As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover Chapter 50

“There are no objections. In fact, we have much to learn from her, haha!” Hendrik laughed heartily as he spoke.

 

“We’re looking forward to it, Miss Luize.”

 

“Yes,” Luize responded with a pleasant smile.

 

“But will His Excellency also be regularly joining the training now?” someone asked, leading Edward to stiffen.

 

“Isn’t that obvious?”

 

“Well, His Excellency always seems to be in good shape without training. It’s quite remarkable, considering we’re all human.”

 

“Really?” Luize looked puzzled at Edward.

 

“I have a bit of a unique constitution.”

 

“I see. I didn’t know that. But don’t skip sword training. Skills rust if not used. I need to move more to get back in shape. I still feel stiff.” Luize looked around the members and spoke with a calm face.

 

“Does that mean you haven’t fully shown your skills…?”

 

The knights who made eye contact with her swallowed dry saliva.

 

* * *

With Luize’s arrival, the knight squadron remained in high spirits. The journey continued peacefully.

 

The empire, outside of a few areas plagued by dark magic and Perils, was relatively safe, and the villages they passed early in the expedition had good security. The closer they were to the capital, the farther away they were from conflict areas.

 

The knights moved in uniforms designed for mobility instead of heavy armor. Silver Hawk Knights uniforms were also advantageous in imprinting their presence. Among them, Luize was the only one in plain trousers and a shirt.

 

“Miss Luize, feel free to chat, but if the conversation is too long or they’re rude, let me know.”

 

“Yes. I will do that.”

 

“And many of our members have complex backgrounds, so don’t be too shocked by any surprising pasts you hear.”

 

“…I see. Thank you for letting me know.”

 

Luize had quickly become friends with the squadron members after starting to train with them, now being called by her first name rather than ‘Servenia.’

 

Time passed, and it had been over two and a half weeks since they left the capital. They were closer to Perils than the capital now.

 

“From today, we’ll camp out for two nights as crossing the forest is faster. Come to think of it, this forest belongs to Servenia territory, with the castle at the forest’s edge.”

 

“Servenia?” Luize was intrigued.

 

“If you wish, Miss Luize is allowed to reconcile with the head of the Servenia family.”

 

“So, when you say ‘Miss Luize,’ does it mean you’re going without me to the destination?”

 

“You’ve become quite perceptive lately.”

 

“I won’t let it slide easily. I was thinking of stopping by on the way back after everything is finished.”

 

“If you ever feel like quitting along the way, please let me know.”

 

“I won’t give up.”

 

“That’s disappointing.”

 

Edward looked at Luize and smiled beautifully. A faint blush appeared on Luize’s face as she looked at him.

 

Edward often smiled handsomely at her like an actor who knows exactly how to use his good looks appropriately. His beauty shone even during campaigns.

 

Indeed, he was the handsome man praised by all sorts of newspapers, newsletters, and rumors. Lately, whether it was because he was wearing expensive perfume, a distinct gentle scent of roses seemed more noticeable around him, creating an almost inhuman aura. As the expedition prolonged, Luize felt that a phrase from a newsletter praising him as a special creation meticulously crafted by the gods resonated with her.

 

“… I’ll end up all grimy if we camp.”

 

“Excuse me?”

 

“Ah, nothing.”

 

Luize quickly looked away and deliberately fell a bit behind, sniffing her sleeve. Despite washing whenever she could, her clothes never emitted the fragrant rose scent that Edward seemed to naturally exude, only the rough smell of freshly washed fibers.

 

“Maybe I’ll buy some perfume in the next town. Something as good as what Edward uses must be quite expensive?” Luize murmured quietly.

 

* * *

As autumn arrived, the forest full of colorful deciduous trees added charm to their journey. The members quickly prepared to camp as soon as they found a suitable spot. As Luize approached to help, Hendrik opened his mouth with a hearty laugh.

 

“Ahaha! Miss Luize, you can rest. Miss Luize won’t be able to catch up with this one. We’re bodies that have been camping to the point of exhaustion throughout our stay in Perils. We’ll get it done swiftly.”

 

“I feel like I should help with something…”

 

“Then, how about you join us later to prepare the ingredients for dinner?”

 

“Sounds good. Is there a separate person in charge of cooking?

 

“We take turns, but today it’s the vice-captain’s turn. We’re in for a treat!”

