No Need For Regrets

Chapter 68

“Lady Seriniel.”

At the sudden sound of Seriniel’s voice, Lexion finally snapped out of it. He looked at Seriniel approaching him.

“I was waiting since it seemed like you would arrive soon.”

She had been waiting…

Lexion’s expression was one that didn’t match with her at all. It was somewhat dark, as if there was something bothering him.

She knew the reason.

The moment Seriniel saw the letter sent by an unknown sender, she could easily guess what was going on in the current situation.

So, it was understandable for him to have such a strange expression.

“Actually, the mansion is in complete chaos right now.”

“What do you mean?”

What happened while he briefly left? Who came to visit? Did he say something strange to Seriniel? Lexion’s face quickly hardened.

“Vain brought a few maids and did a major cleaning, and Kina prepared all sorts of food.”

[“Did you know, Miss? Sometimes being in a clean and tidy place can be helpful psychologically.”]

Especially when one is not feeling well.

Vain said that and then completely turned the mansion upside down. He seemed determined not to leave a speck of dust behind.

“Cleaning is good to do regularly, but the problem is the food. It seems like Kina is planning to kill you and me with the amount she cooked. And she even overloaded the table.”

[“You need to have a strong stomach at times like this. You know that, don’t you, madam?”]

And Kina…

[“Duke Lexion doesn’t seem to be too picky about food. So, I’m not sure what kind of food he likes. So, maybe I should make a wider variety this time! Then we can get an idea of his taste preferences.”]

This was both Vain’s and Kina’s consideration, and it was the maximum affection they could show from their position.

“I’m not good at cleaning or cooking, so I would just be a hindrance.”

“….”

“So I came out to wait for you in advance. I didn’t know, but I seem to have a knack for waiting. It’s not too boring.”

“Seriniel…”

Lexion seemed like a person who didn’t know how to start a conversation.

Seriniel silently looked at him, then reached out her hand slowly. Then she gently patted Lexion’s thick arm.

“I know everything. What’s going on.”

“….”

“But I’m okay, Duke Lexion.”

She knew it. Even without the Emperor’s help, she knew Lexion would find a way somehow.

And for once, even if Lexion couldn’t take revenge as she suggested to him, it didn’t matter.

[“I’ll take care of those who are against us. Of course, it’s my job to do, so don’t worry about causing trouble for the duke or burdening him. I promise.”]

Seriniel remembered exactly what he said. Her feelings were still the same. She didn’t want to burden Lexion unnecessarily.

First, if she heard information about the villas from Vain, she planned to investigate those places.

And just as Belles gathered his forces, she wanted to gather the nobles who harbored resentment towards him.

Belles was a pitiful case, but he had many enemies. Moreover, if their rebellion succeeded and the Emperor changed, it was obvious that those who were friendly to the current regime would face danger.

I think Duke Lexion is thinking the same thing as me.

But now, we couldn’t delay any longer, so we had to move quickly.

But what she wanted to say now wasn’t about that.

“You came back safely today.”

“….”

“I’m glad for that.”

Seriniel’s eyes looking at him were as affectionate and kind as ever. So Lexion, who seemed to have stiffened his expression at some point, unknowingly… smiled faintly.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

During all this time, Vain had been faithful in his duties as a steward, but today he seemed to show more than that.

The mansion was much cleaner and tidier than usual. And as if that wasn’t enough, Vain had decorated the duke’s residence everywhere. With flowers brought from the garden.

[“…Didn’t you say you were feeling sick when I asked to take care of the garden?”]

[“As you get older, your body slows down. Now I’m finally getting a little healthier.”]

Was Vain such an audacious person?

[“Maid, It seems like you’re planning to kill me with all this food.”]

[“Oh, look at the size of the duke. It’s actually that he hasn’t eaten much until now. I’ve prepared meat and fish so you can eat comfortably. And just in case, I’m asking, but do you have no intention of remembering my name?”]

Was Kina such a tall name?

Still, Lexion didn’t make any unpleasant remarks. Instead, he just chuckled softly. Seriniel, Vain, and Kina were the same.

So the hectic dinner ended, and before they knew it, night had fallen.

Lexion seemed to be lost in thought continuously. He must be thinking about what to do next.

But he also seemed a bit tired, and exhausted. It was something he didn’t expect, from Viscount Herington to the Emperor, in the past few days, Lexion must not have been able to sleep peacefully.

