As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover Chapter 16

“Shopping? With Edward?” Luize looked at him with a puzzled look.

 

Edward replied with a sly smile. “First of all, I’m Miss Luize’s lover.”

 

“…Yes?”

 

“It is too much not to go on one date.”

 

“If you look at it that way, we’re just a lover for show.”

 

“We need at least to show it off. It’s good that you visit my mansion every day, but it’s also important for the two of us to show affectionate side.”

 

“I see.” Luize nodded with a serious face.

 

Edward quietly curled the tail of his mouth. Seeing his expression, Luize added hastily. “Ah, but you can’t take a break from practice. I heard the swordsmanship competition will be held in a month. I saw the news in the newspaper today. After the finals, they decided to announce the temple oracle, which seemed to attract a lot of attention.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Besides, I heard the winner will be given a great treasure. It’s not official news, so they don’t state what it is.”

 

“It’s not something that even the imperial family can give away hastily.”

 

“Your goal is to win, right?”

 

“I wish I could do that. I need to win, but honestly, I’m not confident.”

 

“It’s a tight time to get ready. But I’ll try my best.”

 

“Thank you. Come to think of it, Miss Luize, have you ever competed with others in swordsmanship?”

 

“No,” Luize answered with an expressionless face, checking the condition of the wooden sword.

 

“You look like you’re not interested in it.”

 

“Yes. Anyway, we don’t know what kind of opponent you will face, so don’t think about neglecting your practice.”

 

“I never thought so.”

 

“I thought you were happy to take a rest.”

 

“I was happy that I would have a date with Mis Luize. I will emphasize this again, I’m a faithful disciple.”

 

Edward answered politely and straightened his sword again. Looking at him, Luize nodded. Indeed, he was a faithful disciple,

 

“I’ll deal with you today. I’ll only use one arm, so do your best.”

 

“…Yes,” Edward answered with a serious look.

 

It was a bit disappointing to think that he wasn’t very talented in swordsmanship by her standards.

 

* * *

The streets of the capital were always crowded with people. Edward took the clock out of his arms and checked the time. There’s still some time left until the appointment. In front of the fountain in the square, Edward, who was waiting for Luize, found a carriage with a familiar pattern approaching him. Soon, the person he had been waiting for came out of the carriage.

 

“You came out early. Have you been waiting long?”

 

“I just came a little earlier because I thought Miss Luize would come early.”

 

Luize looked at Edward apologetically and said, “Next time, I’ll have to come earlier. This is my first time making someone wait.”

 

“…I’m sorry, but Miss Luize needs to come a bit later.”

 

“Yes? Why?”

 

“I was in a bit of a rush preparing for today.”

 

Edward bent his upper body toward Luize and took out the gift he hid behind his back. It was a bouquet richly decorated with red roses, just like his eyes.

 

Luize took the bouquet with a dazed face and buried her face between the flowers. A strong scent of the rose could be smelled. She smiled softly. “Is there anything to celebrate today?”

 

“No.”

 

“But why are you giving me a gift?” Luize asked with a really curious look.

 

When Edward saw her like that, he replied with a smile. “I’m curious about the expression of the recipient.”

 

“I see. Are you satisfied now?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Her purple eyes, looking at the bouquet, filled with joy. She touched the petals with her fingertips. The petals were fragile but soft and moist. Luze thought that vulnerability was lovely. Because beautiful things are usually weak.

 

“Miss Luize, speaking of which, you don’t have to come too early for the appointment in the future.”

 

“But Edward came early.”

 

“I like waiting.”

 

“Waiting?”

 

What do you mean by waiting? That was a strange thing to say. Luize was always unhappy waiting for Reiad in the empty mansion. Even when she was dating Reiad, she had to wait a lot.

 

Luize always arrived earlier than the appointment time, so she was relieved when she was he didn’t show up first. Reiad didn’t like to wait, so she was worried about what would happen if he changed his mind while waiting for her.

 

“Yes. It’s been a while since I had someone to wait for. To be honest, I was a little excited.”

 

“But it will be boring to wait every day. I know because I’ve done it often.”

 

“Are you going to see me every day?”

 

“At least I’ll see you every day while your sword training continues.”

 

“That’s nice to hear. I’m honored to be able to wait for Miss Luize every day.”

 

Edward smiled and extended his arm to Luize. She placed her own hand on his forearm. The two entered the crowd of people in the capital.

 

“Some people can’t wait even if they want to,” Edward muttered softly.

