As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover

Since he came back alive and well from the place where he had been sent to die, there was no way the emperor would sincerely congratulate him on his return. It was the same for Edward, who knew his intentions.

As long as Edward lives, the incompetent young emperor will have to live uncertainly. That’s why the emperor had to cut his buds off from a young age. He would have been less worried if Edward had just survived quietly.

After becoming a grand duke, Edward solidified his position in many areas, including estate management, business, and charity. However, he never entered politics. As a result, even though the emperor sat in the position of the imperial sun, he couldn’t mess with Edward carelessly. To make matters worse, voices began to be heard everywhere, still wishing for Edward’s reinstatement.  

The weak empress dowager feared Edward. To avoid encountering him, she deliberately avoided appearing in public. But today, she couldn’t avoid the banquet. Edward was the first to successfully return from Perils, so the emperor faction had to attend as much as possible in order to press his position. Her pale face clearly showed how uncomfortable she was in this situation.

“Co-congratulations. Then.” When the empress dowager gave Edward a formal congratulatory, the emperor took her, who was standing restlessly, and left the banquet hall.

Those who were hanging around approached Edward one by one. Among them were Reiad and Luize.

Luize’s eyes naturally turned to Edward. He pretended like nothing was wrong even though he suffered an injury that would have left a normal person suffering for several days. Either the mastermind of his wound must have been someone here, or it was a situation where one shouldn’t reveal one’s weakness to others.

She put on her most nonchalant face. Nothing would change since it was a short meeting, and they both decided to keep it a secret. Fortunately, it also seemed to be a secret to him, so she thought she could easily pass on it.

“Count Cloette?”

Luize, who had been planning to hide her presence like a doll next to Reiad, was taken aback by Edward’s call. His red eyes, which had been lingering in her mind all night before, turned to her. He clearly called for Reiad, but for some reason, it seemed as if he was calling for her. His face had a smile of courtesy.

“Grand Duke Lindeman. It’s an honor to be called by you first.”

“It’s my pleasure to have you here. Ah, this must be the famous Madam Cloette.”

Famous? Reiad pondered Edward’s words.

Luize was embarrassed and quickly opened her mouth. “…Congratulations on your safe return.”

“Thank you, Madam.”

She deliberately avoided Edward’s gaze and bowed. Luize didn’t want to see the red eyes that followed her so persistently to the point the top of her head felt stung.

It was the moment when Reiad, who was looking at Edward and Luize alternately, was about to say something.

“Reiad! There you are. Oh my, greetings. Your Excellency Lindeman… and Countess Cloette.”

A woman with red hair approached them. She’s the daughter of an emerging noble family who had recently entered the capital and was attracting attention for her splendid beauty and bright personality. She was also the person Reiad invited to the mansion most recently.

Reiad greeted her with a bright face. “Lady Lilliana, you look even more beautiful today? Do you have any secrets?”

“Isn’t it all thanks to your love and interest?” Lilliana smiled brightly.

Luize, who had been standing quietly next to them, took a step back. It was because Lilliana came between her and Reiad. “That, Reiad.”

“Yes? Luize.”

“I’m not feeling well, so I think it’s better for me to go back first.”

“

I guess you’re not feeling well because of what happened yesterday. Yes, don’t overdo it. I will escort you outside,” said Reiad, leaving Lilliana, who naturally placed her hand on his arm. His tone was still sweet, but Luize knew what kind of answer he wanted in this situation.

“You don’t have to do that. I’ll send the carriage back when I arrive.”

“It’s been a long time since we had a banquet, but it’s a pity we couldn’t be together for a long time. Okay.”

“Oh my. Why don’t you return using my carriage instead? It must be a hassle to send the carriage back.”

“

is that so?”

Reiad looked at Luize, pretending to observe her feelings. Luize calmly gave a fixed answer. “Let’s do that.”

“Now that I think about it, I also have something to do outside for a while. If it’s okay with you, Madam Cloette, would you like me to escort you?” Edward, who was watching their conversation, opened his mouth.

Three people looked at Edward at the same time. Reiad’s expression was saying, ‘Why would you?’ but he wasn’t the one to say such a thing. Instead, he looked at Luize with a warm face. Luize will tell him the correct answer anyway.

“Thank you for your kindness, but I’m fine.”

Luize answered sharply, said goodbye, turned around, and left. Some people occasionally glanced at Luize as she walked across the banquet hall alone. Still, since it was common for her to walk alone, they quickly found something else to enjoy. Until she left the banquet hall, Edward was the only one looking at her back.

