Reincarnation of The Villainess: She Has The Duke's Baby!-Chapter 39: #-He Can’t Find His Little Bunny!

Ever since Penelope Askary had come to his mansion at that time, Edmund Gerwyn had felt suspicious of that woman.

Penelope would be shocked and panicked if Edmund talked about things related to a woman’s body weight. Every time Edmund looked at Penelope’s stomach, the woman would automatically cover her stomach, as if she wanted to protect and hide her stomach from Edmund. Like now, when Penelope was angry because he argued with Isabella Lysander and immediately touched her stomach.

"I don’t understand what you mean," Penelope said in a firm tone, making Edmund focus back on the woman. As much as Penelope tried to appear brave in his presence, Edmund could still see the panic in her eyes and the expression on her face. "Now, let me go. I want to go home and get some rest!"

"You protect your stomach, Penelope," whispered Edmund. His eyes glanced down at Penelope’s stomach, then back to the beautiful eyes of the woman. "What’s wrong with your stomach? Do you have a disease in your stomach that you don’t want people to know about? Or... you’re pregnant with my child? Are you currently pregnant?"

Penelope froze again. The woman gulped. But, she must not be found out by Edmund. Using all her strength, Penelope jerked Edmund’s hand, then immediately took a step back when she was freed from the man in front of her. Penelope turned and realized Philleo Aaron was holding back his anger for Edmund. When Philleo intended to approach him, Penelope shook her head firmly.

"You always talk about that stuff." Penelope focused back on Edmund. She glanced at Isabella who looked confused at the moment. Luckily, Edmund said things related to pregnancy in a low voice, so Isabella and Edgar who were quite close to her and Edmund couldn’t hear them. "How many times do I have to tell you that I will never be pregnant with your child, Ed? What happened that night was a mistake. It was an accident. I will never get pregnant just for doing it one time with you."

Edmund snorted, then grinned. He shook his head. The man approached Penelope again, then immediately grabbed her waist so that Penelope could not run away from him again. Then, Edmund’s other hand was directed to Penelope’s chin. The man gripped Penelope’s chin lightly so she couldn’t avert her eyes. Edmund didn’t care about the curious glances given by the noble women in this restaurant.

"You know what, Penelope? Maybe it was my first time having sex with a woman. You are the lucky woman to spend that hot night with me. But, even though you and I have only done it once, I really believe in my abilities in bed. I mean, I believe in the quality of my seeds. You know what I mean, don’t you?"

Edmund’s whisper made Penelope flinch. Her face heated up and was now starting to look red. She broke away from Edmund, then intended to slap the man for harassing her. However, Penelope held back. She didn’t want to make a fuss here. She didn’t want to embarrass her family’s honor. Penelope closed her eyes and took a deep breath to calm herself. After this, she would not see Edmund Gerwyn again. She would leave that man as well as this empire.

"I hope you won’t think of any more strange things in the future, Duke Edmund," Penelope said coldly. The woman used formal words for Edmund at this time. She opened her eyes and glared at Edmund. "I hope you don’t say things like that to me again. I’m not pregnant. I’m fine. I also hope that we will not meet again because I will always be stressed when I meet you."

Penelope then looked at Isabella. She didn’t smile at her, even though Isabella was smiling awkwardly at her. Even though Penelope knew that Isabella was a good woman, even though Penelope said that she and Isabella were friends, Isabella’s attitude and words made Penelope very angry now for some reason. Could this be the influence of the baby in her stomach? Isn’t this a serious thing if the baby has a cold, indifferent, and grumpy nature like his father, Edmund Gerwyn? Arrgh!

"I have to go home, Isabel," Penelope said in a firm tone. "You don’t need to worry. I don’t have any special relationship with Duke Edmund and the Crown Prince. If you want them both, go ahead and monopolize them. I don’t care."

"Penny, I—"

"Sorry, I’m tired," Penelope said, not giving Isabella a chance to speak to her. "I will go now."

