I Married a Sick Husband Vol. 3 Chapter 58

Chapter 11. Peach

 

“Mother, you seem to be in a good mood today.”

 

As usual she had gone to Blair to say hello to her. This had become a part of Meredith’s morning routine. 

 

Meredith said, noticing that Blair was in a better emotional state than usual.

 

“Oh my, is it that obvious?”

 

Blair asked, smiling shyly.

 

“It’s His Majesty’s birthday. I’m excited about it.”

 

It was a completely unexpected answer.

 

Meredith was wondering if this was some kind of ruse until she heard Blair continue.

 

“Prince Fabian will also be attending. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him.”

 

“….Ah.”

 

Now she understood why Blair was in such a good mood.

 

“When did you last see His Highness the Prince?”

 

“At my birthday party last year. No matter how important academics are, it’s disappointing how he doesn’t show his face so much.”

 

Blair added, squinting.

 

“Of course, my dear makes up for a lot of my loneliness.”

 

“When the prince returns home this time, you should ask him to stay for a long time.”

 

“I want to do that too, but I think he’ll probably refuse with the excuse that graduation is just around the corner. I have no expectations.”

 

“But if he is graduating soon, then he would be returning to Valtejain soon.” 

 

“…..That’s right.”

 

At that moment, Blair slightly narrowed her eyes and quickly changed the topic.

 

“Besides, you’ve never seen Fabian, have you?”

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

“I’m sure you’ll also like him. He’s a sweet and kind kid. He looks just like me and is outstanding.”

 

“If he takes after his mother, I’m sure you do….”

 

At that time, someone entered the drawing room without making a single sound.

 

Behind Blair’s back, Catarina, who had brought the tea, was seen walking with narrow steps.

 

 “…….”

 

At that moment, Meredith knew it was time to put her long-held plan into action.

 

“But by any chance.” 

 

She opened her mouth just in time as Catarina started to pour her tea.

 

“Is His Highness the Prince also allergic to peaches?”

 

“Allergic to peaches? No, I don’t think so. Why all of a sudden?”

 

“Actually, I was planning to gift His Majesty a cake filled with peaches and strawberries at his birthday banquet.”

 

“Oh my! My mouth is already watering just by hearing that.”

 

“But I heard recently that His Majesty has developed an allergic reaction towards peaches.”

 

“Peaches? I don’t recollect hearing His Majesty being allergic to peaches.”

 

“That’s what. Even during the Empress class, there was no mention of such a condition. It seems like it developed recently.”

 

“Is it really possible to develop allergies so suddenly at such an age?”

 

“Yes. I know but I’ve heard that it’s not uncommon.”

 

“Very well, then I guess we should change the ingredients of the cake.”

 

“Yes, fortunately, I have already instructed the chef’s of my kitchen to replace the peaches with oranges. However, it’s a pressing issue as the birthday party is just around the corner..”

 

“Good idea. But I like the idea of peaches. Would you please prepare a peach cake for my birthday?”

 

“Sure. I will remember to do that, Mother.”

 

Meanwhile, Meredith glanced at Catarina.

 

‘She definitely heard the whole conversation.’

 

Only then did Catarina step down from her position. It was a slightly later departure than usual.

 

‘You took the bait well, Catarina.’

 

Meredith had to struggle hard to keep the corners of her mouth from rising unconsciously.

 

***

 

It was just as Meredith had expected.

 

As soon as Catarina returned to her room, she gave instructions to her maid.

 

“Immediately search for a servant who works in the kitchen of the Empress.”

 

The birthday party was approaching. Along with that, Catarina was becoming more and more anxious as she couldn’t think of a suitable way to take her revenge on Meredith.

 

‘It’s unbelievable that such a fantastic opportunity appeared!’

 

She felt like she had received the best gift after all the headaches she had been experiencing.

 

‘Stupid Meredith. Even in front of Her Highness the Empress Dowager, you have to be careful of what you say! You have no idea how the word will spread all over the palace.’

 

Laughing at Meredith, Catarina vowed that if she became empress, she would never speak as carelessly as Meredith.

 

‘Just wait and see. This time, I’m going to properly humiliate you in front of everyone!’

 

As a bonus, it would also help to worsen the relationship between Meredith and the Emperor.

 

As Catarina thought about what would happen in the future, she couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

 

***

 

Time passed quickly, and it was finally Theodore’s birthday.

 

‘…… Really tired.’

 

But on that memorable day, Meredith’s condition was not very good.

 

This was because she couldn’t sleep the whole night because of the final work on Theodore’s gift.

 

‘Still, I’m proud to see the finished product.’

 

Although it was made hastily over the course of a month, it still looked pretty good.

 

Diane, who was helping next to her, kept telling her that it was pretty, thus Meredith didn’t think he would be offended by receiving the gift.

 

“Pack it well, Yulia. Because it’s an important gift.”

