No Need For Regrets

Chapter 29

“The cleanup seems to have been greatly delayed. Was it on your way back from the workshop?”

Seriniel seemed as usual. Her voice, the look in her eyes, and her face.

“It seems like you were planning to come back to the mansion with Leraie again, right? Isn’t that so?”

“Ah… yes. That’s right.”

Yeah. She couldn’t have noticed. Seriniel was truly an innocent and foolish person. Callian finally smiled lightly.

Then, instead of walking behind Leraie, Callian approached Seriniel’s side.

“…”

The corners of Leraie’s lips, which were tightly shut, subtly twisted. As Seriniel and Callian stood side by side, Leraie, who had been staring at them, suddenly tightened the grip on the hand holding Benny for no reason.

“But who is this child? Leraie.”

Seriniel asked with a smile.

“Callian, do you know?”

Turning her head, Seriniel looked at Callian and asked, and…

Callian, reflexively avoiding Leraie’s gaze, replied.

“No.”

“…”

“I don’t know the child well.”

“Is that so?”

I see.

While Seriniel continued her conversation with Callian, Leraie’s hand trembled slightly.

And then, it happened.

“Ah… Pa.”

From the child’s mouth came a term that should never have been uttered.

Callian’s eyes widened in surprise, and he involuntarily began to stammer.

“…Ha.”

Between Leraie’s slightly open lips, something akin to a sigh or a whimper flowed out.

“Ah, um… I’ve heard that… he doesn’t have a father. So whenever he sees men around the same age, he calls them ‘dad.'”

“So Leraie takes care of him. Because he’s a child with nowhere to go…”

“How affectionate you are, Leraie.”

Seriniel smiled gently. Then, approaching Leraie and covering her mouth slightly with her hand so Benny couldn’t hear, she asked Leraie.

“It seems like he doesn’t have parents, right? Pitiful.”

“…”

“Yeah, you must understand the pain these children go through better than anyone else… You couldn’t just pass by it easily.”

While Seriniel continued to speak, Callian showed no reaction at all. He just stood behind Seriniel, rolling his eyes unnecessarily.

Unpleasant creases appeared on Leraie’s smooth forehead.

…How can you say such things to me?

And how can you hide like this?

It felt like receiving a proof. Look at this. In the end, this is where you and Benny belong…

What’s even more infuriating is that I can’t say anything right now.

“That’s right. If you were looking for a sponsor, you can ask me.”

“What…?”

“For a while, mining operations will be suspended, but I have enough money for that.”

“…”

“Poor thing.”

Seriniel’s eyes, looking at Benny, were filled with compassion and sympathy.

…Pity?

Yeah. You’ve always looked at me with that kind of gaze. Leraie’s lips, filled with anger, trembled.

But I never wanted you to look at Benny with such eyes. Even if a knife was at my throat, I didn’t want that.

“Let’s stop here now, Seri.”

The longer this situation dragged on, the more disadvantageous it became, entirely Callian’s fault. He wasn’t so stupid as to not realize it.

So he forcibly grabbed Seriniel’s shoulders like someone with urgent business and, standing defenselessly, Seriniel staggered greatly.

And then, it happened.

“It seems like we’re seen everywhere.”

Everyone’s gaze turned to one place at the sudden voice. Kina, who had been quietly standing by, was no exception.

“Callian Helcar.”

“…Appearing at some point, Lexion looked at Callian with an expressionless face and said, ‘Why is he here now…?'”

It wasn’t just Callian who was taken aback. Seriniel was also in the same state.

When did he start watching this scene? It was impossible to know.

“I’m sorry, but Seriniel Verdellet has something to discuss with me.”

Lexion briefly shook off Callian’s hand gripping Seriniel’s shoulder.

Callian still had an expression that seemed to indicate he had no idea what was going on. Moreover, it wasn’t just anyone, it was Lexion Rosenvester.

Through Callian’s eyes, which were shaking slightly, a deep fear could be seen beyond his trembling pupils.