Edmund did not prevent Penelope who had already left him. His meeting with Penelope and Isabella here was pure coincidence. Edmund and Edgar were doing an inspection around here, then accidentally saw Penelope and Isabella at one of the tables in this restaurant. The man approached the two and heard Isabella’s presumptuous words to Penelope. But thanks to that, Edmund could see Penelope’s strange behavior again.

"Duke Edmund, I want to talk to you," Isabella said in a gentle tone. The woman held Edmund’s arm, causing Edmund to brush her away roughly. Fortunately, Isabella was neither pushed nor knocked over by the man’s actions. Isabella froze and looked down when she saw Edmund’s sharp and angry look at her.

"Watch your attitude, Isabella Lysander. Know your place and your status. I am the Duke of this empire. You are just the daughter of a Marques. You can’t carelessly touch me. If you have become the Crown Princess, then you may hold me without having to think about the status between the two of us."

Isabella clenched her fists. Then, she looked up and met Edmund’s eyes. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"You really changed because of that woman," Isabella growled. "If that woman hadn’t changed, if that woman wasn’t in this empire, would you have come back to me?"

Hearing those words, the anger within Edmund began to rise. The man was preparing to teach Isabella a lesson, but Edgar, who could read the situation quickly, held the body of the Duke he was serving.

"Your Grace, control yourself and your anger. You are being watched by many people," whispered Edgar. "Don’t be provoked by Lady Isabella’s words, Your Grace."

Edmund clenched his jaw and gritted his teeth. Has he ever loved a woman like this? Penelope Askary may have been an evil woman, but she never hides her evil behind a smile. Unlike Isabella right now. The woman looks gentle and weak, always smiling and being kind to everyone, but in her heart, there is hidden darkness.

"You are a scary woman, Isabella Lysander," said Edmund coldly. "I’ll come back to you, you say? Ha! I was never yours, Isabella. You belong only to the Crown Prince. I’m a free man. And, if I had to choose a woman to be Duchess Gerwyn in the future, then I would choose Penelope Askary as my woman."

After saying this, Edmund left with Edgar. In her place, Isabella stared at Edmund’s departure with a flat and blank look. No one could see the black shadow that was now embracing Isabella’s neck from behind. It was as if the black shadow was whispering something to Isabella.

"You are mine," Isabella said coldly. "Sebastian’s also mine. You both are mine. My toy. No one can take away my toys."

###

"Why did you have to go to the North region, Penny? Why don’t you go to our other family’s summer house?"

Penelope smiled at her mother. She hugged her mother indulgently, then kissed the Duchess’s cheek affectionately.

"I want to see the North, Mother. It’s not dangerous there. There might be some monsters being seen in the Northern region, but that’s a long way from our family’s summer house, no? After all, there are Dame Rosaline and Sarah who will always protect me."

"That’s right, Duchess. You don’t need to worry," said Dame Rosaline in a confident tone. "I will protect Lady Penelope at the risk of my own life."

"Me too, Duchess!" Sarah nodded enthusiastically.

"Okay, I believe you two. Please protect Penny well." The Duchess stroked her daughter’s hair lovingly and cupped her face. "Send letters to Mother and Father often. If you miss us, just say so and we’ll go straight to meet you in the North."

Penelope smiled and nodded. "Where’s Father? Penny hasn’t seen him yet."

"Father is talking to Ethan." The Duchess turned her head when she heard approaching footsteps. "There he is."

Penelope turned and smiled. The woman then ran to her father and hugged him tightly. Being hugged by Penelope like that made Duke Askary laugh and kiss his daughter’s forehead.

"Are you ready?"

"Of course!" Penelope looked up and saw her father’s handsome face with a smile. "Father, you remember Penny’s request, don’t you?"

Duke Askary nodded. "Father must tell those who ask about your whereabouts that you are vacationing in the South, at our family’s summer home over there."

"Father is the best!" Penelope hugged her father again, making Ethan laugh as he hugged Duchess Askary. "Penny just doesn’t want my vacation to be disturbed by those people. Penny wanted to relax for a bit. The imperial capital really gave Penny a headache and stress lately."

