No Need For Regrets

Chapter 40

“Are you awake?”

Lexion’s voice filled the space.

Seriniel, who was sitting dazedly on the bed, finally snapped out of it. Then she hurriedly parted her lips.

“W-What’s the matter?”

Reaching out her hand, Seriniel reflexively grabbed the blanket to cover herself. She was wearing thin night clothes, so she was afraid it might be uncomfortable if Lexion came in.

But Lexion sighed in response.

“I have no intention of coming in, so there’s no need to act so hastily.”

“Y-Yes?”

“I can hear everything. Your movements.”

Seriniel stopped her movements belatedly, feeling embarrassed.

“Shall we have breakfast together?”

“….”

“Of course, if you’re okay with it.”

After all, it was the first meal at Rosenvester Manor. Lexion might not have realized he was being considerate.

“Yes, let’s do that.”

So Seriniel replied as if understanding.

“I just woke up… Please wait a moment. I’ll get ready quickly and come out.”

“Okay.”

With a brief remark, the sound of footsteps walking down the corridor was heard soon after.

And not long after, Kina came as if waiting for Seriniel to get up, and Seriniel busied herself with preparations.

…But even as she did, that inexplicable dream continued to haunt Seriniel, leaving her confused.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

The place where breakfast was prepared was not the dining room. It was a large terrace bathed in sunlight.

Stepping onto the terrace, Seriniel couldn’t help but think that perhaps Lexion was a much more romantic man than people said.

The dazzling spring sun gently illuminated the table, and everywhere she looked, fully bloomed flowering trees caught her eye, emitting a pleasant floral scent in the breeze.

The spread of food showed great care had been taken. Of course, the servants, including Kina, must have worked hard.

“Did you sleep well?”

Lexion, who was sitting opposite Seriniel, slowly spoke as he parted his lips.

Sleep…?

She did sleep well.

The problem was the strange dream she had at the end.

“Yes… Thanks to you.”

Even so, Seriniel nodded in response.

“But from today on, it’s better for the Duke to sleep in his own bedroom.”

“Why?”

“Because the owner of this mansion is you, not me. Although there was no problem yesterday, I thought it might be uncomfortable….”

“It sounds awkward.”

“Yes?”

“You will be the owner of the mansion in the future, so what does it matter?”

“….”

“So you don’t have to worry about that at all. Anyway, I’m glad you slept well.”

Lexion, indeed as he said, wore a look that indicated it didn’t matter.

But can I really accept this favor so casually?

And the title of the owner of the mansion was the same.

Although he will still serve the meal, still….

Does this person really want nothing from me?

Seriniel absentmindedly twiddled her fingers.

“I heard from your maid that you like flowers.”

Whether he knew it or not, Lexion brought up the topic.

“So you must like spring too.”

“Spring is indeed lovely.”

Perhaps that’s why he asked for breakfast to be prepared here?

To fully enjoy spring.

“Yes. When I lived in the Viscount’s residence, I used to cultivate a garden with my mother.”

Seriniel spoke slowly.

“There’s a garden here too. There are many flowers.”

“Although there are many, it hasn’t been well maintained for a long time.”

Lexion said, looking ahead.

“So it’s a bit messy. I thought about using it once your butler fully recovers.”

“Vain?”

“I know how to do basic maintenance.”

That’s true.

“Even though I didn’t care how it looked before, now is different.”

Lexion continued.

“Maybe you could try planting some flowers you like. Like you did when you lived in the Viscount’s residence.”

“….”

“Of course, I have no talent in that area, but I can help if you want.”

For a moment, Seriniel looked silently at Lexion, who spoke kindly.

She felt warmth and affection. Even though he didn’t directly express such kind words.

But how can this be possible? Knowing that I have nothing to offer right now.

Moreover…

“Do you have feelings for me?”

When Seriniel asked that, Lexion didn’t answer.

“I no longer believe in anyone, and I have no intention of believing. Especially if the other person harbors sinister emotions. And that will continue in the future, until I die.”

Even if he did have feelings for me, Seriniel had said that at the time.

Even though she said such things, how is it possible for him to show affection without any conditions?

“When she thinks she’s alone at the end of the world. So when it’s hard and lonely….”

Because that’s possible. So….

“Grant her wish. So that if someone asks her to be happy again, she can confidently answer, just like she did then. Even my share, which I cannot.”

Was it possible to make such a wish?

“I have a question, Duke. May I ask?”

Seriniel, who had been lost in her own thoughts, cautiously spoke up.

“Anything.”

“Have you ever… made a wish to a god?”

“A god?”

“Yes. Before going to war, or…”

“No, never once.”

But Lexion answered firmly.

“I’ve never believed, never relied. So I never made a wish. And I won’t in the future. Ever.”

“….”

“Do you believe?”

“I wasn’t particularly inclined to believe either,” Seriniel said. It was like that until she died and returned to the past.

“Then you wouldn’t have it either. Have you ever made a wish to a god?” Lexion asked.

“Just once… I did.”

“What wish was it?”

“Just…”

Seriniel hesitated softly. How could she put it into words? Did she wish not to die? Did she wish not to be unjustly murdered?

Seriniel couldn’t find the right words to say. Lexion looked at her intently for a moment, then asked another question.

“So, did it come true? That wish.”

“Yes.”

“….”

“I felt hopeless, it was both the first and last time.”

“I heard someone say that. That the gods aren’t as far away as you think.”

At the unexpected words, Seriniel hesitated.

“So, it wouldn’t hurt to make a wish once in a while. It’s not like it’s impossible.”

Lexion chuckled lightly.

“Who said that to you?”

“The High Priest of the temple.”

…The High Priest?

“I met him for the first time on the battlefield, and he kept saying distressing things. Talking about things that were hard to understand.”

“….”

“Then, a few years ago, I went to the temple. I saw him struggling the whole time, so I thought it was better to make a good choice. And not long after that, he became the High Priest. It seems he had the ability for that.”

Could it be that person?

The one I conversed with in my dreams, with Lexion.

Lost in her thoughts, Seriniel asked as if pleading.

“Could I meet him?”

It was an unexpected request, and Lexion’s expression narrowed slightly.

“Just because you’re interested in that side. Nothing else….”

“….”

“Would it be difficult?”

Lexion seemed to ponder for a moment, then nodded as if understanding.

“It’s not a particularly difficult task. But there’s a condition.”

“What condition…?”

“Accompanying me.”

That wasn’t particularly difficult. So Seriniel agreed, but Lexion continued.

“And finishing every meal.”

“….Yes?”

“You’re too thin.”

“….”

“There’s no one here who would poison your food. So you don’t have to worry about that at all.”

“I-I’ve never worried about that. I won’t in the future either.”

Feeling embarrassed for no reason, Seriniel finally picked up her fork and knife. Lexion, who was smiling and watching her eat, was not seen by Seriniel.

“….”

Lexion watched Seriniel eat as if he were watching a spectacle. Then he thought to himself.

The Duke’s residence had always felt desolate, but now it seemed like it wouldn’t be that way anymore.

…And from afar, Vain watched them with an uneasy expression.