As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover Chapter 41

“Edward?”

 

“Miss Luize. It’s unexpected to see you here.” Edward, who had offered the money, smiled gracefully at her.

 

“If possible, could you give me a big, beautiful birdcage as well?”

 

“An excellent choice. The cage is handmade, also around 1 gold…” The bird seller said as he brought out a golden cage adorned with blue gems.

 

“What do you think, Miss Luize? Do you like this cage?”

 

“Yes? Oh, yes. I like it.”

 

“I’m glad. We’ll take that one, then.”

 

The seller handed over a golden cage with the two birds inside.

 

“Thank you!”

 

Luize reached out calmly, but Edward was quicker to grab the cage and pay the balance.

 

“I’ll carry this for you.”

 

“Thank you. Please deduct the cost from the prize money I received.”

 

“That won’t do. This is a gift I’m giving to Miss Luize.”

 

“No, that’s not okay. I bought these birds to release them… If it’s a gift from Edward, I can’t do that.”

 

“Why not? We can say the entire thing is a gift from me.”

 

Edward smiled casually. His flawless skin, distinct jawline, straight nose above his smooth lips, thick eyebrows, and ruby-red eyes made him an unrealistically handsome figure. He was dressed in casual attire, but his every move exuded his noble status. This bird market alley was no place for someone like him.

 

“…By the way, why are you here, Edward?”

 

“I got lost.”

 

Luize chuckled bitterly at his straightforward answer. “Me too.”

 

“Then let’s find the exit together.”

 

Edward wiped the tear stains from her face with his hand that wasn’t holding the cage. His touch was so natural that Luize stayed still as his long fingers brushed her cheeks and eyes.

 

“Have you been crying?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“…You must have been quite startled.”

 

“It’s not something Edward should apologize for. It’s my fault for not bringing any money. And the tears…”

 

She clenched the hem of her empty dress. “It’s because my husband suggested we divorce.”

 

The two of them walked deeper into the bird market, surrounded by the chirping of caged birds.

 

“I was already considering separation, but… it’s disappointing because it’s different from what I expected.”

 

Luize’s gaze cast down as she continued.

 

“I feel vain that the three years I spent with him ended up being nothing, and I’m disappointed in myself for being foolish. That’s why.”

 

“… It’s not all your fault, Miss Luize.”

 

“I thought you would say something like that.”

 

Luize glanced at the colorful birds chirping in various-sized cages around them. Among them, a parrot sitting quietly next to a bird seller on a branch caught her eye.

 

“But all of this is my fault for signing that document. It was foolish of me to see only what I wanted in the world. Whether I was naive or Reiad presented any document to me, that’s not important. I was an adult when I signed that document and chose to turn a blind eye to many things for what I wanted right then.”

 

“…”

 

“Edward, this is a secret, but…”

 

Luize turned to him, walking in stride beside her. Edward was already looking at her, so their gazes naturally met.

 

“I wasn’t that naïve and pure country girl. I knew little of the world, but I knew one thing when I signed that marriage contract. I had to become a fool. I wanted to live happily and warmly as a fool.”

 

Edward looked at her in surprise.

 

Yes, that was Luize. She always exceeded his expectations in unexpected ways.

 

“I knew the bars that enclosed me would suffocate me, yet I signed it. Edward might think he used me, but I also used him for my convenience. I needed light, vitality, a comfortable home, and a family. Everything he offered seemed more desirable than anything in the world… Of course, there must have been love somewhere.”

 

Otherwise, it wouldn’t have hurt so much. She swallowed the rest of her words. There was no need to reveal more pain to him.

 

“It’s unbelievable how such a brilliant heart could wear down to this.”

 

They had reached the end of the bird market. The market was situated in a higher area of the capital, revealing the hidden underside of the city below. The view included a sprawling slum filled with makeshift shanties and shabbily dressed people – a sight that had grown tenfold in the eight years since the new emperor’s coronation. Edward’s grip on the cage tightened.

