I Am Trying to Divorce My Villain Husband, But We Had a Child - chapter 49

Episode 49

 

 

 

Around lunchtime, Agyle was in Richard’s study listening to him talk about his pain.

 

 

 

“Have you had pain in your back since shortly after arriving in the capital?”

 

 

 

“Yes.”

 

 

 

“Then let me take a look at the area where you feel the pain.”

 

 

 

Following Agyle’s suggestion, Richard took off his shirt and showed his back.

 

 

 

Agyle was taken aback when she saw Richard’s back muscles revealed before her eyes.

 

 

 

Although she had suspected a well-trained body from the contours visible through the shirt, seeing it in person filled her with admiration.

 

 

 

His body was not overly bulky with muscles, but there was a solidity and impressiveness to the well-developed muscles on the larger-than-average frame.

 

 

 

Every time he moved slightly, his back muscles rippled, almost overwhelming even to Agyle, who was a man herself.

 

 

 

After a moment of being taken aback, Agyle composed herself and examined Richard’s back.

 

 

 

As Richard had said, there was nothing particularly noticeable to the eye.

 

 

 

“I don’t see anything particularly unusual. Does the pain get worse at any specific time? Like when you perform certain actions… or something like that.”

 

 

 

“It might be just my mood, but it seems to worsen when Elisa is not around.”

 

 

 

Agyle, who had expected muscular pain, widened her eyes at Richard’s response.

 

 

 

“Could it be just separation anxiety from Madam…?”

 

 

 

In other words, a kind of dependency on her.

 

 

 

Thompson would have probably stated it as such, but Agyle phrased it differently.

 

 

 

“Practically, Madam won’t be able to alleviate that pain for you. Unless Madam possesses the power of purification or healing, it’s just a psychological effect.”

 

 

 

“That’s true.”

 

 

 

“Let me look into it further, just in case there are other factors.”

 

 

 

“Please don’t tell Elisa.”

 

 

 

“Understood.”

 

 

 

At that moment, they heard a knock, and Grayson entered.

 

 

 

“Your Grace, I have prepared lunch with easy-to-eat foods.”

 

 

 

Agyle understood what Grayson meant by “easy-to-eat foods.”

 

 

 

The news of Richard’s loss of appetite had spread among the staff and knights of the Rubellin estate earlier in the morning.

 

 

 

At first, the servants and knights who heard the news were quite surprised.

 

 

 

“Your Grace has lost his appetite?”

 

 

 

Considering that “husband’s loss of appetite” was rumored to be a symptom that manifested in the psychology of a pregnant wife in a harmonious couple.

 

 

 

It seemed unbelievable to them that Richard, who was indifferent and composed in everything, would lose his appetite.

 

 

 

In contrast, Thompson was jubilant as soon as he heard the news.

 

 

 

“Just thinking about the boy growing up and becoming a father is so adorable.”

 

 

 

However, Agyle couldn’t agree with him.

 

 

 

“How can you find a big man like that cute?”

 

 

 

Thompson had known Richard since he was smaller, but Agyle had first seen Richard when he returned from the battlefield.

 

 

 

While Thompson might view Richard like a younger brother to Agyle, Richard was still unfamiliar, and sometimes when he wore a stern expression, he seemed like a daunting superior.

 

 

 

If anything, Agyle felt more affectionate towards Elisa, whom she had mentored for the past 8 years, than towards Richard, whom she had just met.

 

 

 

So, while Richard was somewhat intimidating, he also irked her.

 

 

 

Whatever had happened between them, Elisa had ended up running away.

 

 

 

Although this recent incident had been resolved smoothly, Agyle intended to keep an eye on whether Richard treated Elisa well.

 

 

 

“Then please enjoy your meal.”

 

 

 

Richard accepted Agyle’s greeting and went to the dining room. Elisa, who had already arrived at the dining table, was waiting.

 

 

 

“You’re already eating?”

 

 

 

“No. I just got here.”

 

 

 

Richard sat down at the table.

 

 

 

There were salads and sweet fruits on the table, not particularly appetizing dishes, but Agyle felt fortunate to be able to have a meal with Elisa.

 

 

 

“I’ll eat well.”

 

 

 

Elisa murmured to herself as she picked up her fork. The salad and fruit went down as smoothly as always.

 

 

 

Then suddenly, Agyle remembered Richard’s loss of appetite that morning and observed him.

 

 

 

At that moment, their eyes met while Richard was also observing Elisa.

 

 

 

‘Ah.’

