I Married a Sick Husband

Chapter 14. Noble birth 

The two arrived at the banquet hall.

 

“Your Majesty, congratulations on your birthday!”

 

“You look so beautiful today. It feels like I’m back on your wedding day!”

 

“I was so amazed by your outstanding beauty even back then. I think you became more beautiful after getting married.”

 

“Is it because you received so much love from His Majesty the Emperor?”

 

“The sight of you two appearing together today was like a painting.”

 

People quickly gathered around Meredith and congratulated her on her birthday with compliments.

 

“Thank you all for your congratulations.”

 

And this situation… It felt very awkward and unfamiliar.

 

It was the first time so many people congratulated her on her birthday.

 

‘Of course, since I have the status of empress, it may not be sincere.’

 

Regardless of its sincerity, it was certainly pleasant to receive so much congratulations.

 

Specifically, it went beyond making her feel better and even made her cry.

 

For over 20 years, no one other than her mother and Diane congratulated her on her birth.

 

She did not attach much meaning to her birthday, thinking that it was always an unhappy or unblessed life.

 

So, Meredith even felt grateful for this situation.

 

Then, someone tapped Meredith on the shoulder.

 

“Ah…”

 

Meredith reflexively turned around and saw an unexpected face close to her face that startled her.

 

“Your Majesty.”

 

“Are you having a good time?”

 

“When did you end up here…” 

 

Meredith said in a dazed voice.

 

“I didn’t see you until a while ago, so I wondered where you had gone.”

 

“… ah.”

 

Theodore laughed awkwardly.

 

“I had something to check for a moment. Rather, now is the time to receive a gift.”

 

“Oh, for me?”

 

“Then. of course. Today’s protagonist is you.”

 

Theodore took Meredith’s hand with those words.

 

Meredith was as startled as usual, but she found Theodore’s smile so sweet when he looked at her.

 

Even though she was awkward, she lifted the corners of her mouth and laughed together.

 

Soon, the two moved to the stage together.

 

“Thank you everyone for attending the Empress’s birthday banquet today.”

 

Theodore opened his mouth with a unique voice.

 

“To wish the Empress good health and celebrate her birth, I and Her Royal Highness have prepared a special gift.”

 

“Your Majesty, please give it first.”

 

“No, Your Highness the Empress Dowager. Please give it to her first.”

 

“But how dare I… before Your Majesty?” 

 

“No. It’s really okay.”

 

Normally, the main character appears last.

 

Theodore gave up his first turn to Blair for his beautiful finish.

 

Blair hesitated, then nodded her head.

 

“Bring it.”

 

Soon, Blair’s servants appeared carrying something.

 

It was a mannequin with a body shape that perfectly matched Meredith.

 

The mannequin was wearing a dress that looked beautiful.

 

The deep blue dress was richly decorated with gorgeous lace that became lighter as it went towards the bottom.

 

In addition, the pearl beads and crystal pieces embedded in the hem of the dress made it look like the dress was shining on its own when viewed from a distance.

 

Even at first glance, it was a dress that showed that the craftsmen had put a lot of effort into the work.

 

“Oh my god, look at those jewels!”

 

“This is my first time seeing such delicate and colorful decorations.”

 

“How expensive will it be? It’s worth the price of a castle on the border, right?”

 

Exclamations of beauty erupted from all directions.

 

Blair was pleased with the response and said to Meredith.

 

“Congratulations on your birthday, Your Majesty.”

 

“Thank you, Your Highness the Empress Dowager. The dress is so beautiful.”

 

“I personally commissioned a designer for Your Majesty. I participated from the planning stage.”

 

“You went to such trouble for me…”

 

“What. It’s nothing else but a birthday present for Her Majesty.”

 

Blair shrugged her shoulders in response.

 

“Didn’t I tell you that I would choose the best one for you?”

 

But she wasn’t expecting such a fancy and nice gift.

 

While Meredith was dumbfounded, Blair added in a snobby voice.

 

“By the way, the lace is hand-embroidered by a craftsman, stitch by stitch. Because of that, the price went up a lot.”

 

“Thank you, Your Highness, the Empress Dowager.”

 

“I am giving this to Your Majesty as a mother. I hope you like it.”

 

“Of course, Your Highness. I like it very much.”

