Reincarnation of The Villainess: She Has The Duke's Baby!-Chapter 51: #-From The Deepest Heart of Penelope Askary
A knock in her room made Penelope turn her head.
The woman smiled slightly and looked down. She didn’t know how to react when Duchess Askary walked into her room while smiling gently. Penelope could feel someone sitting beside her. Then, Penelope froze when she felt that soft and warm touch on her head. A touch that can make her feel calm and comfortable.
"How are you today, Honey?" asked Duchess Askary. "Are you feeling nauseous? I already have two children and I know how it feels to have morning sickness in early pregnancy. Are you eating well?"
Penelope shook her head weakly. "I... can’t really eat well because sometimes, I’ll feel nauseous. This morning too, I was hungry but I felt like throwing up just by looking at my breakfast when Emma brought it to my room."
"Emma?" Duchess Askary frowned and tilted her head. "Who is she, Honey?"
"A maid brought by Sarah, Mother. I’ve met her and Emma is a lovely woman. She was very worried about me and cared about me. She’s just like Sarah." Penelope smiled sweetly at the Duchess as she decided to lift her head and look at her mother. "I like her. I am grateful to have many people who care and love me." Then, Penelope looked down again and smiled sadly. "You must be disappointed in me."
"What? Why do you think so, Penny?" asked Duchess Askary in a confused tone. She caressed her daughter’s long hair lovingly. Then, her other hand gripped Penelope’s cold hand tightly.
"Because I got pregnant before marriage," Penelope answered in a sad tone. She looked up again to look at Duchess Askary. "But, believe me, Mother. I didn’t mean to do it before marriage. And this wasn’t Duke Edmund’s fault either. I... That night, I was the one who seduced Duke Edmund because I was drunk. Duke Edmund was just too nice to me and that’s why he didn’t want to reject me and embarrass me."
Duchess Askary laughed and shook her head in amusement. "Or, Duke Edmund wants to do it because he loves you."
Penelope blinked. "Huh?"
"And you’re blushing now, Darling," Duchess Askary held Penelope’s left chest. "Your heart is also beating really hard and fast. So, what I said is true, right? Duke Edmund loves you?"
Penelope cleared her throat and looked away while fanning her face. "He confessed that to me, Mother."
"If he didn’t love you, there’s no way a respectable man like Duke Edmund would kneel before your older brother and your father as well."
Hearing that, Penelope frowned. She asked her mother for an explanation through the look in her eyes. Duchess Askary brought Penelope’s head to rest on her chest and returned to stroking her daughter’s hair. "Ethan told me and your Father all about it last night, Penny. How did he know about your pregnancy and how Duke Edmund knelt before him and begged Ethan to tell him where you were at the time. Ethan said that at that time, Duke Edmund looked very messy. After Mother heard about it, Mother was sure that Duke Edmund loved my beautiful daughter. Because, if Duke Edmund didn’t love you, he wouldn’t be looking for you and wouldn’t want to marry you."
Penelope smiled shyly in her mother’s arms.
"How about you? Do you love him?"
Penelope blinked. The woman was preparing to answer after being silent for a few seconds but closed her mouth again when her bedroom door was knocked a second time. Penelope straightened her back and exchanged looks with Duchess Askary for approval. The Duchess nodded and Penelope told the person who had knocked on her door to come into the room.
"My Lady, I have bought all the food My Lady wanted," said Emma. The woman entered excitedly and stopped walking when she noticed Duchess Askary in the room. Emma froze for a moment then cleared her throat and looked down. "Pardon my impoliteness, Duchess. I didn’t know you were in My Lady’s room."
"It doesn’t matter." Duchess Askary smiled. "Are you the maid named Emma?"
"That’s right, Duchess."
"I just saw you for the first time. But, thank you for making my daughter smile. Penny said she liked you a lot because you cared about her so much." The woman looked down at Emma’s hand. "And you are willing to buy food that Penny wants. I’ll give you a bonus, Emma."
