This Villain Is Mine Now - Chapter 135

From early morning, everyone in the mansion had been bustling about to prepare for the guests. It felt more like a festival than a wedding.

The Deftia villa. The doors of the newly renovated villa opened brightly. Though the wedding was today, important guests had already arrived days earlier and were thoroughly enjoying the joyous occasion.

“Elaina, you’re so beautiful.”

Diane, now visibly showing her pregnancy even beneath her dress, called out to Elaina with teary eyes. Just as she said, Elaina was truly beautiful.

“It’s not even my first wedding.”

“But it’s my first time seeing it. You really are beautiful. Truly.”

The strapless dress created a very simple silhouette. Frills adorned the chest, and the ribbons on the arms were loosely tied.

Yet, as expected from Madam Marbella’s work, the understated embellishments perfectly highlighted Elaina’s charm—her delicate shoulders, her long, fair neck like that of a deer, and the slender arms that dropped at a right angle from her shoulders.

Beneath the sheer veil, her soft pink hair cascaded down. Just like the dress, the accessories were minimal. A single pearl pin in her hair and a double-strand pearl necklace were all she wore.

The bouquet was made of large white roses. Diane, recognizing the flowers, smiled with tear-filled eyes.

“So this is the bouquet.”

“Ugh. Madam Marbella was so stubborn about it.”

Elaina had requested something as light as possible, so Madam Marbella had reluctantly removed nearly all embellishments from the dress, holding back tears.

Her original sketch had been so extravagant that, if made, it might have been expensive enough to feed the people of the North for a whole year.

The bouquet was the only thing Madam Marbella insisted on keeping, so Elaina had no choice but to concede.

“The flower’s meaning is lovely. I like it too.”

Diane smiled softly. According to what Elaina had written in her letter, the meaning of the white rose was:

“Wishing for a new beginning.”

Elaina’s face flushed pink at Diane’s playful remark.

In the end, it had been the flower’s meaning that convinced her.

“Darling, the ceremony’s starting soon. Come out quickly.”

Nathan, who had come to fetch Diane, entered the room with his eyes closed to avoid seeing Elaina. It was because he didn’t want to be the first man to see the bride. His overly earnest gesture made Elaina laugh out loud.

The wedding was filled with joy.

It was a private ceremony attended only by the Grant knights and their closest circle. Though modest in form, they feasted and celebrated for days.

Deftia, known as a resort town for nobles, had weather so warm that even in late winter it felt like spring. The trees and vines were already lush and green, and everyone dressed lightly.

Marion played the wedding march on a piano set up outdoors. Though she missed a few notes on the clunky piano, each time the guests responded with applause. Everyone knew just how hard she had practiced since arriving at the villa.

Knox sang the congratulatory song. His academy friends, standing with Marion, joined in chorus. The children’s singing sounded like a chorus of angels.

As she entered the venue arm-in-arm with Lyle, Elaina thought the place resembled the cookie tin she had once gifted Knox long ago.

A box filled only with her favorite cookies—just like this place, filled with only the people she loved most.

Leo and Diane, Kyst and Drane, Colin, the Grant knights. The path she walked, receiving their heartfelt blessings, ended with her mother and father smiling at her.

‘You look absolutely perfect.’

The Duke of Winchester subtly gave her a thumbs-up with mouthed words. Elaina responded with a smile.

There was no formal pronouncement. Lyle and Elaina simply exchanged the same wedding rings they had given each other a year ago in front of those dearest to them, and sealed it with a kiss. That was the end of the ceremony.

***

Everyone had gone down to the beach. The villa, so noisy just moments ago, now felt empty. Only Elaina and Lyle remained, having stayed behind to change clothes.

“Before we change, shall we take a quick walk?”

The weather was beautiful. At Elaina’s suggestion, Lyle silently came to her side. Sensitive to heat, Lyle had already tossed his jacket somewhere and unbuttoned his tie and shirt halfway down.

“Looks like Knox really enjoyed it.”

“Yeah.”

“He said he wanted to come to the Deftia villa with us. I kept that promise.”

Elaina looked back at Lyle with a proud expression. Lyle smiled and nodded.

“I’ve been thinking… It’s a bit of a shame we didn’t have a declaration of marriage.”

“Should we have invited a priest?”

“No, not necessarily.”

They strolled leisurely through the villa until they reached a staircase. As Elaina descended, she turned and tugged the end of Lyle’s tie. Like a tamed beast led by a leash, Lyle leaned in toward her slowly.

Their faces were close enough to hear each other’s breath. A scent drifted from Lyle—the cool and warm fragrance of dried wood in winter.

“Remember? What happened at the ball before we came to the villa? I was wondering if I should’ve said it clearly in front of everyone.”

Lyle frowned slightly, as if he had no idea what she was referring to. Elaina glared at him with mild frustration.

“Gabby Bearcrat. That woman was all over you.”

“Who?”

“The red-haired woman with the good figure. You don’t remember?”

“No. Was there someone like that?”

“She asked you to dance.”

The memory still irritated her—her lips pouted involuntarily.

“There were plenty of women asking me to dance that day.”

“That’s exactly the problem! What is wrong with them? Hitting on someone else’s husband!”

Elaina grumbled, clearly still upset. Since they hadn’t formally registered the marriage before the ceremony, odd rumors had started circulating.

Apparently, many women thought they still had a chance with Lyle. Just remembering it made her blood boil.

“Next time, I’ll make it perfectly clear.”

“Say what?”

“That this villain is mine now.”

At the word “villain,” Lyle let out a soft chuckle. It had been a long time since he’d heard that word.

He kissed Elaina gently. Like a bird pecking with its beak, the brief kiss left a smile on his lips.

“You’d better say it. If not, I’ll be the one saying it everywhere.”

“Say what?”

“That this villain is yours.”

They burst into laughter together.

“Are you sure no one’s around?”

“Yeah.”

“Not even Kyst?”

“Drane’s not nearby, so he won’t be either.”

Despite Lyle’s reassurance, Elaina glanced around suspiciously, like a child about to pull a prank.

Lyle simply waited.

After confirming that no one was nearby, Elaina whispered into Lyle’s ear, “That wasn’t enough. How about a little more?”

She tapped her lips playfully. Without hesitation, Lyle swept her into his arms. Carrying her into the shadows, he remained silent. Nestled against him, Elaina burst into laughter.

***

“Sarah.”

“Yes, young master.”

That evening, after all the guests had left, Knox wandered the dining hall, unable to sleep. Sarah, who had been tidying up, brought him a warm glass of milk.

“Is it true that if I don’t go upstairs today, I’ll get a niece or nephew?”

At Knox’s question, Sarah’s hands froze.

“…Who told you that?”

“Colin.”

That crazy man. Sarah cursed silently, appalled that he would say something so outrageous to a child.

“Sarah, is it really true?”

Though Knox often acted mature beyond his years, sometimes he was still just a child. Looking at him fondly, Sarah gave a small nod.

“It might be, or it might not. But if you stay downstairs, the chances might go up a little.”

Knox’s face lit up. The Deftia villa—where his brother had spent time with their grandfather as a child—held special meaning for him.

“Do you want a niece or nephew?”

“Huh? Of course! They’ll be the cutest in the world.”

“I think so too. Then shall we pray?”

“Pray?”

“Yes. Let’s ask that tonight, you’ll get a niece or nephew.”

Knox paused mid-sip, then put his hands together and closed his eyes. With a ring of milk around his mouth, he prayed earnestly.

Beside him, Sarah also closed her eyes.

Behind them, through the large window, a shooting star streaked across the sky.

<The End>