As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover Chapter 71

After removing Edward from the capital, the emperor acted as if he had forgotten he had assigned the princess to him, indulging daily in women and alcohol within the most intimate spaces of the tightly sealed imperial palace as if every day was a festival. He seemed certain that Edward would never return.

 

“I can’t back down now.”

 

Even without the emperor’s urging, this was a matter of pride for him, having been engaged in such endeavors all his life.

 

Reiad casually loosened his cravat and headed to the garden, needing a change of scenery. Strangely, ever since Luize left, not a day had passed when his mood had improved.

 

“That potion must have gone bad. The side effects are severe.”

 

His stride halted in front of a garden blooming with red flowers. It was the season when roses began to wither. Apart from a few late bloomers, most of the flowers had wilted or fallen.

 

“…This flower resembles the color of the deposed crown prince’s eyes.”

 

Irritably, Reiad plucked a few of the remaining blooms, not minding the thorns that pricked his hand and drew blood. Disgusted by the red, he tore off even the petals until nothing was left and stomped on them.

 

“Pretenders pretending to be real. A deposed crown prince? He’s filthy illegitimate with lowly blood.”

 

It was somewhat of a relief that Luize fought with the deposed crown prince and left the capital. Since the last banquet, she hadn’t returned until Edward had left for his expedition, likely heading to Peril’s house, the only place she could go with nothing to her name.

 

Reiad took deep breaths, messing up his hair. “Haa, ha…” His breathing eventually steadied.

 

Reiad slowly raised his head to gaze at the sky, now overcast with heavy clouds. “Luize. The roses have all wilted.”

 

How long would it take for these flowers to bloom again? Since they began blooming in the peak of spring, there were two seasons left until her return. His gaze fell, then shifted to the grand mansion and the vast garden below. The Cloette mansion was among the most beautiful in the capital.

 

“Keep your promise.”

 

A shadow fell over his blue eyes, reminiscent of a clear sky.

 

“Don’t leave me alone here for too long.”

 

He felt abandoned, though he was the one who had sent her away, standing silently over the cruelly trampled roses.

 

* * *

Leaving behind the comfortable days at Servenia Castle, today, the knight order camped in the vast plains. Maxion, sitting a little distance away on the grass, spread a map and pointed to a red dot. Luize sat beside him.

 

“As I mentioned before, we have three destinations. The closest one is within a week’s reach. Once we arrive, we must follow orders. I can’t compromise on that, no matter how strong you are.”

 

“I’ll do that.”

 

“And, I’m sorry.”

 

Taken aback by the sudden apology, Luize widened her eyes at Maxion.

 

“I heard from Hendrik. You found out about my last name.”

 

“Ah… Yes. Why didn’t you tell me?”

 

“Master preferred you to avoid external affiliations. I thought you wouldn’t leave the forest until you were twenty-five.”

 

“Right. That’s how it should have been.” Luize hesitated before continuing. “Actually, my mother also told me not to leave that place until then.”

 

“…What?”

 

“She said to check under the rock behind the cabin when the time comes and not to look at it before then. But staying alone in such a place for years was too lonely. I left before then, but nothing happened, so maybe it was okay…” Luize trailed off.

 

Truth be told, a lot had happened. Disobeying her parents, she left Perils at twenty-two, married the empire’s most notorious playboy, and divorced at twenty-four. Her mother would have scolded her, saying, ‘See, you should have listened to me!’

 

“But I kept one promise. I haven’t dug under the rock yet.”

 

“…In two months, the year will change. The last destination is near the cabin in the village.”

 

Maxion’s finger pointed to the furthest red dot from their position.

 

“Isn’t that the village where we went to the festival together when we were young?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“It was fun back then.” Luize smiled faintly, recalling the memory.

 

“Once we finish our work there, let’s check under the rock behind the house together. Edward would probably allow a short trip.”

 

Luize’s eyes widened at Maxion’s words. “Really? You’ll come with me?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Luize beamed at Maxion’s response.

 

Hendrik’s booming voice echoed behind them. “Vice-Captain! His Excellency is staring holes through the back of Vice-Captain and Miss Luize!”

 

“… Let’s go over there.”

