The entire room fell silent.
What just happened? What is happening?
For three long years, Edward had clung to Victoria like a relentless pest, driving away any man who dared approach her. His obsession was clear: he wanted Victoria at any cost.
Yet for those same three years,Victoria had made her stance equally clear—every mention of the engagement was met with fiery resistance. She'd rather die than marry him.
And now?
Edward wanted to call off the engagement, and Victoria… agreed?
Edward was losing his mind. Turning to Victoria in disbelief, his thoughts screamed:
[Come on , what are you doing? Agreeing to the engagement—are you serious? You're supposed to be Davis's leading lady! You're supposed to worship the ground he walks on! If you derail the plot like this, Davis is going to kill me!]
[That guy has been scheming all along—playing the fool to win your heart, making your family trust him. Then comes the grand moment where you fall for him, marry him, and hand over your family fortune. Stick to the script, for heaven's sake!]
Victoria sneered at him, thought:
[You want to break off the engagement? Did you ask for my opinion first?
You've tormented me for three years, and now you think you can just walk away clean? You assume I'll obediently become Davis's little pet?
Well, I refuse. Let's see how your precious Davis plans to 'win me over.']
Strangely, she could hear Edward's inner thoughts. That was unsettling enough, but the fact that he seemed to know how everything would unfold in advance? That was downright bizarre.
Still, one thing was clear: the best way to mess up whatever Edward was planning was to acceptance of marriage.
Their families, oblivious to the silent war waging between the two, were already enthusiastically discussing wedding plans—venues, guest lists, and even future grandchildren.
Edward dragged Victoria aside, panic etched across his face.
"Victoria, are you out of your mind today?"
Victoria smirked. "I'd say you're the one acting crazy."
He took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. "Alright, fine. No arguments. But this engagement—it cannot happen. We need to stop this."
For the first time in three years,Victoria felt victorious.
This shameless man, who had been relentless and unyielding for so long, was now sweating bullets, scrambling for a solution. Seeing him in such a state was… satisfying.
"Victoria, is this because of family pressure? Think about it—aren't I annoying?"
"Yes."
"Don't you hate me?"
"Yes."
"Aren't I disgusting?"
"Absolutely revolting."
"Then why are you still agreeing to this engagement?!"
"Because I want to."
Edward froze. For the first time, he realized he might not understand this woman at all.
Meanwhile, their families excitedly led them to the garden, where an impromptu ceremony platform had been set up.
Edward's mind was racing as he stood next to Victoria.
[Fuck! Davis is going to burst in any second now, kick my legs out from under me, and sweep Victoria away.]
[Is this fate? Even knowing the script, I can't change a single thing?]
[Why is Victoria acting so weird today? Doesn't she hate me?]
Victoria, meanwhile, squinted slightly. Hearing Edward's internal monologue had thrown her off.
[ This guy, not only can I hear his voice, but he also 'knows where things will go from here'?
Did Davis… really plan to make his grand entrance now? ]
The emcee stepped forward, his voice full of excitement.
"Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the Astor and Windsor families, I am honored to announce the engagement of Edward and Victoria, set to take place next month…"
"I object!"
A voice rang out from the crowd.
All eyes turned to see a security guard step forward. It was none other than the novel's true male protagonist — Davis Howard.
The host frowned. "Someone, remove this lowly security guard!"
Edward's knees almost buckled.
[Oh no. Oh no no no. It's happening. He's here.]
Victoria glanced at Edward and froze.
He was right. Davis really did show up.
Davis walked up to the emcee, who tried to push him away, only to be thrown off the stage in one fell swoop.
Victoria glared angrily, 'Davis, what are you doing?'
Davis strode forward, grabbing Victoria by the shoulders.
"Victoria, don't worry. I won't let anyone force you into this. Your destiny should be in your hands."
Under normal circumstances, this heroic declaration might have moved her.
Frankly speaking, if the plot had followed its expected course—where Edward shamelessly clung on, the Lu family exerted their power, and her parents eagerly pushed for this advantageous marriage—then if Davis had stepped forward bravely at this moment,Victoria would have been both surprised and deeply moved.
After all, this bodyguard had recently displayed exceptional skill during an unexpected incident, earning her admiration.
It was precisely because of his outstanding performance that she had specially brought him into her inner circle as her personal bodyguard. Over the past few days, her impression of him had continued to improve, steadily rising with each interaction.
But thanks to Edward's chaotic interference, all she felt was suspicion.
Victoria thought :You cunning snake. You approached me with an ulterior motive, didn't you?
She shoved his hands away. "Davis, you're just my bodyguard. This is none of your business."
