“His Majesty is not interested in any other woman but me.”
Meredith smiled and ended the conversation.
“So I feel very at ease.”
Unintentionally, the words succeeded in making the Duchess of Schwartz feel terribly offended.
It was because it felt like a word that targeted her when she saw her husband’s illegitimate child.
In fact, there were many ladies who saw illegitimate children from their husbands besides Duchess Schwartz.
But unlike those who had no idea, Duchess Schwartz felt mortified by Meredith’s words.
In the case of other ladies, all illegitimate children were insignificant.
But Meredith had ascended to the position of Empress and was saying things like that to her now.
“It’s great that he’s someone who doesn’t lust after women.”
The Duchess of Schwartz opened her mouth, controlling her expression.
I can’t lose here. (Duchess Schwartz)
“But I’m worried that the Emperor will not be interested in you either.”
“……that’s.”
“Your Majesty the Empress.”
Then Yulia’s voice came from outside.
Meredith with her gaze still fixed on Duchess Schwartz opened her mouth.
“What’s going on, Yulia?”
“I’m sorry to interrupt your conversation. May I open the door?”
Meredith wondered about the sudden situation but allowed it for now.
“Yes.”
The door opened as soon as the short permission was given.
At the same time, everyone in the drawing-room looked puzzled.
Even Meredith.
It was because an unexpected sight was waiting for them.
“What’s all this, Yulia?”
Meredith asked, unable to hide her embarrassment.
What Meredith saw in front of her now were so many desserts that she doubted whether the chef had been making them all night.
Five or six maids were lined up behind Yulia with various desserts piled up like mountains.
No matter how many people were invited to eat, they could never eat all of it.
“I’ve never asked for so many desserts.”
“This was an Imperial order.”
“Imperial order?”
“Yes. His Majesty sent it saying that there should be no shortage of preparations as it is the first time that the Empress invites noble wives and ladies.”
“You mean all of this? It would have taken a long time to get ready… but I had no idea.”
“Most of them are gifts from foreign royal families and imperial households, Your Majesty.”
“……You’re saying he sent so many precious things?”
Desserts sent by foreign royal families and imperial households were usually consumed only by the emperor, the empress, and the empress dowager.
Because it was a sign of sincerity between countries, they only selected precious things and sent them as gifts.
Therefore, the value was beyond imagination.
It’s hard for ordinary aristocrats to taste them.
‘So many of these precious things…’
Meredith looked at the desserts with a look of surprise.
‘Aren’t you overreacting after listening to me?’
But it’s only for a while that she was embarrassed by this unexpected situation.
Meredith smiled as if she couldn’t stop him.
“Your Majesty, too. I can’t believe he cares this much.”
“Shall I come in, Your Majesty?”
“Yes.”
After a while, the maids entered the drawing-room.
***
As there were so many desserts, it took a very long time for the maids to set the dessert plates.
Even after putting it all on the wide table, there was still a lot left, so they had to bring a side table.
This was at least an amount that could be consumed at a banquet.
‘It’s not a waste of time, but if there are any leftovers, the people below will eat it anyway…’
Other than that, the quantity was too much.
Even the appearances are all beautiful, and it would be a waste if there was something I couldn’t eat.
“Oh, by the way, Your Majesty.”
Then, Yulia quietly approached Meredith and handed her something.
It was a small note.
As Meredith looked at her with a curious look, Yulia explained with a gentle smile.
“His Majesty has asked me to deliver it.”
At that, Meredith opened the note carefully.
This was written inside.
I thought this way would be much better than the ‘sick’ me going. I hope this helps.
‘……That’s very thoughtful of you.’
A smile appeared on Meredith’s lips involuntarily.
Even Meredith thought it was better this way.
It wasn’t because she was ashamed of her ‘sick’ husband.
Because that was a secondary issue.
It was because if he was found to be healthier than before, his work would be difficult.
Moreover, due to the nature of the ladies’ speech, they were more likely to face him and say things like, ‘You look so much stronger than the last time I saw you!’
‘It’d be better not to act like you’re stepping on your own tail for nothing.’
(t/n: remember the proverb in a previous chapter about long tails are bound to be stepped on, this one is referring to that one.)
It was when I was thinking that way.
“What makes you look like that?”
One of the young ladies asked with an excited expression.
She must have thought of what was written on the note as sweet whispers.
‘Of course, it’s not some cold content.’
Meredith smiled softly and looked around as lightly as possible.
“It’s just… it’s nothing.”
“Would it be rude to ask the story?”
“Yes, I don’t mind but, it’s really nothing much. He just sent me to wrap up the tea meeting safely today.”
“Omo, it’s romantic!”
The young ladies who listened to Meredith liked it with a flush on their cheeks.
Meredith saw it and smiled involuntarily.
Well, there’s nothing wrong with looking like their good friends.
“We must leave now, Your Majesty. I’m sorry if I disturbed you.”
“No, it’s okay.”
After a long time, the table setting was finally completed, and Yulia and the maids also left.
And Meredith looked at the mountains of desserts on the table with a look of reluctance.
And of course other nobles too.
“Come on, let’s have a taste.”
At Meredith’s words, everyone started to taste the dessert closest to them.
After a while, there were rave reviews.
“Oh, my God, I’ve never had such a delicious macaron before, Your Majesty.”
“All the dacquoise I’ve eaten so far was rubbish.”
“Aah, it’s a taste that I’ll think of even before I die…”
Everyone started to touch the dessert like a crazy person.
Meredith looked at the scene with a pleased look and soon turned to Duchess Schwartz and Catarina.
Catarina seemed to have succumbed in the face of everyone’s rave reviews.
She was very busy moving her hands and shoving the dessert on the plate into her mouth.
“……”
But at least Duchess Schwartz sat still like a stiff piece of wood with a stiff look on her face.
As someone who doesn’t know how precious the desserts on the table were, this situation was by no means pleasant.
Meredith stared at her and opened her mouth.
“The Duchess of Schwartz.”
Along with Duchess Schwartz at Meredith’s call, several people gave her a look.
“Why are you not eating? Do you not like it?”
“No way, Your Majesty. It’s so sweet.”
“Then go ahead, Duchess Schwartz.”
The people next to them answered on behalf of the Duchess of Schwartz.
The Duchess of Schwartz remained silent until the end but spoke suddenly.
“I’m already full. I’m fine.”
That was a very poor excuse even if it was difficult.
Meredith smiled and looked at the Duchess.
Still with a frown on the face.
The unexpected good marital relationship between the couple seemed to have embarrassed her(the Duchess).
“His Majesty cares and loves you so much. I can’t believe you’re giving this to us.”
“You two are really nice. It is the luck of the Empire.”
“Can we expect good news soon? I am envious of you, Your Majesty.”
“You must be so happy to see Her Majesty living so well, Duchess Schwartz, right?”
The words further offended Duchess Schwartz.
(t/n: Duchess Schwartz pov from here on Idk why the sudden change in povs tho
She stared at the precious desserts she didn’t want to even look at with a hardened face for a long time, and then she moved her gaze to Meredith.
She really hated seeing her conversing skillfully with noble wives while pretending to be elegant and smiling.
‘I shouldn’t have taken you around social circles.’
I should’ve just let her enter the palace and humiliate herself.
The Duchess of Schwartz repeated the meaningless regret in her mind.
And as people slowly slowed down on eating dessert, the atmosphere became calmer.
“Your Majesty.”
She slowly opened her mouth.