 

“Of course, Your Majesty. Would you like to start preparing now?”

 

“I guess. That way I won’t be late for the party.”

 

The birthday party was going to be held early in the evening.

 

All the maids in the Empress’ palace came to help Meredith prepare for the banquet.

 

“I think the necklace next to it would be more suitable than this one.” 

 

“Wouldn’t it be too flashy?”

 

“What are you saying? You must be extravagant today, Your Majesty!”

 

“That’s right. You must be adorned in such a way that your beauty should make anyone who sees you to fall to their knees!”

 

It was the Emperor’s first birthday celebration since she became Empress.

 

Because it was a highly symbolic event, Meredith’s maids did their best to doll her up.

 

Thus, for several hours, Meredith was busy getting dressed.

 

“Now, that’s it, Your Majesty.”

 

While getting her makeup done, Meredith couldn’t overcome her fatigue and fell asleep.

 

Meredith woke up to the maid’s voice and slowly opened her eyelids.

 

“….WOW!.”

 

As she opened her eyes, she came face to face with her own dazzlingly beautiful image.

 

The pink dress with delicately embroidered lace and rich frills made Meredith a very lovely woman.

 

In addition, the pink diamond tiara worn on of her head was not excessive at all. Instead, it gave Meredith the dignity and authority of an Empress.

 

Meredith looked blankly at herself in the mirror and muttered.

 

“I was surprised. For a moment, I almost thought I was back to my wedding day.”

 

“That’s a compliment, right?”

 

“Of course. So beautiful.”

 

Meredith praised everyone with a touched face.

 

“Thank you everyone. Thanks to you, I don’t think I will have to bow down to anyone at the banquet hall today.”

 

“Of course. Your Majesty the Empress is the most precious woman in this empire.”

 

“Anyone who sees Her Majesty today will not be able to help but love Your Majesty. You are so beautiful!”

 

As Meredith was amicably chatting with her maids, an unexpected guest arrived to visit her

 

“Your Majesty the Empress, His Majesty the Emperor has arrived.”

 

Meredith smiled brightly and opened her mouth.

 

“Please guide him inside.”

 

After a while, the door opened and Theodore appeared.

 

“Greetings to you, the Imperial Sun, Your Majesty the……”

 

Meredith failed to finish her greeting.

 

Without even thinking about the incomplete greeting, Meredith looked at Theodore with a blank expression.

 

“…….”

 

And it was the same for Theodore.

 

Without any kind of greeting, he looked at Meredith with a stern expression.

 

‘…… Your Majesty.’

 

‘…… The Empress.’

 

The two people standing across from each other were thinking the same thing.

 

‘Were you that handsome?’

 

‘Was she that pretty?’

 

Of course, they didn’t know that they were thinking the same thing.

 

‘Of course, I knew you were good-looking from the beginning, but…’

 

‘Of course, I thought she was beautiful from the first time I saw her.’

 

Perhaps it was the aftermath of the painstaking make-up because today they looked a little different than usual.

 

Of course, in a positive sense.

 

That moment, the newness amidst the familiarity made it impossible for the two to move.

 

“Your Majesty.”

 

Yulia suddenly alerted Meredith, who had left her greeting unfinished.

 

It was only then that Meredith came to her senses and blinked her eyes.

 

…… It felt as if she had done something shameful.

 

“Greeting you, the Imperial Sun, Your Majesty the Emperor.”

 

Meredith hurriedly finished her greeting, and only then did Theodore return to his senses.

 

“…… Empress.”

 

“Your Majesty, What brought you here? Didn’t you plan to go straight to the banquet hall…?”

 

“I plan to go with the empress.”

 

“….Ah.”

 

After pausing for a moment after listening to those words, Meredith asked.

 

“Did you come by the carriage today?”

 

“Yes. I’m not feeling well today too.”

 

Theodore grinned and held out his hand to Meredith.

 

“Let’s go together.”

 

And as she looked at his outstretched hand, Meredith felt her heart pounding faster.

 

‘… Situations like this have happened before.’

 

It was like this when she attended the dinner with Blair.

 

‘But something is different. A little more so today….’

 

She was nervous, her heart was beating fast, and most of all….

 

‘… I can’t look at His Majesty in the eye.’

 

It became difficult to look straight into those eyes that she always used to look at and smile at.

 

Surprisingly… she felt embarrassed today.

 

Meredith froze and avoided his gaze like before. 

 

“Ah….”

 

Without waiting any longer, Theodore took the still hand of Meredith.

 

Meredith looked at him with a startled face at the unexpected warmth spreading through her hand.

 

“We’re going to be late.”

 

He whispered softly.

 

At the same time, he put more pressure on the hand holding onto Meredith’s.

 

“…….”

 

It occurred to Meredith that what he was holding was not her hand, but her heart.

 

‘…It’s driving me crazy….’

 

Because her heart wouldn’t be able to beat so fast if that was not the case.

 

***