I Married a Sick Husband

Theodore looked in the direction of the voice with a puzzled expression.

 

In fact, Theodore was not the only one who was surprised.

 

Meredith, the others, and even Blair looked surprised.

 

Anyway, he looked like he didn’t expect to hear this voice here and now.

 

“I still have my gift left.”

 

The subsequent voice made it clear that what they had just heard was not an auditory hallucination.

 

A man trotted up to the stage where Meredith, Theodore, and Blair were.

 

Then he stood in front of Meredith and bowed gracefully.

 

“Congratulations on your birthday, Your Majesty.”

 

It was Fabian.

 

The banquet hall became quiet for a moment due to embarrassment at Fabian’s unexpected appearance.

 

In fact, Fabian was not at all intimidated by the situation, and just smiled gracefully and continued talking to Meredith.

 

“You look so beautiful today, Your Majesty.”

 

It was then that Meredith realized that she had to deal with the situation now.

 

“… Thank you, Prince Fabian.”

 

When she barely opened her mouth to reply, the corners of Fabian’s mouth went up further.

 

“You look very embarrassed.”

 

“Of course I was embarrassed.”

 

Meredith answered calmly.

 

“That doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing.”

 

“Unless you mean it in a bad way?”

 

“But… I never expected you to come here.”

 

“Ah, I see.”

 

“As far as I know, you’re probably close to graduating now.”

 

“I graduated last week.”

 

Fabian shrugged his shoulders.

 

“And I came here right away.”

 

“First of all, congratulations on your graduation, Your Highness.”

 

Meredith said, confusion still evident in her voice.

 

“But as far as I know…”

 

“I decided to go on a trip.”

 

Fabian hit the ball.

 

“My mother advised me to do so. Your Majesty has also heard it.”

 

“But why…”

 

“I think the priority is to congratulate Her Majesty the Empress on her birthday.”

 

Fabian asked, making eye contact with Meredith.

 

“Will you accept my gift?”

 

“Ah… yes, of course.”

 

Meredith nodded and then took what Fabian handed her.

 

‘… ah.’

 

But somehow, her premonition was not good.

 

This was because it was very similar in size and shape to the box Theodore had given.

 

‘No way…’

 

When she opened the box with an anxious mind, Meredith was confused in many ways.

 

First, as expected, Fabian’s gift was a necklace.

 

Second was…

 

“No way…”

 

“Yes, that’s right.”

 

Fabian nodded.

 

“It is a noble birth.”

 

At those words, everyone was excited.

 

Not surprisingly, Meredith had received two precious jewels as gifts, which are difficult to find even in one country.

 

Meredith opened her mouth with a puzzled look on her face.

 

“How could this…”

 

“I heard that Her Majesty’s birthday was soon, so I hurriedly looked for it.”

 

Everyone was dumbfounded by Fabian’s words.

 

‘Noble birth’ was not common enough to be obtained by ‘hurriedly’ searching. 

 

But saying it as if you can get it with just a little time and effort.

 

“This… It’s probably not something you can get by rushing.”

 

Fabian smiled brightly at what Meredith said, representing everyone’s absurd thoughts.

 

“Of course, it is, but it is a birthday present for Her Majesty the Empress and no one else.”

 

“….”

 

“I have to search for it somehow.”

 

“… Anyway, thank you.”

 

“Do you like it?”

 

“Yes.”

 

There’s no way she wouldn’t like it.

 

Meredith glanced at the noble birth in the box.

 

Although the design was different from the one that Theodore gave as a gift, it was still a necklace that strongly displayed its luxury and sophistication.

 

“I will cherish it. Thank you.”

 

Meredith ceremonially thanked him.

 

“That’s why you came all the way here to celebrate my birthday.”

 

“It was a natural thing for me.”

 

The next words had a somewhat strange nuance.

 

“I want to impress Her Majesty the Empress.”

 

Just as embarrassment was about to cross Meredith’s face at those words, Fabian finished with the appropriate words.

 

“Aren’t we family now?”

 

“… yes.”

 

Meredith then nodded with a somewhat relaxed expression.

