Reincarnation of The Villainess: She Has The Duke's Baby!-Chapter 103: #-Ethan’s Hidden Side And The Emperor’s Wish
Ethan Askary’s words made Isabella Lysander freeze and unconsciously held her breath.
The woman was confused by her own feelings at the moment. She was scared and happy at the same time. She was scared because Ethan suddenly threatened her like that but also Isabella couldn’t hide the joy that rose in her heart because of Ethan’s words. What Isabella meant was, if Ethan didn’t have even the slightest bit of love or attraction for her, he couldn’t possibly say he was going to kiss or impregnate her just out of frustration with her avoiding him, right?
Isabella’s reaction somehow made Ethan think the woman in front of him was very cute. What he said was indeed true. He hid this trait from everyone. No one knows, not even his family. He would only show his cold and frightening nature in front of his enemies, people who had disturbed or made his family suffer, as well as women who caught his eye. If it was for women that caught his eye, Ethan’s point was, he could turn into a man as obsessed and incredibly possessive as Edmund Gerwyn.
At first, he didn’t like Isabella Lysander. The woman was very annoying and two-faced according to Ethan. Isabella also had the intention to hurt his little sister and the baby she was carrying and also wanted to take Edmund away from his little sister. However, after dealing with Isabella several times, after saving her several times, and hearing Isabella’s love confessions, Ethan feels something has changed in his heart. He began to think that he didn’t want to let Isabella Lysander out of his sight. He started thinking he didn’t want Isabella to become the Empress of this empire. Weird, that’s obvious. In just a few days, his hatred for Isabella turned into an unfamiliar feeling that could make Ethan reveal his hidden side.
"You’ve been quiet ever since," Ethan said. He brought his face closer to Isabella’s, then brought his lips closer to her ear. The scent of roses coming from Isabella’s body made Ethan close his eyes. Dammit. The smell of these roses could make Ethan lose his mind! "Does that mean you allowed me to kiss you and impregnate you?"
Isabella flinched. She blinked and met Ethan’s red eyes. Dammit! Had she just been so bewitched by his handsomeness and Ethan’s words that she didn’t realize those words were sexual harassment for her?!
"Pervert man!" Isabella shouted. The woman pushed Ethan’s body, making Ethan take a step back. Isabella’s push wasn’t strong but Ethan kept his distance from her because he felt sorry for her. Isabella’s face was completely red, making Ethan want to laugh. Again, this is really weird. He really liked seeing Isabella’s expression. "Do you want me to report you to my Father because you dare to sexually harass me in my own mansion?"
Ethan shrugged. "Just report it, I’m not afraid at all." The man returned to the sofa and sat down leaning his back. He crossed his arms. "Isabel, have you forgotten that I am the son of a Duke? I can do anything to free myself from all kinds of accusations. And you have no proof. I didn’t do anything to you. I’m just talking to you. And, there are no witnesses here. Even if you take this matter to the imperial court, I won’t lose since you don’t have any proof."
Isabella snorted and walked over to Ethan. She stood quite far from Ethan and pointed at his face.
"You jerk! I’m sure Penny will be sad if she finds out her older brother’s true nature turns out like this!"
"Are you threatening me?" asked Ethan in a sharp tone.
"Yes!" Isabella nodded. She was sure Ethan would give up if she involved Penelope, his little sister whom he loved so much. "I can go to the guest room the Duchess is currently occupying and report this incident to her."
"You—"
When she saw Ethan standing up from the sofa with a frightening expression on his face, Isabella immediately froze. The woman then ran out of the room while screaming.
"Kyaa! Penny! Your older brother has gone mad!" Isabella shouted.
Hearing that, Ethan blinked. His mouth opened wide and the man laughed loudly. Ethan bent down and held his stomach, then wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes. He took a deep breath and combed his hair back using his fingers.
"That woman is so adorable," Ethan muttered. He tilted his head and crossed his arms. "What must I do to get her out of Sebastian De Louis’ grasp?"
###
Penelope Askary admired the view in front of her.
The woman smiled and got up from her lying position. She pulled the blanket that covered her naked body up to her chest. In front of her, Edmund Gerwyn was getting his clothes back on. Realizing he was being watched, Edmund turned his head, raised an eyebrow, and smiled.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" asked Edmund in an amused tone.
"Like what?"
"Like you’re going to eat me alive." Edmund approached Penelope and lifted her chin with his index finger. Then, the Duke kissed Penelope’s lips and as usual, he played with his wife’s lips and put his tongue into Penelope’s mouth to give Penelope pleasure and satisfaction. The kiss ended and Edmund’s blue eyes looked directly into Penelope’s golden ones. "Why? Are you still not satisfied with our sex just now? Shall I satisfy you again, my Duchess?"
Penelope snorted and then chuckled. "Are you trying to tire me out? I was just admiring that sexy and seductive body of yours, my dear Duke." Penelope got out of bed with the blanket covering her body. She let Edmund hug her tightly. Then, Penelope looked up. "I want to go to the palace with you, Ed."
