No Need For Regrets

Chapter 8

 

“…Is the business going well? Or did you ask just for the sake of it?”

 

“From the Marquis?”

 

“He seems interested in hearing about the progress, but he mentioned having trouble reaching you due to your inspections.”

 

Seriniel looked at Calian, suppressing her rising anger.

 

Nevertheless, in such a situation, there was nothing good about letting her emotions get the better of her with Calian. Seriniel wasn’t foolish enough not to know that.

 

“Well… You went through a lot because of me, Seri.”

 

Calian’s expression wasn’t bright. Despite successfully obtaining permission for their marriage and becoming spouses with Seriniel, Calian felt somewhat embarrassed about Belles’s situation.

 

It was natural. Unlike Seriniel’s wealthy household, Calian’s situation was not like that. It was a kind of inferiority complex.

 

Moreover, even the opportunity to engage in the mining business was purely thanks to Seriniel. Now that Seriniel had elevated his status by marrying him, before that, Calian had nothing, literally nothing, to his name.

 

“I’ll make sure to contact the Marquis.”

 

“No, it’s fine.”

 

Seriniel shook her head.

 

“I can deliver the message instead. You just need to tell me how the mining situation is progressing.”

 

“…Seri? Are you serious?”

 

At Seriniel’s words, Calian looked puzzled.

 

And that was understandable because, until now, Seriniel had never asked Calian about anything related to the business.

 

It was Seriniel’s consideration. She was worried that her inquiries might cause Calian additional stress.

 

Of course, Calian was unaware of such thoughts. He simply thought she had no interest in such matters. And he probably wouldn’t understand or appreciate it either. Seriniel, who grew up comfortably without any worries or regrets, would have no interest in such matters, he thought. It was almost a condescending guess.

 

“It’s my mine as well, after all. I think I should know what’s going on now.”

 

Seriniel’s words were subtly pointed, and Calian’s face subtly stiffened.

 

“Besides, as your inspections keep you busy, I should be able to handle this level of work. It’s something I can do without bothering you.”

 

“Please do as Seri says.”

 

The sudden interruption of Leraie was followed by what happened next.

 

“Then you can focus more on the business, right? That’s what Seri would want.”

 

Leraie’s face was adorned with a bright smile.

 

The reason was obvious. To pass off trivial matters to Seriniel and spend time with the child alongside Calian, under the pretext of inspections, was what they both desired.

 

“But Seri, I’m always amazed at times like this. Even if it’s just reporting, it’s still a burdensome task. Plus, you don’t even know what business is all about, so it’s hard to believe you’d understand it easily.”

 

“…”

 

“But still, saying something like this means you love me that much, right.”

 

Seriniel didn’t respond at all. She just lowered her head slightly, looking coldly at the cooling food in front of her.

 

“You’re really lucky, being married to someone like Seri.”

 

“Yeah, I think so too. There’s no one like Seri anywhere. I’m truly fortunate.”

 

There was nothing strange in their voices.

 

That just proved how perfectly they concealed their dark intentions. Seriniel felt like she might retch, but she struggled to hold it back.

 

“From tomorrow, tell me about the progress, Calian. Just as Leraie said, don’t worry about anything else.”

 

Seriniel forced a smile as she spoke, and Calian nodded as if to acknowledge.

 

The mining business was just beginning to gain attention. People still judged it as unstable, but Calian had staked his entire life on it.

 

In fact, from the beginning, the profits were not bad either.

 

But the true test of the mining business was yet to come.

 

It was because of the darkstone.

 

Darkstone was extremely difficult to obtain, a commodity that was literally worth its weight in gold. And even the small amount imported was scarce.

 

And the beginning of mining darkstone in the mines was, from this point on, not far away.

 

In any case, Seriniel had no intention of leaving Calian alone like this.

 

She would somehow set things right. She wanted to crush Calian, push him out of this business, and take everything from him. She wanted to break him. She wanted to take everything that Calian and Leraie cherished.

 

…So I had to know first. How things were going.

 

“Oh, and did you hear about that? Duke Lexion is back.”

 

…Lexion?

 

At the sudden mention of that name, Seriniel briefly paused.

 

“I heard. There was a commotion about him returning victorious from the war again.”

 

Calian answered as he stuffed a piece of bread into his mouth.

 

“I guess you didn’t hear the other stories.”

 

“…Other stories?”

 

“There were several people captured as prisoners this time, and it seems they killed them all. Well, the Emperor only cares about the results, so it doesn’t matter to him.”

 

Leraie spoke excitedly.

 

“They say even the soldiers who followed the Duke were disgusted. Saying it didn’t have to go that far.”

 

“I see.”

 

Without much surprise, Calian muttered indifferently, “Well, isn’t that person nicknamed the ‘murderer’?”

 

Murderer…

 

Suddenly, there seemed to be an overwhelming presence emanating from Lexion, who had been staring at her intently.

 

“The Emperor highly regards Duke Lexion, but the nobles don’t seem to feel the same way. Probably because his power is too great, and he’s been around for centuries. His reputation isn’t good either.”

 

“Hmm…”

 

“Rumors are circulating that the Emperor plans to use Duke Lexion to deal with troublesome nobles.”

 

“If that’s the case, he probably won’t return to battle again. It’s not like every day someone who’s constantly thrown into the battlefield would handle nobles.”

 

Calian shrugged.

 

“Anyway, what does that have to do with us? We probably won’t even meet him.”

 

“Yeah, that’s true. He spends more time on the battlefield than in his domain.”

 

Calian and Leraie’s words were correct. Lexion Rosevester was obsessed with war. He was always on the battlefield and seemed to have no interest in anything else.

 

But why…

 

[“We’ll meet again. Even if you don’t like it, it’ll happen.”]

 

…Why did he say we would meet again?

 

“If you find pleasure in killing people, that’s what happens. It’s vulgar. Maybe because he’s a bastard.”

 

Calian murmured words that he wouldn’t dare say in front of Lexion, and Seriniel silently drank lukewarm water without saying a word.

 

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

 

Seriniel returned to her study late in the evening.

 

“…”

 

Standing in front of her desk, Seriniel let out a short sigh.

 

Seriniel had stayed at the dining table until the end. Of course, she wanted to get up and leave as soon as possible, but for some reason, an unknown pride held her back.

 

It felt like she was running away from herself.

 

And she could vividly imagine how happy those two would be once she left.

 

But she didn’t want to see them off.

 

Since Kina had said she would see off Leraie, Calian would probably be preparing by now.

 

…Thinking about falling asleep in the same bed as Calian made her stomach twist.

 

But if she changed her attitude right away, she would be suspicious. Calian was a quick-witted person.

 

In this situation, Seriniel didn’t have many choices.

 

Seriniel came to the study after finishing her meal to buy time. She didn’t want to be with Calian any longer than necessary.

 

And…

 

“…”

 

Soon, Seriniel’s gaze fell on the desk drawer. Inside the desk, there were neatly folded letters and a cup of tea sent by Leraie.

 

As she slowly unfolded the letter, a familiar handwriting caught her eye.

 

– Although it would be better to visit and speak in person, due to urgent matters, I am sending this letter first. I would appreciate your understanding.

 

It was from the apothecary whom she had known since her time at the Viscount’s.

 

Externally running a regular apothecary, but behind the scenes, also taking orders for risky business conducted by nobles.

 

For example, poisons.

 

Thus, they were more familiar with such matters than anyone else.

 

– The ingredients of the flower tea that Madam inquired about…

 

As Seriniel read through the letter, her eyes lit up faintly.