No Need For Regrets

Chapter 24

Calian’s arrival at the mansion was exactly two days later.

“…Sereniel.”

As Calian hurriedly entered the study, Sereniel looked at him with an expressionless face.

Come to think of it, that day. It was the first time she had faced him since he had tried to forcibly embrace her.

Facing Calian’s face was truly awkward. It wasn’t out of fear or anger. It was just repulsive.

In the past, she might have confronted him. How could he come home at this early hour? Did the inspection go well? Did he have his meal?

“Something happened.”

But Calian seemed to ignore Sereniel’s changes entirely, as if he didn’t care at all. His face was pale, and beads of sweat were forming on his forehead.

So Sereniel had a hunch. That the events Lexion spoke of, happening in a few days, were happening today.

“What happened? Calian.”

Sereniel asked, widening her eyes as if she didn’t know anything.

“What do you mean?”

“Yesterday evening… there was an accident.”

As he spoke, Calian absentmindedly brushed his messy hair.

“It was an explosion. No one was injured, but…”

“…An explosion?”

Sereniel’s eyes narrowed slightly.

It was understandable. As far as Sereniel knew, there had never been an explosion at the mine. Even in the future she already knew, it was the same.

Moreover, mine operations typically began with safety verification to ensure there were no risks like explosions. Sereniel’s mine was no different. They had received confirmation from experts that there would be no dangerous incidents like explosions before starting operations.

So an explosion?

And so suddenly.

“Just after noon today, someone came to find me. They said they were from the palace.”

“…And?”

“They ordered an immediate halt to all mining operations and evacuation from the mine.”

For a moment, something flashed by.

[“No one knows yet, but soon, the mine will yield magic ore. You know how valuable magic ore is.”]

It was what I said to Lexion a few days ago.

“It doesn’t make sense. Such an accident happening suddenly… everything…”

…Now she understood.

Who was behind all of this.

And also, what Lexion said to me just before we parted. What did it mean?

“But you told me, Calian. Isn’t it natural for mines to have such risks?”

Sereniel said, trying to look as sympathetic as possible.

“That’s true, but on the flip side, didn’t we say that the business was worth taking on such risks?”

“But… there’s been a setback, Seri.”

“What setback?”

“As you know, our business has been making a decent profit… we need to pay off the investors, and also, Bellles or rather, your uncle…”

“…”

“They won’t take into account these circumstances.”

Calian’s words were somewhat accurate. After all, Belles and his investors wouldn’t care about Calian’s circumstances.

Besides, didn’t Vain say the same thing? He mentioned recently that mercenaries were being sent to the mansion.

Those who invested in the business were all like Belles, aiming for the same goal… in other words, they were plotting treason. They needed funds urgently, so they wouldn’t delay the date they were supposed to receive money.

“But Calian, you’ve earned quite a bit of money so far, haven’t you?”

“…But…”

“I calculated everything based on the reports you sent me. The profits you’ve made so far were considerable. Even after deducting the payments, we could still hold out for a few months.”

Calian didn’t react to Sereniel’s words. He just gritted his lips stiffly.

So Sereniel quickly realized.

He must have been diverting the money he had earned so far elsewhere.

…Well, it wasn’t surprising.

“If that’s burdensome, there are other ways.”

“What… ways?”

“Let’s sell your villa.”

Sereniel smiled kindly as she spoke.

“After all, you’ve been busy with the inspection, and I’ve just been here at the mansion all along, so it’s been empty anyway, right? So, it should work out. I’ll find a buyer.”

“…”

“I’m glad I can help you, Calian.”

Calian’s expression was a mess.

He clenched his jaw, and his fists clenched and relaxed as if he couldn’t find the right words. It was truly pitiful.

“That villa… Well, you’ve never been there alone with me, right?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s a villa you bought for yourself, so wouldn’t it be a waste to sell it without even using it once? And Seri, it’s so inefficient.”

“Why?”

Sereniel asked with an innocent face.

