This Villain Is Mine Now

Chapter 49

“Are you heading back now?” Nathan asked.

“No, I’ll wait a bit longer and head back with Knox.”

Elaina shook her head slightly as she responded. Since she was already at the academy, she planned to leave when Knox’s class ended.

“Well then, I’ll leave you two to enjoy yourselves. I’ll get out of the way.”

“W-what do you mean, ‘get out of the way’? I never thought of you as a nuisance, Elaina,” Nathan said, flustered.

Elaina smiled. “I’m just teasing. Besides, it’s not often you finish your work early and come back. You two should enjoy some quality time together.”

By now, Diane and Nathan were holding hands tightly. Elaina gave them a bright smile before heading out of the dormitory.

She had gone out in the morning, but now it was late in the afternoon. She hadn’t realized how much time had passed, having been so engrossed in her conversation with Diane. The timing was perfect; if she walked slowly toward the building where Knox was having his lessons, she would arrive just as his class was finishing.

As Elaina walked leisurely around the academy, taking in the surroundings, she overheard a group of children talking.

“That kid is definitely going to get in big trouble tomorrow.”

“Yeah, Bark’s mom is super scary.”

“Serves him right. He’s always hanging out with girls.”

Elaina paid little attention to the conversation as she continued walking, but the next words caught her ear.

“But what if he brings his brother? They say his brother is a murderous monster.”

“Come on, do you really believe that? Knox isn’t that different from the rest of us. I bet that’s just a rumor. Honestly, I don’t believe any of it.”

“Really? But my mom says he’s huge and looks terrifying, like he has no blood or tears. What if he finds out Bark was bullying him and decides to get revenge?”

“Bark’s dad is a marquis, you know. Even if his brother is an Archduke, his family is a mess—my mom says so. I doubt he’ll do anything. Did you see that kid’s face?”

One of the boys laughed.

“When the teacher said to bring his family, he turned pale as a ghost. That prideful kid won’t bring anyone. After bragging about how his brother’s back, there’s no way he’d let anyone see him bow down in front of others.”

Elaina’s smile disappeared completely. There was no doubt they were talking about Knox and Lyle.

She was about to call the boys over to ask more questions when a familiar voice interrupted her from behind.

“Elaina! Sister Elaina!”

It was Marion, wearing her academy uniform, running excitedly toward Elaina. At the sound of her voice, the boys quickly realized someone was behind them and bolted away.

Marion pouted as she watched them run off. “Ugh, those boys are awful. Did they say anything mean to you, Sister?”

“Awful? What do you mean?”

“They always tease the girls, calling them ugly. They made Sonetia and Bruen cry too. I really don’t like them,” Marion said, turning her head away in annoyance.

“Really? Are they friends with Knox by any chance?”

“No way! Knox is nothing like them!” Marion shook her head vigorously. “He’s so kind and sweet. All the girls in our class like him. Whenever those boys bully anyone, Knox always steps in to help.”

She glared in the direction the boys had run off. “They’re terrible. They said something really bad to Knox today.”

“Something bad? What was it?”

Marion rolled her eyes as if debating whether or not she should tell Elaina. After a moment of hesitation, she began explaining what had happened to Knox earlier that day.

As Elaina listened to Marion, her expression grew colder.

“The teacher told them to make up, but neither of them wanted to. So, the teacher said they both had to bring their family tomorrow.”

“…I see.”

“Bark’s mom is a really scary person. What if Knox gets in trouble? It wasn’t even his fault.”

Elaina patted Marion on the head, gently adjusting her hat. “Thank you for telling me, Marion.”

But there was no sign of the usual warm smile Elaina gave Marion. Her face was tense, and her jaw was clenched tightly in anger.

***

Not long after Marion left, Knox came out of the building. He was holding a piece of paper and, with a pale face, read its contents several times before stuffing it into his bag.

As he took a step forward, looking completely dejected, Elaina appeared in front of him.

“What—what are you doing here!” Knox shouted in surprise. His heart pounded at the thought that she might have seen everything.

“I came to see Diane, and I thought it would be nice to go home together with you.”

“Who asked you to come with me? Why didn’t you say anything before showing up?”

“Oh my, do I need your permission? We’re family, after all. What’s wrong with going home together?”

The word “family” made Knox stop in his tracks. Today, that word felt especially heavy.

“Come on. Let’s buy some snacks on the way home. After you finish your homework, we can play a game of chess.”

“Chess? No thanks…” Knox shook his head weakly.

Even on the carriage ride home, his expression remained downcast. Elaina, noticing his dejection, kept a close eye on him.

When they arrived home, Knox declined the snacks and chess, retreating to his room. The only time he came out was for dinner, as it was a rule that the three members of the Grant household ate together when there were no other commitments.

Even though it had only been a few weeks since the wedding, Knox had quickly adjusted to life with his new family. But tonight, the usually lively Knox was unusually quiet, casting a somber mood over dinner.

“I’m done… I’m going to my room,” Knox mumbled, pushing his plate away despite barely touching his food. The butler gently urged him to eat a little more, but Knox refused stubbornly.

“He ate so little… He’ll definitely be hungry later tonight,” the butler muttered worriedly to himself.

Elaina, who had been watching Knox closely throughout the meal, gestured to the butler.

“Yes, madam? Is there something you’d like to say?”

“Prepare something Knox likes. I’ll bring it to him myself.”

The butler’s face brightened at her words. If Elaina brought him food personally, even the stubborn young master would have no choice but to listen.

“Right away. I’ll have it prepared immediately.”

The butler hurried to the kitchen to relay the message to the chef. But throughout it all, Elaina’s face remained devoid of any hint of a smile.

***

Inside his room, Knox’s eyes kept drifting to his bag. He knew the dinner that had been served was made with care by the chef, but every time he thought about the paper inside his bag, his chest tightened, making it impossible to eat.

Bark’s triumphant face, boasting that he would tell his mother everything, replayed in his mind. Even with the bruise turning his cheek a bluish hue, Bark had seemed more amused than hurt.

As Knox agonized over what to do with the paper the teacher had given him, the door suddenly swung open.

Startled, Knox turned to see Elaina standing there, her expression filled with anger.

“What—what is it?”

“I brought you something to eat. I figured you’d be hungry.”

“I told you, I’m not hungry!”

“Eat.”

It wasn’t a suggestion; it was a command. Knox flinched and hesitated before accepting the plate from Elaina. It held sandwiches he liked, along with warm milk spiced with cinnamon.

“Is there something bothering you? If it’s hard to talk to your brother, you can talk to me.”

Something bothering him.

For a brief moment, Knox felt the urge to tell her everything. But instead, he pressed his lips together and shook his head.

“There’s nothing. I really wasn’t hungry, that’s all.”

Elaina stared at him, her gaze unwavering. “Is that really true?”

“…It’s true!”

“Are you absolutely sure?”

“…I’m sure!”

“Really, really sure?”

“Why are you doing this!”

Her persistent questioning made Knox snap, unable to hold back any longer. Realizing what he had done, he quickly glanced at her for her reaction.

Elaina, still calm and composed, spoke again, “In that case, may I take a look at the paper in your bag?”