A Heart Misfired

"Once I hit your handkerchief, I'll naturally go to your family and propose. When that happens, you can wear whatever you like."

"However, right now, Tracy is still young. Go apologize and calm her down. Don't let her do anything foolish."

Edward trained in shooting since he was a child. His grip was so strong that he wrinkled the fabric of my sleeve.

My expression turned icy. When he saw that, he only raised his voice.

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and explain yourself. Are you really going to push her to her death before you stop?"

I yanked my sleeve free and shoved him away.

"Yes, I should explain.

"This dress is for an engagement, that's true. However, it has nothing to do with you. You, Edward, have no right to interfere."

…

Edward's hand froze midair. He watched as I smoothed out my sleeve and called for the tailor to come inside.

His eyes darkened. He stepped in front of me, blocking my way.

"What do you mean by that? Our engagement concerns me. How do I not have the right to interfere?"

I lifted my gaze and looked at him calmly.

"I'm not marrying you. So what right do you have!"

"Jasmine! Do you even know what you're saying?" Edward exploded, his whole presence turning icy.

"Everyone knows we grew up together. Both our families have long agreed we would become in-laws.

"If you don't marry me, then who will you marry? In the entire capital, who would dare marry someone I, Edward, am tied to? Throwing a tantrum is one thing, but you should know your limits!"

His shout echoed through the entire Lewis residence. The servants and maids all lowered their heads in fear.

Only Tracy stood there, biting her red lip, glaring at me with resentment.

However, as I looked at Edward's chest rising and falling with anger, I suddenly found it almost laughable.

"So you understand everything. And yet you still dragged this out year after year."

Edward stiffened slightly, then spoke in a low voice.

"I have never dragged this out. I said it before. As long as I hit your handkerchief at the family banquet, I will immediately propose to your father. I won't delay."

I let out an icy laugh and met his gaze directly. "However, you've never hit it."

"Missing before was fate. That doesn't mean you'll miss again in the future.

"Whether it's fate or not, you know the answer yourself."

The corners of Edward's eyes tightened. His fingers clenched until his knuckles turned pale.

We knew each other since childhood. We always got along. Every argument between us was because of Tracy.

This one was the worst we ever had.

He gritted his teeth and stared right back at me.

"That's blindfolded shooting. Not some childish game. It's not that easy."

"Is that so? Then how did you take first place at the royal shooting competition, Mr. Shaw? Wasn't it by hitting a mung bean while blindfolded?"

The courtyard fell completely silent.

Edward lowered his gaze, avoiding my eyes. His lips pressed into a thin line.

I had no interest in arguing with him any longer. All I wanted was to fix my dress.

However, suddenly, the silence was broken as the butler, William Gibson, hurried in.

"Some of the wedding arrangements have arrived. Where would you like them placed?"

Edward shot him an icy glance. At that moment, Tracy's crying voice rang out again.

"Jasmine, I told you, I'm not getting married!"

"Where are father and mother? I want to see them. I won't marry, even if it kills me!"

William bowed slightly.

"Mr. Lewis and Mrs. Lewis returned to the old residence a few days ago. They said they needed to retrieve a family heirloom bracelet to use as an engagement gift, so they are not at home for now."

Tracy's small frame trembled violently. She swayed, then collapsed backward.

Edward rushed forward to catch her. As he held her, he heard her sob weakly,

"Edward, Jasmine really can't tolerate me."

"Everything has already been decided. Even that bracelet is being brought back. I'm really going to be married off. However, I don't want to leave you."

He pulled her tightly into his arms, his voice soft with comfort. "It won't happen. I won't let you get married.

"Didn't I promise you? Until you grow up, you won't marry. And I won't take a wife."

Then he turned his head to look at me, his gaze full of accusation.

"Jasmine, this whole engagement of Tracy's started because of you. Go tell Mr. Lewis to cancel it right now.

"Otherwise, at the family banquet the day after tomorrow, I will not hit your handkerchief."

Tracy kept sobbing, her face pale as if she might faint at any moment.

Edward quickly bent down and lifted her into his arms. Without waiting for my reply, he turned and strode out.