This Villain Is Mine Now

Chapter 70

“[…It’s real. My pain has lessened, even if just a little. How did you do it?]”

“[I blended several herbs that grow in Mabel. The mixture was designed for humans, so it might not be a perfect fit for you… but if you give me time, I will find the right balance.]”

Elaina handed over the basket filled with scent pouches she had made. Lyle remained tense, holding his dagger towards the dragon. The dragon accepted Elaina’s basket.

“[My friend also said that burning it would increase its effect.]”

“[I hate fire.]”

Having seen his lair set aflame in the dream, the dragon seemed uneasy at the idea of using fire. He inhaled deeply from the pouch, and just as foul air was purified when exhaled, the malevolent energy around them seemed to grow clearer with each breath he took.

“[You could make something even better?]”

“[With a little help from my friends.]”

“[Very well.]”

The dragon blinked slowly, and that was the end of it. The man standing in front of Elaina simply disappeared.

All around, sighs of relief echoed. The knights who had been holding their bows with all their strength collapsed in exhaustion, groaning. Only then did Lyle’s arms, which had been wrapped protectively around Elaina, begin to loosen.

The dragon accepted the scent pouch and left.

The last mission of the grand monster subjugation, so painstakingly prepared, ended in an anticlimactic fashion that almost made all their previous efforts feel meaningless.

“A dull battle is said to be the best battle, and that suddenly comes to mind.”

Colin, still dazed, muttered with a hollow laugh. It seemed that the realization of the battle’s end was finally settling in, and laughter spread among the knights around him.

***

After the commotion outside had settled down, Lyle took Elaina to the cabin.

Lyle had many questions for Elaina: how she had understood the dragon’s words, why the dragon had simply left after speaking with her, and so on.

“This is all there is to it.”

Elaina explained to Lyle how she had come to communicate with the dragon. When she spoke of reading a book in her dreams, Lyle found it hard to believe but had no other choice. There was no other explanation.

“I’ll set Mabel ablaze…”

Lyle trailed off, unable to finish his sentence, and sighed. Elaina’s words were so plausible they were chilling. If he had nothing left, it seemed like an action he would take.

Elaina placed her hand over Lyle’s. His clenched fists were cold, as if the blood had stopped flowing.

“That future will never come. It’s already disappeared.”

Just like how Lyle hadn’t married Diane, the version of him that would burn Mabel was no longer a part of the future. But Lyle’s hardened expression remained.

Could he be certain it was a future that had vanished? No, he couldn’t.

The battlefield had been both his home and his teacher. Achieving his goals through any means necessary—though the war had ended, the savage instincts ingrained in him were not so easily cut away. He knew well that, should things take a bad turn, he was capable of resorting to violence.

“Do you know what my name means?”

Elaina whispered as she shared her warmth with Lyle’s cold hands.

“It means a warm light, like the sun. My father wished for me to become such a person.”

She cupped Lyle’s cheeks with her hands, forcing him to look into her eyes.

“I know you’re a villain. I’ve known that for a long time. But if you ever find yourself being pulled into the darkness, I’ll pull you back every time. Darkness can’t defeat the light. So don’t make such a bitter face.”

“A villain, huh.”

Recalling an argument they’d had before their marriage, Lyle smiled weakly. Elaina slapped his cheek with a resounding smack.

“Snap out of it. I said you’re a villain, not a loser. You’re going to be the great head of the Grant archducal family. Look at what you’ve done, Lyle Grant. You’ve led the subjugation of monsters in the Mabel Mountains that no one else dared to touch.”

“That was you.”

“No. It happened because you formed the knight order and decided to subdue the monsters for the people of the land, who had abandoned their homes.”

The origin of everything was right there. If viewed in terms of wealth, the dowry from the Winchester duchy was more than enough to sustain several generations in comfort. And yet Lyle had not chosen complacency.

If Elaina’s marriage had been for Diane’s personal happiness, Lyle’s subjugation of the monsters was what saved the entire empire from destruction.

“Did you know that?”

“So stop blaming yourself. You’ve done more than enough.”

Lyle spoke in a low voice, “Whenever you say anything, it always sounds so convincing.”

