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 31

Chapter 31
A surprise visit

　The doorbell rang at the Marquis of Granvelle’s house, and a servant came hurriedly to call for the Marquis.

“The Marquis and Lady Spencer are here, along with Lady Eugenie.”

　Marquis Granvelle tilted his head in confusion at the sudden visit of Marquis Spencer and his companions.

“I wonder what it is about. I don’t think we made any particular arrangement… If Lady Eugenie is here, please call Craig as well.”
“Yes, I understand.”

　Having been ushered into the reception room, Marquis Spencer sat on the sofa with a generous smile on his face as he handed the Marquis Granvelle a bottle of wine he had brought as a gift.

“Well, I’m sorry for this sudden visit, Marquis Granvelle. I happened to be in the area, so I was hoping I could give you at least a souvenir.”
“I see. Thank you very much for your kindness. Oh, this is a famous wine from the Arzan region. Were you at your villa or something?”

　Marquis Granvelle turned the bottle to check the label and said that the wine they had received was from the Arzan region, a summer resort where both families had villas. Marquis Spencer nodded in agreement.

“Yes. It’s been hot for a while, so my family and I went to get some summer shelter until a few days ago.”

(Lionel and the others must have been at the villa around that time as well…)

　While pondering this in his mind, Marquis Granvelle casually asked Marquis Spencer.

“That’s great. Did you have a good holiday?”
“Yes, I had a relaxing time. …Oh, I see you’re here, Lord Craig.”

　There was a knock on the parlor door, and Craig just walked in.

“Hello, Marquis Spencer. How are you, Eugenie?”
“Eh, Lord Craig.”

　Craig was quick to notice that Eugenie’s face clouded over as she answered. After that, she remained silent and looked down.

　After looking around at the assembled group, Marquis Spencer slowly began to speak.

“By chance, I saw Lord Lionel, his fiancee, and Lady Arche out in the garden at the villa. …Lord Lionel had gotten up from his wheelchair and was practicing walking several times.”

　Marquis Granvelle’s face lit up with joy at what Marquis Spencer said.

“Yes, that’s right. Lionel seems to have practiced walking quite a bit at the villa. It’s been a long time since he’s stood up on both feet from his wheelchair, his pale skin has tanned, his legs are much stronger, and he has returned home even healthier. I can’t thank his fiancee Edith enough for supporting him all the time.”

　Marquis Spencer narrowed his eyes sharply, the smile still on his face.

“I see; that’s good to hear. Actually, there’s something I’d like to confirm about that.”

　Sensing that he was getting to the point of his visit, Marquis Granvelle folded his hands in his lap.

“Oh, what is it?”
“Though it seems that Lord Lionel is slowly recovering, he is still recovering from a serious illness that is life-threatening. There is a certain degree of uncertainty about entrusting the Marquis of Granvelle to him. … I understand that Lord Craig here will be the one to succeed the Marquis of Granvelle, but is that understanding correct?”
“Father! Why did you do something like that…”

　Marquis Spencer restrained Eugenie, whose eyes were shaking with agitation, with one hand and turned his gaze to Marquis Granvelle, who asked him with a grim expression.

“Why are you asking me such a thing? I intend for my eldest son, Lionel, to take over the family business.”
“……What’s that?”

　Marquis Spencer’s face turned pale, but Marquis Granvelle replied without changing his expression.

“It is only natural that the eldest son should inherit the family business. Besides, Lionel’s recovery has been remarkable. I have the same high expectations of him now as I did before, but is there a problem?”
“…In that case, could you please reconsider Eugenie’s engagement to Craig? After all, the initial engagement was aimed at her marrying Lionel, and when Lionel’s health deteriorated and it became difficult for him to inherit the family business, Eugenie decided to marry Craig…”
“Father! Wait!”

　Eugenie’s voice, mixed with a scream, echoed down the hall from the drawing room.

“Oh? Is that Lady Eugenie’s voice…?”

　Edith, who was pushing Lionel’s wheelchair out to the garden, stopped when she heard Eugenie’s voice. Lionel and Arche, who had been following closely beside him, exchanged glances with Edith.

“It seems so. What are you talking about?”

　Sensing the uneasy atmosphere, Lionel tilted his head. Arche, who frowned suspiciously, joined them. The three of them stopped in their tracks and listened absentmindedly to the voices coming from the reception room.