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 5

Chapter 5
I decided to live with my fiancé

“Father. Lady Edith has agreed to betroth me to her.”

　As his son came out of the reception room in a wheelchair, being pushed by Edith, Lionel’s father nodded with a smile.

“That’s all the more important. Lady Edith, please take good care of my son.”

　Lionel’s father smiled a warm smile of relief as Edith pushed the wheelchair behind Lionel. Edith smiled back at him and bowed politely.

“Thank you very much for your help.”

　Before they knew it, Edith’s stepparents were standing next to Lionel’s father, both with smiles of satisfaction on their faces.

“That’s good to hear. Edith, do your best to serve Lord Lionel.”
“Yes, Edith. Please be careful not to be disrespectful to Lord Lionel.”

　Edith could see that her stepparents were thinking about financial matters, but she pretended not to notice and simply nodded solemnly.

　As Edith’s stepmother watched Lionel’s attendant take his place as Edith pushed Lionel’s wheelchair, an idea suddenly dawned on her, and her face lit up.

“Hey, Edith. It seems like Lord Lionel needs someone to support him in his daily life. Since you’re engaged to him, why don’t you be the one to support him?”
“Well, stepmother, I wish that were possible, but what would that mean…?”

　When Edith asked her stepmother, not knowing what she really meant, she was met with a broad, heartfelt laugh.

“Oh, I mean it literally. You’re not doing anything in particular in this house, are you? I’m just saying that if the Marquis of Granvelle agrees, you can stay by Lord Lionel’s side forever.”
“Umm, about the pharmacy business in this house…”

　Her stepmother gave Edith a cold look and told her:

“There’s no need for you to think about that, Edith. Anyone can do what you’ve been doing. What do you think, Marquis?”
“We would be happy to have you stay closer to my son, and we can immediately arrange for a vacant room for you…”

　Lionel’s father exchanged glances with his son, who looked a little confused. Lionel then quietly began to speak.

“In that case, wouldn’t that be more of a bother for Lady Edith? I’m sure we would welcome it, but even so, I’m afraid asking her to do something like that after just becoming engaged would be a burden to her.”

　Edith quickly shook her head, knowing that Lionel did indeed care about her.

“No, Lord Lionel. It’s not that I consider you a burden. However, I am worried that I might be causing trouble for the Marquis of Granvelle household…”

　Edith’s tone finally took on an anxious, murmuring tone, and Lionel’s father smiled brightly.

“If you are happy to come to the Marquis of Granvelle’s house, then please come. Once you are ready, we will come to pick you up.”
“In that case, Edith, why don’t you get ready right away so they can come pick you up tomorrow? As the saying goes, good things come quick.”
“…Yes, I understand, stepmother.”

　Edith nodded in agreement with her stepmother’s words, though she felt a little dizzy at the very early date suggested. Her stepmother, who seemed to want to take this opportunity to get Edith out of the house, didn’t seem to know the extent to which Edith was involved in Oak Ridge Earl’s drug business. There were not enough people to compound the medicines, and from inventory management to bookkeeping, the Earl’s pharmaceutical business was full of holes, as far as she could see. Edith sighed softly inwardly as she thought back to how she had been investing her time into filling in those gaps.

(I have to prepare the documents before handing them over to the servants by tomorrow. Both my stepfather and stepmother are careless and just leave things to others. I’m worried, but it can’t be helped…)

　Edith initially became involved in  Oak Ridge Earl’s pharmaceutical business with the consent of her grandfather, who was becoming frail due to old age and finding it difficult to keep a close eye on the family business. However, she assumed that her stepmother, stepfather, and, of course, her stepsister did not want to know anything about what she was doing.
　Lionel looked intently at Edith, then at her stepparents, before speaking.

“Well, I will come to the Oak Ridge household again tomorrow to pick up Lady Edith. …Edith, I look forward to welcoming you to the Marquis of Granvelle household.”
“I’m looking forward to my reception. Thank you, Lord Lionel.”

　Lionel’s warm words made Edith’s expression relax with relief, and he smiled gently at her. Since coming to the Oak Ridge House, the only nobles Edith had had any direct contact with besides her grandfather were her stepparents and stepsister, so up until that point, she had felt that nobles were a somewhat haughty race. However, she was pleasantly surprised to find that there were high-ranking nobles like Lionel and his father who were calm and refined.
　Although Edith had only spoken to Lionel a little, she could sense his sincere and kind personality. She was also happy to be able to spend more time with him and talk to him more.

　As Lionel and his group got into the carriage and headed home, Edith and her stepparents watched the carriage get smaller and smaller. Dahlia, who seemed to have been watching the situation nearby, approached Edith and the others with a faint smile on her lips.