As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover

Drip.

A droplet of water fell onto Luize’s nose. Her densely silver eyelashes parted, revealing her purple eyes.

“It’s been a while…”

Through her vision, she saw well-defined chest muscles peeking at the white robe. As she looked up with a puzzled expression, she saw wet, drooping black hair and red eyes. Edward was standing right in front of her, wearing a bathrobe. Luize’s eyes trembled uncontrollably.

“Were you in the middle of a bath?”

“…I was just coming out.”

“Sorry. It’s not that urgent… Should I come back?”

A faint ripple appeared in his eyes.

“This must be a dream.” Edward’s hand rested on Luize’s cheek. “I’ve waited so long for you to appear in my dream, Miss Luize.”

“What?”

“So forgive me before I wake up.”

Without hesitation, he moved closer to her lips. Startled, Luize raised a hand to block his lips.

“W-Wait a minute.”

“…Even in a dream, it’s not possible?” He obediently backed away.

“It’s not that… Edward, this isn’t a dream. Why do you think it is?”

“Because if it weren’t a dream, there’s no way Miss Luize would call me here. And I’ve been up for three nights straight, so it’s about time I fell asleep.”

“Staying up all night? Why did you do that?”

“There’s a big event in a week, and there’s a lot to prepare.” Edward regretfully stroked Luize’s cheek with his thumb. “It’s been a while.”

“…Your gaze tickles.”

“I miss.”

“Our physical contact?”

“You.”

“I see. I almost misunderstood.”

“Sorry for causing confusion. I’ll take my hand off.” He quickly removed his hand from her face but then gently grabbed her shirt sleeve. “So please, don’t disappear right away.”

Luize playfully added, “Since it’s a dream, why don’t you be honest with me? Have you met anyone else in the meantime?”

“Of course not. Do I seem like that kind of person?”

“No, I was just curious.”

Edward responded more seriously to Luize’s smile. “Even if it’s meaningless to ask in a dream, have you met anyone, Miss Luize? Perhaps a nice younger guy?”

“I haven’t met anyone. But why did you suddenly bring up a younger guy?”

“Because you liked Elliot more than Edward.”

“…”

“If only I had been born three years earlier…”

Edward sighed shortly. It made Luize hold back a laugh.

Edward then continued. “But it’s a relief that this is a dream. Otherwise, I couldn’t say such things.”

“Really?”

“Yes. If you knew I was doing this in a dream, how pathetic would you think of me?”

“I don’t think you’re pathetic.”

“… That’s a relief.”

Edward slightly lowered his head and met her gaze with a smile. “Can I hug you?”

“Sure.”

As Luize took a step closer, Edward enclosed her in his arms as if he had been waiting. Feeling his hands cautiously on her shoulders and the back of her head, she was relieved that he still held her in his heart.

[You might be curious about his recent activities, so let me add that he’s living without any injuries.]

She had vaguely guessed from Maxion’s letter, who was bad at lying. When he said ‘Without any injuries,’ he likely meant no physical injuries, but something else wasn’t quite right. The word ‘Living’ probably meant he was still breathing but not in good condition.

Luize vaguely guessed he was struggling as much as she was. She hoped he wasn’t in pain. Yet, why did she feel relieved knowing he was?

“How can I make you realize this is reality?”

“…I just realized this is reality.”

“How?”

“I smell a scent from Miss Luize that I’ve never smelled before.”

“

, I used the academy’s soap recently. The staff makes it, so you probably haven’t smelled it before…”

Edward tightened his grip around Luize. “Are you really the real Miss Luize?”

“Yes. I came to Fioren Academy after reading about it in my mother’s diary. I also had a recommendation letter, so I worked as a teacher for a while.”

“The seaside academy swordsmanship teacher position I was going to suggest was right there.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Now that you mention it, I heard this place was under Edward’s jurisdiction. It seems I was destined to come here somehow.”

Edward’s grip loosened for a moment. He looked at her with confused eyes. “Did you call me because you needed something?”

“Yes, but first, we need to talk about how we don’t have to be apart forcibly.” Luize continued with a calm expression. “I read my mother’s diary and learned the whole truth. Do you remember Run saying at the dragon’s mansion that your memories might be true but not the truth?”

“I remember.”

“She was right. It’s true that my mother participated in the expedition and died because of the curse. But the former emperor tried to stop her, even by leaking the secrets of the imperial family. My mother still chose to go despite knowing she would die.”

“…”

“The former emperor suffered for a long time after that. Ironically, my mother lived a happier life than before despite facing death. That was the truth of the matter.”

“So that means…”

“It means the former emperor didn’t cause my mother’s death. I’ll tell you the details slowly.”

“…”

“Edward?”

“…”

“Edward, why aren’t you answering?”

Edward looked at her silently for a long time. The ripples in his red eyes gradually subsided. The moment of his struggle to speak showed how much he had suffered in agony and pain and how much he had missed her.

“…you.”

“Pardon?”

“Miss Luize, I still have feelings for you.”

“…”

“No matter how much time I have left, I want you to be by my side for the rest of my life.”

Luize looked at him, trying to calm her racing heart. His unwavering red eyes reflected only her.

“I love you.” Edward held Luize’s hand. “I’ve regretted not saying this sooner.”

Luize’s lips moved to speak. Numerous thoughts crossed her mind.

These unrefined thoughts swirled around, but what came out of her mouth was something not in her head. “Kiss me.”

As soon as Luize finished speaking, Edward’s hand cupped her cheek. He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. Her mouth parted slightly as she let out a nervous breath. Edward paused, then carefully pulled back.

“Please don’t think my confession had ulterior motives.”

“…Right now, the ulterior motive is on my side.”

Edward laughed softly and kissed her deeply again. His tongue gently intertwined with hers, their lips and saliva mingling as their breaths grew hotter. Edward wrapped an arm around Luize’s waist, pulling her close. Feeling his firm muscles through the thin gown, her body tensed. His movements became deeper and rougher.

Luize pushed him slightly.

“

…”

When he pulled back, a silver thread of saliva hung between their lips, breaking off as she panted.

Edward casually leaned down to lick her lips. With their faces almost touching, he looked at her intently. His crimson eyes, like a devil’s heart, gleamed with a dangerous aura. His darkened gaze sought permission.

“…Continue.”

Luize tugged at his gown, and Edward kissed her again. In that state, he moved closer to her. As their bodies pressed tightly together, Luize’s legs wobbled, and she stumbled back onto the bed.

Luize, who fell onto the old mattress, looked at Edward with a startled expression. Supporting her head with one hand and propping himself up on the sheet with the other, he avoided collapsing on top of her. Though he managed to avoid falling directly on her, the cheap iron bed seemed to struggle under their combined weight.

Ignoring it, Edward leaned in to share his breath with her. The sound of their kissing and the creaking bed filled the room.

Luize stiffened, seeming uneasy with the lack of soundproofing in the academy dormitory.

In the brief moment their lips parted, Luize spoke in a hushed voice. “Edward, we should move somewhere else.”

“…Yes. I know a good place.” He raised his right hand and snapped his fingers.

Luize was startled by the sudden change in her surroundings. In that instant, the soft sensation could be felt against her back. The place they had moved to was surprisingly familiar.