I Am Trying to Divorce My Villain Husband, But We Had a Child - chapter 27

Chapter 27

 

 

 

The winter in the north was harsh.

 

 

 

Usually, when a funeral was held, the deceased would be buried in the ground.

 

 

 

In Rubelin, since the ground froze during the winter and couldn’t be dug up, the village cemeteries were usually dug in advance. It was enough to put the body in and cover it with soil.

 

 

 

However, since the city hadn’t prepared a cemetery in advance, Albert’s body was to be laid to rest in the underground cemetery of Rubelin Castle until the ground thawed in spring.

 

 

 

At the funeral, Richard, Elisa, and the dignitaries of Rubelin were present.

 

 

 

“Finally, we will offer a prayer for the deceased.”

 

 

 

The priest recited the prayer for the funeral ceremony.

 

 

 

Elisa clasped her hands together and closed her eyes until the end of the prayer. When she opened her eyes and saw the coffin in front of her, she felt strange.

 

 

 

The one who constantly made her doubt her worth and subjected her to mental abuse had died.

 

 

 

Naturally, she didn’t feel sad. But she didn’t feel relieved either.

 

 

 

“I’m like this too, but Richard must be feeling even stranger.”

 

 

 

The direct descendant of Rubelin, left alone in the world.

 

 

 

Now that the sword of vengeance had finally fallen into Richard’s hands as he wished, would he truly feel relieved?

 

 

 

Elisa glanced at Richard discreetly.

 

 

 

He had the same dry face as always, showing no joy or sorrow, not revealing a hint of emotion.

 

 

 

“He used to show his emotions, even if he pretended to be prickly.”

 

 

 

But now, he seems to have forgotten how to express them. As if he couldn’t feel any emotion at all.

 

 

 

War was indeed cruel, sometimes changing a person’s personality completely.

 

 

 

Elisa knew Richard from his childhood. Perhaps that’s why his emotionless demeanor felt unfamiliar and awkward when he first returned to the castle. But not anymore.

 

 

 

He may have grown taller, and his personality may have changed, but he was still him.

 

 

 

He was a precious friend and family member who pretended to be indifferent but secretly cared for and looked after her.

 

 

 

To Elisa, he was such a presence.

 

 

 

That’s why she felt sorry for him.

 

 

 

“I should postpone the divorce for a while.”

 

 

 

Elisa had initially thought of divorcing as soon as Richard returned and she became an adult, but she changed her mind.

 

 

 

With Albert’s death, the atmosphere in the castle became somber. It didn’t feel right to leave immediately in this situation.

 

 

 

At least the atmosphere in the castle needed to stabilize somewhat before she could prepare to leave.

 

 

 

“And until the summer, when the villa is completed, it’s good to have a place to stay.”

 

 

 

While the funeral ceremony was taking place, Elisa organized her plans for the future in her mind.

 

 

 

The funeral ended in a solemn atmosphere.

 

 

 

Elisa and Richard bid farewell to the dignitaries and went upstairs to the floor with their bedrooms. Richard’s room was on the right side of the stairs, and Elisa’s newly assigned room was on the left.

 

 

 

After a moment of contemplation, Elisa decided to go towards Richard’s room with him.

 

 

 

When they arrived at the door, she called out to him.

 

 

 

“Richard.”

 

 

 

His usually dry eyes turned towards her.

 

 

 

Elisa looked at those eyes for a moment, then slowly approached and hugged him.

 

 

 

She felt him startle slightly, but he didn’t push her away.

 

 

 

“I just wanted to hug you.”

 

 

 

Despite their difference in stature, Elisa did her best to comfort him by embracing him as much as she could.

 

 

 

“You’ve been through a lot.”

 

 

 

Elisa’s small hand gently patted his broad back, as if she understood everything about him.

 

 

 

Richard’s eyes wavered slightly at the warmth of her comforting gesture.

 

 

 

After a moment of stiffness, Richard raised his arms to embrace Elisa.

 

 

 

But in that moment, Elisa slipped out of his embrace. His arms, now without purpose, paused in mid-air.

 

 

 

Elisa, unaware of his outstretched arms, smiled gently and bid him goodnight.

 

 

 

“Rest well.”

 

 

 

Richard watched Elisa’s retreating figure as she walked towards her bedroom, feeling somewhat dazed.

 

 

 

It only then occurred to him that Elisa had moved to a different room. He had become so accustomed to sleeping with her that he hadn’t realized it.

 

 

 

Richard absentmindedly traced his fingers over his hand, which had just moments ago been touched by her warmth.

 

 

 

He missed the warmth that had enveloped him just a short while ago.

 

 

 

But now, with Albert’s death, there was no longer a reason for them to share a room. Even though they were married, they each had their own rooms…

 

 

 

Richard watched as Elisa headed towards her room before quietly entering his own.

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

The Emperor had invited Countess Felice to dinner after a long time.

 

 

 

He spoke as he sliced into the steak, the juices still running red.

 

 

 

“I’m sure you’ve heard. Albert Rubelin has resigned.”

 

 

 

“Yes. He passed away as if waiting for my grandson to come of age.”

 

 

 

“In the end, that boy became the leader of Rubelin.”

 

 

 

Countess Felice’s hand, which had been slicing the steak, paused at the Emperor’s words.

 

 

 

The Emperor blamed Countess Felice for not killing Richard before he became an adult, so Countess Felice had schemed to send Richard to the battlefield.

 

 

 

But Richard didn’t die as expected; instead, he became even more well-known under the name of Rubelin. And now, he had even inherited the title of Duke.

 

 

 

The Emperor was laying the blame for his failed plan on Countess Felice.

 

 

 

“Recently, there’s talk of a favorable atmosphere towards outsiders in the north. Many are settling there, quietly building their influence.”

