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 7

Chapter 7
Warm Heart

　Edith nodded in response to Laura’s question.

“Yes, I remember. It was when I had just come here and heard that your grandmother had collapsed, right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”

　Edith remembered that shortly after she arrived at the Oak Ridge household, she had come across the normally reserved Laura, desperately pleading with her stepfather to get an advance on her wages so that she could buy some medicine from the Oak Ridge household for her grandmother.

　Edith’s stepfather turned away from her, shaking his head with a sour look on his face. Unable to ignore Laura, who was crying quietly, Edith called out to her and asked her about the situation. After hearing about Laura’s grandmother’s symptoms, Edith boiled some herbs she had brought from the pharmacy her parents ran and mixed them into medicine. After that, Laura bowed to Edith many times, saying that Edith’s medicine had made her grandmother better.

　Laura looked down a little and had a faraway look in her eyes, as if she were recalling those days.

“When my grandmother, who was my only blood relative and the parent who raised me, collapsed and took the bed, I was in the depths of despair. Even though she was not that old yet, she had been on the verge of death at one point, and although she had been examined by the doctor, it was said that there was little chance of her making a full recovery. I wanted to somehow get my grandmother to take the expensive medicine that was provided by the Earl’s family where I worked, but that didn’t happen. However…”

　Laura turned her gaze back to Edith in front of her.

“Ever since my grandmother started taking the medicine that Lady Edith prepared for her, her health has gradually improved with each passing day. Now, she has made a complete recovery and is living a more cheerful life than ever before. I watched as my grandmother’s body began to move again, and her expression brightened, as if she had been liberated from a curse, as I thought to myself every day. It was as if she was under a spell. I will never forget this kindness.”
“Oh no, Laura. I just did what I could, and it’s not like I used any particularly rare herbs. I didn’t do anything special that would earn you such gratitude.”

　Edith saw Laura’s dejected state and prepared medicine with the hope that her grandmother would recover. However, she didn’t do anything particularly different from what she did when she helped out at her parents’ pharmacy.

　Laura shook her head vigorously in front of Edith.

“No, that’s not the case. My grandmother had taken simple medicines several times before, but the medicine Lady Edith gave her seemed to have a completely different effect, as if it were a different medicine from the ones she had taken before. As you just said, Lady Edith didn’t seem to be aware that she was doing anything special… but the reason I came to see you is because I wanted to tell you about it once more.”

　With a serious expression, Laura looked intently into Edith’s eyes.

“I have heard rumors that Lord Lionel’s illness is quite serious, but I believe that Lady Edith may be able to perform a miracle. I will miss you, but… I pray from the bottom of my heart that you will be able to live happily at the Marquis of Granvelle’s house.”

　Saying this, Laura smiled with tears in her eyes, and Edith held both of her hands tightly.

“Thank you, Laura. You have encouraged me so much….I had boasted in front of my stepmother and stepsister that I would support Lord Lionel in his recovery, but I was worried about whether I could really take on that role. I was worried that I might hold him back. But hearing your words gave me courage. I have made up my mind to do everything I can for Lord Lionel.”

　Edith smiled brightly at Laura.

“I hope you’re doing well, Laura. I wish you happiness too.”
“Thank you, Edith.”

　After seeing Laura off as she left the room, Edith, with a warm heart, finished preparing for the next day and quietly closed her small bag.