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 25

Chapter 25
Recuperating at the summer resort

　Eugenie and Edith continued talking about whatever came to mind as they drank the cooling tea and ate the cake that hadn’t been touched until then. Edith found that Eugenie was regretful of her actions and worried about Lionel’s health, and that, contrary to her beautiful appearance and mannerisms befitting the daughter of a marquis, she was surprisingly friendly. Her guard and tension gradually eased, and she felt her heart warming the more they talked.
　Eugenie suddenly asked Edith curiously.

“Lady Edith, did you help out at your parents’ pharmacy?”
“Yes. I mainly learned how to do business from my father, and how to brew herbs and compound medicines from my mother. It was a small pharmacy, but we were close to the patients, and I loved my parents’ store.”
“I’m sure they were warm and wonderful parents…”

　Eugenie narrowed her eyes, and Edith nodded.

“Yes. We were very close. I only found out that my father was the heir to the Earl of Oakridge after he passed away, but apparently he ran away from home to marry my mother, a commoner. Even after that, he always cared for her.”
“Well, that’s wonderful. And you had a courageous father… The complete opposite of mine.”

　Eugenie lowered her face and smiled sadly.

“If only I had been able to go against my parents’ wishes and say that I wanted to be with Craig while Lionel was still healthy… If I had done so, I’m sure I wouldn’t have hurt Lionel so much, and even now I might have been able to support him in a different way…”

　With a deep sigh, Eugenie continued.

“Because of my selfish actions, I have caused an invisible rift in the relationship between the brothers Lionel and Craig, who were once such close brothers. Both of them are kind and considerate people, and I have no doubt that they still cherish each other dearly, but the fact that I betrayed Lionel and became engaged to Craig has cast a shadow over the Marquis of Granvelle family. And…”

　Eugenie lowered her gaze helplessly.

“Lady Arche has completely come to dislike me. It seemed that she was watching from the shadows when I visited Lord Lionel. Even in her childish mind, she was furious at having hurt her beloved brother. No matter how much I apologize, I have done something unforgivable, and I’m sure she will never accept me again.”
“Is that so……”

　Edith remembered how Arche had been very wary of her ever since they’d met. She thought that perhaps, having witnessed how her brother had been hurt by Eugenie’s words, she had been worried and pained that Edith, now his new fiancée, might hurt him again.

　Eugenie spoke quietly to Edith.

“All of this is my fault. I brought it all upon myself, and it’s only natural that I’m disliked, but I would like to at least resolve, even if only little by little, the discord I’ve caused within the Marquis of Granvelle family… but it’s difficult.”
“But Lady Eugenie, you have been tracing the lineage of white magicians for Lord Lionel’s sake, haven’t you? If Lord Lionel and Lady Arche knew about this, I think their impressions of Lady Eugenie would change as well.”

　Eugenie quickly shook her head at Edith’s words.

“No, it’s far from making up for what I’ve done. Besides, I’m sure the one who feels Lady Edith’s strength the most is Lord Lionel. I don’t want you to tell them about it, so please keep it a secret. Lady Edith is a very kind and wonderful person, and I’m glad I had the chance to talk to you today.”
“It was a pleasure speaking with you, Lady Eugenie. Thank you for inviting me.”

　Edith returned home, her heart warmed by the moment, wondering if there was anything she could do for Eugenie or the Marquis de Granvelle family.

＊＊＊

“Edith, it’s getting hotter and hotter. Thanks to you, my health has improved considerably, and if it’s okay with you, I’m thinking of going to a villa in a summer resort to recuperate. It was something I would never have thought possible when I was practically bedridden… I’m also thinking of taking a few servants with me.”

　Seeing Lionel’s cheerful smile in his wheelchair, Edith also smiled happily.

“That’s a good idea. I’d love to join you.”

　Edith was pleased to see that Lionel was becoming more and more motivated to try new things on his own initiative.

“Is this the villa you used to visit almost every year when you were a child?”
“Yeah, that’s right. It’s been a long time since I last went to that place.”

　Edith, realizing from Lionel’s words that this was the villa where he and Eugenie had played together as children, asked hesitantly.

“Will you be inviting Lord Craig and Lady Eugenie to the villa?”
“No, there are no plans for that. Apart from the servants, I’m thinking of taking you and Arche with me this time… How about that?”
“Yes. Of course, I don’t mind as long as I can be by Lord Lionel’s side.”

　Edith felt apologetic and quickly smiled when she saw Lionel’s expression stiffen. On the day she and Eugenie met, she had told Lionel that she was worried about him and hoped for his recovery, but Lionel’s expression hadn’t changed much. Edith felt the depth of their resentment, and her heart ached, but she hoped that one day they would all be able to laugh again like they used to.

(It seems it was too early to suggest inviting Lady Eugenie and the others, but I’m sure we’ll meet again someday… Besides, Lord Lionel’s health comes first.)

　Lionel had made a remarkable recovery since Edith first met him. Although he was still in a wheelchair, he had regained a fresh charm that was captivating, and Edith’s cheeks would turn red every time she saw his smile.

“It’s a spacious place with lots of nature around, and the air is clean. I hope it’ll be a nice change of pace for you too.”
“I’m looking forward to it too. Hehe, this will be my first trip with Lord Lionel.”

　Hearing Edith’s words, Lionel’s handsome face lit up with joy, and he looked up at her lovingly from his wheelchair.