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 18
Chapter 18
Craig’s fiance
One afternoon, about two weeks after Edith had come to the Marquis de Granvelle’s house, Lionel and Edith were chatting in Lionel’s room when Lionel’s father called out to them.
“As I told you, Lady Eugenie, who is to become engaged to Craig, will be coming soon. … It looks like the two of you are already ready.”
Lionel, in his wheelchair, was wearing a light gray suit with a purple tie that matched the color of his eyes, and Edith, who was facing him, was wearing an elegant, shiny purple silk dress to match him. Edith’s dress had been newly made for her at Lionel’s request, as she didn’t have many clothes to begin with when she came to the Marquis of Granvelle’s house.
Lionel’s father narrowed his eyes at the two of them getting along well and looked at his son with a happy expression.
“Lionel, your body has improved so much. I still can’t believe it.”
Although it was still difficult for him to live without a wheelchair, he gazed with admiration at his son, who sat upright in it. Lionel’s face, which had been pale and withered, was gradually regaining its original fair and smooth skin, and his black hair was gradually regaining its luster. Lionel’s weak, sunken eyes were now cool and beautiful, and there was a strong sparkle full of hope in his eyes.
Lionel looked at Edith lovingly, took her hand, and smiled at his father.
“Father, this is all thanks to Edith. As you know, ever since she came to this house, Edith has always been by my side and supported me. I can’t thank her enough.”
“…The doctor who came to visit me the day before yesterday said that he could only think that a miracle had occurred. Edith must have made a miracle happen.”
The doctor, who had previously predicted that Lionel had only a year left to live, had come to see him again and was amazed to see how he appeared, as if he had suddenly come to life. Edith smiled timidly.
“No, I just did what I could. Besides, you have always been kind to me and even made me such a wonderful dress. I am the one who is grateful to you, Lord Lionel.”
The purple-blue dress that fitted Edith’s slender body made her look elegant and pretty. Lionel looked at her in awe and smiled at her.
“The dress suits you well and is very beautiful, Edith. I am truly blessed to have you by my side.”
Seeing the two of them blushing and smiling at each other, Lionel’s father nodded with an expression of deep emotion, then, noticing the sounds of horse hooves and carriage wheels coming from outside the mansion, he turned towards the corridor.
“It seems that she has arrived. We should head out now. …Arche, you will probably be there too. Let’s go together to welcome Lady Eugenie.”
Hearing Lionel’s father’s words, Arche popped her head out from behind the door to Lionel’s room. In her tiny rose-colored dress, Arche looked as cute as a doll, and Edith couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her. When Lionel beckoned to her, Arche came running up to her brother with a bright smile.
“Brother Lionel!”
Arche ran over to her brother and hugged him tightly in his wheelchair. After her brother stroked her hair, she gave a shy smile to Edith. Edith’s heart fluttered at her smile.
(Arche-sama is an angel…!)
It seemed that Arche was gradually getting used to Edith’s presence. Recently, she would frequently appear around Lionel and Edith, and whenever her eyes met with Edith’s, she would smile shyly.
Edith kept pace with Arche, who was holding hands with Lionel, and slowly pushed Lionel’s wheelchair, following behind Lionel’s father as they walked toward the entrance of the mansion.
＊＊＊
Edith saw a young lady standing at the entrance, her arm held by Craig, and two people who appeared to be her parents.
Lionel’s father greeted them and then looked back at Edith, who was pushing Lionel’s wheelchair.
“This is Lady Edith of the Oak Ridge Earl House, who recently became engaged to my eldest son, Lionel. Please be kind to her from now on.”
Edith, who was introduced to them by Lionel’s father, also bowed politely to them.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Edith of the Oak Ridge Earl family, and I’m engaged to Lord Lionel. I look forward to meeting you.”
Edith raised her head and looked again at the young lady standing next to Craig, and her sight took her breath away.
(Wow. How beautiful…)
There, a slender young lady with lustrous chestnut hair and blue-green eyes stood with Craig by her side. Edith had thought that her stepsister Dahlia was beautiful, but the young lady before her was in a class of her own. With her flawless, beautiful face, she smiled softly at Edith.
“Nice to meet you, Lady Edith. My name is Eugenie, and I am engaged to Lord Craig. I look forward to meeting you.”
Edith couldn’t help but be captivated by Eugenie’s perfect ladylike demeanor. Eugenie shifted her gaze to Lionel, who was sitting a little awkwardly in his wheelchair.
“…Lionel-sama, it’s been a while. Congratulations on your engagement.”
“Thank you, Eugenie.”
Lionel answered Eugenie’s words in a matter-of-fact manner. Eugenie then looked at Arche, who was holding hands with Lionel, but Arche looked up at Eugenie with glaring eyes, then turned away, turned her, back on her and ran off.