Chapter 7

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Edith nodded in response to Laura's question.

"Yes, I remember. It was when I had just come to this house and heard that your grandmother had fallen ill, wasn't it?"

"Yes, that's right."

Edith was recalling the time when she had just arrived at the Oakridge household. Laura, who was usually reserved, was desperately pleading with Edith's stepfather to borrow her salary in advance so she could buy the medicine the Oakridge household dealt with for her grandmother. Edith, who had seen this by chance, couldn't ignore Laura, who was crying silently after being turned away by her stepfather with a stern look. Edith approached her, asked about the situation, and, upon hearing about Laura's grandmother's condition, prepared a medicine by decocting some of the herbs she had brought from her parents' pharmacy. Laura had bowed to Edith many times, expressing her gratitude for the medicine that had helped her grandmother recover.

Laura looked down slightly, her eyes distant as she recalled those times.

"At that time, when my grandmother, who was my only irreplaceable relative and the one who raised me, was bedridden, I was on the brink of despair. Even though my grandmother wasn't that old, she was so ill that she was almost at death's door. The doctor said there was little hope of a full recovery. I wanted to give her the expensive medicine that the Oakridge household dealt with, but that wasn't possible. However,"

Laura returned her gaze to Edith.

"Ever since your grandmother took the medicine you prepared, her condition gradually improved day by day. Now, she has fully recovered and is even more lively than before. Watching her regain her strength and her expression brighten up as if a weight had been lifted, I thought every day that it was like magic. I will never forget this kindness."

"That's not true, Laura. I just did what I could, and I didn't use any particularly rare herbs. It wasn't anything special that deserved such gratitude."

Edith, seeing Laura's dejected look, had sincerely wished for her grandmother's recovery while preparing the medicine. However, it wasn't anything out of the ordinary from what she had done while helping in her parents' pharmacy.

Laura shook her head vigorously in front of Edith.

"No, that's not true. My grandmother has taken simple medicines several times before, but the medicine you gave me seemed to have a completely different effect. Even though you said you didn't do anything special... I came to see you because I wanted to tell you this once again."

With a serious expression, Laura stared intently into Edith's eyes.

"I've also heard rumors that Mr. Lionel's illness is quite severe, but I believe that you, Edith, can perform a miracle. Although I will be sad... I sincerely hope that you will be happy at the Granville household."

Saying this, Laura smiled with tears in her eyes, and Edith gripped her hands tightly.

"Thank you, Laura. Your words have been a great encouragement to me. ...I boldly promised my stepmother and stepsister that I would support Mr. Lionel's recovery, but I was also feeling uncertain about whether I could really fulfill that role. I was even worried that I might hold him back. But your words have given me courage. I've decided to do everything I can for Mr. Lionel."

Edith smiled brightly at Laura.

"Please take care of yourself, Laura. I wish for your happiness too."

"Thank you, Lady 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.