[The parasite of Rosenvester…]

That letter…

She didn’t want to deliver it.

But Seriniel knew it well. In situations like this, hiding something from Lexion could become too dangerous, no matter what it was.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

“Duke Lexion.”

Kina cautiously parted her lips to Lexion late at night.

“Madam asked you to come for a moment.”

“Yes. Please wait in the bedroom.”

From Kina’s face as she conveyed the message, there was no trace of suspicion like before.

Finding it somewhat amusing, Lexion stared at Kina intently.

“Hurry and go. Since I’ve finished everything I need to do today, I’ll quietly go in and won’t come out. Vain is the same.”

Though it was requested discreetly, Kina shrugged once and then left.

Lexion made a puzzled expression, then slowly got up.

…I thought I’d go to bed early.

What is there to say? Lexion’s mind was now filled with thoughts of Seriniel.

And before he knew it, Lexion, standing in front of the bedroom, absentmindedly straightened his attire. Then, after clearing his throat, he gently knocked on the door and called out Seriniel’s name.

“Seriniel.”

“Come in, Duke.”

Seriniel’s voice came from behind the closed door. Lexion slowly opened the door and looked at Seriniel sitting on the bed.

“Please sit here.”

Seriniel said, patting the spot next to her.

“Come on.”

Lexion hesitated for a moment, but eventually followed Seriniel’s words.

So, as Lexion awkwardly sat next to her, Seriniel placed a box that was on the floor onto the bed.

“We need to change your bandages and apply medicine.”

“….”

“Give me your hand.”

Even though the wound didn’t require this much attention…

Lexion decided not to say anything.

…Even if it meant being in the same space as Seriniel like this.

“How are you feeling?”

As Seriniel was changing the bandage, she discreetly glanced at Lexion’s hand and asked softly.

“What about?”

“Your day today.”

“…Today?”

“Vain and Kina actually asked me secretly to ask you how the mansion was and how the food was.”

“They secretly asked but now you’re asking openly like this?”

“Since you’re so perceptive, Duke, you’ll notice everything I try to hide, won’t you? So, it’s better to be honest.”

Lexion chuckled.

“…Alright.”

After a moment’s pause, he answered in a somewhat softer voice.

“It felt like being pampered.”

“….”

“It felt like the first time.”

“Yeah, it must. Lexion must not be accustomed to this kind of pampering at all. Though he understood it intellectually, why did the phrase ‘felt like the first time’ hit him like a dagger in the heart?

“Vain and Kina really like you, Duke.”

Seriniel said with an affectionate tone.

“So they want to do something for you. Since I can’t lag behind alone, I’ll do my best too.”

“….”

“Of course, I’m a bit clumsy at it.”

As Seriniel tied the bandage ends into a ribbon, she looked up at Lexion and smiled.

“….”

A moment of silence settled between them.

…What should I say? How should I speak so that you feel a little less embarrassed?

Seriniel slowly removed her hand from Lexion’s wrist. Then she got up, approached the bedside, and opened the drawer of the nightstand.

In Seriniel’s hand was the letter.

The one that arrived when Lexion was away.

Seriniel handed it to Lexion.

“I was thinking of putting it in the study, but I thought it would be better to give it to you personally.”

As Lexion took the letter, his gaze fell on the bold handwriting.

– Parasite of Rosenvester.

…I know this handwriting.

For a moment, Lexion’s face stiffened.

He began to read the letter with a feeling that it might crumble when touched.

– The flaw of the family, dirty and filthy like its mother.

“….”

– The game is over now. Everything will return to its place, and you, shameless like your mother, will become just like her.

Nausea…

It felt like it was about to surface.

“Lexion…”

…You’ve seen everything, haven’t you?

Do you think I don’t feel ashamed?

Lexion sincerely thought the words written in the letter were ridiculous.

Even at this moment, he would rather die.

But his thoughts didn’t last long.

Suddenly, he was embraced, and it was warm.

“Have you heard? To a person whose only tool is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.”

“….”

“The one who sent this letter is no different. They just judge everything according to their own standards. They don’t even know how childish and ridiculous it is.”

Seriniel knew.

The shame Lexion was feeling right now.

It wasn’t just the contents of the letter… it was also because Seriniel witnessed how he was treated.

He would hurt himself like this again. As if it was very familiar to him.

So she invited him to the bedroom.

“Stay with me tonight.”

“….What?”

Lexion looked at Seriniel with somewhat vacant eyes.