No Need For Regrets

Chapter 33

The party began around early evening.

However, Serinial arrived at the Viscount’s mansion a little earlier than the scheduled time. The reason was simple. She wanted to check if anything had changed since the day she went to the basement with Vain…

The small side door behind the mansion, which they had used to enter the basement with Vain, was closed. It was already expected. And the weapons that had occupied the basement must have been moved elsewhere.

Perhaps a place like where the moonstone was hidden. Serinial thought to herself.

“Hello, Viscount.”

As Serinial entered the mansion, she greeted Belles, who was waiting for her.

“You’ve arrived early.”

Belles replied as he rose from his seat.

“I came a little early just to make sure everything is going smoothly with the party preparations. Thank you for lending me the mansion.”

Although Serinial had asked Belles for permission to hold the party at Viscount Verdellet’s mansion, she honestly thought it was a fifty-fifty chance.

But Belles simply replied that he understood.

The weapons in the basement must have been moved, so there was nothing to worry about, and he readily agreed.

“What are you talking about? This mansion is where you grew up.”

Belles said with a friendly smile.

“So, this place is still your home too. You don’t need to thank me for that.”

Belles spoke with a straight face, smoothly spewing out blatant lies.

Well, it wasn’t surprising anymore.

“Thank you so much, Viscount.”

So Serinial also smiled kindly at Belles.

“…But where’s Vain?”

“…”

“Did he go out?”

She intentionally brought up the topic of Vain. To avoid arousing suspicion. If she remained silent, that would also seem suspicious.

“Gone for a stroll?”

“He seems tired. It’s understandable. He’s getting older.”

“I see… But leaving without a word like that…”

“He said he wanted to take a walk.”

Serinial murmured with a disappointed expression, and Belles changed the subject, asking,

“Where’s Calian?”

“Oh, Calian will come at the scheduled time I told him to. There’s no need for both of us to come early.”

“I see.”

After his response, Belles seemed to be lost in thought for a moment. He was silent for a while, then brought up an unexpected topic.

“I’ve examined all the reports you sent about the mines not long ago. I couldn’t discuss it at the time due to lack of experience, but you’re much more thorough than I thought.”

“Thank you for looking into it, Viscount.”

“It’s on a different level compared to what Calian has done.”

“…Viscount?”

“Anyway, it’ll take a few months to complete the safety verification and investigation related to the mines. Once the investigation is over, how about you take charge of the business yourself?”

…What is he talking about?

Serinial looked a little puzzled.

“You’ve jointly put your name on it, but aren’t you the majority owner of the mine? Of course, it won’t be easy since it’s your first time. But with a few months’ time, there’s nothing you can’t handle if you prepare in advance.”

“…”

“And you’ve heard the rumors, haven’t you? I pretended not to care even though I felt uneasy. Whether the rumors are true or not, it’s always better to be cautious.”

…Ah.

Serinial quickly caught on to Belres’s underlying intentions.

Belles must have heard rumors about Calian and Leraie too. He was probably worried that she might divorce Calian.

Before such a situation arose, Belles chose to abandon Calian and side with her instead.

If I were to divorce, Belles would probably help, waiting as if to take care of his only nephew?

And when he returns to being a Viscount, Belles…

Wouldn’t hesitate to kill me by any means necessary. At that time, there would be no way for Calian, now estranged, to claim ownership of the mine.

“Thank you for your concern, Viscount.”

Serinial smiled wryly as she finished her thoughts.

“I understand what you mean. But today is the day of the party, isn’t it? It’s also my birthday.”

“…”

“I do have something to say about that, but you’ll find out later. If you still have something to say after that, could you wait until after the party is over?”

“…Very well.”

Belles seemed to squint his eyes for a moment, but eventually nodded as if he understood.

…It was just an ordinary party. Belles didn’t suspect Serinial’s words about “you’ll find out later.”

