Burning Hearts and Broken Promises

Chapter 1

Edmund Blackwood, a high-ranking general, had been married twice.
His first marriage was an arrangement from the royal family. He held nothing but disdain for the union, and less than a week after the wedding, he was off to battle, leaving behind his new bride, Cecilia Fairchild, burdened with a large family and a signed divorce decree.
His second marriage was with the same woman, but this time was utterly different. Edmund had grovelled—he handed over his apartment keys, his pay card, and his salary card. Nothing was too humiliating for him to make amends, and he beckoned her back with all the humility he could muster.
This narrative also goes by the titles *The Cold Prince and Dashing Noble* and *My Alpha is a Lunatic Series.*
In this variant tale, we have a prickly yet earnest protagonist opposite a warm, gentle heroine.
**Tags:** Future ABO, Warmth, Sweet Domestic Life
---
The sun hung low over Emerald City, its warm rays stretching across Blackwood Manor, illuminating the garden where Cecilia painstakingly tended to the roses. Ever since the complications of her first marriage, she found solace among the blossoms, each petal a distraction from her chaotic emotional landscape.
She had loved Edmund once—his cold demeanor had only veiled a passionate heart, and when he unexpectedly returned after their long separation, she felt a torrent of conflicting emotions swell within her. Did she resent him, or did she still harbor a flame that refused to extinguish?
As if summoned by her thoughts, Edmund’s silhouette appeared at the entrance of the garden. The man was a contradiction—rigid yet vulnerable, a warrior bearing the scars of battles fought both on and off the field. He had come to realize that love meant more than mere duty; it required sacrifice.
“Cecilia,” he began, his voice steady. “I know I hurt you before.”
She paused, her hands wrapped around a delicate rose as she looked up. “You think that saying sorry is enough?”
“It’s not just about the words. I’ve changed,” he replied, stepping closer, a soft breeze ruffling his hair. “I’m ready to fight for us, in every way that matters.”
Taking a deep breath, she considered the weight of his plea. Memories flooded her mind: laughter, tears, and whispered promises. Beneath the years of bitterness lay an ember of hope.
“I don’t want to repeat the mistakes we’ve made,” she said slowly, her eyes scanning the intricacies of the roses in her grasp. “We need to be open, to communicate.”
Edmund nodded, his eyes reflecting a mix of determination and vulnerability. “Let’s take this step by step. I’ll prove to you that I’m committed to making this work.”
They stood in silence for a moment, the air thick with unspoken feelings. Finally, Cecilia broke the quiet, her voice firmer. “Then let’s start with the past, shall we? We both have a lot to account for.”
As they walked together through the garden, the world beyond faded away, leaving just the promise of new beginnings blooming between them. It would not be easy, but love, once scorched, could grow back even stronger—flourishing under sunlight and, perhaps, a few storms.
It was a delicate dance, but each step they took brought them closer, weaving threads of understanding and intimacy. With the right intentions and a commitment to each other, they could navigate the complexities of their lives and hearts.
Edmund's second chance was more than a reunion; it was the reshaping of two lives intertwined, ready to write their story anew amidst the roses.

