READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 13
Knock, knock.
“Lord Edward.”
“…”
Knock, knock.
“Lord Edward.”
“…”
Knock, knock, knock.
“Your Highness Edward von Lindeman.”
“…I remember telling you not to call me like that.”
Finally, the bedroom door opened. Edward greeted Maxion with a tired face, leaning against the doorway. He was dressed in a nightgown as if he had just come out of bed.
“You don’t have to wake me up this early.”
“You look upset.”
“You’re so blunt from the morning.” Edward nodded. “It seemed like that was the case.”
“I don’t think there’s something to be upset about.”
“She doesn’t believe me.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Do you think it’s possible for me to get dumped?”
“…”
“That difficult task was accomplished by Maxion’s childhood friend. But how could she not fall for me?” Edward smiled helplessly. He looked like a man who had been dumped by the woman he had a crush on, but Maxion knew he didn’t put much weight on that.
“So, have you found that swordsmanship teacher?”
“Not yet.”
“Then why did you come so early?”
Maxion handed him what he brought. “A letter from Luize.”
“Well, it looks like I’m not dumped yet. Come in.”
Edward opened the bedroom door. Maxion added as he entered with a nonchalant face. “I thought you didn’t really care about such things.”
“Then you’ve misunderstood me all this time.”
“…Is that so?”
“No, you understood correctly. That’s right. I don’t dwell on such things.”
Maxion nodded with a calm face. When Edward first came out like this, he thought about which wave it would go to, but now he knew it didn’t matter where it would go.
Edward took a paper knife from the nightstand drawer next to the bed. He sat down at the tea table, broke the seal, and began to read the letter. Maxion naturally sat across from him. As Edward’s eyes turned downward, his expression became brighter.
“The weather cleared up today.”
“Yes.”
“Good news always comes at once. She asks if it’s okay to visit the mansion soon.”
“…I see.”
“This time, you should come to see it together.”
“Luize doesn’t know I’m involved in this, right?”
“She knew.”
“What?” Maxion asked back with a puzzled look.
“Ah, I forgot to mention it. On the same day, I got her money back from the innkeeper and spoke to Miss Luize. ‘In the first place, there is no way that the back alley inn that men visit is the same place that women visit’.”
“…”
“I told her I knew it first and used you, but she wasn’t completely clueless. Haven’t you met her since that day?”
Maxion nodded. Edward then said with a cheerful face. “I have to write the reply right away. I wouldn’t mind using a servant, but seeing your expression makes me think you and Miss Luize have something to talk about.”
“…Yes.”
“If it’s an excuse to deliver a letter, you can naturally meet her. Go ahead.”
“I will.” Maxion nodded with a resigned face. Although he might get scolded by Luize, it was something that was inevitable. He also had a story to tell her.
Edward looked at him and smiled slightly.
* * *
Luize saw a man standing in front of her. His broad shoulders and mountain-like stature could easily make anyone feel intimidated. But to Luize, he was just a friend she welcomed.
After receiving the letter, Luize smiled brightly and opened her mouth. “You made an interesting plan, Maxion.”
“…”
“Even if His Excellency noticed it first and planned it since you were the one who wrote the reply, you wouldn’t have committed it without knowing.”
“Yes.”
“What were you thinking?”
“I thought you two might be able to be on good terms. There were other circumstances too… But I can’t say that.”
“It’s better to be honest.”
“Sorry.”
“Alright. I will accept your apology.”
Maxion’s face was brightened by Luize’s answer. “Thank you.”
“I know it’s because you’re worried about me.”
“…”
“It must be because you’re afraid I might get in trouble. But about the gigolo thing, that was reckless.”
“If it were me before, I would have just rushed at you. I guess I’ve become much duller since entering the warm world.”
“You’re still strong.”
In response to Maxion’s immediate answer, Luize shook her head.
Today, she was spending her day as usual, dressed beautifully in a tight dress. At first, she dressed up to impress Reiad, but now it has become her habit.
“No. I’m weak. There was a time when I thought I was strong. There was nothing in the world to be afraid of. But when I came here, I could do nothing with my power.”
Maxion opened his mouth as he watched Luize respond with a gloomy face. “…Luize, that power.”
“Yes?”
“Are you thinking of teaching swordsmanship to someone?”
In response to Maxion’s question, Luize around with rabbit eyes. Fortunately, there was no one around them. It was thanks to her coming down in person to hear that Maxion had brought the letter.
“No one here knows that I’m a swordsman. It has to be kept secret. My husband also thinks I’m just an ordinary person who lives in the empire.”
