As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover Chapter 63

Maxion’s face flushed red. Even though his skin color was naturally dark, the change was noticeable.

 

“…Yes.”

 

The fact that Luize was human made him like her even more. It meant she wasn’t some mysterious being like a fairy or god that could disappear at any moment.

 

Lensia smiled warmly. “Learn swordsmanship from me and Luize. If you’re going to live here, you should at least know how to protect yourself. And drop that tone of worshipping us like gods. I actually wanted to watch more of it, but I told you because it seemed like you and Luize would never get closer if I didn’t.”

 

“If that’s the case…”

 

“Why not treat each other comfortably? Talk to her as if you were her peer. After all, you’re the same age.”

 

Taking Lensia’s advice, Maxion tentatively approached Luize, who was practicing her swordsmanship in front of the house. She startled and stepped back.

 

“You’re going to say something weird again, aren’t you?”

 

“…No.”

 

“Then?”

 

“Is it okay if I treat you more casually?”

 

Luize slowly nodded at Maxion’s words, looking doubtful. “Yeah. I’d prefer it if you dropped the weird formalities. Just call me by my name without honorifics. Speak casually.”

 

“…Yes, no, I mean, okay. Luize.”

 

Luize’s expression brightened.

 

From that day on, Maxion began learning swordsmanship from the mother and daughter. He learned the basics from Lensia but practiced finer skills and sparred with Luize.

 

Luize, who seemed to fly through the forest as part of it, was strong and free. Since he had been exposed to blood, injuries, and corpses from a very young age, he approached the dead to offer prayers and helped the living as much as he could without hesitation.

 

“Maxion, come here. I’ll introduce you to Popo.”

 

She had named the creatures that frequently appeared in the forest. Although most were ferocious, unbelievably, some actually grew friendly towards her. The creatures did not harm those living in the cabin, but sometimes, on days when Luize said the forest smelled particularly bad, they would come all the way to the cabin and act aggressively.

 

Her parents advised caution but did not strictly forbid her from going to the forest. They seemed to have no intention of moving to a safer area.

 

“When you turn 10, I’ll take you to the festival in Kavan as a gift. It’s the biggest and most fun festival in a city close to Perils.”

 

Luize was thrilled at Lensia’s words.

 

After realizing that they were not some special beings like gods or fairies, Maxion could not understand why they chose to live in such a place. Why would ordinary people choose to live secluded in danger, not seeking to settle in the outside world?

 

“My mother is a hero of the empire. She wanted to live quietly here so I wouldn’t become unhappy under people’s scrutiny.”

 

“…I see. The Silver Lensia. I’ve heard of Master’s name when I was outside.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“See? So, my mother stays here for me.”

 

Luize smiled softly, and Maxion’s face reddened again. Not understanding was no longer an issue; seeing Luize smile happily made him feel warm and fluffy inside.

 

“They wouldn’t do anything to harm me. They love me very much.”

 

“I think so too.”

 

“So, I’m going to live here happily with my family forever.”

 

Maxion wondered if he was also included in that family. He hoped so, yet the word ‘forever’ made him uncomfortable. As someone who had lived outside, Maxion could not imagine committing to spend his entire life in such a place.

 

“Maxion. At first, I thought you were weird, but now I think it’ll be fun to be with you in the future.”

 

“…Yeah.” Maxion reluctantly nodded, watching Luize’s sparkling eyes. After all, he had no plans to leave soon, so any parting would be a matter for the distant future.

 

* * *

Allen’s coughing became less frequent. He stopped selling medicines as often and began teaching Luize healing techniques more seriously. It looked to Maxion as if Allen was preparing for his own end, though it was officially to help with his work.

 

The two of them turned ten. Keeping her promise to take them to the festival in Kavan when they turned ten, Lensia took Maxion and Luize there.

 

After passing through a neighboring village and another, they arrived at Kavan, a bustling large village. The winter festival held there was famous, attracting many people. The thick layers of clothing for the winter disguised Maxion’s unusual appearance for the South, as well as Luize and Lensia’s silver hair, mostly hidden under hats and clothing.

 

“If you get lost, meet at the central square. Just ask someone where it is, and they’ll guide you there. I’m not worried about Maxion since he listens well, but especially Luize…”

 

Luize’s shoulders twitched as she looked at the strawberry candies on a nearby stall. “Yes!”

 

“If you get lost, ask people to guide you to the central square. Be alert so that doesn’t happen.”

