Reincarnation of The Villainess: She Has The Duke's Baby!-Chapter 73: #-Penelope, Ethan, And Isabella’s Awkward Moment
Edmund Gerwyn got up in one swift motion.
The man was sweating and trying to catch his breath. His heart was pounding so fast it was suffocating him. It was as if his heart would explode because it couldn’t hold back the pounding that exceeded the normal limit. The Duke rubbed his face with both hands and clenched his jaw.
"Why do I have nightmares like this?" muttered Edmund. He combed his hair back using his fingers. "This is the second time I’ve dreamed that I killed Penny. What’s wrong with me actually? Is this dream a sign that I will hurt Penny in the future?"
After managing to calm down, Edmund turned to look at Penelope. However, the man froze in his place. His blue eyes widened when he found Penelope was not beside him. The place where his wife used to sleep was empty. Edmund’s heart was racing again and the man swore he could feel it had stopped beating for a moment. Then, the Duke recalled his nightmare just now. The dream in which Penelope left him and chose Philleo Aaron.
"Penny...?" called Edmund in a trembling voice. The man got out of bed and searched the whole room for his wife. However, Edmund was unable to find Penelope, making that fear start to overwhelm him. Darkness began to form in Edmund’s heart and he could hear strange whispers in his head. "PENELOPE ASKARY?!"
’That woman must have left you, Edmund Gerwyn. She doesn’t like to be around a cruel man like you. She preferred to go with her very loyal knight, Philleo Aaron. So, wouldn’t it be better for you to choose Isabella Lysander now?’
"SHUT UP!" shouted Edmund. He squeezed his head which was starting to hurt. The Duke groaned in pain and forced himself to walk. "You know nothing about me and Penny. That woman loves me! We love each other! So, don’t talk nonsense inside my head!"
After making it out of the room, Edmund met Evan. The butler widened his eyes when he saw his master’s condition and hurriedly approached the Duke. He held Edmund’s body that almost fell and looked at the man with panicked and worried eyes.
"Your Grace, what’s wrong?! Are you okay? Are you sick? I’ll take you back to your room and get the doctor to examine you right away!"
However, Edmund shook his head firmly and even pushed Evan’s body. "No! I have to find Penny."
"Excuse me? Are you looking for the Duchess?" Evan asked to make sure. He turned his head and stared into the distance. "But, Duchess—"
"No!" Edmund shook his head frantically. He gripped both of Evan’s shoulders, making Evan wince in pain. Edmund’s energy and strength are truly above the average normal person’s. That’s why he got the nickname of the cruelest man in this empire. "No, Evan! Penny can’t leave me! I’m not letting that woman out of my life, Evan! She’s only mine! I’m going to take Penny back. I will force her back into my life!"
"Yes?" Evan blinked. "Forgive my impudence, Your Grace. But, what are you talking about?" The man tried to calm Edmund down and took the Duke’s hands off his shoulders. "The Duchess isn’t going anywhere. The Duchess was in the dining room. The Duchess said she was very hungry and asked the chef to make some food she wanted."
Hearing that, Edmund froze. He felt a little relieved. However, Edmund had to confirm with his own eyes that what Evan said was true. The Duke left Evan and ran to the dining room. He didn’t even care about Evan screaming his name and asking him not to run.
When he reached in front of the dining room, Edmund accidentally opened the door with a bang. He clenched his fists at his sides and panted heavily. The Duke could see Penelope Askary, who was eating, jump in surprise. Likewise, Sarah, who faithfully stood beside Penelope. Penelope’s golden eyes flashed in confusion and the woman frowned.
"Ed? What’s wrong with you?" Penelope asked in a confused tone. She actually wanted to stand up and approach Edmund to check on his condition but because she was chewing food, Penelope couldn’t do that. "Why do you look pale and sweaty? Are you sick?"
