Melanie's eyes softened as she listened to Edward's words. She understood the weight of his concerns and respected his honesty. Slowly, she leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees, and clasped her hands together. "I can sense that you're uncertain about this arrangement, and I don't want to pressure you into anything you're not ready for."Edward was taken aback by her straightforwardness, but he admired her ability to see through his facade."You're perceptive," he admitted, nodding slowly. "I don't want to hide my doubts from you. This isn't the future I had envisioned for myself."Melanie smiled slightly."You see, I've known since I was young that one day I'll marry someone from the Zodiac Family. It's our tradition, and I've embraced it. But amongst the Zodiac members, you are the one who stands out to me. There's something about you that feels different, authentic."Edward's curiosity was piqued, and he raised an eyebrow. "Different? In what way?"Melanie's eyes sparkled
The morning sun peeked over the horizon, casting a warm glow on the city of Regnon. The day had finally arrived for Edward's inauguration as the new head of the Windsor family, an event that had the entire nation of Aria buzzing with excitement. The city had undergone a remarkable transformation. Every street, square, and building was adorned with vibrant colors, fluttering banners, and elegant floral arrangements. A harmonious symphony of crimson, gold, and blue hues painted the cityscape, symbolizing the grandeur and significance of the day.From the Windsor family's private airport, a resplendent scarlet carpet unfolded, stretching for miles like a scarlet river, leading to the majestic entrance of the Windsor Manor. The sight was breathtaking, a visual feast that left no doubt about the esteemed status of the Windsor family.The event will start in one hour, so the estate came alive with activity. The guards, donning their immaculate uniforms, arranged themselves in a neat and or
Inside the Windsor Manor, the ground floor had been magically transformed into a mesmerizing spectacle. The vast space that once held ordinary gatherings had been reborn into an opulent banquet hall fit for royalty. The soft, warm lighting created an atmosphere of luxury and intimacy, where the elegant chandeliers sparkled like stars above.Long tables, draped in sumptuous crimson and gold fabrics, stretched across the hall in perfect symmetry. Each table was adorned with delicate crystal vases filled with fresh flowers, their fragrances mingling to create a delightful bouquet that filled the air.The center stage, where Edward would take his oath and address the guests, was an architectural marvel. A majestic marble podium, engraved with intricate patterns, awaited him. Behind the podium, a massive emblem of the Windsor family was illuminated by soft spotlights, radiating pride and heritage.As the hour approached, the guests found their seats with graceful ease. Each seat was embell
Adele's brow furrowed as she looked around, realizing that James was right. Other guests seemed to be escorted to their tables by attentive staff members, but they were left to find their own place to sit."I don't see any staff members guiding us to our table," Charles added, who also noticed the difference.Adele remained composed, not wanting her family to worry unnecessarily. "It's alright, father. Maybe there was a mix-up in the arrangements. Let's find an empty table, and I'm sure everything will be sorted out."As Adele and her family discreetly searched for an available table, a group of guests had just arrived, and among them was Brenda. Brenda's cheeks flushed with a mix of excitement and slight embarrassment as she led her family through the grand entrance. Hank and Sophie, had never attended such an extravagant event before. They looked around with wide-eyed wonder, their mouths slightly agape, taking in the opulence of the Windsor Manor.Brenda was accustomed to her famil
Amidst the small talk, Adele remained calm, oblivious to the attention she and Brenda were getting. She remained focused on the event organizers, who quickly reacted professionally, not letting the gossip affect her attitude.The event organizer scanned through the list, her eyebrows furrowing slightly as she couldn't find the names "Beckett" and "Hurley" on her guest list. She double-checked, ensuring there were no misspellings or oversights. After a moment, she looked up with a friendly smile but a hint of confusion in her eyes. "I'm sorry, but I don't seem to find the names 'Beckett' and 'Hurley' on our guest list. Are you sure you were invited to this event?"Brenda and Adele exchanged surprised glances, unsure of how to respond. Hank cleared his throat and stepped in, trying to lighten the tension. "It must be some mistake. We received invitations and RSVP'd."The event organizer triple-checked, flipping through the pages again. "I'm truly sorry, but they are not listed. Perhaps
Swallowing hard, she responded to Edward, trying his best to sound composed. "I... I apologize, sir. There was indeed a mix-up with their table assignment. It seems there was a clerical error, and their names were accidentally left off the guest list."Edward's face remained calm, but a flicker of annoyance passed through his eyes as he processed the information. He glanced briefly at Melanie, who was now suppressing a smile. He understood that this mix-up was likely orchestrated by Melanie herself to create a scene and put Adele and Brenda in an uncomfortable position. Though tempted to confront Melanie, Edward refrained from doing so. He understood the delicate balance in their relationship, given that she was to be his future wife and the ties between their families were intricate. Publicly chastising her would only create more tensions and lead to unwanted gossip, something he wished to avoid.As the event organizer hurriedly offered Adele and her companions a new table, Edward s
At the Windsor family table, Xavier sat regally, surrounded by some of the most influential figures in the room. As Edward approached, Xavier's warm smile greeted him, and he subtly gestured for the others to give them some space. The guests, knowing their place in the hierarchy, respectfully retreated.Hank, Sophie, Charles, and Jmes, their heart raced as she followed Edward's lead, their nervousness returning in full force. Sitting at the Windsor family table felt like a dream and a nightmare all at once. They were humbled by the opportunity, but also terrified of saying or doing the wrong thing in front of such esteemed company.Adele, who had experienced similar situations before, tried her best to appear composed for Brenda's sake. She understood the weight of the moment and silently hoped that Brenda would feel welcomed and accepted.As Brenda and Adele took their seats, Xavier greeted them with genuine warmth. "Welcome. It's a pleasure to have you both here tonight.""Thank you
Brenda nodded, grateful for Xavier's honesty and wisdom. She knew that being the wife of someone like Edward would require her to adapt and grow, but she was willing to face whatever came her way.Yes, she was unsure if she would be Edward's main wife, but she truly believed that she was the person he loved the most. Though Edward also had feelings for Adele, their relationship would not be what it was today without Ivy's intervention. As for Melanie, Brenda accepted the fact that they were arranged together and, until today, they didn't love each other. So, Brenda vowed to herself to work on maintaining the current state of Edward and Melanie's feelings."I understand," Brenda said, her voice steady. "I promise to do my best.""That's all I ask," Xavier said warmly. "I know that you and Edward will make a wonderful team. Just remember that you have the support of the entire family. If you ever need guidance or a listening ear, don't hesitate to reach out to any of us."As Xavier fini