No Need For Regrets

Chapter 21

“Hello, Sereniel Verdellet.”

Lexion’s voice as he greeted her was no different from usual. Deep and unwavering.

However, in Sereniel’s eyes as she looked at Lexion, various emotions were evident, unlike before.

“……”

Sereniel remained silent, quietly gazing at Lexion before her. Despite sitting in a chair adorned with jewels, legs crossed, Lexion still exuded an undeniable sense of intimidation.

“Why…”

Sereniel’s pink lips, parched, weakly uttered.

“Why did you… say such things to me? Do you really think your parents… died in an accident?”

Lexion didn’t respond. He simply stared intently at Sereniel.

“You seem to know something.”

“……”

“So you were also there that day, at the cliff.”

“And what if I was?”

Lexion retorted.

“What changes between you and me.”

“……You said you could help me.”

“……”

“Is that still the case now?”

Sereniel’s words made Lexion’s gaze narrow slightly.

Yes, he hadn’t expected this. Sereniel requesting help from him in this manner.

But for some reason, he felt a sense of estrangement. Just a few days ago, it was Sereniel who was sitting at the cliff, lost in thought. Why would she suddenly say such things now?

“You visited the Viscountcy yesterday.”

Sereniel hesitated slightly.

“It seems something happened there.”

“……”

“You are intelligent, so you wouldn’t overtly hint your suspicions to Belles. Of course, that doesn’t mean you returned empty-handed without any gain.”

“……Were you monitoring me?”

“Who knows? Depending on how you phrase it, it might change whether it’s monitoring or a form of protection.”

Lexion didn’t just sit idly by. He had planted people. Specifically, in the Verdellet household.

“And after you left, the steward of the Viscountcy disappeared.”

“……”

“That, too, is one of the reasons you came to find me, isn’t it?”

In the end, Lexion understood how everything was unfolding. He was aware of all the details. Like gathering information by forming close relationships with people like Paul.

Lexion Rosenvester. Known as the God of War and the Assassin. The man who drove his father and stepbrothers out and seized the family mansion, being the son of a concubine.

Apart from the facts that everyone in the world knew, Sereniel…

Didn’t know anything about Lexion. Who he really was. Why he knew everything, why he offered to help her, nothing…

The fact that she trusted the people she knew, who had betrayed her in the cruelest ways, made it almost impossible for her to believe in the man before her.

“Help me.”

…But unfortunately, there was no other way than to take Lexion’s hand.

“Marry me.”

“…What?”

Unexpectedly, Sereniel’s words left Lexion’s face subtly stiffened.

“As the Viscount is well aware, I am being threatened by everyone I know. To survive, I must first leave the Viscountcy.”

“……”

“But no matter what excuse I make, I can’t delay it for long. Right now, Calian won’t consider divorce.”

The reason was simple. It was because of the mine. Despite being named as joint owners, the fact remained that Sereniel was still the sole owner of the mine.

So, Calian wouldn’t consider a divorce as it would be a tough ordeal.

“……”

Lexion didn’t say anything. He remained silent, gazing intently at Sereniel.

Sereniel’s fingers trembled faintly under the sleeves.

It felt like a sudden surge of fear. After all, it was frightening to say such things to a man like him, at this moment.

But there was no other choice.

“So your words are…”

And after a considerable amount of time passed, Lexion slowly parted his lips.

“You’re asking for help to divorce your husband?”

“Yes.”

“But you must know. Belles won’t allow it,” she said.

“……”

“They have a very close relationship. Especially now that Calian Helcar has started the mining business.”

Yes, it was indeed a very close relationship. They had become solid allies, putting my life as their only niece and wife on the line.

“There are significant taxes involved in mining affairs. And Belles, in exchange for helping secure tax exemptions through connections, would take a portion of the business profits.”

“……My goal isn’t just to survive,” Sereniel said, her voice wavering.

“I plan to not only take the mine back from Calian but also to deal with Belles.”

“Deal with them?”

“I intend to entangle them and get rid of them. Of course, it’s something I must handle myself, without causing trouble or burdening the Marquis. I promise.”

“You call him Belles, not the Marquis,” Lexion chuckled.

“You’ve done a foolish thing, Sereniel.”

“……”

“That mine wasn’t originally yours, was it? If you hadn’t transferred the business rights to Calian and put your name on it, things wouldn’t have turned out like this.”

“……That’s why I came to find the Marquis,” Sereniel’s lips quivered.

“If it’s the Marquis, he can easily trample over Belles and Calian’s opposition.”

“……Ha.”

“And if you become the Marquis’s wife, at least a minimum level of safety is guaranteed.”

It was like walking on thin ice. Both in the Viscountcy and in the Marquisate.

As I mentioned earlier, no matter what excuse I give, escaping from the mansion wouldn’t be a perfect solution.

Now Sereniel needed a refuge where her safety could be ensured.

But…

She didn’t demand marriage solely for that reason.

If you truly intend to help me.

If you truly have the heart to give me that level of trust.

I could consider granting this sudden marriage proposal…

Maybe.

It was also a kind of gamble. To see how much help Lexion could offer me.

And if Lexion’s answer was positive…

I might be able to trust him.

Of course, I couldn’t fully trust him, but still…

“But I promise. It won’t be a deal that burdens the Marquis.”

“Is there any benefit for me?”

“Just as Belles has an understanding with Calian, the Marquis and I can also form our own understanding, right?”

“What is it?”

“I’ll give the Marquis a share of the profits from the mining business.”

There had to be some benefit for him. However, it wasn’t to show gratitude to Lexion or to entice him. It was simply to form an understanding.

Just like Belles and Calian had formed theirs as solid as that.

Sereniel now understood. Sometimes, relationships based on gains and losses were tighter than those built on trust and belief.

But Lexion’s reaction wasn’t very favorable.

“Just forming an understanding over that?”

“It’s not just that. No one knows yet, but moonstone will soon be mined at the mine. You know how valuable moonstones are.”

“……”

“If that happens… I believe it will greatly benefit the Marquis.”

Lexion’s handsome eyebrows twitched briefly.

“People’s hearts are prone to change, Marquis Lexion. That’s all it is.”

“……”

“I’m not suggesting we maintain a married relationship for life. Since the Marquis also wants a divorce, so will I. Just for one year. Until I’m prepared enough to drive Calian out of the mining business and deal with Belles…!”

I’m begging you.

Sereniel couldn’t finish her plea.

It was because of Lexion suddenly grasping her chin.

“You don’t understand the basics of a deal.”

“What do you mean…?”

“Instead of boasting about what you can do, you should have first asked what I want.”

It was foolishly naive. Lexion chuckled ominously.

“Like this, Sereniel Verdellet.”

And then he continued.

“I’ll give you whatever you want. Divorce, ensuring that Belles can’t influence you. Anything more than that, too.”

“……”

“Lure me into becoming the main character of a dirty scandal of an adulterous affair, too. If that’s what you want.”

Sereniel’s eyes flickered briefly at Lexion’s question.

What kind of price was he trying to exact with those words?

“But you must give me what I want, too. That’s for sure.”

Lexion slowly reached out his hand.

“I only want two things.”

And then, gently brushing Sereniel’s soft cheek, he quietly whispered.

“One. Completely discard that worthless guy.”

“……Yes?”

“Two. Stay married to me for the rest of your life. Forever.”

Sereniel, not understanding Lexion’s intentions, looked at him in confusion…

And as Lexion slowly lowered his head, he whispered softly into her ear.

“It means surrender to me now, Sereniel Verdellet.”