Chapter 2

August 8th was supposed to be a great day, or so the almanac said; it was a good date for weddings.
The weather was magnificent. The streets buzzed with excitement, even drawing out many reclusive omegas who usually preferred to stay indoors, accompanied by husbands, children, or their own personal security robots.
Miniature media drones zipped through the sky, and editors from various newspapers were on high alert, eager not to miss any breaking news.
Parents held onto their curious children as they wandered about, some daring enough to slip away from their mothers and dash into the busy street. Their excitement quickly turned to awe as they were almost overwhelmed by the procession of cars and the imposing soldiers standing guard on either side.
“Come back! Don’t run off. This is the general's wedding; don’t cause any trouble!" shouted one parent, yanking the child back into safe proximity.
The child looked sheepishly up at his mother, burying his head in her embrace but glancing back over his shoulder, mesmerized. The brief sight of those captivating eyes barely visible through the car window had captured his little heart.
Cecilia Fairchild sat in the back of an advanced hover car, clad in a pristine white suit with a bright red flower pinned at her chest. Nervous energy crackled in the air around her.
The car, a cutting-edge model designed for a smooth ride and superb sound insulation, only heightened Cecilia’s anxiety. It felt as though the world outside was muffled and distant, amplifying her internal dread.
She slid the window down just a notch to peek outside, catching a glimpse of the crowd bustling about, and even though she knew no one could see her, she instinctively withdrew. A blush crept onto her fair cheeks.
We’re almost at Blackwood Manor.
The driver kept a close eye on Cecilia through the rearview mirror, shaking his head disapprovingly at the situation. An omega raised in the Fairchild household, she was certainly beautiful, her grace and demeanor captivating, fitting the ideal of what many alphas desired.
But that thought was quickly dodged when he remembered the general's comments from the day before. Sighing, he reflected, What a waste… no matter how great an omega, in the end, if the general doesn’t want her, it all goes to waste.
Cecilia was oblivious to the driver's thoughts. Her head tilted slightly down as a mix of nerves and apprehension churned within her… she had heard from her half-brother just how much the general thought of her.
As that memory struck, a smirk crept onto Cecilia's face.
So what if he doesn’t like me? The royal decree has been issued — the emperor’s choice. Regardless of my flaws, my half-brother, the illegitimate child, would never have such an opportunity.
Blackwood Manor awaited her arrival.
Edmund Blackwood sat in his study, dressed in his military uniform, intensely focused on a document spread out on his desk.
The beta butler, having stood by quietly for some time, finally spoke up again, "General, the bridal car is about to arrive. Are you sure you don’t want to change your clothes?"
“Not going,” came his curt reply.
The butler bit down hard, wanting to convey more, but at that moment the door swung open.
Relieved to see who it was, the butler sighed, "Madam."
Edmund's mother, Eleanor Bright, who was aging but still remarkably chic, waved her hand dismissively at him, signaling for him to leave.
The butler, having already been pinned down by Edmund’s imposing alpha energy, promptly departed.
Eleanor approached her son, glancing at the document in his hand with a small smile. “You've got the paper upside down—what are you even looking for?”
Frustration boiling in his chest, Edmund shoved the paper away and muttered, “Mom.”
Eleanor simply nodded and adjusted his collar, her voice gentle yet firm. “Change your clothes. You don’t want to embarrass yourself in front of everyone.”
Noticing the frown on his face deepening, she added, “Don’t look so grim; it’s a joyous occasion today.”
Edmund inhaled deeply, rubbing his temples. “I told you, I’m not into omegas.”
“Whether you like it or not, this wedding is happening,” she replied with unwavering resolve.

Chapter 3

Eleanor Bright firmly declared, "It’s not just about the marriage the Emperor arranged; you’re going to have to find an omega eventually. You may not like it now, but once you experience that bond, you will discover just how wonderful it is to connect with someone on that level."
Edmund Blackwood could hardly stand his mother’s penchant for lecturing him at times like this. He stood up, muttering under his breath, "I’ll change, but I still don’t see what’s so great about omegas. They’re just fragile; a little bump and they might as well be done for…"
Reluctantly, he donned the tailored black suit and stood before the mirror, scrutinizing his reflection.
Tall and lean, with a suit created by the Empire’s most renowned tailor, coupled with his sharp features, he looked nearly perfect.
Even the attendant waiting nearby couldn’t help but blurt, "Sir, you look incredible in that suit. Tomorrow’s headlines are going to have everyone swooning."
At the compliment, Edmund's furrowed brows relaxed just a bit, and he let out a half-proud, half-scoffing grunt.
The attendant, eager to continue praising, was cut short when he saw Edmund’s expression harden again. Without hesitation, Edmund removed the pinned red flower from his lapel and tossed it to the floor.
At that moment, the procession carrying Cecilia Fairchild arrived.
The Blackwood family had a long history in the military, and their sprawling estate was impeccably organized, reflecting a simple yet rigorous military aesthetic.
True to their reputation, the wedding was intended to be simple.
As Cecilia stepped out of the vehicle, her eyes lifted to behold a long scarlet carpet leading the way.
At the end of the carpet stood a man, as rigid and sharp-featured as a statue.
The clicks of cameras fired from all directions, and drones hovered above, capturing the moment. Cecilia clenched her fists, trying to keep her steps steady.
One step, two steps, three… She drew closer to the man at the end until she stood directly before him, able to see his straight nose and tightly pursed lips, revealing the disdain hiding in his eyes.
Cecilia glanced down at the empty space where Edmund’s collar should have been, then lowered her gaze, softly saying, "Sir."
Edmund regarded her coldly, recalling his mother’s words. He maintained his stern expression and harshly shoved his elbow toward Cecilia.
Cecilia: "…"
Edmund’s demeanor grew even colder as he muttered, "Link arms."
Quickly, she placed her hand on his arm.
With a dismissive snort, he stepped forward, striding away while thinking to himself:
An omega is an omega, not only physically weak but dull as well.
Though it was supposed to be a simplified affair, Cecilia hadn’t expected it to be this minimal.
After greeting Edmund’s mother and pledging their vows, Cecilia was ushered into their new room, leaving Edmund behind to entertain the guests.
Before he knew it, he found himself seated on the lavish bed in the new quarters.
Cecilia took in the room, which was sparsely but modernly decorated. Her gaze finally rested on the crimson bedspread, emblazoned with a large "" character. She traced her fingers over the embossed design and sighed.
Even though she had mentally prepared herself, the thought of living with a complete stranger felt exhausting.
While she experienced her headache, Edmund wrestled with his own discomfort.
He despised small talk and socializing but made do with the help of an old friend to at least appear polite to the guests from House Fairchild.
Once he made his way toward the cluster of soldiers, his mood lifted significantly.
"Hey, General," called out a familiar young major, his tone dripping with envy. "I just saw your wife. She's stunning! You’re a lucky man. Can't wait for the honeymoon, huh?"
Edmund scoffed, taking a swig from his drink. "I have no interest in her," he said bluntly, sipping again before adding, "and I never will."
Little did he know, after a long stretch of time, he would find himself pained by thoughts of this woman he currently deemed unworthy of concern, experiencing every shade of longing and regret.

