I Am Trying to Divorce My Villain Husband, But We Had a Child - chapter 12

Episode 12

 

“Richard, take the medicine.”

 

Elisa, who had just finished bathing before going to bed, handed a cup of medicine to Richard.

 

It was the medicine handed over by Anne, who happened to bring it.

 

Richard looked at the bluish liquid with displeasure.

 

“You’ll feel better soon even if you don’t take this.”

 

“Because you don’t like taking it, right?”

 

Elisa took out a fruit-flavored candy from her drawer and handed it to Richard.

 

“Here. Drink this and take the medicine. I saved it for you, so I’m giving it to you specially.”

 

It was like coaxing a child who didn’t want to take medicine.

 

Richard, about to protest, resignedly drank the potion. Then Elisa handed him the candy.

 

As if he were refuting that he wasn’t a child who disliked taking medicine.

 

Elisa smiled satisfactorily at Richard.

 

“You listen well and are good, husband.”

 

Richard’s chubby expression loosened a bit at the word “husband.” Then, as if he remembered something, he stiffened his expression again.

 

“Are you going to the party?”

 

Elisa, not knowing what Richard meant by the “party,” was puzzled. But she remembered when she saw the invitation from Ancel placed next to the bedside table.

 

“I have to. The Duke seemed to expect that.”

 

After Count Arden and Ancel left, Albert invited Elisa to the dinner table. Richard couldn’t join the meal because he couldn’t use his left arm.

 

For the first time, Albert praised Elisa.

 

“You did well helping Duke Arden.”

 

Count Arden’s territory bordered the eastern sea, making trade with the eastern continent lively. As a result, those who could easily obtain scarce goods were advantageous to befriend.

 

“I see.”

 

“Living, there will inevitably come a moment when one of them must be treated as an enemy. At that time, it’s good to judge who will benefit you by making someone an enemy and someone an ally. Just like this time.” Even meeting people was approached with careful consideration of gains and losses, forming relationships systematically. It was truly a thought typical of the greatest power in Arencia.

 

Seeing Richard’s actions towards Elisa, Albert had a suspicion that Elisa might misunderstand and think of herself as belonging to the same category as Christian.

 

“So, it would be good to build a friendship with Ancel on this occasion.”

 

Although evaluating people like Albert felt uncomfortable to Elisa, Ancel’s conditions seemed quite promising to her.

 

“You can buy scarce goods at a lower price and do business by distributing them, and you might be able to obtain land near the seaside for building a small villa at a cheap price.”

 

Of course, it was a story about the distant future, eight years later, but it was good to plan ahead.

 

For that reason, Elisa decided to accept Count Arden’s invitation.

 

But Richard seemed displeased with that decision.

 

“Don’t get too close to him.”

 

Elisa’s eyes, looking at Richard, became slightly uneasy at his words.

 

“Richard, don’t hate a friend without a reason.”

 

“What?”

 

“Did Ancel do something wrong to you? Or is it because he seems to have a disagreement with the Crown Prince?”

 

Richard was dumbfounded and opened and closed his mouth. Elisa seemed to misunderstand that he belonged to the same category as Christian.

 

“It’s not because of that. It’s because you support me…!”

 

Richard, about to refute, closed his mouth when he saw Elisa looking at him with perplexed eyes.

 

Looking at those innocent eyes, dividing people into yours and mine for no reason seemed quite petty.

 

“Never mind. Go to sleep.”

 

Richard sighed and swallowed his words, lying down on the bed before turning his back on Elysa.

 

‘Mine?’

 

Elisa looked at Richard’s back with bewildered eyes.

 

*

 

The day of Count Arden’s party arrived. Albert and Richard were also accompanying Elisa.

 

‘I thought he would refuse to come.’

 

Inside the carriage, Elisa glanced at Richard sitting next to her.

 

Although he had an unfavorable impression of Ancel, he unexpectedly agreed.

 

Of course, his expression was as indifferent as usual, but two carriages carrying the three of them stopped in front of Count Arden’s mansion.

 

Arden’s knights skillfully opened the carriage door.

 

Richard got off first, and as Elisa tried to follow, Richard, who got off first, reached out his hand.

 

Seeing Elisa’s puzzled eyes, Richard reached out his hand closer and said.

 

“Escort.”

 

“Ah.”

 

Only then did Elisa realize the meaning of his hand and placed her hand on Richard’s hand.

 

The warmth wrapped around her hand was awkward but quite reassuring. The nervousness she had about attending her first party seemed to ease a bit.

 

Following Albert into the mansion with Richard, Elisa entered the hall.

 

The hall was already filled with guests.

 

‘So many people…’

 

Guests and as much delicious food as there were guests, along with sparkling and dazzling chandeliers, filled the hall.

 

After entering the mansion, Count Arden, who had spotted Albert, Elisa, and Richard, hurriedly approached the three instead of welcoming other guests.

 

Behind them were Ancel and Count Arden’s wife.

 

“Welcome, Duke Rubelin.

 

Thank you for gracing us with your presence; I’m not sure how to repay such a valuable visit.”

 

“Congratulations on your birthday, Count.”

 

Behind Count Arden, who exchanged greetings with Albert, other nobles who were around gathered one by one. Their attention was directed towards Albert.

 

“It’s been a pleasure seeing you frequently lately, Your Grace. We will be hosting a party at our mansion next month. Would it be acceptable for you to grace us with your presence?”

 

“Oh my, the young lady is the granddaughter of the duke. How adorable. They make a lovely pair with the young duke.”

 

“That’s right. Seeing such a cute granddaughter, His Grace must feel very reassured.”

 

The interest of those trying to impress Albert naturally flowed towards Richard and Elisa. It was a different reaction from the formal greetings in the hunting grounds.