 

“Yes? You go ahead.” Luize awkwardly responded as Maxion.

 

With his characteristic gruff expression, Maxion spoke up. “Luize. You’ve been strange since this morning.”

 

“W-What? I’m not strange at all.” Luize struggled to compose her wavering gaze. As they lingered, Hendrik spoke up again.

 

“Vice-Capitan! His Excellency is heading that way now!”

 

The laughter of the squad members could be heard. Surprised, Luize turned around, immediately coming face-to-face with Edward’s long legs. As she slowly looked up, Edward’s face, leaning towards them, came into view.

 

“Seems you were discussing the schedule.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I thought you two were avoiding me.”

 

“Luize seems to want to do that.”

 

“When did I!” Luize looked at Maxion indignantly.

 

“Then you deal with it.” Maxion folded the map and stood up.

 

Luize looked up at him with pleading eyes. “Maxion. Don’t go. Just stay here.”

 

“No.”

 

As he turned away decisively, Luize watched his retreating back with a stunned expression. Edward sat beside her.

 

“Miss Luize.”

 

“…Did you call me?”

 

“Yes, I did. So, show me your face.”

 

Luize hesitantly shifted her gaze to Edward. His expression was unusually serious.

 

“Am I making you uncomfortable?”

 

 “No, it’s not that. It’s just…” Luize faltered. “…I can’t forget the feeling from this morning… Seeing Edward makes me flush with heat.”

 

“I apologize for behaving inappropriately, even in my sleep. I wouldn’t have, even unconsciously, if I knew Miss Luize disliked it so much.”

 

“It’s not because I disliked it!” Luize quickly denied, then covered her mouth with her hands. “What am I saying now?”

 

“You said you didn’t dislike it.” His handsome face broke into a smooth smile.

 

“Right, I did say that. No, that’s not what I meant to say. I avoided Edward not because I disliked it but because I was embarrassed… So, I’ll just calm down on my own. Maybe…” Luize’s voice gradually became quieter.  

 

“Then let’s try it until you get used to it.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“I enjoyed waking up wrapped around Miss Luize this morning. Honestly, if Miss Luize wishes, I’m willing to do more. It seems I might be the pervert here.”

 

“Mo-more, what?” Luize’s mouth dropped open. As she was speechless, Edward continued.

 

“I’ll understand if you decide to keep your distance, considering me a dangerous individual, though it will make me sad. I too doubt my own proprietary.”

 

“Uh…”

 

“Just to clarify, it’s not because I take Miss Luize lightly. I often find myself wishing our relationship, known to others as a contract or deception, were real.”

 

“…What?”

 

“I hope you’ll consider it too, when you have time.” Edward stood up. “What it would be like if we were truly lovers.”

 

“Ah…?”

 

Luize nodded dumbly as if in a daze. He extended his hand towards her. Instinctively, she placed her hand in his, standing up. It felt as though a storm had just passed through her.

 

* * *

Despite the questionable conversation, their relationship did not change significantly until they reached their first destination. Luize’s mind grew more complicated, but it was somewhat comforting that it wasn’t just her paying attention to him. Edward openly took care of Luize.

 

“Miss Luize, take it.”

 

“Ah, thank you.”

 

Edward handed her a perfectly roasted marshmallow. Luize, with a slightly flushed face, accepted the marshmallow and took a bite. The outside was crispy, while the inside melted smoothly and was chewy.

 

As she nibbled on the marshmallow, Edward quietly placed a mug of warm tea beside her. After taking a sip of the tea, Luize’s eyes widened.

 

“It’s delicious.”

 

“I’m glad.”

 

Luize watched his profile reflected in the campfire. From his handsome face with an inscrutable smile to his broad shoulders and solid physique, Edward captured attention with just his appearance. Even his voice was pleasing. And he was both polite and kind.

 

“Miss Luize, I can probably count only three women in the society who have never cared about me.”

 

Luize now fully understood his confidence. Thus, she wanted to believe her excitement was justified despite the countless hurdles between them.

 

The expedition had just begun, and Luize was still unaware of the secrets Edward and Maxion were hiding. Beyond all that, there was one more complicating fact.