Reincarnation of The Villainess: She Has The Duke's Baby!-Chapter 17: #-Stronger, Braver, And Edmund’s Possessiveness
When Penelope Askary opened her eyes, the woman could feel her hand being held very tightly.
Her golden eyes then turned to the side, toward a chair that was right beside her bed. There, Ethan Askary sat. His head rested on the head of the chair. His eyes were closed and his face looked a little pale. Fatigue showed on his handsome face. Ethan’s hands gripped hers tightly, as if afraid she would disappear if he didn’t do this. This made Penelope feel the warmth inside her. She smiled faintly and felt much better than yesterday. The high fever she had last night seemed to have recovered.
"My Lady, are you awake?"
The question made Penelope blink and turn to her other side. Philleo Aaron was standing there, looking at her gently and smiling faintly. It wasn’t just his expression that looked relieved, but also the look in his eyes.
"Sir Philleo, did you stand there all night?" Penelope asked in a worried tone. "You do not sleep? I’ve worried and panicked everyone, haven’t I? I caused all of you trouble. I’m sorry."
Phileo shook his head. "You need not apologize, My Lady. Everyone in this mansion, including me, loved My Lady very much and were very worried when we saw My Lady’s condition yesterday. Last night you had a nightmare and cried hysterically. Do you remember if you had a nightmare last night?"
Penelope paused and nodded. She tried to get up from her lying position, making Philleo immediately help her.
"Pardon my impertinence for a moment, My Lady," he said, asking permission to touch Penelope’s body. Seeing that, Penelope blinked and chuckled. "Why are you laughing, My Lady?"
"Because, you have to ask permission from me first, even though you want to help me." Penelope took a deep breath and took Philleo’s hand with her other hand. Penelope’s action made Philleo freeze and turn his face away. Of course, he did that to hide the blush that was starting to appear on his handsome face.
"That is already the etiquette in the empire and among the nobility, My Lady. I am only a lowly knight, just like Duke Edmund said. Touching the body of a noble, let alone the Lady I serve, is a grave sin and deserves to be punished."
"I think that’s a shitty rule." Penelope shrugged and tilted her head. Her smile widened, making Philleo feel relieved again in his heart because his lady was back to normal. "Just imagine, Sir Philleo. Suppose, you were outside and saw a lady nearly drowned. Are you going to scream first to ask her permission to touch her body? That woman will die right away because it’s too late to be helped by you, right?"
Philleo smiled and nodded. "You are right, My Lady." The man then looked at Ethan Askary who was still asleep. "My Lady, should I wake young master Ethan?"
Penelope looked thoughtful. She looked at her older brother’s face with affectionate eyes and caressed the handsome face. "How long has Brother Ethan been sleeping?"
"Just an hour ago, My Lady. Young master Ethan didn’t want to see My Lady hysterical again like last night. Thus, young master Ethan decided to hold My Lady’s hand so you won’t have any more nightmares."
"Then, let brother Ethan sleep a little longer. I do not want to—"
Ethan’s low groans prevented Penelope from finishing her words. The woman smiled gently at Ethan as the man opened his eyes. Ethan widened and held his younger sister’s shoulders. He also cupped Penelope’s face and sighed with relief when he saw that Penelope was healthy and fine.
"I must have made Big Brother so panicked and worried, huh?" Penelope asked regretfully. "I’m sorry, Brother."
Ethan shook his head. "No, no. You didn’t do anything wrong, Penny. I should have been worried about you. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you. You should know that I will kill anyone who dares to make you scared, or cry, and anyone who dares to hurt you."
Penelope was touched. The tears threatened to fall and wet her pretty face. Then, Penelope hugged Ethan’s neck tightly, making Ethan blink and laugh. He hugged Penelope back and rubbed her head tenderly.
"Thank you. I am very lucky to have Brother Ethan as my older brother. I am grateful to be a child of father and mother. I am also grateful to have Sarah and Sir Philleo as my people. I love you all." Penelope looked at Ethan’s eyes with a firm look. The look she also gave Philleo Aaron. Both men were surprised by the way Penelope was looking but also smiled at the positive change that was happening inside Penelope. "From now on, I promise I won’t make you panic and worry anymore. I will become braver and stronger. I will protect all of you, the people I care about. I will no longer be afraid of those who are mean to me, who want to oppress me, and who want to trample on my pride. I will prove that Penelope Askary is a strong woman and brave woman. Even if I have to face the Crown Prince and Duke Edmund."
