I Am Trying to Divorce My Villain Husband, But We Had a Child - chapter 11
Episode 11
#2. Footsteps of Love
A few days later, around lunchtime.
Elisa, taking advantage of the fact that Richard was stuck in bed, was reviewing her abacus studies together with him.
Richard wasn’t the kindest of teachers, but he was quite skilled.
“569-192?”
Elisa diligently calculated the problem Richard presented using the abacus.
“Um, 367?”
Without a word, Richard moved one of the abacus beads.
Elisa realized her mistake and corrected herself.
“377!”
At that moment, a knock on the door was heard. As Elisa gave permission, a maid entered and announced.
“His Excellency Count Arden and Young Master have arrived.”
Richard’s expression stiffened upon hearing the name. His eyes showed a strange sense of caution.
“Why are they here?”
“They received great kindness from the young mistress and wanted to express their gratitude formally. Therefore, His Excellency arranged a meal for the young mistress and both of them.”
“Arden?”
Elisa tilted her head in confusion, not knowing who they were.
She had a vague sense of familiarity but couldn’t recall the names.
Richard clarified, realizing she was unfamiliar with them.
“Ancel Arden.”
Elisa then remembered whose name it was.
It was the boy who had been harassed by Christian in the hunting grounds a few days ago.
“Shall I prepare quickly, my lady?”
“Yes.”
Elisa, stood up, leaving the abacus behind.
At that moment, Richard grabbed Elisa’s arm.
“Come with me.”
There was a displeased look on Richard’s face as he said that.
Elisa gazed at him with puzzled eyes.
“Why would a sick person go anywhere? Rest in the room. I’ll handle the guests.”
Ignoring Richard, Elisa went with the maids to the dressing room.
Richard watched her leave with a somewhat chubby expression.
Soon after, the busy sounds from the dressing room could be heard – maids chatting, rustling of fabrics, and more.
Although Richard’s gaze was fixed on the book, he couldn’t absorb any of its content.
After a while, Elisa and the maids emerged from the dressing room.
Feeling their presence, Richard raised his eyes from the book and sneakily glanced at them.
Elisa was wearing a sky-blue dress. The dazzling blonde hair and the sky-blue dress matched quite well.
“My lady, please have a seat here.”
The maids guided Elisa to the dressing table and began to show her various items from the jewelry box.
Richard glimpsed at them through the bookshelf.
The maids, sensing his gaze, asked Richard, “Isn’t the lady beautiful even in your eyes, Sir Richard?”
Richard answered with a wry smile, “It’s hard to concentrate on the book when she’s spirited. Someone is waiting outside for you. It’s not proper to keep guests waiting, but you’re just roughly getting ready and going out?”
“But it’s also improper to greet guests in nightwear,” Elisa replied.
Richard clenched his jaw at Elisa’s words.
Then he closed the book, laid down on the bed, and covered himself with a blanket. He seemed ready for a nap.
Elisa, after trying different headbands, corsages, and blue ribbons, settled for tying half of her hair with a navy blue ribbon.
“I’ll be back, Richard.”
Elisa greeted Richard before leaving the room, but Richard didn’t respond.
‘Has he fallen asleep in the meantime?’
Elisa shrugged as if unsure and left the room. The maids followed her.
Only after hearing the sound of the door closing did Richard uncover himself.
Soon, a servant entered with Richard’s lunch. He entered casually but was taken aback when he saw Richard’s expression.
While his face was as usual, cold and impassive, there was something uncomfortable about him today, more than usual.
“Well… enjoy your meal, and if you need anything, please call.”
The servant carefully arranged the meal on the bedside table and hastily left.
Richard, leaving his injured left shoulder exposed, began to eat with his right arm.
Eating with one hand turned out to be more challenging than he thought. The dish moved uncontrollably because of the damp bottom of the soup bowl.
During breakfast, Elisa had assisted him by holding the dish, making it relatively easy for him. But now, it was inconvenient.
Richard managed to finish the soup with determination. Eating with just one hand took more time than usual meal hours.
After finishing his meal, Richard called the servant who had been waiting outside the door.
“Bryan.”
The servant entered and tidied up the dishes. Seeing Richard’s expression, he hesitated.
“Why isn’t Elisa back yet? Wasn’t it just for a meal?”
“Well?”
The servant looked at Richard with a bewildered expression and cautiously replied, “It hasn’t been even 30 minutes since the young mistress left…?”
Having guests for lunch usually took at least an hour and a half.
Only then did Richard, checking his watch, close his mouth.
*
“Elisa, show Lord Arden around the greenhouse.”
Albert, having finished his meal, put down the empty wine glass and spoke. It meant that there were things to discuss between the count and himself, so Elisa should take Ancel and leave.
Count Arden agreed, “That sounds good, Ancel. I heard that the greenhouse at the Duke of Rubelin’s is exceptionally beautiful, filled with exotic plants.”
