Chapter 2

I'd borrowed ten silver coins from one of the Cloud Pavilion staff, and when I went to return the money, I caught sight of a familiar figure.

Edward? What was he doing here?

Then, the thought made my cheeks flush.

Well, Edward, you really couldn't wait, could you?

I quickened my pace, following him up to the second floor. The rooms up there were quiet and elegant, clearly reserved for the most important guests.

While I was still lost in thought, I caught sight of a familiar figure.

I stopped dead in my tracks. Behind the pink curtains, a man was reclining on a small couch, while a woman with her bare shoulder was leaning over him.

My heart seemed to freeze. I knew the man's eyes and that face all too well.

Fury flared up in my chest.

Edward tilted his chin, drained his wine in one go, and then flung the cup onto the couch cushion. With a sweep of his arm, he seized the woman's delicate chin.

My chest tightened, my feet rooted to the spot. My nose prickled, and tears threatened to spill.

"Oh my, what a handsome young man," a voice cooed beside me.

A slender hand slipped onto my shoulder.

My mind was in turmoil, and before I could see who it was, that delicate hand nudged me into the room.

The flirty vibe in the room was instantly shattered, and both Edward and the woman looked up at me at the same time.

My eyes darted to Edward in a panic, and his expression instantly turned cold.

"Get out!" he barked.

He glared at me, all that tenderness from earlier vanished without a trace.

Tears suddenly streamed down my face. That jerk was so heartless.

Something flickered in Edward's eyes, and his voice softened a little.

"Get out. Didn't you hear me?" he snapped.

I bit my lip hard, knowing what he was thinking. He was a general. He had women throwing themselves at him. I was too humble to get in his way.

I took a deep breath, wiped my eyes randomly, and was about to turn around when the woman slowly approached, her voice gentle. "Sir, please wait."

I froze, and before I could say a word, a flash of cold steel suddenly appeared from her sleeve.

The knife plunged straight into my chest.

The next second, Edward sent the seemingly frail woman flying with a kick.

"Logan," Edward cried out. He pulled me into his arms, his eyes frantic with panic.

I drew a shaky breath, pain stabbing through my chest, so sharp and overwhelming I couldn't take it anymore. Huge tears rolled down my cheeks.

"It hurts," I groaned.

Edward's eyes were red. "Don't be scared. The medicine will fix you up."

As he spoke, he started to tear at my clothes, but I quickly grabbed his strong hand.

"I'm okay. Let me handle it myself," I said.

"How can you move when you're hurt?" Edward shot back.

As Edward and I were bickering, a voice spoke up from nearby.

"Edward, stay calm. Let me call Grace over," the voice said.

Only then did I see the other man in the room. His skin was pale, and he looked like a real heartthrob.

"Fortunately, General Sterling was quick. If that knife had gone any deeper, you'd be a goner," the man said.

Grace helped me put my clothes back on, and I saw my chest wrap was soaked with blood.

"Grace, I..." I stammered.

Before I could finish, Grace gave a little laugh. "I didn't see a thing."

As she finished speaking, the door was knocked on again.

Grace gave a helpless shake of her head. "Alright, come in."

Grace had barely finished speaking when Edward burst into the room.

"Logan, does it still hurt?" Edward asked. His face was pale, worry written all over his eyes.

Grace rolled her eyes at him. "General Sterling, when Whitney was undressed last time, you weren't nearly this anxious."

"Please, Grace, don't say things like that," Edward said.

Edward looked rattled, his eyes full of panic, his hands balled into fists at his sides.

"Logan, I'm here because of official duties." Edward tried to explain.

He held my hand tightly. "D-do you trust me?"

His rough palm was cold. When I stayed silent, he quickly added anxiously, "Logan, trust me. Once everything's settled, I'll explain everything to you."

I nodded gently, but as I tried to speak, the pain in my chest got worse. I winced, struggling to catch my breath.

Edward sighed, "I did everything to keep you safe, but you always end up worrying me."

Leaning back on the bed, I watched the usually ruthless heir of the Sterling family nagging at my bedside, and suddenly, a warm feeling blossomed in my heart.

I gently spread Edward's big hand open in mine, feeling the thick calluses, rough and tough.

Edward was nothing like the easygoing, pampered landlord's sons at my father's academy, or the polite, knowledgeable sons of the magistrate I met in private lessons.

I'd never met a guy like him before.

My mom used to ask me, "Vivian, when you grow up, what kind of guy do you want to marry?"

"Someone strong and dependable," I'd replied.

Mom laughed softly. "Guys like that are hard to find."

"Well, as long as he can protect me, like how you and Dad always look out for each other," I'd said.

My fingers brushed over the rough calluses on Edward's palm, but in the next instant, his big hand closed tightly around mine.

My heart stuttered as I looked up, meeting Edward's fiery gaze.

"Logan, I know I shouldn't think this way, but every time I close my eyes, it's you I see," Edward murmured.

He must've made up his mind. There was so much heat in his eyes, I felt like I could melt under that look.

"Logan, I have feelings..." Edward said.

"General Sterling," I interrupted. "I've got a younger sister who's always admired you. Once the war's over, how about I set you up with her?"

The eagerness in Edward's eyes slowly faded. "Logan, I shouldn't have been harboring feelings like that."

He let out a heavy sigh, his hand clenched tightly into a fist. "Take care of yourself and get some rest."

Seeing Edward so dejected, my heart ached. I opened my mouth, but the words wouldn't come out.

Never mind. There was still plenty of time ahead.