I Am Trying to Divorce My Villain Husband, But We Had a Child - Chapter 53

“Go out together and buy the clothes you each want to wear.”

“What? We can’t…”

“Make sure it’s worthy of Rubellin’s name. Understood?”

When Richard asked Elisa if she needed anything else, instead of buying dresses or accessories for herself, she decided to buy new clothes for the maids and knights.

She also ordered custom-made silver brooches engraved with Rubellin’s emblem.

“After all, the main stars of the hunting festival are the Emperor, Empress, Crown Prince, and Crown Princess.”

No matter how lavishly she dressed, the spotlight would be on them. 

So Elisa decided to make the maids and knights of Rubellin stand out instead of herself.

Thanks to that, the maids and knights who got new clothes were in high spirits for the past few days.

“Working in a place where we are treated like this!”

They were not only happy about the new clothes but also felt a strong sense of belonging to Rubellin, which treated them well.

Although the nobles looked at Elisa and Rubellin’s maids with disapproval, the expressions of the maids standing behind them were different.

The maids of other nobles looked at Anne and the other maids with envy.

“If rumors spread that the Duke of Rubellin treats his people well, competent individuals will flock here.”

Thus, the current knights and maids of Rubellin would work even harder not to lose their positions, and Elisa smiled contentedly as she observed their reactions.

“This is how you flaunt wealth.”

That was precisely her intention.

Elisa answered with a composed expression, as if it were the most natural thing.

“It’s almost summer, and I wanted to reward those who have worked for our family for a long time. Proper rewards boost morale.”

Now, it was time to subtly reveal the true purpose of this “show of wealth.”

“And recently, we discovered another mine in the southwestern part of the territory that contains luminescent stones.”

“Oh, yes. I heard about that not long ago. I was told the mine is quite large.”

“Do you have any plans to expand into other businesses with the luminescent stones?”

Several noblewomen, intrigued by the mention of the luminescent stone mine, listened closely. On the other hand, some still wore disapproving expressions, thinking Elisa was just flaunting her wealth.

Elisa observed their reactions, filtering out those who would be beneficial to her from those who wouldn’t.

‘Those who are not interested in this conversation are just figurehead hostesses with no real economic power.’

Maintaining friendships with them would be of no help, even if she could hear some gossip. These relationships would offer no practical benefits.

Conversely, those showing interest are the hostesses of families with real economic power and some degree of influence within their families.

Building relationships with them would be beneficial both in business and politics.

Having mentally sorted out the useful individuals, Elisa threw out the next bait.

“I’ve been thinking of finding a family to collaborate with to expand the business in various directions. There are talks of using luminescent stones for interior decoration, and some workshops are even making small jewelry pieces with luminescent stone granules.”

“Jewelry? If it’s jewelry, our family…”

Luminescent stones, found only in Rubellin, were precious gems that everyone coveted as a business item.

One noblewoman, eager to secure a partnership with Rubellin, quickly started to speak but fell silent when she noticed the displeased expressions of the Empress and Rozé.

Other noblewomen, sensing the same awkward atmosphere, also refrained from continuing the conversation.

Thus, the discussion about the luminescent stone business was halted. However, Elisa did not feel disappointed; she had anticipated this reaction.

“Since it’s difficult to openly discuss collaboration here, I expect to receive private inquiries soon.”

Having roughly identified the useful people made attending the hunting festival worthwhile.

It was Rozé who broke the awkward atmosphere created by the strange tension.

“Oh, by the way, we have something prepared for all of you.”

“Something prepared?”

“It’s a small gesture, but I hope it brings you joy.”

Following Rozé’s instruction, the maids brought out baskets filled with brownies and cookies.

“The new head chef makes excellent brownies. I asked for these specially to share with you all. They’re great with tea.”

“Oh my, how thoughtful.”

Neatly cut triangular brownies and cookies were beautifully arranged on plates and placed in front of everyone.

The noblewomen received the sweet treats with delight, but Elisa’s face turned pale.

‘The smell of butter…’

Her unborn child had a keen sensitivity to the smell of butter, rejecting it each time.

Even medicine couldn’t alleviate the nausea.

Today was no different.

Elisa instinctively covered her nose and mouth with her hand to suppress the gag reflex.

What would people think if she vomited in front of the Crown Princess’s offering?

However, the nausea wouldn’t subside easily.

‘Should I just reveal my pregnancy now?’

Unable to hold back any longer, Elisa stood up to leave, but she suddenly felt dizzy and staggered.

