No Need For Regrets

Chapter 37

“Didn’t I say I could agree to the divorce for that reason? Because I’ve completely lost trust in Calian Helcar.”

“….”

“At least I have no intention of committing such fraud, nor do I lack the means to do so. So wouldn’t this marriage be beneficial to you as well?”

“…Duke.”

“Of course, despite that, it’s your freedom not to trust me. As you mentioned in front of those people, you can always refund the investment from me and the investors whenever you want. Even tomorrow.”

Belles quietly furrowed his brow. He was in a difficult situation. If he withdrew the investment now and withdrew from the business, there would be no immediate way to obtain urgent funds.

However, even if he stayed like this, it was clear that Lexion wasn’t just going to sit idly by and watch. Once the dispute with Calian over the business was settled, Lexion would begin investigating those investors. Perhaps he already knew about it. No, he surely did.

“Or is it simply because you don’t like me?”

Lexion chuckled and asked.

“Due to some political opinion.”

“…There’s no such thing.”

Belles replied in a strained voice.

“Yes, it has to be that way. Everyone in the Carteia Empire knows that I have a close relationship with the Emperor. If that becomes the reason you don’t like me…”

“…”

“People could even make baseless assumptions that you have impure intentions toward the Emperor.”

In the end, Belles couldn’t hold onto Seriniel anymore. He couldn’t come up with any excuses or reasons.

Moreover, from the beginning, Lexion’s words were all correct. Anyway, Seriniel was a complete adult, and whether it was divorce or marriage, all decisions were up to her.

But now, Belles instinctively realized.

The marriage between Lexion and Seriniel…

It would be a tremendous threat to me.

Moreover, that damn Lexion Rosenvester is probably aware that I’m plotting treason.

‘The disappearance of Vain…’

That must have been his doing. The mining explosion accident must have been the same. To prevent the flow of funds. He must have used all means to stall for time.

Moreover, Lexion was practically like the Emperor’s right hand, so it wouldn’t be difficult for him to conduct an unexpected investigation.

…But was it really Lexion alone who orchestrated it all?

[I also have something to say about that matter, but you’ll understand later. If you have anything to say to me at that time, could you wait until after the party is over?]

Suddenly, the conversation I had with Seriniel before the party…

[…Did you do all this? Alone?]

The perfectly organized business report from Seriniel, which had no flaws whatsoever, flashed through his mind.

[Could a stupid woman like you who doesn’t know how to do anything pull off such a thing?]

…I was wrong.

In the end, that woman and Lexion had planned everything from the beginning.

And now, Belles finally realized. Even though I had pinned everything on Vain until the moment of death, I couldn’t figure out the whereabouts of the replicated gemstone.

Staring at Seriniel, who smiled as usual, Belles’ eyes trembled slightly.

“Now you can do as you please, Leraie.”

And Seriniel said to Leraie with a smile.

“Whether it’s the interior of a marquis’s estate or the furniture.”

[If I become the mistress of this mansion… I’ll change everything. The interior, the furniture.]

“You’ve never done what you wanted, Calian. It’ll be the same this time.”

[When did I not do what you wanted?]

The expressions of Leraie and Calian, recalling a past conversation, cooled noticeably.

“Decorate to your heart’s content. I’m leaving the marquisate from today.”

“Leaving the marquisate? What do you mean by that?”

Calian’s face showed a bewildered expression. He was already surprised to hear about the divorce, but to wrap up everything like this in one fell swoop?

If things went this way, there was nothing good for Calian.

“From the moment you left the mansion, you should have packed my things. I told you to do so.”

“…”

“So take that pitiful child with you to the marquisate, Leraie. Well, I don’t know if there will be enough funds to redecorate the mansion in the future… But it’ll still be much better than that villa.”

“But… it’s too sudden! As if you’ve been waiting for this…”

“Isn’t it you who have been waiting for this moment, not me?”

Seriniel said calmly.

“Now you don’t have to wander outside under the pretext of inspections. You don’t have to spend time with a woman who lies like a piece of wood and doesn’t know how to do anything.”

[Do you want to hold a woman who lies like a piece of wood and doesn’t know how to do anything? I don’t even want to.]

Calian’s eyes shook roughly, as if he remembered what I said.

“So there couldn’t be better news than this, right? I thought you’d be very happy.”

“…”

“Or have you changed your mind in the meantime? Toward me instead of Leraie?”

“I… I don’t mean that…”

Calian’s foolish words were no longer worth hearing. So Seriniel casually cut him off.

“And, uncle.”

Seriniel’s gaze turned to Belles this time.

“I know it’s sudden, but I hope you’ll respect my choices and decisions. Just like you allowed the marriage with the utterly incompetent Calian.”

“….”

“I won’t burden you with anything this time either, so don’t worry too much.”

Belles didn’t respond. He just chewed on his lip and looked at his only niece.

…He must be thinking that something is wrong. Because he never thought about Seriniel marrying Duke Lexion.

But even in the future, things Belles never thought of would constantly happen.

Seriniel still remembered vividly. Everything she saw in the gemstone. And also the stories Belles had told.

Belles’ misfortune was just beginning.

He would pay back exactly the same.

For taking my parents’ lives.

“I think all the conversations we need to have are over.”

Lexion, who had been listening to the conversation, summed up the situation shortly, his lips curling.

“In the future, it would be best for you to contact me first about anything related to Seriniel. Whether it’s documents or paperwork needed for the divorce process. Including poisoned food, as an added bonus.”

“….”

“Of course, the latter will probably stick in the sender’s throat.”

Leraie’s tightly shut mouth trembled.

“Let’s go.”

Lexion looked at Seriniel, and Seriniel nodded instead of answering.

But instead of walking away with Lexion, she stopped and stood still. Then she turned to look at Leraie, who was still staring at her.

“….”

Seriniel took a very slow step.

“I will do everything in my power to reclaim what’s mine. Of course, Calian won’t be included.”

And she bowed slightly, whispering in Leraie’s ear.

“Calian Helcar is for you. It’s the last gift I’ll give you as a friend.”

Leraie reached out angrily to push Seriniel away, but Seriniel was quicker. She grabbed Leraie’s wrist and continued to speak.

“Do you think Calian, who shamelessly commits adultery, would keep his promise to you? How foolish.”

Seriniel laughed.

“Try living well for once. With a cowardly and incompetent man who can’t even play the role of a proper husband or father.”

“….”

“Goodbye, Leraie.”

That was the last of it. Seriniel gave a brief smile towards Leraie, then left the marquisate with Lexion.

Their gazes, as they followed them, were ignored with disdain.