As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover

In the pouring rain, their bodies quickly soaked start from Edward’s back. Ignoring the raindrops streaming down his face, he cupped Luize’s face with one hand, supporting her back with the other, and kissed her deeply.

The thick raindrops soaked the garden, quickly creating a mist. The light from the floating lamps spread through the mist.

Edward’s hand supporting Luize’s back tightened. She gripped the hem of Edward’s clothes tightly. Their lower abdomens clenched, and hot breaths escaped between their lips.

As their bodies got wetter from the falling rain, the early spring night’s rain was cold. Yet Luize did not feel the chill. The warmth of his body, fully pressed against hers through their wet clothes, was transmitted directly. It was impossible to tell whether it was her body heat or his warming the air. Their lips slowly parted, and their eyes met closely.

“…We’re all wet.”

His hand gently caressed Luize’s cheek. She smiled faintly.

“Remember? On the day we met on the outskirts of the capital, we were drenched like this.”

“Yes.”

“That day, my mind was so confused I didn’t even think to check the weather. But today, I knew.”

“Indeed. This time, I didn’t anticipate it. A shower can come even on such a clear day.”

“There are days like this. When the sky is clear but it rains, like today. Still, spring rain is welcome, and it feels good even if you get wet. It means winter is over.”

“Are you cold?”

“It’s a bit chilly when we’re apart, but thanks to the necklace you gave me, it’s not too bad.”

“I see.”

Edward snapped his fingers, and a transparent barrier formed above them, instantly drying their bodies. Luize looked at herself in astonishment.

“My goodness.”

“The ground isn’t in the best condition for walking because of the rain. May I?”

“Sure.”

Luize thought he would dry the ground for easier walking, but his next move made her eyes widen. His arms firmly supported her back and knees, lifting her effortlessly.

With a clear smile, Edward spoke. “I’ll escort you safely to our destination.”

Luize laughed softly and wrapped her arms around his neck. Edward carried her to the gazebo with steady steps and carefully set her down. She approached the rose vines inside the gazebo.

“I thought it was an excuse, but there really is something sparkling.”

She picked up the object lying on the particularly beautiful rose. Luize stood up and faced Edward.

“It seems the sparkling thing was this.”

“Yes.”

In her hand was a ring bearing the emblem of the Lindeman family.

“It looks like a signet ring.”

“That’s correct.”

She looked at Edward in surprise.

The family signet ring was traditionally passed down to the head of the family and could only be worn by the head or a direct heir.

“From now on, regardless of my position, I plan to wear matching signet rings with you.”

“…Is that possible?”

“Yes. I’ll make it so.”

Edward approached, and Luize handed him the ring. Their eyes met in midair. His red eyes were more serious than ever.

“I want Miss Luize to be by my side, not as my shadow, but as my partner. For now, as the Grand Duchess of Lindeman, but this promise will hold no matter what position you hold.”

“…”

Complex emotions surged within Luize. Throughout her marriage, she had lived in Reiad’s shadow. All the women in the empire, after marriage, supported their families and husbands, whether they showed their faces in society more or less. So, she thought marriage naturally meant that.

Although she had agreed to be engaged to Edward, Luize felt a sense of uncertainty whenever she dreamed of their future together. She loved him, but she couldn’t easily promise to realize the future he wanted because she thought she would have to become her husband’s shadow again.

“Miss Luize, I promise to make you the empress of the empire. Become another sun that illuminates the empire with me.”

“My direction might not always align with yours.”

“We’ll be a couple who talk a lot. I’m always curious about your opinions. Fortunately, what you want is similar to what I want, so I believe we can adjust our paths to the same destination even if they are a bit different.”

Luize quietly met his gaze. Edward was sincere.

It would be impossible to perfectly split his power in half. They couldn’t use the same signet ring that the head of the family used. It would be the same for the imperial signet. Nonetheless, his promise to share the signet with her symbolized his willingness to share his power with her. Her signet would hold the highest authority in the empire next to the emperor. This meant she would live a different life from the many women who had been the emperor’s wives.

“Do you think I can do well?”

“I’m certain. In fact, I would like to ask you to keep me from going astray.”

Luize smiled faintly. He knew exactly what she wanted. So she quietly nodded.

“Alright.”

Edward intended to become emperor. Originally, Luize had planned to make him the emperor.

“I, Edward Elliot von Bellrod Kaillon Lindeman Carl Roblin Estante Orwell, ask you, Miss Luize di Servenia, to be my partner for the rest of our lives.”

“I accept.”

And now, she would become the empress and change the empire alongside him.

Edward slipped the ring onto her finger. It fit her perfectly. He then kissed the back of her hand.

Luize, blushing, opened her mouth to speak. “Then, now…”

“It’s time to use Miss Luize’s wish.”

She nodded shyly.

“I’ll carry you again for smooth movement. It’s quite urgent.”

“Even if you take it slow—”

“This is the limit of my patience.”

Edward lifted her up. Luize, her face red, wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Soaking together in the bath,

.” He murmured in a low voice. “It’s going to be quite a night.”

In an instant, the two disappeared from the gazebo.

* * *

The knights who had been watching quickly headed for the building in the sudden downpour. The rain and lights combined made it hard to see the couple, and the heavy rain soon soaked them through.

“The wizards’ research said if you get caught in the rain at the capital, you’ll go bald!”

“What, really? Damn it, I barely have any hair left!”

“Wait for me!”

As the members hurriedly left, Maxion stood alone.

“

!” [See, I was right!]

Ren adjusted the wet flower crown from Maxion’s arms. Maxion nodded, holding Ren with one arm and an umbrella with the other.

“…To think it would rain on such a clear day.”

“

!

.” [Then let’s get closer! It’s hard to see inside because of the rain.] Ren waved its arms towards the garden where Luize and Edward were.

“No.”

“

?” [Why?]

“They’re probably doing something you shouldn’t see.”

“

?” [What?]

Ren tilted its head, then patted Maxion’s chest.

“

.” [We can’t miss the fun!]

“Instead of watching them, let’s look at something else.”

“

?” [What else?]

Maxion carried Ren to a corner of the garden without lights. He slightly lifted the umbrella, revealing the stars shining in the thinning rain.

“Watching stars on a rainy night is a rare experience.”

“

.” [

Not very interesting.]

Ren murmured, looking at the night sky with its big, sparkling eyes.

“

.” [But humans are lucky.]

When Maxion looked at the baby dragon with a puzzled face, Ren continued, gazing at the sky.