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 26

Chapter 26
A villa surrounded by nature

“Lord Lionel, this is a very beautiful place. It’s spacious, lush, and quiet…”

　Edith let out a sigh of admiration as she surveyed the villa’s vast garden, bathed in dazzling sunlight and filled with lush greenery. Lionel narrowed his eyes at her.

“I’m glad you like it, Edith. It’s a great place to relax and unwind from the hustle and bustle of the city.”

　Edith was pushing Lionel’s wheelchair in the villa’s vast garden, surrounded by endless greenery. A blue lake peeking out from behind the trees sparkled in the sunlight. Edith felt the cool breeze caressing her cheeks and was happy to feel a firm grip in her hands as she pushed the wheelchair. Lionel was nothing but skin and bones when they first met, though he was still thin. But he was gradually regaining the supple physique of a young man.

　Lionel watched Arche as she ran around the garden, engrossed in chasing butterflies, with a smile on his face. As Arche’s figure quickly became smaller, Lionel called out to her.

“Arche, be careful not to fall.”
“Yes, Onii-sama!”

　Arche’s voice, smiling brightly, reached their ears in the wind. Lionel and Edith looked at each other and smiled.

“Arche has started to smile a lot recently. For a while, I only saw Arche with a gloomy expression and hardly ever saw her smile, so I was worried.”
“That’s probably largely due to the fact that Lionel-sama has been steadily recovering. Arche-sama, she really loves Lionel-sama.”

　Every time Edith saw the adorable smiling Arche running up to Lionel, she couldn’t help but smile. Watching the casual, heartwarming exchange between the siblings, Edith realized that Lionel’s body was getting better, and she felt a surge of joy well up in her heart.

“…It’s all thanks to Edith. Ever since you started supporting me, it’s like miracles are happening to my body every day.”

　Edith smiled happily as she listened to Lionel’s words, as he was getting better with each passing day, slowly but surely regaining his former body, as if peeling off a thin layer of skin.

“And that’s all thanks to you, Lord Lionel. Not only has he kept me by his side, but he has also taken all of the medicine I recommended without any hesitation, and when I tell him to rest, he does so without pushing himself too hard… I’m sure the accumulation of such daily efforts is what’s leading to his smooth recovery.”

　Lionel nodded at Edith’s words and muttered with a hint of envy as he gazed in the direction Arche had run off to, her back now out of sight.

“…I used to run around here like that too. I wonder if one day I too will be able to stand on my own two feet, walk, and run again.”

　Edith asked Lionel, who was looking down at his thighs.

“Shall we start practicing standing up now? I’ll be by your side to lend you a hand.”
“Is it okay, Edith? My body is gradually gaining weight. I’m worried that it will become a burden to you.”
“Fufu, I’m fine. Now, when you’re ready, hold on to me. It’s been a while, so it’s only natural that your legs might not move as well as you’d like. Please don’t push yourself too hard.”
“Yeah. Thank you, Edith.”

　Lionel took Edith’s outstretched arm and slowly lifted himself out of the wheelchair. Edith supported him from the side as he carefully balanced his body and put strength into both legs. It took a while, but when Lionel managed to stand up straight, Edith cried out in appreciation.

“…That’s amazing, Lord Lionel! You are now standing firmly on your own two feet.”
“I can’t believe it myself. For a long time, my legs were unsteady, and I had no strength whatsoever. I never thought the day would come when I would be able to stand on my own two feet again.”

　Lionel’s eyes moistened a little, then he smiled at Edith.

“It seems I’m getting a little greedy… Could I try walking a little next time?”
“Yes, of course. Please try putting your foot forward little by little at your own pace, Lionel-sama.”

　With Edith’s help, Lionel took a step forward with his right foot. He then slowly put more strength into his left foot and then shifted his weight onto his right foot once more. Edith was next to him, lending him her arm and watching Lionel closely.

“…That’s amazing! Lord Lionel, you can walk on your own two feet.”

　Edith looked at Lionel with admiration and smiled as he was able to walk, although his steps were unsteady and only small.
　Lionel also seemed to have gotten a sense of accomplishment and was frantically moving his legs.

