Chapter 14

While watching Lionel laugh joyfully, Edith noticed that his eyelids were becoming heavy with sleep. She smiled gently at him.

"Lionel, perhaps it's time for you to rest a bit. You've had a good lunch, and I'm sure you'll feel much better after some sleep."

"Thank you, you're right. ... But, knowing that you'll be here in this house from now on, I feel a bit reluctant to end our time together."

Seeing the slightly sad expression on Lionel's face, Edith smiled warmly again.

"Then, I'll stay in this room until you fall asleep. And when you wake up, I'll be right here with you."

Lionel nodded, and Edith helped him slide his upper body into the blanket. She moved her chair closer to his pillow. Although Lionel had closed his eyes, he opened them several times, looking up at Edith with an uneasy expression. Edith gently held his thin hand.

"Hehe, it's okay. I'm right here."

Edith recalled how, as a child, she felt reassured when someone touched her when she had a fever. She held Lionel's bony hand, and although his cheeks turned red, he nodded obediently, feeling the softness of her hand.

"Thank you so much for doing all this for me, Edith."

"No, it's nothing. I hope you feel better when you wake up."

Lionel, looking relieved, gently squeezed Edith's hand and soon began to breathe steadily in his sleep. Edith, feeling reassured by the regular rhythm of his breathing, different from the restless sleep he had in the carriage, watched his peaceful face. She carefully placed the empty plates and pot on a tray and went to the kitchen to clean up.

While Edith was washing the dishes and pot in the small kitchen, Lionel's father came to check on her.

"I'm sorry for all the trouble, Edith. You could have used the servants."

"No, I'll be done soon."

"… How is Lionel doing?"

Lionel's father, worried about his son and his new fiancée who had just arrived, seemed restless. Edith smiled calmly at him.

"He's sleeping soundly now. It must be the fatigue from visiting the Oakridge family every day. He ate the herbal porridge well, so I think he'll feel better when he wakes up."

"That's good to hear."

Relieved, he patted his chest and looked at Edith.

"As they say, illness starts in the mind. Watching Lionel, it seems like a light of hope has been lit in his heart since he became engaged to you. I haven't seen him so happy since he fell ill. It's been a long time since he ate properly."

"I'm glad to hear that. … Until Lionel can eat the same food as the rest of the family, I plan to make gentle meals for his stomach and eat with him. Of course, only if Lionel agrees."

Lionel's father, surprised by Edith's words, opened his mouth to speak, then hesitated and closed it again. After a moment of hesitation, he spoke again.

"Your offer is more than I could ask for, but I don't know how long it will take for him to recover. Edith, is it really okay for you to do this? It might be quite a burden for you..."

Edith, seeing Lionel's father's concern and his desire to see his son happy, smiled warmly.

"I want to do this. I enjoy cooking, and spending time with the gentle Lionel makes me happy. I often lose track of time. So, it won't be a burden at all."

Edith's words were sincere. Every time she saw Lionel's smile, her heart warmed, and every conversation with him deepened her respect for his intelligence and perseverance. Despite their different backgrounds, their conversations flowed naturally, and she found his occasional boyish expressions endearing. Moreover, feeling needed, unlike when she was treated as a burden by her in-laws at the Oakridge family, made her happy.

"… I'm truly grateful, Edith. I'm glad you became engaged to Lionel."

Lionel's father, deeply moved, paused and then continued.

"Lionel's younger brother, Craig, is also planning to become engaged soon. Have you heard about it from Lionel?"

"Yes, I've heard about his plans."

"… I see. Have you heard any specifics?"

"No, I haven't heard anything more."

"I see..."

He crossed his arms thoughtfully and then continued.

"The young lady Craig is planning to engage with will be visiting this house soon to pay her respects. I'll introduce you to her at that time."

"Thank you. I look forward to meeting the lady Craig is planning to engage with."

Edith smiled, but inwardly she was puzzled by the way Lionel's father seemed to be speaking vaguely.