It’s been a week and Edmund Gerwyn hasn’t seen Penelope Askary yet.
That was because the Duke had a lot of work he had to finish. Not only work that was related to managing his territory, but also assisting the Crown Prince in the imperial palace. The assassination plan devised by Christopher De Louis finally made the man die horribly as a result of the death sentence given by the Emperor. He also hasn’t had ti to interrogate Penelope about the power possessed by that woman.
"Your Grace."
The call made Edmund look up from the many reports on his desk. Evan, the butler, bowed first, then smiled at Edmund.
"A guest has co to look for you," Evan said politely.
"A guest?" Edmund frowned. "I don’t rember having an appointnt with anyone else. Who ca here to see ?"
"Lady Isabella Lysander."
Edmund clicked his tongue angrily. Why did that woman co to his mansion? Edmund admits that he fell in love with Isabella, just like Sebastian. When he found out that Sebastian was interested in this woman, Edmund decided to bury his feelings and gave in. Then, Edmund beca interested in the drastic changes that had happened to Penelope Askary. Initially, he was only ordered by Sebastian to investigate whether the woman had really changed or was just lying to get sympathy from other people. However, when Edmund found out that the woman was not lying, Edmund’s interest in Penelope grew bigger and eventually turned into an obsession. Especially after he spent that night with Penelope. The sex they had that night couldn’t get out of Edmund’s brain. The man even dread of the incident repeatedly.
Then, a realization hit Edmund hard.
Edmund Gerwyn seems to be starting to fall in love with Penelope Askary. No, it’s no longer a possibility. This has already happened. He had forgotten his love for Isabella Lysander and fell in love with Penelope Askary. Edmund wanted to protect the woman. Edmund didn’t want Penelope to belong to another man. This beautiful woman should only be his. Because of that, Edmund would get rid of anyone who dared to approach Penelope, let alone try to take her little bunny away from her.
Even if that person was the Crown Prince of this empire.
"Tell her I’m very busy and send her ho," said Edmund coldly.
Edmund’s words made Evan’s suspicions about Edmund’s feelings for Penelope even more evident. The Duke had indeed fallen in love with Penelope Askary.
"Am I not allowed to speak with you even for a mont, Duke?"
The gentle question made Edmund and Evan turn their heads. At the door of Edmund’s study, Isabella stood. The beautiful woman smiled, making Edmund growl in annoyance and Evan cursed himself inside his heart for forgetting to close the door. But, shouldn’t Isabella know that walking around in soone else’s mansion without permission is a very impolite act?
"Who allowed you to co into this room, Isabella Lysander?" asked Edmund coldly.
"Sorry, I had to do this. Sohow, I have a feeling that you don’t want to see ."
Edmund nodded firmly. "And your hunch was correct. I’m very busy and have no ti to see you. So, please get out of here right now."
"I... just wanted to thank you, Duke," said Isabella in the sa gentle tone as before. "Because you saved a week ago. If it wasn’t for you, I would have been hurt already."
Edmund snorted. "It wasn’t who saved you, but Penelope Askary. So, you better go et that lady and thank her."
Evan, who didn’t know how to react, could only stand in the corner of the room watching the two of them. The man did not want to interfere in the Duke’s affairs with these two beauties who had different personalities.
"Duke, do you hate ?" asked Isabella in a doubtful tone. She knew that Edmund was a cruel man in this empire. However, Edmund was always warm and gentle to her. But, when the rumor about Penelope Askary who changed drastically reached Edmund, Isabella felt that the man was starting to change. Edmund was no longer warm to her and he no longer paid any attention to her. And this really bothered Isabella. She didn’t want to lose the two most influential n in the De Louis empire.
"If I said I hated you, what would you do?" challenged Edmund. "You are a woman close to the Crown Prince. I can’t get too close to you, Lady Isabella. I don’t want to make the Crown Prince angry."
"So, the problem lies with the Crown Prince?" she asked. "If I ask the Crown Prince for permission to be your close friend, will you return to being warm to , Duke? I... I miss the person you used to be, who always protected and put first above all."
When Edmund was about to reply to Isabella’s words, the man heard soone’s voice. Edmund looked at the open door of his study and a maid bowed to him.
"Excuse my impoliteness, Your Grace. But, a guest has co to see you."
Again? Edmund grumbled inside his heart. "Do the nobles no longer rember etiquette in this empire? They have to send a notice in advance if they want to visit soone’s house!"
