As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover Chapter 214

“Yes. I failed to persuade him again. I’m sorry.”

 

“…No matter what, this family must be passed on to Maxion. If it falls into the hands of a collateral line, they will try to kill him to eliminate any future threats. In that case, it would be better to return it to the imperial family.”

 

“But for the same reason, the emperor will also pose a threat to the young master.”

 

“Since he’s already secured a position as the grand duke’s aide, the risk would be the same. It might even give him a chance to win the emperor’s favor, ensuring Kalliod’s prosperity as long as I live. Knowing that I don’t have much time left, they wouldn’t bother to harm me.”

 

The count wrote the letter of succession. And as time passed, he found himself on the brink of death.

 

“Can you hear me?”

 

He emerged from the torment of the past and opened his eyes to see a stranger standing before him. The face was familiar. He recognized him a moment later. Despite having studied the most recent portrait repeatedly, it seemed either the painting was inaccurate or his son had grown since then. Maxion was much more imposing in person, but even this might be a hallucination.

 

“…Maxion?”

 

“Yes.”

 

The man, who resembled him, showed little expression, but the count could easily detect the turmoil beneath his calm exterior. Maxion might look like him, but he was a kind-hearted man who often took care of those in difficult situations, unlike the count.

 

“Is this another illusion brought by death?”

 

“…”

 

“My imagination is better than I thought.”

 

The count couldn’t take his eyes off him.

 

“…Have you visited your mother’s grave?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Did you read the epitaph?”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“I see.”

 

A brief silence followed. The count steadied his rough breathing and spoke again.

 

“…I’m sorry.”

 

“…”

 

“This is something I wanted to say to your face.”

 

His voice trembled slightly. But it didn’t matter since this was just a dream.

 

“I sought you out for the sake of duty. Then I thought I should pass the family on to you for your sake as well. Since your mother kept appearing to me, I assumed it meant I should hurry and pass it on to you… But perhaps it was my selfishness. You probably won’t accept the title until after my death.”

 

“…That’s what I intend.”

 

The count’s expression softened. He sighed deeply, then reopened his eyes. “Very well. Kalliod will end up in your lord’s hands anyway, so if that’s your wish, I won’t argue. The emperor seems likely to step down soon, so I’ll hold on until then.”

 

“…”

 

“The reason you’ve appeared before me, even as a hallucination, must be because of the vote. Are you worried I might use it to threaten you?”

 

“…”

 

“Don’t worry. Kalliod will side with the crown prince. It’s the best choice for Kalliod and for you.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“Is there anything you want to say?”

 

Maxion hesitated as if deep in thought, then finally spoke. “I’m not here because of the vote.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes. The outcome will be the same whether you’re on our side or not.”

 

“…I see.”

 

“Still, I appreciate your vote.”

 

The count chuckled softly, then coughed. The dry cough continued for a while before subsiding. “Then why did you come?”

 

“I was curious.”

 

“About me?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I wonder what you think of what you saw in person.”

 

It took a long time for Maxion to respond. “…I think we’re similar.”

 

“You and me?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I think so too, at least in appearance. But you’ve grown into a much better man.”

 

“…”

 

“I realized too many things too late. My parents tried hard to make me a competent noble, but they never taught me how to live as a person. This is the result.” The count’s eyes met Maxion’s again. “But it seems you’ve learned something far more valuable and much earlier. I’m glad you didn’t grow up under me.”

 

“…”

 

The Count turned his gaze back to the front. “I dedicated my life to Kalliod, but all I have left is regret. What will become of this place now…”

 

He closed his eyes. Tears trickled down his temples. As the tears soaked into the pillow, Maxion finally spoke.

 

“…I plan to take Kalliod in a different way.”

 

“A different way?”

 

“When the land is returned, His Highness will grant me Kalliod’s territory along with a new castle. Kalliod will continue under the name ‘Raga.’”

 

“Raga…” The count swallowed slowly. “That’s your mother’s name.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“I see. Thank you for continuing the legacy, even in this way. Even if this too is just a dream…” He smiled faintly, his face finally at peace. “That’s a very good idea.” With those words, the count fell asleep again.

 

Maxion watched him for a long while before turning to leave the room. Click. He closed the door behind him and moved to stand beside Edward, who was gazing out the window.

 

The view of the sunset shimmering over the sea was breathtaking. The occasional call of seagulls and the sound of ship horns could be heard.

 

“I didn’t expect you to make that request, to continue Kalliod under a different name.”

 

“…Do you think it would be better if you managed it, Lord Edward?”

 

“No. My name is already long enough. If it gets any longer, Miss Luize might declare she’ll never call my full name for the rest of her life. Just imagining it is terrifying.”

 

Maxion’s lips curled slightly into a smile. “Thank you.”

 

“Is your business done?”

 

“Yes. But there’s something I’d like to ask before we leave.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“The records say my mother passed away around the middle of the first month. You mentioned you visited the grave six months ago.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“Were you observing the anniversary of her death?”

 

Edward replied calmly. “You caught me.”

 

“Thank you. I should have done it myself…” Maxion trailed off. It wasn’t that he had never thought about it. He had just tried hard to forget it until now.

 

Maxion realized he resembled his father not only in appearance but also in some aspects of his inner self. He had been a coward, too busy running away. If he had spoken up, Edward would have immediately visited his mother’s grave and taken him there. But Maxion had been too occupied with avoiding the past, and his role as Edward’s aide had served as a convenient escape.

 

“Living a life where you constantly face pain with your eyes wide open is no different from self-torture. Sometimes, you need to close your eyes and take time to recover until you’re ready to face it again. Think of it as the time needed to heal from the wounds sustained in a fierce battle.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“Shall we head back?”

 

Maxion nodded.

 

“… I’m sorry.”

 

Just before his surroundings changed, Maxion heard the Count’s voice in his mind. Hearing an apology didn’t mean he could forgive him, nor did it make him feel deep familial love. Yet, knowing he had received an apology somehow made him feel as if a burden he hadn’t even been aware of had been lifted.

 

Their outing was officially described as a long meeting. When the two returned to Edward’s office, they were greeted by the scent of cinnamon and a loaf of apple pie on the desk. It seemed Luize had left it there. A note beside the pie read, ‘Two pieces per person.’

 

“…The cinnamon smell is stronger than usual. It seems Miss Luize failed to adjust the amount properly.”

 

“Indeed.”

 

Edward picked up a piece of pie and took a bite. The taste still made him want to laugh, but it also reminded him that Luize had made it, which made it more real.

 

“Are you alright? I thought you didn’t like cinnamon.”

 

“Please, keep that fact a secret from Miss Luize. Right now, I’m not eating cinnamon; I’m savoring Miss Luize’s love. It’s a relief that you and the princess are the only ones who know about this fatal weakness.”

 

“… That’s self-torture. If you close your eyes for a moment, I’ll eat it for you.”

 

“Love is originally self-torture.”

 

Edward picked up the second piece of apple pie and took a bite. His expression briefly stiffened, followed by a low chuckle filling the office.

 

* * *

The empress dowager’s secret greenhouse was directly connected to her bedroom mirror. Passing through the small gardens on either side and heading to the center, a transparent coffin adorned with leaves came into view. Inside lay a young man who closely resembled the emperor. His face, with eyes closed as if in sleep, appeared strikingly peaceful.

 

The servants believed the empress dowager rarely left her room, but in truth, she spent most of her time in that place.