“That… What do you mean?”

“We were on our way back from the palace just now. There were discussions regarding the mine owned by Seriniel Verdellet.”

Callian and Leraie both stopped noticeably.

“The investigation of the mine will start immediately, and it has been concluded that such accidents like this one will never happen again, with thorough inspections and precautions.”

“…”

“Of course, it will take more time than expected, but nothing is more important than safety.”

Lexion smiled.

“You must have the same thoughts, Callian Helcar.”

Callian’s face remained stiff, but eventually, he gave the answer Lexion wanted with a trembling voice.

“That… Yes.”

It was absurd. Just a few days ago, during the meal at the mansion with Leraie, there was no hint of Callian gossiping about Lexion with the nickname ‘murderer’.

…In many ways, he seemed despicable and pitiful.

Seriniel thought to herself.

“Now, Callian Helcar, the tax exemption you received only applies to safe mines. Therefore, depending on the results of this investigation, it could be revoked.”

To be honest, there was nothing to worry about. After all, this explosion incident itself was undoubtedly orchestrated.

Only Seriniel, who knew this fact, remained calm with a composed expression.

“In addition, I was going to tell you that we need records of the types of ores mined and trading history so far, but it seems you were already prepared.”

…Me?

Seriniel’s eyes widened slightly at the unfamiliar story and Lexion’s condescension.

“If that’s the case, I’ll tell you.”

It was clear why Callian was acting like this. Since he had been embezzling money, it was obvious that he was feeling guilty.

“I’ve been supervising all the management on-site until now…!”

“No, we don’t need you.”

Lexion stated firmly.

“The 100% owner of the mine is Seriniel Verdellet.”

“…”

“Moreover, Callian Helcar, there are many deficiencies in the documents you submitted. Why should I listen to you?”

Callian hesitated.

“And if you had managed properly, such a disaster wouldn’t have happened. Is there anything left to discuss with you in this situation?”

Lexion’s words were firm. But the reason Callian didn’t say anything in response wasn’t solely because of that.

In Lexion’s eyes, staring at him, there was an inexplicable intensity. It seemed like he could draw his sword any moment and strike him down. So, Callian ultimately had no choice but to nod his head.

“Furthermore, let me tell you one more thing you should know. I’ll take responsibility for the incident related to the mine this time.”

“Yes…?”

“I heard you’ve been holed up in the mine every day, but these days, the palace is closely monitoring all business and fund management, including banks.”

Seriniel’s eyes narrowed slightly. So, did the bank also tell him such things? Because they’ve been managing things thoroughly at the palace lately, if you want to use the vault, you have to specify exactly what items.

“…”

Callian’s face turned pale blue, and he looked pitiful now. It was obvious that he was in trouble.

After all, rumors were spreading like wildfire that the Emperor, through Lexion, was trying to remove the troublesome nobles, and Belles was one of those nobles.

Moreover, since he was closely associated with Belles, there was no way he wouldn’t be afraid.

“T-That…”

Callian mumbled quietly.

Why is that man so aggressive towards me? It was impossible to know.

“Then let’s go together. There are things you need to hear.”

Whether Callian agreed or not, with the condescension that would never be familiar, Lexion looked at Seriniel.

Seriniel nodded, and Lexion, along with her, began to leave slowly.

Suddenly, he looked down at Benny, who was trembling, lips pressed tightly.

As Lexion’s gaze fell on Benny, Leraie grabbed the child as if chasing him away.

Lexion stared at Leraie for a moment, then turned back to Callian and said,

“You’re quite like him.”

“…”

“Like a son.”

To others, it might have sounded like a casual remark, but to Callian and Leraie, it froze them in place.

That was the end of it. Lexion snickered as if mocking them, then left with Seriniel.

‘…I like him. He doesn’t seem like a bad person after all.’

And Kina, chasing after them, struggled to suppress the laughter that kept threatening to burst out.