This Villain Is Mine Now

Chapter 62

At the break of dawn, Lyle quietly rose from the bed. He hadn’t been able to sleep properly. Was it the excitement of the day he had long awaited finally arriving, or was it something else…?

Lyle glanced beside him. Elaina, deeply asleep, showed no signs of waking. Lyle silently gazed at her sleeping face.

It was the first time Lyle had ever looked at a sleeping woman up close, and he thought Elaina’s sleeping face was quite beautiful. He soon frowned.

Beautiful?

Just half a year ago, Lyle hadn’t cared at all about a woman’s appearance.

If it was about appearance, then of course Elaina looked more splendid and beautiful at a ball or when they went out. But strangely enough, Lyle found her most pleasing like this. When she fell asleep with a clear face, or when she smiled brightly with a flower crown made by a child on her head instead of a diamond-encrusted pin.

After silently watching Elaina for a long time, Lyle stood up.

His next stop was Knox’s room. Lyle picked up the blanket that had slipped halfway to the floor and covered Knox again.

Last night, Marion Bonaparte had attended the banquet—the only noble who had accepted the invitation.

A faint smile lingered on Lyle’s lips as he remembered Knox’s tense and awkward demeanor in front of Marion.

Lyle ruffled Knox’s tousled hair. The bright blond hair that resembled his mother felt soft. Unlike his own.

Leaving Knox’s room, Lyle changed into his clothes. He had told the butler the previous day to prepare his armor and weapons in an appropriate guest room.

“You must be tired. Why not rest a bit longer?”

“When one gets older, one needs less sleep.”

Even though it was still dark before dawn, the butler was already waiting for Lyle in front of Knox’s room.

“Everyone has arrived early. They are dressed and waiting for you.”

“I see.”

“Yes, youth is wonderful. Not a trace of a hangover on their faces. Still, I prepared some food for them so they can have a meal before departure.”

The butler assisted Lyle with his clothes, draping a crimson cape—symbolic of House Grant—over his newly fitted armor.

“It’s light,” Lyle murmured as he rotated his arm.

“The madam paid special attention to it.”

To protect oneself from the monsters’ fierce fangs and claws, one needed strong armor. But overly heavy armor would quickly drain stamina.

After learning this, Elaina had gotten Leo’s help to commission armor made of the same materials used by the Imperial Guard.

Lyle had told her there was no need to go to such lengths, but Elaina had been adamant about not sparing money when it concerned his life. The memory of her determined expression came to mind.

“You seem to be thinking of something pleasant. You’re smiling.”

“Me?”

At the butler’s words, Lyle touched his lips.

“Yes, you smiled. As if something very enjoyable happened.”

“…Not really.”

Lyle frowned slightly, as if caught in his thoughts. The two of them left the room together, but upon stepping into the hallway, Lyle had to instruct the butler to head downstairs and make final preparations.

“What is this? Were you planning to leave just like that, without even saying goodbye?”

Elaina stood in the hallway, arms crossed, wearing her pajamas as she glared at him.

***

Lyle paused, unsure how to respond to Elaina’s display of hurt. Finding the right words to soothe her feelings wasn’t an easy task.

“You were in a deep sleep, so I didn’t want to wake you.”

Instead of an excuse, Lyle offered honesty. However, Elaina let out a sharp cry.

“Still! No matter what, you should have woken me. We don’t even know when we’ll see each other again!”

“Why are you so upset?”

Not wanting the last image of her to be one of anger and hurt, Lyle quietly asked. Elaina was momentarily speechless.

“If I did something wrong, I apologize. But that was all. You must have been exhausted from preparing for the event yesterday.”

Elaina’s glare softened at Lyle’s calm words.

“I’m not angry. Just… a little upset.”

After spending nearly an entire season together, she felt it was only right to see him off on the day he left. She sighed deeply, expressing her disappointment at his coldness.

“I can sleep anytime. I’ll go right back to bed after seeing you off. No one will scold me for sleeping until midday.”

