As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover Chapter 49

When Luize appeared for sparring practice with a sword in hand, the members openly showed their curiosity. The looks they gave her were mostly of interest and curiosity, but they also underestimated her capabilities as a swordswoman without any malice. Luize wanted to contribute as a knight during the expedition, not just as Edward’s partner.

 

She had revealed all her abilities at the welcome party the night before:

 

1. She was from Perils and knew the area well.
2. She had been taught healing by her father – though she did not specify who he was.
3. She had been trained in swordsmanship from a young age, a fact she had kept hidden.

     bg.ㅣ7  

Most members took her story lightly. After all, the knight squadron had recently returned from Perils and had sufficient information about the area. Moreover, this expedition was to investigate and resolve an incident in a nearby village.

 

As for her healing abilities, it was difficult to verify someone’s skills in that area without someone getting hurt. And she wasn’t certified by a renowned academy that could vouch for her swordsmanship. Considering her petite, delicate appearance, it seemed unlikely to them that she could wield a sword as well as half of them, not to mention that they had pegged her as a lady, which didn’t quite match the image of someone skilled with a sword.

 

“Why is His Excellency participating in morning training?”

 

“Does he want to show off in front of Miss Luize?”

 

“Ah, is that why? It makes sense. His Excellency is already so picturesque; imagine him sweating with his shirt off, swinging a sword. It’d make even the passing men stare.”

 

“Lucky him. I wish I had a partner to show off my sword skills too. I’d happily train then.”

 

Listening to the knights’ grumblings, Luize stood beside them. “No. I came to train together.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“I even dragged your lazy captain here. If you neglect morning training, you won’t build stamina.”

 

Luize looked sharply at Edward. He gave an awkward smile.

 

“Looks like that’s settled.”

 

“Yes?!”

 

“From now on, I’ll join the morning training as well. Do you spar too?”

 

“We usually do that in the evening. We just spar enough among ourselves to keep our reflexes sharp since we all know each other’s moves pretty well.”

 

“I’ll join that too.”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

The knights exchanged looks, silently pleading with Edward to make her reconsider. Regardless, Edward’s gaze was fixed on the sleeve Luize had grabbed. The grip she had on his sleeve seemed unlikely to let go easily. Edward smiled openly, finding the situation unexpectedly pleasant.

 

“Your Excellency!”

 

“Is there a problem?”

 

“Are you really going to spar with Miss Luize?”

 

“If Miss Luize wants to, it’s best we do so. No, we should. Sparring among ourselves has become too predictable.”

 

“You’re bringing in Miss Luize as a newcomer for this?”

 

“Well, strictly speaking, Miss Luize isn’t exactly a newcomer to the Silver Falcon Knights. She’s a highly skilled individual we’ve gone to great lengths to invite.”

 

Shock spread across the members’ faces. Despite their blind loyalty, there was a time and place for them to side with him.

 

What if something serious happens because of this excessive praise! The members had the same thoughts and exchanged anxious glances.

 

“Well, for physical conditioning, basic training should be…”

 

“Since it had been a long time, should we spar? Miss Luize, would you mind?”

 

“I’d be happy to.”

 

“Who wants to go first?” Edward asked with a smile.

 

The members stared at him in disbelief. Only Edward and Maxion managed to maintain their usual expressions.

 

“Any volunteers?”

 

It was when Maxion cautiously tried to raise his hand.

 

“Then, I should be Miss Luize’s first sparring partner.”

 

Maxion stopped and returned to his spot. Some were outraged by this dangerous stunt, while others were shocked that a real sword was being used so casually.

 

“Your Excellency, it’s too dangerous!”

 

“Don’t worry. Miss Luize will ensure it’s safe enough to avoid injuries. I appreciate your concern.”

 

About half the knights were now holding their necks in disbelief. Regardless, Luize, having finished stretching, stood in front of Edward.

 

“Let’s begin.”

