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 6

Chapter 6
On the eve of departure

“It seems your engagement to Lord Lionel has gone smoothly…! You’ve been useful to us for the first time since you came to this house, Edith.”

　With that said, Dahlia frowned at her father.

“Father, why didn’t you tell us beforehand that Lionel was in such a state? Did you hear about Lionel’s condition?”
“I didn’t think that Lord Lionel’s condition would be so bad. I thought I had told you that he had been feeling unwell, but…”

　Dahlia glared at her father, unable to hide her irritation.

“If I had known that Lord Lionel was so skin and bones and as hideous as Dhinigami (the Grim Reaper) himself, I would have forced Edith into this engagement story from the beginning!”
“But, although it was only after you asked me today, I was able to get Edith engaged to him. This should ensure that our family won’t have any financial problems for the time being.”

　Dahlia spat out her words as her father, whose face was tinged with relief and whose mouth was turned up in a grin, continued.

“It was a disappointing engagement… Did you see the terrible look on his face? There was no way I could be engaged to someone like that. It looked as if he was about to be taken from the other world at any moment.”

　Edith couldn’t bear it any longer and blurted it out to Dahlia:

“Stepsister! No matter what, I think there are things that are right and wrong to say. I spoke with Lord Lionel, and even though he was ill, he was a kind and wonderful person.”

　Dahlia narrowed her eyes coldly at Edith’s words.

“Oh, isn’t that great? Maybe it would suit someone as cheeky as you are, despite being a commoner. Even though he is the eldest son of a marquis, I absolutely refuse.”

　Dahlia snorted, and her mother gave her a smile.

“I have one more piece of good news for you, Dahlia. Edith will be leaving the house so that she can support Lord Lionel. Tomorrow, Edith will be heading to the Marquis of Granvelle’s residence.”
“Well, that’s good. It wipes out our debt and gets rid of a nuisance, so it kills two birds with one stone.”

　Dahlia’s eyes lit up as she looked maliciously at Edith.

“At the very least, you should try your best not to be kicked out of the Marquis of Granvel household for being unfit to be a noble. If that were to happen, it would only damage the reputation of the Oak Ridge Earl’s household.”
“… Judging from Lord Lionel’s behavior, even if Edith can’t behave in a way befitting an aristocrat, I think it would be enough if she could at least be his companion. More importantly, it would be troubling if he were to be called to heaven and Edith were to return to this house.”

　Edith clenched her fist in anger that was welled up inside as she watched her stepmother and stepsister laughing while looking at each other. She had reached her limit.

“Lord Lionel will surely, no, absolutely recover. I will support him so that it will come true.”

　With that said, Edith turned her back on her stepparents and stepsister and quickly left the place.

＊＊＊

　Late at night, while Edith was preparing her handover documents and luggage for her departure the next day, there was a timid knock on the door of her small room. When Edith opened the door, Laura, a maid from the Oak Ridge household, was standing there. Edith was surprised, but she invited her into the room.

“Sorry, Lady Edith. I’m sorry for bothering you so late at night.”

　Edith smiled gently at Laura, who looked embarrassed.

“No, I’m fine. What’s the matter, Laura?”

　Laura was one of the few people in the Oak Ridge household who was on Edith’s side. In the current Oak Ridge household, Dahlia in particular was acting like a queen, and if you talked back to her or went against her, you would be blatantly harassed. This caused many servants to quit, but Laura, who was close to Edith’s age, was a quiet girl, but she still supported Edith behind the scenes. Many of the servants treated Edith like she was a sore spot, turning a blind eye to Dahlia’s harsh attitude towards her so as not to draw the attention of her, who hated even her being called a young lady, but it was Laura who always quietly encouraged Edith.

　Edith offered Laura a chair, and Laura bowed politely, sat down in it, and then began to speak.

“Lady Edith, I have heard the rumors. You will be going to the Marquis of Granvelle’s house tomorrow as the fiancée of the seriously ill Lord Lionel, right?”
“Yes, that’s right. Laura knew too.”
“Yes. Rumors travel fast in this house.”

　Edith looked gratefully into Laura’s eyes.

“I’m really grateful for all the help you’ve given me so far, Laura. I wanted to thank you for everything before I leave tomorrow.”
“I am the one who cannot express enough gratitude to you, Lady Edith. It is getting late, but I wanted to talk to you alone before you head to the Marquis of Granvelle tomorrow, and I really wanted to express my gratitude to you once again, so I came here, knowing that it would be a hassle…Lady Edith, do you remember the time you compounded a special medicine for my grandmother when she was sick?”