As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover

* * *

Lensia secretly stole a cufflink from Luize’s treasure chest and headed for the capital. There, Edin greeted her with a delighted face, even setting aside his dignity.

“Lensia, you finally came. Thank you. Let’s find a way to lift your curse here.”

“No need. I’m just going to teach your son some swordsmanship and then leave.”

“…You still can’t forgive me, can you?”

“Stop talking nonsense.”

Realizing that personal connections alone wouldn’t persuade her, Edin tried a different approach. “The empire needs a hero. Lensia, stay here as a symbol of peace for the people of the empire.”

“If you need a symbol, it doesn’t have to be me, does it?”

“…What?”

“Here. Take my sword instead of me.” Lensia offered her sword to Edin.

“…”

“Take it.”

“…Okay.”

By entrusting him with her most cherished sword, Lensia subtly expressed that she still considered him a friend. However, Edin interpreted it differently.

“It seems you really want to leave soon.”

“Is it that obvious? I just stopped by to take care of some business.”

“…”

“Why so glum? Anyway, I’m off to prepare to teach your son. Your Majesty, could you please issue the order to dismiss guests?”

“Alright, go ahead.”

Lensia playfully saluted and left the room. Left alone, Edin gripped the sword she had left behind tightly.

* * *

The cufflink Luize brought was genuine. The boy in front of her wore the same cufflinks on his clothes. He was a strikingly handsome child, having inherited the best features of both the emperor and empress.

“…Luize has a keen eye. His appearance is indeed praiseworthy. This is troublesome.”

If Luize had the same taste in men as her, it was indeed a problem. If only she resembled Allen instead… it would be just as problematic. No, it might even be more dangerous. After all, hadn’t Allen fallen for her at first sight, even risking his own life? Come to think of it, he already seemed quite smitten when they first met…

“A new swordsmanship teacher?”

“

, yes. I’m that swordsmanship teacher.”

“Nice to meet you.” Edward smiled warmly.

Lensia’s expression hardened. Even as a child, his voice was already pleasant, and he looked even more handsome when he smiled.

For a while, Lensia closely observed Edward’s behavior as she taught him. Fortunately, the child’s nature seemed to resemble the empress—resolute and upright. He was also discreet and intelligent enough to handle most state affairs at such a young age. Though still young, there was a freshness and innocence about him. Perhaps that was why she ended up revealing a bit of the secret she had meant to keep hidden.

“Then do what you want to do while I become your teacher.”

When Edward looked up in surprise, she continued.

“I’m in a situation where I have to be kicked out as soon as possible, so that’s better.”

“Kicked out?”

“Because my rabbit-like child and my husband are waiting for me at home.”

“You have a child?’

“Yes. I have a child who is a few years younger than Your Highness. I wanted to be by my child’s side, so I even gave His Majesty the sword I used to defeat the dragon. But His Majesty was anxious that he couldn’t call me back. I just want to retire properly and live a more peaceful life.”

Lensia straightened up after speaking.

“…Well, my being here isn’t solely for that reason. But since my daughter takes after me, she shouldn’t be swayed by a man’s face.”

“Face? Why not?”

“What if she’s charmed by Your Highness’s handsome face and promised to be loyal to the imperial family?”

“But Teacher is already loyal to the imperial family.”

“I can’t help it, but I want my daughter to live freely if possible.”

“I can’t understand.”

“I will do my best to stop it. But if my daughter ever meets Your Highness, can you promise me one thing?”

“What is it?”

“Please let my daughter do whatever she wants. Don’t keep calling her if she doesn’t want to.”

“Okay.”

“In the future, when my name is forgotten from people’s memories, I would be grateful if you could return my sword.”

“I will proceed with that when I become the emperor.”

“It’s really reassuring. When did you grow up to become the emperor?”

As she spoke, Lensia suddenly had a thought. When her name faded from people’s memories, she would no longer be in this world.

Of course, it was an impossible wish.

Some time later, as planned, Lensia returned to Perils. A little over a year later, Allen died.

* * *

It took a long time for her to recover. Some days, she tortured herself with the thought that she was the reason for his death. Other days, she blamed herself for not realizing her love sooner. Gradually, she came to appreciate the days she had spent with him, cherishing the memories and letters he had left behind. Thanks to Luize and Maxion, she managed to hold herself together.

