Chapter 49
It was a peaceful morning.
Seriniel slept deeply without even dreaming. Thanks to that, she must have been quite tired, causing Kina some trouble waking her up, but it truly was a rare moment of undisturbed sleep.
Looking in the mirror, she saw that the puffiness in her eyes had returned to their normal state. She was relieved.
As Kina combed her hair, she held the pocket watch that Lexion had given her, gently caressing it in her hand.
Kina didn’t miss it. Upon seeing the pocket watch, she widened her eyes and asked in surprise.
“It’s the gift from Milord. He gave it to Madam when she was young.”
“Yeah.”
“Where did you get it?”
Kina knew as well. The fact that the Duke always carried that pocket watch with him like it was a part of his body.
That’s why it was even more surprising. The bodies of the Duke and Duchess hadn’t even been found, so where did it come from?
“Lexion Duke…”
“Yes?”
“Found it and gave it to me. He said he discovered it during an investigation.”
“…”
“Now that this watch is with me, he even suggested giving a new one for my birthday next time. He said there’s someone who makes good watches.”
At Seriniel’s words, Kina’s eyes quietly reddened.
“Do you know…? These days, I feel really sorry for Duke Lexion.”
Kina murmured with a trembling voice.
“The rumors were really… not good. But most people believed them. I wasn’t any different.”
So she was even more surprised, more confused, and more conflicted. Because she couldn’t trust Lexion Rosevester, the person he was rumored to be.
“Thanks to that, I learned one thing. Never judge someone before experiencing it firsthand.”
“…”
“He seems like a really good person.”
Seriniel remained silent for a moment. And she thought. About Lexion Rosenvester and also about Kina’s words.
Seriniel wasn’t any different from Kina. It was unavoidable. Lexion being the child of a concubine, yet still inheriting the family, and even having lived through countless battlefields covered in blood for so long.
But the Lexion she experienced firsthand wasn’t a terrible person like the rumors said.
He was awkward, but honest, warm-hearted, affectionate and kind.
Especially to Seriniel.
“Yeah.”
So Seriniel nodded in agreement.
“I think so too.”
Don’t you?
Since Milord is waiting, let’s finish getting ready and go out.
Kina smiled brightly as she finished combing her hair, and Seriniel placed the pocket watch she had been holding on the dressing table. Then, she looked at it and smiled softly.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
Lexion sat at the terrace table, waiting for Seriniel.
“Good morning, Milord.”
As Seriniel greeted him, Lexion’s lips curved into a subtle smile.
He had been a little worried, but Seriniel looked very fine. She didn’t seem as sad as yesterday, and her eyes, which had been swollen like fish, had returned to normal.
But he wanted to change the mood to something a little different.
Besides, it had been a few days since Seriniel entered the Rosenvester mansion after the commotion. So going out shouldn’t be a big problem. Of course, they might attract some attention, but with him accompanying her, there shouldn’t be much difficulty.
“You said you wanted to go to the temple.”
As Seriniel drank her water, she widened her eyes and looked at Lexion.
“I’m thinking of going out together today.”
“…”
“Is that okay?”
“Then.”
Seriniel nodded quickly with a slightly anxious expression.
…To the temple.
Perhaps they could find a clue about that strange dream. Especially if the High Priest that Lexion mentioned was the one who conversed with that someone in the dream.
“Then let’s finish our meal and leave.”
“Are we going to ride again?”
Seriniel asked with a slightly nervous expression, and Lexion chuckled.
“No, today we’ll go by carriage. So you don’t have to worry about that. And…”
Lexion dragged out the end of his sentence, pulling out something and handing it to Seriniel.
“I should probably deliver the congratulations.”
What’s this again?
As Seriniel took the document Lexion offered, her expression became subtle.
“It arrived this morning.”
“…”
“Take a look at it once. Well, there shouldn’t be anything strange.”
The document Lexion handed her was…
A document stating that the divorce proceedings with Calian Helcar had ended smoothly.
