I Married a Sick Husband - Chapter 45

“Why do you call Her Highness Empress Dowager ‘Mother’?”

 

“Ah.”

 

What should she say?

 

“It’s a habit. It refers to Her Highness, the Empress Dowager.”

 

“I know at least that that is a term referring to Her Highness, Empress Dowager.”

 

“So?”

 

“Why is His Majesty’s mother, the mother of the Empress.”

 

“…..”

 

“The mother of your Majesty is the wife of the Duke.”

 

“… Well, it is so. ”

 

Meredith nodded.

 

“But that doesn’t mean that Her Highness is not my mother.”

 

“What…”

 

“But I don’t know why you’re stopping me for this. Is there any problem? ”

 

Catarina did not say a word to Meredith’s question.

 

Because there was no problem.

 

“… … There is a law in the imperial family. ”

 

It was only a while later Catarina opened her mouth and refuted.

 

“The term ‘mother’ is too casual.”

 

“Of course, I only call them like that in private. I’ll be careful in the future about what I do in front of the princess.”

 

“… Did Her Highness allow this?”

 

“Sure. Since she first saw me, she told me to call her ‘mother’.”

 

“Wh, what?”

 

“If you’re done, I’ll be leaving. I have a lot to do.”

 

Leaving Catarina standing with a shocked face, Meredith turned lightly.

 

‘It’s obvious why Catarina has come here.’

 

The status of the family has fallen to the ground, and the relationship with the others is not what it used to be.

 

‘Besides, it must be a ploy to harass me in front of my eyes.’

 

It was not difficult to guess this situation.

 

‘I just have to stick to my work like usual.’

 

Of course you have to be more careful than before…

 

Being vigilant and thorough in everything was something she had been doing since entering the Imperial Palace.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

In addition, since then, Meredith had almost no room to worry about Catarina.

 

“Your Majesty, this is the list of envoys coming from Partille.”

 

“Great job. Could you summarise and report the characteristics of the envoys?”

 

“Of course. I will report back soon.”

 

“Okay. Thank you.”

 

It was because a diplomatic delegation from the Kingdom of Partille was coming soon.

 

It was Meredith’s first serious delegation after she became an empress.

 

‘You have to do well. If I do something wrong, it will harm Your Majesty.’

 

Even though Partille was a kingdom, its geo-political location was good, and it had abundant resources and strong military power, so it was never a country to be taken lightly.

 

Even the Queen of Partille was included in this diplomatic delegation.

 

‘I don’t want to trouble His Majesty.’

 

So, she spent all day and night preparing for the delegation.

 

However, the effort seemed a bit excessive.

 

 

 

“Ah.”

 

She was on her way back to the empress’ palace after greeting Blair in the morning. Meredith spotted a familiar face and smiled.

 

“Sir Jerome.”

 

“Your Majesty the Empress.”

 

She met Jerome Bowner.

 

He came up to Meredith first and greeted.

 

“Greetings to the Moon of the Empire.”

 

“Nice to meet you here.”

 

“Where have you been?”

 

“Ah, I’m on my way back from the morning greetings at the Empress Dowager Palace.”

 

“Okay….”

 

Jerome nodded and asked.

 

“But your complexion doesn’t look good.”

 

“… Ah.”

 

Did she get caught?

 

Meredith asked with an embarrassed face.

 

“Is it quite noticeable?”

 

“What have you been doing?”

 

Jerome asked in a worried voice.

 

“You have dark eye bags as if you suffer from insomnia.”

 

“You’re really a doctor, your powers of observation are amazing.”

 

“Anyone who sees it will be able to figure it out without any difficulty.”

 

“Haha… is that so?”

 

Jerome was right.

 

Actually, she was on her way after hearing something similar from Blair.

 

Meredith confessed candidly.

 

“I haven’t been able to sleep well lately.”

 

“If you have insomnia, I can prescribe some medicine for you.”

 

“Oh, no, Sir Jerome.”

