Edgar was taken aback when he was abruptly chastised. His shock returned a split second later. Especially after seeing his wife's glum expression. Edgar's heart began to warm and melt.
He thought it was very cute.
Edgar, frustrated, couldn't help but press his evil claws against Cheryl's swollen cheeks. He gently pinched her. The young woman's cheeks felt like cookie dough in his hands.
Cheryl locked her gaze on Edgar. "Keep your hands to yourself, Marquess. Because of you, the powder on my face may fade."
Certain men refuse to listen. His big hand was still kneading the soft cheek in his hand, as if he was hesitant to part with it.
"Marquess!" Cheryl scolded him angrily.
Certain men are still deafeningly deafeningly deafening Cheryl had to slap the disobedient man's hand.
"Please keep my makeup on. We still need to greet guests."
Edgar did not insist this time.
"Okay, I'm not going to mess with your makeup. But there is one condition."
Cheryl stiffened once more as a result of Edgar's words. Her heart was racing, fearful of what the strange man in front of her would say.
Cheryl is adamant about not being duped again. She had to refuse to go along with Edgar's conversation.
"Don't waste any more time, Marquis."
Edgar pretended to be depressed. "Why are you so aloof from your husband? When all I want is one wish."
Cheryl sighed and rolled her eyes. She wished she could point her middle finger at Edgar. She was extremely irritated.
Edgar's corners of his mouth lifted into a satisfied smile. He stated, "You can no longer address me by titles now that it has been approved. Please address me as Edgar."
Cheryl is beginning to regret her decision now that she is forced to call someone's name.
"May I address you later?" Cheryl attempted to buy time.
Edgar understood but pretended not to understand Cheryl's point. "Later? Did you mean later tonight, our first night together?"
Edgar's words were so casual, but they had such an impact on Cheryl. Cheryl's face was flushed from her nose to her ears as a result.
Instead of Cheryl being blameless. Even though she was 25 years old, she had never had a boyfriend in her original world. She did hear or see men talking vulgarly while teasing women on a regular basis, but she wasn't the one who witnessed it firsthand. So it's a completely new experience for Cheryl when a good-looking guy teases her right in front of her.
"What kind of joke is that?" screamed Cheryl, desperately trying not to stutter.
Edgar realised Cheryl was shy, so he stopped flirting with her. The man laughed and then said, "then right now Say my name, please."
Cheryl bit her lower lip and stared at Edgar. She had no idea the Marquess of Northland could be so petty as to intimidate a little woman like her. Cheryl was certain Edgar would not stop teasing her until she said his name, based on the playful expression on his face.
Cheryl finally steeled her heart before slowly opening her lips. Edgar's name was called out from her tiny lips as he desired.
"Edgar."
Cheryl's voice was clear, with no hint of seduction. But it made Edgar's heart race once more. His lower body also became hot. Edgar was taken aback by how strongly his body reacted just hearing Cheryl say his name. Edgar didn't dare to look at Cheryl's face for a moment, afraid he wouldn't be able to stop himself.
Edgar's expression changed dramatically in Cheryl's eyes, as if he was in pain. Cheryl was concerned because she was the only person in the room with Edgar. She was afraid that if something untoward happened to Edgar, this poor little Princess would be hauled in and held accountable.
"Are you okay, Edgar?" Cheryl tapped Edgar on the shoulder.
Cheryl's body was shorter than Edgar's, so she had to stretch her arms out to reach him, causing her sleeves to roll up and reveal soft white arms.
Edgar struggled to control his desire, but instead was treated to the sight of beautiful skin opening before his eyes. His conscience immediately clashed with his lust. One said he should hold back, while the other said he didn't need to. So on and so forth.
Edgar took a few steps back, avoiding Cheryl. He concealed his uneasy expression and forced himself to relax. He returned to his usual smile after the turmoil of his passion had subsided a little.
"I told you to stop speaking formally," Edgar said.
Cheryl was confused. "But I just called you by your first name ...,"
Edgar, too, didn't want to be in this room for too long, fearing he'd lose his ability to think clearly and pounce on this young woman. He had no choice but to put up with it, at least for the time being.
"Let's go out, Cheryl. For a brief moment, we must greet the guests." Edgar took Cheryl's hand.
Cheryl gasped in surprise. Her hands were slightly trembling from fear.
"How did you know that name?"
Edgar traced Cheryl's arm and clasped it, completely covering the tiny hand with his own.
"Eugene called you by that name. Why? Is Eugene allowed to call you that, but I am not?" Edgar responded and then returned the question to Cheryl.
Cheryl felt awkward when she was asked that question. It was as if she was having an affair with Eugene.
"That is not the case. It's because of the name..." Cheryl took a breather. Her heart was quivering as she bit her lower lip. She nearly blew her speech and revealed her true identity. Cheryl was terrified of what would happen if this man discovered she wasn't the real Claudia.
However, it was too late. Edgar was already interested in Cheryl's incomplete sentence. He raised an eyebrow, waiting for more information.
"What is that name?" Edgar appeared to be telling Cheryl to continue speaking.
Cheryl was forced to tell the truth by Edgar's intense gaze. But Cheryl knew the consequences would be disastrous. As a result, he decided to tell only half the truth. Of course, the other half is a lie.
"That's a name I made up because I like it." In one breath, Cheryl said one sentence.
Cheryl closed her eyes, afraid Edgar would discover her deception. But the man's next words were not those of rage.
"From now on, Cheryl, I'll address you by that name."
Cheryl blinked her eyes open. Cheryl, with a smile on her handsome face, did not contest Edgar's decision this time.
Calling has been completed. They both exited the room together. The guests couldn't help but notice the newlywed couple when they came out. They murmured amongst themselves, "I'd been in the room for a long time and had just gotten out. How do you believe the Marquess and his wife acted?"
The guests who had been waiting were all intrigued. Some openly mocked the Marquess' late exit from the room. He is none other than Edgar Baldwin's best friend, Xander.