 

“Maxion? Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve had his cooking.”

 

As Luize nodded nonchalantly, Hendrik asked, surprised, “Have you had the vice-captain’s cooking before?”

 

“Yes. I’m really bad at cooking, so when my parents were away, Maxion would prepare meals for me. It was simple food since I was young, but I couldn’t even do that properly. If it were up to me to cook, Maxion would strongly advise against it.”

 

“You can’t cook at all?” Hendrik asked, surprised.

 

“Of course there is a dish I know how to cook, but even that is impossible without the ingredients or equipment.”

 

“I once asked the vice-captain where he learned to cook, and he said it was survival cooking. So that’s what he meant. Ahaha!”

 

“I was a burden to our Maxion at a young age.”

 

“Our Maxion?”

 

A quiet voice nearby turned their attention.

 

“Our Excellency has arrived.”

 

At Hendrik’s words, Edward’s eyebrows slightly raised and then lowered. “It seems Miss Luize has made many friends recently, leaving me a bit jealous.”

 

“Yes. And I’m happy about it.”

 

“If that’s the case, it’s a relief. But it feels like I’ve been pushed far down her list of priorities, which hurts.”

 

Edward feigned a sagging eyebrow. Hendrik and Luize laughed brightly at this.

 

“Really? By the way, what does Edward do during camping? Everyone seems busy.”

 

“I’m the shameless and debauched captain of the knights, exempt from such preparations. My only task is to inspect.”

 

“Is that something to be proud of?”

 

“It would be correct to say that I’m an outcast. The loneliness is overwhelming. Won’t you spare some time for a pitiful captain in need of comfort?”

 

“I’ve already agreed to prepare ingredients with Hendrik after setting up camp. After that, it should be fine.”

 

“You beat me to it.”

 

Edward’s gaze shifted to Hendrik, who laughed heartily in response.

 

“Ahaha! Inspection is most important, isn’t it? You must be busy, Your Excellency.”

 

“What’s the use? Everything’s well taken care of without me needing to do anything.”

 

Edward said in a flat tone. He smiled beautifully at Luize and asked. “How about you come with me to prepare the ingredients? That way, we don’t have to wait until after setting up camp.”

 

“That sounds like a good idea.”

 

Looking at Luize with a light blush on her cheeks, Hendrik cleared his throat and said, “Cough, today’s ingredients are under the vice-captain’s care.”

 

“Well, that’s good to hear. Then, carry on.”

 

“Yes!” Hendrik laughed heartily as Edward and Luize walked away.

 

“His Excellency sure has a foxy side when it comes to his lover,” Hendrik murmured quietly enough that Edward and Luize couldn’t hear.

 

The members working around him nodded in agreement.

 

* * *

Maxion looked at the two standing before him with a puzzled expression.

 

“I heard it’s your turn today. So I came to help.”

 

“That won’t do.” Maxion’s response was firm.

 

“From what I heard, you have some work left to do?”

 

“It’s not about that.” He continued with a stiff face. “Lord Edward, have you ever personally washed or prepared ingredients?”

 

“Not that I recall.”

 

“Then how could I entrust this task to you two?”

 

As Maxion spoke matter-of-factly, Luize asked with a puzzled look, “Maxion, why aren’t you asking me? I’ve lived alone for so long. I’m good at this stuff.”

 

Maxion looked surprised. “…Luize. I decided not to let you wet your hands.”

 

“Why?”

 

“The master said it’s unfortunate, but it seems you didn’t inherit any talent related to cooking.”

 

“That’s true. But I’m good at washing.”

 

“By now, that should be finished. Are you confident you can handle the preparation?”

 

“What needs to be done? I’m a swordswoman. I’m good with a knife. I can peel apples, potatoes, carrots, and such.”

 

“Those won’t be used in tonight’s dinner.”

 

“That’s a shame.” Luize feigned disappointment.

 

Looking at her, Edward slightly curled his lip and said, “Then it looks like you’ll be spending time with me. There’s something Miss Luize absolutely needs to do right now.”

 

“Ah, right. Okay.”

 

She quickly smiled and nodded. In any case, it was nice to see that there was another job she could contribute to.

 

“Then we’ll excuse ourselves for a moment and leave the rest to you.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Maxion nodded silently, watching their departing figures for a long time. Though he was the one who sent them off, he felt oddly left behind.