As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover

* * *

“

! Have a safe trip!”

Hendrik and the Silver Falcon knights in the village saw off Edward and Luize. Several knights in plain clothes accompanied them to the barrier for protection and surveillance. On the other side of the barrier, Maxion, Aiven, and other knights were waiting for them.

“It will be uncomfortable for a while, but bear with it.”

“This is nothing! I feel like a VIP.

!”

Hendrik would stay in the lord’s castle under the watchful eyes of Raphaela and the paladins until Edward and Luize returned. He could leave anytime, but he was accompanied by paladins under the guise of escorts. Robin, avoiding temple people, said his final goodbyes at the inn that morning and did not come to see them off.

Under suspicious gazes, Edward and Luize carried the box with the magic stone outside the barrier. They crossed it effortlessly.

“…!”

As they passed through the transparent barrier, they saw the surprised reactions of those inside. Since the barrier was still intact, no sound could be heard.

Luize spoke with a serious face. “It seems the dragon wasn’t lying. It’s hard to believe the Black Drago Run is really alive. Could it be an elaborate trap?”

“Honestly, this is the first time I’ve been so certain without concrete evidence, but the entity using the deer’s body was definitely not human. If it wasn’t a dragon, it must have been something similar.”

“I see…” Luize replied with a heavy heart.

Maxion and Aiven approached them. Having been briefed on the situation inside the barrier, they had prepared horses and travel supplies for Edward and Luize.

“I’ll accompany you to the forest entrance.”

“Only Maxion will come. The rest should follow Aiven’s instructions and wait here. Only the three of us will go to Perils.”

“…It’s dangerous. It could be a trap from the emperor. The dragon was definitely killed in the past. Parts of its body are buried across the empire, and there are even tourist spots for the dragon’s remains.” Despite his expressionless face, Aiven looked darker than usual. He seemed worried about their journey to Perils.

“Considering the aura from this magic stone and the one I encountered, it’s definitely a dragon. Humans couldn’t create such a large and transparent magic stone. We have to assume Run has resurrected.”

“If it’s asking for the magic stone, it might not be fully resurrected. The stone could be a necessary component.”

“The magic stone is a concentration of mana. Even if it takes time, mana will eventually fill it. If it’s recovered enough to cast large-scale magic as far as Kavan, it will resurrect soon, even without this stone. We should give it the stone and make a good impression.”

“…I understand.”

“I didn’t feel any killing intent from the dragon. There’s no need to provoke it by mobilizing the knights.”

“Understood.”

“Besides, you guys have another task here. When the magic is lifted, the paladins and high priestess will leave the castle to perform the Pope’s mission.”

“The village will be thrown into chaos.”

“Yes. There’s a rumor that harming those loved by God will bring a curse, but the villagers are at their limit. After the barrier is lifted, join the internal team to help them safely leave the village.”

“…Yes.”

“Then, let’s depart.”

Maxion spoke. “I’ll load the box with the magic stone onto my horse.”

“Please do.”

A knight near Maxion moved to load the box onto his horse. He widened his eyes at the size of the box.

“Is it okay to hang such a big box on the horse?”

“It’s enchanted to be as light as a feather.”

“I see. It really is light.”

At Edward’s words, the knight lifted the box and secured it horizontally on Maxion’s horse. Soon, Luize, Edward, and Maxion mounted their horses.

“Now that I think about it, in a month and a week, it’ll be the New Year. Normally, there would be a festival in Kavan around this time. Will we be able to see it?”

“Considering the situation in the territory, it’ll be tight even if we start preparing now. But it’s a long-standing New Year festival in Kavan, so we’ll have to hurry and resolve this.”

“Isn’t it exhausting to continue without a break after such an event?”

“If festival guests come, the dark atmosphere in Kavan will lift, and the village economy will revive. The villagers probably desperately need the festival now.”

“I see. Then let’s hurry and resolve this for everyone.”

Luize spoke determinedly. “Yes.”

Edward smiled his usual smile at her. His gaze lingered on Luize longer than usual before he looked away.

* * *

To reach Perils, they had to pass through two villages on a half-day journey. The three rode non-stop. Departing early in the morning, they arrived at a hill overlooking Perils in the late afternoon.

Hot breaths turned into white smoke in the cold air. The southern winter was warmer than the north, but Perils was always as cold as the north.

“It’s been a long time. Do you remember, Maxion?”

“I remember. You used to stand here every day and look at the village.”

“That’s right.” Luize nodded and pointed below the hill. “Elliot, there’s a raspberry bush down there. I used to pick a lot of raspberries there. And…”

She pointed between the bushes and the ordinary forest near Perils. The trees were thick, obscuring what lay beneath. “That’s where my house is. It’s hidden by the forest now, but you could faintly see the cabin if you looked closely before. The trees have grown and completely covered it.”

Following Luize’s finger, Edward looked at the border between the two forests. “…That was the place. Where Miss Luize lived.”

Though it was a strange, unfamiliar place, Edward oddly didn’t find it all that foreign. Especially that black forest. The mana emanating from Perils, known as the Forest of Death, was something he had experienced before. It was similar to the magic stone they were carrying and the energy he had felt not long ago.

The imperial family used an ancient magic stone to confirm the bloodline. If the black stone turned clear, it indicated imperial blood; otherwise, it showed no reaction. The energy from that stone was similar to the one they were now moving, the aura of Perils. And so was his mana.

Edward snapped his fingers, and a cozy cabin hidden among the thick trees came into view.

Luize, looking at the sky filled with dark clouds, spoke. “The weather doesn’t look good. It will snow soon. It’s better to wait until the snow stops tomorrow rather than move now. The thick trees usually prevent much snow from piling up inside, but with this many clouds, there might be a heavy snowfall.”

Edward turned his gaze to the nearby village. “In that case, we should find lodging in the village.”

“Elliot, about the lodging.”

His red gaze turned to Luize, who smiled faintly with a slightly flushed face.

“How about the three of us staying at my house tonight?”

* * *

The area around the cabin, having been vacant for years, was in ruins. Weeds grew everywhere. Some dried out from winter, while others had grown up to Luize’s waist. Logs piled next to the cabin were overgrown with various unknown mushrooms.

Luize smiled awkwardly. “Come to think of it, it’s not in a state to invite guests. It’s a complete mess.”

“But the inside of the cabin should be fine. I stopped by briefly during the expedition, and it seemed okay except for the dust.”

“No, I can’t let you stay in a place like this. I’m sorry. Let’s go back.”

Edward had mainly stayed in the capital’s grand estates or the best accommodations available. Though he had spent nearly a year in Perils, those memories weren’t with his current self. That’s why Luize felt embarrassed to bring him confidently to such a house.

Edward, meeting her gaze, smiled. “It’s a cozy cabin. I like it here. Miss Luize, please allow me to stay here tonight.”