 

Meredith wholeheartedly refused.

 

“If I take Sir Jerome’s medicine, I might be in real trouble.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Actually, I’m a bit busy these days.”

 

Meredith shyly explained the situation.

 

“I also ask for your understanding… I am just immersed in my work.”

 

“Ah, is it because of the Partille delegation that’s about to arrive.”

 

“Yes. In addition, I also have to look over my original duties… so I’m busy these days.”

 

In terms of experience, it was similar to the time when she was searching through the secret bookshelf to get rid of Theodore’s curse.

 

… It meant that she was in a very serious state of overwork.

 

“Then, what Her Majesty needs is a fatigue reliever rather than a sleeping pill.”

 

“I would appreciate it if you could prescribe me one.”

 

Meredith laughed as if she was correct.

 

“I’m really desperate these days.”

 

“You didn’t tell me right away.”

 

Jerome sighed in reply.

 

“I will deliver it in person as soon as possible. But don’t push yourself too hard.”

 

“Thank you, Sir Jerome. This is enough….”

 

Meredith parted with Jerome with a thin smile.

 

In any case, she was preparing so hard.

 

To establish her authority as the empress and not to disappoint Theodore.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

And time passed quickly, and finally the Partille delegation visited Valtejain’s palace.

 

“Meet the sun and the moon of Valtejain Greetings on behalf of Partille.”

 

The person who came as the head of the delegation this time was the foreign minister of Partille, Duke Christon.

 

“It took a lot of work to come. Welcome to Valtejain.”

 

“I am very happy, Your Majesty.”

 

Duke Christon, bowing his head respectfully, continued his greeting.

 

“Also, congratulations on your marriage, albeit belatedly. The empress is truly a beautiful person.”

 

“Thank you, Lord Christon.”

 

Meredith responded with a smile.

 

“I hope that all the envoys will have a comfortable time during their stay in Valtejain.”

 

“Thanks to the two of you, Your Majesties, it certainly will be so.”

 

“Then you must be tired, so you can head to tour accommodations. See you at dinner.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

The delegation withdrew, leaving only Theodore and Meredith in the reception room.

 

Meredith asked anxiously.

 

“Would it be alright for you to come over for dinner?”

 

It was because she was concerned about his condition, which became better when the sun went down.

 

Theodore smiled as if to say not to worry.

 

“Don’t worry. It’s hard to pretend to be healthy, because the opposite is quite easy.”

 

“I’m glad then…”

 

“You did well at the last dinner with Empress Dowager.”

 

“Well, you did too.”

 

“Rather than that, I think I should ask that question.”

 

“Yes? what is that…”

 

While Meredith was puzzled, Theodore suddenly approached the hook.

 

It was when Meredith, taken aback by the sudden narrowing of the distance, was unable to move.

 

He ran his fingers gently across Meredith’s face.

 

“Your face looks very haggard.”

 

“….”

 

“You must have not slept properly for a long time. Are you okay?”

 

It was an embarrassing situation.

 

‘No, not exactly…’

 

She has been through this situation before.

 

She remembered it, not too long ago.

 

‘I think he was like this when I was slapped on the cheek by the Duchess of Schwartz…’

 

It’s a strange thing.

 

The situation doesn’t seem that different from then, but why…

 

‘Why am I so nervous…?’

 

The part where Theodore’s finger touched was burning like it was on fire.

 

‘I’ve never felt like this before.’

 

Meredith opened her mouth, involuntarily swallowing her dry saliva.

 

“That… it’s okay.”

 

The answer that she managed to come up with somehow made her feel idiotic.

 

“I was worried that I would make a mistake in front of the envoys, so I slept a little before coming here.”

 

“There is no way that chronic fatigue can be relieved by just sleeping for a short time. I know it because I’ve been through it too.”

 

“….”

 

“Get some rest before dinner.”

 

“… Yes.”

 

And even these insignificant words bothered her very much.