 

Her expression was stern, possibly upset by the knights’ underestimating glances. In her view, judging an opponent without seeing their skills was unacceptable among knights.

 

Edward quietly curled his lips, sensing the spar wouldn’t end easily. “Maxion, may I borrow a sword?”

 

“Of course.”

 

Maxion handed Edward a sword without hesitation. The members, still processing the calm interactions among the trio, turned away or closed their eyes in horror.

 

The spar began. Clang!  Contrary to their expectations, the metallic sounds continued. As the clash of swords became incessant, members gradually opened their eyes to witness the spar between Luize and Edward.

 

Robin was the first to react. “What’s going on? Are my eyes deceiving me? Someone hit me.”

 

At Robin’s request, Aiven slapped him instead of responding. Slap.

 

Robin, with a reddened cheek, muttered, “That hurts.”

 

“…Want another?”

 

“No, thanks.”

 

As they engaged in foolishness, Hendrik, who had been seriously watching the spar, murmured, “She’s an exceptional talent.”

 

Members who had been sitting at the back began murmuring, unable to take their eyes off the spar.

 

“If my eyes are normal, Miss Servenia is playing with His Excellency, right?”

 

“If you mean she’s deliberately prolonging a spar she could win easily, then yes.”

 

“I’ve never seen a woman wield a sword like that.”

 

“She seems to have a different temperament than expected… I’m quite concerned about His Excellency’s future.”

 

“Have we been so disappointing that His Excellency had to pretend to hire a bodyguard as his lover?”

 

“Count Cloette must have had multiple lives to survive so long.”

 

“Possibly. He’s been cursed at so much by us that he must’ve gained a few extra lives. So, how many times do we have to kill the emperor?”

 

Although Edward wasn’t among the best in the knight squadron, he was definitely not weaker than the average swordsman. The fact that Luize was far superior to him meant she would be a challenging opponent for them as well.

 

The spar ended in a flawless victory for Luize. After a moment of stunned silence, cheers erupted from the members.

 

“I’m next! Miss Servenia, please spar with me!”

 

“Hey, let’s go by rank. I’ll take my turn!”

 

Luize, now smiling more relaxedly, sheathed her sword. “Then, let’s spar as much as we can today.”

 

“Wow!”

 

Centered around Luize, spars broke out one after another. Inspired by her fighting, those nearby engaged in their own matches while those waiting for their turn watched solemnly.

 

Luize, even as she began to show signs of fatigue, did not easily concede victories to her opponents. Sweat dripped down her face onto the hard ground, leaving stark marks. As she continued without rest, Edward intervened to give her a break, stopping the knights from crowding her.

 

“Let Miss Luize rest for a bit. You all can continue sparring.”

 

“Yes!”

 

As Maxion reached for water and a towel for Luize, Edward was already handing them to her.

 

“Well done.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Watching their exchange, Maxion’s face grew complicated as he alternated his gaze between Luize and the towel in his hand.

 

“Are you giving this to me? As expected of the Vice Captain. Thank you.” Robin, who had been Maxion’s sparring partner, gratefully snatched the water and towel.

 

Maxion clenched his now empty hands, feeling a void.

 

* * *

At breakfast, Luize realized how much her position had changed after just one spar. The knights no longer saw her as an object to be protected. More knights surrounded her than before.

 

While previously they had casually asked her personal questions, now all their inquiries were related to swordsmanship. Interestingly, even those members who were not used to conversing with women found plenty to say about swords, enough to talk through the night.

 

“Miss Servenia, how did you perform that technique during the spar earlier?”

 

“I didn’t realize I had such a flaw! I’ve learned something from you.”

 

“Just a few exchanges with you would be enough to decimate our knight squadron.”

 

The knights solemnly nodded at the last comment. Although exaggerated, it wasn’t entirely incorrect. Until breakfast that day, not a single member had beaten her.

 

“So, there should be no objections to Miss Luize joining the training from now on.”