Echoes at the grave

Theron, standing before the tombstone, placed the two bouquets he had brought down.
It had been quite a while since Selene had come to this cemetery with someone, and having someone next to her felt a little unfamiliar.
However, the presence of Theron, who stood as if to block the lonely wind, was not bad.
‘I might not be able to come here on the anniversary of their deaths this year.’
Her parents’ death anniversary was in the winter.
If she were to take the boat to study abroad, she would not be able to visit this place for a while.
In that sense, it seemed like a good thing that she had visited here in advance today.
Theron asked Selene, who was standing still without doing anything.
“Don’t you do anything special when you come here?”
“I usually offer a short prayer. I was going to skip it today since I came with you, Theron.”
“You don’t have to do that because of me.”
Selene looked at Theron.
In fact, this was not a consideration for Theron.
It was just that it was strange to greet her parents in heaven with Theron by her side.
‘Should I say it felt somewhat immoral?’
‘If her parents were still alive, they would have looked unfavorably on Theron, who had conspired with her uncle, aiming for the title and fortune.’
‘Come to think of it, should I not have brought him here at all?’
As she was wondering if it was right to greet her parents, who were buried under the tombstone, with Theron Cox by her side, Theron, who knew nothing, urged her again.
“No, let’s do it together. They are your parents, but the peace of the empire is being maintained thanks to the two who participated in the war.”
As he said that much, it was hard to stop Theron.
Besides, it seemed too late to add any more words.
Theron had already closed his eyes with a devout face, like a person entering a cathedral for mass.
Selene had no choice but to follow suit and close her eyes.
Hoping her parents would not be angry.
It had been a long time since she had greeted her deceased parents on a day other than their death anniversary.

‘Hello, Mother, Father.
I’ve come a little earlier than the anniversary this time. I might not be able to come here for five years if I go to study abroad, so it’s a combined visit. I’ll say I’m sorry in advance. I might not go, but I’m not sure yet.
And I’m sorry for bringing this man today. I know you might be a little displeased, but please understand. This man and I are trying to get to know each other.
Perhaps that’s why, today, I suddenly thought that Theron might take the piano away from me someday. Just as my parents’ faces are now a faint memory, the piano might become such an existence.
If that happens, will I be happy?
I’m not sure about that either, to be honest.
I’ll come back and tell you when the day comes that I can know that future.
Thank you. I hope you are always happy there.’

