As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover Chapter 59

“Just having breakfast and walking around the village together.”

 

“I tend to think of that as a date.”

 

Edward’s gaze shifted to Hendrik. With an awkward laugh, Hendrik slowly edged away.

 

“Ahaha, it was His Excellency who left Miss Luize behind!”

 

“Should I take that as a challenge to me?”

 

“No. Uh, Miss Luize. Suddenly, I have some urgent matters to attend to. Is it okay if I head back first?”

 

“Yes? Ah, yes. Then I’ll go with you…”

 

As Luize was about to follow Hendrik with a calm face, the sensation of a palm naturally wrapping around her hand made her turn back to look at Edward.

 

“Miss Luize should stay here.”

 

“Why? It was Edward who left me behind.”

 

“Even though you’ve been here all along.”

 

“Because Miss Luize was here. I came looking for you. I didn’t know you were with Hendrik.”

 

“How did you know… Ah, the pendant. I guess wearing this means Edward can find me anywhere.”

 

“Yes. It’s not to keep invading your privacy, but I hope you wear it always during this expedition. You never know what might happen.”

 

“I understand.”

 

“And I would prefer it if Hendrik was left alone.”

 

“… Let’s do that then.”

 

As Luize agreed, Edward’s gaze returned to Hendrik. “Hendrik. I won’t hold you responsible, so you go ahead. I have more to say to Miss Luize.”

 

“Yes, understood!” Hendrik quickly responded and hurriedly left.

 

As his figure receded, Luize spoke up. “Hendrik was just trying to cheer me up. When I woke up in the morning, Edward was gone, Maxion was the same, and the other members were doing morning training without me, which made me feel a bit upset. It was my fault for arriving late to the training, but it seemed like everyone wished I hadn’t joined this expedition.”

 

Luize added with a slightly gloomy face while looking at Edward. “Hendrik said that he hoped Edward would do as I wished, but I thought Edward felt the same.”

 

“…Is that so?”

 

“Does Edward wish for me to stay here like Hendrik and the others?”

 

Edward leaned forward with a graceful smile towards Luize. “May I speak frankly?”

 

“Yes.” Luize nodded with a very serious face.

 

“Promise me first, you won’t run away after hearing the answer.”

 

“Huh? Why would I run? And if I did, Edward could just come and find me.”

 

Luize showed the pendant with a calm face.

 

Edward replied with a troubled expression. “I hope I wouldn’t use it in that way.”

 

“What are you honestly feeling?” Luize blinked curiously.

 

Edward brought his lips close to her ear. As he got close enough for her to feel his breath, he smiled narrowly and spoke. Luize’s face turned red upon hearing his words.

 

“Yes, yes? What do you mean? Why would I be with Edward…”

 

“Take your time to think about it. Our schedule for today is over, but I would like you to join me for the rest of the village tour and lunch. Hendrik took his chance while I was distracted, so I cannot afford to fall behind, can I?”

 

“What? It’s over? But we need to find a way to break the black magic.”

 

“We’ve found that answer.”

 

Luize looked at him, puzzled. Edward continued. “Miss Luize, have you ever experienced losing something you cherished? Be it an object or a person.”

 

“…Of course.” Luize nodded quietly. She had lost her beloved parents, and her close friend Maxion had left Perils. She had also lost a cherished small button when she was young.

 

“Some fell asleep the day their cherished plant died, others the day after their loved one went on a long journey. Some never woke up after losing their wedding ring. What do you think they have in common?”

 

“Hmm…”

 

As Luize pondered deeply, Edward smiled and said, “It would be better to continue this conversation over a meal. We also need to think of a way to awaken Maxion. Well, the answer might come to us while we’re on a date.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Sometimes a change of scenery is necessary for a good idea to come to mind. And it’s customary for lovers to go on dates when an opportunity arises. It would also dispel any suspicions from Servenia.”

 

The fact that the two were not lovers was already noticed by Lorein, as Edward spoke in a calm voice. In short, this was an excuse for a date.

 

“Ah, right. That’s how I introduced you. I’m sorry. It seems like because of me, Edward has unjustly become a scoundrel.”

 

“That’s actually the most agreeable title I’ve been called, so don’t worry.”

 

“…A scoundrel?”

 

“More precisely, Miss Luize’s lover.”

 

As Edward smiled gracefully at her, Luize turned away with an embarrassed face. A blush rose on her fair cheeks.

 

“Please refrain from such jokes.”

 

Luize realized she was holding his hand only after they had decided on a restaurant for lunch. Her face turned bright red as she quickly let go.

