I Married a Sick Husband

Chapter 17: Ruin 

Last night’s conversation was wrapped up vaguely.

 

Anyway, it wasn’t something that was immediately in front of her, so she still had some time to ponder over it.

 

After all, it could happen soon in the future.

 

‘Is there not that much talent in the empire?’

 

Meredith couldn’t understand Theodore’s attitude at all.

 

‘I don’t understand why you keep insisting on me. If a young lady, smarter and more educated than me, were to be searched for, there would be many.’

 

Then it must be because of sincerity.

 

‘It’s annoying to bring in new people. It takes a lot of work.’

 

Meredith had been thinking like that from the beginning.

 

‘It’s not that I can look for His Majesty’s new empress myself…’

 

It wasn’t that there was no excuse because Prince Fabian was still single.

 

‘… Should I really look into it myself?’

 

Meredith narrowed her eyes and glanced at Theodore.

 

Theodore was silent today, concentrating only on the painting.

 

Of course, he was not the type to talk much, but he seemed even more reserved today.

 

“Your Majesty, your gaze is too far to the side.”

 

At that moment, Fabian warned her, and Meredith hurriedly tilted her head back to her original position from facing Theodore.

 

“Ah… I’m sorry, Your Highness.”

 

“You see me often, but I guess you miss me too much.”

 

“… Yes?”

 

“Your Majesty the Emperor.”

 

At those words, Theodore looked at Fabian.

 

Fabian glanced at Theodore and spoke to Meredith.

 

“Because you keep looking at my brother.”

 

“… Ah.”

 

Meredith felt embarrassed and quickly answered.

 

“Actually, I was thinking about the conversation we had yesterday.”

 

“If it’s about what we talked about yesterday…”

 

“That’s…”

 

“You’re talking about Princess Schwartz.”

 

“Ah… yes, that’s right.”

 

That was indeed the main story.

 

It wasn’t a complete lie, so Meredith nodded in surprise.

 

“I heard that the princess verbally abused you. You almost got slandered. You must be very hurt.”

 

Fabian said with a pitiful face.

 

“I heard that when everyone was sceptical about Princess Schwartz’s change, only Her Majesty the Empress believed in her.”

 

“… Oh. Yes. That’s right.”

 

“She should be severely punished for daring to insult and slander Her Majesty the Empress of the Empire, brother.”

 

“Of course, Fabian.”

 

Theodore responded to him as if it were obvious.

 

“This time, there is no need for a trial. I intend to hand down the sentence right away.”

 

No one opposed her punishment now.

 

Not even her biological father.

 

“There are many witnesses, so there is no need to verify the facts. There is no need to make things difficult.”

 

“What kind of punishment are you thinking of?”

 

“Well? Something like the death penalty?”

 

“Like the death penalty?”

 

What punishment could be more severe than that?

 

“If we’re being merciful, exile would be fine.”

 

Meredith was dumbfounded.

 

“Neither of the punishments I mentioned yesterday were like that.”

 

“It’s no fun to reveal ‘that’ in advance.”

 

The two exchanged glances.

 

“…..”

 

Fabian, who had been staring blankly at the scene, opened his mouth.

 

“It seems like you two are definitely on good terms.”

 

At those words, both Meredith and Theodore looked at Fabian with faces that seemed to wonder what he meant.

 

“It seems like you can communicate just with your eyes. It really does feel like you’re a married couple.”

 

“Isn’t that something that everyone can do without difficulty?”

 

“Of course not. It’s impossible without a very high level of relationship and intimacy.”

 

Then Fabian locked eyes with Meredith.

 

“Would you like to experiment?”

 

“No, that’s not necessary.”

 

It was clearly a question addressed to me, but Theodore answered too quickly.

 

Meredith looked at Theodore with a bewildered face.

 

“Why bother experimenting? You have a mouth, so just talk.”

 

“But you two spoke with your eyes in front of me. I felt a little left out.”

 

“It’s all the same. You’re being/feeling sensitive, Fabian.”

 

Theodore snorted.

 

“So it wouldn’t be bad to get married soon. Then you’ll have someone to communicate with your eyes like this.”

 

“I’ve told you many times, but I already have someone in mind.”

 

Meredith flinched at those words.

 

It was because she remembered what Theodore had said to her in the past.

 

‘I think the prince has dark intentions toward you.’

 

‘… No way.’

 

Meredith still didn’t agree with those words, but she needed to confirm them.

 

“Who is it?”

 

As Meredith asked quietly, Fabian stared at her.

 

His gaze seemed to say that it was definitely her, and Meredith’s heart sank for a moment.

 

‘… Is what His Majesty said really true?’

 

Meredith waited nervously for Fabian’s answer.

 

“It’s a secret.”

 

It was a very disappointing answer.

 

But Meredith didn’t give up easily.

 

“Why, would it be rude to ask?”

