Chapter 200: Love’s Arrival-III

Hearing Edward's words, Lady Daphne's cheeks reddened in a blush, "A scandal? That is one thing that I don't like either or wish to impose to you," she then whispered in a smaller voice, "But I don't mind sharing one with you," the lady smiled in a way that was meek and lovable but her charm didn't faze Edward as he watched her back without emotion.

Edward moved forward, his face was close to having Daphne's face reddened further, "However I do not want to have one. With you." He made his point across curtly and Daphne was taken aback by his words. 

Lady Daphne looked pained by the blunt rejection but still tried to pull a smile. "I come here because of my father, I don't mind if you chase me out, but as your future fiancée I would encourage you to spend ten minutes with me."

This had Edward to roll his eye and sighed, "The engagement was forced by my father. I know you also get how much I do not agree with this engagement, do you?"

Lady Daphne bit her lower lips, her long brown lashes looked down before it lifted when she met Edward's eyes. "We can start this afresh, Edward."

"Our relationship you mean?" Edward questioned. His expression was one that seemed as if he can't bear to stay at the place any longer but this didn't discourage Lady Daphne from talking.

She nodded her head, "I might sound like I am boasting myself, but I do not think I am a bad woman myself, whether it is my personality or charm. I honestly do not get what makes you feel dissatisfied by the arrangement."

Edward crossed his arm, "You will not get it, Lady Lindsey."

To be called by her surname put a rift between them and this startled Daphne. "I am a lady with a wise thought, I will try to understand-"

"The problem itself lies on you," Edward pointed his index finger to the woman, "I do not get why you are trying to keep this engagement when there will be none. As you said you do not lack personality or charm," Edward's eyes fell to seize Lady Daphne's entire figure.

A light bubbled on Lady Daphne when Edward agreed to her words, "Then-" she started again but was cut off. 

"It is a matter of personal preference and to say it bluntly I do not like you. No matter what we do, this relationship that has never been assembled will not happen." Edward didn't know why Daphne had been keeping up with the engagement that he had stated multiple times would never happen. The lady seemed to like him since they first met, but he doesn't and Edward didn't share the same feeling and he was not generous to keep the Lady wishing for an engagement to happen.

Lady Daphne, as one expected was stubborn. She clenched her hand, "You dong have to be hasty Edward. We can start by spending more time between us, learning and knowing each other to prepare for the future. Or do you might have someone you fancy?" at this, Lady Daphne's eyes fell on the letter Edward hold on his hand.

"You can say so," Edward stated, thinking that this would make Daphne push away her futile thoughts of becoming closer with him or engagement. "There is someone in my heart that I currently pursue. No arrangement has been made but in the future, there would be. By now, I hope you have understood that I can't change my heart to love you or make this engagement happen, do you?"

Lady Daphne had no words. She curled her lips tight, her eyes moist from tears she tried not to fill her eyes, but was still shown. Seeing the tears, Edward sighed and this made Daphne flinch.

"I understand," she whispered, trying to make her voice even but it broke in the end, "But could I know who it is?" she asked, rather than anger, she tried to suppress the disappointment she felt.

"It's someone you wouldn't know," Edward wasn't clueless. Women's jealousy was frightening and if by telling Elise's name here would make Daphne to hurt Elise, he didn't want that. Elise was yet to be his and he can't have others to harm her.

Daphne shook her head, "Is she from Hurthend?" She stared at Edward's face to say, "She is not."

"Hurthend or not, wherever she comes from will not matter to you," Edward said for Daphne to feel her heart breaking further. Each word he said was not kind, and as much as Daphne tried not to get hurt from it, it was not easy for her to numb the pain.

But it does! Daphne swallowed the words in her mind. She wants to know the woman who had stolen Edward's love.

Daphne had hidden her love from Edward for years. The man was not only handsome but gentle at their first meeting that made her fall for him at first sight. Edward had all the qualities Daphne wanted her future husband to have. At first, their relationship had gone well, being friends, exchanging talks in the soiree or parties. Seeing the green light, she begged her parents who doted on her to marry Edward. But since then everything plunges in the worse direction.

Edward didn't treat her kindly any longer after her parents came to offer an engagement. The treatment and distance grew worse as the days passed. Only now did Daphne knows the reason for Edward's cold shoulders for her was because there was someone he loves.

Daphne blinked for tears to fall and she wiped away the tears harshly.

Edward didn't hide his displeasure for the tears Daphne shed that only put him in a sour mood. "I think you would like to rest Daphne, I will tell for the carriage to be readied."

"No," Daphne rejected the offer. She breathed in, her hand on her skirt tightening as she tried to compose herself from breaking into tears that would only put more discord between her and Edward, the man she was too in love with, "I have my carriage waiting outside. But please just for the last, I want to know her name— the name of the woman you love."

Edward only stared at the woman, "I pray you a safe ride." and with that, he turned to leave. Daphne didn't stay long either as she quickly leaves for her tears to cover her cheeks. Not even her wish was able to be answered. She felt broken, her heart felt painful for the attitude Edward gave her.

Leaving the house, she then saw the servant running behind the backyard. The servant tried to make his way around the corner of the house, his head looking left and right as if looking out in fear of getting caught. The action stood out like a sore thumb to Daphne.

"What are you doing?" asked Daphne, and she watched the male servant jumped on his spot.

"Milady! Why are you here?" the servant moved one step to the left to cover the body that was wrapped in white fabric.

Daphne was not a fool. She didn't miss the body and her eyes narrowed, "Whose body is that?" The vampire's eyes fell on the woman's body. Being a vampire, she could smell the scent of blood thickening in the air when getting closer to the body and her eyes fell on the servant who had brought to hide the body.