Chapter 4

As dusk settled, the wedding reception began to wind down. Many omegas had left early with their children, leaving behind a handful of alphas and betas.
Edmund Blackwood’s group of friends seemed to be reveling in a celebration of their own, laughing and chatting animatedly with him. This was a familiar scenario for Edmund, who usually found it irritating enough to want to kick them out. Yet today, despite the strain etched on his face, he played along, keeping up appearances.
Finally, when the last guest bid goodbye to House Blackwood, he stood alone in the lavish banquet hall, still lingering.
This was unconventional.
Eleanor Bright shot him a look for the third time before she approached him, her voice firm yet gentle. “General, it’s time to head back.”
Edmund huffed, rubbing the bridge of his nose, before turning reluctantly to ascend the staircase toward the bridal suite.
As he inched closer to the intricately carved door, he wondered idly, what was his omega doing at this very moment?
Drinking tea? Nibbling on sweets? Or throwing a fit, her temper already flaring?
Regardless, he hadn’t the slightest intention of indulging her feelings.
With that thought, Edmund pushed open the door.
“General.”
The dimly lit room offered no warmth; with his eyes straining to adjust, he spotted his new wife, Cecilia Fairchild, sitting on the edge of the bed, a soft glow in her eyes.
An unfamiliar pang stirred in his chest, an unsettling sensation he couldn’t shake off.
Cecilia sat straight-backed, hands resting neatly on her knees, waiting for him to return.
Time slipped away silently; she couldn’t tell how long she had been sitting there, only that the daylight had waned, and her body was growing stiff.
“Creak…”
At the sound of the door moving, Cecilia's head snapped up. “General.”
Edmund remained in shadow, a silent figure observing her with piercing dark eyes that held a mysterious intensity.
An awkward silence hung between them.
Cecilia felt her palms involuntarily clench, every hair on her body suddenly prickling as if a small, furry creature sensed danger.
Then, in an unexpected flash, she was tackled onto the bed.
“General…”
Edmund buried his face into her neck, lavishing attention on her soft skin.
Forced to tilt her head back, Cecilia struggled to keep her voice steady. “General, did you drink too much...?”
He didn’t respond, but instead sank his teeth into her neck, leaving a deep mark. Lifting his head, he locked his gaze onto hers and let out a scornful laugh. “You think I’ll claim you?”
“…”
As he rose to his feet, casually adjusting his collar, he stood over Cecilia, his presence commanding as he spoke each word slowly, deliberately. “I don’t care for omegas. Don’t even think about acting up. Stay home, take care of my mother. If I find out you’ve done anything wrong, you won’t want to know how I’ll deal with it.”
The powerful alpha aura made Cecilia tremble involuntarily, and she fought to steady her breath, swallowing back her rising emotions. “I understand, General.”
…
On their wedding night, her husband took one look at her before leaving. If she were to share this with anyone, she’d surely earn a round of mocking laughter.
Still, despite her lingering disappointment at Edmund’s absence, there was a strange relief. Cecilia managed to get a decent night’s sleep.
But when she awoke the next morning and opened her eyes, a sense of dread washed over her.
The sunlight streaming through the curtains indicated it was well past ten.
Seeing her stir, the household robot chimed in with its cheerful, melodic voice, “Good morning, ma’am! I’m Mabel Green. Are you ready for a cup of tea?”
Feeling frustrated, Cecilia slapped her forehead as she sat up. “Thanks, but no… why didn’t you wake me?”
Mabel replied in a quick and efficient manner, “You disabled my wake-up system, ma’am. You mentioned you were exhausted last night and didn’t need to get up early today.”
“I didn’t…” Cecilia opened her mouth to protest but decided against it, forcing a smile instead.
After all, what was the point of explaining herself to a robot?