 

“If I tell you.”

 

Fabian asked, still making eye contact with Meredith.

 

“Can you handle it?”

 

“…..”

 

Is it an answer I can’t handle…?

 

‘… Is it really me?’

 

The belief that she had held onto so firmly was shaking dangerously.

 

It was when Meredith was seriously thinking about how to respond.

 

“Hahaha.”

 

Suddenly, Fabian burst into refreshing laughter.

 

Meredith stared at him with wide eyes, her face bewildered.

 

“I’m joking, Your Majesty. Your face was really serious just now.”

 

“No, so… is that an answer that I can’t handle?”

 

“No. It’s not like that. I was just embarrassed.”

 

“Anyway, there is someone like that.”

 

Meredith muttered in a bewildered voice.

 

“That’s too bad.”

 

“Why?”

 

“If you didn’t have one, I thought I’d look for someone. A ‘good person’.”

 

Although she was talking to Fabian, Meredith’s gaze once again turned towards Theodore.

 

‘… Good person? Are you talking to me right now?’

 

Theodore seemed to be quick to notice this kind of thing.

 

“It’s not easy to arrange things.”

 

He finally opened his mouth.

 

“You have to ask the other person what they would like first. That’s polite.”

 

“That’s why I was going to ask you now, but it won’t work. Too bad.”

 

“Yeah. I’m not really into arrangements either.”

 

Theodore quickly replied.

 

“Anyway, in this small social circle, all the young ladies who are worth knowing are already known.”

 

“No matter how small the circle is, you can’t know everything in detail.”

 

“Do you really have to know everything in detail? You can tell by looking at them cursorily.”

 

“But why are you reacting so sensitively, brother?”

 

Fabian, who had been listening to the two people’s argument, cautiously intervened.

 

“You probably won’t be getting into an arranged marriage anyway.”

 

“…..”

 

“Isn’t that right?”

 

“No, that’s right.”

 

Theodore answered as if he had momentarily forgotten that fact.

 

“You’re talking nonsense. How could I get an arranged marriage?”

 

“……”

 

“I’m already married.”

 

You’re going to get a divorce soon.

 

Meredith had to pull up the corners of her mouth to hide her bewildered expression.

 

“Once you get married, you have to live well until the end. Of course.”

 

“If you have different values ​​or different lifestyles, you can get a divorce.”

 

“So, if our values ​​and lifestyles are different, are you thinking of divorcing me?”

 

… You’re asking that here and now?

 

Meredith looked at Theodore with her mouth wide open, then at Fabian.

 

‘… Are you aiming for that?’

 

Meredith opened her mouth with a trembling laugh.

 

“I wouldn’t divorce Your Majesty for that reason, would I?”

 

… What if we divorced because of the contract?

 

It was when Meredith swallowed the words she couldn’t bring herself to say.

 

“Your Majesty.”

 

Yulia, who was beside Meredith, whispered something softly in her ear.

 

“……”

 

Meredith, who had been thinking with a blank expression for a moment, opened her mouth.

 

“I think it would be best to call it a day.”

 

“Is there some work? There’s still 15 minutes left.”

 

“It’s not work. I’m suddenly so sleepy. It’s hard to hold back any more yawn/sleep.”

 

“…..”

 

“I hope you understand, Your Majesty.”

 

If she stayed, she felt like things would get even more awkward.

 

‘I can’t reveal my true feelings in front of Prince Fabian.’

 

But that wasn’t the main reason.

 

After Fabian left, Meredith spoke to Theodore, who was left alone with her.

 

“He has arrived.”

 

The subject was omitted, but the meaning was clear.

 

Theodore nodded and gave her a look that seemed to tell her to hurry up and go.

 

***

 

Meredith’s feet led her to the reception room.

 

“Her Majesty the Empress is here.”

 

As she entered, a familiar figure was waiting for her without laying a hand on the warm tea.

 

Meredith approached Duke Schwartz with a slight tension on her chin.

 

Duke Schwartz also noticed Meredith and quickly stood up from his seat.

 

“Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress, the great moon of the empire.”

 

Duke Schwartz gave an exaggerated greeting, just like last time.

 

Meredith still couldn’t get used to his 180-degree change in attitude.

 

“… Please sit.”

 

Meredith sat down across from the Duke of Schwartz, and after a while, Diane brought her tea.

 

Carefully cupping the teacup with her palm, Meredith took a sip of tea.

 

“… I didn’t think you’d arrive so early.”

 

“I didn’t think it would be a good idea to drag it out.”

 

“So, did you bring it?”

 

“Just take a look.”

 

Then the Duke of Schwartz placed a piece of paper on the table and immediately pushed it towards Meredith.

 

“… This.”

 

Before she could properly look at the contents of the paper the Duke of Schwartz handed her, Meredith let out a groan of embarrassment.