Just before she fell, a broad and firm body appeared behind her, supporting her back and shoulders.

Looking up with startled eyes, she saw a familiar face.

‘Richard…?’

His usually composed face showed a hint of worry.

“While we appreciate the Crown Princess’s kind gesture, Elisa hasn’t been feeling well and finds it hard to eat anything.”

Richard lifted the weakly staggering Elisa into his arms.

Under normal circumstances, she would have been conscious of the people’s stares and pulled away from him, but now she had no such capacity.

“Excuse us.”

Richard, holding Elisa tenderly, left the room, leaving behind the astonished noblewomen.

At that moment, Elisa was reminded of the fifteen-year-old boy who had poured juice on Christian to save her.

In the secluded area near the hunting grounds, Elisa, after vomiting, sat down exhaustedly. Richard, embracing her, took out a handkerchief.

When he tried to wipe her mouth, Elisa weakly pushed his hand away.

“It’s dirty. Don’t.”

Perhaps due to her persistent morning sickness and hormonal changes, a tone of irritation slipped out unintentionally. Surprised by her own words, Elisa quickly glanced at Richard to gauge his reaction. However, he showed no sign of displeasure and gently but firmly brought the handkerchief back to her lips.

“It’s not dirty.”

His tone was soft yet resolute, seemingly sincere. Elisa stared at him with dazed eyes as he cleaned her lips. His kindness made her feel strange, a mix of gratitude and discomfort.

After wiping her lips, Richard pulled a fruit-flavored candy from his pocket. He unwrapped it and placed it in her mouth. The tangy taste of the candy often helped ease her nausea.

‘He must have brought it because he knows it helps with morning sickness.’

Elisa figured that was why he, who usually dislikes sweets, had candy with him.

Holding Elisa in his arms to prevent her from feeling dizzy and falling again, Richard asked, “Shall we go home?”

Elisa shook her head.

“The hunt will end soon anyway.”

After sucking on the candy for a while, Elisa seemed to remember something and asked Richard, “But why are you here instead of hunting?”

“No one cares about my hunting skills anyway.”

No one doubted the hunting skills of a man who had defeated thousands, tens of thousands, on the battlefield. Elisa looked at Richard with a half-closed gaze, noting that he had shirked his duty, but said nothing.

‘In this situation, I should probably thank him.’

Just as she was about to express her gratitude, an unwelcome voice came from behind.

“I wondered where you had gone instead of hunting, and here you are, clinging to your wife’s skirts like an idiot.”

After Richard left the hunt, Christian, having lost interest, had just returned from his own hunt. He approached with a swagger, flanked by two noble young men of similar age who always followed him.

The look in Richard’s eyes as he faced Christian was completely different from when he looked at Elisa. He held Elisa protectively and glared at Christian with deadly eyes.

When facing Christian alone, Richard usually ignored him as if he were insignificant, but now his face was tense and guarded.

Because of the small woman in his arms.

Seeing this, Christian smirked, pleased by Richard’s reaction, and wanted to provoke him further.

“Our dear Duke has always been henpecked, even as a child, hasn’t he?”

“……”

“And I hear you didn’t even spend your wedding night together.”

“……”

“No matter what, you have to fulfill your duties as a man. Otherwise, how will you satisfy your wife?”

“If you didn’t even spend the wedding night together, isn’t the marriage easily voidable at any time?”

Christian’s mocking remarks were met with coarse laughter from the young noblemen. As Richard glared at them coldly, a gust of wind seemed to gather around him.

Elisa was the first to respond, her voice exaggerated.

“Oh my, our baby would be so disappointed to hear such words.”

“…Baby?”

Christian asked, not understanding, and Elisa, pulling Richard’s hand to her lower abdomen, spoke shyly.

“I’m embarrassed to announce this, but a blessing came from our passionate wedding night. Won’t you congratulate us?”

Elisa put a peculiar emphasis on “wedding night.”

‘While you’ve been fooling around with countless women and managed to have just one son, my husband succeeded in one go. Take that!’

Elisa raised her chin arrogantly and stared at Christian.

Finally understanding her words, Christian and the young noblemen gaped, their eyes shifting between Richard and Elisa’s abdomen.

They weren’t the only ones stunned by Elisa’s bold declaration. Richard, too, looked at Elisa, his eyes filled with surprise.

“Haa…”

Richard sighed, burying his face in his hand.

The embarrassment was all his.