This Villain Is Mine Now

Chapter 63

「To my dear Archduchess Grant,

The letter you sent last time arrived safely. I’m glad I told you what we needed. The knights were thrilled to finally have a decent meal after such a long time.

The merchants who arrived this time told me that the road leading to this place has significantly improved. They said that if word spreads, more people will use the route. It would be good if more people came through here; where there is money, there are always many passersby.

Upon hearing that the subjugation had begun, some of the commoners returned to their homeland. They said the land is still too depleted for farming, but they wished to help with the subjugation. Given our situation, I gratefully accepted their offer, as we could use every helping hand.

I heard Knox has started his swordsmanship classes at the academy. I regret not being able to teach him properly after buying him the rapier. I should have practiced more with him before leaving. Sir Bonaparte insists that he will become Knox’s teacher upon his return, and he wouldn’t stop pestering me to mention it, so I had to write this first.」

The image of Leo chattering noisily beside Lyle was so vivid that Elaina couldn’t help but laugh. Receiving such trivial letters meant good things; it suggested that they had enough peace amidst the monster subjugation to laugh about daily life.

Elaina turned to the next page.

「The monster subjugation is nearing its end. Even the wild animals that harmed people have almost disappeared. According to the hunters, it seems they have started migrating in groups, likely to some untouched deep mountain areas. We plan to keep an eye on them for now.

We found a settlement deep in a valley, but there are many strange things that make it hard to believe that people lived there. It seems it might be the stronghold of the highly intelligent monsters I mentioned before.

To verify, I spoke to an old man who has lived in this area for years. He told me that, a long time ago, a dragon lived in these mountains, and it could be a village where the dragon-worshipping monsters once gathered. Dragons in a world without magic seem like something out of a fairytale.

Regardless, the handkerchief you gave me is still clean, and no harm has come to me. It seems it will stay that way until I return. Honestly, with use, the embroidery is beginning to fray a bit.

If anything happens, I’ll reach out again—」

The last line was abruptly cut off, as if crossed out heavily.

「I’ll write to you again soon. Until then, take care of yourself.

P.S. I heard you’ve been having trouble sleeping lately. An old herbalist recommended this to me when he heard about it. He said if you put this herb in a sachet and keep it under your pillow, you’ll sleep soundly without nightmares. It grows all around here, so I didn’t think much of it at first, but it seems to work quite well.

If you run out, just let me know, and I’ll send more.

—Lyle Grant.」

“Oh, my.”

Elaina looked up from the letter.

“What does the master say, madam?”

“He’s doing well, without any issues.”

Despite clicking her tongue, Elaina couldn’t hide the smile on her face. Sarah, who had been wiping the table beside her, looked at her with burning curiosity.

Elaina inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of the purple flowers. Just as the letter described, the fragrance was soothing and calming.

“Why does he keep mentioning the handkerchief? Is my embroidery really that bad?”

“For someone of your skill, you’ve done quite well, madam. Just finishing it is already an achievement. No one knows better than I do how you disliked threading needles, even when you were young. For that alone, it deserves to be called a masterpiece.”

Sarah gave Elaina a thumbs-up in a tone that sounded both complimentary and teasing. Elaina chuckled and handed the herb sachet to Sarah.

“Make a sachet with this. He says to put it inside the pillow.”

“Wow, it smells wonderful. I’ve never encountered this scent before.”

“Apparently, it promotes restful sleep. It must be a species that grows in the Mabel mountains.”

Seeing Sarah sniff the herb with interest, Elaina suggested making enough to share with the servants of the mansion. Sarah clapped her hands together with joy, and Elaina smiled at her happiness.

***

「To my dearest Archduke Grant,

The intervals between your letters are definitely getting shorter. I suppose that means more people are traveling to the mountainous areas.