Chapter 5

Mabel blinked her eyes and followed Cecilia Fairchild into the washroom, thoughtfully squeezing toothpaste onto her brush.
Mabel playfully covered her eyes, a shy gesture. “Oh, don’t mention it!”
The high-pitched voice sent shivers down Cecilia’s spine. She glanced at Mabel’s sturdy physique and shook her head, amused. The name and the voice seemed a complete mismatch.
“Ma’am, the lady of the house and young Master have gone out. Would you like breakfast in your room or at The Golden Goose?”
Cecilia paused, considering. “Here is fine. When will Mrs. Blackwood be back?”
“She’ll be back for lunch.”
“Okay,” Cecilia nodded, hesitating before asking, “Is the young master… the general's brother?”
Mabel nodded enthusiastically, “Yes, that’s Master Gideon Blackwood.”
“Right, got it,” Cecilia replied, thinking aloud for a moment. “Can you save me a spot in the kitchen for lunch? I want to whip up something.”
“Of course!”
Just yesterday, Cecilia had worried that her time at House Blackwood would be fraught with challenges, but now that she was here, it felt surprisingly relaxed.
Edmund Blackwood rarely returned home, leaving the expansive estate largely vacant, with no one around to fuss over her. Unless she made an effort, she wouldn’t have much interaction with the stern matriarch or the young alpha boy, which felt almost liberating.
In a good mood, Cecilia settled at her desk to read for a while, enjoying the gentle breeze that swept through the room. Just as she began to doze off, a robotic voice called out to her.
“Ma’am, the lady of the house and young master are returning.”
“Oh,” Cecilia rubbed her eyes, shaking off the drowsiness as she stood. She handed the robot a list. “I’m going to wash my face; can you prep these things for me?”
“Affirmative.”
After washing up, Cecilia felt wide awake and ventured into the kitchen at Blackwood Manor.
Glancing around, she couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow!”
Though Blackwood Manor was simple in style, the kitchen was far from ordinary. It wasn’t lavish, but it was fully equipped with all sorts of high-tech gadgets, anything and everything you could think of, crammed together with an almost overwhelming abundance.
After marveling at the culinary spirit of the Imperial Legion, Cecilia rolled up her sleeves and got to work on her cooking.
…
Eleanor Bright sat at the dining table with her young son, Gideon Blackwood, looking surprised at the colorful and fragrant dishes laid out before them. “Cecilia, did you make all this?”
“Um,” Cecilia replied, feeling slightly shy as she’d only met Eleanor a couple of times. “I was just looking for something to do at home, so I thought I’d try my hand at cooking a bit.”
“Very impressive! Better than I was at your age,” Eleanor praised, then turned affectionately to Gideon, giving his head a pat. “Make sure you eat up! Growing boys need to fill out to stand tall.”
Gideon, who had been fixated on dessert, pouted, “Mom.” After saying that, he stole a glance at Cecilia, his little hands clenching tightly under the table.
“Honestly, Mom, why point that out in front of an omega?” he seemed to be thinking. It was such an awkward remark for an alpha, leaving him struggling with his pride.

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