This Villain Is Mine Now

Chapter 66

Elaina’s vision went white for a moment. She read and reread the letter, but the meaning refused to sink in.

What exactly was written here?

「Everyone is doing their best to find the archduke. He’s a strong man, so nothing too serious should happen. I just thought you should know, so I’m sending you this letter. Please understand our situation if you don’t hear from us for a while.」

The last letter from Lyle had described the increasing monster activity in the Mabel Mountain region. He couldn’t be certain, but he mentioned they had encountered a creature that resembled the legendary dragon from myth—a giant monster.

Even the knights had begun calling it a dragon, as its appearance matched the descriptions from folklore. Lyle had seemed dismissive, casually suggesting that destroying the creature’s lair would put an end to the monster subjugation, and that he would return soon.

“Lyle…”

Elaina reached out to steady herself against the window frame. Her dizziness wouldn’t subside. Lifting her trembling hands, she slapped both cheeks hard enough to make a sound. Slowly, she felt her composure return.

“Stay calm. Stay calm, Elaina Grant.”

She whispered to herself, striving to regain her sense of stability. Though her heart continued to race, at least her vision began to clear.

She had to get it together.

She couldn’t let the weight of the Grant family fall onto Knox’s shoulders—a mere ten-year-old. If something had indeed happened to Lyle, as Leo’s letter implied, then it was up to her to bear the burden of the Grant family.

Elaina called for Sarah and the butler. When they arrived, she handed Leo’s letter to them. The butler’s face turned ashen as he read the contents.

“M-Madam… This is…”

“It just arrived from Leo.”

The butler’s legs seemed to give way, and he sank to the floor. Sarah, equally shocked, looked as pale as a sheet.

Addressing the stunned two, Elaina spoke softly, “This must remain a secret between the two of you. Do you understand?”

“But…”

“Butler, you must take care of Knox without giving away anything. If he hears something happened to his brother, it will devastate him. We can’t make a child worry about something that’s still uncertain.”

At the mention of Knox’s name, a spark of awareness returned to the butler’s eyes. He rose to his feet, nodding with effort.

“I understand.”

“Good. Sarah?”

Elaina turned to Sarah and continued, “Pack my things immediately. As soon as we’re ready, I’m heading to the north today. I need to see the situation with my own eyes.”

Sarah, alarmed by Elaina’s words, tried to dissuade her. The northern region of Mabel was dangerous, no place for the archduchess. However, seeing the resolute determination in Elaina’s eyes, Sarah had no choice but to comply.

“Listen carefully. No one can know that I’m leaving for the north. It must not leave this house.”

If word spread that the archduchess had left the mansion to travel to the still-unstable north, it would cause an uproar—especially given the Marquis of Redwood’s lingering grudge over Lyle’s founding of the knight order despite his interference. She couldn’t afford to stir up unnecessary trouble.

“Yes, Madam. I understand.”

The butler left to ensure the maids would keep silent, while Sarah began packing the necessary items as quickly as possible.

Deep in thought, Elaina paced by the window before heading to Diane’s room.

“Elaina? Is something wrong?”

Diane, who had been reading a book in the warm sunlight, rushed over to her, startled by Elaina’s ashen complexion, which was almost ghostly.

“Diane, I’m so sorry that you came to visit the mansion, only for this to happen.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“…It seems something has happened to Lyle.”

Elaina, struggling to stay composed, haltingly explained the situation to Diane. Despite her efforts, her emotions crumbled in front of her friend.

“Elaina!”

Diane grasped Elaina’s shoulders firmly and shook her. Elaina’s eyes widened in surprise. Her vacant gaze met Diane’s determined one.

“Breathe slowly. Inhale… exhale. Yes, like that.”

Gradually, Elaina’s ragged breathing began to steady. Once Diane confirmed that her friend was calming down, she spoke reassuringly, “The archduke will be fine.”

“…Do you really think so?”

“Of course. There’s no way anything could happen to him while he has you waiting for him.”

Diane repeated, emphasizing that Lyle was not the kind of man who would leave this world before his loved ones. Though there was no love in their marriage, at least that was how Elaina had always believed it to be, this time she didn’t contradict Diane’s words.

It might not be love, but Lyle was a man who kept his promises.

He had promised to be a faithful husband for the duration of their contract.

“That’s why I need to go north today.”

“Alright. I understand. Don’t worry too much. I’ll tell Nathan to come back immediately. We can use the dormitory building that the academy made available last spring.”

“No, that’s not it… I need you to stay here at the mansion while I’m gone.”

Elaina explained that no one should know she had left. Diane understood immediately—she knew better than anyone that her father still held a grudge against the Grant archducal family.

“Got it.” Diane nodded resolutely. “I’ll protect the mansion until you return. I’ll tell anyone who asks that you’ve fallen ill and are resting. And don’t worry about Knox—I’ll take care of him until you come back.”

“…Thank you.”

Instead of replying, Diane gently patted Elaina’s shoulder, her touch soothing Elaina’s troubled heart.

By afternoon, the packing was complete. Since time was of the essence, Sarah had only packed the bare essentials. Just as Elaina’s carriage was about to depart, Nathan arrived at the mansion, having heard the news.

Nathan ran urgently toward the carriage. Although they needed to leave immediately, Elaina couldn’t ignore his desperate effort, so she opened the window.

“Didn’t Diane tell you?”

She needed to maintain a sense of calm. For Nathan, who typically spent his weekdays absorbed in research, to rush back to the mansion like this was an exceptional occurrence—an exception that only added to Elaina’s anxiety.

“She did.”

“Then why are you here?”

“I rushed here because I had something to give you. Here, take this.”

Even as he caught his breath, Nathan handed a basket to Elaina. The basket was filled with stacks of paper and numerous sachets of varying sizes. They were sealed tightly to prevent the scent from escaping, indicating that they contained a paralyzing fragrance.

“I heard from Diane. If you’re going to the North, this will surely be useful.”

Diane’s urgent words alone had been enough for Nathan to grasp the situation.

“You spoke about monsters last time. If the creature the Archduke encountered is truly as massive as the mythical dragons, you’ll need a significant number of these sachets to paralyze it.”

The moment he received the letter, he had gathered every available sachet in his lab, berated the coachman multiple times, and rushed over. If the Archduke of Grant was struggling against a monster, perhaps his research could be of use.

“Here are the precise ratios for making the sachets. Since all the herbs grow naturally in the North, they should be easy to produce. I also confirmed that burning them enhances their effectiveness. I’ve written everything down.”

Elaina looked down at the basket Nathan handed her, momentarily at a loss for words.

She had only thought of leaving immediately, without considering what lay ahead.

She hoped Lyle was safe, but subduing the monsters remained equally important.

After a brief hesitation, Elaina spoke, “Thank you, Nathan.”

“Don’t mention it. Now, go quickly. And don’t worry too much—the archduke will surely be safe.”

Nathan spoke firmly, his expression as gentle as Diane’s. Elaina nodded and closed the window.

The carriage set off soon after. Holding the basket tightly, Elaina clasped her hands in silent prayer. She wasn’t sure for whom or for what she was praying, but the sincerity of her wish was undeniable.