It Seems Like The Infamous Trash Can is Right Here! - Chapter 95
Despite everything, the sense of fulfillment filling Lionel’s chest did not fade.
‘This much is only natural.’
To be completely honest, he wouldn’t have minded giving up even his title for her. None of it meant anything to Lionel anymore.
The only reason he didn’t go that far was because it would put Serenia in danger.
As he tapped his fingers against the last line of the contract, Lionel suddenly recalled what had happened that afternoon.
‘…What was that?’
Because of her divine power, Serenia had caused subtle changes the moment she stepped foot in his estate.
The whispers of the fractured world, the echoes of the shattered pieces left behind from his repeated regressions… all of it had vanished completely.
But this time was different.
It had happened when she healed his shoulder wound.
Lionel saw something.
Vaikal, clutching him and sobbing. Given their history and relationship, it was an impossible sight.
‘Is this the future? Or…’
No, he needed to see it again.
The next day, after firmly warning Dantère to stop his useless interest in Serenia, Lionel deliberately inflicted a wound upon himself.
He had no hesitation. He was too accustomed to using his body as a tool.
Serenia, once again, healed him, and again, Lionel saw a vision.
A younger-looking Serenia, smiling brightly as she threw herself into his arms.
“Lionel!” she called out, his name spilling from her lips with familiar affection.
And in response, he smiled just as brightly.
“Serenia,” he murmured, his heart thrumming in his chest like a young boy in love for the first time.
He was still confused as to whether this was something that would happen in the next life if he failed in this one, or something he had forgotten.
If it was the latter, then what had been his relationship with Serenia, and why were they now strangers? The thoughts swirled in his mind relentlessly.
‘One more time. If I check just once more, I’ll know for sure.’
That was the plan.
But then, it happened.
While he was away at the Imperial palace for a meeting, Serenia was left completely unguarded.
The moment he saw her terrified, trembling, fleeing from Ardin Silias, a murderous rage exploded inside him.
Not just Ardin, but also Vivian, for recklessly dragging her outside, and everyone in that gallery who had dared to see her face. He wanted them all dead.
It was an unnatural emotion. If he acted on it, this entire life would be ruined.
And yet, he couldn’t suppress it. The bloodstain on her pale skin dragged his mind back to that day. His heart thundered violently, as if malfunctioning.
He barely restrained himself, and the only reason he succeeded was because Serenia shrank away from him. She looked afraid.
‘Don’t be afraid of me, Serenia. Even if the whole world fears me, you never have to.’
Like being drenched in cold water, he snapped back to reality. He quickly buried his emotions, suppressing the wild, violent urges inside him.
She stood there so fragile, as if she might collapse at any moment, so he wrapped her in his cloak, lifted her into his arms.
And as she sank into his warmth, as if hiding from the world itself, he whispered again and again… That it was okay now. That she had nothing to fear.
It was after that day that Serenia accepted his proposal.
It seemed she had finally realized she needed protection.
It had worked out in his favor, but he despised how it had happened.
Dantère Ortatum and Ardin Silias.
Those two were necessary pieces in the game against the Imperial Family, but unfortunately, he couldn’t simply get rid of them.
And Vivian… Even after countless regressions, she remained a thorn in his side. All he could do was remind her of their agreement. That they would never interfere with one another.
In the end, the marriage contract was the best way to protect Serenia from all threats including the Imperial Family. For now, that was all he could do.
