I Am Trying to Divorce My Villain Husband, But We Had a Child - chapter 21

Episode 21

 

 

 

At the same time, the Imperial soldiers gathered in the tent began to murmur.

 

 

 

Their uneasy gazes were directed towards Richardt’s subordinates.

 

 

 

Originally, the Imperial soldiers did not get along well with the knights of Rubellin.

 

 

 

The leader of the Imperial soldiers, the knight commander, was accustomed to formulating poor strategies in every battle. Moreover, he was a man full of arrogance, insisting that he couldn’t follow the strategies of a young lad.

 

 

 

The Imperial soldiers, feeling inferior as Rubellin seemed to outshine them by following the strategies of the relatively young Richard, disliked him.

 

 

 

Thomson and the knights of Rubellin responded by shooting glances at them and then left the tent.

 

 

 

Richard seemed to have disappeared during this time, perhaps going to clear out the remnants’ hideout.

 

 

 

One of Thomson’s subordinates asked with a sigh, “Thomson, why are you in such a hurry? Even if His Majesty the Emperor recognizes your achievements, it would be good to stop by the capital for a while.”

 

 

 

Thomson shrugged in response. “Do I look like I know? Well, maybe he’s hiding a honey pot in his nature.”

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

Elisa stared at the documents placed in front of her.

 

 

 

[Divorce Approval]

 

 

 

In Arencia, marriage was a vow made under the protection of the goddess of love, the goddess Aernus. Therefore, even when divorcing, one had to seek permission from the goddess and receive her blessing, believing that another love and happiness would come to the two individuals left alone in the future.

 

 

 

“After this winter, I will also become an adult.”

 

 

 

At the time when Elisa first married Richard, she promised to divorce when she reached this age.

 

 

 

Even though she had intentions to continue managing the territory as the mistress of Rubellin until Richard returned, the owner of the castle was returning, so there was no need to delay further.

 

 

 

“I’ve prepared the business funds, and for retirement… But even with all the hard work and affection so far, I’ll make sure not to lack in alimony. Now, all that’s left is the villa in Sornete…”

 

 

 

Earlier this year, Elisa purchased the villa of the artist Roengreen in Sornete through her friend Ancel. This became possible due to the expansion of the Aarden family’s territory to Sornete a few years ago.

 

 

 

However, the villa had been vacant for a long time and was not being managed at all.

 

 

 

Because of this, Elisa asked Ancel, who was close to Sornete, to take care of the villa.

 

 

 

However, due to the delay caused by the damage from the summer typhoon, it was expected to be fully repaired only next summer.

 

 

 

The timing did not match Elisa’s plans to divorce Richard and leave Rubellin Castle in the spring.

 

 

 

“I have enough money, but I wonder if I won’t be able to find a place to stay in the meantime.”

 

 

 

Elisa didn’t worry much about that part. There were more pressing matters to think about.

 

 

 

“I should start planning the budget for the welcome-back celebration soon.”

 

 

 

Fortunately, thanks to the recent exchange with the south, the granary was plentiful. Moreover, with the festival being prepared for the war heroes at the palace, the Rubellin knights would undoubtedly visit the Capital. There was no need to rush.

 

 

 

“Let’s call it a day for now.”

 

 

 

Elisa stood up from her seat and stretched. Then, she left her office to go to the bedroom.

 

 

 

At that moment, Anne hurriedly ran towards her from the other end of the corridor.

 

 

 

“Ma’am!”

 

 

 

Elisa looked at Anne with a puzzled expression.

 

 

 

“Anne, what’s the matter? Why are you in such a hurry?”

 

 

 

“We, we’re running out of time!”

 

 

 

“Running out of time?”

 

 

 

“Lord Marquis… is on his way to the territory right now!”

 

 

 

“What?”

 

 

 

“You need to prepare for the reception quickly…”

 

 

 

Before Anne could finish, another set of footsteps approached Elisa. It was Aaron, Albert’s aide.

 

 

 

“Milady, his Excellency is looking for you.”

 

 

 

“Anne, I’ll be right back.”

 

 

 

Elisa dismissed Anne and went with Aaron to Albert’s bedroom.

 

 

 

“Your Excellency, Milady is here.”

 

 

 

Aaron waited outside the room as Elisa entered.

 

 

 

As she entered the room, the scent of bitter herbs greeted her nose. It was the same scent she encountered every morning when she came for formal greetings.

 

 

 

Elisa took a deep breath and approached the bed.

 

 

 

On the bed lay an elderly man with a pallor on his face. Fungi covered his face, and his breath was so feeble that it wouldn’t be surprising if it stopped at any moment. Yet, his gaze remained as stern as it was the first time she saw him.

