No Need For Regrets

Chapter 44

“Not a very pleasant sight, is it.”

Belles, who suddenly revealed himself, pursed his lips with a cold expression.

Seeing Leraie distort her expression, she finally let go of the maid. It seemed she was about to mention that a guest had arrived.

Belles’ unexpected appearance wasn’t only surprising to Leraie but also to Calian. He blinked slowly as if confirming whether the person he was seeing was indeed Belles, then rose from his seat with a creak.

“What brings you here all of a sudden?”

“I thought you had no business with us anymore.”

Calian’s attitude had its reasons. After all, even though he deceived the profits of the mining business first, judging from the behavior he displayed at the party, Belles seemed to have thought about divorcing Seriniel and him.

Moreover, Belles had suffered a setback like him, so there was no need to be cautious anymore.

“You talk a lot for someone with a gaping mouth.”

Belles said, his tone icy.

“You should know there’s nothing good in behaving like that towards me.”

“Now you say it?”

Calian laughed hysterically.

“What can we do? Both you and I. There’s nothing we can hold onto.”

Belles didn’t respond.

“Or are you going to threaten me to return the embezzled money?”

“…”

“Unfortunately, that ship has sailed. I don’t have it anymore.”

At Calian’s words, Leraie flinched slightly. But Belles’s gaze was fixed on Calian, so he didn’t notice her movement.

“Well, if you want to threaten me more, go ahead. I’ll go straight to Seriniel as soon as dawn breaks and tell her that the esteemed lord who killed your parents.”

…Killed?

Seriniel’s parents?

Leraie’s eyes narrowed as she stared at Belles.

Just as Seriniel didn’t know the truth, Leraie didn’t either. The signs of the late count and countess weren’t from an accident.

“Go ahead. I have nothing to worry about now.”

It was literal. Calian had nothing left to lose. He had already been humiliated in front of the entire empire, and the mining business was completely slipping away. What more could he lose here?

“Do you think Seriniel doesn’t know?”

…But the answer that came back was something entirely unexpected.

“She already knows. That’s why she joined forces with Lexion to get revenge.”

“What?”

“She also knows who the investors I gathered are. How I’ve used the profits from the business.”

For a moment, Calian’s complexion turned ashen. Leraie’s was the same.

Anyway, Belles investing in the business was to gather the funds necessary for inciting rebellion. That’s why he consulted Seriniel. Because she wouldn’t oppose it openly.

But even that… She already knew?

It wasn’t a simple matter. It meant that anytime, whether tomorrow or the day after, he could be dragged away by Belles and accused of treason and face death.

“Do you understand the situation now, Calian Helcar?”

Calian, who had a foolish expression for a while, finally began to mockingly move his lips as if he felt very unjust.

“I-I’m not guilty!”

“…”

“I just did business. That’s all it was, just receiving investments!”

“Will Seriniel overlook it?”

He didn’t think she would, right? Belles sneered as he spoke.

“Seriniel knew about your relationship with that woman and didn’t say anything. Was that all? She pretended not to know anything and stalled for time.”

“…”

“She waited for the right moment using Lexion Rosenvester. But even then, do you think she’ll let it slide?”

Calian couldn’t say anything. He just weakly lifted his hand with a pale face.

“You’d better get your act together, Calian Helcar, if you don’t want to end up dead.”

Why didn’t she say anything? Even though she knew the rumor was true. Even though she had known it from before.

Calian had thought about it. But no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t find the answer.

But really, if, as Belles said…

If Seriniel, harboring a grudge, had allied with Belles to kill him for revenge?

Everything seemed to turn white before his eyes.

“What about you?”

Leraie asked Belles, shooting him a glare.

“You’re talking as if you have some kind of solution.”

Belles laughed as if incredulous at her straightforward words.

…But she might be better than that stupid guy. While scanning Calian with a disdainful gaze, Belles thought to himself.

“Yeah. It’s not like there’s absolutely no way.”

“…”

“But this time, you have to listen to me completely. If you don’t, before Lexion Rosenvester does anything, I’ll kill you first.”

Belles began to speak in a low voice, and Calian and Leraie stared at him with tense expressions.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Several days passed.

The entire empire was still buzzing about what happened at the party, but Seriniel’s life was gradually returning to stability, unlike the tumultuous days spent at the villa.

Lexion had suggested that it would be best for Seriniel to refrain from going out for a while and rest at the mansion. The reason was simple: he hoped that Seriniel wouldn’t hear people gossiping about her.

Moreover, considering the constant instability at the villa, taking some time to rest seemed appropriate in many ways.

While Lexion went out almost every day, he always returned at a fixed time, just before dinner.

He always had dinner with Seriniel, as if considering it the most important thing to do.

However, he didn’t say much. Instead, he meticulously watched to see if Seriniel finished her portion of food and if there was anything uncomfortable for her.

The ones who became busy were Kina and Vain. They were working hard to fix the neglected mansion.

Somehow, it felt like it was all her fault, so Seriniel tried to help them, but her attempts were futile.

“Madam, you help us by just staying still.”

“…I’m really sorry, but I think so too, Miss.”

It was because Kina and Vain vehemently refused Seriniel’s kindness.

“Lord Lexion asked us to choose new furniture for the mansion. Would you like to take a look, Miss?”

Paul sent pictures of various styles of furniture. There were luxurious ones and simple ones. There were so many options, but Seriniel couldn’t choose any.

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

…Lexion’s words kept bothering her.

Calian, Leraie, and Belles were strangely quiet. But it was unthinkable that they would just sit still.

What was comforting was that the divorce proceedings with Calian were progressing smoothly without any hitches. It was also said that in a few days, the divorce would be completed perfectly.

Of course, she didn’t think they would just sit still. Moreover, Calian was certainly not the kind of person to just watch the revocation of his ownership of the mine.

Feeling uncomfortable just sitting still and relying only on Lexion’s help, Seriniel began to inquire about Calian’s embezzled money and what had happened at the site regarding the mine. Just in case there were any unpleasant incidents.

Although she was concerned about the dream she had, since she had decided to go to the temple with Lexion, she would deal with that later.

Anyway, Seriniel was gradually regaining stability. She spent days that weren’t too despairing or sad.

Until that day came, that is how it was.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Seriniel’s tightly closed eyes slowly opened.

“…”

Having awakened from her sleep, Seriniel blankly stared at the ceiling for a moment before slowly getting up.

It was like any other morning. The weather was sunny, and the spring sun was warm.

But Seriniel’s face wasn’t bright. She seemed sad and melancholic.

“Madam, are you awake?”

Shortly after, Kina entered the bedroom with more concern than usual.

“Did you sleep well? The Duke is waiting. Shall we have breakfast together?”

“…”

“Madam?”

With no response coming back, Kina looked at Seriniel with worried eyes.

“Madam…”

“I don’t think I’ll have much appetite today. I’m sorry, Kina.”

Kina also looked slightly sad as she gazed at Seriniel.

Knowing that Seriniel would be like this, Kina’s attempts to cheer her up seemed to be futile. But there was nothing else she could do. Seriniel was always like this on such days.

“Please tell the Duke I’m sorry too.”

“…Yes. I will.”

In response to Seriniel’s words, Kina could only give an understanding reply.

Soon after, Kina, who entered with a solemn expression different from before, left the bedroom, leaving Seriniel alone in the heavy silence.