"Thank you, Duchess. I only carry out my duties as a maid because I really like My Lady."
Duchess Askary smiled mysteriously at Emma, nodded, and looked back at Penelope. She stroked Penelope’s soft cheek. "So, about my question just now. Do you also love Duke Edmund?"
Penelope looked into her mother’s eyes and lowered her head. She smiled faintly. "At first, I was really afraid of him, Mother."
"Afraid of him?" Duchess Askary raised an eyebrow. She glanced at Emma and noticed Emma froze in her place. Since then, Emma was still looking down. Then, Duchess Askary focused on Penelope again. "Why?"
"Because he hates me. Actually, we hate each other," chuckled Penelope. She recounted the incident that happened to the original Penelope Askary to Duchess Askary. "Duke Edmund hates me so much he wants to kill me."
"That is not true!"
The scream made Penelope blink and turn her head. Likewise with Duchess Askary. The two looked at Emma who was clearing her throat and looked away.
"I mean, there’s no way anyone in this world could hate and even kill a woman as beautiful and kind as you, My Lady. I’m sorry if I shouted and presumptuously interrupted the conversation between My Lady and the Duchess."
"It’s okay," Penelope laughed softly. "I’m surprised but I’m glad you think so about me. You know what, Emma? It seems that my child likes you." The woman rubbed her belly. "Since earlier, if you are near me, I feel comfortable and peaceful. I don’t feel nauseous either. I’m grateful to have a new maid like you. I’m sorry that you have to have a Lady like me, who got pregnant before marriage. I must have disgusted and embarrassed you."
"No, My Lady! You are still an innocent and pure woman in my eyes. If anyone was to be blamed, it was Duke Edmund. That man is a pervert who can’t control his own lust when faced with a beautiful woman like you!"
Duchess Askary widened her eyes and the woman looked away to hide her laughter.
"Mother?"
"I’m fine," Duchess Askary cleared her throat. "Go on with your words, Honey."
Although confused by her mother’s attitude, Penelope nodded. "Then, he started to approach me. I know Duke Edmund approached me because he wanted to spy on me. Just as Mother and the others were confused by the drastic changes I’d gone through, that man too must have wanted to confirm the rumors he had heard. I always run from Duke Edmund when I meet that guy. However, the further I got away, the closer Duke Edmund got to me. Trust me, Mother, at that time, I was so frustrated that I felt like I wanted to kick that damn man."
Seeing Penelope telling the story about Duke Edmund so excitedly, Duchess Askary smiled.
"Then, Duke Edmund is always there when I need help. He always protects me. I also started to think that Duke Edmund might not be as bad as I thought. Maybe my guess that Duke Edmund wanted to kill me was just a misunderstanding. The incident that night also happened when I was drunk because I had a headache, thinking about matters related to the Crown Prince. After I found out that I was pregnant with Duke Edmund’s child, I felt both happy and sad. Happy because I loved him without realizing it and sad because I know my love will never be reciprocated. Because I know Duke Edmund loves Isabella Lysander."
Emma opened her mouth, wanting to say something but decided to shut it again. She clenched her fists at her sides and lowered her head.
"When Duke Edmund found me in the North and knelt, saying that he loved me, I was touched. But, I’m also afraid, Mother. I’m afraid it’s only because I’m carrying his child. What if this child was born and Duke Edmund realized that he didn’t love me at all? What if he takes my child away and marries another woman?" Penelope chuckled sadly. "That thought had crossed my head. Maybe until now. However, I tried to convince myself that Duke Edmund would not do it." The woman looked firmly at Duchess Askary. "Because I love him so much. I don’t want to see him sad or hurt. I will fight for my love for Duke Edmund in front of Father and Brother Ethan, also in front of Mother."
The silence that fell in Penelope’s room made her tense up. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the Duchess smile up at her and cup her face.
