No Need For Regrets

Chapter 50

“Hello, Johan.”

As Lexion greeted, a man named Johan smiled pleasantly. Then he continued to speak.

“I thought I’d reach out to you anyway. It seems like quite a commotion.”

Instead of replying, Lexion just chuckled.

“You’re already someone who’s known for spreading rumors, but this time, it seems different.”

Eventually, Johan’s gaze shifted towards Seriniel, who was standing beside Lexion.

“It’s her. The one who will soon become the Duchess.”

“…”

“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Johan.”

Even though she heard it countless times, the voice sounded exactly like someone Seriniel had conversed with in her dreams, with Lexion.

Seriniel silently stared at Johan for a moment, then slowly pursed her lips.

“I’m also pleased to meet you. Sir Johan.”

As they exchanged greetings, a few people entered the hall in front of them.

Spotting Seriniel and Lexion, they paused momentarily before whispering among themselves and starting a quiet conversation.

“People will start crowding in soon. Weekends are the busiest times of day for visitors.”

Johan said, looking at Lexion and Seriniel.

“It seems like everyone has a lot to pray for.”

Lexion muttered expressionlessly, and Johan replied with a smile.

“Ordinary people do. Of course, it doesn’t apply to someone as extraordinary as you.”

Well, anyway.

Johan shrugged.

“If you’re okay with it, would you like to come inside? After all, you’ve come this far, it’s only proper to offer some hospitality.”

“It feels like being bowed down to.”

Despite Lexion’s response, Johan didn’t seem deterred at all. He looked as if he were very accustomed to such situations.

“And the children are eager to see you too. They’re probably waiting inside, longing to see you.”

…Children?

Slightly taken aback by the unexpected statement, Seriniel raised her eyebrows.

Eventually, Johan began to lead Seriniel and Lexion with a smiling face. Seriniel alternated her gaze between Lexion and Johan with a puzzled expression, but Lexion remained silent.

However, oddly enough, Lexion seemed somewhat embarrassed, and as they walked, Seriniel’s curiosity only grew.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Johan led them to the back of the temple.

The statement “Ordinary people are not allowed to enter” was not a lie, as the only people visible were priests dressed similarly to Johan.

But something was strange.

As they proceeded, the noise grew louder, as if coming from somewhere. It sounded like a noisy chatter.

As if aware of Seriniel’s confusion, Johan spoke as they walked together.

“The temple has been operating an orphanage for several years now.”

“…An orphanage?”

Seriniel’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Yes. It’s something I wanted to do even before I became Vice-Priest, but it was difficult to raise funds. Most of the donations came in, but most of the money went to running the temple.”

Moreover, running an orphanage is a costly endeavor, so it wasn’t easy.

But how could such a thing suddenly happen?

“So, I’ve been considering it for a while, and then a kind nobleman offered to help.”

Johan’s gaze turned to Lexion.

Lexion still avoided eye contact slightly, but Johan looked at him with a warm smile.

“The children here… most of them have lost their parents due to war. They gathered from various territories.”

“…”

“Their ages vary. So it was very difficult at first, but thanks to the generous nobleman’s help, we’ve managed to establish ourselves quite well now.”

“If people heard, they might think I’m doing this as a volunteer.”

Although Lexion said that with an indifferent expression, his ears were slightly tinged with red, leaving Seriniel with a somewhat bewildered expression.

Is what I’m seeing real?

“Similar things haven’t been uncommon for you, have they?”

Johan chuckled, smiling.

“Sometimes he would come and play with the children, read them stories, and even be their friend. Surprising, isn’t it?”

“I’ve never done such a thing. I was just passing the time. I have to make sure my money is being used properly.”

“Well, okay. So, you’ve never set foot in the temple before.”

Lexion had always visited the orphanage located behind the temple. He had never set foot inside the temple itself.

So, as Johan, it was even more surprising. There was no reason for Lexion to walk to the temple from there.

“Look over there.”

Pointing ahead, Johan spoke.

“They’re all running towards us with smiles on their faces. They’re happy to see you.”

“Duke Lexion!”

Johan’s words were not false. They were all waiting eagerly and rushed towards Lexion.

“Why are you coming now? We missed you so much!”

A young girl clung to Lexion’s leg, looking up at him.

“Please read us a fairy tale like last time! The Vice-Priest bought new books for you!”

…Fairy tale?

“No, I’m first. Next time, you promised to play ball with us!”

Play ball…?

“…Dammit.”

Seriniel reflexively looked at Lexion. Lexion, with an expression as if nothing were wrong, covered his face with one hand and slightly lowered his head.

He had claimed he was just passing the time. It was a blatant lie.

Yet, Lexion couldn’t bring himself to reject the children, so he stood there quietly for a long time.

“As it seems you have something to attend to, would the Lady care to sit with me for a while?”

And Johan looked at Seriniel and asked.

“The spring sun is quite harsh. Of course, someone like you may not be affected, but it might be different for a lady with a delicate constitution.”

“…How do you know I have a delicate constitution?”

That was something from her childhood. Of course, even now as an adult, her health wasn’t remarkably good, but it was still better than back then.

But how did this person know about that?

“I’ve heard that a few times about the daughter of Viscount Verdellet.”

“…”

“Shall we go then? Since the Duke seems to be playing with the children, it would be nice for the Lady and me to sit on the opposite bench.”

There’s a large tree over there, perfect for avoiding the sunlight.

Johan said this as he led Seriniel, and Seriniel suddenly glanced back at Lexion, who was being dragged away by the children.

He was still surrounded by children. Despite his dismissive replies, the children laughed cheerfully and clung to him as if nothing else mattered.

…There was no sign of the infamous ruthless killer that the world talked about in this Lexion.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Lexion looked very different here.

He was now playing with the children.

The children, oblivious to Lexion’s fearsomeness, either made absurd demands or clung to him relentlessly.

But the most surprising thing was that Lexion was looking after all of them without exception.

There was even a girl holding a book dearly, waiting for her turn to be read a story.

It was truly astonishing.

“Isn’t it a lovely sight?”

In Johan’s quiet voice, Seriniel finally looked at him.

“In the world, Lexion Rosevester may be called cruel and merciless, but in reality, it’s not entirely true.”

“…I don’t understand why only such rumors spread so widely. It would have been better if stories like this were known as well.”

“People tend to gossip about stories that pique their interest.”

“…”

“The Lexion Rosenvester who was actually like that… Even if such stories were told, they wouldn’t be believed.”

…Yeah. That’s probably true. Seriniel smiled wryly.

“But do you have something to discuss with me?”

“…Yes?”

“Something feels off. As I mentioned earlier, the Duke always came to see the children, never to the temple. But today, it seems the order has changed.”

“…”

“So I thought, perhaps the person I need to see isn’t the Duke, but rather the Lady.”

“You’re quite observant, Vice-Priest.”

“Even before I became Vice-Priest, I was someone who fought on the battlefield alongside the Duke. In order to survive on the battlefield, being observant is crucial.”

Yeah, now that he mentioned it, she had heard something like that before. They used to fight on the battlefield together…

“Now, tell me. What is it that you need from me?”

Seriniel didn’t say anything for a moment. She gazed silently at Lexion, who was spending time with the children in the distance, then turned her gaze back to Johan.

And then, she slowly parted her lips.