Time-Travel to the Medieval: A Fantasy Adventure of an American Girl

The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of Montfort Castle as Edmund stood in his study, reviewing reports from his stewards. But his mind kept wandering to Emily, who was probably still sleeping peacefully in the Smith manor. It had been three days since the attack in the garden, and he found himself increasingly unable to concentrate on anything else.

"Your Grace," Sir Gareth entered the room, carrying a leather-bound ledger. "The patrol reports from last night."

"Any incidents?" Edmund asked, though he already knew the answer. He had personally ensured that guards were discreetly stationed around the Smith property.

"Nothing unusual, Your Grace. The guards you assigned report that Miss Smith took an evening walk in her family's garden around sunset, then retired early."

Edmund nodded, trying to appear nonchalant. "Good. And the investigation into the attack?"

"We've identified two of the men. They were hired thugs from the docks, but they claim they don't know who paid them. Sir Alfred is continuing the interrogation."

"Continue the investigation," Edmund said. "I want to know who was behind this."

After Gareth left, Edmund stood by the window, looking in the direction of the Smith manor. He had told Emily he would visit her every morning, but he had been doing much more than that. Without her knowledge, he had assigned his most trusted guards to watch over her around the clock.

The irony wasn't lost on him. A week ago, he had considered her nothing more than an eccentric, possibly mad woman. Now, he found himself thinking about her safety constantly, arranging protection for her, and looking forward to their daily meetings with an anticipation that troubled him.

[System Alert: Host, the male lead's protective instincts are fully activated!]

I can sense it, Emily thought as she sat in her family's garden, pretending to read while actually observing the suspicious number of well-armed "merchants" who seemed to frequent the area around their estate. He's having me watched, isn't he?

[System Alert: Indeed! He's assigned guards to protect you without telling you. Classic possessive male lead behavior!]

It's actually quite sweet, Emily mused, though I should probably let him know I've noticed.

"Miss Emily," a young maid approached her. "Duke Edmund has arrived for his morning visit."

Emily smiled. True to his word, Edmund had visited her every morning since the attack. What he didn't know was that she had begun looking forward to these visits just as much as he did.

She found him in the parlor, looking as handsome as ever in his dark blue doublet. But she noticed the slight tension in his shoulders, the way his eyes immediately scanned her for any signs of injury.

"Good morning, Edmund," she said warmly. "How are you today?"

"I'm well," he replied, though his eyes were busy examining her face. "How is your wrist?"

"Much better, thanks to your excellent care," Emily said, flexing her wrist to show him. "See? Almost completely healed."

Edmund's expression softened with relief. "I'm glad to hear it. Have you had any... unusual encounters since yesterday?"

"Unusual encounters?" Emily tilted her head, pretending to think. "Well, I did notice that the number of merchants in our neighborhood has increased dramatically. And they all seem to be very interested in our garden wall."

Edmund's face flushed slightly. "I... that is..."

"Edmund," Emily said gently, "are you having me watched?"

He looked like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "I... I wanted to ensure your safety."

"Without telling me?"

"I didn't want to worry you," he said, then added more firmly, "and I didn't want to give you the opportunity to refuse."

Emily studied his face. There was something almost vulnerable in his expression, as if he was afraid she might be angry with him.

"I'm not angry," she said softly. "I'm touched that you care so much about my safety."

"You're not angry?" Edmund seemed genuinely surprised.

"No," Emily said. "Though I do think we should discuss it. Having guards follow me everywhere might draw unwanted attention."

"I hadn't considered that," Edmund admitted. "But I can't bear the thought of you being in danger again."

"Why?" Emily asked quietly. "Why is my safety so important to you?"

Edmund was quiet for a long moment. When he spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper. "Because the thought of losing you terrifies me more than anything else in this world."

Emily's heart skipped a beat. "Edmund..."

"I know it's selfish," he continued, "and I know I have no right to feel this way. We're friends, and I should be content with that. But I can't help myself."

"What exactly can't you help?" Emily asked, though she thought she knew the answer.

"I can't help wanting to protect you," Edmund said. "I can't help thinking about you every moment of the day. I can't help wanting to be the one you turn to when you're hurt or scared or happy or..."

He stopped, seeming to realize he was saying too much.

"Edmund," Emily said gently, "look at me."

He met her eyes, and she saw something there that made her breath catch. It wasn't just concern or friendship. It was something deeper, more intense.

"I don't mind that you want to protect me," she said. "In fact, I... I like it."

"You do?"

"Yes," Emily said. "But I want you to be honest with me. No more secret guards. If you're worried about my safety, tell me. We can figure out a solution together."

"Together," Edmund repeated, as if testing the word.

"Yes," Emily said. "Isn't that what friends do? Work together?"

"Friends," Edmund said, but there was something in his tone that suggested he was thinking of something more than friendship.

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, and Emily found herself studying his face. When had she started noticing the way his eyes crinkled slightly when he smiled? When had she started looking forward to his visits so much?

"Edmund," she said suddenly, "would you like to go for a walk? I want to show you something."

"Of course," he said, standing immediately.

They walked through the garden together, and Emily led him to a secluded alcove where roses climbed up a trellis, creating a private, fragrant bower.

"This is my favorite spot," she said. "I come here when I need to think."

"It's beautiful," Edmund said, but he was looking at her rather than the roses.

"I wanted to talk to you about something," Emily said. "About what you said earlier."

"What I said?"

"About not being able to help yourself," Emily said. "I want you to know that... I understand that feeling."

Edmund's eyes widened slightly. "You do?"

