As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover Chapter 48

“…No.” Maxion, holding a glass filled with ice water, shook his head. 

 

“How can someone as big as you be worse at drinking than me?” Luize sipped her beer with a look of sympathy. 

 

As everyone quickly indulged, the atmosphere at the gathering warmed up swiftly but soon mellowed out, likely considering the early start scheduled for the next day.

 

“It’s a shame Benny isn’t here. I wanted to see the real Lensia’s sword.” 

 

“There are a lot of rumors about it, but it’s an ordinary sword that no one even knows what it looks like.”

 

“Even if the emperor swapped it, nobody would know, right?” 

 

Whenever conversations related to her arose, Luize quietly smiled and listened.

 

Although the knights approached her with questions, they had no knack for continuing the conversation, perhaps because they were unfamiliar with dealing with women, so the conversation quickly ended. She appreciated even these brief interactions. This was the first time she felt warmly regarded by so many people. 

 

Luize was halfway through her third beer. The pleasant stories pouring in from all around seemed to lift her spirits quickly. 

 

“Come to think of it, His Excellency is staying quite long today, isn’t he?”

 

“Hmm.” 

 

Robin, often the most talkative, changed the subject towards Edward.  “Obviously, the reason is…”

 

As he subtly shifted his gaze, many eyes turned towards Luize. With slightly unfocused eyes, she giggled drunkenly. A flush spread over her fair skin from the alcohol. 

 

“Ah, it seems Miss Servenia is drunk.”

 

“Oh, is that so? Hehe. I guess I got carried away since it’s been a while. I feel a bit warm too…”

 

Watching Luize, Edward spoke up. “Miss Luize, maybe it’s time to rest. We have a long journey ahead starting tomorrow.” 

 

“Yes. I think I’m a bit drunk from the fun. I’ve been sitting here for too long.” 

 

She tried to stand but swayed. Maxion quickly stood up and tried to wrap his arms around Luize’s shoulders but then stopped. Before he could act, a man’s forearm was already in front of Luize, positioned to catch her if she fell, though he carefully avoided touching her directly. It was Edward’s arm. 

 

Luize grabbed his forearm to steady herself. “Ah, thank you.” 

 

“I’ll escort you to your room.” 

 

With a nod of agreement from her, he addressed the knights. “I’ll be heading up to the lodgings first. Enjoy yourselves in moderation.” 

 

“Yes!” 

 

The knights exchanged meaningful glances and responded heartily as Luize, smiling, naturally accepted Edward’s escort and left the table. 

 

Watching the two ascend the stairs, Maxion sat back down. Robin, with a look of intrigue, fixed his gaze on Maxion. 

 

“So, Miss Servenia and the vice-captain are childhood friends, right?”

 

“Yes.” 

 

“Did you introduce those two?” 

 

“…Yes.” 

 

“If you have any other good friends, introduce me too!” 

 

“None.” 

 

“Surely there must be one…” 

 

“Enough, just drink!” Hendrik cut Robin off and raised his glass, prompting everyone to follow suit. 

 

“…” 

 

Maxion, having finished his melted ice water, set down his glass and pondered deeply. Ever since their childhood, he had always been by Luize’s side when she needed him, acting as her guardian in the teacher’s absence.  Of course, things were different now, and his behavior had changed accordingly. 

 

Adult Luize often surprised him, contradicting his expectations that it would take a month to reconcile or assuming she had left for good. Maybe he had always misunderstood her.

 

After a decade apart, their reunion proved that his belief in their unchanged relationship was naïve. He had assumed that, unlike others, their bond would remain special, being each other’s sole presence in their worlds. But, as it turns out, everyone changes over time. 

 

Soon, he stood up. “I’ll be heading back to my room too. Morning training will proceed as planned.” 

 

“What?!” 

 

Ignoring the collective groan, Maxion ascended the creaking stairs.

 

“Still, there’s no one but Luize for me,” he murmured, reflecting on the lack of family, childhood friends, and more. Reaching his assigned room, he glanced towards the upper floor stairs before closing the door behind him. 

