Chapter 2
The day after the two families settled the details, the Sterling family sent over a lavish betrothal gift worth a small fortune.
Three days later, I entered their home.
As I stepped inside, Amber paced back and forth, sighing softly. Whenever her eyes fell on me, they held a mix of satisfaction and worry.
She muttered under her breath, "If even a beauty like you can't reach that stubborn boy Edward, the Sterling line may truly end with him."
Hearing her words, I promised to do my best, though I couldn't help but wonder what Edward could be.
No man had ever resisted my charms before.
Just what kind of person was Edward?
Rumor had it he was a prodigy, brilliant, accomplished, and already the top scholar at only seventeen.
They said he was graceful and handsome, like a figure from a painting, truly favored by God.
It was a shame he showed no interest in women, vowing to remain alone forever.
That, of course, was exactly why Amber had chosen me.
To be honest, if even I couldn't get close to him, he might have some problems.
That evening, I brought a bowl of sweet milk into Edward's chamber.
He was reading under the lamplight, so absorbed that he didn't even notice my entrance.
His profile was sharp, his features finely carved, handsome yet still boyish, but with a distant, untouchable air.
The room was elegantly simple, and on the wall hung a painting of a scholar, giving off a serene, solitary vibe.
As I approached, he finally looked up.
"I said I didn't need—" he began, but his words trailed off.
Our eyes met, and he fell silent, seemingly stunned. Time seemed to freeze in that moment. Even his breath seemed to pause.
I offered a gentle, inviting smile, scooped a spoonful of milk, and lifted it toward his lips. "You've been studying hard, Edward. Let me help you relax with some warm milk."
After a brief pause, he quickly stood and put distance between us, moving so fast it was as though I was some kind of dangerous temptress.
Edward studied me cautiously. "You're Lily Quinn?"
My hand, still holding the spoon, hung awkwardly in the air.
He glanced at it, clear annoyance in his eyes. "I'm not drinking that. Take it away. Men and women shouldn't be so familiar. Keep your distance."
Seriously? I was thrown off balance. I'd braced myself for resistance, but his coldness still caught me off guard.
I set the milk down on the table, lowered my head, and bit my lip softly, looking pitiful and wronged.
Most men would have melted right then.
But Edward clearly wasn't like most men.
"Why are you still here? Are your legs numb? Should I call someone to escort you out?" he said coolly.
"Edward, I am your companion," I replied softly.
Amber hadn't even prepared a separate room for me. It was obvious what she intended.
Edward finally seemed to understand, his expression clearing. "Fine. You take the room. I'll sleep in the study."
"Wait!" I called out, knowing I couldn't force him to stay. I let a few tears slip out.
Under the lamplight, I must have looked like a blossom after the rain, teardrops glistening like pearls, a picture of pitiable beauty, enough to move even myself.
"If you really can't stand me, at least drink the milk before you go. Otherwise, Amber will blame me," I pleaded, my voice trembling slightly.
Edward frowned, hesitated, then finally picked up the bowl.
He took a deep breath and drank it all in one go. "There," he said flatly. "Now you can tell her I did my part."
Then he hurried out as if escaping a fire. His movements were swift and smooth, leaving me speechless.
Did he really just...? I walked over and touched the bottom of the bowl. It was still warm.
Wasn't the milk hot for him?
Meanwhile, Edward rushed back to his study and gulped down cold water as though putting out a fire.
He'd drunk so fast he nearly scalded his mouth.
Yet even through the burn, he couldn't ignore the lingering taste of the milk.
It was sweet, with a subtle fragrance that made him want another sip.
But the next second, he denied that idea.
His mentor had warned him time and again, "Beautiful faces bring disaster, and a wise man keeps his distance."
Tonight, he'd slipped. He never should have let his guard down.
Consumed with regret, Edward forced himself to meditate through the night, trying to clear his mind.
When I saw him the next morning, the heavy dark circles under his eyes were impossible to miss.
Amber was beside herself, her usual composure hanging by a thread.
"Lily is stunning! How could you possibly sleep apart from her? You'll be the death of me!" she exclaimed, exasperated.
Edward stood there, tall and composed as always, not even glancing my way. "Mother, please calm down. I'm not interested in women."