As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover

“That’s a good method too. But the more clear-cut way is to distinguish by the gains and losses they can achieve through me.”

“Gains and losses?”

“For example, Orben is a family whose previous count was a chancellor and was very close to the former emperor. On the day the former emperor passed away, the previous count and his two sons were killed in an incident, leaving only the third son, Rendallio di Orben, and his younger brother.” Edward tucked Luize’s stray hair behind her ear and continued. “He’s quite capable, resembling his father, but he hasn’t been able to enter the capital society until now.”

“Why is that?”

“No matter how low the position, he keeps failing, and the emperor is ignoring him.”

“

”

“The remaining ones are mostly in similar situations. They suffered great losses due to the current emperor or cannot revive their families unless the emperor is replaced.”

As Luize frowned slightly, Edward gently rubbed her furrowed brow.

“Among them, there are families I kept close or watched closely during my time as crown prince. Being close to me means they’re considered dangerous by the emperor, so they too can only rise if I return to the throne.”

“They’re all here because they need you, Edward.”

“Yes. Thanks to the emperor shaking up those who were unsure, only those with firm resolve remained. This allows us to easily identify those who will be on our side. Of course, just because they stayed doesn’t mean we can trust them all.”

Luize looked at the remaining attendees with a complicated expression. If Edward taught her about the formalities of social interactions, Ellisian told her about their hidden stories and the reality behind them.

Summarizing all the information, the common factor among the remaining attendees was exactly what Edward had said. They had lost much because of the emperor, had their paths to the political arena blocked, or were tired of the incompetent and morally bankrupt emperor and wanted a new one. They wanted a new future through Edward.

“Is that how the society in the capital usually is?”

“Yes.”

“Have you been surrounded by such people since you were young?”

“Yes.”

“…It must have been lonely.”

Edward looked at Luize with a puzzled expression.

“You’re saying that from the moment you were born, you were surrounded by people calculating their gains through you. If I realized that, I would have quickly grown tired of people.”

Luize turned to meet Edward’s gaze. Coincidentally, he was smiling.

“Why are you laughing?”

“You’re right. There were times when I wanted to give up everything because I was so fed up.”

“The crown prince, who was the epitome of excellence, did?”

“Yes. So there were days when I couldn’t stand it and tried to escape. I almost got kidnapped by thugs once.”

“Oh my, what happened then?”

“Fortunately, the most beautiful woman in the empire appeared just in time and saved me from disaster.”

“The most beautiful woman in the empire?” Luize looked at Edward with curiosity, then realized from his bright smile. Her face turned red in an instant. “

, I saved you.”

“Yes.”

Luize fanned herself to cool down and then spoke. “Edward, listen.”

“Yes.”

“No matter how many people around you calculated their gains, there must have been some who followed you simply because they liked you.”

“What makes you think so?”

“Because it’s you.” Luize intertwined her fingers with his, and the signet ring on her pinky was felt by his hand. “The most perfect crown prince in the empire’s history and the most handsome man. I grew up hearing such titles about you. You were like the sun I could never touch. In the deathly forest where even light couldn’t reach, your stories were more dreamlike than fairy tales and sweeter than novels.”

“…”

“In reality, you’re even more wonderful. Sometimes, I can’t tell if this is real or a pleasant dream in spring. So, surely, people must have liked you regardless of gains or losses.”

Edward, who had been quietly watching her, tightly grasped her hand. After a short silence, he spoke. “…Thank you.”

“Yes.”

The two of them smiled at each other.

* * *

The people who approached Edward at the after-party had various expressions. Some seemed overwhelmed with emotion, others appeared cautious of the impending darkness, while others were calm and serious.

“Thank you all for coming.”

At Edward’s greeting, they bowed their heads.

“Your Excellency, we apologize for coming so late.”

“Thank you for coming back. I’ve been waiting a long time.”

“We should have come sooner…”

“Your Excellency, please speak comfortably with us. We’ve all resolved to follow you from now on.”

After wrapping up the outdoor after-party, Edward moved to the parlor with those who stayed until the end.

“More people were supposed to attend, but we had some internal issues.” Rendallio di Orben stepped forward as their representative. He explained how some of them had left due to the Emperor’s actions while they were gathering to firm their resolve.

“…That’s what happened. If they had taken a little more time to think, they would have realized it was right to meet Your Excellency, but because of what happened the day before, they couldn’t make a rational decision.”

“People usually choose the conservative route in urgent situations, so don’t worry. I have already prepared a plan on my end.”

“As expected. What should we do?”

“Nothing special. Just live as if you’ve lost everything.”

“…Pardon?”

“Appealing to the current emperor and crying while begging might be a good idea too.”

“Pardon? Your Excellency?”

Edward laughed out loud. He then spoke again with a smile.

After hearing his plan, everyone understood why they had to act that way.

“I will seclude myself and stop eating.”

“Then I will submit a petition to the emperor.”

“I will take on the crying and begging.”

Edward responded with satisfaction. “That’s reassuring.”

“But when do you plan to execute this?”

“Three days before the start of the fifth month.”

“That day means…”

“Precisely, three days before the Founding Day,” Edward replied leisurely, leaning back on the sofa.

* * *

Luize, dressed neatly in her outing clothes, got off the carriage and checked her left pinky finger. On the day of the engagement ceremony, when Edward took out a new signet ring with the same design as his from a box, the audience was greatly stirred.

The engagement ring Edward prepared became a big topic right after the ceremony.

[Breaking Norms One After Another, a Legendary Love!]

[A Vow of Love To Respect for Life? If It’s Not Visible, It’s Meaningless. The Grand Duke Expresses It With a Ring.]

[Is It a Foolish Choice Blinded by Love, or the Leader of a Trend?]

[Another Shocking Move! What’s Next for This Couple?]

They were the headlines in the newspapers. Although the media still did not mention direct political issues, it was natural for the empire to be stirred by his unconventional actions.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t attend because I was busy preparing the day before. Thank you for coming. I heard the ring was quite shocking. It’s really impressive.” Diana, in her engagement dress, welcomed Luize and her party.

“This is the first time I’ve seen such a floral engagement ceremony, Princess. It’s quite splendid.”

“Kaillon has many flowers that were not found in Pendel. I decorated it diversely for the guests from Pendel,” putting on a fake smile, Diana looked around.

Since they arrived late, most people were already seated, and other guests were being entertained by Reiad. She then whispered softly.