I Married a Sick Husband

That night, Meredith told Theodore about Duke Schwartz’s visit.

 

Surprisingly, Theodore listened to her without showing any surprise. It was a contrast to her reaction.

 

He seemed almost indifferent, Meredith couldn’t help but ask, “You’re not that surprised?”

 

“Actually, it was somewhat expected.”

 

Theodore nodded and explained, “The alliance with the Empress Dowager has been severed, but the Duke of Schwartz is quite a greedy person to accept that and live quietly.”

 

“You know… I was really surprised.”

 

Meredith continued, as if it was still shocking even when she recalled it.

 

“Kneeling before me, apologizing and swearing allegiance, it all felt like a dream.”

 

“Don’t be fooled. It’s all lies and pretence.”

 

“Of course. I’m not stupid enough to fall for that.”

 

Meredith answered briskly, as if there was nothing to worry about.

 

“If I were, I would have done it a long time ago.”

 

“……”

 

“If he had even a shred of conscience left, he wouldn’t have come to me now. It’s obvious that his intentions would be questioned.”

 

“Could it be that he can’t see that obvious fact because he is blinded by his lust for power, or because he simply thinks that you are a total idiot?”

 

Theodore muttered as if he didn’t know.

 

“Or maybe he knows everything and still tries to ignore it like a snake.”

 

“Yes. That might be true. From the Duke’s perspective, he might think that since I’m an illegitimate child, I wouldn’t ignore the solid family ties between us.”

 

So all three had a point.

 

“In any case, he probably thinks that joining us is more likely to achieve a successful result than resuming his relationship with the Empress Dowager.”

 

“Yes. That’s right.”

 

“Will the Duke really surrender evidence of him conspiring with the Empress Dowager?”

 

Meredith changed the subject slightly.

 

It was the most controversial part.

 

“Actually, I’m not sure about this part either. Because the moment he surrenders it… he’ll have to admit that he also plotted treason.”

 

“So before he hands over the evidence, he’ll ask for his own safety and a reduced sentence.”

 

“If he asks for that, do you intend to show mercy?”

 

Meredith asked with a slightly nervous expression.

 

Theodore stared at Meredith’s face and soon burst into laughter.

 

“Why should I?”

 

He had no such intention.

 

“I don’t think so, unless he really had a change of heart.”

 

“……”

 

“There’s no reason to show mercy to someone like him. Besides, once a traitor, always a traitor.”

 

“Indiscriminate mercy will eventually return to bite you.”

 

Meredith nodded in agreement.

 

“You’re right.”

 

“But that’s not the most important reason.”

 

“Then… is there a more important reason?”

 

“Have you forgotten already?”

 

Theodore asked, locking eyes with Meredith.

 

Meredith just looked at him as if she had no idea what he was talking about.

 

“Oh. It’s been so long that you’ve forgotten.”

 

Finally, he answered, not too late.

 

“Our contract.”

 

“… Ah.”

 

Only then did she remember.

 【 Two, the disposition of the Schwartz family in the future will entirely follow the Empress’s decision. The Emperor will not raise any objections and will respect the wishes of the Empress.】 

“… That’s right. Now that I think about it, there was indeed something like that.”

 

Naturally, Meredith recalled the other clauses in the contract.

 【 Lastly,  after the fall of the Schwartz family, the two will immediately seek a divorce.】 

And it seemed like it wasn’t just Meredith thinking about it.

 

Theodore’s expression suddenly sank.

 

“…..”

 

A heavy silence fell between the two for a moment.

 

“… I guess I have to hurry.”

 

The first one to break the silence was Meredith.

 

Theodore looked at Meredith as if he was wondering what she was talking about.

 

“This incident will definitely lead to the fall of the Schwartz family.”

 

Meredith spoke as if it were a prophecy.

 

“Then I must leave the palace as per the contract.”

 

“……”

 

“There is not much time left to treat Your Majesty.”

 

As she said those words, her heart strangely sank.

 

It was as if something was wrong, and she felt uncomfortable and nervous.

 

However, in contrast to this problem, Meredith smiled brightly and said.

 

“From today, I may have to sleep while holding Your Majesty’s hands.”

 

“…..”

 

“If I leave the palace… I will never come back.”

 

But Theodore did not respond even after Meredith finished speaking. It was as if he was dissatisfied with her words.

 

“… You don’t need to rush things, do you?”

 

It was much later that he brought up that question.

