Chapter 100
Peaceful days continued.
Days when nothing happened, so ordinary, yet so incredibly happy.
…However, even during such times, there were a few changes.
[Instead of tax reduction, they’re granting a tax exemption.]
[His Majesty the Emperor? Why suddenly?]
[Because you provided significant help in dealing with the traitors.]
Thus, Seriniel’s mine resumed operations. Not only was her mine certified as very safe, but with Belles and his gang executed, there was no one to invest the additional funds needed.
Lexion covered the huge amount alone.
And before long, magic stones began to be mined from the mine.
With the Emperor granting a tax exemption, Seriniel saw unimaginable profits.
However, he seemed indifferent to this successful outcome.
[The profits from the mine are all yours. I don’t need my share.]
[But you covered all the new investment costs…]
[No, you’re enough for me.]
Lexion was so adamant that Seriniel couldn’t argue further.
Instead, she bought land.
Land that had no particular value or meaning, and thus no one was interested in it.
It was the swampy area where Royden had thrown Lexion’s mother.
The land, including the swamp, was owned by a poor noble who, though a bit taken aback by the large sum Seriniel offered, quickly accepted her proposal.
And Seriniel, with Kina, went to the swamp.
[Ma’am, why did you buy so many seeds?]
Kina seemed a bit bewildered.
And rightly so, because Seriniel had bought an enormous amount of seeds. It was already strange enough, but bringing them to the swamp made it even more perplexing.
[They’re lotus seeds.]
[Lotus seeds…?]
[They’re flowers that grow even in swamps.]
[……]
[I’ve already found a very skilled gardener. According to him, they can grow here without any issues.]
The swamp was too deep to be dredged.
So not only Lexion’s mother but anyone else who had fallen into the swamp had never had their bodies found.
This was the solution she had come up with.
…When the lotuses bloom beautifully one day.
She planned to bring Lexion there.
To tell him that his mother now rests peacefully, surrounded by fragrant flowers.
So, Seriniel carefully sowed the lotus seeds, honoring his mother sincerely.
Thus, Seriniel spent her days quite busily, but not Lexion.
He seemed determined to stay by Seriniel’s side at all times.
But the Emperor didn’t leave him alone.
[…A commander?]
[Yes, the Supreme Commander of the Empire of Carteia.]
Seriniel knew well. That Lexion had no interest in political strife. Though he had won many victories on the battlefield, it was only because he had no reason to stay in the capital. Now, it was entirely different.
[So… what did you say?]
To be honest, she was worried. No matter how much he was Lexion, he couldn’t easily disobey the Emperor’s orders.
[I said I have something very important to do.]
It seemed that was a mistaken assumption.
[So I have no time at all to take on the position of Supreme Commander.]
[Saying you have something important to do, yet you’ve been following me around all the past few days…]
[That’s correct.]
[…Pardon?]
[What could be more important to me than that?]
Seriniel had no idea how to respond, so she just smiled.
Of course, it seemed unlikely that the Emperor would easily give up on Lexion, but for now, he had sent a reply saying he would respect his wishes.
And both Vain and Kina were very busy with their respective tasks.
Vain had finally started tending to the flower garden, for a simple reason. He could no longer use the excuse that his body hadn’t fully healed with Lexion around.
Lexion frequently visited Vain in the garden, giving unsolicited advice here and there, saying things like, “That’s not the best way to do it.”
Even the usually stoic Vain had said, “If you’re so sure, why don’t you do it yourself?” But Lexion completely ignored him.
But everyone knew. Lexion’s behavior wasn’t meant to torment Vain but was rather a sign of his affection.
And to be honest, Seriniel and Kina enjoyed watching the two bicker like that, so they had no intention of intervening.
In any case, Lexion and Seriniel were having incredibly enjoyable days.
Their everyday life was more fun and happy because they were together.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
She intended to take a short rest but seemed to have dozed off again.
“…”
When Seriniel opened her eyes, still groggy, she instinctively looked toward the window. Behind the gently fluttering curtains, she saw the round moon and the dark night sky.
“Fell asleep again…”
Seriniel murmured as she rubbed her eyes.
Lately, Seriniel had been sleeping more than usual.
She was usually not a late sleeper, nor did she enjoy naps, but now she did. She thought she might be overexerting herself lately, so she tried getting enough rest, but nothing changed.
She wasn’t sick, though. What’s wrong? Can someone’s sleep pattern change suddenly like this?
As Seriniel pondered this to herself.
“I didn’t wake you because you were sleeping so soundly.”
She turned at the sudden voice and saw Lexion holding a wooden tray.
“I thought you’d wake up around now, so I brought this.”
On the tray were light snacks like sweet bread made by Kina and fresh fruit.
“I think we should call a doctor, Seriniel.”
