No Need For Regrets

Chapter 41

Throughout the meal, Lexion’s gaze persistently followed Seriniel.

Although the gaze was somewhat discomforting, Seriniel didn’t show any signs of discomfort. Instead, she diligently emptied her plate as promised.

“How about a walk?” Lexion proposed, shortly after they finished their meal.

“The weather is nice.”

Seriniel nodded in agreement. Besides, she felt like she might burst from eating too much, so a walk seemed like a good idea.

With Lexion, Seriniel walked along the pathway in front of the mansion.

His statement about it not being well maintained for a long time seemed to be true. From afar, she hadn’t noticed, but up close during their walk, it was apparent. Shrubs left untended, weeds left untrimmed…

But it wasn’t so bad.

She couldn’t remember the last time she enjoyed a stroll like this, taking in the scent of flowers.

When she lost her life due to the poisoned tea from Leraie, it was winter.

She had wondered if she would ever see the return of spring. Though she couldn’t see the spring return after returning, she had returned to the spring of the past.

Even after returning, she never had the opportunity to enjoy such leisurely time. So now, she felt grateful to finally enjoy spring again.

“Decorate it as you wish,” Lexion casually remarked as they walked.

“Not just the garden, but everything in the mansion.”

Seriniel briefly paused at Lexion’s unexpected words.

That was understandable…

[Let’s make it conditional. If, as you said, a year from now, you still feel that you can’t trust me in the slightest. Then you can do as you please.]

… Seriniel was sincerely grateful to Lexion. If it weren’t for him, she would have lost her life in some way, and Vain wouldn’t have been saved either.

But her thoughts remained unchanged.

No one would trust her, and she wouldn’t trust anyone.

So would our married life be forgotten after a year?

Would it be a good thing for someone who would leave in a year to leave traces not only in the garden but throughout the mansion?

She had such thoughts suddenly, but voicing them was a different matter altogether.

“But I don’t have much taste, so I’ll probably ruin the mansion.”

So Seriniel replied, throwing out a half-joking remark.

“I said the same thing to Leraie. She really didn’t like all the interior decorations of the mansion. She was very anxious.”

“….”

“Anyway, Leraie has higher aesthetics than you think, so her words might be right. But how could I dare to do that?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Lexion said firmly.

“What’s important to me is not how splendidly the mansion is decorated but the fact that you decorated it.”

“….Yes?”

“Just as I said.”

It wasn’t a lie.

A garden planted with flowers Seriniel liked. A mansion decorated with her favorite colors, filled with her taste…

He wanted to live in such a place.

He wanted to feel that way. Right now, Seriniel was, right beside him, in a place that was nowhere.

“….”

Unable to find the right words, Seriniel looked at Lexion with her mouth slightly closed. But fortunately, the uncomfortable silence didn’t last long. Lexion spoke again.

“By now, rumors must have spread widely. It should be quite interesting to see.”

“Ah… yes. I suppose so.”

“I have to go out for a while. I have some things to take care of. So, you should do what you want in the mansion. You can take a nap, or chat with the noisy maids.”

At least for the time being, Seriniel wished she could relax. It had been a burning experience for her throughout her stay at the mansion, a fiery ordeal she couldn’t forget.

“In case anything happens, there are people waiting near the mansion. So, don’t worry. I won’t be too late either.”

“….”

“I don’t have any mines to inspect.”

Lexion chuckled.

“And I’ll visit the temple after things quiet down a bit around here.”

Seriniel nodded in understanding. Of course, she wanted to find out about that inexplicable dream as soon as possible, but for now, it seemed best to take it easy given the circumstances.

“Are you going back to the bedroom? Then, I’ll take you.”

“…No, I want to enjoy the fresh air a little longer.”

Right. Rather than just staying in the bedroom, it would be better to move around a bit, even if just a little. It would be possible to change her mood.

“Then I’ll be off.”

With a brief farewell, Lexion began to walk away slowly.

“….”

Under the blossoming flower tree, Seriniel stood alone, silently watching Lexion’s retreating figure until it became a dot and disappeared.

And she thought.

How long had it been since she heard such a natural yet affectionate farewell?

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

To prepare for his outing, Lexion stopped by his study.

“….”

Brushing away the black hair tousled by the spring breeze with one hand, Lexion carefully examined the documents arranged on the table.

The documents were meticulously organized with the names and personal information of mercenaries operating near the Carteria Empire. Similarly, there were also records of merchants buying and selling weapons.

Additionally, there were details about the funds of nobles who were involved with Belles, as well as information about moneylenders.

Even if Seriniel hadn’t mentioned seeing numerous weapons in the cellar, or if Vain hadn’t mentioned mercenaries visiting the Marquis’s mansion recently, Lexion had already grasped the situation well enough.

However, Belles was not such a foolish and clueless person. He had a character of leaving no evidence or clues, and he was quite meticulous.

The weapons in the cellar and the real gemstones were most likely already hidden elsewhere, and with mining operations suspended, it would be difficult to circulate funds smoothly for the time being.

In the case of the former, continuous pursuit was necessary.

Regarding the financial issue, probably…

Belles, realizing that both Seriniel and Lexion knew everything, would likely decide that he couldn’t delay any longer. However, with the Imperial Treasury watching over the banks, he wouldn’t be able to borrow funds legitimately.

In such a situation, there was only one option available to Belles. Borrow money from moneylenders, and use that money to rebel as soon as possible.

Belles’ rebellion attempt was not as extravagant as it seemed.

Since the time of the previous emperor’s death a few years ago, the imperial authority had begun to falter, and since the young current emperor ascended the throne, it had been crumbling even more.

…If Lexion, who had been continuously in the battlefield since the time he was the Crown Prince, had not appeared, it wouldn’t have been very difficult for him.

Belles intended to appoint a distant relative of the emperor as the new emperor. And, undoubtedly, he intended to grasp considerable power.

But unfortunately, Lexion wasn’t interested in who sat on the throne, even if Belles and his group managed to seize power, they wouldn’t be able to easily suppress the Rosenvester family.

Moreover, to be honest, Lexion had no interest whatsoever in becoming the emperor.

Nevertheless, he endured these troublesome matters solely because of Seriniel.

It was a good excuse to avoid the imperial orders to go out, and it was also a good opportunity to dispose of Belles Verdellet.

On a rainy day.

If I hadn’t encountered Seriniel walking and crying. So, if she hadn’t asked me for help, it would have been impossible.

“…The Emperor should thank Seriniel.”

Lexion muttered with a wry smile.

And at that moment.

A sudden knock sounded, and Lexion reflexively turned around.

“It’s Vain.”

“….”

“May I come in?”

“Come in.”

With a brief reply, the door opened frighteningly, and Vain, who looked much better than a few days ago but still had a face full of scars, entered the study.

“What’s the matter?”

“…Just wanted to have a brief conversation.”

A lie. Lexion smirked inwardly.

Vain quietly closed the door and slowly parted his lips.

“I saw earlier that the Marquis had dinner with the young lady.”

“What do you want to say?”

“….”

“I don’t mind if you get straight to the point. I don’t think you’re here to exchange meaningless small talk.”

After a moment of silence, Vain finally spoke with a stern expression.

“I sincerely thank you. Not only for saving me, but also for helping the young lady.”

“And?”

“….”

“But I feel it might be a bit too much to think that you just went along with it to help the young lady.”

Lexion’s eyebrows slightly furrowed at Vain’s words.