As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover Chapter 204

“…Of course not.”

 

“Then give it to me. I’ll accept it with joy, whatever it is.”

 

His expression brightened instantly as if the previous darkness had never been there. Edward flashed a fresh smile.

 

Luize nodded, feeling a bit uneasy as if she’d been tricked. “Alright. But if I give you this, you have to promise not to feel bad about Elliot anymore.”

 

“Alright.”

 

“Close your eyes and hold out your left hand.”

 

He followed her instructions, closing his eyes and extending his left hand. Luize rummaged through her sleeve and pulled out the gift. What emerged from her hand was a leather bracelet adorned with a purple amethyst as its centerpiece. The bracelet, made by weaving leather cords together with a knot, felt sturdier and featured a larger gemstone than the one she had gifted before.

 

Luize fastened the bracelet around Edward’s wrist. “It wasn’t too difficult to make… but I’m not very skilled at crafting, so it took a long time. Luckily, I had enough materials to remake it after a few failed attempts.”

 

“Did you make this yourself?” Edward still had his eyes closed.

 

“Yes. I thought a handmade gift would be more meaningful. I didn’t make any of the gifts I gave to Elliot myself. Do you remember?”

 

“Yes, I remember.” Edward’s lips curved into a genuine smile, clearly pleased.

 

“I should warn you, it might look a bit rough. But it’s enchanted to last for 100 years without breaking, and the clasp won’t malfunction either. I also heard that the gemstone is of good quality.”

 

Why am I so nervous about this? Luize took a deep breath before continuing. “Open your eyes.”

 

His ruby-red eyes, hidden behind dark lashes, were revealed as he looked at the bracelet snugly wrapped around his wrist. For a moment, he said nothing.

 

“…It’s well made.”

 

“I put in a lot of effort.” Luize smiled sheepishly.

 

Edward seemed lost in thought, his expression turning oddly reflective. Though his lips held a soft smile, his eyes appeared to be searching through distant memories, emotions of joy, nostalgia, and longing passing in turn.

 

“I never thought the day would come when I would understand the former emperor’s feelings.”

 

Luize looked at Edward with curiosity.

 

“Did Miss Luize say this bracelet lasts for a hundred years?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“Then I can wear it for a lifetime.”

 

“You can put it on and take it off with the clasp.”

 

“Why would I need to take it off? I’ll keep wearing it.”

 

“Even if you’re joking, don’t do that.”

 

“Why do you think I’m joking?”

 

“In official settings, you have to wear accessories that match the occasion.”

 

“There’s no accessory that would suit those occasions better than this one. I’ll need to enchant it further so it doesn’t get dirty or worn out.”

 

Edward raised his bracelet-adorned hand and gently stroked Luize’s cheek, pleased that both the bracelet and her face were in his view.

 

“The late emperor kept the first handkerchief the empress embroidered for him before their marriage until his death.”

 

“…Did he?”

 

“I was surprised too. Despite everything that happened, despite how much he resented the empress, he couldn’t throw it away.”

 

Edward paused his hand, resting it on her cheek. The warmth of her soft skin spread through him.

 

“If there was no love, there would be no pain or hatred. Even if the empress dowager used dark magic to control him, as Sariel did with the pope, it wouldn’t have worked if his heart had no room for it. I believe that handkerchief spoke of his love for the empress, which lasted until his death.”

 

Edward had thought of this while gazing at the handkerchief he had taken with him when he fled the Imperial Palace after the emperor’s death. Perhaps his father had chosen anger and rejection because he lacked the courage to face his overwhelming sorrow. He likely sent Edward away because every time they met, it reminded him of her. So, Edward could understand why Servenia and the other nobles blamed him. They, too, needed something to direct their grief toward.

 

“…I see.”

 

“So, I’ll wear this until the end. How one uses a gift depends on the recipient’s feelings, doesn’t it?” Edward’s playful question startled Luize.

 

“No! It’s not good enough for that. I’ll learn jewelry-making and craftsmanship to remake it in platinum!”

 

Edward chuckled softly at her outburst.

 

“Here, a new handkerchief. Your Majesty, please use this one instead.”

 

“I’ll keep it in a drawer. This handkerchief isn’t worn out yet. I like this one.”

 

“It’s embarrassing to show that one to the public.”

 

“To me, it’s the most splendid embroidery I’ve ever seen. Why don’t you also grow fond of this cute dragon, Empress?”

 

He leaned down, pressing his lips to Luize’s forehead, then bent further to meet her eyes closely.

 

“No, thank you. Why don’t you grow fond of this bracelet, Miss Luize?”

 

“What?”

 

“It’s time to go. They’ll be looking for us soon.”

 

“Wait, Edward!”

 

Edward, still smiling, placed her hand on his arm and led her back to the banquet hall. Luize walked beside him, silently protesting with her eyes.

 

Just before the curtain was drawn, she whispered, “Still, I like love that is kind.”

 

Edward’s gaze shifted to Luize. She continued, staring straight ahead without meeting his eyes.

 

“I won’t ignore love out of hatred. If we have children, I’ll hold them warmly and never blame anyone. I’ll become strong enough to endure any sorrow. I’ll make sure my love doesn’t hurt anyone.”

 

Edward slowly appeared in her violet eyes.

 

“So, promise me you’ll do the same.”

 

Even after more than ten years since their first meeting, Luize was still smaller than him but stronger and more resolute than anyone.

 

“…Yes.” Edward’s response was firm.

 

Together, they faced forward and moved on.

 

* * *

After the banquet, Edward returned to the crown prince’s palace with Maxion. Since Edward had returned to the Imperial Palace, Luize would spend the night at the Servenia estate. As Maxion was his aide, he was the first to accompany him to the Imperial Palace, and the Silver Hawk Knights were also waiting at the Lindeman estate.

 

“Then I suppose, to commemorate my return to the palace, I should attend to some matters that have been neglected. I’ll also look into the empress dowager’s weaknesses.”

 

“Have you forgotten your ban on going out?” Maxion snapped out of his thoughts and looked up at Edward.

 

“It’s still within the palace.”

 

“Which is why Luize made sure you couldn’t leave the crown prince’s Palace alone until a proper security system was in place.”

 

“Hmm, in that case, the first thing to do is to select a guard knight that all of you can approve of. I was going to wait three days as a formality, but I suppose I must act now for the sake of progress.”

 

Edward accepted the situation readily, even enjoying himself as he wrote out the details on official paper.

 

“Mii, ppi!” [Incompetent human Maxion! There’s an enormous fountain here!]

 

Just then, Ren, who had entered the palace with Edward, called out to Maxion. He approached Ren with a more relaxed expression.

 

On a sunny day, Luize stood at the front gate of the Servenia estate, facing a messenger from the imperial family. Next to her, Kasel stood with a bright smile, oblivious to everything, while Lorein sighed in displeasure beside him.

 

“Such fuss. It’s as if he’d die if he didn’t see her for a single day. I had plans to spend time with my niece, you know.”

 

“I’m sorry. I’ll visit often.” Luize replied softly, having overheard Lorein’s muttering.

 

As they chatted, the messenger read aloud the contents of the document he had brought.

 

“…By the order of Crown Prince Edward E. von Bellrod Kaillon Lindeman Carl Roblin Estante Orwell, Luize di Servenia is hereby appointed as the personal knight of the crown prince.”

 

Lorein frowned. “Not even a moment’s break, huh? There won’t even be time to prepare a uniform.

 

The messenger lowered the document and began to speak.