As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover Chapter 129

* * *

“Wow…”

 

Creak–thud. The knights who entered the mansion couldn’t help but exclaim in amazement.

 

The interior, made of the same white marble as the exterior, had intricate carvings on every column and wall. It looked more like a work of art created by craftsmen over several generations than a mere mansion.

 

Robin, the last to enter, reached out toward the outside with a pale face, but the door had already closed. The central hall of the mansion was brightly lit as if it had been prepared to welcome guests.

 

“It’s bright and warm. I don’t sense anyone, but who maintained this mansion so meticulously?”

 

Edward looked around and spoke. “It seems to be maintained entirely by magic. Just like the various enchantments on the magic stones in Miss Luize’s cabin.”

 

“That’s impossible. It took such a huge cost just to maintain a small cabin with those magic stones. Keeping this large mansion would cost more than ten estates in the capital.”

 

“I agree.”

 

“Ppipppi.” [You wouldn’t need money for this.]

 

Ren jumped out of Maxion’s arms and landed on the floor. The black baby dragon spread its short, plump arms wide.

 

“Ppippi!” [This mansion is the dragon’s villa!]

 

“…The dragon’s villa?”

 

“Ppi. Ppip. Ppii. Ppiii.” [Yes. Now that I’m inside, I’m sure of it. This is definitely the dragon’s villa. It’s been a long time since I felt this mana.”

 

Ren lay down on the floor and rolled around, basking in the mana.

 

* * *

Outside, the snow was piling up at a frightening speed. With clouds and heavy snow, the deep forest quickly descended into darkness. Though it snowed heavily, there was no strong wind like in Perils, making for a quiet night. The white lights floating among the thick snowflakes created a beautiful night scene around the mansion.

 

“I’ve never seen so many snow bugs before.”

 

“It’s probably because the mana is even more concentrated due to the dragon’s mansion, along with the age of the building.”

 

“About that, do you think it’s alright for us to use the rooms so freely in a dragon’s mansion?”

 

“According to Ren, it’s just an ordinary mansion with high-performance magic. For safety, I’ve assigned rooms in groups, just like using the same tent.”

 

“So, that’s why we’re sharing a room? For safety.”

 

“Yes.” He answered with a smile.

 

Luize narrowed her eyes at Edward.

 

“Is there a problem?”

 

His gentle smile and eyes that crinkled pleasantly made him look like a painting. Seeing that smile, Luize suddenly remembered something Lensia had said one day.

 

“How did I fall in love with your father? Um, Luize, there’s a saying that a face is a narrative. You’ll understand when you grow up.”

 

Back then, that comment had felt devoid of any romantic sentiment, but now she somewhat understood. Looking at that slyly smiling face that wasn’t annoying at all.

 

“…I think you’re the most dangerous one.”

 

“I agree with you. It’s unfortunate that Miss Luize has to share a room with the most shameless man in the Silver Hawk Knights.”

 

“Oh my, you’ve remembered that?”

 

“I remember everything Miss Luize says.”

 

Luize laughed softly as she looked at him playfully deflecting her words.

 

“By the way, whose villa was this? Ron’s or Run’s? We should have asked Ren.”

 

“Now that you mention it, I’m curious too. Regardless, it’s certainly beautiful.”

 

“Yes. This must have been the room where the dragon stayed, like a couple’s bedroom. It’s so spacious and serene. Everything is as clean as if it were freshly prepared, even the bedding. Must be the power of magic.”

 

“Yes. It feels more like stepping into a giant magic spell than a mansion.”

 

“The design of the bedding really makes the antiquity of the building feel real. I’ve only seen such bedding in books about the history of bedding.”

 

“You’ve read a variety of books. It seems Miss Luize enjoys reading.”

 

“…I spent a lot of time reading to keep myself company when I was alone. Both in Perils and after that.” A hint of sadness crossed Luize’s face.

 

Snap. Edward snapped his fingers, and then wine and wine glasses appeared on the tea table.

 

“Then tonight, let’s spend time talking to keep you from feeling lonely.”

 

“Alright.”

 

She smiled brightly and looked out the window. Through the large window leading to the terrace, she saw the thick snow mixed with snow bugs falling.

