Chapter 15
Paul’s visit came the very next day.
“You must have been busy lately, milady,” Paul greeted Seriniel politely, flashing a smile her way.
Meanwhile, behind Paul, men carrying large loads were entering the mansion.
“It seems they arrived much earlier than the agreed deadline. I hope I didn’t impose unnecessarily,” Seriniel remarked.
“It was necessary,” Paul shrugged.
“But why? Lexion insisted on paying extra.”
“What?”
“Whether you’re aware or not, Lexion’s influence in the market is significant. One reason for that is because he ensures generous compensation like this every time,” Paul explained.
Seriniel’s expression showed surprise, but Paul seemed unfazed.
After ensuring that the goods were being transported properly, Paul slowly surveyed the surroundings, as if looking for someone else.
“Do you have something to tell me?”
“I have nothing to say, but there’s something I must convey,” Paul replied.
Once all the carriers entered the mansion with the items, Paul finally took something out from his embrace and handed it over.
It was a tightly rolled paper.
“After seeing it, burn it,” Paul instructed.
“What is this…?”
“Lexion wanted you to have it,” Paul mentioned Lexion’s name one after another, causing Seriniel to pause slightly.
What could it be that he sent?
He probably wants to make me say things that are not easy to understand.
But Paul’s following words were somewhat unexpected.
“He said that if you examine it carefully, you will find the answer.”
“The answer?”
“You will know what to do in the future, and what choices to make,” Paul continued.
“And he said there is only one answer.”
With that, I will take my leave now.
As if he had finished his business, Paul greeted Seriniel once again before turning away. As Seriniel watched his retreating figure alone in front of the mansion, she carefully tucked the rolled paper into her dress.
—
The night grew deeper.
In the dark bedroom, Seriniel, sitting on the edge of the bed, had been staring at one place since earlier.
It was the paper Lexion had asked to be delivered.
Seriniel’s face was filled with suspicion as she examined the contents of the paper.
“A list of… nobles…”
That’s exactly what it was. The paper was filled with names of nobles.
They had something in common.
First, they were all renowned wealthy families in the Empire, albeit with minor differences in size. And, all of them… were close to the Belles family.
But she had never heard such stories. From both Callian and Belles.
Something was off.
The paper in Seriniel’s hand crumpled unpleasantly.
…It couldn’t be a simple list.
Lexion Rosenvester probably figured out what I was looking for.
He seemed to have quickly understood my situation even without any explanation.
But how could Lexion get his hands on something like this?
Why, and why now?
“Perhaps my expectations…”
Seriniel murmured absentmindedly.
“It might just fit…”
A bitter laugh escaped Seriniel’s slightly parted lips.
Indeed, instead of going to war, he was sent on a mission by the Emperor. To eliminate troublesome nobles.
Perhaps Lexion had more conclusive evidence. But the reason he didn’t even pass it on to Seriniel…
“I am the only one who can neatly dispose of all those who put you in danger,” Paul had said.
If you examine this carefully, you will know what to do.
…And he said there’s only one answer.
“Shall I help? Yes, I can do that.”
I knew it wasn’t a favor.
But I didn’t know it was such a strong suggestion.
In the end, Lexion Rosenvester probably didn’t mean to say that Seriniel needed his help to get out of danger.
…But why?
To me, Lexion Rosenvester might be a necessary person, but to Lexion, my existence would be completely different.
Although he seemed to have everything, to me, there was nothing I could offer to him.
But why would he go this far with me…
As the fundamental question circled around again and again.
From beyond the door, there came a dull thudding sound, as if something had collided.
“…”
Seriniel hastily hid the paper she was holding inside her undergarments.
And just as she was about to raise her head again… the closed door swung open with a loud noise.
Seriniel’s face froze coldly as she confirmed the identity of the person who entered the bedroom.
“Serri.”
With a thud, Callian closed the door loudly, then began to stagger towards the bed.
A strong smell of alcohol emanated from Callian’s breath as he approached, almost reaching Seriniel’s face.
“…”
Without saying a word, Seriniel stared at Callian as if she were glaring at him.
Callian’s drunken visits like this had happened before.
There were days when he, a lowly noble, returned home with a strong smell of alcohol after spending time with nobles who had a stronger influence.
It may have seemed like spending time well, but upon closer inspection, it was probably just a request to ‘take good care of me.’
…There were times when Callian seemed pitiful and pathetic.
He probably thought he was just struggling to feed us, the baby to be born to us someday, and me, who had nowhere else to rely on.
But not anymore.
“Did you wait for me? Serri.”
A hot breath was sprayed on her face, and Seriniel reflexively distorted her expression.
“You’re drunk.”
Seriniel turned her head away, trying not to show her expression to him. Then, in a heavy voice, she spoke.
“Stop it and rest. We have an inspection tomorrow, remember?”
To think that such blatant lies could be helpful in this situation. It felt like a sense of disillusionment was creeping in.
“Rest.”
With a brief word, Seriniel got up from the bed.
But before she could fully stand up, Seriniel swayed heavily. It was because of Callian, who grabbed her wrist.
“…”
As Callian’s hand grabbed her wrist, Seriniel’s face turned pale.
“Why, Serri. So cold.”
Callian, who had suddenly climbed onto Seriniel’s body, laughed grotesquely with a disgusting smell of alcohol emanating from him.
“…”
Seriniel didn’t say anything in response.
“But I couldn’t help it, you know. I’ve been busy, and my mind has been occupied…”
Is that so?
Callian laughed like a madman.
“I’ll pay more attention from now on. So don’t be angry.”
Callian’s touch on Seriniel’s shoulder made her body tremble as if insects were crawling over her.
“Just stay still…”
“What?”
“After all, you can’t do anything.”
A hot, foul-smelling breath reached Seriniel’s chest.
Seriniel pushed Callian away with all her might, instinctively. It was a difference in physique that wouldn’t have flinched under normal circumstances, but perhaps because of alcohol, Callian staggered heavily.
Even as he collapsed on the bed, Callian couldn’t regain consciousness. For Seriniel, it was rather fortunate.
“…”
Seriniel’s trembling hand clenched tightly. She glared at her sleeping husband with eyes full of anger, then calmed her rough breath.
And she thought.
There is one thing left that I don’t know about.
Something that Callian had hidden from even Leraie.
“Ugh…”
Even as she thought, the pungent smell of alcohol continued to waft from Callian’s lips, which were barely open.
Seriniel, who was enduring the stench, suddenly realized something she had never considered before.
Leaving the sleeping Callian behind, Seriniel, who had realized something, rushed out of the bedroom with determination.