 

* * *

The first place the two visited was a high-end dressing room famous in the capital. Even though it was crowded outside, there wasn’t a single customer inside. When Luize became awkward, Edward thought she must be puzzled why there were no people there, so he opened his mouth.

 

“I rented this place today. That’s why there’s only the two of us.”

 

“Two of us?”

 

“Yes. Since it’s customary for women to visit women’s dressing rooms together, I think it would be convenient to come together.”

 

“Ah…”

 

“Did your legs hurt?”

 

“Not at all. It was my suggestion to leave the carriage and take a walk. I’m not that weak.”

 

“That’s true.” Edward nodded.

 

A staff member who was watching them from a short distance approached Luize. “I have prepared the clothes you mentioned in advance. Would you like to try it on in the fitting room?”

 

“Yes? Yes.”

 

Luize headed to the fitting room with a puzzled face. Meanwhile, Fillio, the designer in this dressing room, approached Edward’s side.

 

“I can’t believe Lord Edward is bringing a woman. I didn’t know what was written in the gossip magazine was true.”

 

“That’s what happened.”

 

“I’m glad I left the imperial palace. This way, I get to see such sights before I die, right?”

 

“Fillio, you haven’t changed.”

 

“Yes. So, I will definitely make the wedding dress for Your High… I mean, for Lord Edward’s companion.”

 

“Your ambition is great.”

 

Fillio led Edward to the waiting chair. Edward handed his outwear to the staff and sat down in the chair, dressed in a vast. He scanned the dresses hanging there with his eyes. It was safe to say that the trend in the capital began here. He pointed to a few dresses, instructing the staff to bring them to his front, and the waiting staff moved to follow his order.

 

“But still, how can the first woman you bring be a married woman? Is this what Lord Edward’s preference? “

 

“You’re still talkative.”

 

“Tsk. What can I do about it when I’m being born like this?”

 

“To sum it up, I’m also learning about my preference that I didn’t know I had.”

 

“That’s a big deal.”

 

“What does it matter? Now, I don’t need to be as cautious as before.”

 

“Gosh, please be a little considerate.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

As Edward gave a noncommittal response, Fillipo sighed as if the ground beneath him had collapsed. Just then, Luize muttered something from behind the curtain.

 

“Edward. This is…”

 

“It’s summer practice clothes.”

 

“…I’m done wearing it. But this is a bit, I mean… it looks good…”

 

“Show me.”

 

Luize, wearing black cotton pants and a white shirt, came out. Edward’s eyes widened slightly as he looked at her.

 

“As expected, it suits you well,” muttered Edward.

 

Luize looked at the staff with an embarrassed face, but Edward added without thinking. “Turns out this is my preference.”

 

“Haa… No wonder there’s never been a scandal about you.”

 

“Preference… Right. This is Edward’s preference. This kind of thing.” Luize noticed his intention and nodded.

 

Fillio shook his head. He had been thinking about this since Edward told him to prepare women’s practice outfits for spring, summer and fall. Still, the more he got to know the former crown prince, whom he held in special regard, the more unique Edward’s preference became.

 

Since he was a man with many negative rumors, no one thought his recent actions were strange. However, this only confirmed in real time that his strange preference was true. How can you dress your lover in clothes that only men would wear with such a casual expression?!

 

“When you moved, your calves seemed a little uncomfortable. Fillio, adjust it to fit her body this time.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“What do you think about it, Miss Luize?”

 

“Ah, well… I like it.”

 

“Then, from now on, let’s see what Miss Luize’s preferences are.”

 

“My preferences?”

 

“I’ve picked out a few trendy clothes in the capital these days, but I’m not sure if there’s anything that suits Miss Luize’s preferences.”

 

As Edward beckoned, various dresses were placed in a row in front of Luize.

 

“You can try on whatever you want. We came out today to go shopping.”

 

“But…”

 

Luize thought about the price of the dresses in her head. Although Reiad loved fancy things, she was reluctant to spend a lot of money on dresses, except for things he gave her personally.

 

“Is there anything you like?”

 

“Ah…”

 

As Luize seemed to be agonizing, the quick-witted Fillio added. “Lord Edward paid the price in advance, enough to keep all the clothes in this dressing room.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“This person has more money than he knows what to do with, so please, feel free to raid the dressing room on my behalf.”

 

“You do know how to say things that please me.”

 

Edward, resting his elbows on his arm and leaning forward, slowly swept his chin with his hand. “Miss Luize.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Today is our official first date, right? I don’t want to be a petty person when it comes to spending money for my lover.”