Reincarnation of The Villainess: She Has The Duke's Baby!-Chapter 189: Side Story 04-Hide And Seek Of Love Of Marvel Gerwyn And His Protector
Marvel Gerwyn has set his target.
The third child of Duke Edmund Gerwyn and the Saintess, Duchess Penelope Askary aimed his bow at a deer that was drinking in the lake. His sharp blue eyes, the same as Duke Edmund’s, never left the deer. Between Marvel and his older brother, Raven Gerwyn, Marvel is the one who is most similar to Edmund. Raven is also very similar to Edmund but not entirely because of his unique eyes, where he has his Father’s blue eyes and his Mother’s golden eyes. The man grinned and shot his arrow.
"Yeah!" Marvel smiled broadly. He got off his horse and ran towards the deer. He will present this deer to his Mother and older sister, Ocean Gerwyn. Two women who are very loved by Marvel in this world. Marvel ordered the knights who came with him to bring his prey. When Marvel returned to his horse and was stroking the horse’s face, someone suddenly appeared behind Marvel and immediately knelt.
"Charlize." Marvel glanced at the beautiful silver-eyed woman behind him. The woman named Charlize looked up and nodded. "What are you doing here?"
"Protecting you, of course," Charlize answered. "And also to convey a message from Duchess Penelope."
"A message from my Mother?" Marvel turned his body and looked at Charlize who was still kneeling. The man immediately told Charlize to stand up. Charlize is the daughter of Chris, Duke Edmund’s shadow knight who is very trusted by the Duke and Duchess. Charlize is the same age as Marvel. Since childhood, they have always played together and Charlize was trained by Chris to be a protector for Marvel.
"The Duchess asks His Highness Marvel to return home immediately." Charlize froze when Marvel suddenly grabbed her chin. The man brought his face closer and Charlize could see the blue eyes that had many hidden meanings. Sometimes, Charlize doesn’t know what Marvel Gerwyn is showing through his gaze. "Your Highness?"
Marvel pouted. The man snorted. "I told you to call me Marvel. Have you forgotten?"
"Ah." Charlize cleared her throat. She wanted to take her chin off Marvel but the man wouldn’t let her. "Your Highness—I mean, Marvel. Could you please release my chin?" Charlize asked. She knew Marvel Gerwyn was a stubborn man who would not stop before others followed what he ordered. Because of this, Charlize immediately followed Marvel’s wishes and also changed her speaking style to an informal one.
"Does it hurt?" Marvel asked. The man took his hand off Charlize’s chin and rubbed it. "Did I hurt you, Liz?"
Charlize shook her head. "You never hurt me, Marvel. All this time, it was you who always protected me even though I was supposed to be your protector. I feel like I failed as a shadow knight."
"Hey, do you think I’ll let you protect me, Liz?" chuckled Marvel. He lowered Charlize’s black hoodie and ruffled her hair. Then, the man held Charlize’s hand and kissed her forehead. "You know I couldn’t possibly do that. I’m the one who should protect you. First, because you are a woman. Second, because you are much weaker than me."
Charlize pouted and jerked away Marvel’s hand which was holding hers. Instead of being angry, Marvel laughed again.
"You know what I said is true. Even though you are a shadow knight and your Father has trained you since you were little, you have to admit that I am stronger than you." Marvel brought his face closer to Charlize’s ear. He whispered, "And lastly, because you are my woman. Because I love you so much that I will always protect you, not the other way around."
The whisper made Charlize’s face heat up. Charlize blushed and pushed Marvel’s chest to create a little distance between them. Charlize cleared her throat and put her hood back on.
"Marvel, you know we can’t be like this."
"Like what?" Marvel raised one eyebrow and crossed his arms. "I don’t see any problems. I am an adult and I am free to choose which woman will be mine. I love you. I’ve liked you since I was little. You’re the only woman in my life." Marvel frowned. "Wait, do you have another man in your life? Don’t you actually love me?"
