This Villain Is Mine Now

Chapter 96

“Damn it!”

Marquis Redwood, unable to contain his anger, swept everything off his desk with a violent motion. A loud crash echoed as objects scattered onto the floor.

Even after venting his frustration, his mood did not improve. The letter he had received contained reports that more and more of his subjects were fleeing his lands.

A decline in population meant a decrease in taxes, and ultimately, a reduction in the wealth that ended up in Marquis Redwood’s hands.

This was not a mere misfortune. The most infuriating part was that the lost revenue was flowing directly into Lyle Grant’s pockets, dealing a fatal blow to the Marquis.

“That rat!”

Though he had no concrete evidence, Marquis Redwood was certain that his businesses had been suffering heavy losses due to someone’s interference. He didn’t even need to guess—he knew exactly who was behind it.

Lyle Grant.

There was no doubt in his mind.

Grinding his teeth, the Marquis yanked open a drawer in his desk. It was one he never allowed his servants to touch. Inside was a small, locked box.

An unusual detail stood out: one of the box’s legs was chained to the drawer itself. The chain rattled as he pulled the box out, appearing sturdy and nearly impossible to break.

The Marquis retrieved the box, unlocked it with a key, and lifted the lid. Inside, gold coins and expensive-looking jewels glittered. Yet, to the Marquis, they were nothing but worthless dust.

He overturned the box, letting the coins and jewels spill across his desk. His focus, however, remained on the box itself.

Reaching inside, he lifted the velvet-lined bottom. Beneath it, nestled in a hidden groove, lay a single ring.

This was the Marquis’s greatest secret for the past ten years. His ultimate source of success.

A peculiar gemstone shimmered with iridescent hues, embedded in the ring. Ten years ago, on that fateful day, the central jewel had lost its light, turning into a dull, lifeless stone. Now, it glowed once more.

As he gazed upon it, his ragged breathing gradually steadied. He carefully covered the ring with the velvet lining and refilled the box with gold and jewels.

If thieves ever broke in, their greed would fixate on the treasure above, never thinking to search beneath. A quick-handed burglar wouldn’t have time to dig any deeper.

“Hah…”

With a deep sigh, the Marquis sank into his chair.

There was no need to rush. Just as it had been ten years ago, everything would ultimately unfold according to his will.

***

The air had grown noticeably chilly. The fireplace in the Grant mansion crackled with warmth. As Sarah watched the flames dance, she suddenly realized that Elaina’s marriage had nearly reached its first anniversary.

Spring, summer, and now autumn.

The fields gleamed golden, fruits and crops ripened in abundance, yet Sarah’s heart remained empty.

“Madam.”

“Go ahead, Sarah.”

“…It’s been so difficult to see the master lately.”

Elaina’s needlework paused for a brief moment at Sarah’s words. But she quickly forced a smile and resumed her stitching, pretending it was nothing of concern.

“He must be very busy. The situation in the North is always unpredictable.”

“But no matter how busy he was, he always made time for dinner before. Even the young master seems disappointed.”

Lyle had been returning home extremely late these days. It had been so long since they last shared a meal that it felt like something from another life.

Though Knox never voiced his thoughts, his keen sensitivity allowed him to grasp the unspoken tensions in the house. He tried to act cheerful in front of Elaina, but she could clearly see his words becoming fewer and his face growing more troubled with each passing day.

“This will pass.”

Elaina wasn’t sure if she was speaking from hope or conviction.

“If you think about it, when has life with Lyle ever been easy?”

The winter when she had disrupted Diane’s engagement.

The spring when she had married him.

The summer of the monster subjugation in the Mabel mountains.

Every season spent with him had been far from peaceful.

“Aren’t you frustrated?”

Sarah hesitated before cautiously asking. If she felt this way, how much more must Elaina be struggling?

“He’ll explain everything eventually,” Elaina replied, focusing on her embroidery. She felt just as frustrated as Sarah.

But she had decided to trust Lyle. He was simply overwhelmed now, but when the time was right, he would tell her everything.

