Chapter 8

The wedding venue was buzzing with excitement. The media had already arrived, ready to capture exclusive footage of Charlie and me tying the knot.

But even after I put on my wedding dress, the groom was nowhere to be seen.

I began to worry. Everyone kept asking where Charlie was, but all I could do was shake my head in silence. My fingernails had dug so deeply into my palms that they left painful marks.

Charlie had promised he would come, so I kept waiting.

But even when the officiant could no longer stall the ceremony, I still couldn't reach Charlie by phone.

Some curious reporters had already turned their cameras toward me and started asking where the groom was.

I waited for three whole hours.

The wedding time had long passed, but Charlie still hadn't shown up.

I gripped my phone tightly and stared at the livestream. The comments were filled with mockery and cruel jokes. My mind went blank, and my eyes began to sting with tears.

I whispered to myself, "Charlie, you lied to me again."

Just then, a relative from my father's side called me. "Josie, what on earth are you doing? Your father just died, and now you're embarrassing him in front of the whole world?"

I tried my best to defend myself. "This isn't my fault! I haven't done anything wrong!"

"Do you really think Charlie loves you? You're a girl from an elite family. Why are you so desperate for a man? Who's going to want to marry you after this?"

His words hurt me deeply. My nose stung, and my eyes turned red.

The reporters only grew more excited. They practically shoved their cameras in my face, eager to capture every tear.

The officiant stood awkwardly nearby, unsure of what to do.

Just as I felt surrounded on all sides, like an animal trapped on display, the sound of approaching hoofbeats suddenly broke through the noise.

I froze, then quickly looked up.

It was Silas.

I wasn't the only one stunned by his arrival. Everyone at the wedding stared at him in disbelief.

Today, he wore a dark blue traditional highland robe.

His deep-set eyes and sharp features gave him a commanding presence. His lips were pressed into a thin line, making him look distant and unreadable.

"Come with me," he said.

The reporters finally snapped out of their shock. The moment they noticed his handsome face, they turned their cameras toward him and began taking pictures nonstop. Silas paid them no attention. He simply held out his hand to me.

Almost without thinking, I gathered up my wedding dress and walked toward him. When he saw how difficult it was for me to move in the dress, he bent down, wrapped an arm around me, and lifted me onto his horse with ease. Then he flicked the reins.

The crowd erupted into whispers and excited chatter. I knew the pictures would spread across the internet in no time. Yet even though I'd only met Silas during moments of crisis, I always felt strangely safe whenever I was near him.

"You're going to be all over the news," I said. "Are you sure that's okay?"

He shook his head.

The horse quickened its pace at his command. Cold wind rushed past my ears, but it also dried the tears on my cheeks.

"Silas, thank you." I didn't understand why he always appeared when I was at my most helpless.

It was almost as if my late parents had sent him to protect me, like a guardian angel.

His patience, silence, and quiet warmth kept pulling me out of my darkest moments.

His voice was low, cool, and deep, with a soft, rich edge. "You can call me Si."

I softly repeated his nickname. A quiet sound of agreement came from above me, and I felt a slight vibration through my back as it rested against his chest.

For some reason, the tips of my ears grew warm. I lowered my voice and asked, "Si, will you ever come to Crestmont?"

He didn't answer.

I'd already expected that, but I couldn't help feeling disappointed.

The video of Silas appearing at my wedding quickly went viral. His handsome face was clearly visible in every clip.

He was mysterious and quiet, like a long-hidden treasure from Everpeak that the world had suddenly discovered. Once people caught a glimpse of him, they couldn't stop talking about him.

But less than half a day later, the video disappeared. All the related topics vanished, too. It was as if the entire incident had never happened.

I couldn't help wondering if Silas had been behind it.

I didn't dare think too deeply about how much power it would take to make something like that disappear so quickly. In the end, I decided to act as if nothing had happened.

He had saved my life. Whatever he chose to do, he must have had his reasons.

I avoided the media and returned to the inn. By the time Charlie came back, I'd already taken off my wedding dress and washed my face.

He seemed to know that an apology wouldn't be enough. After a long silence, he finally spoke, "Once we're back in Crestmont, I'll make it up to you. I'll give you the grandest wedding imaginable."

I lowered my head. I no longer felt disappointed or heartbroken. My heart had grown strangely calm. "There's no need. I won't trust you again."

Charlie spoke softly, "I'm sorry, Josie. That night, Alya told me she couldn't go on anymore. Surely you understand which matters more, a human life or a wedding?"

He pulled me into his arms and buried his face against my neck. "I'm sorry. This was my fault. Your father entrusted you to me. Would you really want him to miss seeing you at your happiest? I'm the best person for you."

Charlie knew me far too well. He had found the exact weakness that could make me give in.

Exhausted, I let out a long sigh and finally nodded.