Charlize took a deep breath and massaged the bridge of her nose. "It’s not like that, Marv. You know you are the son of a Duke and Duchess. Moreover, the Duchess is a Saintess. You also have some of the power of the Saintess. And, me? I’m just a commoner. I don’t deserve to stand by your side. Many noble women want to stand by your side and they are more worthy of you."
Marvel is silent. His blue eyes were firm. "I want to ask you. Do you love me?"
Very stupid question. A year ago, when they were both sixteen years old, Marvel Gerwyn confessed his feelings for Charlize and the woman was very happy. Charlize even cried. She didn’t expect that the son of a Duke, who had a fairly high position in the De Louis empire, would love her. But, Charlize also can’t lie about her feelings. She also loves Marvel. Finally, Charlize accepted Marvel as her lover and asked Marvel not to tell anyone else about their special relationship, including the man’s family. Charlize didn’t want to disappoint the Duke and Duchess. She didn’t want to destroy the relationship between the Duke and her Father.
"I love you," Charlize answered. She looked down. "Because I love you I don’t want to embarrass you or disappoint you. I..." Charlize wet her lips. "I think we should end this relationship, Marv. I love you but you also know that we can never be together. Our status is different." Charlize looked up and froze. She could see the disappointment and sadness in Marvel’s blue eyes. The man, who had always been able to hide his feelings, now showed them openly in front of Charlize. "Marv..."
"I have to go back," Marvel said. The man turned his body and walked away from Charlize. Then, Marvel got on the horse. He didn’t look at Charlize at all. "Didn’t you say my Mother was looking for me?"
Charlize gritted her teeth and nodded. She looked down again. Her hands were clenched tightly at her sides. Her heart hurt so much. Her eyes felt hot and the tears threatened to wet her beautiful face. Especially when Marvel speaks with her in formal language. This has never happened before. This is the first time.
"I will wait for you at the mansion, Charlize Brynn." Marvel immediately left the place along with his horse. He didn’t even know that Charlize was still standing where she was and started crying.
"I love you but I know that this is the best for you, Marv. I will be happy to see you happy even if your happiness is not with me."
###
"Brother, doesn’t our little brother look scary right now?"
Ocean Gerwyn’s whisper made Raven Gerwyn click his tongue in annoyance and glance at her twin sister.
"You always annoy Marvel, Ocean."
"Huh? I didn’t do anything this time though," Ocean said in an innocent tone. "Brother, you also know that Marvel really loves me. Every time he meets me, our adorable little brother will run to me and hug me tightly. He will act spoiled to me. But now, let alone hugging me, he doesn’t even greet me!" Ocean pouted and crossed her arms. She tilted her head and rubbed her chin. "This is strange. Is Marvel entering a rebellion phase?"
"Don’t talk nonsense," Raven grumbled. He gently flicked Ocean’s forehead and turned around when the door to his Father’s study opened. Raven, Ocean, and Marvel stood up from the sofa and greeted the Duke and Duchess. Ocean is even hugging her Father. The woman looked very spoiled. Something she rarely showed or did to Edmund Gerwyn.
"Father, Marvel is being creepy today," Ocean reported.
"Hm?" Edmund raised an eyebrow and looked at Marvel who looked away. "You are right. Marvel, what’s wrong with you? Did something bad happen to you?"
"No," Marvel answered in a firm tone. "Charlize said that Mother was looking for me," said the man while looking at Penelope who was drinking her tea. "What’s the matter, Mother?"
"There are no serious problems. It’s just that I’m thinking about marrying you to the woman of my choice."
Marvel froze. The man clenched his jaw and looked down. He never disappointed his Mother. He also never refused his Mother’s requests. He really loves his Mother because of the woman’s struggle when she was pregnant with him, which his Father told him about. But... if it’s like this, what should Marvel say?
