As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover Chapter 44

“I’ve heard they disposed of their mansion in the capital and returned to their territory to live. Since Servenia’s territory is on the way to our expedition destination, it might be worth a visit if you’re interested.”

 

“The departure is scheduled for dawn on the first day of autumn, ten days from now.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Luize remembered Reiad, who had desperately hidden her lineage. Her father was the head of the common yet distinguished House of Servenia, whom her ex-husband had thought so little of.

 

“Now that there’s no one to mind, I can reveal my surname to everyone.” Luize’s gaze quietly settled on the invitation.

 

* * *

Fillio really delivered a perfectly fitting dress for Luize in just two days. Although he arrived at the mansion looking tired with dark circles under his eyes, the purple dress he bought was as perfect as could be said to be beautiful. The dress, tailored to Luize’s preferences, minimized frills and lace, featuring a sleeveless design with a sheer shawl covering the arms and back. Silver flowers glittered from the chest to the shoulders and waistline.

 

“It’s quite the honor to be put to work by you. Are you satisfied?”

 

“Indeed, Fillio. This dress is a testament to your skill. It’s splendid.”

 

“Hmm, I’m past the age of being swayed by a single compliment.”

 

Nevertheless, Fillio’s face was continuously smiling. Luize, who had been skeptical until the dress arrived, couldn’t help but marvel at it.

 

“We’re short on time. I’ll change and come out; could you both check if it looks alright?”

 

“We will do that.”

 

Responding to Edward, Luize hurried into the dressing room to change. Soon after, she re-entered the room.

 

“I’ve never worn such a beautiful dress before. It’s comfortable to move in too. How do I look?”

 

“Ahem. Since it’s a Fillio creation, it naturally suits you well. As expected, you look splendid.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Luize smiled softly. Edward’s reaction was delayed.

 

As Fillio was about to speak with excitement, he paused upon catching Edward’s expression. Edward was looking at Luize with a face Fillio had never seen before, slightly flushed, with a tense mouth and eyes wider than usual. Having run a tailoring shop for many years, Fillio recognized that expression well. He never imagined he’d see such a look on Edward.

 

“Ah, Miss Luize, you do look splendid indeed. Bring the hair accessory. And make sure the shoes are comfortable.”

 

Edward finally instructed the servants, his face awkwardly stiff with embarrassment. Fillio chuckled silently.

 

“Your Excellency Grand Duke Edward E. von Lindeman and Miss Luize di Servenia are entering!”

 

As the two entered, all eyes turned towards the entrance of the banquet hall. Luize in her purple dress and Edward in his purple uniform with silver decorations perfectly matched the dress code, causing a flurry of whispers among the ladies and anticipative glances from the men. Everyone was eagerly waiting for Reiad’s appearance, who had not yet arrived at the banquet hall.

 

“Never thought I’d become this famous in high society.” Luize sighed softly, looking at Edward, who, contrary to expectations, was not smiling but looked tense.

 

“Edward, is something bothering you?”

 

“Yes? Oh, I guess I’m just a bit nervous about attending an imperial banquet after such a long time.”

 

Seeing his usual smile, Luize nodded.

 

Edward glanced at Luize, who was looking straight ahead again. For some reason, the feeling that his heart was tingling from earlier didn’t go away.

 

* * *

Tak. The finished bottle of medicine was placed on the table in the waiting room. Diana, dressed in a gown as red as her uncovered hair, looked intrigued at the man who had placed the bottle there.

 

“Reiad, thank you for obliging my request.”

 

“It’s my duty to do so.”

 

Reiad kissed the back of Diana’s hand with a calm face, his golden hair neatly combed back and his blue eyes resembling the clear sky, dressed in a green suit similar to Diana’s eye color.

 

“As I said, I’ll feel nauseous every time I lie for half a day.”

 

Diana raised her wrist, revealing a bracelet similar to the one on Reiad’s wrist. The golden bracelet with a round magic stone in the center was an expensive magical device known as a communicator, capable of exchanging voice messages over short distances.

 

“You remember how to use the bracelet?”

 

“To send a voice message to the other person, turn the communicator clockwise, and the magic stone turns red. Turn it counterclockwise to listen, and the stone turns blue. In the neutral position, it turns black and acts like a regular bracelet,” Diana recalled.

