To Those Who Regretted After I Died - Chapter 46
“Lord Alec… we will now proceed with Lady Sophia’s burial. Please inform the family members to gather at the cemetery behind the estate.”
“…Understood.”
The priest informed Alec about Sophia’s burial, and the lid of the coffin was closed.
“……”
Alec stared at the closed coffin, and the physician, with his eyes shut, quietly mourned Sophia’s passing.
“Lord Alec… will Lady Sophia be laid to rest at the Lemoire family grounds?”
“Yes… please arrange for it…”
Alec bowed to the priest, and it was decided that Sophia would be buried in the Lemoire family cemetery.
“Traditionally, a wife would be laid to rest with her husband’s family even after death, but… to divorce right before passing away… May Lady Sophia’s soul find peace.”
“……”
The priest shook his head and, after speaking to Alec, stepped away.
“…Lord Alec, should we notify Lady Emily’s parents…?”
“…Yes, let’s do that…”
As Alec and the doctor stepped outside the church, he noticed Emily standing close to a young man, who he recognized as Paul, her fiancé. Paul was speaking with Emily’s parents, who seemed somewhat uneasy yet moved, as he addressed them as “Mother” and “Father,” with tears welling in their eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh… it’s nothing…”
“But why are you here?” Alec inquired.
“There was a wedding for a friend at the church across the street today. When I looked over, I noticed Miss Emily with her parents…”
“I see… it was a wedding then…” Emily’s father murmured as he glanced at the other church, where young people were joyfully gathered. He brushed a tear from his eye, remembering that last year was the final time he saw Sophia smiling on her own wedding day.
“Oh… I just heard from Miss Emily that… her sister has passed away…”
“…Yes… she was a kind soul…”
“I still can’t quite believe it…”
Paul, observing Emily’s grieving parents, expressed his condolences for a sister he had never met.
“My condolences… I regret not having met her… I’m truly sorry I’ll never have the chance.”
“You never met my sister, Paul?”
“No… When you told me she was unwell, I realized why she wanted you close. I think she found comfort in having you by her side…”
“Paul…”
Turning to Emily’s parents, Paul softly voiced his admiration for Emily’s kindness toward her sister.
“I’m sorry…”
“What’s wrong, Paul?” Emily’s father asked, surprised by his apology.
“Miss Emily told me her sister, Lady Sophia, was in poor health… and that she wanted Miss Emily to be with her. I… I was jealous of her sister…”
“Jealous of her sister?” Emily’s father asked, astonished.
“Yes… I didn’t understand why Emily had to stay for so many months at her sister’s estate because of her health. I feel embarrassed for feeling jealous of her…”
“Paul…”
Hearing that Paul had been concerned for her all along brought a smile to Emily’s face.
“Emily… did you tell Paul such things?” her father asked, looking sternly at her.
“Yes… but it was true that my sister wasn’t well…”
“Emily!”
“Eek! Why are you scolding me? It’s true my sister wasn’t feeling well. Why are you only angry at me? If you keep shouting, you’ll startle the baby!”
“…You… you’re using the child as an excuse…”
“A baby…?” Paul looked at Emily, astonished.
“Emily… did you just say ‘baby’…?”
“Ah…”
Emily had yet to tell Paul that she was pregnant.
“…Emily, when you said ‘baby’… could it be…?”
“Ah…”
Emily hadn’t yet told Paul about her pregnancy. She had kept it from him, feeling unable to share because of the cold stares and whispers from the families.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Would… you be happy about it?”
“Of course! We’re having a child!”
“Paul…”
Paul clasped Emily’s hands and smiled, then turned toward her parents and bowed, surprising them.
“P-Paul?”
“I apologize, Father, Mother… I realize it’s inappropriate to bring this up after Sophia’s passing. Please forgive me.”
“What’s going on, Paul? This is so sudden…”
Blushing, Paul scratched the back of his head and, with a shy smile, confessed.
“I realize you may have already known, but I’m about to be a father myself.”
“!!”
“I always thought I’d wait until we were married to have children… but I know my own parents will be overjoyed.”
“Paul…”
Emily’s father, seeing Paul’s happiness over her pregnancy despite knowing nothing about it himself, sighed as he realized he’d eventually have to address this.
“…Paul… there’s something I must tell you…”
“Aah! I can’t believe I haven’t thought of a name yet! But we don’t even know if it’s a boy or a girl, right, Emily?”
“Hehehe…”
“What’s funny?”
“Oh, it’s nothing… just… hehehe.”
Seeing the two of them so happy, her father stopped himself mid-sentence, showing a pained expression. Her mother, noticing, touched his arm and spoke softly.
“…Dear…”
“…Yes, I know…”
Alec, who had been watching the conversation from a distance, saw Emily smiling and talking happily. Just then, the doctor approached him.
“It seems everyone here knows him… though they hardly look like they came for the funeral.”
“……”
Alec started walking again, heading over to Emily, her parents, and her fiancé, Paul.
“…I’m sorry to keep you waiting…”
“…Oh, it’s you…”
“The priest has asked us to gather by the graveside.”
“Understood… although, it seems everyone else has left, and it’s just us now.”
Due to the disgrace Alec and Emily had brought upon their families, most of the relatives had left, leaving only Alec and a few others to attend the burial.
“Um… if it’s alright, may I attend the burial as well?”
“And you are…?”
Alec addressed Paul, who was standing beside Emily.
“Oh, my apologies. My name is Paul Colbert, Emily’s fiancé.”
Alec stared at Paul, who was smiling warmly.
“…So, he’s with Lady Emily…”
“I’m Alec Parlis…”
“Par… So, you’re her sister’s… Emily has told me about you. I wish we could have introduced our child to her sister…”
“Our child?”
Alec cast a severe look at Emily, who noticed and avoided his gaze, gripping Paul’s arm tightly.
“Emily?”
“It’s… nothing…”
Paul squeezed her hand, smiling at her, and Emily returned his smile.
“…Is any man by her side good enough for her?”
Alec muttered under his breath, watching Emily and Paul standing close together.
“My lord Alec… there’s something I need to discuss with you. Lady Adelaide has arranged a meeting soon.”
“…Yes, I know.”
“And… she has requested that Lady Emily and her parents also attend. I will be joining as well.”
“…I see.”
“Are you not surprised?”
The doctor found it odd that Alec, as if he already knew everything, simply nodded.
“…I have angered my aunts… I am prepared for the consequences.”
“Lord Alec… I’ll go inform her parents.”
“…Alright.”
The doctor left Alec’s side, approached Emily’s parents, and informed them that a meeting was to be held at the Parlis estate.