Chapter 13

Today, I am posting two chapters.

Thank you for reporting the typos; I have made the corrections.

"Lionel, it's the best news that your appetite has returned. If you can eat properly, it will help you recover your strength. ...Do you have any favorite dishes or foods, Lionel?"

At Edith's words, Lionel smiled slightly, lowering his eyebrows.

"In the past, I had many favorites, but now my stomach can't accept foods that are hard to digest. Also, since I rarely feel hungry, it's difficult for me to eat regular meals with the family. Usually, I have something light brought to this room."

"That's right..."

Imagining Lionel eating alone in his room, separate from his family, Edith's heart ached.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and Lionel's father appeared on the other side.

"Lionel. ...Oh, Edith, you're still here."

Seeing his son Lionel looking at Edith with bright eyes and the relaxed atmosphere between them, Lionel's father was touched, his eyes slightly moist.

"I'm sorry to interrupt. I came to discuss today's lunch with Lionel. It would be good if Edith could hear it too, so this is perfect."

He smiled gratefully at Edith and continued.

"Today, if Lionel is feeling well, I thought we could have lunch together to welcome Edith. However, considering Lionel's condition just now, it might be a bit difficult. I'm not sure what to do."

While Edith saw that Lionel's appetite had improved somewhat, she thought it would be wrong to push him. She also realized that it would be difficult for him to eat the same menu as everyone else. She looked up at Lionel's father.

"If it's not too much trouble, could I have lunch with Lionel today, separately from everyone else?"

"Of course. Edith, we can bring your lunch here. Lionel, we'll prepare something easy for you to digest."

"Um..."

Edith hesitated and asked Lionel's father.

"If it's not too much trouble, could I borrow the kitchen for a bit? I'd like to make a medicinal porridge that I often made at home, if Lionel doesn't mind."

Seeing Lionel's delighted expression, he smiled and nodded.

"Of course, that would be very helpful. Edith, you can cook too?"

"Yes, I can, to some extent. I used to cook a lot, though it's mostly simple, common dishes."

"Besides the large kitchen the chefs use, there's a smaller one not far from this room. You can use it whenever you like. I'll have a servant show you the way and prepare the necessary ingredients."

"Thank you. I'll make two servings of the medicinal porridge, including mine, so I won't need a separate lunch."

Lionel also smiled at Edith.

"Thank you, Edith. I'm sorry to trouble you, but I'd really like to try that medicinal porridge. ...Father, I'm not fully recovered yet, but thanks to the medicine Edith gave me earlier, I feel much better."

"That's great, Lionel. You look much brighter too. Edith, thank you very much."

After Lionel's father left the room, Edith turned back to Lionel. She noticed something moving in the shrubs outside the window that faced the courtyard.

(…?)

When Edith focused her eyes, she saw Arch's purple-red eyes peeking from behind the shrubs. When their eyes met, Arch's eyes widened in surprise, and she turned and ran away.

(Arch, how long have you been there? Were you watching us…?)

Edith tilted her head in confusion. Soon, a servant came to guide her to the kitchen, and Edith left Lionel's room.

***

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Lionel."

Edith brought a large wooden tray with two steaming bowls of medicinal porridge and an enamel pot to Lionel. The inviting aroma quickly filled the room.

"It smells good, and it looks delicious."

"I hope you like it…"

Edith picked up one of the bowls and was about to offer it to Lionel with a spoon, but seeing that he was still a bit unsteady, she pulled the bowl back. She then spooned a small portion of the porridge and brought it to Lionel's mouth.

"Lionel, it's still a bit hot, so please be careful when you eat."

Hesitantly, Lionel's cheeks, which were still pale, turned red as he looked at the spoon being offered to him.

"To be honest, it's a bit embarrassing to be this dependent on you…"

Seeing Lionel's blushing face, Edith chuckled softly.

"Don't look so embarrassed. The bowl is a bit heavy, and today, I want to do this much for you as your fiancée. The most important thing is for you to get better."

Seeing Edith waiting for him to open his mouth, Lionel finally did so, and Edith fed him the porridge. Lionel's face lit up as he tasted it.

"…!! This is delicious."

"Really?"

"Yes. It's called a medicinal porridge, but I don't taste any of the usual medicinal flavors. Instead, it has a spicy aroma, and it's very delicious. The porridge I usually eat is rather bland, but this one makes me hungry the more I eat it. I could eat a lot, and it warms me from the inside."

"Hehe, I'm glad you like it. This recipe is from my mother, and it actually contains various medicinal herbs that are highly effective. If you want seconds, just let me know."

Edith had made the medicinal porridge with the wish that it would help Lionel's body. Seeing her bright, happy smile, Lionel's cheeks turned even redder, and he murmured to himself.

"This is bad for my heart…"

"Did you say something, Lionel?"

"No, it's nothing. But I'm truly glad that you agreed to be my fiancée."

Lionel's intense gaze made Edith's cheeks flush. To hide her embarrassment, she brought the next spoonful to Lionel's mouth, and this time, he opened his mouth without hesitation.

The bowl was quickly empty, and Lionel asked for seconds several times. Edith happily fed him, and after finishing her own porridge quickly, she enjoyed a pleasant conversation with him.

Unbeknownst to Edith, Arch was still watching them from the courtyard. Hearing Lionel's bright laughter, which she hadn't heard in a long time, Arch's eyes widened as she looked at Edith, and finally, a bright smile bloomed on her young face.