This Villain Is Mine Now

Chapter 20

“Elaina Winchester.”

The deep timbre of his voice was pleasing to the ear. Seeing the large man kneeling before her in the familiar corridor of her home felt almost surreal. Lyle Grant proposing in her own house—it was a scene she hadn’t quite envisioned.

“Our marriage is unexpected for both of us. You might regret this marriage soon enough because it will be vastly different from the life you were meant to lead.”

From the start, this marriage lacked the most crucial element: love. Love was a feeling Lyle had long forgotten, something he had never truly received, and thus didn’t know how to give. Elaina was right. It was only natural that a woman beside him wouldn’t find happiness.

“Love… isn’t a part of our contract. So, don’t ask for it from me. I can’t fulfill that. But,” Lyle said, pulling out a ring case from his pocket, “I promise you this. As long as you are my wife, I will be a faithful husband to you.”

Elaina Winchester was a good person, unlike himself. While it wasn’t love, he could offer her something more weighty and sincere: fidelity.

“You were worried about Diane Redwood’s unhappiness. I can’t promise to make you happy, but I’ll do my best to ensure you’re not unhappy.”

As long as you don’t ask for love.

He didn’t voice the last part. Elaina looked at Lyle, her eyes steady on his. He opened the ring case, revealing a gold ring intricately designed with vine patterns. The small pink diamonds, set like dew-kissed rosebuds, sparkled delicately.

“This ring… it’s not just any ring, is it?”

Even at a glance, it was clear this wasn’t something that could be prepared in just a day. Though she was curious about its origin, she didn’t want to hurt his pride, so she asked indirectly.

“It was my mother’s ring.”

“What? Why would you give me such a ring…” Elaina trailed off, clearly flustered. “A ring from your late mother… Who gives such a precious ring to a wife for just one year? I told you, something ordinary would have been enough…”

“I just told you,” Lyle interrupted.

“Pardon?”

“I said I’d be a faithful husband to you. It’s a one-year contract, but I’ve never thought of it as fake.”

I’ve never thought of it as fake.

Those words echoed in Elaina’s mind. He was right. No matter how it started, or how it would end, regardless of the intentions behind it, marriage is marriage. It wasn’t fake.

“Elaina Winchester,” his voice, resonating like an echo in a cave, called her name, “Will you please be my wife?”

She thought the proposal wouldn’t mean much, but the sincerity in his eyes was far deeper than she had anticipated. Despite his heartfelt proposal, Elaina hesitated to extend her hand.

The last time she visited the Grant estate, it was clear the household had been selling off furniture to make ends meet. It was obvious from the moment she stepped into the mansion.

To solve financial problems, selling off jewelry would have been far more practical than half-priced furniture. Yet, this precious ring had been kept, suggesting its sentimental value.

‘I did say I’d handle it…’

Who would have thought he would handle it this well? Even so, Elaina couldn’t find the courage to refuse the ring from the man kneeling before her. It was precious and dear, brought as an engagement ring. He couldn’t offer love but promised to be a faithful husband.

Over-consideration can be more insulting than outright rudeness. She couldn’t dismiss his sincere gesture as burdensome.

Elaina finally extended her hand. The late Archduchess’s ring fits perfectly on her fourth finger, as if it had been made for her.

“It fits perfectly. How did you know my size?”

“Dancing with you gave me a good sense of your ring size. I’m glad it fits perfectly.”

Elaina stared at the glittering ring on her finger. “Thank you. I’ll treasure it.”

This ring symbolizes her commitment to becoming Lyle Grant’s wife. For now, it’s hers.

‘Think of it as borrowed. Even borrowed items are mine for a time,’ she thought. It wasn’t complicated. She had decided to marry Lyle for Diane’s sake, with the intention of parting ways after a year. She was merely borrowing Lyle from his real future wife.

“I promise as well. Not that it will ever come to this, but I’ll never ask for your love.”

How fitting, she thought. His first words of the proposal were to tell her not to expect love. It was both absurd and entirely typical of him.

‘Love,’ she mused. Could this man, who only promised to be a faithful husband but nothing more, ever find himself in love with someone? She couldn’t picture it. She couldn’t imagine him looking at anyone with warmth and affection.

‘Who cares who, Elaina Winchester?’ She shook her head, laughing at herself.

She, too, had never known love. Love was said to be a passionate, blind emotion. But no one had ever stirred such feelings in her. The chance of her developing those feelings for Lyle was virtually zero.

“You’d better be careful yourself,” she said.

“What do you mean?”

“Make sure you don’t fall in love with me. It would be best if we could part ways amicably. I hope this marriage won’t be a bad memory for either of us.”

“Ha,” Lyle sighed, as if in disbelief.

“Isn’t it true? Even if we get divorced, given our positions, we’ll often see each other at social events. Imagine how uncomfortable it would be for those around us if we were constantly at each other’s throats. Wouldn’t it be better for both of us if we could part ways amicably and greet each other with a smile?” Elaina argued.

“Alright, I promise.” His eyes, usually so stern, now held a rare glimmer of amusement. “I’ll make sure never to fall in love with you.”

Hearing the word “love” from him, even in jest, made Elaina’s cheeks warm. She was not used to seeing him smile like this. She averted her eyes and muttered quickly, “Just make sure it never happens, for both our sakes.”

“Agreed.”

“Good.” Elaina grabbed his large hand and gave it a light shake. “Now, you should go.”

“Won’t you see me off?”

“Oh.”

“Just kidding. You seem quite cold. You should go back inside.”

“No! I’ll see you off. I can’t appear to neglect you right after accepting your proposal.”

Stubbornly insisting, Elaina was surprised when Lyle draped his jacket over her shoulders.

“What’s this?”

“It’s still cold. That dress won’t keep you warm.”

His jacket was warm from his body heat. Elaina wanted to refuse, but she was indeed cold, and it wouldn’t hurt to be seen by the servants with his jacket on. She decided to stay silent.

“Surprising. I thought you’d throw a fit.”

“Well, it is quite cold.”

“Maybe I should have proposed in your room then.”

“No. Sarah is in there. If she heard about the proposal, she would have thrown a fit.”

“Ah, the maid who opposes our marriage.”

“How did you know?”

It was a trivial conversation, but it flowed naturally. She realized that talking with Lyle was more enjoyable than she’d expected. Before she knew it, they reached the front door.

“I should return your jacket,” Elaina said.

“Keep it. Return it next time we meet.”

Despite his thin shirt, Lyle adjusted the jacket around her shoulders. He wasn’t implying anything; he just felt bad about making her stand in the cold corridor.

“Your carriage is ready, Your Grace,” announced a servant.

“Alright. I’m leaving now,” Lyle said, lightly kissing Elaina’s hand. The unexpected gentlemanly gesture left her flustered. Before she could respond, Lyle had exited through the front door.

Elaina looked at her hand. The warmth from where his lips had touched lingered, making her skin tingle.