Chapter 3
Amber looked so shocked she could've choked. "Do you prefer men?"
Edward frowned, his tone honest yet cool. "Men don't appeal to me either. I'd rather remain alone for life.
"Whether it's Lily or someone else, it makes no difference to me. You're just wasting your time, Mother."
I let out a soft sigh and apologized gently, "Amber, perhaps I'm just not appealing enough. Please don't blame him."
Hearing that, Edward finally turned to look at me. Last night, he'd only caught a brief glimpse before retreating.
But now, his gaze lingered. He studied my figure, and before he knew it, the tips of his ears flushed a bright red.
He quickly looked away, muttering under his breath, "Absolute trouble."
"What did you say?" Amber asked, having missed his whisper.
Edward's embarrassment only deepened, his ears burning hotter.
"Alright, alright. You're impossible, Edward. I suppose I'll have to resort to some persuasion," Amber sighed in resignation.
After a long silence, she finally laid down her terms. She ordered, "For one full month, you will not sleep apart from Lily. Not a single night.
"Otherwise, you can forget about returning to the academy."
Edward could tolerate almost anything, but being kept away from his studies was true torment.
That night, I glanced at Edward, who was wrapped up tightly like a mummy, then down at my own light nightgown.
I could only shake my head with a quiet laugh, rise to blow out the candle, and settle in.
No need to rush. I still have half a year.
In the darkness, my heartbeat seemed unusually loud.
I drifted to sleep quickly.
But as I slept, my limbs had a mind of their own, wrapping around the person beside me like an octopus.
The truth was, I had a secret no one knew: I was an incorrigible cuddler in my sleep, clinging to whatever or whoever was nearby.
Tonight, Edward was the unwitting recipient.
He'd bundled himself so tightly he couldn't move, leaving him utterly trapped in my embrace.
He turned his head slightly, and his face brushed against soft, smooth skin.
Edward froze, his entire body going rigid.
Meanwhile, still fast asleep, I nuzzled closer unconsciously.
The soft curve of my chest grazed his nose, like ripe, tempting peaches.
Even through the thin silk, the sensation was startlingly vivid.
A shiver ran through him, heat rushing downward, and then, he felt a warm, sudden release.
Panicked, Edward bolted upright and fled the room in utter disarray.
For several nights after that, I kept waking in the small hours.
Edward paid me little attention during the day, lying beside me as if merely fulfilling a duty.
But each night, as if haunted, he would rush off to bathe like clockwork.
Tonight was especially tense.
After accidentally flipping through the illustrated booklet Amber had sent over, he lay stiffly until well past midnight. Finally, unable to bear it, he took yet another cold rinse.
Outwardly cool and detached, his body burned like a furnace, which meant I hardly slept either.
I had no idea what was in that booklet. He refused to let me see it, no matter how I asked.
Maybe the summer heat was making everyone restless?
Come to think of it, I felt rather warm myself.
I called for a maid to draw a bath.
The moment I slipped out of my robes and into the tub, the light suddenly dimmed, blocked by a figure.
Edward had appeared behind me without a sound.
Candlelight flickered, reflecting softly in his eyes.
Fresh from his cold rinse, his hair still dripped with tiny beads of water.
I was pouring warm water over my shoulders, letting it stream down my body.
My curves wavered beneath the ripples, half-veiled in steam, a teasing, elusive sight.
The night felt intimate, my skin glowing temptingly in the haze.
Sensing a presence, I turned and met Edward's elegant, composed gaze.
He stood there, stunned, staring at me as if entranced.
The young man known for his sharp wit was now utterly speechless.
I was equally mortified.
I crossed my arms over my chest, wishing I could sink into the water and vanish. My skin flushed a deep pink almost instantly.
My words stumbled out, trembling. "E-Edward... I didn't expect you back so soon..."
Though I was meant to be his companion, Edward still felt like a stranger to me.
Right now, my face burned with embarrassment. I wanted to disappear.
Time seemed to hang suspended, and then I saw it.
Two streaks of bright red trailed from Edward's nose, vivid even in the dim light.
"Edward!" I cried out in alarm, scrambling to help him. But my foot slipped, and I lost my balance, tumbling backward.
Instinctively, Edward reached out to catch me, and we both plunged into the tub together.