Edward and Beatrice stood quietly as the girl hurried off to her destination.


    A faint smile played on Edward''s lips, breaking the silence between them.


    "Did you hear her, my lady?" he commented, watching Belle disappear down the path.


    "She said she''ll be giving a speech—seems she''s the representative for new students."


    Beatrice did not respond.


    Her expression had shifted, her earlier composure dissolving into something that could only be described as a quiet, creeping panic.


    She stared after the girl, her mouth slightly open, eyes wide with bewilderment.


    "Lady Beatrice?" Edward asked, his tone softening as he observed her reaction, which was far less majestic than the graceful smile she''d worn just moments earlier.


    "Why... why did she run away?" she finally murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.


    "She was simply in a hurry, my lady," Edward replied patiently, attempting to soothe her with a logical explanation.


    "Her problem was solved, so there was no need for her to linger."


    Beatrice remained unconvinced, her voice betraying a quiet sadness.


    "But... I was waiting for her to introduce herself.


    I even practiced... it was all a waste of time."


    Edward blinked, watching with alarm as her eyes began to fill with the faint shimmer of tears, her usual poise unraveling.


    He tried to reason with her gently.


    "Are you listening, my lady?


    She was simply in a hurry."


    Beatrice''s grip on his sleeve tightened as she turned to him with a mix of disbelief and vulnerability.


    "But Ed... I spoke to another girl my age—and she ran away!"


    Her voice grew softer, almost as if she were afraid to believe what she was saying.


    "Did... did I say something embarrassing?"


    Edward was taken aback by her question, unsure how to respond.


    She looked up at him, her expression fraught with self-doubt, and continued, "Or... or did she think I was strange?


    I was talking to the flowers earlier..."


    She trailed off, almost to herself, her gaze falling to the garden blooms that swayed gently in the breeze around them.


    Edward, struggling to keep his expression neutral, suppressed the chuckle building in his throat.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    He knew, of course, that Beatrice had been practicing speaking to strangers by conversing with flowers—a habit she''d picked up out of her nervousness and lack of experience.


    In the privacy of the garden, she would speak softly to the roses, mimicking introductions, refining the way she would say her name, even curtsying as she practiced polite phrases.


    To Edward, the image of his lady speaking earnestly to a rose, hoping the words would come naturally with real people, was endearing beyond measure.


    But he knew her sensitivity on the subject, and he took a deep breath, determined to offer reassurance.


    "No, my lady," he replied with utmost sincerity, "you spoke perfectly, offering her just the guidance she needed."


    He forced himself to hold back his grin, though a faint flicker of amusement danced in his eyes.


    "Ed," Beatrice murmured, her face coloring as she studied his expression, "you''re lying.


    You''re laughing!"


    She covered her mouth, a small gasp of horror escaping her.


    "My first time meeting someone, and it''s ruined!"


    Edward managed to straighten his expression, though the faint smile lingered.


    "I swear it, my lady!


    You were magnificent.


    Why, if she ran off after you spoke, it''s only because she was nervous before your radiant smile."


    Beatrice''s expression softened at his words, though a hint of self-doubt lingered in her voice.


    "So... should I stop smiling, then?"


    "NO!" Edward''s response was immediate, his voice filled with a forceful sincerity.


    In a heartbeat, he cupped her cheeks between his hands, pressing them gently so her lips puckered in a way that made her resemble a goldfish.


    "Please, don''t ever stop smiling," he pleaded, his tone filled with the kind of sincerity only a lifelong companion could muster.


    Beatrice''s face, squished gently between his hands, gave him a bewildered look before breaking into a soft, muffled laugh.


    "Alright, if Ed says so," she replied, her voice slightly distorted by the way her cheeks were pressed.


    "Good," Edward said, releasing her and adjusting his expression back to one of composed dignity, though a glint of mischief remained in his eyes.


    But after a moment, Beatrice''s humor gave way to a quieter expression.


    "I''m still afraid, Ed," she admitted, her tone wavering slightly.


    "I''m afraid I won''t be able to make friends... especially without Ann or you around."


    Edward''s own expression softened as he listened to her words.


    He gave her a steady, confident smile.


    "Don''t worry, my lady.


    I''ll always be by your side."


    A faint smile returned to Beatrice''s lips, though there was a hint of skepticism as she reminded him,


    "But, Ed... you can''t follow me into any educational areas."


    Edward''s confident smile faltered as he felt a pang of realization strike him.


    Ah, of course.


    He had known this rule, but somehow, in his eagerness to be near her, he''d overlooked it yet again.


    His face shifted, first to one of understanding, then to an almost comical shock, the impact of this truth finally settling in.


    As she watched his reaction, Beatrice''s lips curled into a mischievous grin.


    "Ah-ha!


    Ed forgot again!" she teased, covering her mouth with her hand as her laughter broke through, her expression bright with amusement.


    Edward quickly regained his composure, a determined resolve flashing in his eyes.


    If I can''t be with her openly, then I''ll simply have to find a discreet way to watch over her.


    His mind raced with the beginnings of a plan, though he kept it close, unwilling to reveal his intentions just yet.


    He met her gaze, giving her a light bow.


    "Rest assured, my lady!


    With me here, I''m confident you''ll make a friend today—even if it costs me my life."


    The fire in Edward''s voice stirred Beatrice''s own courage, her eyes brightening with renewed confidence.


    "Yes!


    I must make a new friend today!"


    She threw her hands into the air, her smile returning in full.


    Edward, caught up in her enthusiasm, mirrored her gesture, thrusting his arms up with a resounding, "Ooooooo!"


    Beatrice attempted to match his volume, her own "Ooooooo!" emerging far softer, though she gave it her all.


    To any passerby, they must have looked quite absurd—two figures in the secluded garden, arms thrown up in the air as if celebrating some unseen triumph.


    But in their small, shared world, it was a moment of pure camaraderie, of shared determination.


    High above, from a shadowed window overlooking the garden, a lone figure watched the scene unfold, her gaze fixed with a strange intensity.


    Her long, golden hair cascaded down her back, styled with loose curls at the sides, framing a composed and strikingly still face.


    She stood tall, her posture elegant yet tense, her fingers clenched tightly around the ruby-stone brooch pinned to her chest, as if grounding herself with its cool weight.


    Her eyes, a piercing blue, held a steady, unreadable expression as they followed every movement below.


    Not a word escaped her lips, but her grip on the brooch and the uniform seemed to harden, her knuckles restraint that spoke volumes.


    Her watchful gaze lingered over the young lady and her butler below, observing their every action with a quiet, enigmatic intensity that hinted at something unspoken—a purpose hidden within her steady, silent stance.


    Then, without another sound, she turned from the window, her form retreating from view, leaving the garden and its joy-filled occupants untouched by her presence.