"Yes," Emily said, gathering her courage. "Because I've been feeling the same way about you."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean," Emily said, "that I think about you constantly too. I look forward to seeing you every day. When I'm with you, I feel... safe and happy and like I can be myself."

Edmund stared at her. "Emily..."

"I know we started as friends," Emily continued, "and I value our friendship more than anything. But I can't deny that what I feel for you is becoming something more."

"More?" Edmund's voice was barely audible.

"Yes," Emily said. "More than friendship. More than mere affection. I think I'm falling in love with you, Edmund."

For a moment, Edmund looked stunned. Then, slowly, a smile spread across his face – not his usual polite smile, but something warm and genuine and beautiful.

"You're falling in love with me?" he asked.

"Yes," Emily said, blushing slightly. "I hope that doesn't make you uncomfortable."

Instead of answering, Edmund stepped closer to her. "Emily," he said softly, "may I tell you something?"

"Of course."

"I'm not falling in love with you," he said, and Emily's heart sank for a moment. "I've already fallen. Completely and irrevocably."

Emily's breath caught. "Really?"

"Really," Edmund said, reaching out to gently cup her face in his hands. "I love you, Emily Smith. I love your kindness, your strength, your beautiful smile, your strange and wonderful way of seeing the world. I love everything about you."

"Edmund," Emily whispered, "I love you too."

For a moment, they simply looked at each other, both overwhelmed by the magnitude of what they had just confessed.

Then Edmund leaned down and kissed her, gentle and sweet and full of promise. Emily kissed him back, her heart soaring with happiness.

When they finally broke apart, both were breathless.

"So," Edmund said, his forehead resting against hers, "what happens now?"

"Now," Emily said, smiling, "we figure out how to be together."

"Together," Edmund said, and this time the word sounded like a promise.

[System Alert: Mission Progress: 85% complete! The male lead has confessed his love!]

I can't believe it, Emily thought, this is actually happening.

[System Alert: Congratulations, Host! You're doing excellently!]

I'm not doing anything, Emily thought, I'm just being myself. And it turns out that's enough.

As they walked back toward the house, hand in hand, Emily couldn't help but smile. She had never imagined that falling in love could feel this natural, this right.

But as they approached the manor, she noticed a figure watching them from the shadows. A man in expensive clothes, with cold eyes and a cruel smile.

Emily squeezed Edmund's hand. "Edmund," she said quietly, "we're being watched."

Edmund followed her gaze and his expression darkened. "Earl Roger de Mortimer," he said grimly. "What is he doing here?"

"You know him?"

"Unfortunately," Edmund said. "He's a rival who has been trying to undermine my position for years. If he's here, it means trouble."

As if sensing their attention, Earl Roger stepped out of the shadows and approached them with a mocking bow.

"Duke Edmund," he said smoothly, "what a pleasure to see you. And with the charming Miss Smith, no less."

"Earl Roger," Edmund replied coldly. "To what do I owe this... unexpected visit?"

"I was in the neighborhood," Roger said, his smile not reaching his eyes, "and I heard the most interesting rumors about you and this young lady. I thought I should investigate for myself."

"There's nothing to investigate," Edmund said firmly.

"Oh, but there is," Roger said, looking directly at Emily. "You see, I've been hearing whispers about Miss Smith's... unusual behavior. Some say she's mad. Others say she's involved in witchcraft. Such concerning rumors about someone you seem to care for."

Emily felt Edmund tense beside her, but she squeezed his hand gently, silently asking him to let her handle this.

"Earl Roger," she said pleasantly, "I'm flattered that you're so interested in my reputation. But I assure you, I'm perfectly sane and completely free of any supernatural abilities."

"Are you?" Roger asked, his tone becoming more menacing. "Because I've heard that you claim to know the future. That you told the Duke you would be his wife in five years. That sounds like witchcraft to me."

"It sounds like a joke to me," Emily replied calmly. "Perhaps you're not familiar with the concept of humor?"

Roger's smile faltered slightly. "Humor? You find it amusing to make false claims about your future with one of the most powerful men in England?"

"I find it amusing that you're so concerned about my conversations with my friend," Emily said. "Don't you have better things to do with your time?"

"Friend?" Roger laughed coldly. "Is that what you call it? From where I stand, it looks like you're trying to bewitch the Duke into a foolish marriage."

That was apparently the last straw for Edmund. He stepped forward, his hand moving to his sword.

"Earl Roger," he said, his voice dangerously quiet, "I suggest you choose your next words very carefully."

"Oh, what will you do?" Roger taunted. "Challenge me to a duel over this nobody? How romantic."

"She's not a nobody," Edmund said firmly. "She's the woman I love, and I won't tolerate anyone speaking about her disrespectfully."

"The woman you love?" Roger's eyes glittered with malice. "How fascinating. I wonder what the King will think when he hears that one of his most trusted dukes has lost his mind over a possible witch."

"The King respects my judgment," Edmund said.

"Does he?" Roger asked. "Perhaps we should find out. I think I'll request an audience with His Majesty. I'm sure he'll be very interested to hear about your... infatuation."

With that, Roger turned and walked away, leaving Edmund and Emily standing in tense silence.

"Well," Emily said finally, "that was unpleasant."

"Emily," Edmund said, his voice tight with worry, "I'm sorry. I should have controlled my temper."

"You were defending me," Emily said. "I appreciate that."

"But now he'll cause trouble for us," Edmund said. "He'll try to turn the King against you."

"Then we'll deal with it," Emily said firmly. "Together, remember?"

Edmund looked at her, and slowly his expression softened. "Together," he agreed.

But as they walked back to the house, both of them knew that their troubles were just beginning.