"Raven and Ocean are engaged. I don’t want you to feel that Mother and Father don’t take care of you or love you." Penelope smiled gently. "Therefore, your engagement party will be held in three months. You will definitely like the woman I choose for you. Father also said that if he was still young, he probably would have made that woman his second wife."
"Huh? No, I never thought like that," said Edmund in a panicked tone when the twins gave him a sharp look. "Hey, what’s with those stares? Don’t you believe in Father? Father is serious! I never intended to have another wife besides your Mother! Your Mother is the only woman I love!"
Penelope just chuckled and looked at Marvel. His youngest child was silent. "Hm? Marvel? Do you want to say something?"
"I..." Marvel swallowed hard and clenched his fists even more. He took a deep breath and looked at Penelope with a firm gaze. "I’m sorry, Mother. I can’t obey your wishes. I want to get engaged and married but with the woman I love. The woman I chose. I know I have disappointed my Mother by saying this, as well as my Father and my two older siblings. But, I’m sorry. I can’t."
Penelope and Edmund looked at each other. Both of them smiled and this made Raven and Ocean frown in confusion.
"Then, how about I introduce you to the woman first? If you still don’t want to get engaged and marry her, Mother will give up."
Marvel shook his head. "Mother, I love Charlize."
"Charlize? The daughter of Chris, Father’s shadow knight?" asked Edmund. Marvel nodded.
"We love each other. We have been in a relationship since last year. I wanted to tell you this but Charlize told me not to. She doesn’t want other people to know about our relationship because she doesn’t think she’s worthy of me. Because our status is different. Because I am the son of a Duke and Duchess while she is just a commoner’s daughter." Marvel gritted his teeth. "I already told her that I don’t care about status or anything like that. I love her sincerely. If I have to be kicked out of this mansion and can’t be the son of a Duke anymore, I don’t care!"
Everyone is silent. Penelope stood up from the sofa and walked towards Marvel. She held her son’s shoulders and smiled.
"I understand your feelings, Marv. But, can’t you meet this woman first? I only want the best for you. I know Charlize is a good woman. I likes her too and Mother doesn’t care about status. Your uncle married a commoner woman who was later adopted by the Duke and Duchess of the Abelavish empire. But, I have no other choice because I have promised this woman to marry her to you."
Marvel looked down. He couldn’t escape from this problem. Finally, the man was forced to nod even though his heart hurt so much.
When the door to Edmund’s study opened, everyone immediately looked at the three people who entered the study. Edmund and Penelope smiled while Raven and Ocean widened their eyes with their mouths wide open. Ocean even hit his twin brother’s arm repeatedly.
"Your Highness, I have brought Count Chris, Countess Elizabeth, and their daughter, Charlize."
Hearing Charlize’s name, Marvel froze. The man looked up and his blue eyes widened.
"Liz...?"
"This is the woman Mother chose for you," said Penelope. "So, three months ago, Father and Mother decided to talk to His Majesty the Emperor together with your Grandfather to grant the title of Count to Chris for all the services he had done for the De Louis empire. Then, two months ago, Chris and his wife became Count and Countess. Automatically, Charlize becomes the daughter of a Count."
Just like Marvel, Charlize also looks surprised. Her parents never told her about this.
"Then, I decided to make Charlize my daughter-in-law because I could see how much you two loved each other."
"Don’t think Father doesn’t know that you and Charlize are lovers, Marvel Gerwyn," snorted Edmund. The man grinned. "You’re still a hundred years too early to trick your Father."
"So... I’m going to marry... Liz...?"
"Only if you want." Penelope shrugged her shoulders.
Marvel immediately ran towards Charlize and hugged her tightly. He didn’t care when Charlize screamed as he lifted her petite body and spun her in the air. Everyone laughed and shook their heads in amusement.
"Finally, you are mine!" shouted Marvel excitedly. "Charlize Brynn will be my wife! Yahoo!"
Penelope and Edmund could only look at each other and laugh when they saw how Marvel Gerwyn finally ended his hide and seek together with Charlize Brynn.
