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 33

Chapter 33
To a Happy Future

“Edith”

　As Edith was preparing medicine for Lionel, Lionel gently hugged her from behind.

“Kyaah, Lord Lionel…!?”

　Edith was surprised when she was suddenly embraced in warm arms and turned around to see Lionel gazing lovingly at her with a stunningly beautiful smile. Edith’s cheeks instantly turned bright red.
　Although he still took Edith’s medicine every day, Lionel had recovered enough to lead a life that was almost the same as before. With his radiant beauty restored, Lionel looked like a prince who had come out of a book. His love for Edith seemed to grow deeper with each passing day, and Edith herself felt confused as she was enveloped in his overflowing, warm love.

　Peeking out from between his lustrous jet-black bangs, his clear, tanzanite-like violet eyes shifted their gaze to Edith’s hands, and a soft smile suddenly appeared on Lionel’s handsome lips.

“You know, Edith. I love watching you brew and compound my medicines. I can see from the earnest look in your eyes that you wish for my recovery. And you know…”

　Lionel narrowed his eyes as if admiring something beautiful.

“When you’re making potions, I sometimes see a faint light dancing around your hands… It might just be an illusion—the light bouncing off the glass containers you use to make the potions—but it’s a beautiful, dreamy sight. It’s as if you’re casting a spell on the potions…”
“Oh, is that so? …Fufu. I hadn’t noticed, but that’s how it appeared to you, Lord Lionel.”
“Yes. At the same time, I feel a warm power coming from you. You may be a magic user who has come to save me. …My Edith, the one I love more than anyone else.”

　Lionel lightly placed his lips on Edith’s hair, then he released his arms from around her and smiled gently.

“I’m sorry for interrupting you while you were making my medicine… I’d like to have a little more of your time if possible, but are you about to finish making this medicine?”
“Yes, just one more stir, and it’s done. That’s good.”

　Edith stopped mixing the potion and looked up at Lionel, who took her left hand and touched her slender ring finger.

“I want you to accept this.”

　Edith’s lilac eyes widened as Lionel gently placed the ring on her left ring finger.

“This is……!”

　On Edith’s ring finger was a ring with a large, sparkling diamond set in a finely carved gold setting. As Edith was entranced by the sparkling light of the most beautiful diamond she had ever seen, Lionel’s mouth broke into a smile.

“I would be delighted if you liked it. This is a keepsake from my mother, a ring that has been passed down from generation to generation to the wives of the Marquis of Granvelle. I had it fitted to your finger. Thanks to your continued support, my body has recovered to the point where I can finally live a life almost indistinguishable from that of other people. Before, it was a struggle just to get into a wheelchair, and even lying down was painful, but now, far from being in a wheelchair, I can stand and walk on my own two feet. Even now, I can’t believe that such a miracle has happened to me.”

　Lionel stroked Edith’s hair gently and then looked deeply into her eyes.

“It was you, Edith, who restarted my time that had almost stopped and breathed life back into me. … Now that I’ve recovered this much, I thought I could finally tell you once again. I want you to marry me.”
“Lord Lionel… yes, with pleasure!”

　With tears in her eyes, Edith nodded vigorously, smiled, and jumped into Lionel’s arms, and Lionel held her tight. Feeling Lionel’s strong, warm arms and the ring on her left ring finger, Edith felt a joy slowly well up in her heart at the realization that she was going to marry Lionel.
　Although Edith’s days at Lionel’s side as his fiancée were gradually getting longer, the words “marriage”—a vow to spend the rest of their lives together—carried a different weight to them.

“I am very happy to think that I will be able to stay by your side forever, Lionel-sama.”
“Yes. From now on, I want you to support this household as my wife and as the future Marquise de Granvelle. That being said, as long as you stay just as you are, that’s enough for me… But it seems like you’re putting in a lot of effort. I’ve heard that from Arche and Craig.”
“…! So you knew about it too, Lord Lionel.”

　Edith blushed slightly at Lionel’s words. Now that Lionel had almost fully recovered and she no longer needed to be by his side all the time, Edith had the free time to learn from Eugenie and Arche the manners and culture required of an aristocratic woman. Little by little, Edith had begun to learn things like table manners and how to bow, as well as the academic subjects and foreign languages ​​taught at the schools attended by the daughters of aristocrats.
　Lionel looked at Edith and smiled brightly.

“Apparently, Arche was adamant that she was going to be Edith’s teacher, and at first she was puffing out her cheeks at Eugenie.”
“Fufu, Lady Arche may be young, but she is a fine lady. Lady Arche taught me all about table manners. Then, Lady Eugenie taught me the academic knowledge you would get at school. Both of them are enthusiastic and kind, and they are ideal teachers for me.”

　Before she knew it, Edith and Eugenie had become very close friends. Eugenie would often make time to drop by the Marquis de Granvelle’s house and seemed to look forward to spending time not only with Craig but also with Edith. When Edith and Eugenie were chatting happily, or Edith was being taught academic subjects by Eugenie, Arche would suddenly pop in with an envious look on her face.

“I see. … According to what I heard from Craig, Eugenie was amazed at how quickly you learned things. She said that you were definitely a talented woman, and praised you highly.”
“No, I think that’s because of your excellent teaching methods. I’m very grateful to you for always helping me out.”
“That’s good to hear, Edith. I think it’s a testament to your personality, but I’m also happy that you now have more allies supporting you.”

　Seeing Lionel’s gentle smile, Edith was also happy. She was also truly happy that Lionel was slowly coming to terms with Eugenie’s presence and that Arche was gradually opening up to Eugenie. Lionel and Craig were also talking more frequently than when Edith had first come to the Marquis de Granvelle house, and the expressions on their faces as they exchanged words were brighter.
　As if he could read Edith’s thoughts, Lionel smiled.

“It feels as if a warm light has shone upon the Marquis de Granvelle’s household. It’s all thanks to your coming here. I can’t express my gratitude to you in just a few words…”

　Lionel released his arms from around Edith and gently placed his hand under her chin, lifting her up. His warm, beautiful, shining blue-violet eyes looked straight at Edith.

“I love you so much, Edith.”

　Lionel’s soft lips were gently placed on Edith’s. Edith felt her heart pound so hard that she nearly stopped breathing as she quietly gave herself over to Lionel.
　When Lionel’s lips finally parted, Edith’s cheeks flushed, and she clung to Lionel’s chest. Seeing her like that, Lionel chuckled.

“You’re so cute. I promise I’ll make you happy for the rest of my life.”

　Edith with her face still flushed red, looked up at Lionel with an embarrassed look on her face.

“I promise to support you for the rest of my life, Lord Lionel. I love you, Lord Lionel.”

　Lionel embraced Edith lovingly again.

“Let’s start thinking about the date of our wedding soon. Just imagining you in a wedding dress makes my heart flutter.”
“Fufu. I’m sure you would look beautiful in a tuxedo, Lord Lionel.”

　As if to bless the two of them, smiling happily, the diamond in the ring on Edith’s left ring finger reflected the dazzling light beautifully.