Reincarnation of The Villainess: She Has The Duke's Baby!-Chapter 61: #-The Abelavish’ Crown Prince Visits Duke Edmund’s Mansion
Isabella felt herself hating Penelope Askary even more.
Now, she wondered in her heart. What makes her and that woman different? How come Penelope has all the good things in this world? The family that loved her dearly and always defended her even though she had done cruel things to others, a high noble status that made her almost marry the Crown Prince, a beauty so dazzling that men always looked at her with adoration even though they were afraid of her cruelty, and also the care and love from Edmund Gerwyn. All of this was what Isabella really wanted. Even though she was known as the woman who was loved by the Crown Prince and would become the Crown Princess in the future, Isabella knew that the Emperor and the Empress did not really approve of the marriage that the Crown Prince wanted. And now, when Isabella lost Edmund Gerwyn who had always loved and defended her but she ignored all of that, she would also lose the Crown Prince because he could not hide his interest in Penelope as well as his obsession for that woman in front of her.
"You wouldn’t dare kill me," Isabella growled at Ethan. The woman looked at Ethan with a sharp gaze. Even though she was scared, even though her legs felt weak right now because Ethan’s sword was pointing at her neck, Isabella refused to show her fear. "You will be executed for daring to threaten and touch the woman who is loved by the Crown Prince and will become the Crown Princess and even the Empress in the future."
Hearing that, Ethan laughed and snorted. He grinned mockingly at Isabella, making her swallow hard.
"Do you think I’m afraid of that, Isabella Lysander? Not at all. I don’t mind dying to protect my little sister’s honor, as well as my family’s honor!" Ethan touched Isabella’s neck with the tip of his sword. "Now, apologize to me for daring to insult my little sister with your dirty mouth or I will send a letter to Marquess Lysander so he teaches you a lesson to never insult and belittle others’ families again!"
Isabella clenched her jaw. All of this is because of Penelope Askary! That woman has ruined everything.
’Right! All of this is that cruel woman’s fault,’ whispered a voice inside Isabella’s head. ’She took everything from you and crushed your dreams. Kill her. Kill Penelope Askary. Kill the baby she is carrying. That way, you can get the two men at once. You will be respected by everyone, Isabella Lysander.’
"Young Master Ethan."
The call made Ethan click his tongue and turn his head. Behind him, the Askary family’s knight, who had been inspecting the area with him, was bowing.
"You should return to the mansion soon, Young Master. There’s a letter from Duke Edmund for you." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚
Ethan frowned and Isabella widened her eyes. The woman looked very eager to know what Edmund had written for Ethan.
"What’s with that guy? Was it because he will be married to my little sister that he thought he could exchange letters with me every day?" Ethan grumbled. He looked at Isabella again and lowered his sword. "This time you can get away from me, Isabella Lysander. But, if I hear you talking nonsense again, if I find out you insulted Penny again and want to try to do something to take Duke Edmund away from Penny’s arms, I will not remain silent. Remember that! I’ll make you regret that very second."
Ethan left Isabella, who was now looking down. The man glanced over to check on Isabella and sighed heavily while massaging his temples.
"Callix," Ethan called out to the Askary family’s knight, who had just come to him and told him about the letter from Duke Edmund. "Take that woman back to Lysander’s mansion. I mean, follow her home and protect her from a distance. Don’t let the woman get hurt or be bothered by bad people."
Callix raised an eyebrow and cleared his throat. "Wasn’t Young Master furious at Lady Isabella just now because he insulted My Lady?"
"Tsk," Ethan clicked his tongue. "Still, I can’t let her go home alone. She didn’t bring any of her family’s knights, Callix. And she was almost taken away by the bandits that tried to sell her. Do you think I’ll let her go home alone after she went through such a horrible thing just now?"
Callix grimaced and scratched his cheek. "Do you... like Lady Isabella?"
Ethan stopped in his tracks and looked at Callix with an irritated look. "Do you want me to punish you and fire you, Callix?"
Callix immediately bowed. "I will immediately carry out your order, Young Master. Be careful on the way home."
When Callix left, Ethan snorted.
"That guy really likes to piss people off," Ethan grumbled.
###
"Who’s coming?"
Edmund could hardly believe his ears when he heard the information given by Evan. Edmund glanced at Penelope, who was sleeping on the bed. The man just kept stroking her hair gently while sitting on the edge of the bed right beside Penelope.
"The Crown Prince of the Abelavish Empire with his trusted knight named Sir Jeremy," Evan repeated.
"Without sending me a letter of prior notice? Wasn’t that man taught manners and etiquette in the Abelavish empire?" grunted Edmund with a snort. Hearing that, Evan winced and wet his own lips.
"Are you going to see him?"
"Do I have to meet the person, who didn’t even send a letter before to visit my mansion?" Edmund asked back. "Besides, my Penny is sleeping. I have to accompany her here. You can see for yourself that she doesn’t want to let me go and doesn’t want to be away from me."
Evan glanced at Edmund, who gave Penelope his gentle smile.
