This Villain Is Mine Now - Chapter 38

Two days later, a young man stood at the entrance of the Redwood estate, taking a deep breath. Nathan Hennet, his hands trembling slightly, reached out and knocked on the door.

His once unruly hair was now neatly combed back with pomade, and instead of his usual worn-out lab coat, he wore a suit that felt strangely foreign on him. Just a few days earlier, a package from Salon Marbella had been delivered to the academy’s tower. Though the sender’s name was absent, Nathan could easily guess it had come from the lady who had glared at him with fierce eyes.

There’s a saying that gossip travels fastest and farthest without legs. True to that, news of the marriage proposals surrounding Diane Redwood had reached Nathan as well. It seemed oddly coincidental that this uproar had happened right before he could propose to Diane himself, but despite his nerves, Nathan had finally mustered the courage to visit the Redwood estate.

“Whew.”

As he took another deep breath, the door opened with a click.

“So, you’ve come to propose to my daughter?”

The Marquis greeted Nathan with unexpected enthusiasm. Nathan, who had feared that he might be turned away at the door, found himself bewildered by the warm reception.

“Yes, sir, that’s correct.”

“And which family do you come from?” The Marquis’s eyes gleamed with a hint of expectation, causing Nathan to feel a bit deflated, but he answered resolutely.

“The Hennet Viscountcy.”

“Hmm. I don’t recall hearing that name. You’re not from the capital, are you?”

“No, we’re from the outskirts.”

“I see! The Hennet Viscountcy from the outskirts! Ha!” The Marquis laughed heartily, slapping the armrest of the sofa, his delight unmistakable. Why was he so pleased to hear Nathan wasn’t from the capital?

After a brief bout of laughter, the Marquis twirled his mustache, studying the young man before him with evident satisfaction. How fortuitous that someone like Nathan had come at such a convenient time.

“I believe you mentioned you’re a botanist?”

“Yes, that’s correct,” Nathan replied, trying his best to present himself confidently. He explained that with some research successes, he might secure a position as an Academy professor in a few years.

The Marquis nodded as if considering the prospects.

In truth, the Marquis couldn’t care less whether Nathan Hennet became a professor or not. A small, rural noble family like the Hennet’s held no interest for him, and the professor position—a title of honor with little power or wealth—was even less appealing. Normally, someone like Nathan wouldn’t warrant a personal meeting with the Marquis. But as a potential husband for Diane, the situation was different.

The Marquis’s eyes swept over Nathan, assessing him. The young man’s skin, pale and dry from spending too much time in the tower, hinted at less-than-ideal health. Nathan’s demeanor was meek, and the Marquis took note.

“So, you’ve come to propose to my daughter. How much do you expect for the dowry?” The Marquis inquired, testing the waters.

He didn’t expect a family as modest as the Hennets to demand a large dowry, but given the number of scoundrels he’d dealt with recently, he couldn’t be sure. Some of them had made outrageous demands despite their humble origins, so he wouldn’t put it past Nathan to do the same.

Nathan looked startled, quickly shaking his head. “A dowry? I’ve never even thought about that.”

The Marquis found Nathan’s innocent response deeply satisfying.

“Never thought about it? Ha! I see you’ve been too engrossed in your studies. How naive of you. Well, then, would you like me to make an offer?”

The Marquis named a sum that was half of what he had previously offered to Lyle Grant. As a father, haggling over his daughter’s marriage was not exactly honorable, but if he could save money, why open his wallet any more than necessary?

Upon hearing the amount, Nathan’s face went pale. He was at a loss for words, and the Marquis inwardly clicked his tongue in disappointment.

‘I had hoped for better from someone from the countryside, but it seems he’s not as financially clueless as I had thought.’

If Nathan decided to reconsider and walk out, it would be a massive loss for the Marquis. If he let this young man slip away, he’d be left with the option of marrying Diane off to one of the families demanding five times the dowry—or worse, dealing with the Bonaparte family, who were particularly insistent.

The Bonapartes, despite being a mere count’s family, held more power and influence than the Marquisate of Redwood, which had only gained prominence in the last decade. The Marquis couldn’t shake the memory of his recent encounter with Franz Bonaparte, Leo’s elder brother, during a meeting of the House of Lords.

“When can we expect a formal response to my brother’s proposal?”