 

“Right. And your task?”

 

“To inform Your Highness that I’ve cleanly separated from my ex-wife.”

 

“Good. The potion isn’t omnipotent; it doesn’t work well on some people. I hope you understand why I want to be thorough.”

 

“Of course, I understand.”

 

Diana stood up. “Shall we go, then?”

 

They headed towards the banquet hall.

 

* * *

The banquet proceeded smoothly. The emperor stayed longer than usual, intrigued by the spectacle of the three people who had stirred the empire now gathered in one space. Now, it has increased to four.

 

Diana’s entrance to the banquet hall, escorted by Reiad, caused a buzz. The prevailing opinion had been that the grand duke had successfully seduced Luize, leading to their divorce. However, Diana and Reiad’s joint appearance sparked a new wave of speculation. Known in high society for avoiding married men, Diana’s presence with Reiad suggested perhaps he divorced the former countess for her.

 

“Would he divorce his wife of many years for that?”

 

“Maybe the count is finally settling down. After all, she is a princess. I only feel bad for the former countess.”

 

“Her new partner is the grand duke, not too shabby.”

 

“But the grand duke is…”

 

The conversation halted abruptly. Known as a man who couldn’t step into politics or predict his life span due to the emperor, Edward, despite his wealth, looks, and noble demeanor, was someone everyone hesitated to associate deeply with.

 

“By the way, the former Countess’s surname was Servenia… It must be a collateral line, right?”

 

“Who knows? It’s been so long since that family withdrew from society. I heard only the current head is the legitimate line.”

 

“Even if not a direct line, Servenia has many titled members. She could be one of them. It’s unlikely the count would marry someone of humble origins.”

 

They nodded in agreement.

 

At the center of all conversations, Luize looked on impassively. Following the emperor’s welcome speech and the princess’s brief greeting, the banquet officially began, and Luize sighed tiredly under the renewed focus.

 

“Would you like to take a break on the terrace?”

 

“…That sounds good.”

 

Just as they were about to head to the terrace.

 

“Luize, long time no see.”

 

Luize stiffened. Turning around, she saw Reiad standing alone.

 

“If it’s alright with you, may I ask the Grand Duke to excuse us for a moment? I have something to discuss with Luize.”

 

“It’s up to Miss Luize,” Edward’s gaze turned to her.

 

“…Let’s just talk for a moment.”

 

“Alright. I’ll wait on the distant terrace.” Edward pointed to a terrace far from them. “See you in a bit.”

 

“Sure.”

 

Edward left with a polite smile on his face. Reiad and Luize then entered a nearby terrace.

 

“What did you want to talk about?”

 

Facing each other expressionlessly, Luize had imagined many scenarios for their reunion. How she might feel, what face to make, what conversations they might have, or if they’d coldly pass by as strangers.

 

Seeing Reiad next to the princess, Luize felt surprisingly calm, familiar with such situations from their marriage. The only difference now was their legal status; if anything, she preferred this new reality. No longer alone or wary of his opinions, she stood her ground.

 

“Luize, have you been well?”

 

“Yes, much better than when I was with you.”

 

“…Is that so?” Reiad’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

 

“What’s the main point? I don’t want to keep Edward waiting.”

 

“I think it was good for us to part ways. I’ve found someone great, and you seem fine too.”

 

“I think so too.”

 

Luize met his gaze without flinching. His lips tightened at her unyielding response.

 

“Luize, I misspoke on the day we parted.”

 

“Misspoke?”

 

“I’m sorry, but I’ve never loved you, not even for a moment.”

 

“…”

 

“And I don’t love you now. My heart has always been with Princess Seperdel. After she returned to her kingdom, I wandered for a long time, but now that she’s back in Kaillon, I’ll do my best.”

 

“That’s great. Congratulations.”

 

Reiad reached for the bracelet on his wrist, adjusting the magic stone to the neutral position. The jewel turned black.

 

“Luize, the grand duke is a dangerous man. It’s better for you to leave him as soon as possible. I’m sincerely advising you out of concern.”

 

“…Is that all you wanted to say?”