This Villain Is Mine Now

Chapter 106

“Where is she?”

The door to Lyle’s study burst open. Knox hurriedly glanced around, his voice urgent.

“Where is she? I heard that sister-in-law was here, but I can’t find her anywhere, brother. Where is she? Huh?”

Last night, while he was asleep, Elaina had come. The moment Knox heard about it, he had run outside, searching frantically for her. But even in his brother’s study, she was nowhere to be found.

Knox’s eyes brimmed with tears.

Ever since hearing that Elaina had returned to the ducal estate, Knox had held back countless emotions.

The intruder who had barged in with pink hair flowing, striding confidently into their home. The wicked woman who had stolen his mother’s ring. The fool who had tried to win his favor with sweets. He had disliked everything about her. Yet, before he knew it, that woman had become his sister—and a mother figure.

She was someone who would always take his side, no matter what. No matter what mischief he caused, she would welcome him with a smile. Without realizing it, Elaina had become a precious part of his family, in a way different from his brother.

He had wanted to ask Lyle, but his brother never explained anything. Knox had swallowed the question lingering on his tongue. His brother looked far more distressed than he did, so he couldn’t bring himself to trouble him further.

He had thought about it constantly. Why had Elaina suddenly left this house? The butler had assured him that her departure had nothing to do with him.

“Just for one year, be my family. I can’t tell you the details because it’s an adult matter.”

The butler was right. That was what Elaina had told him when they first spoke.

But even so, Knox couldn’t help but blame himself.

Even if she no longer liked his brother, did she have to hate him too? Besides, the one-year promise she had made hadn’t even expired yet.

Since returning to the ducal estate, Elaina had never responded to his letters. Every day, Knox had waited for her reply, searching for reasons within himself.

Had he been too rude? Had she come to dislike him because he never used honorifics and called her by name? Had she decided she no longer wanted to be family with a brat like him?

From then on, Knox had made sure to use honorifics when referring to Elaina.

He didn’t cry, didn’t throw tantrums, didn’t act spoiled. He waited patiently, quietly, for her to return. If he behaved well, perhaps she would come back. That was all Knox could do.

But now, she had returned. She had come last night while he was asleep, just to see his brother. He had run straight to the archduchess’s chambers, but she wasn’t there. Then, to Lyle’s room, the dining hall—one by one, he had opened every door, searching desperately. Yet, she was nowhere to be found.

“Where is she?! Bring her back! Bring her back right now!”

He had tried being good, had tried acting mature. And yet, Elaina had not returned. The last sliver of hope was extinguished. It was a cruel reality, too harsh for a child to endure.

“No! I hate this! I hate it all! We should all be together. Stay together! Hic, hic…”

Knox collapsed on the floor, wailing. The sorrowful wish he had been holding back burst forth in his sobs.

Startled, the butler rushed in and held him close. Feeling the warmth of another, Knox clung to the butler and sobbed uncontrollably.

“I told you not to speak of what happened last night.”

Lyle, watching Knox with troubled eyes, finally spoke. The butler lowered his head.

“Forgive me, Your Grace. It seems the maids let it slip.”

Knox’s sobs grew more ragged. He hiccupped as if on the verge of hyperventilation. Watching his younger brother struggle for breath, Lyle stood up from his chair.

“Hand him to me. And don’t come in until I call for you.”

Taking Knox from the butler’s arms, Lyle ordered the door to be locked. Soon, the study held only the two brothers.

“Knox Grant.”

A large hand rested atop Knox’s head.

“I’m sorry.”

At his brother’s apology, Knox didn’t respond. Instead, he buried his face in Lyle’s chest. He could feel his hot tears soaking through Lyle’s shirt. Lyle said nothing and simply stroked his back. The gentle touch continued until the child’s sobs calmed.

Both Elaina and Knox. The two people he had vowed to protect, he had made them both cry. The thought filled Lyle with overwhelming guilt, and he let out a long sigh.

How much time had passed? Knox’s sobs had subsided.

“…I’m done.”

Knox rubbed his swollen eyes and lifted his head. His eyelids were puffy and red. Though his voice was still thick with emotion, he stubbornly held back the remainder of his tears.

