As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover Chapter 207

With no suitable place to escape, Luize found herself cornered. Just as she calmed herself and prepared to move along the wall before he could get closer, Marquis Edvin’s gaze slowly followed her movements.

 

[Don’t be alarmed. Excuse me for a moment.]

 

Once again, Edward’s voice echoed in her mind. He wrapped one arm firmly around her shoulder.

 

Instantly, the scenery changed. It seemed Edward had teleported them with magic. This time, they were on the opposite side of the room from where they had been, near the window by the emperor’s bed. She lifted her head to look in the direction where his face should be.

 

[Can Edward see me?]

 

[Yes, because it’s my magic.]

 

[I see.] Luize nodded.

 

[It seems Marquis Edvin has noticed the intruder.]

 

At Edward’s words, her gaze returned to the marquis. Marquis Edvin straightened his previously bent body and pointed a finger.

 

“It seems a ladybug got in while airing out the room.”

 

“Ugh. Get rid of it at once.”

 

The emperor grimaced and shuddered. At the same time, the marquis’s pupils darkened, and his face became expressionless.

 

“I will obey Your Majesty’s command.”

 

“Go. I have things to do.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.” After the dismissal, Marquis Edvin bowed and left the room.

 

Finally feeling at ease, the emperor cleared his throat and looked around aimlessly. He approached the full-length mirror.

 

“No matter how skilled they are, there’s no way they could recognize it. I was just nervous for nothing.”

 

The emperor plucked a strand of his hair and held it up to the mirror. At that moment, the mirror rippled like the surface of water.

 

“It’s almost depleted, so I need to refill it.” He then stepped into the mirror as if walking into water and disappeared.

 

[We’ve figured out what’s needed, so we’ll have to come back later.]

 

Edward reached out to the emperor’s bed, using magic to retrieve two strands of hair, presumably the emperor’s, and held them in his hand.

 

[It’s time to go back.]

 

The two of them disappeared shortly after.

 

* * *

Back at the crown prince’s palace, Edward relayed everything that had happened in the emperor’s chamber to Maxion and the elite members of the knight order.

 

Edward spoke up. “Since there are only two strands of hair, I’ll go in alone. I might need another hair strand to get out, and we need to prepare in case magic doesn’t work inside.”

 

“That’s too dangerous. Why don’t you take me with you? We can just get more hair.” Luize spoke with a voice full of concern.

 

“We were lucky to find even these two strands. The servants frequently clean and tidy the bedroom. The head servant is almost obsessive about cleanliness, so the other servants under her are trained strictly. These hairs were probably hidden deep in the bed or in an unseen corner.”

 

“Even so, I’m too worried about you going alone. What if you fall into the same trap again?”

 

“Given how easily the emperor moves in and out, I don’t think that will be the case. Just in case, I plan to recreate the exact conditions we observed earlier.”

 

“The same conditions? Was there something other than the hair?”

 

“When the emperor entered, he had completely suppressed his mana. I plan to hide my mana the same way. Even so, I can still discreetly draw on it or use the ambient power inside, so you don’t have to worry.”

 

Everyone fell silent, but no one could think of a better candidate than Edward.

 

“If I don’t return within a day, use the knight order to break through the wall and enter. I’ll leave written orders before I go.”

 

“Are you sure?”

 

“There may be some reprimand, but with my written orders, they won’t be able to take severe action. After all, there’s a high priest hidden among you.”

 

All eyes turned to Robin.

 

Robin puffed out his chest and cleared his throat. “Ahem. Just remember it’s all thanks to me.”

 

“Haha, our lucky charm. We’re grateful.” Hendrik laughed heartily and playfully ruffled Robin’s hair with his palm.

 

“It might be better to end the protective period now rather than giving the empress dowager time to come up with another scheme,” Maxion spoke up after a moment of thought.

 

“…I agree.”

 

Edward’s gaze then shifted to Luize. She let out a small sigh.

 

“Alright.”

 

They had all reached the conclusion that there was no better plan.

 

“Let’s set that matter aside for now. I have two other pieces of news. First, it seems that Marquis Edvin intends to challenge Miss Luize to a duel, aiming for her life.”

 

The faces of everyone except Luize turned pale with shock.

 

Hendrik spoke. “Isn’t he said to be the greatest swordsman in the empire? I’ve heard he’s so skilled that he could rival Lensia.”

 

“Then I’ll win,” Luize replied calmly.

 

Maxion nodded in agreement. “…Luize had already surpassed our master’s skill before I left Perils. I don’t think there’s anything to worry about.”

 

Robin’s jaw dropped as he looked at Luize. Everyone knew she was highly skilled, but the thought that she had surpassed Lensia while still a minor was astonishing.

 

“That may have been true back then. But he’s a very experienced knight who led the White Lion, the 1st Imperial Knight Order, for years. Even if he’s not as strong as in his prime, he’ll still be a troublesome opponent for Luize.”

 

“I’ll extend my training time with the knight order to prepare thoroughly.”

 

“There are two people who can help with that.”

 

“Two people?” Luize blinked in surprise.

 

“I plan to request cooperation from Sir Fin and Sir Rante di Edvin.”

 

“Sir Edvin? But he’s the marquis’s son. Will he help us?”

 

“If he learns why the marquis wants to kill Luize, I believe he will.”

 

Robin spoke with a puzzled expression. “Why does he want to kill her?”

 

“That’s the last piece of news.”

 

Everyone turned their attention to Edward. He continued with a troubled look.

 

“Marquis Edvin is on the verge of being fully consumed by dark magic. His mental strength has been so strong that he hasn’t been completely brainwashed yet, but it’s only a matter of time.”

 

“My goodness. He’s a significant figure with great skills and many disciples… Could it be that many of his disciples have also fallen into black magic?” Robin’s eyes widened in alarm.

 

“That’s likely. The longer they’ve been in the Imperial Palace, the more exposed they’d be to dark magic. It would take a considerable amount of divine power and time to restore their minds.”

 

“Luckily, Fin knows the Imperial Palace’s swordsmanship well, and Sir Edvin is familiar with his father’s techniques.”

 

“That should make preparation much easier. I plan to oversee the duel, just in case the empress dowager tries to interfere. I’m confident we won’t be outmatched if it comes to that.”

 

“…Boasting in front of your master, are you?” Luize sighed softly.

 

“That’s also part of my abilities. Of course, I only plan to help a little if Sir Edvin resorts to some outrageous act through dark magic.”

 

“Alright. I won’t insist on pride as long as it’s not a dire situation. But please don’t intervene unless it’s serious.”

 

“Of course.”

 

Aiven nodded slowly.

 

“…How about sprinkling holy water in the arena before the duel?”

 

“Holy water?”

 

When Edward asked, Robin’s eyes widened as he raised his voice.

 

“Using holy water would greatly reduce the influence of dark magic. It’s a good idea!”

 

“Alright. Let’s do that.”

 

Suddenly, Robin pouted. “By the way, it’s surprising how Fin ended up helping in this way. Honestly, Your Highness, you’re too lenient. Letting a traitor live and asking for his loyalty again? I thought you’d at least exile him from the palace.”

 

“Considering you were the one who used divine power to save him, I’m not sure you’re in a position to talk.”

 

“Still! That was his life; the punishment is a separate issue!”

 

“Don’t worry. Regardless of Fin’s circumstances and repentance, what he did won’t be overlooked easily. I’m treating his latest mistake similarly. But for now, we need his help, so I’ve kept him around. After all, he’s tied to two imperial knight orders.”

 

“That’s true. But Fin returned unharmed, and he basically freed all the people in the underground prison. Won’t the empress dowager try to harm him?”