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 16

Chapter 16
A bond forged through medicine

“That’s the first time I’ve ever been told that. Thank you…”

　Seeing Edith blushing and looking down in embarrassment, Lionel chuckled and looked at her with admiration in his eyes.

“Plus, you’re a kind, caring person. I’m so grateful to God for the good fortune of having a woman like you in the Oak Ridge family…. At first, I was reluctant to bring up this idea of engagement in exchange for my support for the Oak Ridge family, as I was worried about how much trouble it would cause the daughter of the family. But thanks to that, I was able to meet you.”
“…Lord Lionel, you have always been so kind to me, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to meet you. You treat me equally, even though I am a commoner. When I was with the Oak Ridge Earl Family, I, who had been a commoner for a long time but was suddenly adopted by an aristocratic family, sometimes felt out of place and alienated, but… I have a lot of fun when I’m with Lord Lionel.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that.”

　After exchanging smiles with Lionel, Edith slowly began to push his wheelchair through the courtyard again. As she pushed his wheelchair, she gazed upon the flowers blooming gracefully in the flower beds, but her eyes suddenly fell on one corner of the flower bed, and she let out a small cry.
“Oh, that plant with the pale pink leaves is a little unusual and is also used as a medicinal herb. So there are plants like this planted in flower beds. The Earl of Oak Ridge family also made medicine using this herb.”

　Edith pointed out to Lionel a low-growing plant with pale pink leaves that was planted among the flowers in the flower bed.

“Oh, I see. You really do know a lot about medicinal herbs. What kind of medicine is this herb used for?”
“It’s mainly used to relieve physical pain. It looks cute in color, but it’s an herb that is classified as having quite strong medicinal properties. For example, it is used when symptoms such as pain in the limbs, joints, or back won’t go away even when the body is at rest. If used alone, it can cause numbness, so it is usually mixed with several other herbs to make a medicine.”

　Lionel looked up at Edith in surprise.

“Amazing, you can explain it so fluently and in detail.”
“No. It just so happens that I’ve been in charge of compounding these pills made from pink medicinal herbs at the Oak Ridge household for about a year now.”

　Lionel’s eyes widened even more at her words.

“… weren’t the pills you made using these herbs packed in black bags and sold?”
“Yes. It was a more expensive line of medicine that the Oak Ridge family handled, so it had black packaging. How do you know that, Lionel?”

　This time, it was Edith’s turn to tilt her head. Lionel slowly began to speak.

“That’s because it’s the medicine I use… What a strange connection. I was using the medicine you made before I met you. In addition, about a year ago, I noticed that it was working better. When I take the medicine, my body feels more relaxed and I can sleep better. At one point I was nearly bedridden, but now I can use a wheelchair.”
“Well, that’s what happened…”

　As Edith looked down, thinking back to Lionel’s condition, which seemed worse than she had imagined, he gave her a gentle smile.

“It seems that you have been helping me back then. Also, it was because your medicine worked that my father agreed to increase the loan to your family and even brought about my marriage proposal.”
“I had no idea there was such a background to it.”

　As Edith was deeply moved by the fact that Lionel was right, there were strange connections, when suddenly Lionel broke into a bright; innocent smile like a young boy.

“You might really be able to use magic. Just having you by my side makes me feel like energy wells up from deep within.”
“Fufu, I hope that’s the case too… By the way, Lord Lionel. Isn’t it about time for breakfast? If you don’t mind, I was thinking of making some herbal porridge with eggs this morning.”
“Can I ask you? Thank you, Edith, I was just starting to get hungry.”

　Edith smiled back at Lionel and pushed his wheelchair out of the courtyard, which was shining brilliantly in the morning sun.