“If Lady Rubelin is okay with it…”
“Of course, it’s fine.”
Elisa replied casually to Ancel’s hesitation. Ancel followed Elisa quietly.
In one corner of the backyard, a large greenhouse had been built. As they entered, beautiful and fascinating flowers, along with small birds with delicate colors, greeted them.
“Wow.”
Ancel followed Elisa, looking around.
As they went further into the greenhouse, a tea table in the center came into view. On top of it were juices and desserts that servants had prepared in advance.
“Let’s sit.”
Elisa sat down first.
Ancel, taken aback by Elisa’s sudden informal speech, hesitated for a moment and then pulled out a chair, sitting down carefully. He seemed quite cautious.
“Here.”
Elisa placed a glass of juice in front of Ancel. Then, she began to sip her own juice.
Ansel, instead of drinking the juice, fidgeted and took out something from his pocket. It was two neatly folded handkerchiefs.
One was the handkerchief Elisa had given him to wipe the grape juice, and the other looked quite expensive.
“I tried my best to wash the handkerchief, but the grape juice didn’t come out easily. So, I had to prepare another one. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. There can be as many handkerchiefs as you want.”
“And… I was really thankful back then.”
Ancel stood up from the table, politely nodding to Elisa. His brown hair swayed gently.
Elisa, feeling awkward with the formal gratitude, gulped down her juice and changed the subject.
“Well, it’s just a natural thing to do… It’s those people who were silently watching from there that are the problem, don’t you think?”
Ancel stared at Elisa in astonishment as she spoke.
For the first time, someone took his side, not the crown prince’s.
‘Impressive…’
In Ancel’s eyes, Elisa, who could speak so confidently, seemed stronger and more admirable than anyone else.
Crunching on a cookie, Elisa looked puzzled as she noticed Ancel staring at her with sparkling gray eyes.
“But why are you using formal language? Just speak comfortably.”
“Oh, yes! Uh, no. Yes.”
Ancel nodded energetically, then, as if he suddenly remembered something, took something out of his pocket.
What Ancel placed on the tea table was a pressed flower bookmark made by attaching dried flowers to a thin wooden board.
“I prepared this as a token of gratitude… well, Lady Rubelin probably wouldn’t find it meaningful since it can be bought with money…”
“Oh, it’s lovely! Did you make it yourself?”
“Yeah.”
Elisa admired Ancel’s skill and sense. If it were an expensive gift, it might have been burdensome to receive.
“Thanks, I’ll use it well. By the way, you know, I like expensive and shiny things.”
“Huh?”
“I mean, next time, don’t worry and prepare whatever you want.”
Because the more money saved for a divorce, the better. Hehe.
Elisa chuckled with mischievous thoughts.
At that moment, a familiar voice came from the side.
“What’s so amusing?”
Elisa reflexively looked up to see where the voice came from.
There, Richard, with a very displeased expression, stood and stared down at Elisa.
Elisa, surprised, asked, “Richard? Why are you here when I told you to rest?”
“It’s not polite to lie down when guests are here.”
Richard sat in the chair between Elisa and Ancel.
A sudden uninvited guest caused a brief moment of silence among the three.
Ancel, who was wary of the chilly atmosphere created by Richard, broke the silence with a soft voice.
“Um, that time… Thank you for helping me.”
“Why should I be thanked for helping my wife?”
Richard’s reply left Elisa smirking. It was a way of speaking that made the other person lose their words.
“Well, yes. But still, thanks to you, I also avoided a difficult situation.”
Ancel, feeling awkward, looked away as he spoke.
‘Even if he talks…!’
Seeing Richard, who seemed to deliberately ignore him, Elisa poked his side, but he instead grabbed her hand to block her.
Elisa pulled her hand away and looked at Richard. However, suddenly, Richard slumped over the table and mumbled.
“…Dizzy.”
Seeing Richard’s slightly contorted face, Elisa’s eyes softened.
Once he said he was in pain, the petty feelings disappeared, and worry took over.
“Come on, I told you to rest in the room. Let’s go upstairs and rest now.”
“Take me.”
Richard, saying that, directed his red eyes towards Elisa. With eyes that seemed to be asking for help, Elisa found herself unable to ignore them.
“Oh, alright. I’ll take you.”
Elisa finally stood up and supported Richard.
“Ancel, we’ll go upstairs first. I’m sorry for leaving the seat. If you still want to see more, feel free to explore. The servant will guide you when they arrive soon.”
As Elisa helped Richard to stand, a fleeting smile appeared at the corner of Richard’s mouth, but no one saw that smile.
“Oh, wait a moment.”
Ancel took out something from his pocket again.
“A few days later, there will be a banquet at our mansion. I’d be glad if you could come.”
It was an invitation card with Count Arden’s seal on it.
Richard’s eyes, looking at it, narrowed.