 

* * *

“I’ll be staying in the room to your right throughout the journey. If you need anything, just call.” 

 

“Thank you.” Arriving at her door, Luize, still buoyed by alcohol, responded with a smile.

 

Edward, watching her with a stern face, pulled something out of his pocket. It was a necklace with a red gemstone. “And this is a gift. I want you to wear it at all times during the expedition.” 

 

“A gift?” 

 

Luize looked puzzled at the necklace in his hand. The gemstone, as red as Edward’s eyes, glittered at the center of the silver necklace chain.

 

“Yes.” 

 

“I can’t be the only one receiving something like this.” 

 

“Every knight has one, so don’t worry.” 

 

“But I haven’t seen anyone else wearing a necklace like this…” 

 

Luize blinked in confusion, prompting Edward to show the sleeve of his knight’s uniform. There, a silver cufflink was attached. 

 

“It’s a secret I’m only telling Miss Luize. This cufflink is actually a red gemstone coated in silver.”

 

“Why?” 

 

“Because red doesn’t match the gray-white uniform.” 

 

“Why not just use a different button?” 

 

“Do you remember the highly skilled wizard I mentioned?” 

 

“Yes, I remember. Seemed like a very capable person.” 

 

“This is a magic stone he made. It contains a protective spell to keep you safe. It’s not all-powerful, so it’s better to think of it as not having it at all.”

 

“Really? Aren’t magic stones incredibly rare? I heard only a few can make them.”

 

“Just as Miss Luize said, that wizard is exceptionally skilled.” 

 

Luize had firsthand experience with the wizard’s magic, capable of blooming an entire lavender field from afar or instantly altering her appearance. 

 

“I see. Thank you. Edward, you’re always so kind.” Still slightly drunk, Luize smiled warmly. 

 

Edward quietly observed her before speaking.  “…Shall I put it on for you?” 

 

“The necklace?”

 

“Yes.” 

 

As Luize turned around to allow him, Edward leaned in, extending his hands around her neck in an embrace to fasten the necklace. He tilted his head slightly to see the clasp from behind. 

 

Their proximity was close enough to hear each other’s heartbeat, causing Luize to tense up. The cold chain of the necklace contrasted with her warm skin flushed from the alcohol. 

 

“Honestly, I’m not sure if I’m a kind person.” His low voice settled near Luize’s ear.

 

She blinked in confusion, her face heating up even though their bodies weren’t touching elsewhere. Luize thought she must be more intoxicated than she realized if she couldn’t explain this sensation as anything but the effects of alcohol. 

 

“Still, I want to appear well to you, Miss Luize.” 

 

After securing the necklace, Edward looked at her with a smile, their proximity allowing for easy contact. 

 

“It suits you.” 

 

“Thank you. Then, I’ll go in first. Goodnight, Edward.” 

 

“Yes. Goodnight, Miss Luize.” 

 

Luize hurried into her room with a somewhat frantic motion. Inside, she touched the gemstone of the necklace, rolling it in her hand. The gemstone, reminiscent of Edward’s eyes, emitted a deep red glow in the dark room. 

 

* * *

Luize woke to the bustling sound of people moving through the corridors. Slowly getting up from the dusty old bed, she realized the reality of joining the expedition after spotting her discarded clothes and Lensia’s sword propped against the wall.

 

“Stand straight. There!” 

 

Maxion’s booming voice drew Luize’s gaze outside. The knights were apparently undergoing morning training. 

 

“Morning training?” 

 

Luize quickly dressed in light practice attire grabbed her sword, and rushed to open the door. Creek.

 

“Miss Luize.” 

 

“Edward?” 

 

“I came to call you for breakfast, but you’re already up.” 

 

“Breakfast? But it looks like everyone is training. Aren’t you participating, Edward?” 

 

With an awkward smile, Edward responded. “As the captain, I usually skip most basic training.” 

 

“…Come with me right now, my pupil.” With a serious tone, Luize pulled Edward towards the training ground next to the inn.