Penelope took Emma’s hand and led her to the table on the porch of her room.
The woman smiled broadly and sat down in one of the chairs, then motioned for Emma to sit across from her. Emma, who followed Penelope carrying the food she had bought because Penelope wanted it, smiled back and started preparing the food on the table.
"My Lady, are you only going to eat this food?" Emma asked doubtfully. "I don’t an to ddle in My Lady’s business but I’m just worried. These are foods that will not fill My Lady’s stomach. And again, I’m afraid that sothing will happen to My Lady’s baby if My Lady doesn’t eat healthy food. Can this not be called a snack, My Lady?"
Penelope chuckled and took one of the skewers that were on the table and ate it excitedly.
"You know what, Emma? My child really likes foods like this compared to expensive foods," Penelope said. "And the skewer is what my child likes the most. There’s chicken, there’s vegetables, there’s also cheese! I really like cheese!"
Emma blinked and smiled. Her blue eyes brought comfort to Penelope. The woman picked up another skewer that was still on the table and pointed it at Emma.
"Do you want so, Emma?"
"I am happy just to see My Lady eating with such gusto," said Emma. "Will Duke Edmund allow you to eat this food, My Lady? I an, you are a noblewoman. The woman with the highest status after a mber of the imperial family. Likewise with Duke Edmund. That man definitely doesn’t want you and his child to eat food that isn’t known for its cleanliness like this."
"That guy is really overprotective, Emma," Penelope grumbled. This ti, she picked up bread with a few pieces of at and cheese on it. "He forbade to eat food like this. In fact, these are very delicious foods! I will make him eat all of this one day. If he loves and cares about , shouldn’t he follow my wishes? It’s a healthy al and I love it. He always talks about poison and stuff. No one will poison ," Penelope shook her head, waving her hand. Then, the woman tilted her head and raised an eyebrow. "Hmm? No, wait. I think I had a dream that soone poisoned ."
"What?!" Emma shouted. Penelope, who was shocked, could only blink and swallow hard. Seeing Penelope’s reaction, Emma gasped and cleared her throat. Then, Edmund who was in disguise looked down and massaged his temples. "Forgive , My Lady. I accidentally shouted in front of you. I was just... worried and scared when I heard My Lady’s words just now."
"It was just a nightmare," chuckled Penelope. "That would never happen to . But, thank you for worrying about ."
Edmund forced a smile and nodded. Then, he stared blankly at the table. The man recalled his dream when he was still in the North with Penelope. He dreams of talking to soone but can’t rember who he’s talking to or what they look like. He only rembered the person’s words telling him to always be vigilant because Penelope Askary would be in danger soon. The danger that will threaten her life and the lives of their children. Edmund’s hands that were under the table clenched tightly and his jaw tightened.
Is this another sign that has been given to that Penny is indeed in danger? But, what should I do? I couldn’t possibly lock her up in my mansion because that would make Penny angry and maybe run away from again. Edmund thought in his head.
"Emma?" called Penelope. "What is wrong? Why are you looking pale? Are you sick?"
"Huh?" Emma blinked and she shook her head. "No, My Lady, I am fine."
"Are you sure?" Penelope stretched out her right hand and touched Emma’s forehead. Penelope’s gentle touch made Edmund smile gently and closed his eyes to enjoy the touch of the woman in front of him. "You don’t have a fever but I’m still worried because of your pale face. Have you had breakfast? If not, eat this with ."
"How can I eat the sa food as you, My Lady? I am alright. You don’t have to worry about , My Lady. All you need to do is finish these foods."
Penelope chuckled. "You look a lot like Duke Edmund, Emma. I don’t feel sad and lonely because of you. I felt like I was sitting together with that man."
When there was a knock on her bedroom door and it opened, Penelope and Emma turned their heads. Emma raised an eyebrow and stood up from the chair, then stood beside Penelope and looked down when she saw Ethan Askary coming. The man approached Penelope who preferred to choose the food on the table rather than stare or greet Ethan.
"Are you still mad at , Penny?" asked Ethan when the man realized his little sister was giving him the silent treatnt. Even though he looked sad because of Penelope’s actions, Ethan still smiled. "Are you not even going to greet ?"
"Good morning, Brother Ethan," Penelope greeted in a flat tone. "I’m busy, so can you leave alone?"
Ethan chuckled and took a deep breath. The man sat across from Penelope and then turned to soone standing beside his little sister. Ethan frowned and pointed at the person.
"Hey, this is my first ti seeing you," Ethan said in a sharp tone. "Who are you? Are you one of the maids here?"
"I am a new maid here, Young Master. I am assigned to serve, look after, and protect My Lady. My na is Emma."
"Hmm." Ethan rubbed his chin. "I don’t an to insult you but you have quite an athletic body. I’ve never seen a woman like you."
"I like to exercise, Young Master."
"Raise your head."
Edmund froze when he heard Ethan’s order. He clenched his jaw and started to panic. If Duchess Askary could recognize him disguised as a woman, wouldn’t Ethan Askary be able to do the sa? But if he didn’t raise his head, Ethan would only get suspicious. After taking a deep breath, Edmund decided to raise his head and looked at Ethan who raised one eyebrow.
"You remind of that bastard," Ethan grumbled. "Your eyes are very similar to his."
Hearing Ethan insult Edmund and Emma, Penelope gave him a cold look.