 

 

 

A brief awkwardness passed between the two as their eyes met. Well, more accurately, Elisa felt it.

 

 

 

Richard calmly gazed at her with his eyes, always seeming to focus solely on her.

 

 

 

It felt natural, almost as if it were expected.

 

 

 

Caught in his gaze as if held, Elisa blinked blankly and then averted her gaze, turning to speak.

 

 

 

“So, what happened with Lord Roha’s affair?”

 

 

 

“He was captured, but there wasn’t much gain. We’ll interrogate him until today, and if there’s no significant information, we’ll release him tomorrow. Then, from Lord Felis’s side, they’ll…”

 

 

 

Richard, who was about to say “kill,” stopped speaking as he glanced at Elisa, who was staring at him with widened eyes.

 

 

 

“She’s carrying a child in her womb. It wouldn’t be good to speak cruelly. Lord Felis’s side will handle it.”

 

 

 

His statement about executing in the name of Rubellin in front of the emperor was merely a provocation in front of the emperor, and he had no intention of actually killing him.

 

 

 

Of course, if he did so, he could demonstrate Rubellin’s influence to other nobles as he had said to the emperor.

 

 

 

However, that would only instill unease among the people of the territories, as the emperor had warned.

 

 

 

Listening silently to his story, Elisa spoke up.

 

 

 

“Why not spare him?”

 

 

 

“Why?”

 

 

 

“From what I know, Lord Rohas worked under Lord Felis for quite some time. But there was no close connection between them. He simply ran errands for his own gain.”

 

 

 

Elisa’s “close connection” meant a relationship formed through marriage or a close cooperative relationship.

 

 

 

But Lord Felis and Lord Rohas had a casual relationship based on a strict superior-subordinate relationship.

 

 

 

“That means, if we eliminate that casual connection, it would easily sever the relationship.”

 

 

 

“Eliminate the connection…”

 

 

 

“First, release him, and when he’s in a life-threatening situation, if Lord Felis spares him, he’ll realize that he has been completely abandoned. That would be a suitable time for persuasion.”

 

 

 

“But does Lord Rohas have that much usefulness?”

 

 

 

“Having worked under Lord Felis for a long time, he probably knows quite a bit of key information without even realizing it. Wouldn’t he be of help if he turns to our side?”

 

 

 

Listening to Elisa’s words silently, Richard realized anew.

 

 

 

Elisa knew the most peaceful way to resolve the issue.

 

 

 

Moreover, she not only knew how to maintain peace but also how to efficiently utilize him.

 

 

 

While watching her handle the estate affairs, he had felt it, but she had become an unexpectedly excellent administrator.

 

 

 

Richard slightly lifted the corners of his mouth and nodded.

 

 

 

“You’re right, Elisa. Let’s try that.”

 

 

 

Elisa felt proud that she had been able to help him and started eating again. However, her appetite didn’t return easily. Despite it being a salad she usually enjoyed, she had only been eating salad since she started having morning sickness. She was eating it reluctantly, as it was the only thing she could eat.

 

 

 

Watching her with a furrowed brow, Richardasked, “Is there anything else you’d like to eat?”

 

 

 

It didn’t matter much to him if he couldn’t eat well, but he was concerned that Elisa, who was already weak, couldn’t eat properly.

 

 

 

According to books, pregnant women usually have one or two foods they strongly crave.

 

 

 

If Elisa wanted something, whatever it was, he would find a way to get it for her.

 

 

 

However, Elisa, who seemed to hesitate for a moment, weakly shook her head.

 

 

 

“My stomach still doesn’t feel good, so I’m not thinking of anything. I’ll let you know if I think of anything.”

 

 

 

Elisa smiled as if to reassure him, but Richard’s expression hardened with worry as he looked at her.

 

 

 

Seeing his worried expression, Elisa thought he was worried about the baby.

 

 

 

“If morning sickness is severe, it means the baby is growing healthily. Even if you can’t eat, the baby is getting the nutrients it needs, so you don’t need to worry too much.”

 

 

 

However, despite Elisa’s attempt to reassure him, Richard’s expression only grew more rigid.

 

 

 

At that moment, Grayson entered with a knock.

 

 

 

“Your Highness, Madam. Two letters have been sent from the palace.”

 

 

 

Grayson handed Richard a letter sealed with the royal seal.

 

 

 

Even without opening the letter, they knew its contents. There was only one reason for receiving a letter from the palace at this time.

 

 

 

Richard tore open the letter and retrieved its contents. As expected, it was an invitation to the hunting festival held at the palace.

