This Villain Is Mine Now

Chapter 113

The ornament made of gold was studded with gems here and there, clearly expensive at first glance.

“Wasn’t that item too valuable to steal?”

At Anna’s worried question, Rapina smirked.

“For a house like that, this is just right. That way, they’ll think it was just a petty thief and won’t come looking for me.”

If she had stolen something too cheap, they would’ve suspected her intentions. But if the item were too expensive, they would pursue her.

All of Rapina’s identity details had been fabricated when she entered as a maid, but if she drew the Marquis’s suspicion, her connection to Anna might be exposed.

“Well then. I’ve said all I needed to. It’s dangerous to stay too long, so let’s part ways here.”

Rapina dusted off her clothes and stood up. After what had just happened, she would either have to lay low for a while or leave the capital altogether.

“Rapina, I’m worried about you. Why don’t I tell Madam so you can go north even now…”

Anna tried once more to persuade Rapina, her face full of concern. Originally, Elaina had told Rapina that once she finished the job, she could go north and hide until things settled down.

But Rapina scoffed and refused once again. “Didn’t you say it takes over a week even by carriage? I’ve had enough of being cooped up. Shouldn’t you be more worried about your Madam and Master? I heard they were badly injured in the fire.”

Anna parted her lips. “Mm… They’re much better now.”

“In just one day? Well, I guess that’s good. Anyway, I’m leaving. Wait a little before heading out after me.”

Though she frowned slightly, Rapina didn’t pay much mind to Anna’s words. After weeks of working as a maid—a job completely unsuited to her—Rapina was in desperate need of a break.

“I’ll pray for their quick recovery. See you next time, Anna.”

After her light-hearted friend left, Anna let out a quiet sigh. The fact that she had lied to someone who had helped her so much made her feel uneasy.

***

As soon as the front door opened, a sharp herbal scent wafted out. The whole house was filled with the smell.

Without even changing out of her outdoor clothes, Anna went to Elaina’s room. When she knocked, the door opened immediately, releasing a stronger wave of the sharp scent.

“Madam, haven’t you used too many herbs?”

“Really?”

“We can’t even ventilate, so I think it’s best to stop using the herbs now. How about wrapping your arm in bandages instead? That would look more like a real injury and be more believable.”

Anna advised her seriously. Despite reports of a severe burn, Elaina’s actual injury was just a small blister on her arm—a minor wound caused by a slight burn from an overturned oil lamp.

“The Marquis won’t know the exact state of things inside the Archduke’s residence anyway. You don’t need to be so tense, Anna.”

Sarah, who had been listening beside her, chuckled. At the head maid’s confident words, Anna seemed slightly reassured and took a deep breath.

“Were you followed?”

“No. I had mentioned it to the Marquis once before, so it seems he’s stopped assigning someone to tail me.”

The first time she met the Marquis, he had assigned someone to watch Anna. But after she subtly implied she had almost been caught by someone at the Archduke’s estate, he stopped taking that risk.

Anna conveyed everything she had heard from Rapina to Elaina. Hearing that Rapina had escaped safely, Elaina’s expression visibly relaxed.

“Good work. If anyone had tried to touch that, it could’ve put everyone in danger.”

“She said it was a sparkling ring. Do you think it really has power?”

At Anna’s skeptical words, Elaina nodded firmly. “It’s a very dangerous item. It can hurt others.”

The intended target for the ring’s power wasn’t even human, but a giant dragon. That alone made the strength of the ring self-evident.

In the basement where she had descended that day, there was a brief letter. Propheta had left it, believing someone from House Grant—or someone very close to them—would be the one to open it.

「House Grant has long governed the North. I am soon to die. After my death, I entrust my friend’s life to you for ten years.」

The rest of the letter described the item he had imbued with his magic. It was a plea to use the item so that his close friend might dream freely.

「It won’t be a bad thing for you either—so long as you don’t wish for a dragon to awaken in your northern lands.

Peace for your land, and rest for my friend.」

After reading the letter to that point, Elaina understood what had happened.

‘So that’s what it was.’