 

Elisa realized why their reactions had changed.

 

‘They’re impressed by Richard’s power.’

 

Although she didn’t want to admit it, Albert’s intentions had worked perfectly.

 

“Hello, madam.”

 

Smiling, Elisa replied to the approaching nobles, returning their greetings.

 

After the greetings, when the nearby ballroom was filled with guests, Count Arden approached the center of the ballroom.

 

“Thank you all for brightening this occasion. Now, let the party begin. Please enjoy the place I prepared for you to your heart’s content.”

 

With Count Arden’s gratitude, the party began.

 

As the greetings ended, a maid waiting nearby approached Elisa and Richard.

 

“I’ll escort you to the separate building.”

 

Elisa, along with Richard, headed towards the mansion’s separate building.

 

Normally, a tea party for children was held in a different location from the adults’ party.

 

Nobles thought that children running around the center of the party was a behavior unbefitting their status.

 

Thanks to the separation, adults could freely engage in conversations, and children could play to their heart’s content, benefiting both parties.

 

‘Cookie smell!’

 

Arriving in front of the separate building along with the maid, Elisa smelled freshly baked cookies and sparkled her eyes.

 

The knights guarding the front of the separate building opened the door.

 

Inside, there were appetizing snacks, and several noble children who had arrived early were present.

 

The chattering children fell silent when they saw Elisa and Richard entering.

 

The one who broke the awkward atmosphere was Ancel, the host of this tea party.

 

“Welcome, Elisa. And… Young Duke.”

 

“Thank you for inviting us, Ancel.”

 

Before Elisa and Ancel could talk further, other noble children arrived at the separate building.

 

Although Ancel went to greet the guests, Elisa and Richard were left alone on one side of the ballroom.

 

While other children gathered in groups, none came near Elisa and Richard. They occasionally glanced in their direction.

 

Elisa could easily guess the reason.

 

‘Because of what happened in the hunting grounds.’

 

Children who followed Christian’s orders, smiling even if Christian smiled or not. Even though Christian wasn’t present at this party, his influence over the children was absolute.

 

‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’

 

Elisa shrugged as if it didn’t matter.

 

If friendship moved according to power, and power tilted towards this side, then it didn’t matter.

 

‘Ah, I’m bored…’

 

For a while, Elisa stood quietly, guarding her spot. She noticed cookies on a nearby table and brought some over. She fed one to Richard and held the other to his mouth before he could protest.

 

“Sweet things aren’t good…”

 

Before Richard could say anything, Elisa playfully pushed the cookie into his mouth.

 

“Still, it tastes good because I gave it to you, right?”

 

As Elisa giggled and asked, Richard, with a slight frown, quietly ate the cookie.

 

Since then, Richard readily accepted the cookies she offered. While enjoying cookies between the table and Richard, Elisa suddenly felt pain in her shoes.

 

‘My ankle hurts.’

 

After putting on new shoes, her heels began to ache more and more. Checking around, Elisa decided to leave her seat for a moment.

 

Richard, noticing her intention, looked at Elisa with a puzzled expression.

 

“Where are you going?”

 

“Shh. It’s impolite to ask a lady about such things.”

 

Ignoring Richard’s puzzled look, Elisa left for the corridor.

 

Unlike the lively ballroom filled with music and voices, the corridor was quiet. As soon as Elisa came out to a nearby balcony, she kicked off her shoes. Unfortunately, her heel was now red and blistered.

 

A maid passing by saw her and asked, “Shall I get you indoor slippers for a short while?”

 

“Would you? Thank you.”

 

The maid quickly went out to the balcony.

 

Left alone, Elisa admired the view of the Earl’s mansion garden from the balcony.

 

‘It’s beautiful.’

 

While the Duke’s mansion garden was beautiful, the Earl’s garden was also charming and lovely. Especially with the addition of the lamp’s lighting, the atmosphere became even more enchanting.

 

It was during that serene moment with only the sound of the wind.

 

“Rose, why didn’t Prince Christian come today?”

 

“I asked my father, and he’s been feeling quite unwell for the past few days.”

 

The voices of children echoed down the corridor. As the corridor was silent, the not-so-loud voices of the children were clear.

 

Inadvertently overhearing the children’s conversation, Elisa grinned.

 

‘Christian is very unwell? The kid who was perfectly fine just a few days ago in the hunting grounds?’

 

He’s not an easy one to die already.

 

Thinking about Christian, a familiar name flowed out from the children’s mouths.

 

Elisa naturally perked her ears.

 

“Maybe it’s because he was shocked because of that guy?”

 

“Who?”

 

“Richard, I mean. He did something to Prince Christian in the hunting grounds. Even though he’s a half-breed noble, he dared to confront Prince Christian.”

 

“Half-breed noble?”

 

“His mother is a prostitute. A woman who sells her body. Before entering the Duke’s mansion, he used to be a street urchin. Ignorant and rude.”

 

“Yeah, he used to be a guild mercenary. Our mom said that place is where stupid and strong people gather.”

 

As Elisa listened to their conversation, her expression gradually hardened.

 

‘Those brats are talking about someone else’s husband like that?’

 

My husband is mine to criticize, not theirs!

 

Without much thought, Elisa walked out into the corridor. She looked in the direction where the children were.

 

The children, who were chattering, suddenly fell silent when they saw Elisa and stared at her with surprised eyes.

 

With an icy gaze, Elisa silently observed the children, then turned and walked away.

 

At that moment,

 

“Hey, how does it feel to be married to a monster husband?”

 

When one child asked, the other frozen children started to laugh nervously.

 

Elisa, who had been standing still for a moment, turned her steps towards the children.

 

The children were taken aback by her approaching momentum. In Elisa’s sharp eyes, a sharp energy lurked.