Lexion had been trying to call a doctor, but Seriniel had been stopping him because she genuinely wasn’t in any pain.
But seeing her sleep more and more made him anxious. It was a very natural worry for Lexion.
“I’m really not in any pain… but it might be good to get a checkup, I suppose?”
“Yes. Please.”
With him pleading like that, she couldn’t stop him anymore. Seriniel nodded in agreement, and Lexion placed the tray in front of her.
“…”
Lexion’s gaze was warm as he watched Seriniel eat the tart fruit. He watched her for a long time, then gently patted her head.
“What did you do while I was sleeping?”
Seriniel asked, looking up at him.
“Weren’t you bored?”
“I just waited.”
“…”
“It’s what I do best.”
Lexion smiled softly.
“And I really enjoy waiting for you.”
At those kind words, Seriniel smiled brightly.
“Maybe I’m just a bit tired. I’ll get a checkup, but don’t worry too much.”
“…”
“And… this summer was really hot, right? Maybe that’s why, from exhaustion or maybe from lack of exercise.”
“I agree with everything except that last part.”
“Pardon?”
“For a lack of exercise, didn’t we exercise quite a lot? Every night, together.”
“…”
“Of course, you know I’ve been restraining myself lately. So don’t scold me for being cheeky.”
He has been restraining himself…
Well, he had been quite excessive before.
Lexion was a man with some conscience, after all.
Though it was torture for him.
“Then let’s see how well you restrain yourself today.”
Seriniel teased Lexion.
“I’m definitely waking up early tomorrow. Kina will be very worried and Vain too.”
“My servants may be great liars and very suspicious, but they do have some tact. I doubt they’d worry just because you woke up late.”
“…”
“Of course, I will restrain myself. I didn’t mean I wouldn’t.”
Lexion said seriously.
“…Thank you for the meal.”
Seriniel, having nothing else to say, put down the tray.
Lexion quickly cleared it away and climbed into bed, pulling her close.
“Come here, Seriniel.”
“You just said you’d restrain yourself…”
“I’m going to help you sleep.”
…Can she really trust him this time?
Though she had such thoughts, Seriniel decided to trust Lexion once again.
“…”
Lexion gave Seriniel a pillow, and he silently watched her as she looked up at him.
After some time passed, he spoke softly.
“Sometimes I think it’s unfair.”
“What is?”
“That time you said you’d love me more than I love you.”
[From now on, I will love you more, just as you loved me even when I didn’t know your heart.]
It was part of their wedding vows.
But why bring that up now?
“I’m falling in love with you anew every day, several times more than before, because you’re so beautiful and so lovely.”
“…”
“So how can it not be unfair?”
Lexion smiled faintly.
“But that’s the same for me.”
“What is?”
“I’m also falling in love with you every day, with Lexion Rosenvester, who’s more adorable and charming than I thought.”
“…”
“So it’s not unfair, but rather fair.”
“Honestly…”
Lexion muttered softly.
“You’re determined to drive me crazy.”
Though he wanted to punch himself for saying he’d restrain himself, Lexion wasn’t the kind of man who would ignore Seriniel’s fragile state.
Instead, he held Seriniel, who was burrowing into his arms, tightly and lovingly.
He then looked at her silently before asking a question he had asked before.
Very cautiously.
“Seriniel Rosenvester.”
“…”
“…Are you happy?”
Seriniel’s answer to that question was already decided.
“Yes.”
“…”
“I’m very happy, to the point of tears.”
“I see…”
Lexion said with a slightly choked voice.
“That’s all that matters.”
For Lexion, there was nothing more important than Seriniel’s happiness, that had been the case in the past, it was true now, and it would be in the future.
So if Seriniel was happy, there was no reason for him not to be.
“I love you, Lexion.”
Seriniel, nestled in his arms, lifted her head slightly and kissed his cheek.
“Not as much as tomorrow.”
“…”
“But I’ll tell you again tomorrow that I love you even more than today.”
Come to think of it, Seriniel always said that before falling asleep that she loved him more today than yesterday.
And tomorrow, she’d give another confession, and the day after that, another.
Yes, it’s a very happy life.
For me too.
Lexion thought to himself.
“I love you, Seriniel.”
Lexion said, patting her back as he held her.
“Sleep well.”
“…”
“See you in our dreams.”
Seriniel didn’t respond, only smiled quietly. And soon, she closed her eyes and thought.
How very happy she was.
So she had no regrets.
And she wouldn’t in the future.
She sincerely hoped that peaceful and radiant days like today would continue safely.
Though she would soon receive unexpected news about a new family member, for now, Seriniel fell asleep in Lexion’s arms.
Very peacefully and comfortably.
Thus, another tender day came to an end.
No Need For Regrets – The End (Main Story)
Beautiful story ❤️