Chapter 59
Even in moments when he was thoroughly intoxicated, Viscount Harington’s eyes, now bloodshot, were suddenly filled with clear emotions.
Fear and…
Dread.
“…”
With the blade of a knife pressed against his throat, Viscount Harington gasped for breath as if he were about to die.
He seemed to be trying to grasp what was happening to him at that moment. His intentions were transparent.
Viscount Harington and Belles had been partners in crime for a long time, but the notion that time breeds trust and reciprocity between them was nonexistent. Especially when dealing with someone like Belles.
And hadn’t he just spoken? Hadn’t he questioned whether he would just sit still?
“Belles, Belles…”
Viscount Harington muttered with a voice as if his throat were being squeezed.
“You, or rather, me…”
In the end, Viscount Harington was doubting Belles. Had he unwittingly become the tail that was cut off? He couldn’t help but think so.
He was truly pathetic.
“How much… How much have I done with him…”
On that subject…
“Even when Belles was ignored by the Verdellet family… and…”
“Even when we had to eliminate that damn count and countess!”
How dare they do such things?
Lexion looked down at the trembling Viscount Harington with a cold gaze, then spoke in a voice devoid of any warmth.
“Shall I summarize it for you, Harington? You only have one thing to answer to me.”
“Summarize…?”
“To a person about to die, such leniency can be afforded.”
Viscount Harington’s face stiffened. As if it could break at any moment.
It was a familiar expression to Lexion, and a familiar gaze, eyes filled with terror.
Unconsciously, Lexion chewed on his lips.
…This time.
No matter the contract, no matter if it was a choice made out of necessity due to the risk to his life…
As long as Serinial was by his side, for this moment, he didn’t want to resolve things like this.
Of course, there was no avoiding getting blood on his hands, everyone would die. The Viscount in front of him, as well as those plotting rebellion, and certainly Belles too. Lexion was well aware of that.
But still…
He wanted to keep this side of himself hidden from Serinial as much as possible. Thus, he had avoided getting involved in investigations that didn’t suit him and minimized his involvement in bloodshed.
However, now that Belles had started moving first, Lexion no longer had a choice.
Even if it meant that Serinial would see him as a murderer like everyone else. Even if it meant that she would regard him with suspicion like a killer. There was no other way.
“Where is it?”
“…”
“Belles Verdellet’s hiding place.”
Lexion wasn’t searching for Belles’ hideout to find evidence that he was preparing for rebellion.
It was because of the Magic Stone.
– Seriniel Verdellet manipulated the books to embezzle profits that should have gone to herself and the investors she gathered with Baron Belles Verdellet…
In the worst-case scenario… Seriniel might end up being falsely accused of being involved in rebellion with Belles. That might be what Belles wanted.
Belles would have already arranged everything with Calian. If everyone, including the investors, were to say that Seriniel and Belles were the ones who gathered them, there would be no way for Seriniel to defend herself against the false accusation.
The Emperor might not be able to turn a blind eye to such a situation.
Lexion trusted no one. Not even the Emperor.
Especially when it came to Seriniel’s safety.
That’s why he needed the Magic Stone.
To prove that Serinial was unrelated to Belles and that she was also a victim of his threats and schemes.
“Speak.”
In Lexion’s eyes, there was an unmistakable glint of vitality. Now, Viscount Harington was trembling like a leaf, utterly pitiful.
“I, I, I…”
“You…”
“That, that’s…”
With a face turning pale, Viscount Harington muttered absentmindedly.
Lexion looked down at him with a chilly gaze, then chuckled with a chilling smile.
“You don’t know.”
“…”
“It’s fine.”
Lexion smiled and said, “I didn’t expect much anyway.”
“I… I…”
“I won’t blame you. After all, no one trusts Belles anyway. It’s pathetic.”
The moment Lexion’s hand tightened around the sword, Viscount Harington realized that death was looming before him.
“W-wait!”
Viscount Harington, now desperate, shouted with a trembling voice.
“Can you… Can you handle it? Killing me like this!”
Then he started to babble.
“Belles… Even if… I have other nobles. If it’s known that I died like this, they’ll all rise up and…”
“Truly a tear jerking friendship.”