Ever since she had called him a great head of house who restored his family’s honor, rather than a war-crazed brute or a fallen noble, Elaina’s words had always been what he most needed to hear.

Seeing his expression soften, Elaina smiled. “It looks like the monster subjugation is over now. How do you feel?”

“It feels hollow. I thought I’d at least lose an arm or a leg.”

He had held his ground against the dragon, even though he’d wanted nothing more than to flee in terror. He had been ready to lose a limb just for reaching the dragon’s nest. When he thought about how absurd the result was, he shook his head.

Elaina scoffed at his words, scolding him. “You’re truly fearless. Challenging a dragon with just a dagger?”

That was like pouring oil onto a fire and jumping in. Lyle responded in a calm voice, “I had to protect you.”

At his words, stating that it was only natural for a husband to protect his wife, Elaina clamped her mouth shut.

“Ahem, well! Time for sleep. It’s late.”

Elaina cleared her throat at the awkward atmosphere and stood up. Lyle grabbed her wrist. Startled, she looked at him, eyes wide.

“I heard it’s cold here at night.”

“Who said that?”

“Sarah.”

“It’s not that cold. Just a bit chilly. Sarah worries too much.”

Perhaps because it was the north, or maybe due to the dragon’s lingering magic, the Mabel Mountains had a cool aura even in summer.

“Stay here tonight.”

“W-what?”

Elaina stammered, her face flushed. Though it was a simple suggestion, it was impossible for her to take it lightly.

Lyle stood and began laying out blankets. Elaina blinked, dazed.

“What are you doing?”

“Stay here. I’ll lay a skin on the floor so it won’t be cold.”

“What about you?”

To her knowledge, there was no other available cabin. That was why she and Sarah were sharing one.

“I can sleep anywhere. I’ll just lay out a blanket somewhere.”

“That makes no sense! You’re injured. Just lie down already.”

Despite Elaina’s insistence, Lyle remained obstinate. “At least let me show my gratitude this way. Otherwise, I don’t think I could bear the shame.”

He had vowed to be a devoted husband, but he hadn’t been able to protect Elaina in front of the dragon. Nor had he completed the monster subjugation on his own. Though Elaina’s words had comforted him, they hadn’t entirely dispelled the darkness in his heart.

“If you’re that thankful, then just sleep here with me!” Elaina shouted at the stubborn Lyle. Only after her voice echoed did she realize what she had said, her face turning bright red.

“Sleep here? Together?”

“It’s cold! It’ll be warmer if we sleep together, and you won’t have to sleep on the floor.”

Lyle glanced at the bed. It was made to his size, so it might be cramped, but it was possible for Elaina to fit. Unlike the archducal mansion, splitting it in half wasn’t an option.

“Are you serious?”

“Unless you plan on sending me to Sarah’s cabin.”

Without replying, Lyle scooped Elaina into his arms. Startled by the sudden elevation, she clung to his neck.

“You keep treating me like an invalid, but the wound’s almost healed.”

Lyle laid her on the bed and pulled the blanket over her.

“Sleep well.”

After a brief hesitation, he gently tapped her forehead—just as he did with Knox.

The door closed, and the sound of Lyle’s footsteps grew distant. Just as he said, his cabin seemed to be better built than the one she shared with Sarah. There was no whistling wind sneaking through the cracks in the wood.

Even in the comfortable bed, sleep eluded Elaina. Lyle’s scent lingered in the blanket, a fragrance she had forgotten while they were apart. It was the same scent she had inhaled earlier when held in his arms in front of the dragon, and it felt as if she was still enveloped by his warmth.

Elaina closed her eyes tightly.

“One sheep, two sheep, three sheep…”

She finally drifted off to sleep when dawn began to break.

***

“Madam, breakfast is ready.”

“Shh.”

When Sarah entered to wake Elaina for breakfast, Lyle was sitting at the bedside. Sarah, surprised, widened her eyes but then nodded, setting the breakfast tray on the table and quietly closing the door.

The archduke and his wife, peacefully sharing a moment in the early morning light—Sarah hoped no one would disturb them. She stood guard outside the cabin, keeping the quiet undisturbed for as long as possible.