To Those Who Regretted After I Died - Chapter 9

After declining to attend the reception with Alec, Sophia staggered back to her room.

In Sophia’s room, two maids were tidying up.

“But it’s a good thing the master gave the lady a dress.”

“Indeed… ever since Lady Emily came to the mansion, the lady hasn’t seemed well. It would be nice if she could at least have meals with the master…”

The two maids were happy, thinking that Sophia would attend the reception with Alec.

Thud!

“!? What was that…?”

“…Hey, is something at the door?”

The two maids approached the door and slowly opened it, only to be shocked at the sight of Sophia collapsed by the door.

“!? My lady!?”

“My lady, what happened?”

Supporting Sophia, who had collapsed by the door, the two maids helped her sit on the bed.

“…Thank you… it was just a bit of dizziness…”

“My lady, what happened? When you left earlier, you looked fine…”

“The master…?”

The two maids looked at Sophia with concern.

“…The master went to the reception… with Lady Emily…”

“What!?”

Both maids were astonished, and one of them raised her voice.

“But, tonight’s reception was supposed to be your and the master’s first one together, a special event to introduce you both to the nobility…”

“…”

“Why would Lady Emily attend in your place…?”

“…Because the master… doesn’t see me as a woman…”

“My lady…”

Looking down and gripping the dress, Sophia made a request to the maids.

“…I’d like to take off this dress… can you help me…?”

With the maids’ assistance, Sophia took off the dress and held it in her hands, staring at it for a moment.

“…Do you have a pair of scissors…?”

“Scissors? One moment, please.”

One of the maids handed the scissors to Sophia, watching her closely.

Snip!

“!?”

The maids were startled, seeing Sophia begin to cut the dress with the scissors, and they hurried to stop her.

“My lady!? What are you doing? Please stop!”

Snip… snip… Ignoring the maids’ cries, Sophia continued cutting the dress.

“My lady, please stop! That dress was a gift from the master!”

Sophia’s hands froze as she trembled.

“…I know… My dress is the same as Emily’s…”

“!”

“That’s why… I’ll make a different dress…”

“My lady…”

“…It’s not the dress’s fault… I’m sorry…”

The maids could do nothing but watch as Sophia, shedding tears, cut the dress.

“…I’m sorry for worrying you… please put the dress away in the wardrobe… I apologize for making more work for you…”

“No, my lady… will you rest?”

“…Yes… what about Marques…?”

“He hasn’t returned from the reception yet…”

“If he asks about me, please tell him I’m resting.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Sophia decided to lie down and rest, planning to apologize for what had happened to the dress.

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Sophia regretted cutting the dress, and as she lay on the bed, she couldn’t sleep.

“…I’ll apologize when he comes back from the reception…”

She got out of bed, opened the door slightly, and waited to meet Alec when he returned. Hearing the front door open and Alec’s and Emily’s voices, Sophia stood up, preparing herself to meet him.

“It was my first time meeting His Majesty… I’m still a bit nervous.”

“I didn’t think you’d be so surprised when you saw His Majesty’s face…”

“Well, I thought he would look just like my father. I didn’t expect him to be so young!”

Listening to their cheerful conversation, Sophia heard the sound of their footsteps approaching the stairs. She waited, hoping Alec would come to her room.

“Oh, I forgot to mention. I need to leave for a business trip to a supplier for a week starting tomorrow. Do you want to come with me?”

(What…!?)

Sophia was stunned, overhearing Alec inviting Emily to accompany him on another business trip.

(…My husband… you…)

Her face turned pale as she continued to listen to their conversation.

“Hm… I’d love to go, but I’ll pass this time.”

Alec looked surprised to hear that Emily wasn’t coming on the trip.

“…That’s unusual. You always come on these trips.”

“I’m thinking of going back to my family home this time.”

“Your family home!? Ah, I see… You’ve been here for a while, so your parents must be worried if you don’t visit now and then.”

Hearing that Emily planned to return to her family, Alec seemed relieved.

“Yes, especially my father. He’s been so fussy about it… That’s why, whenever you’re away, I’ve been going back home.”

(What? Emily’s been going home? But… her father’s letter said, ‘Emily, come home’…)

“I see. The maids informed me that you weren’t around the mansion sometimes, so I meant to ask you about it.”

Alec smiled at Emily.

“…They really shouldn’t meddle…”

“Hm?”

“Oh, nothing… But just because I won’t be here, don’t go inviting my sister!”

Emily gripped Alec’s hands and smiled.

“I wouldn’t do that. It would be a problem if she fell ill on the trip, and she’d only be a burden.”

(…What…)

Sophia trembled as she saw the irritated look on Alec’s face. She clenched her fists tightly, unable to stop shaking.

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“How mean! Alec, she’s your wife after all,” Emily teased.

“She’s been taking a lot of time off work lately, and it’s causing problems. She used to handle going to the store, but now I have to show up in person… It’s exhausting.”

“Is it because you miss me? I also wish she would start working again soon. I can’t go shopping or attend tea parties because of it.”

“Heh… you’re just as harsh.”

“Well, we’re both guilty, aren’t we? Can I come to your room after I change out of this dress?”

“You can come, but make sure the maids don’t see you. If my wife finds out, it’ll be trouble.”

“Isn’t she resting in her room?”

“Just being cautious.”

“You’re such a worrywart. You should just divorce her. That way, we wouldn’t have to sneak around like this.”

“I can’t do that. There’s no reason to divorce her… Besides, she helps me work faster just by being around.”

“Hmph, all you do is praise her. What about me? Don’t I deserve any compliments?”

Alec responded by kissing Emily on the cheek, making her pout.

“You’re perfect just by being here with me.”

“Oh, Alec you always know how to make me happy.”

In the empty hallway, Alec and Emily embraced and kissed. Unbeknownst to them, Sophia stood trembling as she watched from behind the door.

“Ah…”

“I’ll come to your room later, Alec”

“Of course.”

After they parted and returned to their rooms, Sophia, who had been hiding against the wall, collapsed onto the floor, her legs giving way as tears streamed down her face.

“…What am I supposed to do…”

A maid, who had been coming up the stairs, saw Sophia sitting on the floor, crying, and rushed over.

“Madam!? Why are you here in the hallway… I came to inform you that master has returned. Shall I call him for you…?”

“Wait! Don’t tell him… I don’t want to see him.”

“Madam?”

Sophia clenched her fists tightly, her voice trembling as she continued.

“He doesn’t need me… As long as he has Emily, he doesn’t care about me.”

“That’s not true, Madam. Your husband—”

The maid’s words faltered.

“Don’t force yourself… You maids must know who my husband truly cares for…”

“Madam…”

“He didn’t come to my room… If he cared even a little about me, he would have come straight here. But instead…”

Sophia recalled the image of Alec and Emily kissing in the hallway and closed her eyes in pain.

“Madam, please, let’s return to your room.”

“…Divorce…”

“W-What!?”

“If he would just say the words… if Alec would just say he wanted a divorce, I wouldn’t have to suffer like this…”

Sophia had resigned herself to the idea that one day her husband, Alec, would ask her for a divorce.