The herbs you sent last time were used to make sachets, which I shared with the staff at the mansion. Even after distributing them to everyone, there were still some left, so I sent some to my parents and also gave a gift to Diane

Nathan seems very interested in the herbs you sent. If it’s alright, could you send more with the next carriage? The commoners who returned home mentioned they don’t have much work, and it would be good to pay them for transporting the herbs.」

These are the people who risked their lives to return home to help with the subjugation. If they are given small jobs to help support their livelihood, more territory residents who have heard the news might return as well.

「Diane and Nathan are planning to visit the mansion in a few days. It seems they are worried about me being alone. Although there’s still some time until summer break, they’re planning to come to the capital earlier.

Upon hearing that the monster subjugation is almost over, they also mentioned wanting to invite us to Hennet next time. I received a letter saying they hope you’ll come with me.

Speaking of which, I believe Gugu had a significant role in Diane falling for Nathan. That little pigeon managed to fly all the way from Hennet to the archduchy—isn’t that remarkable? It’s much faster than any messenger, even.」

A sketch was included at the bottom. Glancing at the letter in Lyle’s hand, Colin spoke up quietly, “What is that, sir? A monster?”

Hearing Colin’s question, a crowd gathered around Lyle, each person voicing their own guesses as they looked at the sketch.

Someone asked if it was a dog or a cat, and another scoffed, saying, “Then why does it only have two legs?”

“It’s definitely a monster. Ah, it looks like that one we defeated before!”

“Now that you mention it, the eyes do seem similar.”

“See? I’m right.”

Amidst Colin’s triumphant grin, Lyle finally spoke, “It’s a homing pigeon.”

“Exactly! A monster called a homing pigeon—wait, what? What did you say, captain?”

“It’s a homing pigeon that Lady Hennet sent to the archduchy. Its name is Gugu.”

The gathered knights hesitated, glancing at each other sheepishly. Only Leo snickered quietly, taking a sip from his glass.

“Elaina has never been good at drawing.”

“Ah, I think I forgot to sharpen my weapon.”

“Oh, I’m on patrol tonight—better catch some sleep before then.”

“Anyone want more bread? I’m heading to the storage room.”

Like a tide pulling out to sea, the knights dispersed. Lyle watched them leave, then turned back to Elaina’s letter.

「Isn’t it adorable, looking like this? Even though I’m home alone, I’m not that bored, thanks to your frequent letters. Ah, don’t misunderstand—if you knew how many invitations I’ve received since you left, you’d faint. But none of them really appeal to me.

I suppose they think you’ll return after failing the subjugation. Hearing that it’s almost over already makes me look forward to seeing their faces twist in disappointment.

I suppose I do sound a bit like a villain, huh? Oh well, people already think of us as villains anyway.

And you keep mentioning the handkerchief. If you’re going to keep making comments, make sure to send it back with the next letter!

P.S. The one I made this time won’t be something you can easily laugh at.

—Elaina Grant.」

Lyle opened the small package that had come with the letter. Inside was a handkerchief—much better crafted than the previous one.

“Did Sarah help her this time?”

He murmured to himself, then noticed a small note inside the handkerchief, as if anticipating his reaction. “Sarah didn’t help!” was written on the note, and Lyle couldn’t help but laugh.

Though he also paid attention to the letter for Knox, Lyle found himself eagerly awaiting Elaina’s letters more and more. Knowing that someone truly understood him, even from afar, was an odd feeling. Elaina’s letters seemed to know him so well that reading them always left him amused and smiling.

“I’d better prepare plenty of herbs.”

He decided to send a wagon loaded with herbs for Elaina and the knights.

As he reread her letter, Lyle’s eyes landed on the drawing of the homing pigeon again. Remembering the fuss the knights had made over whether it was a monster, Lyle chuckled softly.

“A homing pigeon, huh.”

Though the distance between Hennet and the capital was considerable, it was nothing compared to the northern region. A regular homing pigeon wouldn’t even survive a single round trip, much less a return journey.

It would make a suitable gift.

With that thought, Lyle remembered something he’d seen a few days ago. He planned to bring it to his wife when he returned to the capital after the subjugation ended.

The smile on Lyle’s lips deepened.