“After all, the mine has had no problems… There’s no need to waste time on something like this.”

“Well… Maybe?”

“Of course. Besides, your uncle won’t be pleased either. It’s a nuisance to him anyway.”

Uncle?

Sereniel felt like bursting into laughter for real, but she managed to hold it in.

“Then why not ask uncle for help?”

“…What?”

“Think about it. He gave you tax exemptions, and he might be able to help with this too, who knows?”

“…”

“Explain the situation well and plead for help. There might be a solution.”

It was a brief moment, but Sereniel saw it clearly. Calian’s face twisted in disbelief.

Belles was a very astute person. So maybe, this incident would make him realize that he was diverting profits.

In that case, there would be nothing good for Calian. In the worst case, things could become dangerous.

Moreover, no matter how Belles was, it was an action that went against the Emperor’s approval. If he openly did such a thing, someone like him, who was already a thorn in the Emperor’s side, might…

“Seri.”

Calian quickly changed his expression and approached Sereniel.

Then, with sweaty hands, he gripped Sereniel’s shoulders and continued speaking.

“It will take several months to complete the investigation of the mine. You know that, right? It was the same last time.”

“Yeah, but safety must be guaranteed, so there’s no choice.”

“But… There’s still something you can do.”

“What is it?”

“After all, you’re the 1 owner of the mine.”

Although Calian’s name was jointly raised, Sereniel was still the 1 owner. In other words, when such a situation arose, it meant that Sereniel had the decision-making power.

Calian knew this, which is why he came running like this.

“You just need to prove that you completed the verified investigation before starting mining. The confirmation documents are still there. Of course, it won’t stop the investigation, but it could save a lot of time. They won’t re-investigate the areas they’ve already looked into.”

“…”

“But if you don’t help, we’ll have to start all the investigations again from scratch. That will take several more months.”

“That’s true. Besides, the palace won’t compensate for the delay in mining.”

“Yeah. They won’t even apologize, let alone compensate.”

“Also… I don’t know anything about business, and I don’t know how to do anything… Maybe what you’re saying is right.”

[“It’s unbelievable. A stupid woman who doesn’t even know what business is thinks she can report?”]

Recalling Calian’s words she had heard before, Sereniel muttered.

“Alright, Seri. Then…”

Calian’s face turned pale.

“But, Calian.”

“….Yeah?”

“I don’t know anything, but I do know one thing.”

“What is it?”

“Whatever the situation, safety is the most important. And after all, there was an explosion, right?”

“Wait, Se…”

“And you’ve been going out for inspections every day. I don’t want you to be exposed to any danger, even a little.”

Calian’s pale face turned earthy again.

“Instead, please conduct this investigation thoroughly. I’ll contact the palace right away. Just trust me.”

Though Calian looked as if he had been hit on the back of the head, Sereniel continued with a smiling face.

“Okay… Let’s think of it as a vacation, Calian. You’ve been quite tired lately anyway, right?”

“…”

“Yeah… That villa. You’ve always said it’s a shame we’ve never been there alone together, right? This time, let’s go together.”

Of course, Sereniel, as herself, didn’t want to go to the villa with Calian. Even if he promised her millions, she wouldn’t want to.

But seeing Calian’s face crumple like that, as if he had been hit hard, it seemed like a lie worth telling…

“Anyway, I’ll take care of this. I’ll make sure there are as few setbacks as possible.”

Releasing Calian’s hand from her shoulder, Sereniel stood up from her seat. Leaving him standing there with a pale face, she began to leave the study alone.

[“You’re clever, so you should be able to handle it. Let’s enjoy it once. It’s the beginning of the entertainment to come.”]

…And thinking of Lexion’s words, she laughed to herself.

Calian was wrong, and Lexion was right.

Sereniel wasn’t such a foolish and incapable woman.

But pretending to be deficient like this wasn’t so bad either.

Because being taken advantage of by an incompetent woman would feel even worse.

In any case, looking at Calian’s face crumpled in such a pitiful way was quite entertaining.