As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover – Chapter 94

Author: alyalia

“Of course.” He sat back down with a disappointed look.

“I can’t just take your word for it without any evidence. It would be good if you showed me the request. Also, we’ll have to unofficially interfere with this request. My guess is that what you’re looking for is related to our business.”

Edward’s gaze shifted to Aiven. Listening silently to their conversation, Aiven spoke up.

“…It seems what we are looking for and what he is looking for are the same. It’s strange that it only appears once a month, probably hiding among these orbs in a reduced size. It seems like the hosts were instinctively driven to gather fake orbs here to create a hiding spot.”

“That’s interesting.”

“Host or whatever, I can’t yield. I just need to complete the request. It’s a big deal, worth 50 gold.”

“How about failing this request?”

“What? But I have a reputation to uphold as a mercenary. It’s impossible. Do you think 50 gold is something you just dig up? This kind of request isn’t common.” Carlo firmly shook his head.

“I was thinking of offering twice the request fee.”

“But Carlo of Dawn Wolves is a man who turns the impossible into possible! Sometimes requests fail!” Carlo accepted the offer with a face full of joy in 0.1 seconds.

Aiven narrowed his eyes and muttered, “…We shouldn’t entrust tasks to Dawn Wolves.”

“Customer, I mean, Sir Knight, why would you say that? I was already feeling uncomfortable about something related to black magic! I couldn’t possibly tarnish my high moral standing. But I plan to keep this a secret from my mercenary group. It’s because my superior is a nagging queen.” Carlo shuddered at the thought of being discovered.

“It’s fortunate our intentions align. We’ll keep the secret.”

“Thank you! Then I can abandon the request with a light heart. I’ll come by in the evening to show you the requested document and get my pay. Then I’ll head back to the capital tomorrow after a good night’s sleep. Ah, it feels good! With 100 gold, I can laze around for half a year without doing any work. Ehehe.” Carlo laughed joyfully at the thought.

“But there should be something to report, right? How about using that magic stone you have to find the orb, and I’ll take it and destroy it as agreed?”

Carlo rubbed the back of his head, his eyes rolling as he considered Edward’s proposal. “Well, thinking about it, that would be easier for me too. I’m not great at using my imagination to write reports. To work with someone as high-ranking as you is a stroke of luck.” Deciding so, Carlo immediately stood up.

Once their agreement was concluded, Luize approached them with a perplexed face. “So, we just need to find the black orb among all these orbs now?”

“That’s right.”

Carlo’s gaze naturally shifted to Luize.

“Uh? Oh!”

“Hello, Carlo.”

“We meet again! Cloe… no, it’s Servenia now, right? I’m not used to adding ‘Lady’ to the end. May I call you Servenia?”

“Do whatever you’re comfortable with.”

“Anyway, we’ve bumped into each other in front of the inn before, and we’ve crossed swords before. Ah, is it a secret?” Carlo scratched the back of his head, laughing awkwardly.

“…Everyone here knows.”

“Then it’s fine!”

Thanks to Maxion warning her in advance, she knew Carlo had discovered her identity. Her presence here today was out of curiosity to see how Carlo would react upon learning her true identity. Edward had offered to seal his memory, but Luize didn’t want to use magic on an innocent person.

In the first place, it wasn’t such a big deal if Carlo learned her identity as long as he wasn’t a spy for the emperor or working for a newspaper or an information broker to sell her out. However, it seemed that the request he received was somewhat related to this matter.

Carlo muttered to himself, lost in thought. “Servenia, Benny. Ah! So that’s why you used Benny as an alias ^[1] . Fascinating. How did the count live like such a rascal with a wife like that? Either he was incredibly bold or had multiple lives. Are all nobles like that?”

“You really know that I’m Benny. How did you find out?”

“I saw your face in the news, and you’re wearing the Lensia’s sword, the prize from the swordsmanship competition, at your waist,” Carlo answered without hesitation, looking at the sword at Luize’s waist.

“You know this sword? I heard its appearance wasn’t publicly known.”

“I saw it when I was young. When I was a rookie, Lensia saved me. I’ve been a fan since then and always wanted it, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be.”

“…I see.”

Luize looked at the sword with a peculiar expression.

Her mother hadn’t just slain dragons with this sword. She had saved countless lives, and those who received her grace remembered Lensia. This sword held Lensia’s will and honor.

Luize gripped the scabbard tightly. As Lensia’s daughter and the new owner of this sword, Luize didn’t want to harm someone her mother had saved because of her personal circumstances. Even if it was just sealing part of a memory, who knew what kind of side effects that might cause.

“Could you keep it a secret from others?”

“That you’re a swordswoman or that you’re Benny?”

“Both. I don’t think people would look kindly upon it.”

“Sure. Most swordswomen I know hide their true identities too, to avoid trouble. In return, keep it a secret that you beat me. If that gets out, Liri will think even less of me.”

“Alright.”

Maxion, who had been listening quietly, chided Luize. “…Luize. How can you trust him with such a request?”

“He doesn’t seem like a bad person.”

“Of course, I’m a good person!” Carlo nodded vigorously, then suddenly raised his head as if he remembered something. “More importantly, Servenia. I thought you and the Grand Duke had separated, but seeing you together now, you must have reconciled. Can you tell me how? I’m in a bit of a hurry with that.”

Luize answered him with a gentle smile. “I don’t think there’s a special trick, but if I had to say… maybe a broad mind.”

Carlo sighed at her playful answer. “Ah… neither of us has that. Is there any other secret?”

“It depends on the situation, I guess? Ask the women around you in more detail.”

“I don’t really have any women around me…”

Carlo thought of Vivian and frowned slightly before continuing.

“The only women around me have been a human but not like a human and my lover.”

“Oh dear…”

“Can’t you help me, Servenia?”

“Me?”

As Luize blinked, Edward moved closer to her.

“Miss Luize, don’t help him. I don’t want you getting too close to him.”

“Huh? Why?”

“I just don’t like it.”

“…”

Luize narrowed her eyes at Edward, who glanced at Carlo and whispered to her.

“He said he’s only had his lover as a woman. He’s clearly trying to pull something.”

“Excuse me, Your Excellency. I can hear you. There’s also a human but not like a human. And now, I’m utterly devoted to Liri. The scandalous Carlo is gone. I’m now devoted Carlo! That’s what all the gossip papers are saying these days.” Carlo grumbled, feeling wronged. “That’s what they said.”

“Still.”

“Sigh, you two are like a pair of canaries. I’m jealous… Fine, I’ll take care of my own business.” Carlo, with slumped shoulders, trudged up to the highest pile of beads. “This spot reacts the strongest. Let’s dig here. I dug here yesterday too, but the location keeps changing, so it must be moving inside.”

“…This will take a while.”

“What a bother.”

As Carlo started digging through the pile of rainbow-colored beads, Maxion and Aiven went to help him sort through them.

Luize was about to follow them when Edward called her.

“Miss Luize, wait a moment.”