This Villain Is Mine Now

Chapter 103

The only person Elaina danced with at the ball that night was Lyle—her first and last partner.

After returning from the dance, she found a seat in a quiet corner. However, the peace did not last long.

Before she knew it, as always, people began to crowd around her, eager to gain her attention.

“It has been a while, Your Grace.”

“Oh, please, there’s no need for such formalities.”

Elaina waved her hand dismissively. At her response, several men exchanged glances.

“No need for formalities? But isn’t that the proper etiquette?”

At the question of a refined gentleman, Elaina inwardly chuckled. He was pretending not to know, despite already suspecting the truth. But she, too, maintained a composed smile, concealing her true thoughts.

“As expected. There are still many who don’t know.”

“Pardon? What do you mean…?”

“I mean my divorce. Of course, it hasn’t been finalized on paper yet, but…”

Elaina sighed in frustration and furrowed her brows. She spoke as if it was of little consequence, but those around her were stunned.

“D-divorce? Goodness! Then the rumors were true?”

This was their chance to hear the details of the most talked-about scandal directly from the source. People leaned in eagerly, bombarding her with questions.

“What was the reason? Surely, there was a reason, wasn’t there?”

“Well, there were many reasons.”

“But the biggest one…?”

“The biggest reason would be that Archduke Grant trampled on my pride.”

It was a shocking statement that left people gaping in disbelief.

He trampled on her pride. It was a simple phrase, but the meaning it carried was anything but simple.

“He asked me to sign the divorce papers, yet I don’t understand why he’s dragging it out. I came to this ball tonight for that very reason. Since he refuses to meet with me, I had to come find him myself to settle the matter.”

Elaina let out a deep sigh, resting her arm on the chair’s armrest as if she had a headache. She pressed her fingers against her temple, appearing weary. Because it was her left hand, the intricate vine-patterned ring on her ring finger was conspicuously visible to those around her.

One noblewoman hesitated before cautiously asking, swallowing hard.

“Then… that ring…?”

“Oh, this? I came tonight to settle things once and for all and return it, but it seems I won’t be able to take it off just yet. Haah, I’ve already made up my mind, so why does he insist on making things so uncomfortable? This ring, my title as Archduchess—if only I could be rid of them already.”

There was not a trace of lingering affection for Lyle in the way she sighed. When Elaina spoke as if she had no idea why he was delaying, one of the young noblemen eager to win her favor raised his voice.

“That’s obviously because of the medicine Sir Nathan developed. You hold the rights to it.”

“The rights to the medicine?”

Elaina frowned slightly as if the thought had never occurred to her. Seeing this, the young man became more confident, stepping closer with a smug grin.

“Exactly. Every noble estate has its eyes on it right now. Madam—no, ‘Young Lady,’ the price of the medicine will be whatever you decide it to be.”

Boldly, the young man addressed her as “Young Lady” despite her still being a married woman. His intentions were so transparent that it was almost amusing.

He had a knack for stating the obvious as if it were privileged information only he knew. And yet, Elaina widened her eyes as if she had just realized something and nodded.

“I see. I had never thought of it that way.”

“The impoverished North would never be able to properly compensate you for the rights to the medicine. However, a married couple’s assets are managed jointly. As long as you remain married, the northern estates can continue using it for free. The Archduke must know this.”

“You certainly have a keen mind. What is your name?”

At Elaina’s question, the young man’s face brightened, and he quickly introduced himself.

“Robes. Robes Edante, my lady.”

“Ah, yes. You’re from the Edante family. I’ll be sure to remember your name next time we meet, Robes.”

As soon as Elaina mentioned remembering his name, other young men, unwilling to let an insignificant Edante member steal the spotlight, eagerly jumped into the conversation.

“That is merely common knowledge, Elaina. It is nothing remarkable. What is important is that you must be more cautious regarding your safety from now on.”

“…Huh? What do you mean by that?”

One of the men, his face flushed, glanced at Lyle. He was among those who had held a poor opinion of Lyle for some time.

“I apologize for the late introduction. Do you happen to remember my name? We have met before. Of course, it was a long time ago…”

“Ah, was it James? I recall you introducing yourself as someone working at a law office.”

When Elaina remembered his name, James cleared his throat, straightening his shoulders as he took a moment to draw in his audience’s attention.

“It is widely known that His Grace the Archduke is delaying the divorce because of the rights to the medicine. That much is obvious. But what truly matters is what comes next.”

“Oh, come on. We just discussed that.”

“Hah, did I? Alright, let me get straight to the point. How much do you all know about inheritance laws?”

A noblewoman who had previously dismissed him as ridiculous now widened her eyes in interest. James, pleased with the reaction, continued speaking with evident satisfaction.

“That’s right. According to imperial law, in the event of a married person’s death, their entire estate is inherited by their spouse.”

Those listening appeared utterly stunned by his words. Robes, looking flustered, turned to him in protest.

“Are you suggesting that His Grace the Archduke would harm the Young Lady?”

“No. I never said that.”

“But just now, you—!”

“However! Even if it is not the Archduke himself, how can we be certain that no one under his command, driven by misguided loyalty, would act? Hmm? Should I give you an example? You all must have heard of Drane, the one managing Mabel.”

James exaggerated as he spoke, painting Drane as a dangerous figure who would go so far as to wield control over monsters. Listening to him, one might believe that Drane was a ruthless man willing to commit murder for the sake of the Archduke.

“That is why you must be especially cautious from now on, Elaina. It is always wise to prepare for potential threats in advance.”

Elaina cast a gentle smile at James as he subtly glanced at her. “I see. That makes sense. I will certainly be cautious. But, James? May I ask you something?”

“Of course! Ask anything.”

Encouraging her to speak, James spread his arms confidently. Elaina, maintaining her pleasant demeanor, posed her question.

“Then, if I were to meet an unfortunate end after my divorce, who would inherit the rights to the medicine?”

James let out a hearty chuckle, as if the question were the simplest thing in the world.

“Such an easy question, Elaina. The rights would naturally revert to their original owner, Sir Nathan.”

“I see. Thank you for your answer, James.”

Elaina’s gratitude only made James puff up with more pride.

When handling major legal cases, mundane matters like inheritance law often slipped one’s mind. As luck would have it, just a few days ago, a certain individual had visited him, asking similar questions.

“I see. A married couple’s estate is shared property, and in the event of death, it is inherited by the surviving spouse. Ha!”

The Marquis of Redwood, seemingly satisfied with their conversation, had paid him ten times the usual consultation fee before departing. In return, he had asked for strict confidentiality regarding his visit.

“Under no circumstances should you speak of this meeting to anyone. You understand my meaning, don’t you?”

Even without being warned, James had no intention of revealing anything. As an insignificant legal office employee, he knew all too well that offending a man as powerful as the Marquis—an influential figure in the imperial court—would ruin his life.

‘Well, this much should be fine.’

He felt a slight unease, but James brushed it aside. The Marquis had specifically requested secrecy regarding his visit, not the contents of their discussion on inheritance laws.

He had merely shown off his vast legal knowledge. Surely, nothing could come of such a minor thing.

Chuckling to himself, James failed to notice the meaningful look Elaina was giving him.