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 35 (Extra)

Chapter 35 (Extra)
Dear Friend

“Lady Eugenie!”

　Lady Edith waved to welcome me as I visited the Marquis of Granvelle. On her hand’s left ring finger, she was wearing a wedding ring that matched the one Lionel had.

“Hello, Lady Edith. Hello to Lady Arche too.”

　When Arche-sama popped her head out from behind Edith-sama and waved back, she smiled a little shyly and waved back.

(Well, cute.)

　Every time I saw the little angel Arche smiling, my heart ached. Previously, she would frown, turn away, and run away whenever she saw me, but now she had come this close to me, and I felt my heart warm.

(It’s all thanks to Edith.)

　My precious friend, Edith. Not only did she help Lionel when he was seriously ill, but she also seemed to have shone a gentle light on me when I was wandering in a dark maze, filled with deep regret.
　Even now, when I think back on what I did, I can never forgive myself. But Lady Edith welcomed me as a friend and embraced me with her warm smile. It was only because Lady Edith reached out to me that both Lady Arche and Lord Lionel now smiled at me. The atmosphere at the Marquis of Granvelle household had also brightened beyond recognition since Lady Edith came to live here.
　The time I got to talk with Lady Edith was one of the things I looked forward to the most. I was doing my best to help Lady Edith, who had lived a long life as a commoner, acquire the knowledge and culture of an aristocrat, but to me it was just a pretense, and just being able to spend time with her made my heart leap every time.

　I had heard that my fiancé, Craig, would be out with Lionel that day, so I planned to continue Edith’s previous lesson in her room until he returned home.
　However, looking at her, whose expression seemed a bit gloomy compared to usual, I tilted my head to the side.

“Miss Edith, how is it going today? Is something bothering you?”

　I never felt that Edith had any worries about her studies. She always absorbed new knowledge, like dry sand absorbing water, with a joyful attitude. Her strong sense of curiosity and her hard work must have contributed to her astonishing speed of learning. I heard that even at such a young age, when she was with the Oak Ridge Earl family, she was in charge of most of the medicine business. I was impressed by her skill in linking related knowledge, which must be backed up by her practical business experience.

　And yet, I was puzzled.

(It’s unusual to see Lady Edith with such a look on her face. I wonder if something has happened.)

　She looked back at me as I walked next to her.

“You have a good sense of intuition, Lady Eugenie. I would like some advice, if possible…”
“Yes, of course. If there’s any advice I can give you, please feel free to ask.”

　When we entered Lady Edith’s room and the three of us sat down in chairs around the table, she let out a small sigh.

“In fact, I’m going to be attending my first soiree next month.”
“Oh! That’s lovely.”

　My eyes sparkled when I imagined the lovely Lady Edith standing next to the dignified Lord Lionel at the evening party. I also couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of relief and joy when I realized once again that Lord Lionel’s health had recovered enough for him to once again attend an evening party.

“Even in high society, the good news is spreading that Lord Lionel, who had been seriously ill, has recovered thanks to Lady Edith’s support. Everyone is welcoming Lady Edith.”

　When I looked at Arche-sama sitting next to me, she also nodded enthusiastically.

“Yes, I think so too! Besides, anyone who meets sister-in-law Edith is sure to fall in love with her.”
“…But Lady Edith, why do you look so gloomy?”

　When I asked her that, Lady Edith began to speak hesitantly.

“There will be an opportunity to dance at the evening party, right? But I’m not very good at dancing. Lord Lionel has said he’ll help me practice, but I’m worried that I might embarrass him too…”

　Lady Edith spoke with a distrustful look on her face and sighed again.

“Even when I was in the Oak Ridge household, my stepsister, who often attended evening parties, warned me on multiple occasions that ‘glamorous evening parties where sophisticated aristocrats gather are places that are completely unrelated to a country bumpkin like you. Even if you did attend, you would only bring shame upon yourself, so you should never even think about going.’ To be honest, I’m quite worried.”

(Yes. The curse that was placed on Lady Edith by the Oak Ridge family still remains.)

