Reincarnation of The Villainess: She Has The Duke's Baby!-Chapter 56: #-Isabella’s Request And The Doubt In Penelope’s Heart
Penelope Askary was just silent and didn’t know what to do.
If someone asked her if she was jealous, of course, Penelope would scream that she was very jealous. She loved Edmund Gerwyn, that was an unquestionable fact. But, her heart also began to be consumed by guilt. Because the woman who should have been in Edmund’s life and who got all of Edmund’s love and attention was indeed Isabella Lysander. Even so, Penelope wasn’t willing to let Edmund go if, right now, Edmund realized that this was a golden opportunity for him to be able to get Isabella who he had always loved.
Seeing that Penelope looked uncomfortable, Edmund immediately growled and took action. He jerked Isabella’s hand that was gripping his arm roughly and stared at the woman with a cold gaze. Seeing Edmund’s reaction, Isabella gasped and immediately lowered her head. She couldn’t control her body which was shaking with fear.
"I never thought that you were such a lowly woman, Isabella Lysander," said Edmund in a sharp tone. He approached Penelope who looked shocked in her place. Maybe the woman didn’t think that he would prefer her compared to Isabella. Edmund could see the golden eyes that he liked so much, looked glassy as if she wanted to cry. Then, Edmund took Penelope’s body into his arms. "Aren’t you ashamed to seduce a man who is about to be married? Aren’t you ashamed to throw yourself at a man who isn’t even interested in you?"
Isabella clenched her jaw. Edmund’s words hurt her deeply and embarrassed her. The woman clenched her fists and dared to look at Edmund.
"What’s wrong with my actions and words?" asked Isabella in a challenging tone. "I’m just stating the facts. You love me, don’t you? I can see from all your actions so far. You also said it with your own mouth. I’ve realized everything now. I want you too. I don’t want you to leave me and choose another woman." Isabella took a step and intended to approach Edmund again. "I—"
"Stop right there," growled Edmund. His tone was so cold that Isabella stopped in her tracks. "Isabella Lysander, I’m still patient because I respect you. Because Penny likes you and considers you her friend. But, if something disgusting like this were to happen again, believe me, I will destroy Marquess Lysander’s family. I will make you regret that you dared to hurt Penny’s feelings, the woman who is so precious to me."
"Edmund!"
"Duke Edmund," corrected Edmund. "Call me properly, Isabella Lysander. Your status is not equal to mine. Your status is below mine. So, don’t you ever call me by my first name. The only ones who could do that were Penny and those above me in status. Even people whose status is above mine still respect me and address me by using my title." The man lowered his head and smiled gently at Penelope who still looked uncomfortable. Her face was slightly pale. "You look a little pale, Honey. Is our child okay? How about we take a rest before meeting with His Highness the Emperor?"
Penelope, who had been silent all along and leaned her head on Edmund’s warm chest, nodded.
"Can you walk?" asked Edmund in a worried tone.
"Yes," Penelope nodded. "I just— kyaaa!"
Before Penelope could finish her words, Edmund had decided for her. The Duke held Penelope’s body, making Penelope immediately put her arms around Edmund’s neck. The man smiled at Penelope and deliberately kissed Penelope’s lips right in front of the wide-eyed Isabella.
"Edmund!" cried Isabella. "How dare you kiss a woman inside the palace and in front of me?!"
"What is the problem? I am free to do anything to the woman I love, who will soon be my Duchess. And again, didn’t I tell you to call me by my title? Are you deliberately challenging me and want to test my patience?"
However, Isabella paid no heed to Edmund’s words. She openly displayed her hatred for Edmund’s attention to Penelope. Somehow, Isabella Lysander who is known as a gentle and kind woman is gone right now.
"If you want to marry Penny because she’s pregnant with your child, then I only need to be pregnant with your child for you to marry me, right?" Isabella smiled broadly. Her eyes looked desperate. "Then, I’ll sleep with you. You can do whatever you want to me as long as I can marry you. I don’t want to lose you, Edmund!"
Penelope didn’t expect Isabella to say such a thing to Edmund. The woman opened her mouth, ready to say something, but Edmund had already spoken.
"Someone’s mouth is describing someone’s quality, Isabella Lysander. And you just proved to me that you don’t have any self-esteem. You also made me realize that I have chosen the right woman for me to love. I regret that I ever had feelings for you." Edmund glanced back. "Chris!"
Suddenly, Edmund’s shadow knight appeared out of nowhere. The man immediately knelt and bowed.
"What’s wrong, Your Grace?" Chris asked.
"Keep that woman from following me and Penny. She had hurt Penny’s feelings and made her uncomfortable. She has also said disgusting things to me. I didn’t want to see her face around Penny and me."
"I will carry out your orders," nodded Chris.
Edmund immediately walked away from that place with Penelope in his arms. When Isabella wanted to run after Edmund and Penelope, Chris immediately stood up and blocked the woman.
"What are you doing?!" yelled Isabella. "Get out of my sight right now! You dare stand in my way, who is the daughter of a Marquess?! Compared to my family, you are nothing! You’re just a knight!"
"Forgive me, Lady Isabella. But I am only carrying out the task given to me by Duke Edmund. Even though you are the daughter of a Marquess, Duke Edmund is still in the highest position."
"You?!" Isabella growled. Her hands clenched tightly at her sides. "I will report you to the Crown Prince! You know I’m the Crown Prince’s woman, right?!"
Chris was silent and looked down. However, he snorted inside his heart and scorned the woman in front of him inside his heart too.
If you claim to be the Crown Prince’s woman, then why are you seducing my master who is about to marry Princess Penelope? How annoying this woman is!