"I understand," nodded Duke Askary. "You don’t have to think about anything and just focus on your vacation. Take care of yourself. If you have trouble or need something, write directly to Mother and Father. Do you understand?"

"Yes!" Penelope nodded happily. Now, the woman hugged Ethan and whispered, "Where’s Sir Philleo?"

"Don’t worry, I told him to do something. He will return to this mansion around midnight. I won’t tell him where you are either."

"You’re the best, Brother!" Penelope kissed Ethan on the cheek. "Visit me as often as possible."

Ethan nodded.

Everyone escorted Penelope to the carriage that had been rented by the Askary family. Penelope deliberately did not want to use her family’s carriage so as not to attract the attention of people on the street. Even though she left early in the morning like this, Penelope was still afraid that someone would recognize her family’s carriage if she used it.

"Then, I’m off! Goodbye, Father, Mother, Brother! I will miss you guys!" Penelope waved and smiled broadly at her family.

Finally, the day Penelope had been waiting for arrived. The day she would go from the De Louis empire, from Sebastian De Louis, from Isabella Lysander, and most of all, from the life of Edmund Gerwyn. The father of the baby she is currently carrying.

###

"She’s not there? What do you mean Penelope Askary isn’t in her mansion?"

Edgar gulped. It’s been two days since the incident at the restaurant at that time, and Edmund ordered him to deliver gifts to Penelope Askary as an apology for his impudence at that time. But, every time Edgar came to Askary’s mansion, he was always told that Penelope Askary was not in the mansion.

"Since yesterday, Princess Penelope has not been at her mansion, Your Grace," said Edgar. "I don’t really know what happened, but, according to one of the maids, Princess Penelope is on holiday in the South."

"Holiday?" Edmund frowned. He stood up from his chair and stared at the window. For some reason, Edmund felt uncomfortable. He suddenly has a bad feeling about this. He kept thinking about Penelope. He’s scared. Scared that Penelope suddenly disappeared from his life. Edmund’s hands clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "Does the Askary family have a place to live in the South?"

Edgar nodded even though Edmund couldn’t see it. "I’ve been looking for information about it. The Askary family have a summer house in the South."

Edmund bit his lip and knocked on the window in front of him. Then, the man turned his head and glared at Edgar.

"Get the horses ready, Edgar. We’re going to the South now. It wouldn’t be difficult to find a summer house belonging to a high-class noble like Duke Askary."

The journey from the imperial capital to the South took a long time. Edmund left with Edgar and two other knights. He also brought along Chris, the shadow knight. They sought information about the Askary family’s summer house from people in the South. Edmund reached the summer house in the evening, just as the sun was setting. As soon as he arrived, a butler immediately greeted him. The man knew that it was the high-class nobles like the Duke he served.

"Good evening. May the light of Goddess Elleia always be with you," said the butler, bowing.

"I am Duke Edmund Gerwyn. My parents and Duke Askary are friends. I know Ethan Askary and Penelope Askary. I hear Penelope Askary is on holiday here. Tell her I came to look for her and she’ll be right out."

The butler frowned when he heard that.

"My Lady is not here, My Lord."

Edmund froze. His eyes widened.

"What?" Edmund whispered in disbelief. "Are you trying to trick me right now, Butler?"

The man shook his head firmly. "I’m not lying, My Lord. My Lady has not come here since she was ten years old."

Edmund began to lose control of the fear and anger within him. His little bunny dared to run away from him?! No! He wouldn’t let go of that woman! Penelope Askary is his!

"Edgar! Chris!" shouted Edmund. His voice was so scary that Edgar and Chris, who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, immediately knelt in front of Edmund.

"Your Grace,"

"Find out where Penelope Askary is! Find my little bunny as soon as possible! Then, find out about my little bunny’s health condition. Interrogate the Askary family doctor or any other doctor my little bunny may have visited!" Edmund glared at Edgar and Chris. "I’m sure she’s hiding something. She ran away from me because she was pregnant with my child! Did she think I would let her get away from me with my flesh and blood? I Won’t! They are both mine!"