 

“Yes. We are a family.”

 

“I was disappointed because it felt insincere to formally greet you last time.”

 

Fabian said, making eye contact with Meredith.

 

“Now let’s meet often.”

 

It sounded like he had no intention of leaving this place again.

 

“And if you don’t mind, may I hang my gift around your neck?”

 

“That…”

 

“That can’t be done.”

 

At that time, Theodore, who had been silent, intervened.

 

Both Meredith and Fabian looked at Theodore.

 

He pointed out Fabian’s behavior with a somewhat displeased look on his face.

 

“Fabian, that seems like a bit too much to ask.”

 

“… Brother, what do you mean?”

 

“Even a cup of cold water has to be served in order. I gave it as a gift first, and I am the empress’s husband.”

 

Before Meredith knew it, Theodore was right next to her and gently wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

 

As Meredith looked up at him with a confused look on her face, Theodore grinned and locked eyes with her.

 

Meredith knew that this was an intentional move to keep Prince Fabian in check.

 

“….”

 

Nonetheless, this situation was so tense that Meredith couldn’t bear it.

 

The proof was that her heart was suddenly beating fast.

 

Meredith swallowed dry saliva without realizing it, nervous that Theodore might notice her heartbeat.

 

“Of course, it’s right to hang my gift around your neck first. Isn’t that right?”

 

“… Of course it is.”

 

Fabian countered without losing a smile on his face.

 

“I think the jewelry I gave is bigger than yours.”

 

“….”

 

That was true.

 

The jewelry that Fabian gave as a gift was a little thicker than Theodore’s.

 

However, the difference was so subtle that at first glance, both were similar.

 

Theodore was about to point that out, but stopped.

 

And soon, he refuted Fabian’s words for a more decisive reason.

 

“But I think the necklace I gave looks better on the Empress.”

 

“…..”

 

“A little more flashy. The necklace you gave is too simple. Don’t you think so?”

 

“Well. I think mine suits Her Majesty the Empress better.”

 

“Okay? In that case, you can ask the empress.”

 

“That’s right. Isn’t Her Majesty’s choice the most important anyway?”

 

“I think the same way.”

 

They both turned their heads at the same time and asked Meredith.

 

“Empress, whose necklace do you like better?”

 

“Your Majesty, which do you like better?”

 

No, why are they suddenly doing this to me…

 

“Don’t feel shy in front of me and answer comfortably.”

 

“You don’t have to be polite about being awkward with Fabian. Be honest, tell me how you feel.”

 

Suddenly, the atmosphere became a confrontation between the two men.

 

Meredith looked back and forth at the two people who were staring at her with puzzled expressions.

 

‘… I think I need to answer this well.’

 

If she answered incorrectly, the atmosphere would become very strange.

 

In fact, it was right in principle to take Theodore’s side.

 

Because he is the husband, the emperor, and above all, he gave it first.

 

‘But if that were the case, the relationship with Her Highness the Empress Dowager…’

 

Meredith glanced at Blair out of the corner of her eye.

 

She still looked embarrassed by her son’s sudden appearance.

 

It seemed like she didn’t even have time to care about what was happening right now.

 

‘… is not it. I hope you’ll be okay.’

 

Still, she wanted to prevent fights over unnecessary things if possible.

 

Meredith was a pacifist.

 

“There is no need to worry, Empress. Isn’t it a simple problem?”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty. Just pick the one you liked better when you first saw it.”

 

“Well, I…”

 

To be honest, she liked everything about the gifts.

 

No, it was a problem she couldn’t help but like.

 

Isn’t this a ‘noble birth’?

 

She received two of the 10 gemstones in the world as gifts. How could they not be pretty?

 

‘Do I really have to choose one…’

 

That was when Meredith was procrastinating on her answer with a perplexed expression on her face.

 

‘… ah.’

 

At that moment, a bright idea passed through her head.

 

‘When I thought about it, there was a way.’

 

A pleasant smile appeared on Meredith’s lips.

 

Theodore saw that smile and asked.

 

“Have you decided?”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

Meredith opened her mouth in a confident voice.