The carriage stopped in front of the Smith family estate. The night breeze blew gently, bringing a hint of coolness, but for Emily, whose body was burning with heat, the breeze was hardly enough.
"We're here," Edmund said softly, but Emily had already collapsed onto his shoulder, her consciousness drifting.
Sir Richard hurried out of the carriage, with William following closely behind. Edmund carefully helped Emily out, but her body was limp, as though there were no bones in it.
"Emily!" Lady Isabella rushed out of the house at the sound, her face turning pale at the sight of her daughter's state. "What happened to her?"
"Someone spiked her drink with an aphrodisiac," Edmund explained briefly.
"What?!" Lady Isabella nearly fainted. "Who would do such a thing?"
"Tonight," Edmund frowned, "the most important thing now is to make sure she gets through the effects safely."
System Alert: Your body temperature is still rising, immediate cooling measures are needed!
Emily vaguely responded in her mind: I know... but it's so hot... so uncomfortable...
"Quick, take her to her room," Lady Isabella ordered in a panic.
Edmund lifted Emily, but she instinctively grabbed his sleeve, unwilling to let go.
"Don't... don't go," she muttered, "Hot... so hot..."
"Emily, it's me, William," William tried to get her to recognize him. "I'm taking you back to your room."
But Emily shook her head. Though her consciousness was blurred, she instinctively sought the person who made her feel "cool."
"Your Grace," Sir Richard spoke up.
"I understand," Edmund looked at Emily's agonized expression, a new feeling rising within him. "I will stay outside her door to ensure her safety."
"Thank you for your kindness," Lady Isabella said, tears in her eyes. "But you've already done so much for us..."
"This is not kindness," Edmund's voice was firm. "It is what I should do."
His words stunned everyone. When had the Duke of Montfort ever shown such concern for the daughter of a family he wasn't related to?
William finally managed to get Emily into her room, but her condition was worsening. The effects of the aphrodisiac were taking hold, and her body felt like it was on fire.
"Cold water! Quick, prepare cold water!" Lady Isabella shouted at the servants.
But even after being doused with cold water, Emily's restlessness only grew. She tossed and turned in bed, constantly murmuring, "Hot... so hot... cool... I need cool..."
System Alert: You should now, as per the original plot, walk clearly into the next room!
What? Emily wondered in the depths of her consciousness. How could I possibly walk to the next room in this state?
System Alert: Don't you remember? Edmund is staying in the room next door! Your father invited him to stay as a gesture of thanks for escorting you home tonight!
It dawned on Emily that Sir Richard had indeed offered Edmund a place to stay earlier, and Edmund had accepted, since the night was already late.
At that moment, Emily felt the room growing more suffocating. She needed air, she needed coolness. The effects of the drug were clouding her mind entirely.
"Miss, where are you going?" A maid tried to stop her.
But Emily had already pushed open the door, stumbling out. Her body moved instinctively, seeking the presence of the person who made her feel comfortable.
The hallway was dimly lit, with only a few flickering candles. Emily leaned against the wall, stepping forward with difficulty. Her instincts told her that person was close by.
System Alert: Next door, the room next door! That door!
Emily saw a partially open door, with faint candlelight shining through. Without thinking, she instinctively pushed the door open.
Edmund was sitting at a desk, working on some estate matters by the light of the candle. He had removed his jacket, now only wearing a white shirt with a collar, looking far less formal and more relaxed than usual.
At the sound of the door opening, he looked up and saw Emily standing in the doorway, her face flushed and her eyes unfocused.
"Emily?" He quickly stood up. "What are you..."
"Hot... so hot," Emily stumbled toward him, "I need... I need cool..."
Edmund realized she was still under the influence of the drug and hurried to ring the bell for help.
"Don't... don't call anyone," Emily grabbed his hand. "Only you... only you can make me feel cool..."
Her hand was burning, like holding a piece of hot coal. Edmund could feel her pain, and an unfamiliar protective instinct surged within him.
"Emily, you need to go back to your room," he tried to keep his composure. "I'll get your family..."
"Don't," Emily shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "I'm so uncomfortable... so uncomfortable..."
Her appearance made Edmund's heart ache. He had seen many women try to seduce him, but Emily was different. Her pain was real, and her need for comfort was real too.
System Alert: This is the critical moment! As per the original plot, you should...
But Emily could no longer hear the system's alerts. She instinctively moved closer to Edmund, seeking his coolness.
Edmund watched her in pain, a fierce inner battle waging within him. As a gentleman, he shouldn't take advantage of her vulnerability. But as a man, he couldn't ignore her suffering.
"Emily," he said softly, "Tell me, what do you need?"
"Cool... I'm cool," she mumbled, "And... and safety..."
Edmund's heart stirred. Safety? She felt safe with him?
"Then stay here," he made a decision. "I will protect you."
He guided Emily to sit on the edge of the bed and then walked over to the window, opening it. The cool night air rushed in, offering a brief relief.
"Is it better now?" he asked.
Emily nodded, but her hand still clung tightly to his sleeve.
"Don't go," she pleaded, "Please... don't go..."
Edmund looked at her, his emotions deeply moved. He sat on the edge of the bed and gently stroked her hair.
"I won't leave," he promised. "I will stay with you."
That night, nothing improper happened. Edmund stayed with her, watching over her until the drug's effects wore off and she peacefully fell asleep.
But that night also marked a turning point in their relationship.
Because Edmund realized that he had started caring for this strange girl. And though Emily was barely conscious, deep down, she too remembered the man who had protected her in her most vulnerable moment.
System Alert: Task completion: 60%. Although the process was different from expected, the outcome seems even better...
At dawn, Emily finally fell into a quiet, peaceful sleep. Edmund looked at her serene face, a tenderness rising within him that he had never felt before.
What he didn't know was that this night would become the beginning of their love story.