SWNOVELXO Chapter 139
Luize would wear the necklace with his magic stone until she no longer loved him.
“…Thank you.”
“Well then, take care.”
“Yes.”
“
Ppik
!
Ppiiiiii
…”
Sniffle, sniffle.
The sound of Ren’s crying interrupted their conversation, drawing their attention downwards. Ren, with a face covered in tears and snot, tugged at Luize’s hem and looked up at her.
“
Ppiik
!
Ppik
!
Ppiiik
!”
“…What is Ren saying?”
“Ren is asking how can you leave without taking it along for your own safety.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I’ll visit Perils regularly and stay healthy.”
“
Ppieeeek
!” Ren cried even harder, seemingly having forgotten its promise to respect Luize’s decision.
Maxion, who had approached them, picked up Ren.
“You’re already up? I was trying to leave quietly.”
“…I figured you would.” He spoke while comforting Ren. “Don’t overdo yourself and write to use sometimes.”
“Yes.”
Despite the unfortunate news about his master, Maxion decided to stay by Edward’s side. The former emperor and Edward were different people, and most importantly, he knew what a good person Edward was. To create the world Luize wanted, he had to stay with Edward. Luize also wished for Maxion to remain by Edward’s side.
“Well then, I’m really leaving.”
“Wait a moment!”
Robin’s voice from the camp made the three of them turn their heads. All the members of the unit, who had come out of their tents, were looking at them.
Hendrik shouted. “Miss Luize, are you leaving us now?”
“I told you something was off! I heard crying!”
Robin’s exclamation was followed by Aiven’s muttering.
“… It’s a shame.”
“This is too sudden! Can’t you stay?”
“Hey, don’t pressure her. If she feels pressured, she might leave even farther.”
“
Ah
, really? Then how should we stop her?”
“You just fight with His Excellency, not with us! If you want, you can return anytime! We’ll hide you in our quarters!”
At one member’s words, the others agreed loudly.
Luize smiled slightly at them. “Thank you. Take care, everyone.”
“Yes!”
“You too, Miss Luize!”
The members waved their arms to say goodbye.
Her gaze swept past the members of the Silver Hawk Knights, Ren and Maxion, stopping at Edward. “Bring me good news.”
“I will.”
Luize mounted her horse. Her figure quickly receded into the distance.
The members who had just woken up looked at each other and muttered.
“Is she really leaving now? So suddenly?”
“
Hoam
. That’s how relationships are. They start suddenly and end just as abruptly.” One member said while stretching.
“What kind of big mistake did His Excellency make yesterday for this to happen?”
“I knew something was wrong since they came back from their talk last night…”
“But they didn’t seem that bad before that?”
“The affairs of lovers are known only to the couple. It must have been different from what we saw.”
“Right. I came out because of the commotion, but I didn’t expect to say such a sudden goodbye.”
“Well, people always leave. Sometimes, some even left while we were asleep like they were running away.”
“Well, that’s true. At least we got to say goodbye.”
The members watched Luize’s receding figure with regret.
* * *
The knights quickly headed for the capital. No one dared ask Edward the reason for the farewell. Even the usually oblivious Robin could tell Edward was not in a good state.
“Your Excellency, a tent was damaged by strong winds last night. The member who stayed there has been reassigned.”
Hendrik reported, and Edward looked at the members tidying up the damaged tent.
“…A tent was damaged.”
“Yes.”
“I see. Good job handling it. Get a new tent in the next village.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.” Hendrik sighed briefly after turning away.
Whenever Edward’s response was oddly slow, the members had the same thought.
He’s thinking about Miss Luize. Come to think of it, Miss Luize’s tent was destroyed once before.
Most of them also thought of Luize for similar reasons, so it wasn’t hard to guess Edward’s thoughts.
In the knights, where people with various stories gathered, it wasn’t uncommon for a member who had been with them for years to leave. Each time, it took a long time to fill the void, and even though Luize hadn’t been with them for long, her absence felt just as significant.
Robin plopped down next to Hendrik by the campfire, where he was roasting jerky and drinking a near-black beer.
“Do you think Miss Luize is doing well?”
“She must be. She is a good person.”
“Where do you think she went?”
“Who knows. Probably to a place where she has connections.”
“Maybe. Anyway, it’s worrisome. I hope His Excellency recovers soon.”
“Indeed. Though it seems like it will take quite a while.”
Thanks to their nonstop travel, the knights reached the capital quickly. A grand celebration was held, and the emperor, seeing the knights return unscathed, ground his teeth in displeasure.
Society was more interested in the fact that Edward and the Silver Hawk Knights had returned without Luize than in their safe return.
“Oh gosh, seeing the grand duke returned alone, it seems the rumors of reconciliation were just rumors.”
“I knew it. How could they have reconciled during the expedition?”
“What a shame. Society has been so quiet lately. Is there any news from Count Cloette?”
“No. It seems his engagement with the princess is true.”
“If that’s the case, I hope they announce it soon. It would bring some excitement back.”
Reiad, who was listening to the ladies’ conversation from the terrace, smiled with satisfaction.
Of course. There’s no way Luize would meet that man again.
“I’m curious why you’re smiling. Is it because of the engagement talk?”
“Yes.”
“
Hmm
, so have you made up your mind? If you don’t want it, I can propose it to someone else.” Diana squinted at him.
“Yes. I want to. Being the princess’s fiancé is an honor, and I only hesitated to make sure I wouldn’t disappoint you.”
“Good. Now my brother will quiet down. This is the best opportunity for you.”
“I’m honored.” Reiad smiled gently.
“So, we’re planning to hold the engagement ceremony in the Empire. Is that okay?”
At that moment, Reiad thought of Luize.
There was still time until spring. This engagement was only a means to extend Diana’s freedom until she found a husband she truly liked, pressured by King Pendel. Knowing Diana’s nature, the contract could break at any moment.
Outwardly, it seemed Diana held the power, but Reiad was confident in his ability to charm and release women at the right time. So he believed he held the leash.
“Of course.”
He was unaware that he was walking into a carefully crafted cage.
After the tedious banquet, Edward returned to the Lindeman estate and headed straight to the annex. Everything felt the same as when he returned from Perils. The only difference was that Luize was not in the capital. The annex was just as it had been the day she first left.
Staring at the purple dress on the bed where she had stayed, Edward murmured. “Are you doing well?”
After a moment of silence, he continued. “…Because I don’t think I’m doing well.”
A deep sorrow flickered in his red eyes.
* * *
It took Luize one week to reach Airen after leaving the Silver Hawk Knights, and another two weeks spent with Lorein.
“Aunt, is this how it’s done?”
“Yes, that’s the most recently developed anti-inflammatory medication.”
“It seems less toxic than other herbs, so it should be good for patients with liver issues,” Luize said while looking at the medicine she had made.
After leaving the Silver Hawk Knights, Luize headed straight for Airen, the territory of Servenia. She had worried about showing up unannounced, but Lorein welcomed her warmly.
“If you had been a little later, I would have been in the capital. You’re here just in time. Are you alone?”