As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover Chapter 25

“Whether the opponent is even worth pointing your sword at.”

 

Luize looked at the sword in his hand. Although Edward’s charge towards her was close, it wasn’t dangerous. He approached just enough for his sword to almost touch her, and Luize, skilled as she was, could have easily stopped him. Yet, she chose to retreat by forcibly shifting her weight backward, fearing he might get closer and hurt himself. She was afraid even if there was a slight chance he might approach her and get injured.

 

Before teaching Edward, she had only ever sparred with Maxion and her mother. It was natural for her not to be used to sparring with people. So she made a mistake. And today, her mind was disturbed by the matter of Reiad… Clearly, it was a mistake.

 

“Have you thought about it?”

 

“About what?”

 

“Which category do I fall into.”

 

The one she wanted to kill, the one she wanted to save, or the one not even worth pointing her sword at. If forced to choose among the three, for Luize, Edward was obviously someone she wanted to save. From the moment she first encountered Edward outside the capital, she had resolved to save him. It wasn’t because he was special. She wouldn’t want to kill anyone with her sword, whoever they might be.

 

“I’m a swordswoman before I’m an ordinary woman. Such things are meaningless to a swordswoman.”

 

“…That’s a pity.”

 

“…”

 

“Still, it’s comforting to know that I’m not someone Miss Luize would want to stab to death. If that were the case, I would have died long ago.”

 

Edward picked up the fallen sword. He sheathed his sword and stood up straight. Luize also sheathed her sword.

 

“It seems neither of us can focus today. How about we continue tomorrow?”

 

“…Yes.” Luize nodded.

 

It seemed like continuing the training today would only lead to a repetition of the same situation.

 

Since she started using it, the annex of the mansion has always been kept spotlessly clean. While changing her clothes, she noticed the bedroom was also immaculately tidy.

 

“Are you sure you want to sleep alone in the annex tonight? There are plenty of rooms in the main house.”

 

“I’m fine.”

 

“If that’s what you want. Regrettably, I will send you there.”

 

Edward expressed his regret slightly exaggeratedly. Watching him, Luize smiled faintly.

 

“Good night, Edward.”

 

“You too, Miss Luize.”

 

She was the first to turn away. Edward stood watching her leave the practice yard until she was out of sight.

 

* * *

The butler of the Lindeman mansion was one of those who had been by Edward’s side for a long time. He was the son of a noble family who couldn’t inherit the title and worked as an imperial servant from a young age. Fourteen-year-old Edward was externally a capable crown prince, but internally, a bit of an unusual imperial family.

 

“What’s your name?”

 

“My name is Benjamin de Cazere.”

 

“I’ll remember it.”

 

He kept his promise to remember his name and treated all the servants not just as cogs in motion for the imperial family but as individuals. He often sought their personal opinions, used them in significant matters, and even rejected the opinions of the legitimate children of nobles if they weren’t helpful. It was ideal behavior but not politically beneficial.

 

Back then, Edward often disappeared silently, causing trouble for the servants. Then, just before an important event, he would return nonchalantly, say, “I’m back,” and head to where he needed to be. The exasperated servants asked him to give them a heads-up, but he playfully replied that it wouldn’t be fun if they did.

 

Benjamin followed Edward out of the palace on the day he was dethroned. Since then, he had served him closely.

 

Edward’s condition was not good after leaving the palace. He suffered severe insomnia due to repeated assassination attempts and was always on edge. After the former emperor’s mysterious death, he even showed self-destructive tendencies bordering on madness. That period felt like an eternity for Benjamin.

 

Back then, Edward seemed like he could break at any moment. Recently, his insomnia worsened again. Although he wasn’t with him in Perils, according to Maxion, his insomnia seemed to worsen from then on.

 

Benjamin, with a tense face, knocked on Edward’s door.

 

“Come in.”

 

Entering the room, Edward, in his nightgown, greeted him. His hair was slightly wet from a recent shower.

 

“I’ve prepared clean clothes in the annex. I also arranged the dresses you ordered in the dressing room connected to the bedroom.”

 

“Thank you. Did you get what I asked for?”

 

“…It’s right here.”

 

Benjamin placed a tray with a water bottle, cup, and candy on the table in front of Edward.

 

These items on the tray were an excuse for Edward to visit the annex to check on Luize for a while, worried about leaving her alone. Since she was uncomfortable with the mansion’s servants, it was also a gesture of consideration for him to visit her himself.

 

“Make sure no one enters the annex tonight.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I’ll be back soon, but if someone comes looking for me, ask them to wait.”

 

“I will do that.”

 

Edward nodded cheerfully. “Benjamin.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I’m no longer that naïve child.”

 

“…”

 

“I know what you all are concerned about, but you don’t have to worry.”

 

“You’ve been pushing yourself too hard lately. I’m worried about your health…”

 

“It’s because I have a lot to think about, so just wait and see for now.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Edward had suffered terribly in Perils and continued to struggle since returning, with the emperor not leaving him alone. His recent unprecedented behavior was a natural concern for those around him. Edward looked directly at him to ensure he wasn’t just placating with words.

 

“…If needed, I’ll call a therapist tomorrow. I’ll ask for stronger medication.”

 

“I still have enough medication. It’s fine. Go rest now.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Refusing to rely on drugs, Benjamin finally relaxed and left the room.

 

Soon after, Edward stood up, took the tray, and headed outside the main building.

 

* * *

Luize paced around the lit room. After a hot bath, her body felt relaxed, but strangely, her mind was clearer.

 

The unfamiliar room was silent. Her request to have no resident servants in this building was her own, but now the lack of anyone’s presence made her anxious.

 

This kind of silence was painful for her during her time in Perils. It constantly reminded her that no one was left by her side, which was even scary. If there was any presence, it would be that of an enemy, and she had to struggle to survive in that environment.

 

Therefore, Reiad’s approaching her felt like a gift from heaven. The chaos of the capital he brought, the bustling crowd – everything was pleasant. The world filled with light was even more beautiful than her mother had described. She thought no one could be unhappy in such a world.

 

“I was wrong…”

 

Luize clenched her fist in anguish. Strangely, she was angrier at herself than at Redian.

 

Naïve Luize. Foolish Luize.

 

She should have reflected more on herself when she realized what kind of person he was. What she truly wanted. Whether this peace was really the peace she longed for. The price for only seeing what she wanted to see was this.

 

Her mother lived a lie but always told her the truth. The world filled with light was blindingly beautiful and cruel. Desiring that light, she believed Reiad’s hand extended to her was love.

 

Did he ever feel love for her, even for a moment? At least for Luize, there were moments when he seemed to be the most lovable thing in the world, not as a savior but as a simple, playful person. Maybe that’s why she wanted to continue this relationship by any means.

 

Her pacing in the room halted. She sensed someone approaching.