I Am Trying to Divorce My Villain Husband, But We Had a Child - chapter 26

Chapter 26

 

 

 

A dimly lit night descended.

 

 

 

The maids gathered in the bathroom, diligently grooming their voluptuous figures.

 

 

 

They washed their bodies in water scented with lavender, applied fragrant oil extracted from flower petals to their skin.

 

 

 

Finally, they dressed in thin robes made of sheer fabric to reveal their silhouettes.

 

 

 

The maids escorted her to the front of Richard’s room and then disappeared.

 

 

 

The woman who hesitated briefly in front of the door soon quietly entered the room.

 

 

 

The room was engulfed in darkness, without a single lit candle.

 

 

 

The woman suppressed any noise and approached the bed.

 

 

 

“…!”

 

 

 

However, Richard, whom she thought would be sleeping, was sitting on the bed.

 

 

 

“A man… no?”

 

 

 

Upon closer inspection, the silhouette was not that of a man. It had a delicate feminine figure just like hers.

 

 

 

Then, she noticed eyes gazing at her from beyond the canopy.

 

 

 

At that moment, as the clouds parted, moonlight flooded into the room.

 

 

 

In the moonlight, the figure of Elisa sitting on the bed became visible.

 

 

 

The woman, meeting Elisa’s gaze, froze in place.

 

 

 

Elisa, who had been quietly observing the woman, spoke up.

 

 

 

“You must have been surprised to find me here.”

 

 

 

“L-Lady Sokongjak…”

 

 

 

“I went for a walk. I told you I would.”

 

 

 

Elisa had anticipated what Albert was up to.

 

 

 

Suddenly asking someone who was always restless about not being able to meet Richard to use separate rooms. It was suspicious.

 

 

 

Of course, he wouldn’t have thought that Elisa was unaware. Even if she knew, she probably thought she couldn’t stop him.

 

 

 

But there was one thing he overlooked.

 

 

 

Elisa had no intention of letting Richard be bothered.

 

 

 

“I’ll be direct.”

 

 

 

Elisa placed a heavy pouch filled with gold coins in front of the woman.

 

 

 

“Leave. With this money, you can live comfortably for the next 10 years without bowing down to anyone.”

 

 

 

However, the woman didn’t even glance at the pouch of gold coins.

 

 

 

“Do you think I would be swayed by such a small amount of money? I am the next Countess. Once I bear a child, that position will be mine.”

 

 

 

“That child, Richard doesn’t want it.”

 

 

 

“Is that your feeling, Lady Sokongjak, or is it the jealousy of the mistress?”

 

 

 

It was somewhat audacious to come to the room of a man with a wife and say such things in front of that wife.

 

 

 

“I feel like you’re misunderstanding something. I came here not for myself, but for you.”

 

 

 

However, Elisa’s response was calm, without any hint of anger or mockery.

 

 

 

“I know the Count very well. You cherish and love Rubelin more than anyone else. Would such a person accept a commoner as a daughter-in-law?”

 

 

 

“….”

 

 

 

“He merely regards you as a tool for bearing a child.”

 

 

 

With a sharp remark devoid of any sugarcoating, the woman bit her lower lip and glared at Elisa.

 

 

 

She had no words to counter. She knew deep down that Elisa’s words were all true.

 

 

 

But Elisa didn’t stop there.

 

 

 

“However, your worth is not limited to that, is it?”

 

 

 

“….”

 

 

 

“With this money, you can do what you want. Buy the clothes you desire, eat the food you crave, go wherever you wish.”

 

 

 

Approaching the woman, Elisa looked into her eyes, gently adjusting her gown.

 

 

 

“If you still don’t know your worth, think about what you want to eat and buy. Think about your worth.”

 

 

 

“….”

 

 

 

“Not the worth imposed by others who don’t know you, but the worth you believe in.”

 

 

 

In response to Elisa’s words, the woman looked stunned, as if she had been hit on the head with something.

 

 

 

Elisa handed the pouch of gold coins to the woman and stood up.

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

The next morning, Elisa woke up in her newly assigned room. It was the first morning she and Richard greeted each other from separate rooms.

 

 

 

Having a simple breakfast that Anne brought to her room, Elisa organized her thoughts.

 

 

 

“I should see Richard first.”

 

 

 

Richard still didn’t know about what happened last night. She didn’t explain the real reason she sent him for a walk, just vaguely brushed it off.

 

 

 

She didn’t want to cause a commotion late at night.

 

 

 

“But the Duke can’t keep buying off women every time he sends them away. Some may not be swayed by money.”

 

 

 

Albert would push through whatever means necessary until he achieved his goals.

 

 

 

To counter him, Richard needed to know Albert’s plans.

 

 

 

After finishing her meal, Elisa headed straight to Richard’s room.

 

 

 

“Richard.”

 

 

 

After knocking and waiting for a moment, Richard opened the door.