Propheta, realizing that his life was nearing its end while Kyst still slept, had left this behind for the sake of his friend.

By making a deal with the ruler of the North, he ensured that Kyst could live a peaceful life even after his own death.

「If the one who arrives here is not a Grant, I warn you now. Leave this place immediately. This place is meant for a deal with Grant. Any who interferes will meet only ruin.」

Somehow, the Marquis had arrived at this place before her on that day ten years ago. And he had ignored Propheta’s warning.

The ring, which should have been used for Kyst’s peace, had instead been used for the Marquis’s own greed. And because he was not of Grant blood, he could never open the door again.

Elaina clenched her teeth. That ring was not something the Marquis should ever have had. If that item truly had an owner, it was Kyst—the friend Propheta had worried about even as he died.

“Madam, what about your sleep? You said you were having nightmares.”

“Thank you for worrying, but I’m fine. A nightmare is just a nightmare.”

Elaina smiled to reassure Anna. But it wasn’t a lie.

The dream the Marquis had forced upon her was simple: descend into the chamber beneath the stone slab with Lyle, set a fire, and die together.

It was a space they had searched the villa top to bottom for but never found. It would take time to locate, and only Knox could open it, so there would be delays. By the time it happened, it would appear to be nothing more than an accidental fire, impossible to trace. A clever plan.

Elaina hugged her arms tightly around herself. Thanks to feeding false information to the Marquis through Anna, she hadn’t dreamed last night. But until just yesterday, the blazing flames in her dreams had felt terrifyingly real. She would wake drenched in sweat, writhing in agony as flesh and bone seemed to melt.

But Elaina refused to succumb to it.

[They say that Her Grace the Archduchess, who experienced Propheta’s dream, will not be easily swayed by the Marquis’s illusions.]

It was just as the letter from Mabel had said. A nightmare was just a nightmare.

It was painful to watch herself set the fire in the dream and see Lyle die in agony. But upon waking, she could feel Lyle’s arms wrapped tightly around her. The false illusion crafted by the Marquis might bring pain, but it could not control her.

She was truly glad.

Glad that the one the Marquis had chosen to target with the ring hadn’t been Lyle, but her.

“Good work, Anna. Leave for the North today. Prepare to leave as soon as possible.”

“Yes. I’ll depart right away.”

The luggage had already been packed. All that remained was to leave. Elaina gently patted Anna’s hand.

“This was dangerous work, and you were so brave. I won’t forget your kindness.”

“Not at all, Madam. When we first met, you paid for my brother’s medicine. You’re my savior.”

Anna spoke with a resolute face. Her strong reply reassured Elaina even more.

“Alright. I’ll contact you once everything is settled.”

With her goodbyes, Anna left the estate.

The next day, Elaina quietly spread a rumor—that Anna had been caught selling the Archducal family’s secrets and had been dismissed. It was to buy time so the Marquis wouldn’t find her before she arrived in Mabel.

A few days later, word arrived that Archduke Grant, who had been bedridden, had finally regained consciousness and would attend the upcoming council meeting.

Until just before the meeting began, Lyle did not appear. Those who heard the news whispered that it must be because he hadn’t fully recovered.

“Marquis, what do you think?”

“Hm? What was being discussed? I was thinking about today’s agenda and didn’t hear.”

In place of the absent Duke of Winchester, Marquis Redwood had taken the role of chairman for today’s meeting. Inwardly, he chuckled, but outwardly, he feigned innocence.

“Well then, it’s time. Let’s begin the meeting.”

At Marquis Redwood’s voice, the attendants began closing the doors to the council chamber. But just before the doors shut completely, they were flung open from both sides. The Marquis frowned and looked toward them.

“Did you not hear that the meeting was starting?”

“Ah, that…”

The hesitant voice of the attendant trailed off, and the Marquis turned his gaze.

Footsteps echoed as someone entered the chamber.

The Marquis’s eyes widened in shock.

The man entering the room was none other than Lyle Grant—who, contrary to the rumors of being on the brink of death, appeared perfectly fine.