Reincarnation of The Villainess: She Has The Duke's Baby!-Chapter 8: #0-I Can’t Promise You, But I Will Try To

What is this?

Why did Edmund Gerwyn, who hated the real Penelope Askary in the novel, who even had the heart to cruelly kill Penelope without blinking, now look hopeless in front of her? Was it because she had possessed Penelope Askary’s body that the storyline in the original novel had changed? Would Edmund Gerwyn be on her side now and never again think of killing her?

Penelope shook her head firmly. No, no. There was no way the original storyline would change. Her fate was predetermined, that she would die horribly at the hands of Edmund Gerwyn if she did not try to stay away and avoid Edmund, the crown prince Sebastian De Louis and the female lead Isabella Lysander. It’s just that, when Penelope saw the despair in Edmund’s ocean-blue eyes, when she saw the anger on Edmund’s handsome face due to the fear she showed, somehow the woman felt pity. Still two more months, before the tragic death befalls Penelope. Until then, all Penelope needs to do is try to survive and create some distance from him and all the main characters. What’s more, she also has to prevent Isabella Lysander from being kidnapped.

"How about it?" asked Edmund then, interrupting Penelope’s reverie. She couldn’t take her eyes off Edmund’s hopeful ocean-blue eyes. This is really beyond reason. "Can you believe me? It’s fine if you only believe in me once. I will prove to you that I will never hurt you, let alone kill you, as the mysterious person said to you."

Penelope was silent for a moment. If she agreed to Edmund Gerwyn’s request, then she would have time to prevent Isabella’s kidnapping because he would focus on finding the mysterious person and would ignore her for the time being. That’s good. Hence, Penelope nodded slowly. Then, the woman was surprised and frozen with her eyes widened when she saw the look on Edmund’s face and the look of relief in his eyes. The man known for his cold nature, who never smiled in front of anyone other than Isabella Lysander, was now smiling at her.

"Thank you," said Edmund, nodding. He rose from the edge of Penelope Askary’s bed and bowed. Not to forget, Edmund stretched out his right hand and grabbed Penelope’s right hand, then kissed the back of that hand. An etiquette that must be performed by a nobleman for a noblewoman. However, because Edmund did it suddenly, Penelope was frozen again. She hugged Ethan again, but her eyes remained on Edmund Gerwyn. After that, Edmund straightened up again and said, "I can have your word, can’t I?"

Penelope moistened her lower lip. She wanted to act normal and maybe show Edmund that she wasn’t afraid of him. However, once again, Penelope’s original memories of her tragic death as well as Penelope’s memories of her previous life when she had not yet possessed this body, where she read the tragic story of the real Penelope Askary, did not make her dare to do so.

"I... I can’t promise you, Duke Edmund. But, I will try to," Penelope said in a low voice.

Edmund nodded and smiled once more. "That’s enough for me. Now, rest. I will go home and start looking for that mysterious person." The man walked towards the bedroom door. However, before actually leaving Penelope’s room, Edmund looked back at the woman and rubbed his chin. "I want to ask you something before I leave Askary’s mansion. What do you want me to call you?"

It wasn’t just Penelope who blinked, Ethan did too. Penelope even opened her mouth because she was too surprised by Edmund’s question. Her fear suddenly disappeared.

"Yes?"

"I have three choices for you," said Edmund, ignoring Penelope’s astonishment. "First, I will call you Princess."

"Huh?"

"I guess that’s appropriate, considering you’re the daughter of a Duke in the De Louis empire. High-ranking nobles after members of the empire." Edmund shrugged and continued his sentence. "Secondly, I will call you Lady Penelope, as I have always done."

Ethan froze in his place. It was as if he couldn’t recognize the figure of the Duke who was known to be the most cold and cruel in the De Louis empire. Ethan didn’t want to assume, but... could this man in front of him have feelings for his little sister?

No, no. Ethan would not let that happen! Ethan doesn’t want his little sister to have a relationship with Edmund Gerwyn!

"And the last one," Edmund Gerwyn couldn’t understand himself, but what was clear, he was amused by the look on Penelope Askary’s face at this moment. "I’ll call you Penelope or Penny as your family does."

"Huh?!" This exclamation, of course, came from the mouth of Ethan Askary. He stood up from his little sister’s bed and pointed at Edmund with his forefinger which was trembling with anger. "You can’t do that, Duke Edmund!"

"Why can’t I do it?"

"Because she’s my little sister!"

"So?" Edmund raised an eyebrow. He crossed his arms. "I don’t see any problem. If your little sister gives permission, you can’t forbid it, right?" Edmund’s eyes shifted from Ethan to Penelope. "So? What’s your decision?"

Penelope didn’t know what to answer. Her head felt dizzy and she couldn’t stop thinking about the behavior of the man in front of her. But, because Edmund was still waiting for her answer and because the man’s gaze did not want to leave her, Penelope could do nothing more. The woman grimaced, cleared her throat, and said, "Err... it’s up to you, Duke."

"In that case, I will call you...." Edmund purposely hung up his sentence. "Penelope. Because I think Penny is too close. And you’re right about us. We aren’t that close. If I called you by that nickname of yours, I think it would make you feel awkward. So, let’s start from scratch slowly. Oh, and you can call me Ed. No need to speak formally to me. I allow you to do it. After all, our family status is equal."

Because she didn’t know how to react, Penelope could only nod and let Edmund Gerwyn leave her room.

"Penny, you don’t have to do what that bastard wants you to do," Ethan grumbled. He sat back down beside Penelope and rubbed her head. "If you’re scared of him, just tell me. I’ll make sure he won’t be able to intimidate you again if that’s what you’re afraid of."

Penelope smiled faintly and shook her head. "No, big brother. It doesn’t matter. I’m fine. After all, it’s just a matter of name. There’s nothing to complain about." 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"Are you sure?" asked Ethan to make sure. His expression and the look in his eyes radiated anxiety. "If you are not sure and feel threatened by his presence, please tell me immediately. You will do that, right? You wouldn’t hide anything from your big brother, would you, Penny?"

Penelope chuckled and nodded reassuringly to Ethan. She held her big brother’s hand.

"Yes, big brother. I will do it. You don’t need to worry. I will be fine."

And Penelope hoped that what she said just now to convince Ethan would happen.