As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover Chapter 55

At her question, Lorein smiled softly, a stark contrast to how she had addressed Edward. “Being a healer doesn’t mean you can save everyone. The perpetrator likely harbors ill will towards our family. The profession of healing involves seeing as many lives pass as those you save. Those who’ve lost loved ones need someone to blame.”

 

“That’s terrible…”

 

Lorein shifted her gaze back to Edward, continuing, “Black magic, now it all starts to make sense. There were many inconsistencies in calling it a disease. Our territory rarely deals with magic, let alone black magic, except for the occasional visit from mediocre wizards. We thought it was a local epidemic caused by some change since it only occurred near our lands.”

 

“Removing the tainted magic stones should prevent further victims. As a token of our gratitude for your hospitality, we will take care of it today. However, breaking the spell is the real issue. Could you allow us to review the list of those in the territory who have fallen ill and those who have recovered? I assume Madam Servenia would have kept records.”

 

Lorein grimaced slightly at Edward’s calm demeanor. “Yes, that’s not difficult, but how do you plan to resolve this?”

 

“There must be a commonality among those affected. That’s what we’ll look for first. “Edward then softly added, looking at Luize, “I’ll examine the documents, so Miss Luize, why don’t you take this time to meet with your family? There’s much you’d want to share with your aunt.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Edward gazed at Luize with a refined smile, his red eyes remarkably calm. A pink blush crept over Luize’s cheeks.

 

“…”

 

Lorein watched them for a moment before sighing deeply.

 

* * *

Though Servenia Castle’s exterior was modest and focused on utility, the interior was lavishly furnished. As expected of a healer’s family, the inside was decorated with expensive Riven wood, which is said to help heal wounds. The overall interior was a dark brown color typical of solid wood, but a light-colored carpet was spread on the floor, creating a not-so-dark atmosphere.

 

As Edward was shown to his room, Lorein warmly greeted Luize as if reuniting after a long time, despite it being their first meeting. Luize found the attention from her newly discovered aunt both strange and pleasant.

 

“Can I meet my cousin too?”

 

“Of course.”

 

Their personal conversation extended, so Lorein, carrying a candlestick, walked down the corridor with Luize, following the sunset shadows. “During our academy days, your father and I competed for top honors. We were more rivals than friends.”

 

“My father and aunt?”

 

“Yes. Except for one occasion, I was always second. His teasing every time grades were released was unbearable. I was happy to hear he was alive, but then the news came that he was going to die soon.”

 

“…I see.” Luize dropped her gaze with a subdued expression.

 

“The greatest healer on the continent was afflicted with a disease he couldn’t cure, and he casually sent a letter about it, but to think the person I thought was dead is still alive, I was glad. I never thought I’d see the day I’d be happy about that person.”

 

Lorein stood in the hallway, gazing out the window for a moment. Her eyes, touched by the sunset light, seemed to be searching through the distant past. Her smile was so natural and serene that Luize simply watched her in silence.

 

“He said he had a daughter. A child who might have to live there, in that place, until she’s an adult, maybe even longer. His wife decided to keep the child a secret from the family and the world to protect her.”

 

“…”

 

“I didn’t know it was Perils. If I had known they would leave her in such a dangerous place and leave, I would have looked for her sooner.”

 

“Still, there were a lot of good memories when we were together. My parents must have had another reason for choosing that place that I don’t know about. Even though it was hard to endure after being left alone…”

 

“Speaking of which, Luize. Instead of embarking on dangerous missions like expeditions, wouldn’t you settle in Servenia?”

 

“Yes?” Luize looked at Lorein in surprise.

 

“I’ve always wished for a girl to be born into this family since I joined. I thought a girl with purple eyes would be lovely. Your eyes are the color that symbolizes Servenia.”

 

Lorein stared intently into Luize’s purple eyes.

 

“I was so disappointed that the child my brother had was hidden away, thinking I’d never get to see her. I’m so glad you came to us. There’s no charm in big, burly men. Not that I have any major complaints about my son.”

