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 20

Chapter 20
Craig’s request

　A few days after Eugenie visited the Marquis de Granvelle and Craig’s engagement was finalized, Edith was carrying the empty dishes to the kitchen after lunch with Lionel when a figure appeared next to her and snatched the tray from her hand. Edith looked next to her in surprise and met bright purple eyes.

“Oh, Lord Craig?”
“Thank you for everything you’ve done for him, Edith. I’ll carry this over to the kitchen.”
“Are you sure? …Then I’ll take you up on that offer. Thank you.”

　Ever since Edith came to the Marquis de Granvelle household, Craig had been concerned about her and would occasionally call out to her. It didn’t take long for Edith to become close with the cheerful and carefree Craig.

　Craig smiled at Edith’s words, then looked down at the empty plates on the tray and sighed sentimentally.

“I can’t believe that my big brother has become able to eat every last meal. At one point, he had a really poor appetite… But it must be because you’re always by his side. He praised the food you make for him, saying it’s all really delicious.”
“Is that so? Thank you.”

　Recently, Lionel was able to eat food other than porridge little by little. Edith was looking forward to every meal, thinking up easy-to-digest, nutritionally balanced dishes with herbs mixed in as a secret ingredient for Lionel, who was showing signs of recovery. Lionel was always unashamedly praising Edith’s cooking skills.
　However, Edith never expected that Lionel would tell such a story to his younger brother, Craig. Seeing Edith blushing slightly as if she were embarrassed, Craig smiled gently.

“You really are an honest, kind, and wonderful woman. You are more than his ideal woman; I think you are like a sudden gift from God. It seems he has completely fallen in love with you.”
“I, I guess so…”

　Edith felt the bl00d rising to her cheeks, but she also thought calmly that because Lionel was ill, she looked especially good being by his side. Until Lionel recovered, Edith wanted to be by his side no matter what, and deep in her heart, feelings of affection for Lionel had begun to grow. However, Edith also scolded herself for this.

(When Lord Lionel recovers, he will look around again and find many young ladies from noble families who are more suitable for him than me. I must make sure that I don’t hold him back when that time comes…)

　Even as she thought this, Edith was confused by the fact that her heart would involuntarily flutter every time Lionel smiled at her.

　Craig stared at Edith, then, without stopping his steps towards the kitchen, began to speak slowly.

“…My fiancée, Eugenie, came to this house a few days ago. What was your impression of her?”

　Craig does not use the seemingly elegant, roundabout ways of speaking that are common among aristocrats, but speaks clearly and concisely. Edith, who grew up as a commoner, felt a sense of familiarity with this about him and answered his straightforward questions.

“Yes. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. And she seemed like a kind and lovely person.”
“…I see, that’s good then.”

　Craig’s expression relaxed in relief. He was quiet for a moment, then he spoke again.

“Did Edith hear that Eugenie was originally meant to be engaged to my brother, not to me?”
“Yes, I heard it from Lord Lionel.”
“You’ve already heard from my brother.”

　Craig nodded at Edith’s words, then let out a small sigh.

“Soon after my brother fell ill, Eugenie changed her intended fiancée to me. The illness my brother suffered from was a serious, life-threatening illness, so some in this household were understanding of Eugenie’s choice. On the other hand, there are also those who look down on her, thinking that she had spent a long time planning her engagement since childhood and yet changed her intended fiancée to me at a time when she should have been supporting my brother the most. This includes the servants who have worked in this household for a long time…. My brother has always been popular, so I think the latter opinion is much more prevalent.”
“…I see.”
“But the one who should be blamed for this is me, not Eugénie. I had always had a crush on her, and when I saw her overcome with grief after my brother fell ill, I couldn’t hide my feelings any longer and confessed them to her—the feelings I had kept hidden until then.”
“…!”

　Edith’s eyes widened at Craig’s unexpected words. Craig’s face twisted in pain.

“So, Eugenie is not to blame. I am the one who is at fault. I thought it was unfair to do this while my brother was bedridden and ill, but I did tell him about it myself and even nodded in agreement. However, I still don’t know how my brother really feels about it… As you saw, my sister Arche is like that too.”

　Craig gave a wry smile and then looked at Edith with a serious look.

“Eugenie has been very fond of you since she met you as my brother’s fiance. I know it’s a bit strange to ask you to do this, as you’ve only just come to this house, but I would be very grateful if you could be on Eugenie’s side, if possible.”

　When Craig arrived at the kitchen alongside Edith, he put down the tray he was holding, took a letter out of his pocket, and handed it to Edith.

“This is a letter from Eugenie to you, inviting you to tea. She said she’d like to talk to you further… If you don’t mind, I’d appreciate it if you could think positively about it. Please give her your reply.”
“……Yes, I understand.”

　Holding the envelope with Edith’s name written in beautiful, flowing calligraphy, Edith nodded at Craig’s words.