“What…?”
“Indeed. You can do that. I’ll be grateful for that friendship and make sure everyone meets you as soon as possible.”
If everyone dies, that’s it.
If he cuts their throats so they can’t mutter a word, and if he cuts off their limbs so they can’t do anything, then Seriniel will be safe.
They won’t be in danger again, and they won’t be able to take anything away.
It will be peaceful.
…Lexion raised his sword.
“Something else! Even if you don’t know the hideout, I know a lot of other things. I know… I know…”
Viscount Harington, who had completely lost his composure, grabbed Lexion’s wrist with trembling hands.
“Anything… Anything, I’ll tell you, please…”
“…”
“Me…!”
However, sadly, Viscount Harington couldn’t finish his sentence.
Instead, with a thud… his head, mercilessly severed, rolled on the ground.
Drenched in bright red blood.
“Such a pity.”
Lexion, covered in blood all over his body, spoke as if mocking him.
“You knew what I know too.”
…So you’re useless to me and have to die.
Lexion’s face, as he looked at the now lifeless body of Viscount Harington, showed no expression. He simply wiped the blood off his sword as if all of this were routine.
Suddenly, a bothersome feeling arose.
As he lowered his head to look at his wrist, he saw long scratch marks. They were left by Viscount Harington. Though blood quickly welled up on the wounds, Lexion didn’t seem to care.
…In that moment, none of the myriad emotions that Lexion displayed when he was with Seriniel could be felt.
A faint sound came from behind suddenly. Lexion slowly turned around. There, he saw the pale, trembling face of Viscountess Harington.
“…”
She seemed either disbelieving of what had just happened before her eyes or too well-understood and overwhelmed by fear.
Lexion’s gaze suddenly landed on the purplish bruise on the Viscountess’s face. He even noticed the shattered wine glass thrown by the Viscount that was still rolling on the floor.
Will she resent me?
For killing her husband, even though he was the one who raised his hand and threw objects?
Lexion thought to himself.
But he had no intention of killing her. His goal had always been solely Viscount Harington and his lineage.
Still, he could offer some advice, even if it seemed like manipulation.
…It was as he was pondering this.
“Mon… Monstrous…”
A faint voice escaped the distraught Viscountess’s lips.
“Mo… Monster…”
“…”
“Monster…”
Lexion…
Said nothing.
Instead, he continued to stride forward with his blood-stained face, as if laughing at her.
When Lexion approached, the Viscountess trembled as if she might faint at any moment.
He’ll kill me too. That monster will cut my throat just like he did with him!
“Your husband is implicated in treason.”
But what returned was not the sharp blade, but a heavy, descending voice.
“Even if I hadn’t barged in, he would’ve been executed by beheading. Your husband’s fate was already sealed.”
…So?
Is this monster trying to justify himself in front of me?
The Viscountess, still unable to breathe a word, looked up at Lexion.
“But not you.”
“…”
“Pack up anything valuable and leave the Viscount’s estate immediately. By tomorrow, all the members of this household will be dragged to the scaffold.”
“Now… What…?”
“You haven’t even had children, and you’ve only been a Viscountess for barely two months… He was even your fourth husband. You don’t need to bear the burden of his sins in this situation.”
…What does he mean?
I get it, right?
That was it. Lexion, without looking back, left the Viscount’s bedroom.
Of course, the abandoned Viscountess was more surprised by the fact that the murderer, Lexion, said such words than by her husband dying before her eyes… But that wasn’t so important.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
When Lexion returned to the Marquess’s mansion, it was already late at night.
“…”
There was still no expression on Lexion’s face as he walked through the corridor.
Though the expression was gone, the bright red blood spilled by Viscount Harington still covered his face.
There was only one thing filling Lexion’s mind.
Please, let Seriniel be asleep.
So she doesn’t see me like this… Like this…
But, as always, what Lexion wished for never happened.
…Today was no different.
“Lexion…”
The owner of the voice had been waiting since earlier…
It was Seriniel, who rushed out after hearing the noise.
Though waiting for Lexion, Seriniel couldn’t even finish his name.
Instead, she looked at Lexion, standing there in bloodstained armor.
…Frozen in place.