 

“Ah…”

 

Luize hesitated in her response, feeling confused. She didn’t want to be alone. That was why she had clung to Reiad’s side and why she had chosen to stay with Edward and Maxion, not wanting to be lonely. Perhaps the reason she could forgive them so easily was the fear of being alone again.

 

“You might need some time to think. To you, I’m just an aunt you’ve met for the first time, stranger than most. But, Luize. There must have been a reason your parents secretly raised you in such a dangerous place. There’s nothing good about being involved with the imperial family. Perils was a good place to keep you safe. I believe your parents raised you there for that reason.”

 

“Mother always spoke ill about the outside world, the capital, and Edward.”

 

“See.”

 

“But I’ve encountered many lovely things there. The changing light with the seasons, the blooming and wilting flowers, the vibrancy of people, and also Maxion… and Edward.”

 

Yes. That’s why Luize decided to stay by their side. Even if they were plotting something behind her back, even if they had tried to send her away, she believed it stemmed from a place of caring. That had always been the case with those people.

 

Lorein sighed softly. She looked at Luize with an expression that seemed to say she couldn’t argue. “You’re a lot like your father. Even the way you smile gently. I was so surprised when you pulled out that brooch, seeing him in you.”

 

She laughed softly. “I hate to admit it, but he was smart and wise. No matter the lie, he could find the truth in it. Maybe you’ve inherited that from him.”

 

“I guess Aunt is close with my father.”

 

“Close? Me?”

 

Lorein asked, then burst into laughter. She began walking again. “Well, as much as I hate to admit it, looking back, he was the only friend I had during my academy days. So I willingly came to this manor when he suggested we work on a holiday assignment together. That’s when I met your father’s younger brother, my husband, and ended up tied to Servenia.”

 

Luize’s lips curved slightly. “Father must have liked you a lot like I cherish Maxion.”

 

“Me?”

 

“Maybe that’s why he informed you alone about my birth?”

 

“That’s possible, but it’s probably because of my personality.”

 

Luize looked at Lorein curiously. She met Luize’s gaze.

 

“I have a certain personality. I won’t believe someone is dead without a body, and even with a body, I won’t easily accept the cause of death. Servenia was persistent in searching for your father. We stopped only after receiving that letter. He knew my nature.”

 

“That sounds like something my father would do,” Luize murmured to herself and then smiled softly.

 

“Did you inherit your hair color from your mother?”

 

“Yes, that’s right.”

 

“Now I understand why your father hid who your mother was.”

 

“What?”

 

“Your mother is Lensia, right?”

 

“How did you know?” Luize looked surprised, and Lorein shook her head.

 

“Where else would you find such silver hair? Besides, after your father saw that person from the imperial palace in the capital and fell in love at first sight, he followed her around, even joining the expedition. I had my suspicions, but to think it was true.”

 

“Father fell in love with mother? I knew they fell in love during the expedition, but this is new to me.”

 

“He probably wanted to tell you only the beautiful stories.”

 

Lorein paused, then continued. “Your mother was close to the imperial family, so she knew the former emperor well. She predicted that if you had ties with the imperial family, you would undoubtedly be entangled. The daughter of a Servenia lord and Lensia would be too tempting for the imperial family.”

 

“I don’t know much about the former or current emperor. But I do think Edward is a good person.” Luize responded cautiously.

 

Darkness deepened in Lorein’s eyes. “When I thought the imperial family had taken both lords of Servenia, I saw nothing else. Even the crown prince, adored by the empire, seemed like a devil to me.”

 

“But my father was alive.”

 

Lorein dropped her gaze with a bitter expression. “Yes. In the end, he died of an unknown disease. Your mother suffered from the same disease, I heard. That means it was likely contracted during the expedition.”

 

“Still, it’s not Edward’s fault. Joining the expedition was my father’s decision.”

 

“I know he’s not a bad person. I knew, but I couldn’t help but blame him.”

 

“Why?”

 

“As I said, people who have lost someone need someone to blame.”

 

Luize looked at Lorein in shock. The smile had vanished from her face, replaced by a sense of resignation.

 

“I too, needed someone to blame.”