　I had heard from Lord Craig that Lady Edith, a commoner, had been unfairly oppressed after being adopted by the Oak Ridge Earl family. I felt a surge of anger well up in my chest at the thought of how someone could have hurt such a kind and hardworking Lady Edith so deeply with such derogatory words.

　I instinctively reached out and shook her hand.

“Lady Edith. I don’t know anyone more wonderful and perfect for Lord Lionel than Lady Edith. You have the warmest heart of anyone, and yet you are strong-willed and intelligent. No matter how you look at it, I can confidently say that you are suitable to be the wife of a Marquis.”
“That’s right! Sister-in-law Edith picked up the manners I taught her in no time. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“Fufu, you two are so kind. Thank you; I feel a little better now.”

　As Edith’s expression relaxed with relief, I continued.

“Also, earlier, Lady Edith said you would like some advice if possible, right?”
“Yes. Lady Eugenie, you must have attended many evening parties in the past, right? I was wondering if you could give me some advice on how to prepare for an evening party, or if there are any things I should be careful of.”

　Edith looked at me with serious eyes, so I gave her a wink.

“Well, there’s just one thing. Trust Lord Lionel and stand proudly beside him. Just like Lord Craig, he will be the perfect escort at the evening party even without me having to do anything. If someone talks to you, I’m sure Lord Lionel will respond well, and I’m sure he will lead the dance smartly. Lady Edith, just relax and leave it to Lord Lionel, and everything will be fine.”
“Oh really? That’s good to hear…”

　I smiled back, happy that Lady Edith was finally smiling.

“Besides, I’m sure that Lord Lionel will teach his precious Lady Edith kindly and carefully how to dance. I’m sure you’ll be looking forward to both dance practice and your first evening party. Don’t you think so, Lady Arche?”
“Yes, I agree!”
“…! T-That’s right…!”

　Lady Edith’s cheeks blushed as she listened to what we were saying. It was clear from her expression that she trusted Lord Lionel from the bottom of her heart, and that she loved him very much.
　Even though she was normally reliable and dependable, she had such a feminine and cute side that even I found attractive. I couldn’t help but think that if I had been born a man, I would definitely want to choose Lady Edith, just like Lord Lionel did.

　I looked at Lady Edith, feeling a smile naturally form in my mouth.

(I was really glad I became your friend, Lady Edith.)

　For me, Lady Edith was the only friend I could open up to and talked about anything with. For some reason, even when we first met, I found it easy to talk to her, and it didn’t feel like we were meeting for the first time. Perhaps this was what it meant to get along well. I couldn’t help but feel happy to think that in the not-too-distant future, when I marry Lord Craig, Lady Edith will become my sister-in-law.
　At that moment, the sound of carriage wheels and horses’ hooves was heard from outside the mansion. Arche-sama climbed down from her chair and went to the window to look out the gate.

“It Looks like my brothers came home early!”
“Then shall we go and pick them up?”

　We nodded in agreement as Lady Edith smiled happily. I was sure that after this, she would be taught how to dance by Lord Lionel. I was secretly cheering for Lady Edith so that she could face the evening party with confidence.
　As I was walking down the hallway toward the entrance, Arche-sama came up to me, tugged on my sleeve, leaned over, and whispered in my ear.

“Thank you for encouraging Sister-in-Law Edith earlier.”
“You’re welcome. I wasn’t trying to encourage her; I was just saying what I was thinking.”

　Lady Arche smiled. Both Lady Arche and I felt that Lady Edith was a beloved friend and comrade.

“I’m home”

　The front door opened, and I saw Lord Lionel and Lord Craig. When Lady Edith came out to greet them, Lord Lionel immediately embraced her lovingly. Seeing how close the two of them were made my heart warm. Lord Craig looked at me, smiled, and waved back. Seeing my beloved’s smile brought a smile to my face. Lady Arche, with a spring in her step, ran over to her brothers with a big smile on her face.
　If I had to describe that moment, filled with smiles, in words, the only word that came to mind was happiness.

(The Marquis of Granvelle’s house is such a warm place.)

　The bright afternoon sunlight streaming in from outside the entrance gently enveloped us.