“Are you done?”
As Selene opened her eyes, Theron immediately spoke to her.
“Yes.”
“What did you pray for?”
“It’s a secret.”
In fact, it wasn’t so much a secret as it was a hassle to explain because it would be a long story.
Selene gazed at Theron.
“And you?”
“Huh…?”
“Theron, what did you pray for?”
Theron rubbed the back of his neck with an awkward face.
“I just said thank you for giving birth to such a beautiful daughter.”
‘It seemed he hadn’t said much. He probably didn’t have much to say since he didn’t know the two of them well.’
‘He might have also apologized at length for his past actions while he was here.’
Selene’s gaze, which had been fixed on the tombstone, turned to Theron.
“Let’s go back.”
“Already?”
Theron asked in surprise.
“Do you want to have a picnic here or something?”
For that, the surroundings were full of tombstones, so there was no space to spread out a picnic blanket.
“Your jokes have improved a lot…”
“Wait a moment, Theron.”
Just as they were exchanging nonsensical conversation, a voice was heard from not too far away.
‘Who is it…?’
The sound of footsteps was getting closer, along with the voices of two familiar women.
“It must be a long time since the grand madam has come to Lord Nicholas’s grave.”
“I couldn’t help it.”
“Still, I’m glad you’ve been coming out of the villa often these days, madam. Trying anything is what’s important.”
Selene’s eyes widened slightly.
“…It’s grandmother and Gwendolyn.”
Cough.
Theron let out a dry cough.
It was understandable.
His grandmother would by no means be a comfortable person for Theron.
“Really…? Then should I greet her here? Damn it, if I had known this, I would have dressed more neatly.”
Although he was very nervous, Theron was dressed neatly enough.
‘Gwendolyn also said she was going out today.’
‘She never thought she would visit her parents’ grave with her grandmother.’
‘But Gwendolyn probably didn’t know she was here either. Since she only knew she was going to meet Theron.’
The conversation continued.
“Gwen, I’m not sure if it’s right for me to come and see Nicholas and Lily at a time like this. When I’m not doing anything properly.”
“You’re trying, aren’t you? The day will come when Lord Orlando will also regret it.”
“Regret? He committed such a terrible act against his brother, and on top of that, he’s even doing foolish things to Selene. What would he reflect on?”
‘A terrible act against his brother…?’
Those words got stuck in Selene’s ear.
Beatrix, who had no idea that her granddaughter was hiding and eavesdropping on their conversation, let out a sigh.
“Hmph, I got a little excited. This is not something to be talked about here.”
“Let’s stop talking about this and stop by the nearby villa when we leave the cemetery. The view is very nice, isn’t it? It’s also a place with memories for you, madam.”
Selene knew the place Gwendolyn was talking about.
As she had said, it was a small villa near a lake not far from here.
Her father had said he used to go fishing there often with his parents when he was young.
Selene had also been there once or twice.
“What should I say for the first greeting? Should I kneel first…”
“Theron, that’s enough, let’s just move.”
Selene whispered to Theron, who was tidying up his clothes.
“…Why?”
“Now is not the time. And I need to know what grandmother and Gwendolyn are going to talk about at the villa.”
‘They must have already seen Theron’s car parked at the entrance, but since there’s a hunting ground on the other side, there are many outside cars.’
‘So they probably wouldn’t think that she and Theron were here.’
‘Although there was a bouquet of flowers in front of the tombstone, they wouldn’t know who had been there.’
Theron, who was quick-witted, did not ask any more questions and followed Selene, who was walking stealthily.
Fortunately, they managed to escape through the back path of the cemetery just in time.
Thanks to that, they were not caught by Beatrix and Gwendolyn.
Theron, who was following quietly, suddenly asked.
“By the way, where are you going?”
“There’s a lake nearby. With a small villa.”
Selene had found the right path.
Since the surroundings were all forest, she was worried she might get lost, but contrary to her worries, a familiar scenery appeared before her eyes.
“Wow… it’s nice.”
Theron said in short admiration.
In contrast, Selene was still a little impatient.
She had to hurry into the villa and find a space to eavesdrop on the conversation.
However, as all the doors were locked and even the shabby back door would not open, a look of bewilderment appeared on Selene’s face.
Theron, who had been admiring the scenery, approached and asked.
“What’s wrong?”
“…The door is locked.”
Come to think of it, it was a matter of course.
There was no way the door of an empty villa would be open.
“Can you come out for a moment?”
Just as she was frustrated, Theron said to Selene.
“This villa belongs to the Ashcombe family, right?”
And he confirmed.
It was a somewhat random question.
“That’s right.”
“That also means this villa is yours.”
“Yes.”
‘Probably. It’s not my personal property, but it’s Ashcombe property anyway.’
“Then a door shouldn’t be a problem.”
Theron, who had muttered, finally kicked the locked door hard.
Bang.
The back door opened with a loud noise.
As Selene was blinking in surprise, Theron said with an awkward face.
“I thought you were in a hurry.”
“Good job.”
Selene closed the fluttering door properly so that it wouldn’t be noticed.
Her grandmother and Gwendolyn would come in through the front door, so they wouldn’t notice the state of the back door.
And she looked around the interior of the villa.
The villa, which was rarely visited, was small and had few rooms.
That meant there were not many options.
Theron pointed out the same problem.
“I don’t think we have a place to hide to eavesdrop.”
Theron, who had been opening and checking the doors one by one, stopped in front of a closet in the living room.
“There’s a closet here, but it’s too messy. It’s also too small for the two of us to go in…”
“Theron. Grandmother is coming.”
But just then, Selene, who had been looking out the window, urgently reported.
Her grandmother and Gwendolyn, having finished their business at the cemetery quickly, were now walking towards this villa.
Selene, feeling rushed, had no choice but to take Theron into the closet he had been dissuading her from.
“W-wait. Are you trying to hide in here?”
“We have no choice.”
“I know, but it’s too small here!”
Selene knew that too.
Because of the landscaping tools that were already taking up a lot of space, Selene had to press her body tightly against Theron, facing him.
In particular, Selene’s chest was pressed against Theron’s firm chest, making it a little difficult to breathe.