No Need For Regrets

**Chapter 2: The Heir of Verdellet**

Sereniel Verdellet loved Calian Helcar.

With nothing impressive about him, the son of a poor artist, Sereniel had depleted all his assets, and even the honor of the noble title he possessed had fallen into the dust.

Calian Helcar was such an unremarkable man, a poor artist’s son with no remaining assets and the lost prestige of his noble lineage. Despite all this, Sereniel was always sincere in her feelings towards him.

It was inevitable.

The passing of Sereniel’s parents occurred around the age of sixteen. Sereniel was not yet of age, and there were no sons in the same generation. Thus, it was already expected that the Verdellet estate would pass to Sereniel’s cousin Belles, the heir to the Verdellet family.

Everyone thought Sereniel’s life would plummet into ruin overnight.

It was because Sereniel’s father had a strained relationship with his brother, Belles. The Verdellet family had always been friendly with the royal family for generations, but Belles was an exception. He always associated with a group of rebellious nobles and failed to become the head of the family despite being the eldest son.

Surprisingly, at the funeral of her parents, Sereniel’s first encounter with her uncle was… remarkably amicable.
“Now, your only family is me, Sereniel.”

As if to prove the phrase ‘only family,’ Belles did not disparage his only niece.

“I’ll fill in your father’s shoes for you. So don’t worry about anything.”

Sereniel’s life seemed to enter a new phase. In this process, Calian Helcar, who had always been a source of strength for her, played a crucial role.

“I’ll always be by your side, Sereniel.”

First love.

For Sereniel, it was the simplest word that could describe Calian Helcar.

From a young age, Calian, a noble heir, reached out to Sereniel, who had been physically weak and unable to engage in social activities properly. Calian was always there for Sereniel, observing and supporting her, while Sereniel relied on him for many things.

It was only natural for Sereniel to dream of marrying Calian.

“Please allow the marriage with Calian Helcar, Uncle.”

“…Calian Helcar? The son of that insignificant artist?”

Facing Belles, who raised an eyebrow, Sereniel earnestly spoke.

“I don’t need anything. I don’t have any wishes. You don’t have to provide a dowry or anything.”

In marriages, it was customary for the bride’s family to provide a significant dowry. However, Calian’s situation was such that there was no need for a substantial dowry. Everyone knew this fact.

“If you say so, I can’t help it… Are you sure about this?”

“Yes.”

Sereniel’s response was predetermined.

Being kind and innocent, Sereniel had no intention of making any demands on her uncle.

Belles became the head of the Verdellet family, gaining control over many things. However, in return, Belles did his best for Sereniel to fill the void left by her parents.

To him, she didn’t want to add any more burdens.

“My share is enough with that one mine.”

Sereniel inherited only one thing – a mine passed down from her mother.

In any case, Sereniel obtained permission for marriage.

People gathered and gossiped, questioning if it wasn’t like giving away her only niece to a partner who didn’t have to pay a high dowry.

However, Sereniel didn’t believe their words. Belles was a genuinely good person to her, and he was her only family.

After the commotion settled, Sereniel, who became the sole owner of the mine, jointly registered her husband’s name. The mining business began in earnest.

Belles, well-connected and influential, granted Sereniel and Calian tax exemptions. In return, Calian agreed to contribute a certain portion of the profits from the business to Belles.

The business prospered over time, and their married life was peaceful. It seemed to be a life without any problems.

At least that’s what Sereniel thought.

It was the fourth year since their wedding celebration.

Until realizing that she had contracted an inexplicable illness, everything was fine.

No matter which renowned doctor they consulted or what tests they underwent, the result was always the same. The cause and the name of the disease remained elusive. They just spoke the same words.

“I’m sorry, madam… It seems you don’t have much time left. Judging by your condition, you might have, at most, a year.”

A happy future was envisioned.

A future with Calian, raising a child together.

But it all crumbled in an instant.

“It’s all my fault, Seri…”

Calian wept. He cried, he screamed, and he knelt down to apologize. It wasn’t the time for getting worked up about a business or anything like that. He should have been by her side, protecting her.

“I just… I only wanted to provide a better environment for our child to be born someday…”

“It’s okay, Calian. It’s not your fault.”

Calian promised. He vowed to do whatever it took to heal her.

Indeed, he exerted tremendous effort. He tirelessly sought out foods and medicines known to be beneficial for health, and he brought in various doctors. He was so afraid that Sereniel had become so fragile that touching her might cause her to break like a glass doll, that he hesitated to hold her properly.

“What is happening, Seri… Why does it have to be someone as kind as you…”

Sereniel’s only friend, Leraie, also provided her with a great deal of support.

“It’s okay, Seri… I’ll help you along with Master Calian. If you need anything, just tell me. I’ll do anything, even if it means selling my life for you.”

Leraie. She was Sereniel’s unwavering best friend.

They first met at the orphanage where Sereniel’s parents sponsored. While others made unpleasant remarks about the illegitimate daughter of a count mingling with those of unknown status, Sereniel paid no attention to such words.

They were friends then, and they would be friends. That was what Sereniel believed. It was the same when she heard that she had less than a year to live.

But as time passed, Sereniel came to realize that no matter how sincere their efforts were, they couldn’t change the fact that she couldn’t live any longer.

So now, she had to accept death solemnly.

“Ugh….”

Sereniel, lying on the bed, took a short breath.

“Madam, this won’t do. You need to pull yourself together…”

Kina was crying. She firmly held Sereniel’s hand, but the pale hand simply hung weakly.

