This Villain Is Mine Now

Chapter 51

“Don’t you know how to greet people? When you see an adult, you should greet them properly.”

Even though it wasn’t yet time for the meeting, Marchioness Verua, who had arrived early, looked Knox up and down, openly showing her displeasure.

“Marchioness, the child is badly injured. I think it would be better to let him skip the greeting this time.”

“Oh my. Does the academy teach children that being injured means they don’t have to show basic manners?”

“It’s not that…”

The teacher, caught off guard, began to sweat nervously. The marchioness’s nitpicking skills were no joke.

“No, it’s okay, teacher. I’ll greet her properly.”

Despite his bandaged leg, Knox stood up to give a formal bow. Bark pouted as he watched. He remembered how Knox had been praised by the teacher during etiquette class for his flawless greeting.

Knox was still a child, but his elegant bow was like something straight out of a textbook. Nevertheless, Marchioness Verua scoffed, glaring at him.

“Again.”

“Marchioness?”

“Teacher, why are you so surprised? His greeting was sloppy, so I’m telling him to do it again.”

The teacher, furious at the absurdity of the demand, stepped forward to block the child. But Knox complied with the marchioness’s demand and bowed again.

“Again.”

Once more, and again, and again. The repeated bending and straightening of his leg caused blood to seep through the white bandages. The teacher, no longer able to tolerate Marchioness Verua’s behavior, raised her voice.

“Enough! He is just a child!”

She firmly grasped Knox’s shoulder to stop him from bowing again. Knox bit his lip, suppressing his emotions.

Finally satisfied, the marchioness waved her hand dismissively, a smug smile on her face. “Fine, fine. Since the teacher insists, I’ll let it go. But honestly, I doubt it would have improved even if he tried again.”

“Marchioness…!”

“In any case, I was summoned here with a request for parental attendance, so I’ve come all this way. Where is the boy’s guardian?”

Her lips curled into a smirk. “Don’t tell me his guardian didn’t bother to show up?”

“The meeting hasn’t started yet. They’ll be here soon. Isn’t that right, Knox?”

Knox couldn’t bring himself to respond. Elaina had told him not to worry, but she hadn’t said anything more specific.

Seeing his hesitation, the marchioness’s expression became even more triumphant as she looked down at Knox.

I knew it. Even though he married Lady Winchester, Grant is still just Grant. Dirty, low-born, traitorous blood.

There was no way Lady Winchester would bother with something like this. Word had it that the Archduke of Grant wasn’t particularly involved in his brother’s upbringing either.

In other words, there was no one here today to stop her from doing whatever she wanted to that insolent child.

“Knox,” the teacher asked with a worried expression. “You did tell your family about this, didn’t you?”

Knox barely managed a slight nod. Seeing his response, Marchioness Verua let out a shrill, mocking laugh.

“Don’t tell me you didn’t even show them the academy’s notice? It’s one thing to be uninterested in the child’s education, but to completely ignore a violent incident like this? My, my. I wonder just how much further the name of Grant will fall.”

“Marchioness…!”

Her words, spoken in front of the child, were too harsh. The teacher, now pale, glanced anxiously at Knox, worried about the effect the marchioness’s words might have on him. Knox bit his lip, determined not to cry. He knew if he showed any weakness in front of Bark, he would never hear the end of it.

And then—

“I don’t believe that’s something the marchioness should be concerned about.”

The door swung open, and a sharp voice cut through the tense air. Marchioness Verua, startled, turned to look at the doorway. Knox also turned his head toward the door, his eyes widening in shock.

It was Elaina.

But this wasn’t the warm and gentle Elaina he was used to. The woman who entered the room looked completely different. The usual smile she wore, even when scolding him, was gone. Her face was devoid of any kindness.

Knox swallowed hard. He glanced at Bark and his mother. He wasn’t the only one who was afraid. Both Bark and Marchioness Verua had gone pale.