"What?" Edmund raised an eyebrow. "What for?"
"I wonder what the Emperor wants from you." Penelope stared out the window. "To be honest, I have a bad feeling about this. There had never been anything like this when I read it in my old world, Ed. I am worried."
Edmund took a deep breath and cupped Penelope’s face. "Penny, I’m also worried if you come to the palace with me. There was Sebastian. I don’t want you to meet him. I don’t want him to stress you out. You’re pregnant. I can handle this myself, Honey."
"I’ll be fine," Penelope said in a firm tone. "Aren’t you by my side protecting me?"
Edmund was silent. However, the man knew he would not be able to resist Penelope’s wishes. Finally, Edmund gave up. He kissed Penelope again on the lips and brought his forehead to Penelope’s.
"Okay, I understand. But, you must stay by my side. You can’t be far from me. Do you understand, Duchess Gerwyn?"
Penelope smiled broadly and nodded vigorously. She immediately hugged Edmund tightly and rested her head on the Duke’s warm chest.
"I love you, Ed!"
Edmund laughed and kissed Penelope on the forehead. "I love you very much too, my Duchess."
Suddenly, the guest room door opened. Surprised, Penelope immediately released her arms to Edmund and hid behind the Duke’s body. While Edmund was growling and clicking his tongue in annoyance, Penelope peered over Edmund’s back.
"Err... Isabel?" Penelope called in an awkward tone. The woman smiled. "Do you need anything? I mean, didn’t Ed say not to come near this room? What would you do if Ed and I were... well, you know." Penelope cleared her throat and raised an eyebrow when she saw Isabella trying to catch her breath. The woman clenched her fists at her sides. Her pretty face was also very red. She exchanged glances with Edmund, who shrugged. "Isabel? What is it? Why is your face so red? Did something happen?"
Isabella looked at Penelope with a frustrated look. Then the woman screamed, causing Penelope to blink and Edmund to frown. Isabella covered her face with her hands, tried to calm herself for a moment, then looked at Penelope again.
"Penny!"
"Duchess," corrected Edmund. "She’s not someone you can say her name whatever you like, Isabella Lysander."
However, Isabella paid no heed to Edmund’s words.
"Penny, Ethan Askary has lost his mind!" Isabella reported with a scream. "He threatened to impregnate me just because I avoided him! He has infected the lecherous and shameless nature of Duke Edmund!"
Penelope’s mouth opened wide. She exchanged glances again with Edmund, who shrugged while smirking.
"Oh, dear...."
###
Penelope looked at Emperor De Louis, the head priest, and Sebastian De Louis, who was in front of her.
Currently, she and Edmund are in a special room in the imperial palace. Penelope kept clinging to Edmund. The woman wasn’t even ashamed to show how much she depended on Edmund. She rested her head on Edmund’s shoulder and continued to hold his hand tightly. Penelope smiled at the Emperor and ignored the angry look Sebastian gave her.
"Forgive me, Your Highness," Penelope said. "But, because of my pregnancy, I always want to be near the Duke and always want to be spoiled by the Duke."
The Emperor laughed and waved a hand. "It’s okay, Duchess. I also experienced it when the Empress was pregnant with Sebastian. The Empress doesn’t want to stay away from me. She even forbade me to go to my study and work there."
Edmund looked at the Emperor with a stern look. "Your Highness, what will you discuss with us?"
The Emperor cleared his throat and exchanged glances with the head priest. The head priest nodded, then looked at Edmund and Penelope in turn.
"Duke, Duchess. I will convey a prophecy I received last night through a dream." The man with long silver hair and wearing glasses smiled. "The prophecy says that the Duchess will become a saintess in the future, who will save this empire from destruction. The Duchess was hand-picked by the Goddess Elleia to protect everyone in this empire. Goddess Elleia has even given all of her power to the Duchess."
Edmund and Penelope froze. The two stared at each other. Penelope’s heart was beating very fast and her grip on Edmund’s hand was getting stronger. What is this? Why did this head priest get such a prophecy about her? 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎
"Therefore, Duke, Duchess," this time, it was Emperor De Louis who spoke. "I want to protect the Duchess from anyone who might target her for her divine power from the Goddess within her body. I want the Duchess to stay in this palace so I can make sure the Duchess is okay."
Penelope was wide-eyed. Living... in the palace?! The woman looked at Sebastian, who smiled smugly at her. In that instant, fear began to take over Penelope’s body. Living in the same place as Sebastian De Louis?!
"I—"
Penelope had barely finished speaking when Edmund cut her off sharply.
"With all due respect, Your Highness," said Edmund. His blue eyes shone sharply. He was not the least bit afraid of his actions toward the Emperor. "But, I refuse your wish. I will never allow my Duchess to live in this palace. I can protect my wife with my own strength and ability!"
