No Need For Regrets

Chapter 86

“…So, they returned just like that without any incidents.”

“…”

“Together with Sereniel Verdellete, to the Duke of Rosenvester’s estate.”

“…”

“Sir Ernest…?”

When there was no response, the young man reporting looked at Ernest with a puzzled expression.

“They returned to the Duke’s estate…”

Ernest murmured to himself and then looked out the window with a stern face.

[Such shamelessness. What face did he show me when he came here?]

He recalled Lexion’s face when he visited him not long ago.

Ernest.

He was the most influential noble among the Rosenvester’s branch families. Though old and frail, he knew everything related to the Rosenvester family, including the branch families.

“It seems the Emperor was finally persuaded by that guy.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Or perhaps that woman, Sereniel. Maybe she achieved something.”

“Persuaded, you say, about what…?”

“Military authority, to be precise, military command.”

The man hesitated.

“There’s no other reason for him to visit the palace at such a late hour. But if he returned quietly without any incident, what does that mean? It means he got what he wanted.”

As Ernest mumbled to himself, the bright moonlight fell on his face. Though his face was full of wrinkles, his eyes sparkled with the sharpness of a young man.

Ernest was a wise man, not just because he had lived long enough to experience countless events. He was sharp-minded and had a precise sense of when to step forward and when to hold back.

Had he not been that way, Ernest would have sided with Royden long ago.

In fact, some branch family nobles did protect Royden but Ernest had never participated in that. He merely observed.

He held no fond feelings for Lexion Rosenvester, quite the opposite, actually.

But it was the same for Royden. Ernest knew well that Royden Rosenvester was too inadequate to hold the position of head of the family.

The only reason he hadn’t chosen Lexion was due to his trivial pride as a noble.

But what use was that pride now, at this point?

Ernest sighed softly to himself.

“And there was also a message from Royden. He sent someone.”

“He must have asked all the branch family nobles to gather their soldiers.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Ernest’s eyes narrowed slightly. He closed his eyes tightly and let out a deep sigh.

Royden and Belles had lured the branch family nobles, making them ally with those who had ill feelings towards Lexion.

[I don’t believe all the branch nobles shared the same intention. Especially not an old man like you with unnecessary pride in the family.]

Just as Lexion had predicted, Ernest did not share the same intentions as the other nobles. He merely sat back and watched the situation unfold.

To be honest, Ernest thought their attempt had a high chance of succeeding.

[But do you know? I’m someone who also thinks.]

…That was until Lexion visited him.

[If the rebellion fails, all the branch families, including you, will be deemed traitors. But even if the opposite happens, nothing changes. I will immediately take all the soldiers and attack the Grand Duke Clan.]

“…”

[If the Rosenvester family, after successfully rebelling, attacks the new emperor, it gives Belles a very good pretext. He will drag Royden into it. It’s a perfect opportunity to get rid of the Rosenvester family, which has always been a thorn in his side, and seize a large number of soldiers.]

Lexion was right.

Even if Royden regained control of the Rosenvester family, Belles would not stand by and do nothing.

It would be a bloodbath including the branch families…

“To think the only choices before me are a lowly, vulgar bastard and an incompetent legitimate heir who let everything slip away…”

“…”

“It’s ridiculous. All of it.”

“What shall we do?”

The man asked, cautiously watching Ernest.

“Where is he?”

And after some time had passed, Ernest, having made his decision, looked at the man and spoke.

“Where Royden has asked for the soldiers to be sent.”

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Dawn arrived without hesitation, unaware of the burning anticipation.

“…”

It was early, before the sun had risen, but Sereniel was not asleep.

Sitting on the bed, she silently watched Lexion don his armor.

She didn’t want to burden Lexion with heavy steps as he headed to the battlefield. But as the time approached, she found it impossible to keep her emotions in control.

I need to hold on.

And I need to smile and tell him to come back safely…

Sereniel took a few deep breaths without Lexion noticing, then rose from her seat, approaching him, she spoke.

“Let me help you put it on.”

“It’s heavy. What if you get hurt…?”

“Did you know, sometimes you treat me like a helpless child by the water.”

Sereniel smiled lightly and took hold of the armor.

The armor was indeed very heavy.

…Is this the weight of his life? Is that why it feels so heavy?

Sereniel fiddled with the armor anxiously for a moment before beginning to put it on Lexion.

“…”

While Sereniel dressed him in the armor, Lexion stood still without saying a word.

Instead, his black eyes never left Sereniel. Her slightly tousled blonde hair, her long eyelashes downcast, and her emerald eyes that, unlike usual, couldn’t fully hide her worry.

“It’s done.”

After a considerable amount of time, Sereniel patted his shoulder, signaling she was finished.

“Are you all set now?”

“…”

“Is there anything else I need to prepare for you? Anything at all…”

“There’s still the most important thing I haven’t prepared.”

Does he mean his sword? Sereniel’s gaze shifted to his waist, and Lexion chuckled softly.

“It’s something much more important than a sword to me.”

Lexion spoke cryptically and walked over to the nightstand. He took out something that Sereniel knew very well.

The single earring Lexion had taken on the day of the debutante.

…But why now?

In Lexion’s hand was her earring, now attached to a metal necklace chain.

“I always took this with me.”

Lexion, threading the earring onto the necklace chain, said as he put it around his neck.

“Because it was more precious to me than my life.”

Sereniel slowly approached Lexion. She carefully kissed her earring, now hanging just above his heart.

“…Now, I have nothing to fear.”

Lexion caressed Sereniel’s cheek as he spoke.

“You must keep your promise… You must.”

“Wait for me in this mansion, Sereniel.”

“…”

“And welcome me back with a bright smile. When I’ll return.”

It had been a long time since he had gone to battle.

And it was also the first time he left his loved one behind.

But unlike before, there was now someone to greet him warmly when he returned from war. Someone to embrace him, asking if he was really okay, if he hadn’t been hurt much.

That was enough, more than enough.

Lexion lowered his head and slowly kissed Sereniel.

“I love you, Sereniel.”

“…Me too, Very much.”

“I’ll be back safely.”

With those words, the two embraced each other tightly.

Held in Lexion’s arms, Sereniel prayed with all her heart that she could meet Lexion again with a smiling face.

“…”

It wasn’t only Sereniel whose face was now wet with tears. Kina, who stood silently at the door watching them, was also crying. Vain, as usual, said nothing, but his eyes were filled with worry as he looked at Lexion.

Thus, the whole family saw Lexion off with heavy hearts…

And now, it was the beginning of everything.