I Married a Sick Husband

This chapter contains mentions of abuse. It would be a great mistake to think that Meredith was merely given the cold shoulder during the last 20 years of growing up as an illegitimate child in the Schwartz family. “Ma-madam. What brings you here…” Behind coldness was always abuse. The Duchess of Schwartz would always go to Meryl to vent her anger when something went wrong. But after Meryl was gone, there was no one to vent. ‘It was good that Meryl was an idiot who could barely speak. That’s kind of sad.’ When she changed the target to another employee, she was worried that it might spread rumors. ‘I don’t want to be called a callous and cruel lady.’ She needed someone who wouldn’t gossip even if it was true. Someone who will greet you meekly. Who will not tell anyone about it. “…Ah!” After much deliberation, the Duchess of Schwartz began to laugh when she realized she was thinking too deep. ‘I didn’t have to look far to find it.’ You have that daughter. “Did you find my mother by any chance?” “Well? No, that’s not why I came.” “Then why…” “Because I’m not feeling well today.” The Duchess of Schwartz said with a smile on her face. “I need someone to ease my mood.” “Ho-how can I make you feel better?” Meredith, who was young and naive, saw this as a chance to look good to the Duchess of Schwartz, who usually hated her, and she liked it. It was absurd to think about what would happen after that. The Duchess of Schwartz raised the corners of her lips sullenly and pulled something out of her arms. It was a fan. Seeing that splendidly decorated fan, young Meredith’s mouth opened. Seeing this, the Duchess of Schwartz asked with a smile. “Do you like it?” “Yes. Pretty.” “Okay. You and I are playing with this.” “A-are you going to play with me?” “Yes. We’re going to play war.” The Duchess of Schwartz explained it as if there was nothing difficult. “I am the winner, you are the loser. How about it, isn’t it simple?” Of course, no matter how young Meredith was, she knew that something was strange and wrong, even under the guise of play. Nevertheless, the Duchess of Schwartz, who usually hates her, smiled warmly and said that they should play together, which clouded Meredith’s judgment. ‘Because you said that you don’t feel good again……’ This good little child had even developed a sense of duty to relieve the bad adult’s mood. However, no matter how much brainwashing was done, at some point it became difficult to bear the pain. Still, there was no adult around to help Meredith. Not even one. In the end, all she could do was cry and beg the Duchess. Even that, she stopped after she realized that her plea was making the Duchess upset. Instead, she began to study a number of ways to reduce the pain as much as possible. It was miserable. Memories of that time came to mind for a moment, and Meredith, who was distressed, exhaled a long breath without realizing it and squeezed the hem of her dress tightly. “That was the first time I knew. That a fan can make people so sick.” “……” “To me, an orphan, you were too cruel.” Having said that, Meredith pulled away from the Duchess of Schwartz with a smile that made her words seem unbelievable. “……” On the other hand, Duchess Schwartz’s face was stiff. It could be seen that she was trying to manage her facial expression, but it was a useless effort. “How do you feel, mother?” Meredith asked with a smile on her face. “Do you like it?” “……” “Looking at your expression, you don’t seem to like it, and if you want something else…” “…No, Your Majesty.” Duchess Schwartz barely managed to give a reply. “Like… I like it. Thank you.” “Do you really like it?” “Yes, thank you very much.” Expressing an empty thank you, Duchess Schwartz unknowingly bit her lip. ‘…that devious little girl.’ I didn’t expect you to play with me like this on such a day. Strength entered her upper jaw as she bit her lower lip at the thought. “I’m glad you like it.” Meredith asked with a meaningful smile. “Then shall we reveal it here?” “…what.” “The noble Duchess for the past ten years.” “……” “What you have done to me.” “Meredith, you…” “At some point, I realized it. To you, I was a substitute for my missing mother. I must have been a doll to vent your anger….. My mother must have lived through the same pain as me before.” Meredith took one step closer to the Duchess of Schwartz. As a result, Meredith’s whispers could now only be heard by the Duchess of Schwartz. Suddenly, the Duchess flinched and looked at Meredith as she approached her. “You still don’t think my mother would have seduced the Duke, do you? You know I was born unwanted. You know how terrible the Duke was towards my mother. Not a word, not a word was said to the Duke who is the culprit of all this!” “……” “You’re just a poor woman who let go of her husband’s disgrace and blamed it on me and my mother.” -Slap! At that moment, the Duchess of Schwartz, unable to contain her emotions, involuntarily raised her hand and slapped Meredith on the cheek. “……” The noise of music, conversations, and the sound of glass clattering inside the venue became quiet in an instant as if cold water had been poured on it all. Everyone was surprised, and couldn’t take their eyes off of the presence of Meredith and the Duchess of Schwartz. “How dare you……!” “……” “What a vulgar and filthy illegitimate child, how dare you open your mouth to talk so recklessly!” It was time for the Duchess of Schwartz to slap Meredith in the face, once again in anger. -Tak! As if she didn’t want to be beaten twice, Meredith grabbed the Duchess of Schwartz’s wrist without difficulty. “How dare you show such impertinence towards the Empress of this empire?” “This… aren’t you going to let this go? Something like this! Let go right now! Argh!” “Guards!” As soon as Meredith shouted with a sharp voice, Meredith’s guards waiting outside filed into the banquet hall. “Take the Duchess of Schwartz right now and lock her in prison.” It was then, when the guards at Meredith’s order were about to drag the Duchess of Schwartz out of the banquet hall. “What are you doing!” Catarina, who realized the situation late, ran towards the center of the commotion. “Your Majesty, you must have gone mad. What are you doing now!” “The one who has gone mad is the princess’s mother. How dare you put your hand on the Valtejain empress.” “Your Majesty, the Empress!” “If you don’t want to be dragged along for contempt shown towards the Empress, keep your mouth shut, Princess Schwartz.” “You cannot take my mother. If you’re going to take her away, take me first.” “……Do you think I can’t do it?” Meredith looked at Catarina with cold, sunken eyes. Overwhelmed by her eyes, Catarina forgot her anger and trembled in fear. “Can you not understand the situation, Princess? You must not know how great a sin it is to insult the Empress of the Empire in this way.” “…… ” “If you don’t want to be dragged along, keep quiet and watch.” “Your Majesty, the Empress.” “It’s something the princess is good at.” Meredith snorted coldly and spit out a single remark. “Just watching it.” “…… ” “Like you did, when I was getting beaten, isn’t that so?” While Catarina was stunned by those words, Meredith turned around with a cold expression and went out of the banquet hall. “Mother, mother!” Belatedly, Catarina could be heard shouting as she pursued Meredith and the guards. The Duchess of Schwartz also screamed in disbelief. “Catarina, sweetheart! Come on, call your father, come on! Save this mother!” But there was no need for Catarina to go to the Duke of Schwartz. “What the hell is this, your Majesty?” At that moment, the Duke of Schwartz with a stiff face appeared in front of Meredith.