Chapter 17
Lexion stayed by Seriniel’s side.
As promised, without probing any further. Just quietly.
As the night passed, and the dawn approached, the intense despair and helplessness that felt like it could swallow her whole, perhaps from facing the cold sea breeze for so long, gradually faded away. As if the darkness were receding.
“[I’ll take you back.]”
When Seriniel got up from her seat, Lexion stood up as well and said so.
Not long ago, such kindness would have been unbearable. Perhaps even just yesterday. Wondering why he was showing her such kindness, she might have refused Lexion’s words with suspicion. But Seriniel didn’t.
It was because Lexion had comforted her with words she had never expected him to say, and because he had silently watched over her all night.
She was grateful for Lexion.
It was ironic.
Even though she had never hesitated to give everything, even though she had considered Calian and Leraie, whom she had trusted without a doubt, her closest companions for life, she found comfort in none other than Lexion Rosenvester.
“[Do you know about that?]”
And as they arrived at the carriage, Lexion looked at Seriniel and said.
“[Unpaid debts are accumulating for me.]”
“[…I haven’t received any help from you yet.]”
“[A mere excuse.]”
“[….]”
“[You’ve paid a hefty price for Paul, but you haven’t given me anything so far.]”
At Lexion’s solemn words, Seriniel burst out laughing in disbelief.
And as Seriniel laughed, Lexion silently watched her.
Feeling a little awkward under his blatantly staring gaze, Seriniel hesitated slightly.
“[Paul must have conveyed my words properly.]”
Suddenly, she remembered the list Paul had brought.
A list of genuine nobles who had invested in the mining business.
Paul had said that if she looked carefully at it, she would find the answer.
She could also find out what she should do next and what choices she should make.
…And there was only one answer.
Seriniel remembered Paul’s words vividly, and it seemed that Lexion also realized that from her expression.
“[Trust me, whether you believe it or not is up to you. But it’s better not to forget. I’m the only one who can cleanly eliminate everything that puts you in danger. Just like I said back then.]”
“[….]”
“[Then wait. Until you directly ask me for help.]”
“[But… Count…]”
And Seriniel asked Lexion.
“[Do you normally show such kindness to other people? Insisting on giving help that hasn’t been requested.]”
“[Would someone who’s a mad killer obsessed with killing do that?]”
Lexion replied with a wry smile.
“[However, there’s always an exception.]”
That was the end. With those words, Lexion turned away. After confirming that Seriniel safely entered the carriage, he left immediately.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
“Madam, where on earth have you been…!”
Kina’s shock was beyond words.
Of course, from Kina’s perspective, it was entirely understandable. Given the situation unfolding before her eyes, she wouldn’t even believe it, let alone discover Calian and Leraie’s affair at once.
Moreover, since Seriniel had left the mansion as it was, it must have been a harrowing night for Kina.
“I really thought something was wrong…”
Kina bit her lip, unable to continue speaking. She didn’t say anything for a moment.
Instead, she quietly shed tears without making a sound.
“….Kina.”
As Seriniel, who had been sitting on the sofa in the study, got up with a bewildered expression, she reached out her hand.
But Kina moved a little faster. Suddenly embracing Seriniel tightly, she spoke with a choked voice.
“I couldn’t understand why you suddenly changed… but… that… that this could be the reason… I never imagined in my wildest dreams…”
Seriniel responded with a bitter smile instead of an answer. There was nothing she could say. She knew all too well how much Kina cared for her.
“Goodness, our Madam… You must have had such a hard time… dealing with this alone…”
“….”
“How much pain must you have been hiding all this time…”
Kina sobbed for a while, then looked at Seriniel with swollen eyes and said,
“The things in the study… I left them as they were. The safe is still in its place.”
“Thank you, Kina.”
“And Master… No, that bastard…”
At the abrupt change in title, Seriniel couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry.
“Maybe he drank too much, but he said he couldn’t remember how he got back to the mansion yesterday.”