 

“I was prepared to part ways with Reiad. But I didn’t want my last moments to look like I was being chased away. Edward, you said you would help me, right?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I need your help.”

 

Edward shifted his gaze to Luize. The cause of the expansion of that place and Luize’s wounds was the same.

 

“I’ll help you with whatever I can.”

 

The world was bathed in the sunset’s glow, resembling a blazing fire.

 

Returning to the mansion, Luize immediately headed for the rose garden. It was already dark, but magic lights were turned on where she stood. Under the dim light, she reached for the rose stem she had tried to straighten earlier, carefully positioning the flower. The hidden rose among the red blossoms was revealed.

 

“Beautiful.”

 

Luize wiped her blood-stained finger on her dress and gathered her tools to leave the garden.

 

* * *

It was an unexpectedly sunny day for a farewell. Luize woke up and immediately drew the curtains to let the light flood the room. It was the day she would say goodbye to the light she had long pursued.

 

A small suitcase was the only thing laid out in the corner. Among the lavish dresses hanging in the dressing room, Luize picked the simple dress she had worn when she first arrived.

 

“Back then, I thought what lay before me was happiness.”

 

She threw the dress into the trash and chose her practice clothes instead. Dressed in tight pants and a loose shirt, she looked at herself in the mirror, her gaze stopping at her long silver hair tied up.

 

She opened all the windows in her room. The small cage with the two canaries Edward had gifted her was placed by the window as she had instructed the servants. Luize opened the cage door.

 

“Thank you for keeping me company these last few days. Take care.”

 

She went downstairs with her suitcase in hand. There wasn’t much to take – her sword, money, and Edward’s gifts were all at the grand duchy. She had thrown away the dress she wore when she first came, and the rest were mostly to Reiad’s taste, so she left without attachment. Luize’s things in the mansion were merely one suitcase.

 

The servants watched her with shocked eyes as she headed for the dining room. Reiad furrowed his brow as he saw her sit.

 

“Luize, what’s with that outfit? It’s unique.”

 

“There’s been a change in my heart.”

 

She looked emotionlessly at the meal before her. To him, parting was as mundane as dining. That thought crossed her mind for a moment.

 

“So, have you thought it over?”

 

“Yes. We should indeed get divorced.”

 

“It’s only for a while. Just wait, and I’ll come for you. It’ll all be settled in half a year.”

 

“There’s no need for that.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“I’ve thought incessantly about our relationship these past three days. Even after answering all situations, there was one question I couldn’t answer myself.”

 

Luize picked up the knife, her gaze shifting from the roast chicken in front of her to Reiad.

 

“Did you love me?”

 

“My love, of course. That’s why I married you, isn’t it?”

 

“Then do you still love me?”

 

“…Luize. Why ask something so obvious?”

 

“I see. So, you did love me.”

 

Her silver eyelashes dropped.

 

Was it said that knowing whether to kill or protect someone with a sword or if they’re not even worth pointing it at is important? Why couldn’t she come to such a simple conclusion during their long time together? It was because the other party wasn’t even worth considering.

 

“I loved you too.”

 

“I know.”

 

“And I’ve decided not to love you anymore.”

 

Her continuation took the smile off Reiad’s face.

 

“I’m sorry. I loved you, but I loved the world you gave me more. I wanted to escape to a world full of light and life, needed a safe and warm home and a family.”

 

“What are you saying, my Luize?”

 

“I’m saying I used you under the guise of love. I’m sorry.”

 

“…”

 

“Even though you loved me, I think it’s right to apologize. But I loved you too, so don’t feel too wrong. However, Reid, if what we had over the last three years was love, then it might be best to stop such feelings.”

 

“Luize.”

 

“How can we call it love when we can’t be honest with each other or even touch each other’s pain? If that was love, then it’s right to stop.”

 

As Reiad, with his fists clenched under the table, was about to speak, a knock was heard. With Reiad’s permission, a servant with a troubled face entered.