Chapter 00
“Calm down, first of all.”
I took a step back, unable to take my eyes off the muscular figure approaching me.
“Etricia.”
Edmund advanced slowly, like a predator cornering its prey, trapping me in his arms. Before I knew it, my back was pressed against the hard wall.
As I instinctively turned to glance behind me, a broad shadow fell over me as if a canopy had been drawn overhead.
I lifted my head slightly and let out a sigh at the breathtaking scene before me.
Burning golden eyes, damp silver hair, firm lips that uttered a chilling voice, and on top of that, a loosely draped robe.
A single drop of water, clinging precariously to his sharp jawline, finally fell.
“I am not your younger brother. Do you understand?”
“Of course. I know that.”
Flustered, I nodded quickly, affirming his words. Maybe if I agreed, I could escape this uncomfortable situation. But despite my compliance, he frowned.
“You didn’t understand at all, did you?”
I had no idea what I was supposed to understand, but I was already too overwhelmed to argue.
I raised my hands, intending to push against Edmund’s chest, but at the last moment, I redirected them to his broad shoulders instead, avoiding the obvious display of his muscular physique.
Even with the slightest touch, his skin burned as if it could scorch me.
“Younger brother, please, step back so we can talk calmly—”
“Please.”
Edmund cut me off with a sigh, his voice strained. He slowly lifted his eyelids and spoke again in a suppressed tone.
“Stop calling me your younger brother.”
“…….”
“You are not my sister.”
Edmund clenched his fist and placed it carefully against the wall beside my face. Our eyes met up close, his slightly distorted golden gaze burning fiercely.
“If I considered you my sister, I wouldn’t be feeling this desire.”
I gasped, my breath hitching. Even after hearing it, I doubted my ears.
‘Desire…?’
Did he just say… desire?
That kind of obscene statement was the last thing I expected from this man. Especially from someone who had always remained unaffected by countless women throwing themselves at him, like a monk.
Instinctively, my gaze dropped downward.
I knew. Even if he felt desire for me, it wasn’t in that sense. He wasn’t an animal. It couldn’t possibly be what I was thinking.
But still…
As I lowered my gaze out of curiosity, I shut my eyes tightly before reaching his waistband. My face flushed hot, too embarrassed to look. As if sensing my hesitation, he leaned in even closer, making it harder to escape. I bit my lip.
Yes, I had noticed it to some extent. I had, but…
‘Since when…?’
I quickly retraced my thoughts, trying to pinpoint the moment it all began.
—
