No Need For Regrets

Chapter 3

In the moment closely tied to death, it’s said that people reminisce about all the moments they’ve lived through.

Sereniel was no exception. She saw countless memories, moments she remembered happily from her too-short life.

Within them were Calian and Leraie.

“I love you, Sereniel. Only you.”

“Seri, you’re my dearest friend. I can do anything for you…”

Looking at their faces, smiling affectionately, Sereniel thought.

When did it all go wrong?

But even if she understood that now, there was nothing she could do. A person who had already died couldn’t do anything.

Anyway, now that I’m dead, Calian and Leraie will be happy. Just like Calian said, their child will celebrate their seventh birthday in the mansion. And they will live happily for the rest of their lives, holding the mine that belongs to me.

They will probably remarry. Moreover, now that Sereniel is dead, the connection with the Verdellet family will be completely severed.

As for what Belles, her only family, will say to them, Sereniel doesn’t know, but it doesn’t matter. She’s already dead, so it won’t make any difference.

In that way, they will live their lives happily and peacefully without any problems.

Sereniel, standing in the profound darkness, stared at them with a vacant expression.

Yes…

I’m already dead.

It’s all over…

And not long after, a voice filled with mockery echoed over the sight of them happily smiling.

“What joy could there be in living with such a dreadful woman? She was just repulsive.”

…But you said you loved me.

And that you would always stay by my side.

“Now there’s nothing to worry about. We can finally live together. You, me, and the child… the real family.”

What about me?

Wasn’t I your real family from the beginning?

“You always looked down on me, Seri. Ever since I spent time in the orphanage, always. Pretending to be innocent, pretending to care. A disgusting wretch.”

No, it wasn’t like that. Not even once. I just considered you my precious friend…

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

Nothing. Absolutely nothing!

Leraie’s laughter echoed sharply into Sereniel’s ears, tearing through like a sharp blade.

Lies. It was all lies.

You deceived me.

Deceived me, betrayed me, and finally killed me…

As if it were all natural…

Sereniel let out a short, stifled whimper. Then, she struggled to sit back down.

Over her partially open lips, a greenish void reflected a something akin to anger.

Like this…

Is it the end?

Everything?

“…don’t… want…”

Sereniel’s lips, partially open, let out a fractured voice.

“Don’t want to… die…”

At least not in such a miserable way.

At least not so unjustly.

Her pink lips were chewed unpleasantly. Gradually, a cracking sound emerged, and the small hand, which had been limp on the ground, twitched and clenched into a fist.

Through disheveled golden hair, her eyes, which once reflected the happiness of Calian and Leraie, sparkled with intensity.

“Like this… I can’t go on, never…”

Above her dimmed green eyes, red teardrops formed. Shaking her head, Sereniel poured out tears, uttering words that seemed to be directed at someone, but it wasn’t clear who.

I will seek revenge.

I’ll make someone miserable and shattered, just like me.

So please, let me live.

I don’t want to die like this!

And then, the moment arrived.

The sound of something snapping sharply echoed as it began to take effect over the smiling faces of Calian and Leraie.

And like a dark abyss, blackness swiftly engulfed Sereniel.

That was the end.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Fresh air filled her lungs.

“Ah…”

Unconsciously, Sereniel exhaled a rough breath. Then, almost reflexively, she tightly shut her eyes. It had become a habit. When waking up from sleep, coughing would follow, and if the coughing persisted, pain and blood would be expelled.

However, there was no coughing.

No more pain. No more blood.

She was free from that cycle.

“….”

Her tightly shut eyelids trembled and slowly opened. Sereniel, after wearing a vacant expression for a while, hastily sat up from the bed.

She looked down at her hands and the front of her dress. Her hands were unharmed, and the dress was pristine. It was nothing like the blood-soaked image she had seen before losing consciousness.

… What is this?

It was in that moment of contemplation.

“Madam, have you awakened?”

A knocking sound accompanied by someone’s voice reached her ears. It was a person Sereniel knew very well.

“I would have woken you up even if you hadn’t! Did you sleep well?”

Kina was smiling.

The scene where she sobbed, “Master, Madam. Madam!” was nowhere to be found.

Sereniel stared at Kina in confusion, then slowly moistened her dry lips.

“…Kina.”

“Yes, Madam.”

“Why… am I like this?”

“It’s not funny, Madam!”

Perplexed, Kina waved her hands, looking concerned.

“I clearly died… died but…”

“Oh, come on… Don’t make jokes like that, Madam!”

A bewildered Kina pleaded while clapping her hands.

“Just a couple of days ago, you had a check-up, didn’t you forget? The doctor said you’re very healthy. So, you’ll have a child soon.”

“…”

“You were so delighted!”

A memory, forgotten until now, flashed through her mind at Kina’s words.

Perhaps it was about half a year ago when she had her first check-up. The reason was simple—she wasn’t getting pregnant.

Certainly, intimate moments with Calian were not frequent, but they were not completely nonexistent. That raised concerns. She worried that there might be something wrong with her body.

As Kina had mentioned, the doctor had shared the same story. Madam, you are incredibly healthy.

“It seems like you had a bad dream; your expression doesn’t look good.”

Kina murmured with concern.

“How about going for a walk for a change of mood? The weather is really nice.”

With those words, Kina drew the curtains. The room was instantly flooded with radiant sunlight, and Sereniel reflexively looked out the window.

The garden outside the window was adorned with blossoming flowers.

Her last memory was of winter. Would I be able to see the next spring? That thought lingered vividly as she sat in front of the window, collapsing countless times.

Sereniel’s green eyes shook roughly.

Returned?

To the past?

But how?

“Oh, and Lady Leraie sent a gift!”

Following Kina’s words, Sereniel hardened her expression.

“Look at this.”

Kina presented a finely crafted small gift box.

“It’s said to be healthy flower tea.”

“….”

“It’s also very helpful for having a child. She mentioned that because of that, you didn’t need to undergo a check-up. You should definitely drink it.”

Kina smiled brightly.

“Here, there’s also a letter.”

Sereniel slowly reached out. Kina handed her the letter.

– To my beloved Seri.

As she unfolded the paper, a very familiar handwriting, seen for a very long time, caught her eye.

– I pondered on how I could be of help to you, and it seems like this is the best way.

“….”

– Flower tea that aids conception. Especially favored by ladies with less intimacy in their marital relationships, aiming to conceive.

[Poor Seri.]

…And just before my last breath, the voice I distinctly heard in my ears resounded.

– I specially obtained it. I know you don’t like taking medicine. But what if, by any chance? If you are really expecting a child.

[Did you never doubt? That the tea I sent every time was suspicious!]

– Anyway, from now on, make sure to keep drinking it. If it runs out, I’ll send more.

– From your only friend who sincerely loves you, Leraie.

…Suddenly, the mocking laughter in Leraie’s voice, heard clearly just before my last breath, echoed in my mind.

“Look. The colors are quite beautiful, aren’t they?”

Above Sereniel’s emerald eyes, various beautiful-colored flower petals shimmered.