 

“Now then, it is time to present the gift prepared by His Majesty the Emperor.”

 

“My gift is smaller than Your Highness the Empress Dowager’s.”

 

But isn’t it originally about quality over quantity?

 

Meredith noticed the confidence in Theodore’s voice.

 

Ttak-

 

Theodore clinked his fingers together in the air and made a sound.

 

Eventually, Felix appeared with something.

 

It was a flat box the size of a notebook.

 

Meredith intuitively realized that the gift was a necklace.

 

Theodore, who received the box from Felix, looked at Meredith.

 

Finally, he opened his mouth with an elegant smile.

 

“Happy birthday, Empress.”

 

It was a general greeting up to that point.

 

“Thank you so much for being born.”

 

“… ah.”

 

At those word, Meredith felt a part of her heart tighten.

 

Saying thank you for being born.

 

It’s something she had never heard before.

 

Even from her biological mother, Meryl.

 

So, she lived a life where she never once felt special.

 

It’s not love, it’s just a by-product that looks like a burden from someone’s suffering and persecution.

 

Her birthday was also more of an uncomfortable and awkward day than a special day.

 

‘This is the first time I didn’t feel that way.’

 

Meredith opened her mouth, trying to hide the tears around her eyes.

 

“… thank you.”

 

“This. It’s still too early to be impressed.”

 

Theodore spoke to Meredith in a deliberately playful tone.

 

“You didn’t open the present.”

 

‘Ah…”

 

With those words, Meredith carefully opened the box.

 

As she expected, there was a necklace inside.

 

At first glance, it was an ordinary purple diamond.

 

Meredith almost thought so, too.

 

If only she hadn’t discovered ‘it’, by accident.

 

Meredith looked at Theodore with a puzzled expression.

 

“Your Majesty, no way…”

 

“Did you recognise it?”

 

Meredith nodded her head with a puzzled look on her face.

 

“If I’m right… Isn’t this a ‘Noble birth’?”

 

Theodore nodded his head as if he was satisfied.

 

His answer was met with exclamations from all directions.

 

“Oh my god…”

 

“Noble birth? Really?”

 

“There are only 10 of these in the world!”

 

Noble birth.

 

Among the purple diamonds, it was a gem known for its high intensity and beautiful luster.

 

Discovered 400 years ago and crafted into just 10 jewels, it was known to have been in the hands of imperial families and wealthy people around the world.

 

However, its owner was not exactly known, so it has been considered a legendary gem…

 

“Your Majesty, how can I receive this precious thing…” 

 

One of them was Theodore.

 

“Actually, I bought it a while ago.”

 

With those words, Theodore bent his upper body towards Meredith and whispered.

 

“To give it to you as a birthday present.”

 

“Ah…”

 

“It’s my repayment for the teddy bear. Thanks to you, my insomnia is much better these days.”

 

“But this would be too much of a reward.”

 

“Not really. It was a really touching gift for me.”

 

Theodore was silent for a moment before speaking.

 

“… In many ways. I thought I should give you this much.”

 

“… It’s an honor.”

 

“Do you like it?”

 

Meredith nodded her head with an appreciative look on her face.

 

There is no one in the world who would not like precious gem.

 

Meredith carefully lifted the Noble birth of her necklace from the box.

 

The reason this gem is known to be particularly special is because its color appears differently depending on the angle.

 

Meredith also happened to see the color change and realized that his gift was a noble birth.

 

Noble Birth was basically purple, but depending on the angle, it looked different, such as purple with a lot of black or purple with a lot of red.

 

And no matter what angle you look at it, you could never see the same color twice, which makes this gem so special and rare.

 

Meredith changed the angle of the jewel and began to observe it in earnest.

 

As a result, those who were close to Meredith were also able to see the appearance of the jewel changing depending on the angle.

 

“Wow… !”

 

“The colors really look different!”

 

People who got to see in person the noble birth that they had only heard about through rumors focused on the jewel with excited expressions.

 

And Theodore was very proud when he saw that.

 

This seemed like a not so bad return gift.

 

“Thank you so much, Your Majesty. It’s such a beautiful gift.”

 

“I’m glad you like it.”

 

Theodore said with a sincere smile.

 

“Well, now that the gift-giving is over, everyone…”

 

“Wait a minute.”

 

At that time, an unexpected voice interrupted Theodore.