 

“Yes.” Luize nodded earnestly.

 

The festival was grand, offering more food, sights, and sounds than ever before. Despite the cold winter, there were performances by Northmen with their shirts off, wandering magicians, and minstrels, providing a variety of fascinating spectacles.

 

It was the time when it was getting dark.

 

“It’s about time we saw everything. Let’s go watch the main show at the central square now.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

As the street storyteller finished, Lensia moved on. Maxion, getting up to follow, turned to check the seat next to him. Luize had disappeared.

 

“I knew it would happen.” Lensia pressed her forehead with a palm, looking frustrated. “Since we were heading to the central square anyway, let’s wait there, Maxion.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Maxion followed Lensia closely, surprised that he hadn’t noticed Luize disappearing even though they had been together. Even Lensia, a formidable knight, found it difficult to catch Luize when she decided to hide her presence.

 

In the center of the square was a giant ice sculpture. It depicted a woman wielding a sword against a giant dragon. Fire surrounded the sculpture, but strangely, the ice did not melt.

 

“…It looks like Master.”

 

“Right. I visited here before I defeated the dragon. It’s a festival to commemorate that.”

 

“Ah.”

 

“Well, ‘defeated’ might be the wrong word,” Lensia added.

 

“Didn’t Master defeat it?”

 

“Hmm, it’s a bit different but similar. But more importantly, Luize is late. She must have gotten distracted by something.”

 

“She must have found something shiny. Luize loves anything that glitters.”

 

“Maybe that’s the case. It’s like I’ve given birth to a white crow. Why isn’t she hurrying?” Lensia spoke in a bothered tone, though she seemed worried about Luize, continuously scanning the surroundings.

 

The cabin between Perils and the ordinary small forest didn’t get much light. Maybe that’s why Luize particularly loved light. On sunny days, she would always climb a hill to gaze silently at the world bathed in radiant light. Luize said the light changed every day, but Maxion couldn’t feel the difference.

 

Instead of sharing that view, he watched Luize watching the world. Her face, while looking at the world, usually appeared joyful or happy, but sometimes a lonely expression surfaced. Occasionally, there was a sense of longing and regret.

 

“I wish I could steal that light and bring it home.”

 

She often murmured such thoughts.

 

The festival reached its climax. The villagers gathered in the central square, holding paper models, and counted down from ten.

 

…Three, two, one!

 

Flames ignited the paper models simultaneously. Warm lights filled the models, lifting them into the sky. Hundreds of lanterns floated up together, creating a breathtaking scene.

 

Maxion thought Luize, wherever she was wandering, would be watching this spectacle of lights embroidered in the night sky. Even he was captivated by the beauty.

 

As the lights drifted far into the night sky, “Mother! Maxion!” Luize pushed through the crowd to them. Her cheeks were flushed from running around.

 

“Where have you been?” Lensia asked in a subdued tone, and Luize quickly responded.

 

“I was helping someone.”

 

“Who?”

 

“A stranger. They were being dragged away by some weird people, so I helped them. They gave me this as a reward. Isn’t it pretty?” Luize held out a small button.

 

“You really take after me with your meddling.” Lensia sighed as if resigned and examined the button Luize offered. Her face instantly turned serious.

 

Luize clung to Lensia, excitedly talking about the person she had seen. “Their eyes sparkled brilliantly. At first, I thought they were jewels. When the light hit them, they shone like the rising sun on the horizon.”

 

“…How can a person’s eyes do that? Let’s go back to our lodging. I feel like I’ve aged 20 years. Let’s rest.”

 

“Maxion, Maxion. It’s true. It was really pretty!”

 

The next day, they returned to the cabin and greeted Allen, who was well as promised.

 

After that day, Maxion had to listen to tales of those shining eyes for a whole month. Like any child’s story, the descriptions of the eyes she saw became increasingly exaggerated, saying they shone so brightly they lit up the surroundings like broad daylight. Even claims of a halo bursting forth were added.

 

“It was like the sound of a bell rang in my head, and in the middle of winter, it felt like the whole world was filled with blooming red roses.”

 

The tales of her sightings evolved to a nearly divine level. As Maxion quietly listened, he suddenly remembered his first meeting with Luize. His expression darkened.

 

“…Luize.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Did you fall in love with that person?”

 

Luize’s mouth dropped open, and the bread she was eating fell from her hand.