Aria let go of Lily and turned to Alistair, her voice calm, "Are you coming with me, or with her?" She was referring to Misha.
Alistair stared at Aria for a moment before asking, "Misha's place is nearby. Could we drop her off? It's not safe for her to get a taxi this late."
Aria said it didn't matter to her.
Once the three of them left, Lily got into the car with Edmond. She had been causing trouble all night and only now felt a bit relieved.
Edmond asked for her preference.
"It's too late. Can we go directly to the wedding house? Everything we need is there, and we can move stuff from the apartment tomorrow?"
Lily, too tired to pack, agreed, "Alright."
As the car drove onto the main road, the driver kept a steady pace. Lily leaned against the seat, her mind relaxing, and she soon felt drowsy.
Gentle music played, and Lily eventually fell asleep.
Noticing her head might hit the window, Edmond carefully shielded her, wanting her to rest peacefully. He gently pulled her onto his lap.
His fingertips brushed the bandage on her face, then slowly traced down to her lips.
She hadn't complained about the pain. He knew she was hurting; during the doctor's cleaning, she had lowered her head several times, biting her lips until they bled. How could it not hurt? She was always like this, reckless with her own issues, but would fight fiercely for her friends. Despite her own injuries, she gritted her teeth to stand up for others.
She never thought of herself.
Nor did she ask for his help, only occasionally requesting his cooperation.
Edmond watched her for a long time before lowering his head. Light kisses fell on her bandaged face, her bleeding lips, and her delicate chin...
Lily woke up when Edmond's kisses reached her lips but didn't dare open her eyes, fearing awkwardness.
She hadn't expected Edmond to steal a kiss.
Recalling his hints that he wanted to sleep with her tonight, Lily felt both nervous and exasperated.
Such a beast, starting before they even got home? There was still the driver up front. Was he really this impatient?
The driver, glancing at the rearview mirror at a red light, snapped out of his shock, quickly raising the privacy screen after a brief moment of consideration.
In his many years of driving for Edmond, this was a first. The best he could do for his boss seemed to be this.
At 11 PM, the car entered Huachun Mansion.
This was a cluster of single-family, two-story villas with pools and gardens, extremely expensive and home to many wealthy people.
That night, under the dense darkness and sparkling stars, plum blossoms bloomed beautifully outside the walls, and the moon was round and bright.
As the car pulled in, the housekeeper and live-in maid, Aunt Fang, were already waiting at the door.
They had moved from Edmond's previous apartment and were very curious about the sudden appearance of a new mistress.
They were familiar with the name Lily. The week-long LED screen confession before the New Year was a hot topic.
When they learned their master had married and that his bride was Lily, they were shocked and completely baffled.
After all, Lily had almost become the fiancée of Edmond's nephew.
They thought, as rumors suggested, that Edmond had been forced into marriage by Lily's lifesaving deed. But when Edmond informed them of the move, he said, "Lily is my lawful wife. Here, she represents me. Whatever she says, you do. Take care of her as you take care of me."
— "She represents me."
This was significant, showing Edmond's high regard for her.
As the car door opened, Edmond carried the 'sleeping' Lily out.
The housekeeper and Aunt Fang immediately stepped forward.
The mistress's face was turned toward Edmond's arm, making it hard for them to see, nor did they dare to look too closely. They went to the trunk to handle the luggage as planned.
Edmond explained, "It's too late today. Her luggage will be moved tomorrow."
He turned to Aunt Fang, "Prepare a bath for her and get all the toiletries ready."
Not knowing if Lily had any other injuries, Edmond planned to have Aunt Fang assist her in bathing to check for injuries.
Hearing the word 'bath,' Lily's thick, curly eyelashes trembled.
Sure enough, he's a beast.
She had injuries on her face and neck, and a few scratches on her hands from Misha—not serious, but they had been treated with spray. She definitely couldn't bathe herself.
So, was Edmond going to help her bathe? Aunt Fang acknowledged and went inside. After a few steps, she stopped, glanced at Lily in Edmond's arms, and softly asked, "Sir, Madam is still asleep. What about those things in the room..."
Edmond replied, "You handle your tasks."
Lily strained her ears, those things? What things? As she groggily speculated, she felt herself being carried into the house. A wave of fragrance enveloped her senses.
Just as she was discerning the scent, a deep, amused voice came from above.
"We're home. You can open your eyes now."
Lily carefully considered his words before lifting her head and slowly opening her eyes, looking at him in astonishment.
He knew she had been awake all along?
Edmond glanced at his chest, hinting with his eyes, "I thought you were having a nightmare, but on closer inspection, it didn't seem like it."
Lily followed his gaze, momentarily puzzled.
Her hand was clutching the third button of his shirt, wrapping it around her finger, almost twisting the shirt out of shape. Any more force and the button might have come off.
Embarrassed, she let go, "Sorry."
She hadn't realized when she grabbed it.
"No problem. If you like that button, I can cut it off and give it to you later."
Edmond noticed she had awakened when he kissed her, as she suddenly grabbed his button, her body tensing, and her eyelashes fluttering.
He kissed her out of affection, with no ulterior motives.
Realizing she pretended to be asleep, he chose not to reveal it.
Now that they were home, it was time for her to wake up.
The spacious living room was bathed in romantic, warm yellow light.
Edmond set Lily down, his hands on her shoulders, turning her around.
Lily finally understood what the overwhelming fragrance was.
Roses. Countless roses covered the floor, forming a sea of flowers. In the center, lilies spelled out her name: Lily.
Lily was momentarily at a loss for how to react.
Feel touched? It was so cliché.
Not feel touched? Impossible, it was cliché but she loved it.
While abroad, her roommate had a proposal, and she recorded it for them. The sea of roses had a strong impact on her.
Which girl wouldn't want such romance? At that time, she thought if Royce proposed without such a scene, she would hint at it.
When they got engaged, she outright mentioned it. There wasn't even a petal, let alone a proposal ceremony.
"You..."
Lily wanted to say something but didn't know what. She always thought Edmond wasn't a romantic person.
Edmond took her hand and led her forward.
"I didn't propose before we got our license, didn't give you a wedding after, and missed all the ceremonies. I'm sorry."
So, was this a make-up proposal? Lily, feeling ashamed, reminded him.
"Edmond, I forced you into this marriage. Don't feel like you owe me. Between us, you're the one at a loss. I took advantage of you."
Edmond: "..."
So many roses, and all she could think of was 'owe' and 'take advantage'?
Lily thought the roses in the living room were the end, but they were just the beginning.
The master bedroom held another surprise. The lights revealed a simply decorated room in black, white, and gray, luxurious yet understated, just as she had imagined.
The bed, however, was strewn with rose petals, spelling out her name, and in the center was a large diamond ring.
In one corner, a dozen boxes, each tied with a rose, were stacked. Edmond said they were gifts, to be opened one by one when she had time.
Throughout, Lily's mind buzzed with two words: cheesy and lovable.
During the ride, Edmond had messaged Aunt Fang to prepare a light meal.
After the evening's chaos, they hadn't eaten.
After all the surprises, Edmond took Lily to the dining room where two bowls of porridge and three light dishes awaited.
As Lily ate, she occasionally glanced at Edmond.
"Edmond, thank you. I love it."
She thanked him sincerely. Edmond, however, understood that her gratitude was merely polite. Any emotion she felt was directed at the roses, not him.