As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover

“Oh dear, I’ve developed a bad habit. Alright, let’s focus on the task at hand.”

Luize awkwardly turned away but quickly realized it was futile and faced him again. After all, they were in the same room.

* * *

Robin had been busy with the knight order for the first time in a while. Thankfully, there was a lot to do. At least while treating the injured, he could momentarily forget that the person was in the same village, in that castle.

God must be playing a cruel joke on him or testing him. Whatever the reason, the fact that a high priestess on a secret mission overlapped with his path, and that it was High Priestess Raphaela, could only be the work of divine intervention.

After the last patient left, Robin quietly exited the tent. He sat on a nearby bench and muttered to himself. “Why are you stuck in a place like this? You don’t belong here.”

“That’s true for you too, isn’t it?”

“Well, I came here to resolve this matter. And healers are meant to save people. I’m doing my job.”

“I think so too. The lord told us to care for our neighbors’ suffering. So, the high priest who best fulfills God’s will is you.”

Robin looked up at the speaker. A woman with her robe hood pulled low stood before him. Her bright golden eyes met his gaze.

“…Raphaela.”

“It’s been a while. High Priest Michael, the first apostle of God.” Her quiet, calm voice was unchanged from before.

“I’ve heard so many complaints about the temple today. The public sentiment isn’t good, so you should go back. I’d appreciate it if you pretend you didn’t see me.”

“You’ve kept my secret so far. ‘Robin,’ I remember that name.”

Robin hesitated at Raphaela’s words but then forced a calm expression. “Why remember something unnecessary? You should have forgotten it by now. I’m glad to see you’re doing well. Goodbye.” He stood up and headed towards the tent.

Her quiet voice struck his back. “Thank you for remembering me. Is this how you say you missed me?”

…This was why he didn’t want to meet her. No matter how he masked his expression and hid his feelings, she could easily see through him.

Robin turned back to face her. As their eyes met again, Raphaela calmly removed her hood.

“What are you doing!” Robin hurried over and pulled her hood back on. “Did you forget what I said? There are a lot of people harboring resentment against the temple.”

“If I didn’t do this, you’d just hide again.”

“I’m not part of the temple anymore. I’m returning to my original life. So, wear your hood and go back.”

“The temple has changed. Strangers have taken the positions of the First Holy Knights and support Sariel. He was always diligent in his training, but lately, he’s been exhibiting power beyond his known abilities. Something is strange.”

“…”

“Please come back. We need the power of Michael, the first apostle of God. I accepted this mission just to meet you. I needed an excuse to leave the temple. The security has become five times stricter since you left. It’s impossible to leave without such an excuse.”

“That’s even more reason for me not to return. Raphaela, you make me very uncomfortable.” Robin clenched his fists and looked down. “…And you probably came to shake me up even though you knew the reason for my discomfort.”

“Yes.” Raphaela continued with her usual calm expression. “I know that High Priest Michael had feelings for me. I intend to use that to bring you back to the temple.” Her confident voice rang out clearly, as always.

* * *

Edward summoned one of the castle servants and gathered information through magic. Although Luize preferred not to use magic on innocent people, there was no other way to find out about the Quirrel’s fate and investigate this matter.

Under Edward’s spell, the servant, with unfocused eyes, revealed what he knew. “Commander Matthias di Edvin’s room is one floor below this. High Priestess Raphaela’s room is right next to his.”

“Anything else of importance?”

“They said the underground prison is filled with cargo brought in by temple guests, causing trouble.

, and the bed for Your Excellency and your lover is a newly ordered custom-made luxury bed. They’re planning their third scheme around it.”

“Thank you. Now, forget this and return to your duties.”

The servant turned and walked back down the hallway.

Luize looked at the closed door with a troubled expression. “I feel a bit sorry. We inadvertently took such a bed away from them.”

“It’s for a greater cause, saving a life. This sacrifice is acceptable.”

“Let’s find that squirrel quickly and go back. I hope it’s safe.”

“It will be. Although the paladins aren’t incapable of killing, they fundamentally avoid it. They wouldn’t have killed an innocent creature.”

“That’s reassuring.”

Thus, their investigation of the castle began. They decided to operate separately, with Luize summoning Edward or him teleporting to her in an emergency.

Unlike earlier, Edward answered Luize’s question seriously. It was a reasonable explanation, and she accepted it immediately. If he had been honest from the start, she wouldn’t have doubted his intentions. But he often delayed revealing the main point.

“He must enjoy my reactions,” she murmured confidently as she headed towards Matthias’s room.

Luize was to check Matthias’s and Raphaela’s nearby rooms, while Edward was to check the relatively distant underground prison. She approached Matthias’s room stealthily.

“…nuts?”

Matthias seemed to be talking to someone. Through the slightly ajar door, a low voice could be heard. Luize carefully peeked through the crack. Matthias was feeding well-cooked chestnuts to a squirrel in a large cage.

“Don’t you like chestnuts?”

“…”

“Don’t you eat chestnuts?”

“…”

“Should I have brought earthworms?”

“

.”

“Wicked creature, I don’t understand your words. I can’t release you because I must carry out His Holiness’s orders.”

“

.”

“Eat. If you don’t, you might get sick.”

“

”

“Your appetite is picky. You’ve already lost weight.”

His murmured voice was filled with concern. He genuinely seemed worried about the squirrel’s refusal to eat. Suddenly, Matthias. Lifted his head with brightly shining eyes.  

“Wicked creature, I won’t be fooled by your tricks. I never thought you were cute.”

“…

.”

“I absolutely don’t want to touch your fluffy black tail.”

“

.”

“You’re mocking me.”

Luize stifled her laughter. The large man genuinely seemed to care about the squirrel’s health and wanted to touch its fluffy tail.

But why had the pope ordered the squirrel’s capture? Why was the temple interested in animals from Perils? As such questions filled her mind, she smelled a strong scent of roses and felt someone’s presence beside her. Before she could turn her head, she was enveloped in a firm embrace.

“…!”

Luize looked up at him, puzzled, and saw his red eyes filled with displeasure. She silently mouthed, “Elliot, did you find something huge?”