"Big Brother, did you just insult Duke Edmund and Emma?" Penelope asked curtly. "I don’t like hearing that! Duke Edmund is the father of my child. He is the man I love and the man I choose to be my future husband! So, don’t insult the person I love like that. Emma is a kind woman who really cares for and loves . I will never forgive Big Brother if Big Brother insults them again."
Ethan cleared his throat and scratched his cheek. "Penny, your mind is being controlled by that man. Don’t ever think that you love him. You’re just confused. And again, don’t believe it when Duke Edmund says he loves you. He’s just lying. If he loves you, he should still kneel in front of the mansion to fight for your love. But, as soon as Father kicked him out, that annoying guy went straight ho." The man looked at Emma. "Don’t you think so, Emma? That man is a coward who ran away when the father of the woman he said he loved kicked him out."
Edmund bit his lip. Luckily, he was wearing a mask so Ethan wouldn’t be able to see him do that. The man’s lips were bleeding but Edmund didn’t care. He was already preparing to reply to Ethan’s words when Penelope spoke first.
"I told him to go ho," Penelope said in a firm tone. "Did Brother Ethan think I would let Duke Edmund continue to kneel in the pouring rain like last night? I won’t let that man get sick because of ." The woman snorted. "If Brother Ethan ca here just to insult the father of my baby, then Brother Ethan should just leave my room. I don’t want to hear it."
Ethan took a deep breath and raised his hands in the air. "All right, all right. I understand. I’m not going to talk about that guy anymore. You really are getting very touchy-feely, Penny. Are all pregnant won like this or is it because you’re carrying that shitty man’s child? I hope my niece or nephew won’t be as annoying as her or his father." The man then glanced at Emma who was looking at his little sister with a look of adoration as well as a gaze full of love. Those blue eyes, Ethan wanted to stab them with a knife. Then, suddenly Ethan nudged Penelope’s teacup, causing it to fall and break. Penelope was shocked but Emma was silent. "Oops."
"Brother Ethan!" Penelope exclaid. "What are you doing?"
"I didn’t do it on purpose, Penny. Forgive ." Ethan looked at Penelope with an innocent and apologetic look. Then, he looked at Emma. "Emma, can you help clean up all of that?"
Edmund nodded and crouched at Ethan’s feet. While Edmund was cleaning up the broken cup, Ethan stepped on the spilled tea on the floor and on Edmund’s fingers who were near him. Automatically, the floor beca dirtier and Edmund winced in pain when Ethan stepped on his finger. He looked up at Ethan who grinned smugly at him.
"Oh, Lord! Emma, I’m sorry! I didn’t know your finger was in there! I’m sorry, does it really hurt?"
Penelope frowned and clicked her tongue in annoyance at her big brother’s attitude.
"Emma, are you all right? I will help you."
"No need, My Lady," Emma shook her head firmly. "I don’t want My Lady to get hurt. I can do it."
"Emma’s right," Ethan nodded. "This is a maid’s job. Ah, Penny, look out! You have a bug on your shoulder!" Ethan exclaid. The man got up from his chair quickly and walked toward Penelope, then deliberately nudged Edmund who was crouching so that Edmund was pushed because he didn’t have ti to maintain his body balance properly. Edmund’s face hit the floor which was wet from spilled tea, making him look dirty and ssy.
"Ah, I thought there were bugs. I think I saw wrong," chuckled Ethan. Penelope who didn’t understand could only shake her head and looked at Emma.
"Emma, are you all right?"
Edmund nodded and smiled gently even though Penelope couldn’t see it.
"Then, I’ll go out and get to work on my study," Ethan said. He kissed Penelope on the forehead and ruffled her hair. "See you at lunch, Penny. And you, Emma, clean up this ss. Don’t let my little sister get sick from bacteria due to her dirty room because of you."
Edmund held back the growl in his heart and nodded.
After cleaning up the ss Ethan had made and telling Penelope that he was going out to change clothes and bring her a new drink, Edmund stopped in his tracks when he saw Ethan still outside Penelope’s room. Edmund clicked his tongue softly and looked down.
"Excuse , Young Master."
When Edmund passed Ethan who was standing leaning against the wall and his arms crossed, the man stopped again and froze when he heard Ethan’s voice.
"Duke Edmund, I didn’t know you had a hobby of dressing like a woman," Ethan sneered. The man approached Edmund and stood in front of him. He grinned in satisfaction when he saw Edmund give him a cold, sharp look. "My little sister is innocent and that’s why you got her pregnant. But, I’m not that innocent, Duke. I knew from the start when I saw your blue eyes that you were the bastard who got Penny pregnant. And, of course, I knew right away that Emma was you because of Emma’s athletic body. I acknowledge your persistence in getting permission from the Askary family to marry Penny. But, don’t even think that I’m going to make it easy for you, Duke Edmund. I will make your life a living hell."
"Are you threatening , little Duke?" growled Edmund. "You do not know who I am?"
"I know," nodded Ethan. "Compared to you, my status is clearly still at the bottom. Because you are equal to my father. But, I hope you don’t forget that I am Penny’s big brother. You have to get permission from Penny’s parents and as her biological brother to marry her. That ans you must be able to win my heart, Duke! You should be able to make change my mind. And, do you think I’m going to make you be able to do that? Ha!" Ethan laughed and pointed at Edmund. "Just try your best and I will make you think that you are better off taking down all the monsters in the empire than having to deal with !"
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