“I wonder if I’ll be able to walk without a wheelchair again…. Oops.”
“Ah, Lord Lionel…!”

　Unable to put his weight on his feet properly, Lionel stumbled, and Edith quickly supported him, but she ended up embracing Lionel and was unable to support him, so the two of them tumbled onto the grass. Lionel was now on top of Edith on the soft, carpet-like grass, and in a panic, he twisted his body and rolled next to her.

“…I’m sorry, Edith.”
“No, it’s my mistake; I couldn’t support your body, Lionel-sama. I’m sorry…”

　Edith could immediately feel the warmth of Lionel’s body through her clothes, and the blush on her cheeks was undeniable.
　Lying side by side on the grass, looking up at the blue sky, Lionel and Edith both burst out laughing.

“Haha, Edith. You always give me hope. I should have given up on ever walking on my own a long time ago. But I’m so lucky to have met you.”

　Lionel turned his head to the side and gazed dazzlingly at Edith, who was lying next to him. The beauty of Lionel’s bright smile took Edith’s breath away.

(…! I have never met anyone as attractive as him before. My heart cannot take the thought of seeing his handsome face so close…)

　Seeing Edith clutching her pounding heart and her face flushing even more, Lionel suddenly let out a fond smile and slowly extended one hand towards Edith.

“…Edith.”
“Y-Yes, Lord Lionel.”

　Lionel gently stroked Edith’s hair, then slid his palm over the back of her head and pulled her close.

“I’m so happy, Edith. You’re always by my side… Now that I’ve met you because of my illness, I even feel that being ill was a blessing.”

　Lionel’s blue-violet eyes, shining as clear as tanzanite, came close to Edith’s face, and then his soft lips gently touched her forehead.

“…!”

　When Lionel kissed her, Edith’s eyes widened in shock, her face turning bright red. Then Lionel whispered in her ear.

“…Was it unpleasant?”
There’s no way that I don’t like that…! ”

　After answering without thinking, Edith lowered her eyes in embarrassment. Lionel laughed cheerfully and tightened his arms around her.

“Edith. You’re really cute.”

　In Lionel’s arms, Edith’s heart leapt uncontrollably and
she felt a wave of joy well up from deep within her heart.

(W-what should I do? I really have fallen in love with you, Lord Lionel…)

　Edith had been closest to Lionel, who was the most sincere, kind, positive, and hardworking of all people, and found it difficult not to be attracted to him. Although she worried that if Lionel, who was not even attracted to the beautiful Eugenie, had recovered, then she would only be a burden to him because she was an ordinary girl, her feelings were always naturally drawn to Lionel.

　After Edith had been held in Lionel’s arms for a while, a high, cheerful voice rang out from the distance.

“Onii-sama! I caught a beautiful butterfly.”
“…!”

　Hearing the sound of small footsteps approaching, Lionel and Edith quickly pulled away and exchanged embarrassed glances. Arche ran up to Lionel’s side and tilted her head, questioning and gazing at the two of them lying side by side on the grass.

“…Are you two sunbathing together?”
“Well, I guess that’s about it.”
“Hmm? You two get along well… Hey, big brother, take a look.”

　Arche held up the butterfly she had caught by its wings in front of Lionel with her right hand. It had large wings and was brightly colored.

“What a beautiful butterfly, Arche. You caught it well.”
“Yes. It was so beautiful, so I wanted to show you how it flew up close… Look.”

　When Arche let go of her hand, the butterfly fluttered its wings and flew away, hovering over Lionel and Edith’s faces.
　Lionel reached out and stroked Arche’s head.

“You’re so kind, Arche. I was able to see its wings flap beautifully. Thank you.”
“I’m glad! I wanted to do something to cheer you up, even if it was just a little. ……Like my sister-in-law, Edith.”

　Edith looked at Arche in surprise and raised her torso. Edith was still engaged to Lionel, but this was the first time Arche had called Edith “sister-in-law.”
　With a shy smile on her face, Arche jumped into Edith’s arms. Feeling her heart warm at being accepted by her, Edith hugged her back tightly. Lionel was watching the two of them, squinting his eyes happily next to them.