As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover

Edward looked at her with a puzzled expression, then smiled and kissed the back of her hand. “As you wish. Don’t leave your future fiancé alone for too long. I might die of loneliness.”

Luize’s gaze shifted again to his wrist, where the faint mark of a bracelet remained. When she asked about the missing bracelet from the night they spent together, Edward replied, ‘It broke. I’m keeping it as it is, but it’s a shame.’

In reality, Edward had cast a spell to keep the mark from fading until he met her again, but Luize had no way of knowing that.

“I’ll be back soon.”

Luize cheerfully walked down the street lined with shops. Edward, looking troubled, headed towards the cake shop.

“…This is my first time standing in line at a place like this.”

The commoners who noticed him were startled, stepping back or whispering, but Edward ignored their stares and muttered.

“My love,

.”

He straightened his posture with a satisfied expression.

* * *

Luize, walking briskly, hurried towards the accessory shop.

“It seemed like a pretty high-end item. I hope I brought enough money.”

She entered the shop eagerly but soon came out with slumped shoulders.

“It’s already sold… I should have come sooner.”

She had deliberately visited a few other shops to avoid being noticed by Edward, but that had backfired. It was when she walked back dejectedly.

“Buy a bracelet-making kit! Make an unbreakable magic bracelet with your own hands!”

Her attention turned toward the merchant’s sales pitch.

“Make an unbreakable magic bracelet. The string is enchanted, so it will never break. The gems are high-quality stones! We’re selling at the lowest price since the accessory shop closed!”

“…The materials seem better than the one I gave before.”

“Of course. It’s not just about the materials; a heartfelt gift is priceless.”

“Is it really unbreakable?”

“Yes. It’s enchanted to last for 100 years, and the clasp won’t break either. The gems are of high quality. As the maker, I guarantee it. These days, people are struggling to make ends meet, so they don’t spend money on luxury items, which is why our shop closed, but everyone praised the quality.”

“…I see. I’ll buy one.” Luize chose a bracelet-making kit with an amethyst stone.

“Thank you. That will be 15 silver. You’ve got a great deal. This is really just the cost of the materials and the gems. It’s also easy to make.”

“Yes. I’ll give it my best shot.”

Luize placed her purchase in her wrist pocket and stood up. It was when she started walking back to Edward.

“Found you.”

An arm shot out from the dark alley and pulled her in.

* * *

Edward and Rio stood in the central square, each holding a box—a whole cake and a box of macaroons.

“Let me carry that.”

“I’ll hold it. I want to give it to her myself. You never know when she might call me like that again.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s a secret.”

“Your Excellency has become quite a fool.”

“The power of love is great.”

“…Yes, yes. But isn’t she taking so long?”

“Indeed. The accessory shop isn’t that far.”

“Did she say she left something at the accessory shop?”

“Yes. It’s an excuse, but she kept glancing at my wrist more than usual today.”

“…

Your Excellency pays attention to things like that? That’s too obsessive. If I were here, I’d be creeped out and run away.”

“Now that you mention it, you’re right. I should be more careful.”

“Your Excellency is proposing today, right? Did you prepare the ring?”

“I picked it up from the accessory shop earlier. I just took it out of the carriage and put it in my pocket.”

“

, you’re meticulous.”

“By the way, Miss Luize seems to be intimidated by you. She mentioned you’re so quiet.”

“I’m afraid of saying something wrong, so I just stay quiet. I’m also shy. Since she’s Your Excellency’s lover, I have to be careful. What if she runs away, saying she can’t associate with a lowly commoner like me?”

“She’s not that kind of person, so don’t worry. But of course, it’s never bad to be cautious with your words.”

“Yes.”

“Anyway, she’s really late. I wonder if something happened.”

“Should I go check? I shouldn’t have let a lady go alone after all.”

“It’s fine. Luize carries a hidden sword.”

“Really? Where?”

“Here.” Edward pointed to the outside of his thigh.

“

, she’s definitely not an ordinary lady, just like I heard.” Rio was genuinely impressed.

* * *

That sword was now pointed at a man lying in an alley covered by a cloak. The man looked up at Luize, who was sitting on him, her eyes meeting his trembling gaze.

“…You.”

“Luize, when did you learn this?”

“…”

Silently, Luize stood and sheathed her sword. The man, hidden under a cloak, removed his hood, revealing his fine blonde hair and sky-blue eyes.

“You scared me.”

“Reiad, what are you doing here?”

“I had something to explain, so I came to see you. When I heard you were out in the capital, I looked for you.”

“Explain?”

Luize looked at Reiad standing before her. He was still handsome and had a soft voice, but his dazzling appearance and voice no longer moved her.

“Yes. Due to some circumstances, I will soon be engaged to the princess. I was planning to come for you after the engagement would be annulled, but I thought it would be better to tell you in advance to avoid any misunderstandings.”

“Why would you come for me?”

“I said I wanted to get back together.”

“I have no intention of doing that.”

“

, Luize. Why are you like this? You said you’d come back when the roses in the garden bloomed.”

Luize met his gaze without wavering and spoke. “That was to give you time to sort things out. I wanted to properly end our time together because you didn’t seem to accept the end.”

“…What?”

“Reiad, I don’t know what you’re thinking, but we are already divorced. I don’t love you anymore, and soon you’ll be engaged to the princess. We’re completely over.”

“That’s because of circumstances…!”

“Yes, circumstances. Your circumstances. But those aren’t our circumstances, nor mine.”

“…Luize, why are you doing this? I’ve waited for you so long. I spent all day in that vast mansion, longing only for you.”

Reiad’s blue eyes wavered with anxiety. When he reached out, Luize took a step back.

“We are done.”

“We’re not done. Who said it’s over? I still… love you.”

“…”

“I said I love you, Luize. Why aren’t you saying anything?”

“…I didn’t know.”

“Now that you know. From now on, just follow my plan—”

“No, I didn’t know you were so ignorant about love.”

“…What?”

“Isn’t it obvious? You had countless lovers coming and going from your mansion, and you met many people at banquets.”

“…”

“While it pained me, I also thought you were amazing. How could someone be so adept at love? I struggled and suffered by just one person, but you made it look so easy.”

“Luize. They were different from you. You were the most special person to me. The only one, my wife.”

“But now I know. The person who seemed more skilled at love than anyone else was actually more immature about love than I was. Everything was just a facade.”

“…I’m sorry for hurting you. I was wrong. I did it all for you. No, for us. For us to live stably…”

“Reiad.” Luize continued in a decisive tone. “Even though we were at odds, we loved each other and parted painfully. That’s how people live. We’re not special. It was just one of those things. What’s the point of arguing over who was more at fault in something that’s already over?”

“Luize.”

“It’s just the past. We’re completely over. I’m no longer Madam Cloette but Luize di Servenia. I didn’t think you’d still be in denial… Just accept it now.”

“…No. I’m not done, Luize.”

Reiad added urgently, but Luize shook her head firmly.

“Love can be one-sided, but relationships and marriage cannot. My feelings are already over, so there’s no chance of us getting back together.”

“Is your heart set on him?” Reiad raised his voice sharply. His vague question revealed his cowardice, unable to properly refer to Edward or even acknowledge his feelings as love.

“Him?”

“The grand duke.”

“Yes. You knew that.”

“I told you he was dangerous. I told you not to get close to him.”

“At least he makes me happier than you did.”

“…No, Luize. That can’t be… I’ll win your heart back. I’ll make you love me again.”

“That’s your specialty, isn’t it? Capturing the hearts of those you want. But do you know?”