As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover Chapter 211

Maxion raised his head and looked at Edward. His face was serious, without a hint of a smile.

 

“You must have noticed that I’ve been looking after the families of some members because of Fin’s situation.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“It’s the same for you. The current Count Kalliod is in such a critical condition that he could pass away at any moment.”

 

“…I see.” Maxion’s expression darkened.

 

“The vassals of Kalliod have already informed you of the count’s condition, and since the choice is yours, I didn’t intend to intervene. However, seeing your state, I think this might help, so I have a suggestion for you.” Edward paused briefly before continuing. “Would you consider meeting him in person, even just once?”

 

Outwardly, Maxion still maintained his characteristic impassive expression, but Edward knew. He was shocked and shaken.

 

* * *

After finishing her training, Luize headed to the bathroom of her assigned room. She poured some fragrant oil into the warm water, sank into the bathtub, and closed her eyes.

 

As Edward had predicted, Rante de Edvin and Fin were cooperative during Luize’s training. Especially Sir Edvin, who, upon hearing the news of the proposal announced this morning, immediately sought out Edward.

 

“This afternoon, my father will request a duel with Lady Servenia. The goal is likely to cause your death under the guise of an accident during the duel.”

 

“Seeing you come here, it seems Sir Edvin disagrees with the marquis.”

 

“Yes. My father wasn’t like this before, but recently, he’s been acting in ways that are hard to understand. This time, it’s so unnatural and strange. My father is not someone who would harm the crown prince’s betrothed. It’s as if he’s being controlled by something, and he won’t listen to me.”

 

Rante took a deep breath and continued.

 

“If my father is indeed being controlled by the empress dowager… I can’t think of any other explanation. In such a case, my father will surely target Lady Servenia’s life. At the very least, he will try to inflict a fatal injury.”

 

Before being Edward’s fiancée, Luize entered the palace as his bodyguard. If she were to die by accident during the duel, it would appear as though Edward had pushed her into the role of bodyguard purely for his romantic pursuits, and his judgment would lose its legitimacy. One of Edward’s first actions upon ascending to crown prince was appointing Luize as his bodyguard. If things were to go wrong in such a manner, it would not be seen favorably.

 

No matter how skilled the opponent was as the former leader of the First Knight Order, the public would focus on the fact that the crown prince’s bodyguard lost her first duel as soon as she entered the palace. Moreover, if Luize were to suffer a fatal wound or lose her life to Marquis Edvin, Edward would once again fail to protect Servenia, which could become a point of contention between him and Servenia.

 

“Please allow me to assist.”

 

Rante’s reason for helping Luize was simple: to protect his family’s safety. If Edward were to ascend to the throne, Marquis Edvin would be known as the one who harmed the future empress. In such a case, the current emperor, who would no longer be in this world, would not be able to protect Marquis Edvin and their family. They would be walking down the path of ruin. Even if the current emperor managed to protect them, the fact that Marquis Edvin harmed Luize would be a great disgrace to their family, which has always protected the imperial family and remained neutral within the palace.

 

“I’m curious. Can we really trust you?”

 

“From this moment, I, Rante di Edvin, the second son of Marquis Edvin, pledge my knight’s vow and my honor as a nobleman to the crown prince. If there is any sign of suspicion, please order my immediate execution.”

 

It was an official declaration of support.

 

Rante had some knowledge of Luize’s skills through the swordsmanship tournament, but the abilities she displayed at the tournament were only a fraction. Meanwhile, Marquis Edvin, the former leader of the First Knight Order, was a proven master. For this reason, Rante believed that in order for Luize to survive the duel with the marquis, he must teach her everything he knew. It was the only way to save his family and himself. Rante immediately began secret training with Luize, teaching her how to face Marquis Edvin.

 

Upon hearing the news, Fin also joined in on the training whenever he had a break, following Edward’s orders. The training alternated between the two of them until evening.

 

After a refreshing bath and changing into a spare uniform, Luize headed to Edward’s room. Thanks to the privilege of being his bodyguard, it didn’t take long to reach his room, which was right next door.

 

Knock, knock.

 

“It’s me.”

 

Permission to enter was granted from inside.

 

As soon as she entered, Luize was greeted by Edward, who was standing by the door. She narrowed her eyes and looked at him.

 

“Your expression is suspicious.”

 

“As you can see, I finished my meeting with Maxion and calmly came to the bedroom to wait for you, Miss Luize. I haven’t done anything suspicious.”

 

Edward smiled gently. He was dressed in a nightgown, ready for bed, as if to prove his innocence. But Luize was not easily convinced.

 

She shook her head firmly. “No, you’re definitely suspicious.”

 

“Why do you think that?”

 

“The Edward I know doesn’t act so nonchalantly when we meet after dark.”

 

“Hmm… Is that so?”

 

“Yes. And Ellisian mentioned that when Edward is plotting something, he pays extra attention to his facial expressions, making his reactions seem too natural when they should show some emotion. That makes it unnatural, like this.”

 

Luize approached Edward, raised her heels slightly, and kissed his neck. His body flinched, but when Luize stepped back to check his face, he still showed less expression than usual.

 

She nodded confidently. “See, I’ve learned well.”

 

“…He ended up teaching you things he shouldn’t have.” Edward slowly ran his palm over the spot where Luize’s lips had touched, looking at her.

 

Luize smiled mischievously. “Ellisian said very politely, ‘I thought it was something I should definitely inform the lady who will be His Highness’s wife.’”

 

“Hmm, he even made it so I can’t get angry.”

 

“So, what did you plot while I was busy preparing for the duel with Marquis Edvin?”

 

When Luize pressed him, Edward smiled awkwardly and began to speak.

 

“Actually, I plan to visit Kalliod with Maxion for a while.”

 

“When?”

 

“…Tomorrow, during the time you’re busy with training. As you requested, I won’t leave Maxion’s side. I’ll just be traveling a bit far with him.”

 

Luize spoke with a surprised expression. “You’re going all the way to Kalliod? I knew Maxion was troubled about the inheritance issue… But you said we would be in a favorable position even without Kalliod’s support.”

 

“It’s a slightly different matter.”

 

Edward didn’t go into a lengthy explanation, but Luize understood his intention.

 

“…Well, Maxion does have a complicated family situation.” Luize nodded willingly.

 

Edward leaned in close to her. “Then, may I have your permission to go?”

 

“You were planning to go even without my permission, weren’t you?”

 

“I never had such a thought because I believed my beloved would grant her permission,” Edward replied with a shameless face.

 

At that, Luize laughed softly. “…Alright. Go ahead. But let’s not keep such things a secret in the future.”

 

“I wasn’t planning to hide it for long. I was going to tell you after finishing some urgent tasks.”

 

“Tasks more urgent than getting permission?”

 

“Yes. Something more pressing than that.” Edward subtly moved his right hand to the top button of Luize’s uniform.

 

“Did you bathe? The rose scent is nice.”

 

Click. He skillfully unbuttoned the top button with two fingers.

 

“When you use your magic, this scent lingers… I’ve grown so used to it that I look for it naturally. But right now, it’s time to guard you.”

 

Just as Luize raised her right hand to stop Edward’s hand,

 

“About that, I used my authority to shift your duty to the day and increased the security by Red Dawn knights at night.”

 

“…Suddenly?”

 

Luize’s hand paused. Click. In the meantime, Edward skillfully undid the next button.