Chapter 4

Today, I have posted two episodes.

Edith returned Lionel's bright smile with a nod.

"Of course, I don't mind at all. I'm happy to."

Lionel's eyes widened slightly in surprise at Edith's response and the genuine smile that confirmed it. Lionel's father, seeing his son and Edith, smiled happily and immediately got up from the sofa.

"Then we won't disturb the two of you. Is that all right?"

"Yes, of course. Edith, I'll leave it to you."

Edith's stepmother also smiled broadly, emphasizing the last part, "I'll leave it to you," and gave Edith a sharp look as she left. When the door closed and Edith and Lionel were left alone in the parlor, Lionel asked Edith, who was sitting in the chair in front of him.

"Miss Edith, did you not know about my condition?"

"No, I did not. In fact, I only learned that the marriage proposal with you was coming to this house just a short while ago."

Edith's words made Lionel smile wryly.

"Then I must have deceived you. You probably couldn't have imagined that the person you were just told would be your fiancé would be in such a dire situation. But..."

Lionel let his gaze drift for a moment, lost in thought, before turning back to Edith.

"Please bear with me, Miss Edith, but I would be very happy if you would accept my proposal. I think it's better for you to hear the details directly from me to avoid any misunderstandings, so I will explain them to you now."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lionel coughed painfully and his body trembled. Edith quickly stood up from her chair, gently rubbing his back as she spoke.

"Lord Lionel, are you all right? Please don't overexert yourself..."

"I'm fine. Thank you for your concern."

Edith nodded, understanding Lionel's feelings, and smiled warmly at his polite demeanor.

"Lord Lionel, I am of a lower rank and younger than you, so please call me Edith. I would appreciate it if you could speak to me more informally."

"...All right. Then I'll take you up on your offer, Edith."

Lionel's face relaxed slightly as he continued speaking to Edith.

"I might as well be honest, since there's no point in hiding it. Until now, there have been several young ladies who, like your step-sister, turned pale at the sight of me. Since I fell ill, you are the first person who didn't flinch at the sight of me."

"...What?"

Edith felt a sharp pain in her chest as she looked back at Lionel.

"Actually, my father has considered proposing marriage to several young ladies from noble families before. But before any of those talks could progress, they all ran away at the sight of me. No matter how prestigious the title of Marquess's eldest son is, there were no takers for a seriously ill person like me. ...But,"

Lionel looked at Edith with a serious expression.

"I have a younger brother who is about to become engaged to a young lady. However, as you know, I am not yet engaged. Since my health is in such a state, I don't mind if my brother gets engaged first, but my father is worried about it. He believes that, in the proper order, I should be the one to get engaged first."

Edith nodded at Lionel's words. If the Granville Marquess family were to let the younger son get engaged before the elder son in this situation, it would not be unreasonable for other noble families to assume that the elder son, who is seriously ill, has been passed over as the heir.

"Moreover, I heard that you come from a family skilled in healing magic. My father cares for me deeply and has tried everything to cure my illness. I feel bad taking advantage of your kindness and your family's resources, but I want to fulfill my father's wish if I can. If you accept my proposal, I might not be able to do anything as a fiancé. I can't even be your dance partner at balls, and the places we can go together will be limited. I might only cause you trouble..."

Lionel's lips curved into a sad smile as he let out a small sigh.

"I'm sorry for asking you to become engaged to someone like me. The truth is, I've been given up on by doctors. They say I have only a year to live."

"...!"

Edith, unable to find words to respond, stared at Lionel in shock. Lionel continued.

"So, even if you accept my proposal now, I don't think I'll live long enough to get married. My father is doing everything he can to treat me, but I can feel it. However, I don't want my father to have any regrets when I pass away. ...I'm sorry to ask such a selfish favor, but could you bear with me for a year? You can think of it as a one-year engagement contract."

(To think Lord Lionel had such a situation...)

Edith, holding back the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes, spoke to Lionel.

"If I am acceptable, I will accept the engagement with Lord Lionel. However, there is one thing I must tell you."

Edith looked straight at Lionel.

"...As my stepmother mentioned, I have only been in this house for about a year and a half. My mother was of common birth, and until my parents died in an accident and I was taken in by this earl's family, I lived as a commoner. I don't have the basic manners of a noble, nor the education I should have as a noble. I will likely cause you a lot of trouble. Is that all right with you?"

"Yes, of course. I don't mind at all. ...Besides,"

Lionel's eyes, filled with a gentle light, met Edith's.

"If it were possible, I was hoping to spend my last days with you. I'm happy that you've accepted my proposal."

Edith's cheeks flushed softly at Lionel's gentle smile.