All she had done was step into the room. She hadn’t even spoken yet, but it was already clear who controlled the atmosphere.

***

“Apologies for being a bit late. I had some matters to take care of.”

Despite the words, there was no hint of actual apology in Elaina’s tone.

The teacher quickly replied, “Oh, it’s fine. The marchioness just arrived as well.”

“I see.”

Elaina sat down on the sofa and crossed her legs. This morning, Sarah had fussed over her, making sure she was dressed up from head to toe. In fact, Elaina thought she hadn’t even put this much effort into her debutante ball.

“You know the key to winning any confrontation is to make a strong first impression. I’ll do your makeup bold enough to knock them off their feet.”

Furious after hearing Knox’s story, Sarah had gone all out. The result was a strikingly bold look that made Elaina’s face appear even colder and more intimidating.

Elaina sat quietly, staring at Marchioness Verua without saying a word. The marchioness met her gaze, but it was she who eventually looked away first.

“Well then, shall we begin the meeting?” the teacher asked, trying to proceed.

“Hold on, teacher.”

Elaina raised her hand, interrupting the teacher. The teacher, curious about what Elaina would say next, looked at her.

“I’m here today as the Archduchess of Grant, Knox’s guardian.”

“Yes, I understand.” The teacher nodded, slightly flustered by Elaina’s sudden statement.

Elaina’s smile deepened as she glanced at Marchioness Verua. “It’s troubling when someone who’s been part of high society for so long behaves so poorly, don’t you think, Marchioness?”

“W-what do you mean by that?”

“I just said it, didn’t I? I’m here as the Archduchess of Grant.”

The marchioness’s confusion was evident. Elaina sighed dramatically, shaking her head as if she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

“It seems you’ve forgotten that my husband, Archduke Grant, has a claim to the throne.”

It was only then that the marchioness realized what Elaina was implying.

The title of Archduke Grant might not seem all that impressive. In fact, it was mostly a ceremonial title. Besides, the Crown Prince and other direct imperial descendants were still young and in good health. Archduke Grant’s claim to the throne might not carry much weight.

But that didn’t change the fact that he had a claim to the throne.

If he didn’t have any land, it would be a different story. But the emperor had granted him the Mabel Mountain region as his domain. And unlike other noble titles, an archduke could, if he wished, declare his domain an independent duchy under his rule. Even if it was a land overrun by monsters and practically worthless.

In other words—

When dealing with Elaina Winchester—no, Elaina Grant—one had to show her the same respect due to a member of the imperial family.

Elaina raised an eyebrow as she stared at the marchioness.

Despite her reluctance, the marchioness had no choice but to stand up.

“Mother!” Bark exclaimed, looking at his mother in shock.

Elaina’s icy expression softened slightly as she reclined on the sofa, crossing her legs and smiling.

“Oh, I was starting to wonder if the marchioness had forgotten her manners.”

Marchioness Verua bit her lip and slowly knelt on one knee.

Elaina watched her with cold, indifferent eyes.

As the marchioness rose from her bow, Elaina shook her head slightly and spoke again, “Your greeting was improper, Marchioness. I suggest you do it again.”

“W-what?”

The humiliation of being ordered to bow by someone so much younger than her made the marchioness feel like she was about to pass out.

“What’s the matter? Does it feel bad when it’s your turn? I completely agree with you. A poorly executed greeting reflects badly on one’s upbringing. Surely you wouldn’t want to bring such shame upon the House of Verua?”

After forcing Knox to bow repeatedly, was she really going to complain about having to bow once more herself?

Elaina’s gaze shifted to Knox’s knee, where blood had seeped through his bandages. Even if the marchioness bowed ten more times, it wouldn’t be enough.

Biting her lip hard enough to draw blood, Marchioness Verua had no choice. After all, it was she who had first picked a quarrel with Knox over manners.

She could feel her son’s shocked gaze on her, but all she could do was lower her head once more in front of Elaina.