After Penelope said that, there was a knock on her bedroom door. Sarah entered with a look that looked uncomfortable. The woman’s eyes also flashed with concern, making Penelope immediately realize that something was going on in the mansion at this time. Even though she was afraid, Penelope tried to get rid of that feeling.
"Sorry if I’ve been rude, Young Master, My Lady," said Sarah, looking down. "But, Duke Edmund is waiting outside. He wanted to meet My Lady and check on My Lady’s condition. Duke Edmund knows that My Lady is not feeling well."
"That bastard really—"
Penelope held Ethan’s arm and shook her head firmly. "No, Brother. I don’t want Brother Ethan to get in trouble for fighting Duke Edmund. He’s a dangerous man. Then again, I also told Duke Edmund yesterday that it was I who had a problem with him, so he shouldn’t touch my people."
"But—"
Penelope smiled and caressed her older brother’s arm. "Brother Ethan, like I said just now, I will become stronger and braver. I will be the new Penelope. Maybe I will do it slowly, but I will do it. Maybe I still feel afraid if I have to face Duke Edmund or the Crown Prince, but I’m sure I won’t feel afraid anymore in the future. Brother Ethan believes in me, right?"
Ethan was silent. He looked into Penelope’s beautiful golden eyes. The same eyes as their mother’s eyes. However, Ethan thinks that Penelope’s eyes are much prettier and brighter than his mother’s. Ethan sighed and smiled. He ruffled Penelope’s hair, making her giggle.
"Fine, if that’s what my beloved little sister wants," Ethan said. "But, if he does something to you or wants to hurt you, you have to scream, understand?"
Penelope nodded. Then, he looked at Philleo. "And I also want Sir Philleo not to accompany me when I meet Duke Edmund."
"What? My Lady, I can’t—"
Penelope shook her head firmly to stop Philleo’s words. Her golden eyes shone firmly, making Philleo flinch and look down.
"I don’t want you to be insulted again by Duke Edmund. That man hates you, and I know the reason. So, if he sees you with me, even if you are my knight, I think his anger will rise again. You need not worry, Sir Philleo. This is Askary’s mansion. He won’t do anything bad to me."
Philleo hated feeling helpless like this the most. He clenched his fists tightly, causing Penelope to smile, and immediately opened her knight’s fists.
"Don’t be like this, you’ll hurt your hand later." Penelope then looked at Sarah and nodded. "Sarah, help me get ready."
Starting today, Penelope Askary will no longer live in fear. She will change not for herself, but also for her family.
###
Edmund Gerwyn turned his head when he heard the door in this room open.
The man put his teacup back on the table and stood up. His blue eyes stared into Penelope’s golden eyes that shone firmly. Very different from Penelope yesterday, who was crying hysterically and shaking with fear. This change made Edmund’s eyebrows raise one. He felt challenged by the change in the beautiful blue-haired woman in front of him.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting, Duke Edmund." Penelope bent down and let Edmund take her hand, then kissed the back of it. The blue-eyed man looked up, making Penelope smile faintly at Edmund. "Please sit down, Duke Edmund."
"You call me again with such a formal address," said Edmund, crossing his arms. He didn’t sit down right away as Penelope had asked. Edmund waited for Penelope to sit down first, then he followed the woman. "Are you still angry with me?"
"Do I look like I’m mad at you, Duke Edmund?" Penelope asked instead of answering Edmund’s question. The smile was still visible on her pretty face which was still slightly pale.
"Yes," Edmund nodded firmly. "You’re still mad at me. You’re even angrier than yesterday."
"I’m smiling at you, Duke. How can you accuse me that I’m still mad at you?" Penelope laughed softly. Her heart was pounding very hard, a sign that she was very nervous and still afraid of those blue eyes that were sharp like an eagle’s. Penelope’s hands clenched tightly at her sides. But she wasn’t going to run away from Edmund Gerwyn. She would continue to fight the man if Penelope thought Edmund’s attitude was still over the line.
Meanwhile, Edmund was watching Penelope with his piercing eyes. The beautiful woman in front of him could smile and laugh all she wanted. She could also display such great courage in front of him. But, Edmund knew that Penelope was still afraid of him. The woman was still mad at him. This is interesting according to Edmund. The man smiled, then shrugged.
