This Villain Is Mine Now - Chapter 10

Today was undoubtedly a very happy day for Diane. It was the day she would meet Elaina, whom she hadn’t seen for a while since the end of the social season.

When a letter from Elaina arrived, the Marchioness was reluctant but worried that if Diane didn’t respond to the invitation, it might cause unnecessary trouble. In the end, with a displeased expression, she reluctantly permitted Diane to go out.

“I don’t know what whim seized Lady Winchester, but it probably won’t last long. Even if she took an interest in someone like you, it’ll soon fade,” the Marchioness said with a sigh.

Despite the Marchinoess’s warning to behave properly until then, Diane was just happy.

Early in the morning, when her father called her, Diane thought he would say something similar to the Marchioness. She even hoped he might give her some money to buy a suitable gift.

But when she arrived at her father’s study, what awaited her was a completely unexpected bolt from the blue.

“Tomorrow, the Archduke of Grant will visit our house. From today, you’ll leave the annex and live in the main house. Your mother has already agreed to give up her room for you, so you can use that,” the Marquis stated firmly.

What does the Archduke’s visit have to do with changing my room? And living properly in the house? Diane wondered, confused.

Unable to understand her father’s words, Diane blinked. The Marquis Redwood, irritated by his daughter’s dull reaction, scolded her in a harsh tone.

“How can you be so stupid that you can’t even ensnare a man properly! Really, you seem to have no use other than your appearance,” he snapped.

Diane shrank at her father’s outburst, not knowing what she had done wrong.

“If you had been properly gossiped about with the Archduke during the social season as planned, this wouldn’t be so troublesome. The Archduke of Grant is coming to propose to you tomorrow.”

Propose?

For a moment, Diane thought she had heard something wrong.

“Propose, Father? What do you mean…?” she asked, bewildered.

“Do you not even know the word ‘propose’? Your marriage with the Archduke of Grant has been decided. When the weather clears, a suitable date will be set…” The Marquis couldn’t finish his sentence.

Diane, who had turned pale as if she would faint, screamed, “Father! Marriage? Me, with the Archduke? Such a thing could never happen.”

That can’t be! I suspect Elaina has feelings for the Archduke. I can’t possibly steal the man my friend likes!

For the first time in her life, Diane defied her father. But what she got in return was a sharp slap, the sting of pain on her cheek.

“Useless girl! Don’t you dare speak such nonsense. Lady Winchester is already causing enough trouble! The Archduke of Grant and Elaina Winchester? You have no idea how troublesome it would be if that cunning Archduke tries to align with the Winchester family,” her father yelled.

“Father…” Diane whimpered.

“Stop talking and start using the new room today. The Archduke knows you’re the daughter of a maid. Damn it. The butler who managed the Archduke’s household back then is still around. The old man, with his sharp memory, decided to keep loyalty to a fallen family. There are so many irritating things happening, don’t add to them. Go back,” the Marquis ordered.

Lyle Grant had pried and discovered Diane’s origins. Because of that, the amount of dowry the Marquis had to prepare had increased significantly, putting him in a foul mood.

“Father…” Diane began again.

“Do you still think you haven’t been hit enough? Do you need to be slapped on the other cheek too?” her father threatened.

Tears welled up in Diane’s eyes and fell as she turned to leave. The Marquis’s voice followed her, ordering her not to even think about leaving the house for three days and to wait quietly for the Archduke’s proposal, keeping herself tidy.

As the commotion in the study grew louder, several maids peeked in, curious about what was happening. When they saw Diane emerging with a reddened cheek, the servants quickly understood the situation. Without bothering to hide it, the maids began to mock her.

“She must think she’s a real noble lady, being the daughter of a maid,” one maid sneered.

“Daring to defy the Marquis? She’s lucky all she got was a slap,” another maid added.

“Just wait until the Marchioness finds out. She’ll be scolded again for sure.”

“And then she’ll cry like that again,” a third maid said, chuckling.

“All she knows how to do is cry,” another voice whispered.

Their whispered words pierced Diane deeply. She returned to her room in tears. In such a state, she couldn’t possibly go to meet Elaina.

Diane knew the truth. The day Elaina had first spoken to her, she hadn’t really been interested in her; it was Lyle Grant who had caught her eye. Since then, the two had met at every social event, talking and dancing. Many men wanted to dance with Elaina, and they looked at Lyle with envy.

Because the Marchioness had warned her not to dance with men lest her reputation suffer and her value on the marriage market decrease, Diane could only stand and watch the two of them.

Elaina Winchester, with her fair skin, vibrant pink hair, and shining golden eyes, was as elegant as a deer. Lyle Grant, with his tan skin, large build, black hair, and ruby-red eyes, had a wild and intimidating presence. Though they were a stark contrast, they looked perfectly matched, like a painting.

Even the Archduke himself probably didn’t realize how different his expressions were when he was alone and when he was with Elaina. Only Elaina could make his face relax and smile. But whenever his eyes met Diane’s, his face turned cold.

‘How could I become the wife of such a man?’ Diane thought. She couldn’t bear the idea of marrying the man Elaina loved.

Back in her room, Diane burst into tears. She locked herself in and ignored the maids sent to move her belongings. They tugged at the doorknob in frustration but eventually left empty-handed.

She cried all morning. When she finally composed herself and looked at the clock, the time specified on Elaina’s invitation had long passed. Not wanting to upset Elaina, Diane wrote a letter. Unable to share the conversation with her father, she resorted to a feeble excuse about being ill.

Although Diane had been filled with anticipation for a happy day that morning, as she handed the letter to a maid, her eyes were dull and lifeless. She curled up on her bed, hugging her knees.

‘Would it have been easier to endure this if I hadn’t known Elaina?’ she wondered.

Elaina, despite her possible denial, was the first friend Diane had ever made. Diane admired Elaina, who was different from her in every way. Elaina’s eyes sparkled like stars, and she carried herself with such confidence. Diane wished she could be more like her, even if she could never match her completely.

But reality was harsh. She couldn’t even confess her feelings for the man she liked; instead, she was forced to marry the man her father had chosen.

“I don’t know what whim seized Lady Winchester, but it probably won’t last long. Even if she took an interest in someone like you, it’ll soon fade.”

The Marchioness was right. Even kind Elaina would surely lose her affection if she learned the truth. It was only natural for her to be disappointed and distance herself.

However, as soon as Diane met Elaina’s eyes, tears she thought had dried up began to flow like a waterfall. Ever since she was a child, everyone in the house had been disgusted when she cried and told her she looked ugly. She tried to hold back her tears in front of others, but she couldn’t.

“I’m sorry, Elaina,” Diane sobbed. “I’m so sorry. I should stop, but the tears won’t stop.”

As she cried bitterly, Diane apologized repeatedly to Elaina. Watching her, Elaina bit her lip hard.