 

“It’s a magnificent view.”

 

“Yes. It’s so beautiful it feels like a dream.”

 

Edward poured wine into a glass and handed it to Luize.

 

“Is it alright to leisurely drink in a place like this? It feels too defenseless in an unfamiliar space.”

 

“Strangely, this mansion doesn’t feel unfamiliar to me. It might be similar to why Ren feels familiar with this place.”

 

“I see.” Luize’s expression darkened. After a moment of silence, she spoke again. “…Elliot, about Ren. Is it alright for me to receive such affection from it?”

 

“Is there a problem?”

 

“Well, my mother is Ren’s—”

 

Tap. Tap-tap. Luize stopped talking and looked toward the window at the sound. Edward’s gaze followed.

 

“…A butterfly?”

 

“It seems to be a type of snow bug, given its white glow.”

 

Tap. Tap-tap. The butterfly continued to bump against the window.

 

Luize got up from her seat. “It’s going to hurt itself. I’ll catch it and release it outside.”

 

As she opened the terrace window to let it out, the snow bug quickly evaded her hand and landed on her luggage. The curtain billowed from the sudden gust of wind. Her view was blocked for a moment before Edward gracefully tied up the curtain.

 

“It seems the snow bug’s purpose was to enter the room.”

 

“I guess so. It’s not a dangerous bug, but why did it suddenly act like that?”

 

Pop. As soon as Luize finished speaking, the lights in the room went out. At that moment, the snow bug on her luggage disappeared, and a faint figure of light appeared on the bed. It wasn’t alone.

 

“Who…?”

 

Edward grabbed Luize’s arm as she quickly moved toward the figures. “Miss Luize. They’re not alive.”

 

“What?”

 

“It’s a projection.”

 

Luize slowly blinked and reopened her eyes. There was no living presence from the figures before her.

 

“…So, the snow bug shows the past. It wasn’t just a legend.”

 

“It seems so. Butterflies symbolize dreams in magic.”

 

The black-haired woman sitting on the bed didn’t seem to notice them at all. Her short hair and jet-black eyes resembled the distinct blackness of the beasts of Perils. Her blackness was so absolute that it seemed to absorb all the surrounding light.

 

The man standing before her had hair as white as snow, contrasting starkly with hers. His long hair, reaching his waist, shimmered like silver threads woven from moonlight, similar to Luize’s silver hair.

 

“…Run. What’s with your expression? Did you have a bad dream?”

 

“I dreamed you disappeared.”

 

“There’s still a lot of time left.”

 

“Not much. Less than two thousand years.”

 

Run frowned and bit her lower lip. The man before her reached out and pressed her lower lip with his thumb.

 

“You’ll hurt yourself.”

 

“You can heal it easily, can’t you?”

 

“If you get hurt, you’ll be in pain.”

 

Run’s black eyes trembled slightly.

 

“Ron, isn’t there really a way?”

 

The man called Ron lowered his gaze with a bitter expression. Though he didn’t answer out loud, his expression spoke for him.

 

“…Why there isn’t! You and I are dragons. We’re called demigods. You taught me we could achieve anything in this world. There must be a way.”

 

“Run.”

 

His lowered voice was calm yet firm.

 

“No matter how extraordinary we are, we can’t change our predetermined lifespan.”

 

“Then how am I supposed to live alone?”

 

“A new dragon will be born in the next generation.”

 

“But it won’t be you.”

 

“I shouldn’t be your entire world.”

 

“A world without you is meaningless to me. I want to live with you for all my life. To build a cozy home and raise children together like humans. I don’t want to be alone!”

 

“…Run.”

 

Ron knelt before Rune and looked up at her. Her black eyes were filled with tears.

 

“Let’s leave the amusement behind. We’ll establish a strong country that won’t disappear even if I’m gone, and live like humans. I’ll make all your wishes come true.”

 

“All of them?”

 

“Yes, all of them.”

 

Ron extended his hand before Run. A red glow shimmered on his palm, and a bright red flower bud appeared. When the bud fully bloomed, Run’s eyes widened as she gazed at it.

 

“This is…”