 

 

 

Despite the Emperor’s efforts in the war, Countess Felice was quite displeased with Richard’s return to Rubelin instead of staying to serve the Emperor.

 

 

 

It felt as if Richard would eventually rebel against the Emperor, who was currently reigning.

 

 

 

For this reason, the Emperor was paying close attention to the news from the north.

 

 

 

However, he heard stories that the north, which used to reject outsiders, had become friendly towards them.

 

 

 

This change was attributed to Elisa, who had been managing the territory in Albert’s absence due to illness.

 

 

 

“I initially thought she was just a young woman, but she seems quite competent in managing the territory.”

 

 

 

Increasing the population of the territory was the most certain way to increase its military strength, financial power, and influence.

 

 

 

Despite this, other lords didn’t use this method because it was difficult to control the various variables that came with accepting outsiders.

 

 

 

But Elisa was still managing to control these variables quite well.

 

 

 

It was inevitable for Richard, the girl who had taken his daughter’s place, to see Rubelin’s influence growing smoothly.

 

 

 

“I’ve heard those rumors as well. The Duchess seems to be quite skilled in managing the territory.”

 

 

 

Countess Felice, noticing his concerns, subtly raised the corner of her mouth. Then, as if to reassure him, she added:

 

 

 

“But you don’t need to worry too much. I’ve already taken care of it.”

 

 

 

#4 First night

 

 

 

Anne walked down the corridor with a tray of snacks in hand.

 

 

 

The sunlight pouring through the window was warm. Winter had passed, and spring was slowly arriving in Rubelin.

 

 

 

Arriving at the office after crossing the corridor, Anne knocked. Shortly after, Elisa’s voice could be heard.

 

 

 

“Come in.”

 

 

 

Anne entered the office with the snacks.

 

 

 

Inside the office, Richard, Elisa, and Agail, who had now become Richard’s aide, were busy with their territorial duties.

 

 

 

Anne placed the snacks in front of Elisa and Richard.

 

 

 

Elisa smiled and thanked Anne.

 

 

 

“Thank you, Anne.”

 

 

 

Elisa then began briefing Richard on their tasks again.

 

 

 

“Hagen has been providing tariff reductions in exchange for technical support in researching the resources of the Esmeralda Mountain in the north since last year.”

 

 

 

With the arrival of spring and increased interaction within and outside the territory, the workload had significantly increased at the start of the year.

 

 

 

Richard was learning the tasks one by one from Elisa.

 

 

 

‘They always look good together.’

 

 

 

Anne observed Elisa and Richard working together with a gentle smile.

 

 

 

Elisa was the most beautiful and intelligent woman Anne had ever seen, and Richard was the strongest and most handsome man.

 

 

 

The sight of the two of them working side by side was a perfect match to anyone who saw it.

 

 

 

It seemed fitting now that Elisa no longer had to handle the workload alone but shared it with Richard.

 

 

 

Such thoughts were not exclusive to Anne alone.

 

 

 

Agail, who was handing documents to Richard by his side, also smiled like Anne while looking at the two of them.

 

 

 

‘But… Madam…’

 

 

 

Anne’s expression darkened again as she remembered Elisa’s intention to divorce Richard.

 

 

 

She had promised to stay with Elisa wherever she went and believed that Elisa would handle whatever she did well. Nevertheless, it was regrettable to leave the safe Rubelin Castle and Richard’s side.

 

 

 

Suddenly, Anne remembered the letter in her pocket that she had forgotten.

 

 

 

“Oh, right. Madam, this is the letter that arrived a little while ago.”

 

 

 

“Thank you.”

 

 

 

Elisa checked the seal on the letter flap. It was from Viscount Arden.

 

 

 

Richard, who recognized the seal, furrowed his brows slightly.

 

 

 

“Viscount Arden?”

 

 

 

“Do you remember when he was here on our island before? That friend.”

 

 

 

“Why would he send you a letter?”

 

 

 

“Oh, I asked him for a favor.”

 

 

 

Elisa unfolded the letter with an excited expression.

 

 

 

[My dear old friend, Elisa.

 

 

 

By the time this letter arrives, spring will have arrived in the north too, won’t it?

 

 

 

The weather cleared up earlier than expected here.

 

 

 

So, I’ve been urging the carpenters to hurry up and build the villa.

 

 

 

If everything goes as planned, the villa should be completed by next month.

 

 

 

So, prepare to move around that time.

 

 

 

May this joyful news reach you with the warm spring breeze.

 

 

 

Your close friend, Ancel.]

 

 

 

A smile spread across Elisa’s face as she read the letter.

 

 

 

Richard’s expression subtly stiffened. He glanced around but couldn’t see the contents of the letter from his current position.

 

 

 

“The documents that came in today are all done.”

 

 

 

Agail took the last document with Richard’s signature.

 

 

 

“Now might be a good time to bring up the topic.”

 

 

 

Having put the letter back, Elisa decided it was time to talk to Richard about the divorce.

 

 

 

She had to give him some time to prepare and organize, so she could speak calmly.

 

 

 

“Richard, do you have a moment? I have something to discuss.”

 

 

 

Agail and Anne left the room, leaving only Elisa and Richard.

 

 

 

“What is it about?”

 

 

 

“Oh, it’s nothing urgent, but I think we should talk about it in advance.”

 

 

 

Elisa was about to answer Richard’s question, but she was speechless.

 

 

 

When it came to actually discussing divorce, she couldn’t find the words.

 

 

 

It wasn’t just a simple separation of a man and a woman; it meant leaving this territory she had been with for eight years.

 

 

 

Before she could speak, she felt empty and lonely.

 

 

 

Nevertheless, it was a conversation that must be had. Looking at Richard waiting for her words, Elisa calmed her mind and opened her mouth.