“I’m going to the village for a bit. I want to check the mailbox and buy a few things.”

“Take care.”

On a sunny day, Lensia headed to the village to check the mailbox at the address where she communicated with Edin. Once every month or two, they exchanged letters in utmost secrecy, sharing their news.

“…Another child? Unbelievable. Did he get scammed?”

Not all news from the imperial family was good, but with the distance and her busy life, Lensia couldn’t deeply worry about Edin.

“Worrying about the emperor is the most useless thing in the world.” Lensia brushed it off and sent a reply as usual.

One day, she received no news from Edin after the empress’s disgraceful death. Worried, Lensia went to the capital but couldn’t meet him. However, he refused to see her.

“…No matter how much a person changes, something seems off.”

Soon after, a letter arrived in Perils.

[Lensia, I don’t know how long I can stay sane this time. The imperial family is finished. I’m really shameless, but there’s no one else I can ask. Please deliver the enclosed item to Edward when you think the time is right……(omitted)…… I’m sorry.]

Inside the letter was another envelope sealed with the imperial seal. The situation was dire.

Lensia made a swift decision. She had to go to the capital immediately to help Edin. She had to ask what had happened and set things right. As she hurried towards the capital, she stepped on an extra edition of a newspaper. It was rare to see such editions in the countryside, so she picked it up with a grim face.

“Edin… is dead.”

The special edition reported that the emperor was no longer alive, and the deposed crown prince had fled to the Lindeman territory. Stunned, Lensia dropped the paper and returned home with just the letter.

A while later, Maxion also left the cabin.

* * *

Recently, her health has deteriorated significantly.

“Not many years left.”

Thanks to Allen, Lensia could roughly estimate how much time she had left. She started writing letters for Luize, who would be left behind. The letters didn’t contain any crucial information. The really important things were recorded in her diary to avoid any distortion.

“It’s time to bury the diary under the rock.”

Lensia picked up her pen to write the last diary entry.

[…So today was just like any other day. With this, I conclude my long diary. And below is a letter for Luize, who will read this diary in the future.

Luize, by the time you read this diary, I will no longer be in this world. By then, I hope Maxion has returned and will stay by your side. Being from the north, he would have grown taller and more handsome than when he left.

Luize, this diary might seem like a long history of excuses to you. Since this is my first time being a parent, I might not have been a perfect mother to you. But you are a wise and strong child. You may waver and wander, but you will make better choices than I did. Even if you make mistakes, you can always start over. All your failures are just steps towards success. So challenge, fail, and seize happiness to your heart’s content.

My daughter, thank you for bringing light into my life. Before meeting you, my life was a whirlpool of wandering. Looking back now, maybe everything was a journey to meet you. My insignificant life found value because of you, Luize. So how could I say you didn’t save me?

I am returning the cufflink I once stole. I leave the recommendation letter and the envelope with the imperial seal in the drawer. How you use them is entirely up to you.

With all my trust and love, your mother, Lensia. To my life’s miracle, Luize.]

* * *

Luize closed the last page of the diary and sighed deeply.

Lensia’s past was completely different from what she had imagined. The first swordswoman, the hero Lensia. She hadn’t realized the weight of those words.

Lensia was the only one who kept her eyes open in a world where everyone pretended to be blind. Luize couldn’t even begin to imagine how lonely that path must have been.

Vivian’s words came back to her.

“I found it. What I wanted and….” Luize spoke more clearly. “What I desire.”

Her mother who had grown up in this place with much difficulty. The vigilantes who remained to protect something precious despite being untrained. Those who belittled the female vigilantes just as they had mocked Lensia for wanting to become a swordsman.

While Vivian used Carlo to solve problems, Luize wanted the vigilantes to have the strength to protect this place themselves. She wanted no one to look down on them, just as her mother shouldn’t have been disrespected.

“…I’ll make a change.”

So, Luize decided to open her eyes in this world of pretended blindness.

A few days later, on the last day of winter, her luggage was packed just as it had been when she first arrived. Standing by the bed, Luize closed her eyes and gripped the pendant around her neck tightly, speaking slowly.

“Edward, no.” She tightened her grip on the pendant. “Elliot.”

The room was soon filled with the scent of roses.