 

* * *

Edward returned to the castle after lunch and a visit to Airen with Luize. Upon hearing the news that the solution to the black magic had been found, Lorein headed to the parlor and sighed as she observed the two sitting closely together on the sofa.

 

“It seems you two are inseparable. Considering you’re on an expedition, do you even realize it?”

 

“Since we’re on an expedition, I need to protect my lover even more. I thought you’d be more curious about the method to break the black magic.”

 

“You always say things that make it impossible to argue,” Lorein responded with dissatisfaction as Edward smiled wryly.

 

Luize, who had been deep in thought, then spoke. “But Edward. Do you think that will really work on Maxion?”

 

“It will.”

 

“It seems Luize has also realized the cause.”

 

Luize nodded.

 

“The commonality among those affected by the black magic was experiencing a great ‘sense of loss’.”

 

“Sense of loss?”

 

“Yes. One person was a mother from an ordinary family who woke up immediately after her daughter, whom she had missed dearly, returned from a trip.”

 

“Isn’t that too simple?”

 

“Of course, that’s not the end. Then, a man fell asleep after his cherished plant wilted but woke up a few days later when his wife brought the same type of plant home. There were several similar cases. Kasel also woke up the moment I mentioned the family’s secret technique, probably because he had fallen asleep due to the loss of that technique.”

 

“I see. That makes sense now. I focused on their physical conditions and environmental factors, thinking it was a disease… I never considered such things because I was busy looking at symptoms and searching through documents. And you figured this out in just a few hours this morning?”

 

“Edward and the other members started moving early in the morning to find out. We have someone named Aiven in the knights who knows a lot about black magic.”

 

“That’s what happened. Then we can wake everyone up. Thank you.” Lorein responded with a bright face.

 

“…You shouldn’t be thanking me. I didn’t do anything.” Luize’s gaze shifted to Edward.

 

He opened his mouth. “The method to break the magic is related to alleviating the sense of loss. Conversely, if someone cannot overcome their sense of loss, they might never wake up. If the cause is bereavement or the loss of something irreplaceable, we need to find a separate solution.”

 

“Yes. Thank you.” Lorein placed her hand on her chest and slightly bowed to thank Edward.

 

Luize then said with a serious expression. “But what I don’t understand is why Maxion fell into a sleep. He didn’t lose anyone or any cherished object during that time. Everything was normal.”

 

“Maxion’s thoughts might be different. That’s why it’s necessary.”

 

“What is?”

 

At Lorein’s question, Luize blinked and answered. “Apple pie.”

 

Lorein looked at Edward with a puzzled expression. Edward just smiled.

 

* * *

Luize borrowed the kitchen and thanked the servants for bringing bread, apple jam, ripe apples, and cinnamon powder.

 

“It’s been a while since I made this.”

 

The conversation about apple pie came up during lunch with Edward.

 

“Today’s dessert is apple pie.”

 

A waiter placed a small slice of pie in front of each of them.

 

“Maxion really likes apple pie. Did you know?”

 

“Yes. He prefers apples that are slightly undercooked for texture, lightly baked with a lot of cinnamon sprinkled on top.”

 

“He still eats it that way. It must be my influence.”

 

“Miss Luize?”

 

At Edward’s question, Luize nodded with an embarrassed face.

 

“The only thing I knew how to make was apple pie with leftover bread and jam. I’d fill the bread with apple jam and chopped apples mixed with cinnamon, then bake it in the oven with butter on top. It always turned out strange because the apples were undercooked, and I used too much cinnamon. But it was the only edible thing I knew how to make, so I’d make it for Maxion whenever we celebrate anniversaries or have something to apologize for.”

 

Luize laughed sheepishly as she took a small bite of the pie.

 

“I relied a lot on Maxion during those times. When my parents weren’t around, he was almost like a real brother to me. Even though I’m capable now, I was really clumsy back then. I caused a lot of trouble, climbing trees or wandering the forest and often spraining my ankle.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Yes. Those were really fun times.”

 

A beautiful smile appeared on Luize’s face as she reminisced.

 

“…I’m curious.”

 

“About what?”

 

“About Miss Luize’s childhood. It’s regrettable that I can’t share those moments. Even the taste of that apple pie… Wait.”

 

Edward’s smile turned shallow.

 

“Could you possibly make that apple pie again?”

 

“Why? It’s not difficult. But why?”

 

“It might be able to wake Maxion.”

 

…And so, she began to make it, though Luize still had her doubts. No matter how much she slapped or shook him, Maxion wouldn’t wake up. Could something as simple as this really wake him?