"Sometimes, one hides their anger by smiling or laughing, Lady Penelope," said Edmund. The man also used formal language, just like what Penelope did to him. But, the next second Edmund was back to using casual language at the woman. "I heard you were sick last night. You had a high fever. You also have nightmares that make you cry hysterically."
The smile on Penelope’s face disappeared. The woman showed an expression of disapproval. Her eyes stared at Edmund with a cold gaze. The nervousness and fear that Penelope had felt, now turned into irritation.
"Are you spying on me, Duke Edmund? Are you stalking me?" Penelope asked in a sharp tone.
Penelope Askary’s changes after suffering a carriage accident made Edmund Gerwyn interested and frustrated at the same time. It was because he could see another side of Penelope and was frustrated because she thought he was a monster who would kill her. But now, the way Penelope was mad at him intrigued Edmund even more. His smile widened, making Penelope frown.
"If I do spy on you and stalk you, do you not like it? I am a Duke, Penelope. I am free to do whatever I want in this empire."
This man has gone mad, Penelope thought. "I hope you won’t do it again, Duke Edmund."
"Why?"
"Because I don’t like it!" Penelope exclaimed. The woman didn’t realize that she had used casual language again at Edmund. Seeing Penelope’s reaction, Edmund became even more excited and wanted to know more about other sides that he didn’t know about. Edmund didn’t want Penelope to show those things he didn’t know to other men, especially the Crown Prince and Philleo Aaron. "That’s very impolite, Ed! You’re a noble with high status after a member of the imperial family and you do lowly things like stalking?"
"Because I think of you as a rabbit that I want."
Penelope blinked. "What?" she asked in disbelief.
"You are a cute bunny that intrigues me. And I don’t want my rabbit to be attracted to anyone else or possessed by anyone else."
The expression on Penelope’s face changed drastically. The anger and disgust were visible on her pretty face, especially the look in her eyes.
"You are out of your mind, Ed," Penelope growled. The woman stood up and intended to leave Edmund. She didn’t care if Edmund would be offended by her current behavior. Penelope didn’t want to see that bastard’s face for now.
Seeing that Penelope was about to leave him, Edmund certainly didn’t let that happen. He rose from his seat, walked with long and wide strides, then blocked Penelope’s path. The man lowered his head, meeting Penelope’s golden eyes looking at him. The woman was forced to look up because her height was not on par with Edmund’s. Those golden eyes that looked beautiful were very cold and sharp.
"Where are you going?" asked Edmund in a firm tone. "That would not be polite, Penelope. You can’t just leave your guests behind."
"Like you said you’re free to do whatever you want, so am I free to do whatever I please, Ed," Penelope growled. "Now, get out of my sight. I don’t want to see your face. I want to go back to my room and rest."
"I can report this to your father, Penelope," Edmund threatened. He stroked Penelope’s white cheek which was so smooth, but Penelope immediately jerked his hand away.
"Just report it, I’m not afraid. I can also report to my father that you are stalking me and spying on my room." Penelope fired back threateningly. She touched Edmund’s athletic chest with her forefinger. "I’m afraid of you, it’s true. But, I’m not going to let you take advantage of my fear to be mean to me, Ed. I won’t let you bully me."
"Bullying you?" Edmund laughed. The man then grabbed Penelope’s waist and hugged her tightly. Penelope and Edmund’s bodies are now touching, making Penelope widen her eyes and try to stay away from Edmund. "I’m not bullying you. Did you know that right now, I’m attracted to you? I want to see all the expressions that are on you. I wanna be the only man you see. I don’t want any other man around you, Penelope." Edmund then whispered in a sharp tone, but also sensual at the same time. "I want you."
When Edmund blew her ear, Penelope gasped. The woman pushed Edmund away, then covered her ears. Her golden eyes widened and her face blushed. Her heart was pounding so hard, Penelope was afraid that Edmund might hear her.
"You are crazy, Edmund Gerwyn!"
"Yes, I think so," nodded Edmund. "And I will hold you accountable for having dared to drive Duke Edmund crazy."
Penelope frowned.
Why was this man in front of her attracted to her? Wasn’t Edmund Gerwyn supposed to love Isabella Lysander?