“I know. The butler told me… that there are… adult matters. So now… now it’s okay.”

In truth, nothing was okay. But Knox forced an awkward smile, not wanting to make his brother sad as well.

Pretending to be mature, Knox pushed himself away from Lyle’s embrace. His brother already looked just as troubled as he felt—he couldn’t bring himself to act spoiled any longer.

“I should get ready for the academy. I can’t be late.”

If he stayed here, looking at his brother’s face, he might start crying again. Making an excuse about the academy, Knox tried to leave the study. But Lyle’s words stopped him in his tracks.

“Sit down for a moment, Knox. I have something to tell you. It’s very important.”

For months, his brother had refused to explain anything. But now, he was saying it was something important? Knox’s wide eyes trembled slightly.

***

Knox arrived at the academy long past the usual time. Seeing his swollen eyes, Bark and Marion rushed over to his seat in concern.

“Are you really okay? You’re sure nothing happened?”

“I’m fine.”

Knox forced a smile as he answered. But the more he reassured them, the more Marion’s worried gaze deepened.

“Fine? What do you mean, fine? Do you have any idea how red your eyes are? You look like a rabbit.”

“My eyes are always red, Marion.”

“That’s not what I meant!”

Knox let out a small laugh, but Marion was clearly upset.

“I really am okay. I mean it.”

Bark and Marion didn’t believe him. But this time, Knox wasn’t lying—he really did feel okay.

The moment classes ended, Knox dashed out of the room without even saying goodbye to his friends. His destination was the academy’s library. Since lessons had just concluded, the library was still relatively empty.

“The History of Monsters… Where is it?”

The book, one he had never even heard of before, was tucked away on the most secluded shelf in the library. No one had touched it in ages, as evidenced by the thick layer of dust covering it.

Knox quickly glanced around. After confirming several times that no one was nearby, he pulled a small envelope from his bag and slipped it inside the book.

It all happened in an instant—so fast that no one noticed. His heart pounded furiously, but he forced himself to remain calm as he returned the book to its place.

No one reads this book anyway, so there’s no chance of getting caught. But still, Knox felt uneasy and couldn’t bring himself to leave. Instead, he settled into a seat with a clear view of the bookshelf and pretended to work on his assignments.

Even so, he couldn’t concentrate. His gaze kept flickering toward the book, worried that someone might notice it.

“Good afternoon.”

A familiar voice reached his ears. Knox quickly buried his face in his textbook, but he snuck a glance in the speaker’s direction. Right on time, Nathan had arrived at the library, greeting the librarian politely.

“Ah, Sir Hennet! Are you here to check on the books again today?”

“Yes. There are a few I need for my research.”

With a pleasant smile, Nathan ended his conversation with the librarian and made his way toward the back of the library.

Knox kept his head down, pretending not to notice, but his heart pounded even harder.

Nathan walked straight to the bookshelf where The History of Monsters was located. As he stood by the far wall, he carefully retrieved the book.

Knox saw it—just for a brief moment. But it was enough. He had witnessed Nathan smoothly slip the envelope into his pocket before placing the book back in its original spot.

Just as silently as he had arrived, Nathan passed by Knox’s seat again. He didn’t acknowledge Knox at all, acting as though he didn’t even see him.

Then, just as he walked past, something lightly landed on Knox’s desk.

Only after Nathan had completely disappeared did Knox dare to look.

A small note lay before him, and his eyes stung with unexpected tears.

There was a stamp on the note—one of a smiling rabbit with the words “Great job!” printed beside it. It was the very same stamp Elaina used to mark his notebooks whenever he finished his studies.

“Tch.”

He had always groaned about how childish it was whenever she stamped his pages. But now, Knox carefully folded the note and tucked it safely into his pocket.

The carriage would be waiting for him outside. He needed to act as naturally as possible, just as his brother had told him.

As he walked out of the library, he tried to suppress the smile threatening to appear on his lips. Yet he couldn’t stop himself from lightly brushing his fingers over the folded note in his pocket.

With each step he took, he felt the crisp edges of the paper press against his fingertips. The excitement bubbling in his chest made his feet feel lighter than air as he hurried toward the waiting carriage.