As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover Chapter 68

The scent of lavender mixed with a hint of rose tickled her nose, seemingly a common prescription for insomnia among healers. Edward, dressed in a nightgown and comfortable trousers, had slightly damp hair tips, unmistakably ready for bed, yet there was no hint of sleepiness on his face.

 

“Miss Luize,” a pleasant voice softly called her name.

 

As she looked up, her gaze met his. A strange charm swirled in his red eyes. Surprised by the unexpected visit, her densely lashed eyes slightly narrowed. He smiled beautifully as if sculpted by the gods themselves.

 

“…May I ask the reason for your visit?”

 

“Ah, yes. This handkerchief belongs to you. The one Edward lent me was in such a state that I was too embarrassed to wash and return it.”

 

His gaze shifted to the handkerchief Luize extended. Edward gladly accepted it. “Thank you. I prefer this to my own handkerchief.”

 

“It’s not nearly as good quality as Edward’s… Next time, I’ll give you something better. This is all I have right now.”

 

“This is more than enough.”

 

Luize smiled comfortably, relieved he accepted her gesture. “Are you unable to sleep again tonight?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“It must be boring staying up all night by yourself.”

 

“Indeed.”

 

“Then, I’ll stay with you until you fall asleep tonight.”

 

Edward’s expression froze while he was smiling. Luize blushed, realizing only after her timing was half a beat late in responding that her words could have been misunderstood.

 

“I didn’t mean anything bad, just if you can’t sleep, then—”

 

“Come in.” Edward interrupted her before she could say she would go back to her room.

 

“…Okay.”

 

Snap. It sounded like someone snapped their fingers somewhere. The light inside the room, which had been faintly shining, dimmed suddenly.

 

As Edward stepped aside, Luize entered his room. Except for a candlestick on the bedside table, all the lights in the room were off. The brightness inside fluctuated with the flickering of the candle. Their faces were cast in deep shadows following the movement of the light.

 

“Such a careless lady, for a lady of Servenia to enter the room of a man she’s not engaged to.” A splendid voice filled the room softly.

 

“I came without being caught, just in case. I wouldn’t want my aunt to think even less of Edward.”

 

Edward chuckled low. A dangerous light swirled in his red eyes as he watched her back. “I’m not sure it’s an unnecessary worry.”

 

“Yes?” Luize turned around, startled.

 

Edward, who had approached close to her, squinted his eyes in the dim light and curled his lips. He whispered, leaning forward to meet her gaze. The well-defined muscles of his chest revealed through his nightgown, struck directly into her view. Luize swallowed dryly.

 

“I’ve changed my mind. I want to tease you now.”

 

“What prank are you thinking of now? If you’re not planning to sleep, I’ll leave.”

 

Her violet eyes trembled like the petals of a flower swaying in the wind. Her heart rate quickened, and she felt a feverish heat throughout her body. It often happened when she was with him. Why is this happening?

 

As Luize’s eyes wandered, unable to grasp anything, Edward laughed lightly and straightened up. “Do you remember what I said during the day?”

 

“…Yes.” Luize nodded with a complicated look.

 

“I’m going crazy with anxiety that you might leave me.”

 

His voice, still resonant in her ears, made her wonder about its meaning. Why was he anxious about her leaving? Could their hidden secret be so lethal? Even if so, was it such a big deal for Edward if she left, to the point of driving him crazy? After all, it was Edward himself who had pushed her away first. Could it be, just maybe, that she had become somewhat important to him?

 

Edward looked at Luize with a somber expression. “I still feel the same. I’m terribly nervous that Miss Luize might leave and abandon this pitiful patient alone in this lonely room.”

 

“You don’t seem to feel like that at all.”

 

Edward laughed low at her firm response. “It’s a pity I can’t show you my heart. It would have been perfectly charred by now.”

 

It was fortunate she couldn’t see it. If Edward had shown her his charred heart, Luize might have been swayed by pity and fallen for his pranks every time. Wasn’t she already being swayed by his pretend pitiful, lonely face?