“Calian… Calian…”

“Master will come soon… He’ll come. So, madam, please…”

Kina’s voice sounded distant, as if in a dream. She struggled to breathe, her vision becoming hazy. She was going to die, probably very soon.

Just a few hours ago, after learning about Sereniel’s deteriorating condition, Calian had rushed out of the mansion, saying he would bring Leraie with him.

No, just stay by my side. Before Sereniel could respond, he quickly left the mansion.

“Cough….”

Several coughs followed, and from between Sereniel’s partially open lips, bright red blood burst forth.

“Madam!”

With Kina’s piercing scream, Sereniel’s lips and pillow were drenched in blood. The sharp fear, terror, and pain began to engulf Sereniel like a tidal wave.

“Calian… Leraie…”

Please… before it’s too late…

Transparent tears welled up in Sereniel’s green eyes.

But she couldn’t endure any longer. Her tiny hand trembled and shook like a wilted flower. Over Sereniel’s pallid face, the shadow of death began to descend vividly and heavily.

Calian… Please…

Sereniel’s blood-stained lips couldn’t even produce a sound, and they weakly quivered.

The moment her eyelids began to droop with no strength left, tears flowing from beneath, down her cheek, Calian burst into the room, flinging the door open.

“Sereniel…?”

From a distance, Calian’s voice reached Sereniel like a dream.

But the poor Sereniel had no strength left to respond to his words.

“Master, Lady… Lady…”

Kina wailed.

“No, Sereniel…!”

Calian rushed urgently towards the bed, making a loud noise. Then, he began to sob softly.

“Kina, you… go outside.”

“Yes…?”

“Please, give Sereniel my final farewell…”

Kina eventually nodded as if understanding. With stolen tears and a staggering gait, she left the room.

“Seri.”

Leraie’s voice, as chilling as frozen ice, faintly settled in Sereniel’s ears.

Still, I’m fortunate.

I can at least hear her voice before I go.

Sereniel was thinking such thoughts when Leraie’s cold voice murmured, “Is she really dead, Seri?”

Standing by the doorway, Leraie muttered with a frozen expression. She observed Sereniel in silence for a moment, as if confirming something.

“Just in case, go and check. Maybe she’s still alive. Calian.”

“Leraie…”

Calian sighed, speaking as he looked down at Sereniel from the side of the bed. There was no sign of her twitching.

“Do we really need to touch her now? The doctor will come to verify the death anyway.”

“Because there’s a chance she might not be dead.”

“I don’t want to touch her. Can’t you see the blood she vomited?”

“…”

“She might be dead from poisoning, and there’s no reason to move her. I don’t want to feel uneasy for no reason.”

“Then go out and call the doctor right away! I don’t want to waste a single minute now, Calian!”

Leraie, irritated, shouted loudly while standing in front of the bed.

“You know it too! How many years I’ve endured!”

“Leraie…”

“At first, yes. Until we completely seized control of the mine, they asked us to wait. It was supposed to take a maximum of 3 years, but it’s already been 5!”

“But you know what kind of person Belles is. It’s not going to be that easy…”

“If I knew it would take this long, I should have poisoned her not only in the carriage but also at every meal. If I had done that, as you said, it would have been over within the promised 3 years! Even that wasn’t enough; I endured for another year…”

“Stop it, Leraie.”

Calian, holding onto his temper, patted Leraie’s back, trying to calm her down.

“It wasn’t a pleasant time for me either. I always thought of you. Living with such a dreadful woman, what joy could there be? It was just repulsive.”

“Sigh…”

“Now there’s nothing to worry about. We can finally live together, just the two of us.”

“…”

“You, me, and our child… the three of us. A real family.”

So stop. Calian appealed.

“I’ll send someone to the mansion right away. Tell the governess and Benny to come… our child’s 7th birthday will be celebrated in this mansion.”

After finishing his words, Calian kissed Leraie on the cheek. Then, hurrying towards the door, he turned back to Leraie and said, “Don’t get close to that woman, Leraie. It’s unsettling.”

The sound of Calian’s footsteps echoed through the mansion as he rushed out. Seri, Sereniel… along with the nauseating voice soaked in tears.

And Leraie, left behind with Sereniel, slowly shifted her gaze towards her.

“Poor Seri…”

Ignoring Calian’s request, Leraie approached Sereniel closely. Bending at the waist, Leraie whispered softly into Sereniel’s ear.

“Have you never suspected? That the tea I send each time is suspicious.”

Maybe, she didn’t know. Leraie sneered.

“Do you know this? I’ve never considered you a friend even once.”

Then she began to reveal the feelings she had kept hidden.

“You always looked down on me, Seri. Since the time in the orphanage, always.”

You might deny it, but I know. I knew! Leraie’s eyes flashed.

“Pretending to be innocent, pretending to care… a disgusting woman.”

Leraie made a disgusted expression.

“But look, Seri. In the end, you had nothing.”

The husband Sereniel loved endlessly, and this mansion too… from today, everything would be hers. Leraie laughed.

“Still, wasn’t it enjoyable all this time? Using what’s mine as if it were yours. So you should be thankful for my generosity even in hell.”

Leraie slowly straightened up. Then, she delivered her final words to Sereniel.

“It’s better to know clearly, Seri. I didn’t kill you. It was your damn innocence and stupidity that did.”

Without any remorse, Leraie turned away and left the silent room.

…Sereniel Verdellet loved Calian Helcar.

More than anyone in the world. With all her heart.

But at the moment of death, Sereniel realized.

He never loved her even once.

And everything she believed in was just an illusion.