Edmund did not answer his wife’s question. He ran to Penelope, knelt in front of her, and immediately hugged the Duchess’s petite body tightly. This made Penelope shocked and froze. She immediately swallowed her food and looked at Sarah who shrugged. The woman was as confused as her Lady. Even though she didn’t understand, Penelope was sure that something must be happening to her husband. She could feel Edmund’s athletic body trembling as he hugged her. Penelope cleared her throat and stroked the Duke’s head gently.
"I was looking for you..." whispered Edmund. "I was afraid you would leave me just like that time. I don’t want to lose you."
"Hey, Ed?" Penelope became panicked and worried about Edmund’s current behavior. "Are you sure you’re okay? Why are you suddenly talking like that? Where am I going? My place is here, Ed. My home is here by your side. I am yours. Where could I leave you?" Penelope took a deep breath. "Ed, let me go for a moment, and let me see your face."
Edmund obeyed Penelope’s orders. The man looked down and Penelope immediately cupped his face so she could see the handsome face of her husband whom she admired so much. Edmund’s blue eyes, which were as blue as the sea, could always calm Penelope.
"Why do you think I’m going to leave you?" Penelope asked. "Did you have a nightmare? You’re very pale."
"Hmm," muttered Edmund. The man closed his eyes to enjoy Penelope’s soft touch on his face. He took Penelope’s hand and kissed her palm. "I dreamed I... killed you and you left me. You took our children and chose to go with... Philleo Aaron."
Hearing that, Penelope froze. Penelope’s reaction can be felt by Edmund. The Duke opened his eyes and gulped when he saw the look on Penelope’s face.
"Penny, what’s wrong? Have I... have I unknowingly tried to hurt you or kill you? Has my dream ever happened in the past or have you also had a dream like that? If you ever had a dream like that, does it mean that I will kill you in the future?" asked Edmund in a panicked tone. He shook his head firmly. "No! That can’t be happening, can it?"
Penelope couldn’t have told Edmund that this was their third life and he had killed the real Penelope in their first life. If the Duke knew about it, Penelope was sure Edmund would be down and blame himself. Because of that, Penelope immediately smiled gently at Edmund and rubbed his face.
"No. I’m just surprised that a Duke, who is known as the cruelest in this empire, can get scared just because of a nightmare," Penelope chuckled. She hugged Edmund’s head and took a deep breath. "Such a thing has never happened and never will, Ed. So, you don’t need to be afraid or think about it. I will always be with you, forever. We will grow old together and see how our children will grow up and then get married, and give us beautiful and handsome grandchildren."
Edmund closed his eyes again and nodded. He could hear Penelope’s heartbeat which was like a lullaby to him. Then, the man broke away from Penelope’s embrace and cleared his throat.
"Wait. If my child is a girl, then she has to... get married...?" asked Edmund with a doubtful tone. So is the look on his face. Realizing that, Penelope blinked and the woman laughed. "Why are you laughing?"
"No," Penelope shook her head. She kissed Edmund’s forehead, both cheeks and his lips. "I just find it funny because you’re already such a very protective and possessive Father of your daughter, even though our child isn’t born yet, and even though we don’t know yet if we’re going to have a daughter or not."
Edmund snorted. He could feel his face heating up and the man looked away.
"Of course, I have to protect my children. I’m not going to let my daughter be approached by jerks or marry a man who doesn’t fit my criteria. I will screen out all the men who try to get close to my daughter in the future!"
###
Penelope Askary decided to take a walk around the square and wanted to eat at her favorite restaurant that sells her favorite sweets.
She is accompanied by Sarah and Edgar. It was Edmund who gave such an order. Penelope could understand Edmund’s decision because he must still be thinking about his nightmare last night. Edmund still has to finish his work and promises to follow Penelope soon when his work is done.
"My Lady, isn’t that Young Master Ethan?" Sarah asked in a doubtful tone.
Penelope smiled broadly and glanced in the direction Sarah was pointing at. However, the woman’s smile faded when she saw who Ethan was talking to. Her older brother was sitting in a restaurant with a woman. Penelope is actually happy if Ethan already has a woman he likes in his life. But, why did Ethan have to be with a woman, who openly wanted to take Edmund Gerwyn away from her?
