoming the Empress.

 

‘In fact, even after becoming the Empress, I haven’t been treated like this.’

 

Meredith was so shocked that she almost laughed.

 

“What’s going on?”

 

As soon as she sat down, Meredith asked what the matter was.

 

The Duke of Schwartz answered as if he was upset.

 

“You’re being too harsh to your father, whom you are meeting in private for the first time in a while.”

 

“….”

 

Meredith had a lot to say back, but decided to hold back.

 

‘Why bother to confront him?’

 

It would only wear her out.

 

As Meredith remained silent as if to let him speak as much as he wanted, the embarrassed Duke of Schwartz eventually did as Meredith wished.

 

“Actually, I came to see you because I have something to tell you, Your Majesty.”

 

Meredith naturally thought that it would be about Catarina’s matter.

 

However, the words that followed were completely different from what she was expecting.

 Apologies for the delay in posting. I will post the missed ch next week along with next week's update. Thank you