“Your husband doesn’t know?”
“Yes. That’s… I missed my chance to explain. My mother told me not to tell anyone, and since I won’t have to raise a sword in the future, I just don’t want to talk about it.”
“Then it must be hard.”
“…I guess so,” replied Luize with a bitter face.
Maxion, looking closely at her, said carefully, “But if you ever want to hold a sword, come see me. You like swords.”
“Can I do that?”
“Yes. I’m currently staying in the annex of Lord Edward’s mansion. There’s a training ground that I use personally, so come visit anytime.”
“Thank you. That, Maxion.”
“Yes.”
“Are you okay with today?” Luize asked excitedly.
“…Today?”
“As expected, it won’t be possible today, right?”
“No,” Maxion answered after a while as if he was contemplating for a while. “Today is fine. Let’s go back together.”
“Really? Wait a minute.”
Luize nodded with a bright face. Climbing up to the second floor at once, she came down wearing her going-out hat. “It’s done. But what about the carriage?”
“
Ah
.”
Maxion pointed to his ride. There was a big brown horse where his finger pointed. “It’s just a horse.”
“…”
“Do you want to come separately?”
“No. Rather, rumors will spread, so it will be fine. I think it’s appropriate enough that Reiad, who will be in the arms of his new lover tomorrow, will also hear the news.”
“…Are you sure you’re okay with that?”
“Yes.” Luize nodded. Her expression wasn’t visible because it was covered by her hat.
* * *
It’s been a long time since she rode a horse. As Luize mounted the horse with Maxion and headed towards the Grand Duke’s mansion, she thought about the gossip that would appear in tomorrow’s newsletter. No matter what the article was about, she thought it would be better than waiting quietly for Reiad to return.
Reiad returned to the mansion only three days after the banquet. He had often been away for such long periods before, but this was the first time he had gone far without any notice. He looked a little more tired than usual. After his long outing, there was always a strong smell of alcohol and cigars.
“Luize, you hung out with someone interesting.”
“…”
“Ah, I already sorted it out with Lilliana. After spending a few days with her, she didn’t seem a good fit for me. Did you have a good time with the grand duke, Luize?”
“…”
“Why there’s no answer?”
As Luize avoided his gaze, Reiad laughed in a low voice and walked closer to her. Dark emotions swirled in his eyes.
“My Luize.”
“…Yes.”
“I told you he was a dangerous person.”
“…”
“For you to be with someone like that…”
Reiad stopped talking and then closed his mouth. He continued speaking after a moment of silence.
“I’m glad you found someone you can communicate well with.”
“…Yes.”
“I hope you continue to do well. It’s okay to leave the house, and it’s okay to invite him to the mansion.”
“…”
“I’ve sorted out things with Lilliana, but I think I’ll hang out with someone new soon. I’ll be busy as I am, so you don’t have to wait.”
“Reiad.”
“Yes?”
“I want our marriage to be happy.”
Reiad looked at Luize with a puzzled look on his face, then gently curved the corners of his mouth.
“What are you talking about? You’re happy. Now you don’t have to suffer alone in such a dangerous countryside doing difficult work, and you can spend happy days in the most prosperous capital of the empire. That’s what you wanted, right?”
“…That’s right. I did.”
Surprisingly, Reiad accurately grasped what Luize wanted from the moment they first met. He was also good at bringing it out at the most appropriate time and reminding her of it.
“Then what about you? Are you happy with this kind of life?”
Reiad looked at Luize with an expression as if asking what she was talking about. Luize spoke in a stern voice.
“Of course. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have even asked you to sign a contract when we’re getting married.”
“…”
“Come here.”
Reiad stretched out his hand toward Luize. As she approached, he hugged her. The strength of his arm took her breath away.
At that moment, Luize remembered Edward holding her body. He also hugged her in this position. Reiad might be thinking about that day right now. So, can this be considered progress in its own way?
“I’m always giving you what you want most, right?”
“That…”
“I’m tired. Sleep well, My Love.”
Leaving a kiss on her forehead, Reiad pulled away from her. Only after he disappeared from sight did Luize realize it had been a long time since she hugged him.
The speed of the horse slowed down. Seeing the door of Grand Duke Lindeman’s mansion open, Luize found it amazing that she was able to visit this mansion again so quickly.
The horse crossed the center of the garden and took a detour to the left in front of the main building. A little further in, the stable came out. Maxion got off the horse with a familiar gesture and reached out to Luize.