Of course, there were moments when her resolve wavered.

The nights in the North felt like a dream, as if they had never happened. At times, Elaina found it unbearable to endure Lyle’s sudden and distant attitude. She wanted nothing more than to confront him immediately and demand an explanation for his abrupt change.

But each time, she reminded herself of the moments they had shared and the promises he had made to her.

“It won’t take long.”

She had a suspicion.

The night they attended the opera at the Imperial Theater.

Lyle, who had always been conscious of his unsavory reputation and its effect on House Grant’s standing, had lost control of his emotions in public. There had to be a reason why someone as careful as Lyle would be so provoked before so many eyes. Lyle and Marquis Redwood—both had remained silent, but something had definitely transpired between them that night.

As Elaina was lost in thought, the door suddenly opened.

“Madam.”

The butler entered the room. His face, which had been troubled for some time, now bore an uncharacteristic brightness.

“His Grace is requesting your presence.”

The moment those words were spoken, Sarah’s face lit up just as much as the butler’s.

“Madam!”

Seeing Sarah’s unrestrained joy, Elaina couldn’t help but smile as well.

“See? I told you so.”

Elaina playfully scolded Sarah with a glance before rising from her seat.

Her anxieties melted away as if they had never existed. The storm of uncertainty in her heart was gone, replaced by the warm glow of relief. It felt like the dark clouds that had gathered around her chest had parted, letting in the sunlight.

The moment had arrived sooner than she had expected, filling her with a sense of peace, like the gentle warmth of a spring morning.

***

Elaina hurried through the corridor, almost running. The elderly butler cautioned her, “Madam, please walk more slowly,” but her pace did not slacken.

“Lyle!”

She opened the door to his study, her face flushed. It wasn’t just from rushing through the hallways. More than anything, the excitement of finally seeing Lyle again after so long set her heart racing.

Lyle was standing by the window, gazing outside. Only then did Elaina realize she had entered without thinking about her appearance.

She had wanted to look beautiful for him. But there was no mirror in his study.

She had been embroidering a handkerchief with the Grant family crest, intending to give it to him as a gift. Immersed in her work, trying to suppress her unease, she had neglected to fix her hair. Loose strands had slipped from her hastily braided hair.

Tucking the stray locks behind her ear, Elaina turned to Lyle.

It had truly been so long.

She suddenly realized that nearly a month had passed since the incident at the opera.

At the sound of her voice, Lyle slowly turned around. Seeing him for the first time in weeks, Elaina was taken aback by how haggard he looked.

She had heard from others that he had been tirelessly occupied with business in the North, but seeing him in person, he looked even worse than she had imagined.

“Look at you. Have you even been sleeping properly?”

The words of concern slipped from Elaina’s lips before she could stop them. But Lyle did not respond to her question.

“Are you okay?”

Elaina took a step toward him.

“Stop.”

The metallic edge in Lyle’s voice froze her in place. He looked at her with somber eyes, his crimson gaze fixed upon her.

He hesitated. He looked like someone struggling to decide what to say.

“…Lyle?”

Her voice wavered as much as the anxiety raging in her heart. Lyle’s eyes flickered with a similar turmoil.

But it lasted only a moment. When he opened his eyes again, his hesitation was gone.

“I’m sorry.”

“That’s what you’ve been thinking so hard about? I was wondering what had you so serious. At least you know you have something to apologize for. Honestly, this time was too much. I may be patient, but even I have my limits.”

Elaina let out a relieved sigh at his sudden apology, her lips curling into a teasing smile. But her eyes were filled with warmth and affection.

“Do you have any idea how upset I was because you wouldn’t explain anything? But fine, I’ll forgive you. It’s alright n—”

She never finished her sentence.

Lyle, his face devoid of warmth, cut her off coldly.

“I’ll make sure the compensation for breaching the contract is paid in full, so I hope we can settle this without much dispute.”

Contract period?

Compensation?

Elaina stared at him in confusion. Without a word, Lyle handed her a document. Instinctively, she took it from him.

Her eyes landed on a single word written on the paper—Divorce.