* * *

“A low-born like you is fortunate to have a master who invites you to such an event. A brat like you becoming the grand duke’s aide, huh? Should I say that it suits you well?”

“Please get out of the way.”

“It doesn’t work that way. Still, you’ve managed to come all the way here.”

“…”

It was common bullying. Childish things like this were quite common in society, so Luize agonized as she looked calmly at the men blocking the entrance.

She thought it would be better to wait for them to get out of the way and then pass them rather than getting involved and making things uncomfortable. But if she waited and Reiad happened to leave with his lover… Just imagine the scene where the three met and exchanged awkward greetings, and Reiad forced her to ride in a carriage with him made Luize feel distant.

“Excuse me…”

“

?

please pardon us.”

Those who discovered Luize belatedly walked out of the way with a bewildered face.

How many more steps should she take? As she was about to pass the man who had been the target of the bullying, she stopped again. Luize took a couple of steps back and faced the person who had been the target of the bullying. “Maxion?”

“…Luize?”

The large body, like a beast and dark skin, symbolized the north. Although this is the capital, where people from various regions gather, northerners were very rare. The Northern had a small population and was so closed that people there didn’t travel to other regions often. The desolate wilderness that separates the north from other regions also contributed to this. It was especially difficult to see a man with dark gray hair like that, even among northerners.

“Do you know each other?” The man opened his mouth with a shocked expression.

“

, yes. He’s my childhood friend.”

“I thought Madam was from the South, but maybe…”

Although he didn’t finish his words, Luize quickly grasped the man’s implication. He seemed to suspect that, with Reiad frequently out, she too, had her own lover. But that reaction was short-lived.

It has been a year since Grand Duke Lindeman left the capital. It would have been a natural period of growing apart if he were her lover. Moreover, if they were in a close relationship, she would have looked for him before the banquet began.

“This is not the first time I’ve been to the South.”

“That’s right. If it’s any lowly mercenary, they would have wandered anywhere.”

The man glanced at Maxion. The people around her hesitated, looking at Luize.

No matter how much Reiad went out, she’s still the hostess of the Cloette family. The Cloette family is one of the great pillars of the emperor’s faction, so if they acted rashly and came into her sight, they would be in trouble.

“It’s not worth dealing with anymore. Let’s go.”

In the end, they chose to step back rather than torment Maxion. Since there were unmarried people among them, they seemed afraid that Luize would spread bad rumors about them.

“I didn’t know you were in the capital. Come visit my mansion sometime.”

“…Yes.”

“You’ve been to Perils, haven’t you?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t know if my house is well. It’s been years since you lived with me.”

“…It’s well.”

Luize opened her eyes wide and responded excitedly to Maxion’s words. “Did you stop by my house?”

“Yes.”

“You must have been sad that I wasn’t there.”

“Yes.”

“Actually, I’m married. So, my last name changed. I’m Luize di Cloette now.”

“…So, Countess Cloette is you.”

“Yes.” Luize nodded with joy. She then continued excitedly, holding Maxion’s large, rough hand. “If you said that you’re my friend, my husband will definitely welcome you. You must definitely come and visit.”

“…Yes.”

“How have you been?”

Maxion slightly curved the stiffened tail of his mouth. It was when he was about to answer. A familiar voice came from the central stairs.

“Maxion! You’re here.”

“Lord Edward.”

“I was worried, so I came out to pick you up, and you were here with Madam Cloette.”

It was the appearance of a man she should avoid. Luize’s eyes wavered. She quickly got away from Maxion.

“Madam, I’m telling you in advance in case you misunderstand, but I didn’t follow you. I’m here to pick up Maxion.” Edward approached them and made a gesture of surrender with his hands up.

Regardless of whether he did or not, Luize was only thinking of leaving this place.

Even though he was injured quite badly, he pretended nothing was wrong, attended the banquet, and even went so far as to walk around unnecessarily. Who takes care of whom after such an injury? Luize thought so, lightly ignored Edward’s words, and spoke to Maxion. “Then I’ll go first.”

“Yes.”

With her back still turned to Edward, she opened her mouth. “It’s not good to move like that.”

“You acted like you didn’t know me but worried about me.”

“…”

Luize didn’t answer and headed out the door. She told the servant to bring the carriage.

Luize glanced in the direction of the entrance while waiting for the carriage and felt relieved. Fortunately, he didn’t follow her outside. Soon, Luize got into the carriage.