"What should I do, Your Grace?" asked the maid again. "Because Princess Penelope said she couldn’t be here too long."
Hearing Penelope’s na, the annoyed expression on Edmund’s face changed. The man wide-eyed and grinned widely then stood up from his chair.
"Why didn’t you tell sooner that it was Penelope who ca to see ?" Edmund stepped forward excitedly. When he passed Isabella, the woman imdiately held his hand. This caused Edmund to stop and glare at Isabella.
"What are you doing right now, Isabella Lysander?" he asked in a cold tone.
"Ah! That... I..." Isabella looked down and moistened her lips. "I ca to talk to you first, Duke. Isn’t it unfair if you leave to et other won?"
Edmund jerked Isabella’s hand from his arm. "As I recall, I didn’t need your permission to et Penelope or any of the other won. You are nothing to , Isabella. So, don’t ever think that you’re a special woman to or sothing." Edmund looked at Evan. "Evan, take Lady Isabella to her carriage. I’m sure Lady Isabella wants to go ho right now."
Evan just nodded in understanding, while Isabella bit her lip.
"He should prioritize like he used to," muttered the woman.
###
"Why do I have to co to this damn Duke’s mansion, when I just realized that I’m pregnant with his child and intend to run away from him?"
Penelope grumbled under her breath. At first, the woman had not wanted to et Edmund Gerwyn. She had to prepare everything she would take to escape from this empire when Duchess Askary asked her to give the cake that the woman had made to Edmund. Duchess Askary said it was her gratitude because Edmund had protected Penelope all this ti. Penelope had refused and wanted to order Sarah, but her mother said Penelope had to hand it over herself.
"Princess Penelope, please wait a mont as Duke Edmund is currently chatting with his guest."
Penelope raised an eyebrow. "A guest? Did I co at the wrong ti? I an, I didn’t know Duke Edmund was having guests because I didn’t see any other carriages out there besides my family’s."
"No, Princess. You don’t bother him at all. The guest who ca to visit was Lady Isabella Lysander. The carriage is waiting at the side of the mansion."
Hearing Isabella’s na, Penelope frowned. For so reason, she beca very annoyed. That damn Duke got her pregnant and now she’s with another woman? Penelope knew that Edmund really loved Isabella, but didn’t that man think of her even a little? I an, had he never thought that what they had done that night would have gotten her pregnant?
Penelope snorted. "I forgot I was the one who told him I wasn’t going to get pregnant."
"What did you say just now?"
Penelope flinched when she heard the voice. The woman turned around, then stood up. She bowed to Edmund and greeted the man, causing Edmund to wave a hand and tell Penelope to sit back down.
"I didn’t expect you to co looking for first, Penelope. It’s a surprise." Edmund smiled. "So, my little bunny misses ?"
Penelope snorted. "Don’t talk nonsense, Ed. I ca here because my mother told to. Mother said I should thank you because you always protected and saved . Mother also made you so many cakes and sweets. My mother really likes doing stuff like that."
"Hmm. Tell the Duchess that I really appreciate her gift. I will send a return gift for her."
Penelope stood up again. "Then, since my business here is finished, I will be going ho now. I don’t want to disturb you and your guests."
Seeing that, Edmund stood up and imdiately held Penelope’s arm. The man frowned.
"Why are you suddenly mad at ?"
"I’m not mad," Penelope shook her head. "I just don’t want to interrupt your ti with Isabel."
"You know that Isabella Lysander is here?"
"One of your maids told ." Penelope nodded. Good grief! What’s wrong with her at the mont? Why was she so annoyed and jealous of Edmund and Isabella’s closeness? All of that is none of her business. Was this because of the baby in her womb? In her previous life, when Penelope was still Sienna, she had heard that many pregnant won did strange things and said that it was the wish of their unborn baby.
"Are you jealous?" asked Edmund in an amused tone. Hearing that, Penelope laughed. A mocking laugh.
"Take it easy, Ed. I won’t be jealous. I don’t love you, so I don’t need to be jealous if you et Isabella or other won." Penelope took down Edmund’s hand from her arm. "I’m going ho now."
"Penelope Askary."
The call made Penelope stop her steps and freeze. However, the woman did not turn around because she did not want to face Edmund again.
"Are you sick? Your face looks pale. And... It looks like you’ve put on a lot of weight. I don’t an to be rude, but you look hotter than ever. And I really like it."
Penelope groaned loudly inside.
Dammit! Can Edmund Gerwyn guess that she is pregnant with his child?!
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