No Need For Regrets

Chapter 35

“If we ended up in such a relationship knowing full well, it’s quite….”

Lexion chuckled lightly.

“It’s definitely a perverse taste.”

“Why are you here, then…?”

Instead of answering Lexion’s remark, Calian just muttered dumbly.

But it wasn’t just Calian. Everyone present in this place seemed to be thinking the same thing. Moreover, Lexion Rosenvester was not one to usually attend such social gatherings.

“I thought you would say that. It’s just baseless gossip without any evidence.”

“What, what are you saying now…?”

“Even if you saw that person, could you say the same thing I just did?”

As Lexion gestured, an elderly maid, whose complexion turned pale, appeared at the entrance of the party hall.

She was someone Calian knew all too well.

So, she was the nanny who helped with Leraie and took care of Benny at the villa.

“Say it again. That it was just baseless gossip.”

“….”

“It can be proven if necessary.”

Calian’s fingertips trembled. Unlike when he roughly grabbed Seriniel’s shoulders, he did nothing but stare at Lexion.

“Why on earth…?”

And then he just repeated senseless words.

“Why are you… doing this… to this extent…?”

Instead of answering, Lexion glared at Calian with a disdainful expression. Then he shifted his gaze to Seriniel and pursed his lips again.

“Didn’t you finish what you had to say?”

“….”

“I think everyone is ready to listen.”

Lexion’s words were not false. People’s gazes were still directed towards Seriniel. Including Leraie and Belles.

“I… I allowed Calian’s infidelity to pass because of the friendship and affection I had for Leraie and him.”

Seriniel spoke slowly.

“But they deceived me to the end, and I ended up being threatened with my life. I still have evidence related to that.”

For a moment, Leraie’s face crumpled ruthlessly.

[It was hard to get it. Eating for a day or two doesn’t immediately affect the body, but the more it accumulates in the body, the stronger the effect… Something like that.]

… You knew that?

“So I thought I should put an end to my marriage life with Calian. Of course, as I mentioned earlier, it was a mutual agreement.”

“Seri… Seriniel…?”

“I could have made a big deal out of it, but I didn’t because it was my last discretion. Allowing him to attend today’s party was also the same.”

The faces of the noblewomen who were staring at Seriniel were filled with pity and sadness. Even murmurs of sympathy could be heard. Indeed, their hearts were broad.

Seriniel knew well. When faced with such a situation, what attitude would be the wisest choice.

Hatred is easy, and sympathy is even easier. Moreover, if the one receiving sympathy and the one receiving hatred are at the extremes, the feeling of hatred becomes even stronger.

If she had taken a tough stance, someone would have said such things. But still, isn’t that too severe? If Lady Hellcat is in such a situation, wouldn’t Lord Calian Helcar have been driven to cheat?

To those who love to talk ignorantly, Seriniel intended to emphasize only the fact that she was the victim.

And to some extent, it seemed to have succeeded.

“An ordinary person like you dares to do such a thing?”

What about that common woman?

Angry eyes turned to Calian and Leraie.

“….”

Belles’ face, which had been observing the situation, stiffened even more than before.

It was fine to mention divorce. Perhaps it was even a better opportunity for Belles.

But why….

Did that man appear?

Fear filled Belles’ eyes as he stared at Lexion.

“What about the mining business? It was Calian Helcar who started the business….”

People also knew. Although the names were mentioned together, it was Seriniel who owned 1 of the mines.

Moreover, it wasn’t just the investors brought in by Belles who invested in the business. Of course, they exceeded the majority, but there were also a few nobles who had nothing to do with it, so they paid investment funds.

“If the investors who felt uneasy about the ownership dispute over the mine and the mining business want their investment back, we’ll give it to them.”

Lexion pursed his lips slowly.

“From now on, the Rosenvester family will cover all funds, including newly invested funds, so there’s no need to worry about that.”

Seriniel hesitated slightly at his words. This was a story she had never heard as well.

Seriniel’s gaze reflexively fell on Belles. His face was so contorted that it couldn’t be more contorted. Belles chewed his lips as if he could kill Lexion at any moment.

“Lexion Rosenvester….”

And then, Calian, who had been listening with a dumbfounded expression, finally spoke up with a trembling voice.

“How dare you… on what grounds do you make such statements?”

…Ha.

Lexion chuckled. It seemed that in his fear, Calian’s ability to reason properly had now disappeared, thinking that he might lose his business.

“You speak as if you’re Seriniel’s protector. I can’t understand a single thing…!”

In an instant, Lexion’s large hand grabbed Calian’s shoulder tightly. Just like Calian had done to Seriniel earlier.

“If I were Seriniel’s protector, you would already be dead a long time ago at that.”

“….”

“But let me make it very clear. If I were Seriniel’s protector, it would mean that I could do anything to you without consequences.”

The pupils of Lexion’s eyes, as he glared at Calian, were unpredictable. And for good reason, considering that Lexion had endured a lot up until now. And it had taken a lot of time and effort.

“…Protector, you say.”

And suddenly, Belles’ voice, which had been silent until then, cut through the tense atmosphere.

“Duke Lexion, what are you talking about?”

“….”

“Such words were not heard by Seriniel either. It seems like quite a misunderstood statement in many ways. Especially in front of so many people….”

Of course, it wasn’t to defend Calian that Belles stepped forward. His intentions were more selfish. It was because of Lexion’s statement about the Rosenvester family covering all funds for the mining business.

Moreover, such a conversation had not taken place in private, and there were too many eyes watching. What happened today would spread throughout the empire within a week.

Furthermore, Lexion Rosenvester was completely opposed to Belles and his faction. If Belles didn’t firmly grasp the situation here and now, there would be nothing good for him.

…So Belles hadn’t even considered one thing.

What Lexion’s answer would be to his question.

“Yeah, that’s right. Since I haven’t told Seriniel yet.”

Feeling something suspicious, Seriniel looked at Lexion with a puzzled expression…

Lexion slowly turned to look at Seriniel.

“Seriniel Verdellet.”

“Duke Lexion…?”

“What do you think about giving up the Helcar family name and taking on a new one?”

“….”

“I promise to stake everything on it. If you accept my proposal, I will protect you from anyone and everyone.”

Eventually, Lexion took something out from within his coat.

It was a ring adorned with a large gem.

An engagement ring.

And then, he knelt on one knee in front of everyone.

“I’m proposing to you right now.”

“….”

“Will you marry me, Seriniel?”

With those words, Lexion smiled broadly…

In contrast, the faces of everyone present were filled with shock.