To Those Who Regretted After I Died - Chapter 8
I stopped showing my face at the dining table…
“Hmm? Where’s my wife?”
“…She said she’s not feeling well, so she will be having her meals in her room for a while…”
“Is she really that unwell after seeing the doctor the other day?”
“…Yes, she has been overwhelmed with work lately, so I believe she has been pushing herself too hard…”
The butler glanced at Alec’s reaction, gauging his response.
Upon hearing “work,” Alec paused his meal, visibly affected.
“It’s all because you leave everything to my sister. Poor sister!”
“No, I think half of it is your fault. You’ve been dragging me along for walks, tea parties, and shopping during work hours.”
“How awful! You’re blaming me!”
“Hahaha, my bad, my bad.”
“Well then, I won’t invite you to any more tea parties or walks!”
“I don’t really mind. But if you asks me to go, I might not be able to say no.”
“Geez, you’re so mean, Alec!”
“Hahaha.”
The bustling dining table had the butler and maids watching the two of them with bewildered expressions. After finishing their meal, Alec and Emily set out for a morning walk, and the maids who watched them began to grumble.
“What’s with those two…? Doesn’t the master worry about his wife? Even when she’s feeling unwell, she’s working in his place… It’s just too much…”
After finishing her story, one maid shed tears, feeling sorry for Sophia.
“I had a good friend, Lana, who quit being a maid… She told me, ‘I didn’t stain that person’s clothes, but they blamed me.’ She was so frustrated that she decided to quit because Lady Emily was at the mansion… When Lana left, I thought about quitting too… but I have to send money to my parents…”
As the maids’ grumbling and dissatisfaction grew, the butler and head maid found themselves in a difficult position.
Unbeknownst to Sophia, who was looking out of her room window, the mansion was filled with complaints about Alec and Emily.Knock, knock!
“Madam, have you finished your meal?”
One maid entered the room and, seeing the untouched food, spoke up.
“Madam, please eat a little.”
“…Why…?”
“Eh?”
“Why can I see the path leading to the garden from this window…?”
“…That is…”
Seeing Sophia gazing intently outside, the maid peeked through the gap in the window and spotted Alec and Emily walking together on the path leading to the garden. She could only watch Sophia’s back in silence.
“…Why did my husband choose me as his wife? It could have just as well been my sister Emily…”
“M-Madam…”
“…I’m sorry… It’s just my ramblings… Don’t tell anyone, okay? I feel bad for everyone who prepared this meal if I don’t eat even a little.”
“Madam…”
With teary eyes, the maid watched as Sophia offered her a smile.
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Alec, who had been invited to a banquet at a noble gathering, called Sophia to his room and handed her a dress.
“…A banquet?”
“Yeah, I’ve been invited to a noble gathering… I’m not really keen on going, but I can’t really refuse… I heard you’re feeling better now. I thought you could attend the banquet.”
“……”
Sophia stared intently at the dress she had been handed…
“You must be feeling suffocated just staying in the mansion, right?”
“…Is it really alright?”
“Yeah…”
Sophia smiled, delighted that Alec had invited her.
“That’s nice! Sister is getting a dress as a present, and I want to wear a dress and go to the banquet too!”
Emily puffed her cheeks and placed both hands on Alec’s desk, begging him to let her go.
“Emily, don’t be selfish…”
Alec chuckled and pulled another dress from under the desk, placing it on the table.
“I bought a dress for you too.”
“Eh…!?”
Surprised, Sophia looked at the differently colored dress.
“Yay! Really!? It’s lovely, Alec… But even if I get a dress, we can’t go together…”
“You’re invited to the banquet as well. I mentioned you were my wife’s sister, and they granted permission.”
“Eh! No way! I’m so happy, thank you, Alec!!”
“!?”
Emily kissed Alec on the cheek, and Sophia was taken aback by the sight.
“…Emily…”
“Oh… I’m sorry, I forgot you were here, sister.”
“……”
*Cough* “You should go change.”
“Okay!”
Emily dashed down the hallway toward her room.
As Alec smiled at Emily leaving the room, he noticed Sophia’s gaze and quickly looked away, clearing his throat.
“…You seem like you want to say something…”
“…You don’t make a displeased face even when Emily touches you… You seem accustomed to it…”
*Cough, cough…* “What are you talking about…?”
“……”
“…Ah, no, it’s just that she’s cute like a sister… I don’t have any siblings, so…”
“……”
(If she’s like a sister, then it’s fine to bring her to my room… Since when has this person started lying as if it were normal…)
Feeling the awkwardness from Sophia’s intense gaze, Alec returned to his usual expression and urged Sophia to prepare.
“…You should change quickly too…”
“…Yes…”
Alec’s cold words made Sophia grip the dress tightly as she turned to leave the room…
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Sophia returned to her room and sat in a chair, letting out a sigh.
“…Madam, it’s time to change…”
“Oh, yes, right… Please do.”
After changing into her dress, Sophia stepped out of her room and saw Alec, dressed in formal attire, and Emily, also dressed up, waiting in the hallway near the entrance.
“…I’m sorry to keep you waiting…”
“Sister, you look beautiful! Does my dress suit me?”
“Uh… yes, it suits you…”
“Heehee, it fits perfectly! Since you and I have the same figure, the dress must fit just right, right?”
“…Yes, that’s true…”
(The dress really does fit me well… When did my husband…?)
“How’s the size of your dress?”
“Yes… it fits perfectly. Thank you very much.”
Alec smiled contentedly and asked Sophia about the size of her dress.
“That’s great. I thought you’d have the same body type as Emily, so I’m glad it worked out.”
“Uh…”
“Aw, Alec! You bought a dress based on my body? Oh, you’re too much!”
“N-no, that’s not what I meant…”
“…”
Sophia, watching Alec and Emily, gripped her dress tightly and trembled…
“I-I’m sorry, but… I’m feeling unwell, so please go to the banquet without me…”
Without waiting for Alec’s response, Sophia turned to go up the stairs but stopped midway.
(…My husband is looking at Emily, so he isn’t looking at me… This is the first dress he gave me…)
Sophia stopped ascending the stairs and tried to return downstairs…
“Sister, are you feeling unwell all of a sudden? Were you pushing yourself?”
“That’s right… I didn’t realize it when I was looking at you…”
“Sister, you’re the wife, but who is my brother looking at?”
Emily held both of Alec’s hands and leaned in closer.
“Wait! Someone might be watching!”
“Oh, sorry, is it alright if we talk in the carriage?”
“Hah, you’ve gotten better at sweet-talking.”
“Fufufu, tonight I’ll be the Marchioness.”
“Then let’s go, Marchioness.”
“Yes.”
Emily linked her arm with Alec’s, snuggling close, and the two left the mansion and got into the carriage, heading for the banquet…
“…”
Sophia, trembling, sat down on the stairs, muffling her cries…
“…Uu… I… I…”
Sophia staggered up the stairs, then walked toward her room.