 

 

 

“You summoned me, Your Excellency.”

 

 

 

“That boy… I heard he’s coming straight to the territory.”

 

 

 

As Albert tried to continue, a sudden fit of coughing interrupted him. After a moment, he managed to speak again.

 

 

 

“When Richard returns… either manipulate him or somehow get a child.”

 

 

 

“…”

 

 

 

“My sister told you. Your only value lies in that, and I’ve fed and raised you all these years for that reason alone. If you can’t bear a child, there’s no reason for you to stay in my house.”

 

 

 

“…”

 

 

 

“Until Richard returns, keep yourself in order and wait. So that you can conceive a child immediately…”

 

 

 

Albert’s eyes, as he spoke, burned like the last flame of life, fiercely pursuing the duty of continuing the family line.

 

 

 

Regardless of what his wish was, it was regrettable that a dying person couldn’t fulfill their one and only desire. But…

 

 

 

“In any case, sacrificing someone else’s happiness for the sake of your own desire is not right.”

 

 

 

Elisa didn’t regret not fulfilling his wish. That’s why she gave an indifferent response today.

 

 

 

“I will do as you wish.”

 

 

 

A few days later, a crow arrived from the Rubellin Knights.

 

 

 

It was a brief note saying they would arrive at the castle around noon tomorrow.

 

 

 

People from Rubellin spent the entire day preparing to welcome those returning to their hometown after several years. Elisa was no exception.

 

 

 

As the hectic day passed and darkness fell, a quiet night arrived as if to say, ‘When did this happen?’

 

 

 

In the night, where everyone slept looking forward to a happy tomorrow, Elisa remained awake, unable to fall asleep.

 

 

 

‘I can’t sleep…’

 

 

 

After tossing in bed for quite some time, Elisa eventually gave up on sleeping and went out to the balcony.

 

 

 

“Ah, it’s cold.”

 

 

 

Despite wrapping herself tightly in a blanket to block the freezing winter wind, Rubellin’s sharp wind penetrated mercilessly.

 

 

 

However, even that chill had become familiar. Just like the scene unfolding before her eyes.

 

 

 

Below the balcony spread the view of Rubellin territory.

 

 

 

Though it was night, the snow covering the territory reflected the moonlight, creating a serene scene. The landscape was peaceful.

 

 

 

You’ve worked hard for 17 years, Elisa.

 

 

 

Memories flooded back of the efforts she had made to be recognized after Richard set out.

 

 

 

There were difficult times, but there were also many rewarding and enjoyable memories.

 

 

 

For Elisa, who had lived in Rubellin since her reincarnation, it felt like home.

 

 

 

‘My Rubellin.’

 

 

 

The Rubellin she had cultivated for only seven years.

 

 

 

Even after such a short time, the feeling was profound. It made her understand a bit of Albert’s attachment, who had devoted his entire life to this place.

 

 

 

‘I have to leave here now… It’s bittersweet.’

 

 

 

The day Richard’s return approached, meaning her departure was also near.

 

 

 

Thinking about it, a somewhat melancholic feeling swept over her.

 

 

 

‘By the way, Richard must be an adult now.’

 

 

 

The last time she saw him was seven years ago.

 

 

 

Back then, he was already taller than her, but now he must have grown much more.

 

 

 

‘His personality… from the letters, he still seemed blunt.’

 

 

 

Although they hadn’t met, they exchanged letters with the changing seasons. Still, it was just greetings and brief stories about daily life.

 

 

 

‘What about his face… how was it?’

 

 

 

She remembered he was handsome even at a young age. However, the memory was so blurry that she couldn’t imagine how his face had changed.

 

 

 

As Elisa furrowed her brow, trying to recall, a familiar scent wafted through the air.

 

 

 

At the same time, a soft moonlight disappeared behind a shadow.

 

 

 

‘Uh…?’

 

 

 

Elisa instinctively raised her head.

 

 

 

There, a stranger stood on the balcony.

 

 

 

At first glance, he was tall, slender but broad-shouldered, and had a captivating face.

 

 

 

Under the gentle breeze, his soft black hair fluttered, and beneath it, blood-red eyes gazed down at her.

 

 

 

The ruby necklace around his neck reflected moonlight, sparkling.

 

 

 

‘His face…’

 

 

 

Staring at the man in a daze, Elisa finally remembered that face. At the same time, her heart began to beat rapidly.

 

 

 

At that moment, the man descended to the balcony.

 

 

 

The man looked directly into Elisa’s eyes and spoke.

 

 

 

“Hello, Elisa.”

 

 

 

A pleasant baritone voice carried through the wind.

 

 

 

The ruby necklace on the man’s neck shimmered, reflecting the moonlight.