’In my eyes, you are the one, who doesn’t want to go far from Princess Penelope, Your Grace,’ said Evan in his heart.
"But, Your Grace," Evan said again. Hoping that this information will change Edmund’s mind, his master wants to meet the Crown Prince of the Abelavish empire. "His Highness Crown Prince Helios said that he has obtained permission from His Highness the Emperor to come here to see you. Before coming here, His Highness Crown Prince Helios had already gone to see His Highness the Emperor to greet him and seek permission from him."
"That man really gives me a headache," Edmund growled. "Why did he have to come to this empire and want to see me?" The man then frowned. "Wait. He didn’t come here to see me."
Evan blinked. "Yes?"
Edmund glanced at Penelope. "He willingly came to this empire to meet Penny. The damn man is attracted to my woman, Evan! He already admitted it and wanted to be Penny’s friend when we met him in the North that time I found Penny!" Edmund kissed Penelope on the forehead and got up from the bed. "Evan, order two maids and a knight to protect Penny while I go downstairs to meet that shameless Crown Prince."
Evan looked down. "Alright, Your Grace."
Actually, Edmund didn’t want to leave Penelope. However, since Helios Rune Abelavish had obtained permission from the Emperor to meet him, Edmund had no other choice but to meet that annoying man. On the other hand, Edmund also wanted to teach a little lesson to Helios, who intended to meet Penelope. When Edmund came into his study, Jeremy immediately bowed while Helios smiled broadly and raised his hand in greeting.
"Greetings to Duke Edmund. May Elleia’s light always be with you," greeted Jeremy politely. Edmund nodded and waved his hand in the air to signal to Jeremy that he didn’t have to greet him.
Edmund immediately sat down in front of Helios. He crossed his right leg over his left and crossed his arms.
"I’ll get straight to the point, Your Highness Helios," said Edmund in a firm tone. "What are you doing here?"
Helios laughed and Jeremy started to panic on his spot. Hopefully, this master of his won’t say or do anything that could trigger a war between the two empires.
"I want to see you and that cute little bunny. Princess Penelope Askary. I’ve come to her mansion and according to Jeremy, one of the maids said to Jeremy that Princess Penelope is currently in this mansion." Helios showed a happy expression that looked like a child’s. "Hey, Duke Edmund. Can I see Princess Penelope? I just want to be friends with her. What’s wrong with making friends?"
"Sorry to disappoint you, Your Highness, but I know that you have ulterior motives." Edmund took a deep breath. "I am a man who is known to have extraordinary intelligence. And I know that you don’t just want to be friends with my Penny, Your Highness. You’re attracted to her. You like her romantically. And, did you think I would let you approach my woman like that? She will marry me and is pregnant with my child, Your Highness."
"But you are not married yet, aren’t you?"
Edmund froze. "What?"
"You and Princess Penelope," Helios shrugged. "You are not married yet. I still have a chance to approach Princess Penelope and change her mind. If it’s about child matters, I have no problem taking care of your child, Duke. I don’t think my Mother and my Father would mind that either because they’re really nice people. So, how about we compete for Princess Penelope’s love, Duke Edmund?"
"Huh?!" Edmund Gerwyn got up from the couch. The man clenched his fists at his sides so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Then, Edmund also frowned and gave his cold gaze to the Crown Prince from the neighboring empire. "Are you kidding me right now, Your Highness?!"
"No," shook Helios. "I’m serious, Duke. Are you not confident that you can beat me? You’re afraid that Princess Penelope will turn her back on you and choose me, right?" chuckled Helios.
Hearing the conversation between his master and Duke Edmund, Jeremy could only pray in his heart that he could go to heaven when he died later. Because, judging by Edmund’s reaction at this moment, Jeremy believed that man would try to kill his master and destroy the Abelavish empire.
"Duke Edmund, forgive the impudence of His Highness Crown Prince Helios," said Jeremy apologetically. "I will report this to His Highness the Emperor and the Empress once we return to the Abelavish empire so that something like this will not happen again in the future."
Edmund had already opened his mouth, preparing to reply to Helios’ words earlier when the door to his study was knocked gently and opened from the outside. Edmund turned and blinked when he saw Penelope peeking inside, smiling at him.
"Ed?" called Penelope. "Am I bothering you?"
When Edmund was about to come up to Penelope and say that her presence didn’t bother the man at all, Helios was already running toward Penelope. Then, the man knelt in front of Penelope, making Penelope flinch and blink. Without Penelope noticing, she took a step back and was unable to move as Helios took her hand and then kissed the back of her hand. Helios smiled broadly and looked up.
"Hi, my cute little bunny," said Helios in a cheerful tone. "We meet again. I’m looking for you everywhere. How about we go for a walk and eat cake together while chatting?"
"Chris," Edmund growled, causing Chris to appear out of nowhere. Seeing that, Jeremy was surprised. Didn’t expect that Edmund would have a shadow knight like that of the imperial family. "Please get my sword because I have to get rid of rats in my study right now."
