As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover Chapter 212

“Weren’t we holding back for too long in the first place? It’s fortunate that your work schedule was adjusted during the day. Otherwise, I might have withered away tonight from something more dangerous than an assassin.”

 

Snap. With a flick of Edward’s fingers, all the buttons on Luize’s outer garment came undone.

 

“…Am I the dangerous one you’re talking about?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“What did I do?”

 

“You kissed me on the neck.” Edward’s voice deepened. “It was already hard enough pretending to be asleep every night with you beside me, trying to calm myself down. Asking me to hold back any longer is as good as telling me to die.”

 

Luize’s eyes widened, and she spoke as if pressing for an answer. “Have you been pretending to sleep all this time? No wonder… I thought your movements were strange for someone who was asleep. You only fell asleep after dawn, didn’t you?”

 

“Still, I did sleep every day. It’s true that I feel at ease when you’re by my side.”

 

“…”

 

“But I’m at my limit now. Miss Luize was the one who provoked me first, so please take responsibility. Excuse me.”

 

Edward flicked his fingers again. Snap. As a strong scent of roses filled the air, the two of them were instantly transported to the bed.

 

Luize, who suddenly found herself lying on the bed, hurriedly covered herself. Her clothes, including her undergarments, were neatly folded and placed on the table.

 

“Where did the middle stages go!”

 

“They went home.”

 

When Luize looked at him in disbelief, Edward untied the belt of his nightgown.

 

“And from now on, the stages will require a lot of patience, so I hope you won’t provoke me further for the sake of safety. We have important plans tomorrow, so we should at least finish by morning.”

 

“Mor…ning?” Luize stared at Edward in disbelief.

 

He asked calmly, “Do you dislike that?”

 

Why did his face, which seemed no different from usual, exude a strange madness?

 

Luize swallowed nervously. “Um…”

 

As she hesitated, caught between instinct and reason, Edward smiled beautifully and kissed her neck. It was the same spot where she had kissed him.

 

“Please give me permission.”

 

“…Mmm.”

 

“Please.”

 

He buried his face in her neck and rubbed his head against her chin. She naturally stroked the back of Edward’s head. His fine black hair slipped smoothly through her fingers.

 

“… You’ll be gentle, right?”

 

“I’ll try my best not to lose control. I can’t promise, though.”

 

After a moment of further hesitation, Luize nodded, her face flushed.

 

To summarize, Edward eventually lost his control by the third round. After creating scenes that would shock anyone who witnessed them, they went through several more rounds before Luize was finally released by him just in time for her morning training.

 

Robin, noticing Luize’s movements were oddly creaky, spoke up. “Lady Luize, you must have overdone it with your training with Fin and Sir Edvin yesterday. Shall I get you some muscle pain relief?”

 

“…Yes, please.”

 

“Wow, you must have shouted so much that you’ve lost your voice.”

 

With her face blushing red, she lowered her head deeply.

 

Maxion, who had finished preparing to leave, glanced at Edward, who was reminiscing with a pleased expression. “…You seem to be in good condition.”

 

“I’m in the perfect state for a trip to the north.” Edward smiled with a refreshed look.

 

“What about Ren?”

 

“I left Ren in the care of Hendrik and Aiven for today.”

 

“Good. Shall we head out then?”

 

They stood up, and soon, the room was empty.

 

* * *

Count Kalliod’s territory was located in the northernmost part of the empire’s northern region. Most of the land, including Kalliod, Yonde, Via, and Renin, bordered the sea. Among them, the count’s residence was in Kalliod, a historic port city known for being the largest in the north.

 

Kalliod was the most developed fishing village in the north, and its residents were mostly typical northerners. Descendants of seafarers who once pioneered the northern seas, they were naturally skilled with swords and physically robust, with many becoming mercenaries if not engaged in fishing. Although the soil was not particularly fertile, combining fishing with farming provided enough for a living, and the area’s remoteness made it a place where few outsiders ventured.