Davis's eyes widened. "Victoria, I understand. You're under pressure from the Astor family, aren't you? Don't worry, I'll protect you."
Edward clapped sarcastically from the side.
[Nice speech, Davis. Keep going. Say something heroic. Let everyone know you're the good guy here.]
[ Please start your show! ]
Davis turned to the guests. "The four great families of Snow City... is this how you conduct business? By sacrificing a young woman's happiness for profit? Have you no shame?"
Edward gave him a thumbs up from behind.
[Beautiful. Now, Victoria, it's your cue—cry.]
[Come on, he's already said everything so earnestly—you've got to be moved! Seriously, shed a tear or two, will you?]
But Victoria stared at Edward, her icy gaze blazing with the fire of humiliated anger.
Edward, catching her fierce expression, awkwardly lowered his hands and pretended to look elsewhere.
Davis pressed on, addressing Victoria's parents. "Uncle Windsor, Aunt Windsor, Victoria is your daughter. How can you bear to push her into this fire pit?"
"Enough!"Victoria snapped. "Since when does a bodyguard have the right to meddle in my affairs? Davis, you are fired. Leave. Now."
Davis froze.
Wait... what? That's not how it's supposed to go!
The crowd began murmuring.
"Who is this guy? Why is he ruining the ceremony?"
"Is he seriously hitting on the Windsor family's eldest daughter? Gross!"
Edward began sweating bullets.
[Oh no. Oh no, the crowd's turning hostile. Davis is about to lose it.]
A burly man from the Astor family stormed forward, grabbing Davis by the collar. "Kid, today is our Young Master s wedding day. Are you here to cause trouble? Do you see this? Have you ever been punched by a fist ?"
Davis sneered. Just a mere mortal. I could end your life with a flick of my finger.
He closed his eyes and lifted his chin, as if preparing for a grand performance. This is it—the first battle of my glorious return! Honor! Dignity! Beauty! From this moment on, everything belongs to me!
With a deep breath, Davis snapped his eyes open, his aura surging with dominance. "Since you insist on fighting, let me show you what it means when the War God returns! Today, I will—huh!?"
Thud! The burly man vanished from sight.
Looking down, Davis saw the man pinned to the ground by none other than Edward. The two were tangled together, rolling across the floor.
"Brother, calm down! Calm down!" Edward pleaded desperately.
He had no choice. This was supposed to be the first sacrificial pawn in the protagonist's showcase of strength. If Davis dispatched him, the next step would undoubtedly involve breaking Edward's legs.
And Edward did not want his legs broken!
Nearly in tears, Edward begged, "Brother, please… it's not worth it… think of me, okay?"
The burly man froze. "Sir… are you calling me brother?"
After struggling for breath, Edward nodded. "Yes, brother! For life!"
The man was moved to tears. "Sir, someone of your status treating me as a brother… Today, I'll eliminate this guy for you!"
Davis eagerly shouted, "Good! Come on! Do it!"
But Edward tightened his grip, teeth clenched. "If you're my brother… don't move!"
And just like that, the man stopped moving.
Victoria's sharp voice cut through the chaos. "Davis! Have you caused enough trouble? Get out! I said, get out!"
Davis was stunned. "Victoria, are the Astor family threatening you? Don't worry. In my eyes, the Lu family are nothing but ants."
Victoria felt a migraine coming on. These lines are so cheesy it hurts!
"Davis, you're fired. You can collect three months' severance pay. Leave now. I won't say another word to you."
Davis's eyes gleamed with sudden "understanding." Victoria must be under threat from the Astor family. She doesn't know I'm the War God reborn and fears their power. She's pretending to sever ties with me to protect me!
Ah, my woman truly has courage and loyalty!
Even Edward was losing it internally.
[My lady, please! You don't have to protect him like this. I'll be good, I swear! Just leave with him already. Please, for the love of all things holy!]
Victoria glanced down at Edward, still tangled with the burly guard who was now sobbing. For some reason, his panicked, disheveled look struck her as oddly… amusing.
She chuckled softly. "Edward, mu dear, get up already."
Davis turned his head and shot Edward a murderous glare.
Edward froze.
[What the heck!? How did this end up making him hate me? I didn't even do anything!]
Just then, a horde of bodyguards came charging from a distance.
"Brothers! Someone's trying to steal Young Master's woman! Get him!"They wielded batons and rushed forward with gusto.
Edward was dumbfounded.
[Are you guys insane? He's the War God! You're just walking sacks of experience points for him! Stop messing this up for me!]
[Once he's done with you guys, my heroic story arc is doomed!]
[Why is this side quest so hard to complete?!]