As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover

* * *

It was purely an oversight on Edward’s part to forget that Maxion had been visiting him every morning lately. It was more of a routine than a promise, and since Edward hadn’t planned on sleeping in the annex, he hadn’t considered it. He usually wouldn’t have gone there, especially on a night Luize was staying over.

Edward struggled with sleeplessness and was even more restless when someone was nearby, especially since people had started attacking him at night. That’s why he was surprised to have slept until the afternoon.

“Have you been waiting long?”

“About five hours, but it’s alright.”

A line of cold sweat ran down Edward’s back. “I overslept today. I had trouble falling asleep last night. Sorry.”

“I heard you stayed at the annex.”

“Yes, the one near the training ground.”

Maxion’s eyebrows twitched. “I heard Luize is staying there.”

“That’s right. It’s late, but she’ll join us for the lunch. Go greet her.”

“… I’m not oblivious enough to intrude on such an occasion. The two of you are now…” Maxion’s voice deepened.

The teacup handle he was holding broke off as his hand shook slightly.

“I’m sorry. I’ll buy a new cup this afternoon.”

“It’s okay. But you seem to be misunderstanding something…”

“Luize.” Maxion clenched his teeth and closed his eyes. His brow furrowed tightly. “I entrust my friend to you. Please make her happy. Even if it’s just an affair for now…”

“Wait, Maxion. It’s not what you think. Calm down.”

Maxion clenched his fist on the tea table and looked up with intense eyes. “Are you playing a prank with Luize?”

“Of course not.”

“I trusted you. I believe you would realize what kind of person Luize is. Even though she has a husband from the emperor’s faction, Luize is…” Maxion’s expression seemed ready for confrontation.

“I think Miss Luize is a good person too. And nothing happened last night. We just slept.”

“Just slept?”

“Yes. We talked until late and fell asleep leaning on the bed. She chose not to wake me up.”

Technically, they ended up sleeping together on the floor, but he felt no need to mention that.

“So don’t worry. My relationship with Miss Luize will never progress beyond this.”

“I was taught that there’s no such thing as a man-woman relationship that doesn’t progress.”

“Them, what about your relationship with Miss Luize?”

“It’s more like family,” Maxion answered without hesitation.

Seeing him, Edward replied awkwardly. “Then I guess I’m around that boundary too. If she’s part of your family, she’s part of mine as well.”

“…Yes.”

“Maxion, I have a lot to do in the future. I don’t want Miss Luize to get caught up in it. But…” Edward’s expression hardened. “If Luize stays with her husband, she will inevitably get involved in unpleasant matters.”

“Yes.”

“You introduced me to her, knowing that.”

“That’s right,” answered Maxion with an undisturbed face.

Maxion knew that the more things progressed, the more dangerous it would be for Luize. If she chose to stay with her husband, Maxion might end up pointing his sword at him in front of her. This would be bad news for Edward, as Luize wouldn’t just stand by and watch. She alone might be worth half or more of Edward’s knights.

“I understand.”

Edward’s lips curled, but his eyes weren’t smiling. He rhythmically tapped the armrest of the chair as if organizing his thoughts.

“I apologize.”

“For what?”

“I should have explained earlier…”

“Maxion, I clearly said I’d find out myself. You just followed your superior’s instructions.”

“…”

“Even if Luize decides, I don’t think her current husband is a good man for her. You think the same, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then it’s best to separate them. Legally and cleanly, if possible.”

“I’m not sure if Luize would initiate a divorce.”

Edward recalled the previous night’s events in the lavender field. The variable had already been introduced.

“…I’m more concerned about the count than Miss Luize. Now that we’re back in the capital, it’s a critical time. He won’t hastily change things. If there’s a divorce and he wants to remarry, it’ll be troublesome.”

“He won’t let Luize go.”

“We must make him propose the divorce first. That’s why I’m thinking of moving forward with some of my plans.”

“If Luize joins our side, she’ll be a great asset.”

Hearing Maxion’s words, Edward stopped tapping his fingers. “I also believe Miss Luize would be an excellent asset, considering her swordsmanship.”

“Yes.”

“But I have no intention of involving her.”

“…Why is that, if I may ask?”

“This is our fight. She wouldn’t accept it, and even if she did, do you think she could unsparingly draw her sword against her ex-husband?”

“…”

“Even if she doesn’t directly confront him, she’ll feel uneasy as long as she sides with me. I can’t exploit her for my convenience, knowing this. We initially planned our strategy without her, so it’s best to proceed among ourselves.”

“You’re right. I was too greedy. I don’t want Luize in danger either.”

“If Miss Luize divorces, I plan to offer her a position as a swordsmanship instructor at an academy in a southern coastal town. What do you think?”

“She would love it.”

“I think so too.” Edward smiled beautifully.

.

Seeing him, Maxion nodded with a slightly gloomy face. He didn’t know what variables might arise on Edward’s path. They might have to send away more people than before. It was uncertain if Luize would side with them, but they could use her power. It was still a fact in a situation where every person’s strength mattered. Yet, Maxion felt relieved by Edward’s words, as he also wished for Luize’s happiness.

“You think too much. Am I that unreliable?”

“No, it’s not like that,” Maxion replied firmly.

Soon, Edward went to inform Luize that lunch was ready. The three had lunch together, and Maxion took Luize back to the mansion. Shortly after, the swordsmanship tournament began.

* * *

Fireworks marked the start of the empire’s greatest swordsmanship tournament burst, and the preliminary match schedule was distributed to the participants. Renowned fighters from across the country gathered.

The capital was bustling every day, and the weather, entering early summer, was perfect for generating heat. Edward, breathing heavily, casually wiped the sweat beading on his forehead with his forearm. He looked as if a famous painter had captured him in a portrait of a mythological god of beauty. However, Luize, standing opposite him, seemed lost in thought, not paying him any attention.

“Miss Luize?”

“Oh, sorry. Like I said earlier, I have an appointment this afternoon, so I should go.”

“Understood.”

Edward lowered his sword in response. Lately, as Luize often disappeared, Maxion had been filling in as his sparring partner. Although Maxion was a good sparring partner, Edward had gotten used to the times the three were together and felt slightly empty when Luize left. After the tournament, the excuse to meet her would be gone, and seeing her as often as before would be harder.

“… It’s a bit regrettable.”

“Pardon?”

“I was just talking to myself. Shall we start? I’d like you to attack with techniques you don’t usually use. I think I’ve become a decent swordsman now.”

Edward adjusted his grip on the sword.

“By the way, have you heard the rumors about the tournament participants?”

“What rumors?”