Occasionally, after a heavy drinking session, Calian would wake up the next day not remembering anything that had happened the day before. It seemed to be the same this time as well.
She used to worry about his health, but now it was almost a relief.
“When I asked where you were, he said you were up early and bathing. He’s such a reckless person, so I didn’t bother checking.”
Kina’s guess was spot-on. Calian always left for mine early in the morning. It must have been before Seriniel and Lexion arrived at the mansion.
“….Go see Lord Belles, Madam.”
“You’ve returned to the marquisate now. Go and… tell him. He probably won’t stay quiet.”
Seriniel’s thoughts were not much different from Kina’s. The first person she thought of after returning to consciousness was Belles.
But now…
There was something unsettling.
It was partly because of the significant words Lexion had said to her, and partly because of the list of nobles who invested in the mining business.
They were all people associated with Belles.
Belles and Calian had not disclosed that fact to Seriniel in an overtly strange manner.
But even if she didn’t reveal everything like Kina, she could find out something else. Nodding in agreement with Kina’s words, Seriniel said,
“I understand. Prepare for me to go to the marquisate, Kina.”
“Right now? That’s not possible!”
“…Huh?”
“At least have a meal before you go. You’ve been empty-stomached for so long, I can’t stand to see it. Your stomach needs to be filled, especially in times like these.”
As if to protest, Kina sat Seriniel down and hastily left the study.
Tears welled up unexpectedly. Seriniel, who had been lost in her thoughts, smiled silently.
And not long after, she realized. It was also true for her.
…It was all thanks to Duke Lexion.
[The more you feel like you can’t do anything, the more you need to focus on what you can do right now. It’s easy to get swallowed up by helplessness, but it’s hard to get out of it. Especially as time goes on.]
Lexion’s words were true. To avoid defeat by helplessness, she had to move forward.
“….”
Suddenly, the black eyes that had stared at me silently came to mind, and the black hair that fluttered in the sea breeze came to mind.
The next time we meet.
I should properly greet him then.
I’m thankful.
Sitting quietly on the sofa, Seriniel made a silent vow to herself.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
Various emotions were evident on Seriniel’s face as she got off the carriage.
…It had been a long time since she last visited the marquisate.
Of course, from the current standpoint, it had only been half a year since she had left.
However, before she returned to the past, Seriniel, who had started to deteriorate due to the poison, couldn’t step outside the mansion, let alone the marquisate. So, the last time she visited the marquisate felt like an eternity ago, almost like a dream of a past life.
“It’s been a while, Vain.”
Waiting for Seriniel in front of the mansion was Vain, the butler who had worked at the marquisate for a long time.
“Have you been well?”
Although he was a servant, Vain meant as much to Seriniel as Kina did. Vain had been managing this mansion with his parents long before Seriniel was born.
“….It’s been a while indeed, Miss.”
So perhaps that’s why Vain called Seriniel ‘Miss’.
But it wasn’t that she didn’t like it, so Seriniel smiled lightly.
“Lord Belles had an unexpected appointment and left for a while. But he’s on his way back, so you don’t have to wait long.”
“I’ll go in quickly and prepare the tea for Madam. Even though other maids could do it, I wanted to do it myself since you’ve returned after so long…”
Kina entered the mansion trembling with excitement alone, and Seriniel followed her.
“….Miss.”
When Vain’s voice came again, Seriniel turned to look at him reflexively.
…But something was odd.
Vain looked like he had something important to say. It was the first time he looked like that, as he was usually expressionless. So, Seriniel looked at him with a puzzled expression.
“I know what I’m about to say may sound strange. But I hope you’ll listen carefully.”
“What do you mean?”
Just as Vain was about to continue speaking, the sound of a carriage approaching from afar could be heard. It was probably Belles.
Vain quickly turned around, then looked at Seriniel again. Speaking in a very low voice, almost whispering into her ear but with firmness.
“Miss, don’t trust Lord Belles.
