No Need For Regrets

Chapter 7

 

In the end, Serinial’s return was much later than expected.

 

“……”

 

As Serinial entered the mansion, exhaustion was evident on her face.

 

Although the rain had stopped, her dress and hair remained damp, and her body felt heavy like soaked cotton.

 

It was somewhat expected. During this short day, Serinial’s hopes had been completely shattered.

 

Serinial’s lips were tightly pressed together, devoid of color. She staggered briefly, then pressed her temples firmly to ward off the approaching headache without showing signs of exhaustion.

 

…Has Cilian returned?

 

Although there was some distance from the villa to the workshop, it wasn’t too far by carriage.

 

Moreover, before boarding Lexion’s carriage, she had deliberately avoided the fastest shortcut to the workshop, just in case. So there was a chance that Cilian might have arrived at the mansion before her.

 

But can I really face Cilian now, without any unease?

 

That was the thought that crossed her mind.

 

“Madam…!”

 

From far down the corridor, a familiar voice along with a familiar figure appeared. It was Kina.

 

“Why did you come back so late? Do you know how worried I was?”

 

The concern evident on Kina’s face as she clung to Serinial was undeniable. Of course, it was only natural for her to worry. Serinial was late returning, it was pouring rain, and the coachman had returned alone.

 

“Oh my, you’re completely soaked….”

 

“I’m sorry, Kina.”

 

With a heavy sigh, Serinial apologized.

 

“What happened to you?”

 

At Kina’s question, Serinial closed her mouth for a moment and looked at her.

 

Kina. She had been taking care of her since her time at the Viscount’s, more like family than a servant.

 

And the only person in this mansion she could truly trust.

 

…But even to Kina, she couldn’t figure out where to start, what to explain, and how.

 

“I’ll tell you later… I’m too tired right now. I’m sorry.”

 

Though Kina still wore a worried expression, she didn’t press for more information.

 

Instead, with a perplexed expression, she spoke again.

 

“For now, it’s best to change your clothes and go for a meal.”

 

“I have no appetite. Just tell Cilian that I’m not feeling well.”

 

“Oh, I see…”

 

Kina hesitated slightly, and Serinial finally guessed that something had happened.

 

“Um, Lady Leraie is here.”

 

“…What?”

 

“She came with Master. They said they wanted to have dinner together…”

 

For a moment, Serinial’s face turned cold.

 

So that’s it.

 

They came back together.

 

And to this house.

 

It was absurd.

 

At any other time, it might have been plausible. Leraie was her precious, almost family-like friend, and she had a good relationship with Cilian too.

 

But not now.

 

What could Leraie have been thinking, in the absence of me at the workshop?

 

That she would soon be the owner of this mansion?

 

That the next birthday of that Benny would definitely be celebrated here?

 

It felt nauseating.

 

“I told Master and Lady that you went to the Viscount’s. You received a message from the Viscount.”

 

Whispering cautiously, Kina explained.

 

“I couldn’t think of any other believable excuse.”

 

“No, it’s okay.”

 

Sometimes Belles called for Serinial at the Viscount’s. He asked about her well-being and inquired about Cilian’s business progress. So, it wasn’t a suspicious excuse at all.

 

“Would you like to rest…?”

 

“No.”

 

Serinial shook her head in response.

 

…Then, with eyes as cold as ice, she glanced down the hallway and said:

 

“Prepare a new dress, Kina.”

 

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

 

As Serinial wiped away the rainwater soaking her body and changed into a new dress, only one thought echoed in her mind.

 

How on earth should I seek revenge?

 

Kina had mentioned that she went to the market shortly after Serinial’s outing. She had even received a letter detailing its contents after waiting for quite some time.

 

She left it in the study desk drawer. Remembering Kina’s words, Serinial thought:

 

Even if the letter contained information about the poisonous tea, it wouldn’t be enough to manipulate Cilian as an excuse. Since they were in it together, it might even backfire.

 

Unfortunately, Cilian, while lacking possessions, possessed a mind as sharp as lightning. So Serinial couldn’t help but suspect that he had anticipated her discovery and laid another trap.