 

The stereotype of the ‘northerner’ with dark skin and a large build was said to originate from Kalliod, making Edward’s appearance stand out all the more.

 

“The sea breeze is refreshing. Indeed, visiting the north in summer is perfect.”

 

Edward commented as he looked down at the bustling port town, filled with ships large and small, from a hill leading to the village. Though his attire was similar to that of an ordinary northerner in summer, his striking appearance remained the same.

 

“…If you go in like this, you’ll draw attention.”

 

“That’s fine. I’ll use magic so that others will see me as just an ordinary person. By the way, have you ever visited here, even as a child?”

 

Edward turned his gaze to Maxion. The salty sea breeze ruffled his hair.

 

“This is my first time. I only heard that after my mother passed away, the count had been staying at a seaside mansion instead of the main residence.”

 

“That’s right. The main residence of Kalliod is practically sealed off, with only minimal staff for upkeep.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“Not far from the main residence is your mother’s grave.”

 

Maxion looked at Edward in surprise.

 

Edward continued calmly. “It’s where the direct descendants and former wives of the Kalliod family are buried. The count officially recorded his remarriage to your mother to register you as a legitimate child. The grave was moved fairly recently, which suggests that his feelings have changed over time.”

 

“…”

 

“I thought it would be good to visit it before seeing the count. Shall we go?”

 

“…Yes.”

 

The two of them bought a bouquet of white daisies from a nearby flower shop and headed to the Kalliod family cemetery. Maxion easily entered the cemetery with Edward’s teleportation and stopped in front of his mother’s grave. Fresh flowers had been placed at her grave alone. It was also a bouquet of white daisies.

 

“Did you come here before I did?”

 

“I haven’t been here in the past six months, so no, those flowers weren’t left by me.”

 

Snap. With a flick of Edward’s fingers, a piece of rye bread topped with fried herring appeared in his hand.

 

“This is…”

 

“It’s the rye bread and herring that you said you were tired of eating.”

 

“You knew?”

 

“I’m not sure what you’re asking about,” Edward smirked and placed the bread in front of the tombstone.

 

Maxion’s gaze naturally followed the bread he placed down. The cool, salty wind of the north stirred vague childhood memories.

 

“…I don’t actually dislike northern food. In fact, I liked it when I was young.” Maxion spoke quietly as if recalling the distant past. “When I thought my mother had abandoned me, I couldn’t eat these foods. After learning the truth, I was too ashamed of myself for resenting my mother, who died protecting me, to even touch them. The more memories I had with the food, the more painful it became to face it.”

 

Edward replied softly, looking at the tombstone. “I see.”

 

“Did you know that?”

 

“For someone who supposedly disliked it, your gaze lingered too long whenever northern food was served. I didn’t know you were thinking exactly that, but I could tell it wasn’t the expression of someone who hated the food. It seemed more like you were recalling a warm but painful memory.”

 

“…”

 

Maxion’s eyes moved from the fried herring on the bread to the two bouquets of daisies and finally to the name, birthdate, and death date engraved on his mother’s tombstone. Then he re-read her epitaph.

 

[Even so, I hope you find love and happiness.]

 

As he silently pondered the epitaph, his eyes grew red.

 

After some time, Edward spoke. “Have you paid your respects?”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“Then, let’s move on.”

 

Snap. With a flick of Edward’s fingers, their surroundings changed instantly. They now stood in a corridor of a mansion.

 

Before taking a step, Maxion spoke with a heavy expression. “That, Lord Edward. There’s something I’d like to ask of you.”

 

Edward turned to look at Maxion. As he spoke, his expression became resolute. And Edward accepted his proposal.

 

* * *

Count Kalliod had not left his bed since the day before. As death approached, the intervals between the visions of the past shortened. Old memories grew clearer, and he repeatedly fell asleep and awoke as if sinking into a dull darkness. Whenever he closed his eyes, that woman came to his mind more frequently.