Calian hadn’t voiced any objections and seemed to have accepted the divorce without any fuss. In a way, it was only natural. Everything was his fault and also because of Leraie.
Of course, while he accepted the divorce, he wouldn’t quietly accept anything related to the mine business. There would be disputes, but for now, this was enough.
But…
[Of course, don’t rush. Wait until your divorce proceedings are completely over.]
[Our marriage, as I just mentioned, will take place after Seriniel’s divorce proceedings are definitively concluded.]
…Then we’re getting married soon. Lexion Rosenvester and I.
My name will now carry the Rosenvester surname, not Verdellet or Helcar.
But I didn’t mind.
Surprisingly.
“Madam, you should buy a cake on your way back.”
As Kina laid out delicious dishes on the table, she hinted softly.
“Since you’ve safely ended it with that annoying fellow, you should celebrate.”
“I agree.”
Lexion responded briefly.
“We should buy a very large cake. Maid, what kind of cake do you like?”
“My name is Kina, Milord. I don’t know how many times I’ve told you…”
“So, what do you like?”
“Well, if I may express my honest feelings, I would be very happy to eat a cake made of stone.”
“Incredible.”
Lexion muttered seriously.
“You have a truly remarkable maid. I’ve never seen anyone with such abilities on any battlefield.”
Seriniel burst into laughter at his playful words. Kina was the same.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
After finishing breakfast with Lexion, Seriniel rode in a carriage with him as they set out from the mansion, accompanied by Kina’s farewell.
The first place Lexion took Seriniel was Paul’s shop.
As a shop selling luxury goods befitting the nobility, Paul would have made the items well without needing much conversation.
However, Lexion insisted several times. He asked how it should be decorated, what kind of gems should be set, and so on, even asking for Seriniel’s opinion.
After saying, “Alright, please stop worrying,” at least five times, Paul finally agreed to Lexion’s request.
But that wasn’t the end of the problem.
[“I would like to receive it next week.”]
[“…Excuse me?”]
Paul seemed like he was about to be hit on the head with a hammer. He quickly and smoothly followed up, unlike earlier.
[“Milord, even if it’s me, it’s difficult to produce items that require so much effort so quickly. Moreover, not just one, but two…”]
Lexion didn’t even answer. Instead, he waited, placing a very large pouch in front of Paul.
It was a pouch filled with a lot of gold coins.
[“…I will do my best to make them, even if it’s twice as difficult. Please don’t worry about anything.”]
It was too much money to refuse.
This time, the two of them got back into the carriage with Paul’s farewell. And before long, they arrived at the temple.
“Be careful.”
As usual today, Lexion grabbed Seriniel as she got out of the carriage. Then, he looked at her as if to say, “We’re outside now.”
“…”
“We should match the rhythm of our rumors to some extent, right?”
There was some logic to his words, so Seriniel hooked her arm with Lexion’s. It was a bit awkward, of course.
“Really, that Duke Lexion…”
“But Lady seems to be blossoming. No, should I call her Lady Rosenvester now?”
“Of course. After all, she’s finally freed herself from the insignificant Calian and his conscience.”
The whispers were constantly heard. Generally, they were divided into two main categories: “I’ve never seen Duke Lexion smile like that before” or “I just can’t believe it.”
Well, whatever it didn’t really matter.
What was fortunate was that the temple wasn’t crowded.
Passing by beautifully decorated statues, Lexion and Seriniel stepped into the massive building.
But the inside of the temple was empty, so Seriniel looked a little bewildered. However, her confusion didn’t last long.
“Lexion Duke.”
It was because of the voice coming from behind.
“It’s been a long time. But it’s quite surprising. Someone who doesn’t believe in gods would go to such lengths like this.”
And that voice was…
The same as the voice of the person she conversed with in her dream, with Lexion.
Seriniel slowly turned around, and she stared at the man who was smiling at her and Lexion from behind.
Oh my Gosh!😜