 

 

 

“Elisa?”

 

 

 

“Can I come in for a moment?”

 

 

 

Before Richard could respond, Elisa stepped into his room and closed the door behind her. It was only after closing the door that she noticed.

 

 

 

Richard was wearing a bathrobe that hinted at his chest as if he had just come out of a bath.

 

 

 

“Hmm…”

 

 

 

Instinctively averting her gaze from his chest to his face, Elisa began to speak.

 

 

 

“Richard, about last night when I told you to go for a walk…”

 

 

 

As Elisa was about to continue speaking, urgent footsteps echoed in the corridor, followed by a knock.

 

 

 

“Is Lord Richard inside?”

 

 

 

It was a servant’s voice, sounding more urgent than usual. A sense of foreboding crept in.

 

 

 

It seemed that it wasn’t just Elisa who felt it; Richard’s expression subtly hardened.

 

 

 

Richard approached and opened the door.

 

 

 

“What’s the matter?”

 

 

 

“I-I think you should come see the Duke right away.”

 

 

 

Was he out of breath from running up the stairs, he paused to catch his breath before continuing.

 

 

 

“The Duke… seems to be in critical condition.”

 

 

 

Upon hearing the servant’s words, Elisa and Richard headed straight to Albert’s room.

 

 

 

Albert was surrounded by his personal physician, butler Grayson, and aide Aaron.

 

 

 

“Your Grace, My Lady.”

 

 

 

The three moved aside respectfully as Elisa and Richard approached Albert.

 

 

 

Albert seemed to be struggling to breathe, his eyes that once shone brightly even in sickness, were now dim and clouded, as if the fire that sustained his life had been extinguished.

 

 

 

The attending physician, who had been observing the scene, spoke with a solemn expression.

 

 

 

“It seems… it would be wise to prepare yourselves mentally.”

 

 

 

There was nothing more the physician could do for the patient.

 

 

 

Richard dismissed the physician.

 

 

 

Gradually, the visitors who had heard the news arrived one by one. They exchanged final farewells with Albert and withdrew.

 

 

 

Now, only Elisa, Richard, Aaron, and Grayson remained in the room. The quiet room was filled only with the faint sound of Albert’s breathing, as if it were about to fade away.

 

 

 

Elisa observed Richard’s expression.

 

 

 

As always, Richard looked at Albert with eyes devoid of any emotion. Then he spoke.

 

 

 

“…I want to guard him until his final moments.”

 

 

 

It was a request to leave them alone.

 

 

 

Aaron and Grayson stood before Albert to bid their final farewells.

 

 

 

“It has been an honor to serve you, Your Grace.”

 

 

 

“May eternal glory be with you.”

 

 

 

Next was Elisa’s turn.

 

 

 

Elisa hesitated to speak and simply looked at Albert.

 

 

 

His death didn’t sadden her. She just thought it was fitting.

 

 

 

What had he dedicated his whole life to, supporting a distant noble family?

 

 

 

In the end, nothing would remain.

 

 

 

He would eventually become dust like any other mortal.

 

 

 

“Rest in peace.”

 

 

 

With compassion for someone who had lived a whole lifetime, Elisa offered her final farewell.

 

 

 

Following Richard’s intention, Elisa, Aaron, and Grayson left the room together.

 

 

 

Thanks.

 

 

 

Richard turned his gaze towards Albert as the door closed.

 

 

 

The man who once tried to kill him, the man who had always seen him as a mere successor to continue the lineage, was now dying before his eyes.

 

 

 

“I had hoped you would live a little longer.”

 

 

 

As Richard spoke, Albert’s eyes regained focus. It was a flicker of hope amidst the impending darkness.

 

 

 

“You must have suffered horribly, hoping and despairing, unable to reach your unreachable desires.”

 

 

 

“….”

 

 

 

“And yet, you are leaving so comfortably.”

 

 

 

The voice delivering these cruel words was chillingly calm, making it all the more sinister.

 

 

 

Albert’s gaze wavered as he listened. His already faint breaths became even more labored.

 

 

 

For a moment, even in Richard’s eyes, emotions surfaced.

 

 

 

Intense hatred mingled with resentment.

 

 

 

“Now, Rubelin is mine.”

 

 

 

Richard’s voice, uttered as if chewing on each word, was filled with stronger emotions than ever before.

 

 

 

Albert’s gaze shook violently as he stared at Richard.

 

 

 

“You… scoundrel…”

 

 

 

Struggling to continue speaking with all his strength, Albert could no longer utter another word, gasping for breath.

 

 

 

His eyes were bloodshot, his dry lips trembled without making a sound.

 

 

 

But ultimately, without finishing his words, his breath ceased. Simultaneously, his hand fell limply.

 

 

 

Richard closed Albert’s eyes that could no longer perceive anything and murmured softly.

 

 

 

“Watch from hell. Please.”