 

 

 

After quickly checking the formal invitation, Richard told Grayson, “I will attend, but the Duchess is not feeling well due to a cold, so she will not be able to attend.”

 

 

 

Elisa, in the early stages of pregnancy, judged it best to rest.

 

 

 

However, contrary to his thoughts, Elisa immediately called Grayson back as he was about to leave.

 

 

 

“Grayson, please tell them that I will also attend.”

 

 

 

“Elisa?”

 

 

 

Although Richard called Elisa with a worried voice, Elisa did not reverse her decision.

 

 

 

As long as the child in her womb was to inherit the name of Rubellin, she had no intention of leaving Rubellin unchecked by the emperor.

 

 

 

‘That’s why I’ve been nurturing Rubellin for the past 8 years.’

 

 

 

Now was the time to demonstrate Rubellin’s influence.

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

Sorrenti, welcoming spring, was full of blooming flowers.

 

 

 

Occasionally, when the sea breeze blew, the blue sea and sky, along with the colorful flower petals, combined to create a magnificent sight.

 

 

 

In that scenic view, a handsome young man with brown hair stood.

 

 

 

Ancel, who had grown taller and now led the Arden estates and the Arden Marquis, said without much meaning, “It’s about time Elisa arrived…”

 

 

 

Ancel was idly watching as movers brought in new furniture into the villa.

 

 

 

At that moment, a familiar presence was felt nearby.

 

 

 

“Finally, people are coming to this mansion.”

 

 

 

When Ancel looked in the direction of the voice, he saw an old clergyman with white hair stopping and looking at the mansion.

 

 

 

He was wearing an old suit, but there was still a certain dignity about him.

 

 

 

Smiling with a polite smile, Ancel responded, “Knowing that this mansion has been vacant for a long time, you must have lived here for a long time, sir.”

 

 

 

Although he knew that there were no nobles of higher rank than himself in this small village, Ancel respectfully addressed the old clergyman as ‘sir.’

 

 

 

The old clergyman seemed pleased with the title ‘sir’ and smiled as he replied, “I’ve been taking care of the sick in this village all my life.”

 

 

 

That is, the old clergyman used to be a doctor in his prime.

 

 

 

Ancel’s eyes sparkled.

 

 

 

Having someone with professional skills would be beneficial in various ways.

 

 

 

Moreover, if someone had lived in this village for a long time, they would have a wide network of connections and would be helpful in many ways.

 

 

 

Ancel invited the old clergyman forward to establish connections for Elisa.

 

 

 

“Your face shows a lot of grace, sir.”

 

 

 

“You flatter me. Although this is not my hometown, it’s practically my hometown.”

 

 

 

“Is that so? Perhaps you know my friend who will be living in this mansion soon.”

 

 

 

“Oh, is that so? Was he someone who lived in this village?”

 

 

 

As Ancel had expected, the old clergyman showed interest in Elisa.

 

 

 

As if waiting for this moment, Ancsl brought up Elisa’s story.

 

 

 

“About ten years ago, the illegitimate child of Lord Roengreen, who was the owner of this mansion at the time, if you know who that is?”

 

 

 

However, contrary to Ancel’s expectations, the old clergyman’s expression shook violently at the mention of ‘Roengreen.’

 

 

 

‘Could he be enemies with Elisa’s parents…?’

 

 

 

Did I bring up the story for nothing?

 

 

 

Ancel began to ponder how to handle the situation.

 

 

 

Seeing Ancel with a trembling gaze, the old clergyman asked, “Did you just say the illegitimate child of Lord Roengreen?”

 

 

 

“Yes. Is there a problem…?”

 

 

 

“That couldn’t be… that couldn’t be.”

 

 

 

The old man’s expression was not that of facing an enemy, but rather as if he had seen a ghost.

 

 

 

“Elisa was surely diagnosed with a terminal illness and passed away eight years ago…”

 

 

 

At his following words, Ancel’s expression also began to shake.

 

 

 

There was no way Elisa had died back then.

 

 

 

The Elisa he knew was alive and well.

 

 

 

‘Then the Elisa I knew, isn’t Elisa Roengreen?’

 

 

 

Then who is Elisa who is my friend?

 

 

 

Ancel went straight to the study on the second floor of the villa to confirm the truth.

 

 

 

As he opened the door to the study and entered, he was met with blank walls. The frames that had been taken down for repairs were still stacked on one side of the study.

 

 

 

Approaching a pile of frames covered in velvet cloth, Ancel hesitated for a moment in front of the truth, but soon made up his mind and removed the velvet cloth.