 

Meredith looked like she didn’t understand and questioned him, “What are you talking about?”

 

“That last clause.”

 

Theodore made the facts clear.

 

“Strictly speaking, that clause is mine.”

 

That was right. Theodore had agreed to help Meredith on the condition that they would get a divorce.

 

“But judging from your attitude now, it seems like that clause is yours.”

 

“Huh? Of course not. I said that because I was going to keep my promise to Your Majesty.”

 

“But there was no exact time limit in it.”

 

“It says ‘immediately’.”

 

“…..”

 

… Why did he have to say something like that?

 

“What a useless thing.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“It’s nothing.”

 

But, unlike someone who would say something like that, Theodore soon let out a short sigh.

 

“The contract seems too tight.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“There’s not a single loophole.”

 

“But isn’t a contract supposed to be completely precise…?”

 

“……”

 

“I learned that’s how disputes don’t arise.”

 

“… You should stop talking.”

 

“You’re not still thinking about what you said last time, are you?”

 

Meredith asked with her brows slightly narrowed.

 

“I thought you mentioned it lightly.”

 

“… You seem to forget sometimes.”

 

Theodore stared at Meredith blankly and opened his mouth.

 

“I’m the Emperor, Meredith.”

 

“……”

 

“None of the things I say are lightly spoken.”

 

At those words, Meredith bit her lower lip without realizing it.

 

‘… Remember that dream, Meredith.’

 

‘Please, don’t be presumptuous.’

 

‘Don’t even think about being presumptuous.’

 

“I meant it, what I said that time.”

 

“… I meant it, too.”

 

Meredith’s lips parted with some difficulty.

 

“I have never been untrue to Your Majesty.”

 

“…..”

 

“I will leave, Your Majesty.”

 

Meredith stated her position firmly.

 

“I would rather not talk about this any further. My thoughts then and now remain the same.”

 

“……”

 

“If the Duke of Schwartz brings evidence of treason this time, you can purge Her Highness the Empress Dowager as well, and I hope so.”

 

Meredith paused for a moment and continued.

 

“If the situation is not favourable, you should hurry and welcome someone else as the Empress.”

 

“……”

 

“A comrade who will fight together, and a strong family.”

 

“I was quite strong with you, too.”

 

Theodore confessed.

 

“I am still very strong.”

 

“……”

 

“Where can I find another comrade like you?”

 

He recalled with a faint, barely visible smile.

 

“A woman who calmly asks to be spared even when a knife is held at her throat.”

 

“……”

 

“Where can I find another woman like that?”

 

Theodore, repeating those words, seemed somehow sad, and Meredith thought for a moment that she might cry.

 

It wasn’t such a sad thing, but it was strange.

 

But that wasn’t the real problem.

 

The real problem was…

 

‘… I think you’re crazy, Meredith.’

 

In the past, now, and in the future.

 

The thought that she would be His Majesty’s only comrade- was the thought that crossed her mind for a very brief moment, perhaps the closest thing to her true feelings.

 

Meredith felt a sense of crisis, like someone who had encountered a large wild wolf right before her eyes.

 

Perhaps her greatest fears might become reality.

 

***

 

At that moment, at the Schwartz mansion.

 

“……”

 

The Duke of Schwartz was deep in thought late into the night, skipping dinner.

 

If he were to summarise his worries in one sentence, it would be this.

 

‘What should I bring you so that Your Majesty can trust me?’

 

The Emperor is not a fool.

 

He must know that he is in collusion with the Empress Dowager.

 

‘At least he must have noticed.’

 

So no matter how much he grilled Meredith, if there was no clear evidence as she said, he would not be able to catch the Emperor’s eye.

 

‘I must bring you the most useful thing. Something that only I have. Something that only I can bring you…’

 

At first glance, it may sound difficult, but surprisingly, Duke Schwartz’s worries did not last long.

 

Among the numerous nobles, the only thing that distinguished him was that he was the Emperor’s father-in-law.

 

“…..”

 

Duke Schwartz stood up with a very tense expression and started to walk somewhere.

 

Soon, his footsteps stopped at the safe.

 

He started to dial the password.

 

-Drrrrr.

 

At some point, a ticking sound was heard and the safe’s lock was released.

 

Duke Schwartz opened the safe’s door with a tense expression.

 

There was only one document inside.

 

“…..”

 

After watching it carefully, Duke Schwartz closed the safe’s door again.