"Duchess, if I may be impudent, it would be better for you to not meet Prince Ethan for now," said Edgar. "Because there is Lady Isabella Lysander over there. The Duke asked me to get you away from that woman immediately if you accidentally ran into her," Edgar said as he bowed.
"It’s okay," Penelope said in a firm tone. "I will be fine. I won’t let Brother Ethan be taken advantage of by that woman."
After saying that, Penelope walked briskly toward Ethan and Isabella. The two of them didn’t look close but Penelope still didn’t like it when Isabella approached Ethan. Penelope ignored Sarah and Edgar’s calls, who told her to walk slowly so as not to endanger herself and the baby she was carrying. When Penelope arrived at Ethan’s place, Penelope immediately slammed on the man’s table and made Ethan and Isabella jump in surprise.
Ethan Askary actually didn’t expect that he would meet Isabella Lysander here. The last time he had seen Isabella was at Penelope and Edmund’s wedding. Today, Ethan intends to visit Penelope and will bring lots of his little sister’s favorite sweets that are sold in this restaurant. Then, he accidentally met Isabella. The lady was enjoying tea and sweets and invited him to sit with her. However, Ethan had already turned her down. But, suddenly Isabella moved from her place and sat across from Ethan. Since it was impossible to kick Isabella out in front of everyone and potentially embarrass her, Ethan was forced to let her be. Because of that, Ethan didn’t respond to Isabella even though the woman had been trying to talk to him earlier.
When the table was slammed loudly, Ethan was ready to scold anyone who dared to do that. However, when Ethan looked up and gave his glare, the man blinked and stood up from his chair. He was surprised when he saw Penelope and his smile appeared.
"Penny?!" Ethan exclaimed. The man immediately hugged his little sister and kissed Penelope on the forehead. "I didn’t expect to meet you here! I plan to visit you later at Gerwyn’s mansion and bring you all your favorite sweets. What are you doing here? Oh, how about your honeymoon? Did Duke Edmund treat you well? Then, how are my nephews and nieces?"
Penelope smiled at Ethan and glanced at Isabella, who looked away looking uncomfortable. Not only the woman, but Penelope also felt uncomfortable about this situation. She looked back at Ethan and said, "Brother Ethan, have you forgotten your promise to me?"
"Promise?" Ethan blinked and nodded in understanding. "Ah. Of course, I remember that promise. But, you don’t have to worry, Penny," Ethan said while clearing his throat. He was starting to fear that Penelope would not talk to him again as she had promised at the time. "I had no intention of meeting this woman. We just bumped into each other and this woman suddenly sat across from me."
"Why do you look like an older brother who is afraid of his little sister?" sneered Isabella. She looked at Penelope with a lazy look. "Did Penelope Askary threaten you, Ethan?"
"My business with my older brother is none of your business, Isabella Lysander," Penelope retorted. "You are not our family. So, be quiet and don’t interfere." Penelope stared at Ethan. "Brother, let’s go to my mansion. You haven’t seen Ed since our honeymoon, have you?" Penelope wrapped her arm around Ethan’s and smiled indulgently at him.
"Of course. I’ll check all my orders inside whether everything is ready or not. You, wait here." Ethan kissed Penelope’s forehead again and looked at Edgar. "Sir Edgar, please take care of my little sister."
"Of course, Prince Ethan." Edgar nodded obediently.
When Ethan walked into the restaurant, Penelope and Isabella turned their faces to one another. The atmosphere became awkward, making the two women even more uncomfortable.
"Do you have to take care of your older brother’s life?" asked Isabella in a mocking tone. "You are married but you still depend on him. Isn’t that weird?"
Penelope crossed her arms and snorted.
"He is my big brother. He will always be my big brother. What’s wrong with depending on my own big brother? It’s you who should stay away from him. You are the Crown Prince’s woman and you intend to seduce other men? And, the man you’re about to seduce is the older brother of the woman you hate and the woman whose husband you also want to seduce and win over. Isn’t that what’s weirder, Isabella Lysander?"