"Penny, Mother will help you convince your Father of your relationship with Duke Edmund. I’m sure, your Father was just shocked when he found out you were pregnant with Duke Edmund’s child before you were married. Your Father just loves you too much. You also know that until now, even though many letters from noble families have come asking you to become the wife of their children, your Father never replied to those letters, right? Because your Father doesn’t want to let you marry another man. Your Father is so stupid and childish," chuckled Duchess Askary. "So, you don’t need to worry. Don’t let last night’s incidents become a burden on your mind. I don’t want anything to happen to you and your baby because you are too stressed. Do you understand, Honey?"
Penelope nodded and immediately hugged her mother. The woman was also crying.
"Thank you, Mother. And, once again, I’m sorry because I always cause trouble for this family."
Duchess Askary chuckled and kissed Penelope on the forehead. "It doesn’t matter. If you want to know, this mother of yours is also a stubborn and mischievous woman. This Mother of yours is a troublemaker. Of course, that was when Mother was young and before I married your Father. If you don’t believe me, you can ask your grandparents." Duchess Askary brought her face close to Penelope’s ear. "And, this is a big secret. Mother was pregnant with Ethan before marrying your Father. It’s just that, no one knows about it besides your Father."
Penelope blinked and covered her mouth with both hands. Seeing Penelope’s adorable reaction, the Duchess laughed again and stood up from the bed. She stroked her daughter’s hair and walked toward the door.
"Mother will talk to your Father now. Penny, just eat your food. Don’t let your baby starve." Duchess Askary approached Emma and held Emma’s hands tightly. She smiled amusedly. "Emma, please protect my daughter."
"Of course, Duchess! I will risk my life to protect My Lady!"
The Duchess nodded and motioned for Emma to bow. As Emma bowed, the Duchess whispered, "I didn’t know you liked to disguise yourself as a woman, Duke Edmund."
Emma stared and froze. He gulped and looked at the Duchess who shrugged her shoulders.
"Don’t worry, I’m not going to tell this to Penelope’s Father and older Brother. The two of them were very childish. Maybe, I should scold them. So, spend your time with my daughter."
Edmund looked down. "I—"
"It’s okay," said Duchess Askary, stroking his arm. "I know and believe you are doing this because you cannot stay away and be apart from my daughter. Because this is how big your love is for her."
"Thank you, Duchess."
"You will be my son-in-law," chuckled the Duchess. "So, don’t hesitate to ask for help from me, Edmund."
"Mother? Is something wrong with Emma?" Penelope asked. She stood up from her bed and approached her mother and Emma. "Did Emma do something to offend you, Mother?"
"No," shook the Duchess. "I like Emma, just like you."
Penelope smiled broadly and nodded. "Somehow, Emma reminds me of Duke Edmund, Mother! Being with Emma always makes my heart beat fast. That’s weird, right? But, I’m glad Emma accompanied me! And she bought me the food I wanted, just like Duke Edmund!" Penelope immediately hugged Emma’s arm, making Emma swallow hard and glanced at Duchess Askary. "I want Emma to be my personal maid like Sarah, Mother! I’m going to have Emma and Sarah as nannies for my child when the baby is born! I can take them to Duke Edmund’s mansion when I marry him and live there, right, Mother?"
While Penelope was confused because Duchess Askary was laughing amusedly, Emma or Edmund Gerwyn who was in disguise could only lower his head while covering his face with both hands.
"My Lady, you really are a woman who is good at seducing other people so they will like your innocence. You are truly unfair, My Lady."
Penelope blinked and tilted her head.
"Yes? What do you mean? I don’t understand."
"I like you, My Lady," Emma said shyly.
"I like you too, Emma!" Penelope exclaimed happily and immediately hugged Emma’s athletic body.
In his place, Edmund Gerwyn could only groan inside his heart when Penelope Askary embraced him while in disguise.
Penny, are you trying to kill me by seducing me like this? The man screamed in his heart and took a deep breath.
