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 22

Chapter 22
Tea with Eugenie

“Lady Edith!”

　Edith was relieved when she saw Eugenie waving from a seat in the back of the tea room. After Edith replied to Eugenie’s letter, accepting the invitation, the place she suggested was a popular tea room in the royal capital. It was also known as a high-class establishment.
　After being guided through the bright, bustling restaurant, Edith arrived at the table where Eugenie was sitting. It was a comfortable seat, out of sight of the other customers, but with a large window facing the garden, offering a good view of the greenery. Edith arrived earlier than the appointed time, but Eugenie seemed to have been waiting for her even earlier.

“Thank you so much for your time today, Edith.”

　Eugenie smiled brightly, and Edith smiled back.

“Miss Eugenie, thank you for inviting me today. I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.”
“No, it’s just that I arrived early. I was really looking forward to speaking with you, Lady Edith.”
　Eugenie looked just as happy as she’d said, and Edith’s smile deepened as she looked around the tea room, which was bustling with people who appeared to be aristocrats.

“This is a popular restaurant, and it’s said to be difficult to get a reservation at. Thank you for reserving a seat for us. Do you come here often?”
“Yes, to a certain extent. I’m familiar with this place, so they were flexible with the seating…. I didn’t want to invite Lady Edith to my house and instead suggested this restaurant because I wanted to have a leisurely chat with just the two of us. At home, it’s inevitable that my parents and servants will be watching us.”

　Edith nodded at her words, remembering the faces of Eugenie’s parents. Just then, when Eugenie and Edith had finished ordering tea and cake after the waiter who had come to take their order, she asked Edith, lowering her eyes slightly.

“How is Lord Lionel’s body feeling now?”
“Yes, he is recovering nicely. He’s still not back to normal, but the doctor says he’s showing signs of recovery.”
“……Oh really”

　Eugenie smiled with relief at Edith’s words and looked deeply into her eyes.

“Lady Edith, do you know how I came to be engaged to Lord Craig?”
“……Yeah”

　Edith began to speak, wondering how to respond.

“I was told by Craig, that he had feelings for Eugenie and that is why he and Eugenie are now engaged.”
“Lord Craig, … did he say something like that?”

　Eugenie opened her large eyes in shock.

“Um… have you heard anything about Lord Lionel and me?”
“That’s right… Initially, the plan was for Lord Lionel and Lady Eugenie to be engaged, but then Lord Lionel fell ill, and, with Lord Craig’s wishes also taken into account, Lady Eugenie decided to become engaged to Lord Craig. That’s the story I’ve heard.”
“Is that all?”

　Edith nodded to Eugenie, who looked anxious and somewhat nervous.

“Yes, that’s pretty much all I’ve heard about the circumstances surrounding Lady Eugenie and Lord Craig’s engagement.”

　As Edith answered, choosing her words carefully, Eugénie’s eyes began to water a little.

“Both Lord Lionel and Lord Craig are truly refined and kind people. … Could you please tell me specifically what Lord Craig said?”

　Although confused, Edith raised the white flag to Eugenie, who was staring straight into her eyes.

“Lord Craig said that he had always had a crush on Miss Eugenie. And that when he saw Miss Eugenie in distress after Lord Lionel fell ill, he confessed his secret feelings to her, and that he felt that it was all his fault.”
“…!”

　Unable to hold back any longer, a single tear spilled from Eugenie’s eye.

“That’s not true.”
“……Eh?”

　Edith blinked involuntarily, and Eugenie gently pressed a handkerchief over her eyes before continuing in a murmur.

“When I visited Lionel after he fell ill, Craig told me different things. He said, ‘Please be by my brother’s side and support him. He is in the greatest difficulty he has ever experienced.’… Craig’s words were a lie to protect me.”

　Edith swallowed hard, remaining speechless.