At most, she would deny Calian’s infidelity. That’s all Serinial could do, just those foolish things, wasn’t it?

Belles thought so.

“It’s almost time. The guests will be arriving soon. I’ll go and check if everything is going well with the preparations once again, Viscount.”

Alright, see you later then.

With those words, Serinial left her seat, and Belles was left alone, deep in thought.

How could he manipulate his only nephew to his advantage without revealing his claws as much as possible…

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

The party began without any hitch.

There was not a single disappointing aspect of the party. Whether it was the lavish food, the meticulously decorated interior, or the dignified presence of the people gathered after receiving invitations.

It was undoubtedly a splendid and extravagant party.

However, the nobles gathered at the party had no interest in such things.

…Their only interest was one thing.

“It looks much better than I expected.”

Lady Hana, who was smiling brightly as she exchanged greetings with people, whispered to her companions, looking intently at Serinial.

No wonder, Serinial didn’t seem to have suffered any blows at all. She didn’t even seem to have heard any rumors about her husband’s infidelity.

“She’s doing it on purpose.”

One of her companions, standing beside her, said with a mocking tone.

“Otherwise, why would she have organized such a party? ‘I’m fine, not bothered at all.’ She must be trying to show that.”

“Isn’t that right?”

“But it’s inevitable to feel a bit uneasy. It might have been better to just stay quiet until the rumors die down.”

“That’s true. But judging by Calian’s actions… it seems like the rumors were nothing more than rumors after all.”

Calian, who arrived at the Viscount’s mansion on time, didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving Serinial’s side. He seemed like a faithful dog following its master. Otherwise, how could he be like that?

“Oh, my, madam is truly innocent.”

“…What?”

“Those kind of men exist. They pretend to be terrified only in front of their wives.”

“That’s right. Or maybe they’re just in sync. Anyway, it’s fun.”

“Hello, madam.”

Just as Serinial approached, the group quieted down as if they had been weaving schemes. They quickly glanced at each other, then changed their expressions and smiled at Serinial.

“Are you enjoying the party?”

“Yes. People were saying it was a good idea to come, seeing how nervous you seemed everywhere.”

A lie. Serinial knew it too. What kind of conversations they must have had when they gathered. There must have been plenty of conversations to be had even if they could guess what they were talking about.

The rumors of Calian’s infidelity seemed to have become established facts already. Even if by some chance, those rumors weren’t true, the nobles would have all chattered like the women in front of their eyes.

Well, it didn’t matter much.

“If there’s anything you need, please feel free to ask anytime.”

Calian, who was standing next to Serinial, smiled kindly and said.

“I hope you don’t feel any regret that I’m here to congratulate the guests who came for Serinial’s birthday party.”

“I’m sure madam is very pleased. Master is so affectionate.”

“Is that so?”

Serinial replied with a faint smile.

And at that moment…

“…Oh my.”

With someone’s short murmur, the bustling in the party hall began to subside. At the same time, it was needless to say that all eyes were focused on one place.

It was because Leraie had quietly appeared.

Leraie’s appearance was unmatched in splendor. But compared to the noblewomen who received daily care and poured a considerable amount of money, there was an unavoidable difference.

Unlike usual, Leraie seemed a little downcast.

Well, no matter how you look at it, it must have been the first time she received such attention all at once. Moreover, she would know what emotions were contained in those looks, so it would be even more so.

“…”

The group, who had been chatting with Serinial, also stopped talking and looked at Leraie. They had a puzzled expression on their faces, but there was unmistakable interest in their eyes.

In this situation, Calian couldn’t hide his embarrassment. He tried his best to act nonchalant, but Serinial knew. Faced with Leraie’s appearance, he was aware that she was watching him.

“Well, I’ll excuse myself for a moment.”

Leaving a short remark, Serinial slowly walked away.

Then, the attention of the people gathered was focused on Leraie, who was attracting all eyes.

“Hello, Leraie.”

“…”

“Thank you for coming.”