Elaina looked Lyle up and down. Wearing his newly prepared armor, he looked even larger than usual. His hair, freshly washed, still held a hint of moisture.

“How does the armor feel?”

“It’s comfortable.”

“That’s good.”

The conversation didn’t flow easily. After a moment of hesitation, Elaina spoke to Lyle.

“Don’t get hurt.”

It was something she had told him yesterday, but it weighed heavily on her mind.

“I’m not saying this just to say it. Please be careful. I know you and the knights are strong, but monster subjugation is a different matter…”

As she spoke, Lyle slowly knelt before her.

She had seen this sight once before. Then, it had been broad daylight, and she had been dressed properly. Now, it was the dim pre-dawn, and she was in her pajamas.

“What are you doing?”

Instead of answering, Lyle extended his hand. Reluctantly, Elaina placed her hand in his.

Lyle’s lips lightly touched the back of her hand.

“I promised you when I proposed—I would be a faithful husband for the duration of our contract. I won’t die and leave you behind, so rest assured.”

“Who said I was worried about that? What do you take me for?!”

Elaina was about to get angry but realized Lyle was joking. She turned away from his teasing smile, mumbling quietly, “Why does this always happen in the hallway…”

“Next time, I’ll find a more suitable place.”

With that, Lyle stood up before her.

“It’s cold outside. Unless you plan to see the knights off in your pajamas, you should return to your room.”

Lyle escorted Elaina back to their room. Even after they arrived, she hesitated to close the door.

Lyle spoke to her, “It won’t take long. I’ll be back before summer ends.”

Spring was nearing its end. Though it was still chilly in the early mornings and at night, soon the sleepless heat of summer would arrive.

Leo had estimated about six months, but Lyle thought differently. Three months—he intended to complete the subjugation and return to the archducal residence before summer’s end.

“I want to see you wearing a flower crown made of moonflowers.”

On a day when a full moon rose, with moonflowers in full bloom near the fountain—he hoped to share another joyful moment like they did yesterday.

“…Take this!”

Feeling embarrassed, Elaina finally revealed the real reason she had come looking for him. She handed him a handkerchief embroidered with his initials.

“I’m not sure, but they say having something like this prevents injury. It’s not perfect, but please take it.”

Noble young ladies usually had at least one special skill—flower arranging, playing an instrument, painting, embroidery, and so on. Despite her many talents, Elaina was terrible at anything requiring dexterity, like art or embroidery.

Nevertheless, she had spent several days asking Sarah for guidance and managed to complete the embroidery herself. Seeing the uneven stitches, Lyle smiled.

“Don’t laugh.”

“I didn’t laugh.”

“You did. Just now.”

“Did I? I don’t think so. In any case, it has a very unique style.”

“If you’re going to tease me, I won’t give it to you.”

“You said it would keep me from getting hurt. Then I must take it.”

Feeling teased, Elaina tried to snatch the handkerchief back, but Lyle quickly raised his hand above his head. The handkerchief dangled from his fingertips, just out of her reach.

No matter how high she jumped, she couldn’t grab it from the tall Lyle. Out of breath, Elaina gave up. Only then did Lyle lower his hand, tying the handkerchief to his sword’s scabbard.

“I’ll keep it in the closest place. So I can remember your words not to get hurt every time I see it.”

“…Write letters too. Whether it’s for Knox or for me, keep in touch regularly.”

It was unclear whether she was speaking for Knox or herself, but Lyle nodded silently.

Just then, the butler returned from downstairs to inform them that preparations for departure were complete. It was finally time for Lyle to leave.

Elaina reluctantly stepped back into the room. She could hear Lyle’s footsteps echoing down the hallway as he walked away.

Standing by the window, Elaina quietly watched as the knights gathered and Lyle mounted his horse. They soon passed through the main gate. She kept her gaze fixed on the direction they left, unable to tear her eyes away until they were just tiny dots in the distance.