Instead of My Stepsister, I Have Become Engaged to the Son of a Marquis, Who Is Said to Only Have a Year Left to Live - Chapter 11

Chapter 11
Edith’s Medicine

　Edith returned to her room and took out a large, well-worn medicine box from her bag. Of all the luggage Edith had brought to the Marquis de Granvelle’s house, aside from a few clothes, this medicine box was the one taking up the most space. It was something Edith had been using since she had lived at home.

　Edith picked up the medicine box and quickly returned to Lionel’s room.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Lord Lionel.”

　Lionel tilted his head slightly towards Edith and smiled, while his father and servant looked with interest at the medicine box in Edith’s hand. In front of them, Edith opened the lid of the medicine box and expertly took out a small brown bottle. It contained a syrup made by Edith by combining nectar from flowers with medicinal properties that alleviate fever symptoms and reduce the physical strength loss caused by fever, along with extracts from medicinal herbs that are said to enhance the body’s self-healing ability. Edith then picked up a small bag containing a light green powder. This powder was made by Edith by grinding up several types of herbs that soothe throat inflammation and make breathing easier.

　Edith asked Lionel’s father, eyeing the pitcher and glasses waiting in Lionel’s room.

“May I have some of this water?”
“Yeah, you can use it however you like.”

　Edith put some powder into a glass, filled it halfway with water from the pitcher, added a few drops of syrup from the vial, and swirled the glass to mix the contents.

(I hope Lionel-sama’s health improves, even if only a little.)

　Edith stared at the glass half full of pale green liquid she had made while wishing this in her heart, then spoke to Lionel, who looked distressed.

“Lord Lionel, could you please drink this? It’s a mixture of medicinal syrup and powdered herbs, so I think it should be relatively easy to drink.”
“Thank you, Edith. I’ll take it.”

　Edith helped Lionel gently lift his torso, then placed her hand on his glass and watched as he finished it.

　Lionel looked at the empty glass in his hand and then smiled at Edith.

“Just as you said, it was very easy to drink. It had a slight sweetness and a refreshing aroma.”

　Edith seemed relieved and returned the smile to Lionel.

“That’s good. It’s a medicine that’s effective against fever, shortness of breath, and decreased physical strength, so I hope it will make you feel a little better.”

　Lionel’s father looked at the two of them with a warm gaze, then gave a wink to his attendant and stood up from his chair.

“Thank you very much, Edith. It seems that things will be fine without us here. Would it be alright if we excused ourselves and left you two here in the room?”
“Yes, of course I don’t mind.”

　Lionel’s father nodded at Edith, who smiled gently, and left Lionel’s room with his servant.
　Edith watched them leave, then turned a concerned look to Lionel, who was still sitting up.

“Um, Lord Lionel, if you need to take a break, I will leave immediately, so please don’t hesitate to let me know.”

　Lionel shook his head silently.

“No, Edith. If it’s okay with you, I’d be happy if you stayed here a little longer. … It’s strange, but even though I’ve only just taken the medicine you made for me, I already feel like my body is lighter. It’s all thanks to you, Edith.”

　Edith also smiled when she saw Lionel’s expression brighten somehow.

“I believe that you will definitely recover, Lord Lionel. If there’s anything I can do for you, please let me know.”

　Lionel’s cheeks flushed with delight at Edith’s words, and then he looked at her curiously.

“You said that you were only recently adopted by the Oak Ridge family, but you seem to know a lot about medicine. Did you learn about medicine at the Oak Ridge family?”
“No. My parents used to run a small pharmacy in a rural town, and I learned how to use it while helping them out. My parents passed away in an unfortunate accident, but both my parents were warm-hearted people and taught me a lot about medicines.”

　Lionel sat up from his bed and smiled as he looked at Edith, who was speaking in a nostalgic tone about the past.

“Edith, I don’t know much about you yet. If you don’t mind, could you tell me more about yourself?”

　Edith nodded at Lionel’s words and, at his invitation, sat down in the chair in front of him.