 

…Should I expose him?

 

Whether Cilian sided with her or not… Regardless, Serinial was a noble, and Leraie was a commoner. If it were to come out that a commoner, let alone one against a noble, had orchestrated such a scheme, she would surely face punishment.

 

It was truly absurd. We were true friends. Social status meant nothing to us. We lived by such a philosophy.

 

Anyway, neither of them were fully satisfied.

 

In the end, there was only one thing she could do.

 

She had to confess everything to Lord Belles and discuss with him what to do next.

 

…What would Lord Belles say? Revealing such a flaw to him was embarrassing enough, and she even felt guilty.

 

With a heavy heart, Serinial sighed as she walked, her face tinged with sadness.

 

Before long, laughter could be heard ahead. Even voices that sounded affectionate.

 

Of course, it was Cilian and Leraie’s voices.

 

“……”

 

As Serinial revealed herself to them, Cilian and Leraie fell silent for a moment, as if questioning when she had laughed and talked so lightly before.

 

“Serri.”

 

But the silence didn’t last long. It was broken by Leraie, who quickly spoke up.

 

“I heard you went to the Viscount’s… I was worried. It seemed you were much later than expected.”

 

Leraie wore the same friendly face as usual when speaking to her. Kind and gentle.

 

But now that she knew everything, it just felt utterly repulsive.

 

“Did you receive the flowers I sent?”

 

“……”

 

“It was mentioned in the letter too, but it will surely be a great help to you! So, make sure to drink it without skipping a day.”

 

Serinial didn’t respond at all. She just stared at Leraie with a cold gaze.

 

“Why do you look so pale? Is something wrong?”

 

Leraie, who was sitting in a chair, slowly got up from her seat. Then she approached Serinial and stood close to her.

 

“Are you really okay? Serri.”

 

Leraie’s expression seemed genuinely concerned, and she reached out to brush Serinial’s back as she spoke.

 

“Are you not feeling well? Should I call a doctor tomorrow? Your health is already delicate, and if you fall ill like last time, what will we do?”

 

A faint laughter escaped Serinial’s slightly parted lips.

 

“…Did you come with Cilian?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Cilian said he was going on a mine inspection.”

 

“Ah, we happened to run into each other on the way.”

 

Leraie answered with a smile.

 

“We thought it’d been a while since the three of us had dinner together. And I wanted to see you.”

 

“Shall we sit down and talk first? Serinial.”

 

Cilian spoke in a tender voice, and Leraie looked at Serinial as if urging her to agree.

 

Anger surged, and she felt utterly disgusted, her whole body tingling with revulsion. But Serinial remained as composed as possible and slowly took her seat.

 

“But why does your complexion look like that? Is it because you’ve been away from home for so long?”

 

As Cilian spoke, Serinial did sometimes feel a bit down whenever she returned home.

 

The reason was simple. It was because of her parents’ absence. Of course, the mansion wasn’t empty now. Lord Belles had become the Viscount.

 

But until the mourning period passed, it was still the home she had lived in all her life… So it was inevitable to feel the absence of her parents. And miss them.

 

So, under normal circumstances, she would have sincerely accepted their concern. She would have been thankful. Thinking, “They’re the only ones who care about me…”

 

Yeah.

 

How naive was I?

 

How ridiculous was I?

 

So, was that why I did those things? So casually?

 

“Serinial….”

 

In Cilian’s voice calling her name, there was a lot of worry buried. Anyone who didn’t know him would never suspect his heart of being false.

 

No, Serinial was the same. Looking into Cilian’s warm eyes, it felt like she had returned to the past. To a day before it all hurt.

 

But…

 

“[Benny, be careful! Your dad would be so upset if you fell.]”

 

It was still vivid in her mind. The child who resembled Leraie, and her husband, who would lovingly hold the child in his arms.

 

“Serinial, any response would be fine…”

 

“…Cilian.”

 

Before Cilian could finish his sentence, Serinial quickly interrupted him.

 

Then, with a cold expression, she looked at him and asked.