###
The dinner with the Emperor was peaceful.
Penelope was grateful that Sebastian De Louis did not attend the dinner. There are only the Emperor and the Empress. The two of them were very friendly and congratulated her and Edmund on their marriage. They also said they can’t wait for the birth of Edmund and Penelope’s child who would become Edmund’s successor in the future. The Emperor already considered Edmund as his own son and Edmund’s child would of course be his grandchild.
"Ed, you go first to the carriage," Penelope said, smiling and stroking the man’s arm. "I have to go to the bathroom."
"I will accompany you," said Edmund in a firm tone. Penelope chuckled and shook her head.
"No need. In this palace, no one will dare to hurt me, Ed. Besides, the maid will accompany me," Penelope pointed toward the palace’s maid assigned by the Empress to escort Penelope.
"I just don’t want you to run into any shameless people in this palace, Penny," sighed Edmund. He massaged his temples. "That damn woman we met before dinner with the Emperor has already hurt your feelings. What if you meet other shameless people? Take the Crown Prince for example."
Penelope blinked and the next second she was giggling. A laugh that Edmund liked so much and made Edmund smile faintly right now. Edmund was grateful that Penelope was okay. He had been worried that Isabella’s words had made Penelope sad but it seemed Edmund didn’t need to worry anymore.
"Don’t talk carelessly like that, Ed. That palace’s maid can hear you and she can report you to the Crown Prince or the Emperor."
Edmund shrugged. "I am not afraid. All right, I’ll wait for you on the carriage. Be careful, Honey."
After Penelope went into the bathroom with the palace’s maid assigned to accompany her by the Empress, Edmund took a deep breath.
"Chris," called Edmund. As usual, Chris appeared out of the blue. "Please watch over and protect my Duchess. If any insect dares to bother her or touch her, kill it immediately. Don’t be afraid or concerned if the insect is far above you in status. I will take the responsibility for you."
Chris nodded and disappeared again.
In the bathroom, Penelope was doing her makeup while staring at her reflection in the mirror when someone suddenly entered the room. It wasn’t the palace’s maid accompanying her who went inside but Isabella Lysander. Penelope froze but the woman normalized her attitude again. She no longer looked friendly when dealing with Isabella after what Isabella did to Edmund in front of her eyes earlier.
"Didn’t the maid in front of this room tell you that I was here?" Penelope asked coldly.
"She did but I forced my way in," Isabella answered with a smile. Isabella approached Penelope and immediately held her hands tightly. Even though Penelope tried to pull her hands away, Isabella didn’t let that happen. "Penny, will you listen to my request?"
Penelope is just silent. She could guess what request Isabella wanted to make.
"Penny, you are the daughter of a Duke. I’m sure you can find other men easily because of your family’s influence. You are also very beautiful. But, me? I’m just the daughter of a Marquess, Penny. There aren’t many men who want the daughter of a Marquess like me who can’t give power to them. Therefore, please let Duke Edmund go for me. Leave that man. Let him be mine. You also knew that Duke Edmund loved me in the past, right?"
Penelope gulped. She began to have doubts about her desire to marry Edmund. Not because she didn’t love Edmund but because Isabella looked like she wanted to cry.
"My child needs the father," Penelope said after a pause.
Isabella smiled. "If that’s the case, you can leave your child to me and Duke Edmund. I will take good care of the child like my own biological child. You can still meet your child if you want and I won’t forbid you." Isabella looked at Penelope with a hopeful look. "You will grant my wish, right? Leave Duke Edmund, Penny. Please. If you leave Duke Edmund and annul your marriage, I’m sure Duke Edmund won’t be able to do anything."
Penelope clenched her jaw. She doesn’t want to get involved with Edmund Gerwyn from the start, right? Hadn’t her goal been to get away from Edmund Gerwyn so that her tragic death caused by him would not have happened? So, all she had to do right now was comply with Isabella’s request, right? She can give Edmund happiness that he can never get in the novel. Isabella Lysander’s love.
"I—"
"Princess Penelope."
Penelope’s words were cut off when she heard a voice from outside the bathroom. Then, the door opened and Penelope widened her eyes. Likewise with Isabella. Chris stood with his head down so as not to stare into the bathroom.
"Chris?! What are you doing?"
"Forgive my impudence, Princess Penelope. But, Duke Edmund asked me to pick you up immediately and escort you to the carriage. If you don’t arrive on the carriage within one minute, then Duke Edmund will destroy the palace."
Penelope blinked and her mouth opened wide. "HUH?!"
"Therefore, I hope Princess Penelope follows me soon before Duke Edmund begins his plan to destroy this palace."
"Oh, Lord!" Penelope massaged her temples. "That man always did as he pleased." Penelope looked at Isabella who looked unhappy with Chris’s presence. "I have to go, Isabel."
"But, what about my request earlier?" Isabella demanded. "You will grant it to me, right? I’m your friend, right? Shouldn’t friends help each other?"
Penelope bit her lip. She didn’t know what to do now. While the woman was feeling confused, someone spoke inside her head. Penelope blinked and frowned. She looked around but found no one other than Isabella, Chris, and the maid accompanying her.
"Don’t do it, Penelope Askary. Your destiny has changed. Your life will not be the same as what you read when you were living as Sienna."
Those were the words Penelope heard in her head.
"Penny? What’s wrong with you?" asked Isabella while raising one eyebrow when she saw the strangeness of the woman in front of her. "You will grant my wish, right?" she repeated her question.
"I’m sorry," Penelope said in a firm tone. "But I can’t grant your wish. I love Edmund. We love each other. I will do whatever it takes to stop you from taking him away from me."