 

“Since Miss Luize is a healer, I want to believe you won’t ignore a patient.”

 

“…If the patient is willing to undergo treatment, then yes.”

 

“I’ll obediently follow the healer’s words. I’m not only your disciple but also a patient.”

 

“Okay.” Luize opened her mouth after a brief pause. “Edward, Maxion woke up, didn’t he?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Then, will the knights leave this place tomorrow?”

 

The healer answered that Maxion’s health was very good as if he had been under a maintenance spell. He added that as long as Maxion didn’t overdo it and ate properly, he wouldn’t need to set aside time for recovery because his body was healthy enough.

 

“That’s the plan. If you’re wondering whether to stay here, you probably have tonight to think about it.”

 

“…I see.”

 

“Do you want to stay here?”

 

Luize hadn’t considered staying here before meeting her aunt and cousin. However, the aunt she met for the first time was friendly and even suggested she stay. Her cousin didn’t seem bad either. This place could be comfortable.

 

Edward’s expression turned bitter. “It’s the first time I regret asking a question too late.”

 

“…Why is that, Edward?”

 

“Upon reflection, I realize I have no reason to keep Miss Luize here, but you have too many reasons to leave me.”

 

“I still don’t know what Edward and Maxion are hiding from me. I won’t leave until I find out. And I still enjoy the journey with you two more than the comfort of this place. I hadn’t ruled out staying, but that’s how I feel now.”

 

Luize was determined to fully understand if she decided to know something. It wouldn’t be too late to decide whether to stay or leave after learning the truth about them. She decided to judge them only based on what she had seen until she knew the truth.

 

“…That’s a relief.”

 

Edward quietly looked at Luize standing in front of him. The candlelight flickered, casting deep shadows under his dense eyelashes.

 

“I often think it’d be okay for you to use me as long as you never leave my side forever.” His voice was steady and calm.

 

Edward reached out and gently held the end of Luize’s pajama sleeve between his thumb and index finger. “So, please stay by my side tonight.”

 

“…”

 

“If necessary, I’ll beg.”

 

A slight tension could be felt in his soft voice. Luize’s face flushed as she seemed to gauge his hesitant, red gaze. It was a relief that the lighting was dim so the change in her complexion would be less noticeable.

 

She calmed her racing heart and slowly opened her mouth. “Staying by your side is fine.”

 

“Then, can you lie in my bed and keep me company, like you did in the mansion annex? We fell asleep after talking about various things then, too. …Is that too difficult?”

 

Again, he gauged her reaction. It seemed Edward had noticed that Luize found it hard to refuse him when he showed weakness. Luize gradually avoided his gaze and answered.

 

“Okay, but then you should sleep in the bed.”

 

“I can’t have Miss Luize sitting on the bare floor.”

 

“What about putting a chair beside the bed?”

 

“I think I won’t be able to sleep, feeling tense because you’re watching me.”

 

“…Is that so?”

 

If psychological factors played a significant role, even his gaze might feel burdensome. Maybe reenacting the same scene would help him.

 

“After I fall asleep, you can leave and return to your room. If I hold on, push me away.”

 

“Of course, I’d do that, but I still think you should be the one lying in the bed. I’ve been fine sitting on the floor, even sleeping outside on the ground.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

Edward looked at her displeasedly, then moved his hand to his waist. He untied the waistband of his nightgown. Luize’s eyes widened in shock.

 

“E-Edward?”

 

“It seems you have a point, so I should at least lay this down for you. Unfortunately, since this is not the familiar mansion, I don’t know where the blankets are. It would be dangerous to fall asleep now, so I won’t refuse Miss Luize’s kindness.”

 

Edward calmly took off his nightgown. The golden ratio of his upper body, revealed as the nightgown slid down, was like a sculpture meticulously carved by a craftsman who dedicated his life to it. His broad shoulders and the beautifully spread chest and abdomen below were densely packed with muscles, leaving no room for fat.

 

“Would that be alright?”

 

“Yes?”

 

“I asked if it would be okay to just lay out a gown. If you need more…” His hand moved lower.