Franz had persistently pressed the Marquis, his tone leaving no room for ambiguity. Leo Bonaparte had demanded a dowry ten times the original offer, the highest of all the suitors. Refusing them could mean making an enemy of the powerful Bonapartes, leaving the Marquis trapped in a precarious situation.

But now, Nathan was here—a timely opportunity that the Marquis couldn’t afford to lose over a mere pittance. With his mind racing, the Marquis decided to switch tactics, softening his tone to keep Nathan on the hook.

“You must think my offer was too low,” the Marquis began, almost coaxing. “Of course, I wasn’t entirely serious. I was merely testing what kind of man was asking for my daughter’s hand. After all, even in the countryside, expenses are not trivial. How about we make it double the original offer?”

Once again, Nathan hesitated, his lips moving before he finally responded, “I don’t require a dowry. The honor of Lady Diane marrying me is more than enough.”

Nathan’s words were sincere. The thought of having Diane as his wife, something he had never even dared to dream of, made everything else insignificant.

But the Marquis, always calculating, didn’t take Nathan’s words at face value. To him, it sounded like Nathan was implying that such a small amount of money was beneath him.

The smile on the Marquis’s face crumpled as he barked, “Fine! Triple it, but no more.”

“But that’s not— I think there’s been some misunderstanding,” Nathan stammered, trying to clarify.

“Aren’t you here to propose?”

“Yes, I am, but—”

Nathan nodded, still bewildered by the situation. If Elaina had been watching, she would have likely been frustrated by his indecision, but to the Marquis, Nathan’s behavior seemed cunning, like a snake playing a sly game.

‘This young man is shrewd,’ the Marquis thought. He’s no ordinary negotiator.

While Nathan appeared unfazed, the Marquis felt the pressure mounting, knowing that he couldn’t afford to let this chance slip away.

With a desperate look, the Marquis watched Nathan, his nerves getting the best of him. Finally, he closed his eyes and sighed, making a final offer.

“Alright, fine. You’re quite the negotiator for someone so young. I’ll also ensure Diane has access to funds of her own. Now, give me an answer. Are you here to negotiate or to propose?”

Nathan, anxious about how each attempt to clarify only seemed to increase the dowry, hesitated again.

“Alright,” Nathan finally said, unable to do anything else. “But as for the dowry…”

“Leave that to our family to decide. Are you proposing or not? Just answer me!” The Marquis’s outburst left Nathan with only one option.

***

The social circles, usually dormant during the off-season, suddenly ignited with fervor, and the center of this excitement was none other than Diane Redwood.

Diane had always been a quiet lady, rarely participating in social events. Yet, as the new social season approached, it was clear to everyone that Diane would be the star. The rumors of her broken engagement with Archduke Grant, due to Lady Winchester, were still fresh when another wave of intrigue swept through: a slew of noble young men from prominent families had descended upon the Redwood estate to propose to her.

Everyone was abuzz with speculation about which family the Marquis and Marchioness would choose. Each suitor came from a distinguished background, so no matter whom they selected, it would be seen as a respectable match.

The Marquis and Marchioness were met with admiration wherever they went, though there was also considerable interest in how the rejected noble families would react. Many speculated that these slighted families would not take the rejection lightly.

But the most surprising twist came at the end. The Marquis and Marchioness ultimately chose not a noble from the capital, but Nathan Hennet, the second son of a viscount family that governed a small rural estate.

“For the sake of our daughter’s happiness, it was a difficult but necessary decision.”

The Marchioness claimed that Diane’s quiet and introverted nature wasn’t suited for the demanding role of a grand noble family’s mistress. She emphasized that they had chosen a partner based on who would bring Diane the most happiness, not on the size or influence of the family.

The social circles praised the decision as an act of great love and sacrifice. Many admired the Marquis and Marchioness for putting their daughter’s happiness above all else, even if it meant forgoing a more advantageous match.

Those familiar with Nathan Hennet commended the Marquis’s excellent judgment, noting how well Diane and Nathan suited each other. They spoke of how their similarly gentle and reserved natures promised a harmonious and loving marriage.

“Indeed, it was a necessary decision,” the Marquis boasted, often with a drink in hand. “It is difficult to see a daughter, raised with such care, move away, but if Diane’s happiness lies outside the capital, then we must let her go.”

The decision to overlook an Archduke and numerous other esteemed noble families to settle on a humble botanist from a modest viscount family had taken the social world by storm.