The Chance I Gave Her

As for how Edmond saw through it, Alistair didn't know.

When he told Edmond what he noticed, Edmond just gave a nonchalant "hmm."

When Alistair asked how Edmond figured it out, Edmond didn't answer. On the way to the hospital, Edmond said, "Aria just conveyed her wishes. She wants to keep the peace, so let her."

With that settled, Alistair brought up Lily's "memory confusion" with a teasing tone. "What now? It seems the little princess has latched onto you."

Edmond replied, "I gave her the chance to latch on."

"What?" Alistair didn't understand.

Edmond clarified, "I'm going to marry her."

Alistair was speechless.

After having dinner at the hospital, Aria went home to fetch her toiletries for the night. Once she left, Lily lay back down. She hadn't slept well recently, so being in the hospital was a good chance to catch up on sleep.

Perhaps because she had slept too much in the afternoon, Lily's sleep was light. She vaguely heard someone enter and thought it was Aria returning. "I'm so hot and uncomfortable. Can you wipe me down?"

 She was cold-sensitive, and Aria had turned the air conditioner up high before leaving. Now, under the covers, Lily felt sticky and sweaty. The footsteps paused, but there was no response.

 Lily turned over, squinting her eyes. In the warm yellow light, a tall, blurry figure stood by the bed. It seemed to be a man. Realizing something was off, Lily sat up abruptly, startled.

 "Uncle Edmond? What are you doing here?"

 Oh no! What had she said earlier? Asking Edmond to wipe her down? God, let her die on the spot! Lily, still in shock, tried to sit up, but her body was too weak. She was already sweating from the effort.

 Edmond walked over, gently helping her sit up and placing a pillow behind her back.

 Lily thanked him obediently. "Thank you, Uncle Edmond."

 After ensuring she was comfortable, Edmond pulled up a chair and sat down, looking at her with a hint of amusement in his dark eyes. "Uncle?"

 The way he said "Uncle" had an unmistakable undertone. Lily, her head wrapped in bandages, took a moment to understand. When she saw his knowing smile, she wished she could faint again.

 Uncle Edmond? She had supposedly forgotten Royce, so how could she still be calling Edmond "Uncle"? She had been calling him "darling" while pretending to be confused. How could she slip up so soon?

 Lily's mind raced, trying to find a way to salvage the situation. Then Edmond asked, "Not pretending anymore?"

 Lily stiffened, turning to look at him. Not pretending... pretending? Pretending? He knew she was acting? Lily's forehead broke out in a sweat.

 Edmond handed her a tissue box, gesturing to her forehead. "Wipe your sweat."

 Nervously, Lily took a couple of tissues, sneaking a glance at his hands. They were beautiful: pale, flawless, with long, elegant fingers like a pianist's, nails perfectly trimmed and slightly cold, like a piece of jade artwork.

 Lily wished she could take a few pictures, ideally of his whole person, to inspire her creativity. But that was just a fantasy. Gods were to be admired, not desecrated.

 "Thank you."

 Lily dabbed at her forehead, not daring to wipe her back. Edmond returned the tissue box and began explaining how he saw through her act.

 "When you hugged me, your movements were stiff. You kept a bit of distance between us; it was a misalignment. If you truly mistook me for someone you loved, you wouldn't be so reserved. Your body was shaking, you were scared, and very resistant."

 Lily stayed silent. It wasn't entirely her fault; hugging Edmond with both hands had taken all her courage. She couldn't bring herself to press closer.

 "I'm sorry," she apologized for her foolishness. "You said if I wasn't awkward sitting at the same table with Royce, you'd marry me. So, I came up with this idea. I thought if I forgot about him, I wouldn't be awkward anymore."

 She admitted her "memory confusion."

 "I thought if I believed the person I liked was you, I could use this chance to create an image of 'I won't marry anyone but you.' That way, when we get married, I wouldn't be too embarrassed."

 She glanced at Edmond, seeing his frown and the disapproval in his deep eyes, which gave off an oppressive feeling. Lily's heart sank. So, he was angry? "I'm sorry," she mumbled, head down, feeling the sweat on her back increase. "I was wrong. I won't pretend anymore. I'm sorry."

 Edmond, seeing her frightened, softened his tone. "I didn't say you couldn't pretend."

 Lily looked at him cautiously. "You're not angry?"