Chapter Text
Penelope was moving away from the one who appeared on paper as her brother. She was fed up with even having to deal with Derrick, and it wasn’t like he really wanted to do his part so she could think about putting some effort. So Winter smiled surreptitiously, he was inwardly full of intrigue, and they both went to talk in the garden or some other more suitable place.
“Penelope!” Derrick yelled one last time while watching as her figure walked gracefully away from him.
Obviously, she wasn't going to turn around and try to fix this.
Derrick bit his lower lip. Of course, he knew that this whole situation was his fault. But he couldn't help but find excuses to try to feel better about himself and relieve the guilt slowly and painfully eating him alive.
‘Why do you hate that girl?’
His father's words echoed in his head. Now more than ever, he was sure that she was the one who hated him. He was only bothered by some of her attitudes. And the fact that they wanted to impose the idea that she was the replacement of his sister, the dearest Yvonne, but it wasn't as if he wanted Penelope to disappear either. No, there was a suffocating feeling watching her decide to walk away from him, that she rejected him, didn't accept his apology, and left with another man. Yes, the most painful thing was that girl had rejected him. She had abandoned them.
‘How dare you?’ Derrick said to himself as he returned to the Eckhart mansion.
As Pennell opened the door to his room, he received the announcement that his father had called him into his office. Evidently, the old butler was worried about what would happen in that conversation. After all, the position of Derrick from the beginning had been to punish Penelope for the sins she had been unjustly accused of. His head ached, and he was exhausted, but he had to fulfil the duty as the eldest son.
He hadn't even opened the door entirely before he heard his father's voice.
“Derrick!!” The Duke was so upset.
He clenched his fist in frustration, pocketed his pride, and walked into the office. He remained silent while waiting for his father to tell him what he wanted. He was so fed up with everything. Not so long ago, he had argued with his father about her position in the family.
“You were supposed to go to see her in jail so we could help her on the case.” The Duke Eckhart said with a frown. Before his son could say anything, he continued. “I don't care what excuses you may have; Penelope has taken it upon herself repeatedly to prove that she is not the same girl we thought she was.”
Derrick bit his lip, full of anger and shame. It didn't seem right to suffer another challenge because his father didn't feel that his favourite daughter wasn't treated so well.
“Father, a few months of good behaviour do not make up for years of bad character and bad decisions.” He tried to defend himself. “Now everything is focused on her, on what she wants, and even if we give her what she wants, she still wants to tarnish our family's reputation...
With a single gesture, Derrick fell silent. The Duke knitted his brows. It was evident that whatever he said to his son, he would twist it to continue with his behaviour.
“Since you insist so much that we are so generous with Penelope and that she only seeks to sully her and, incidentally, the family’s name…” The Duke raised an eyebrow. “Tell me, in these last few months, what has she done so we see her like this?”
Derrick remained silent, trying to count on some situation that would tarnish the family name. The closest thing had been bringing the slave and the fights he started in the training camp. But his father immediately refuted him, explaining that he had resolved the knights' insubordination. All the incidents preceded more than a year ago, and his father did nothing but blame him that his words did not hold up to the facts.
“I don't know how to tell you to stop treating Penelope like someone who doesn't belong in this family.” Derrick could see as if Father were searching for the words carefully. “I know that Yvonne will always be your sister inside you. No one will ask you to forget her.” The Duke's voice hardened. “But it doesn’t mean I'm going to let you bully Penelope.” His tone softened again. “She was adopted by me. She's an Eckhart, and if you don't want to consider her a sister, at least treat her like another family member.”
Before answering, his father had already signalled him to leave the room. He crossed paths with Reynolds but didn't even pay attention to what he wanted to tell him. Derrick was fed up with everything. And the only thing that kept repeating itself in his head was the change Penelope had achieved so far. She was always locked in her room, isolated, but she seemed comfortable with that solitude as if it gave her comfort. Derrick was unable to understand her, her disdain and attitude, always reluctant to contact others, always distant. Why wasn't she closer to him if she really had changed? If she really had grown up, then why wasn't she able to fill that void he felt inside?
His hand went to her face as he thought of the last thing, how could he expect her to be close to him when he had always looked her down for trying to be Yvonne's replacement? It almost made him want to laugh at his own stupidity. However, being able to reflect on that was too painful, and it didn't exonerate Penelope from everything she had done up to this point.
Derrick stayed in his room, waiting to hear the servants receiving Penelope. He tried to keep calm, but it was impossible. He didn't even feel sleepy. He was in a complete state of alert. It was perhaps around one o'clock in the morning when that girl had deigned to return. He felt the impulse to go out and face her, to make it clear to her that she was still a girl and that it couldn't just be an enjoyable time to return, that she should think about the family name, but the image of Penelope staring at him with contempt eyes, making it clear that he was not the one to say anything to her, stopped him. He bit his lip and went to bed.
His head was all over the place, flooded with unease about that girl, but slowly he gave in to exhaustion and fell sound asleep. In his dreams, he could feel a woman's naked body. He could not distinguish her face well, but her characteristic deep pink hair was stuck in his mind. She was smiling at him; he could hear her laugh. From one moment to another, he felt his body move towards her. His arms rushed to embrace her. Just before he could kiss her, he woke up. Once he returned to reality, he could not decide if it was disgust or terror that ran freely through his mind.
When he got up, he felt the discomfort of his penis exposed. It was different from the times when he just woke up. It seemed as if that part of his body refused to relax. The desire was almost painful. There was disgust in his own actions. He took a deep breath and took a couple of minutes to relieve himself.
'Penelope...' the image of that girl naked in front of him appeared just before he finished. After realising what he had done, he couldn't help but wonder. 'What is wrong with me?'
A part of him, the worst of all, was calm and relaxed. There was something sweet about the guilt that was eating him alive, like a twisted part of him that made him give in to what he felt, to the pleasure. He washed his body and tried to forget what he felt, but it seemed useless. Then, as he was getting dressed up, a knock on his door made him jump.
“Young Master, breakfast is served.” It was just a servant signalling the start of a new routine.
He got ready quickly, adjusted his suit and promptly went downstairs. When he opened the door to the dining room, Derrick saw her. His eyes widened slightly with surprise. The Duke brought up the joy that his daughter had been able to prove her innocence using her intellect.
“I am very proud of you, Penelope.” the Duke said instantly without hesitation.
Reynolds ate quietly as he listened to his father praising Penelope. It was clear how calm he was that the reputation of the fake sister they had brought in was beginning to improve since the change.
“I'm sorry I didn't have as much faith in you.” Saying those words made Reynolds' ears turn red.
Penelope took a small sip of tea and smiled discreetly.
“Thank you, Brother Reynolds. Thanks, Dad.” After a few seconds, she looked coldly at Derrick. “At least there are those here who appreciate what I've changed.” She wiped her mouth with a napkin. “Thank you very much for breakfast. I apologise, but I lost my appetite.”
Before the men of the Eckhart household could do anything, she was gone.
'Why is she still mad at me?' he couldn't help but wonder.
“Derrick, I see you still haven't fixed the problem with this child.” The Duke was too upset, and he clenched his fist. “What kind of miracle are you waiting for?” He stroked his brow; it was clear that he was already tired. “If you keep this up, it will be too late.”
Reynolds had an idea of what was going on, but at the same time, he didn't feel like it was his place of contention. On the contrary, it had made him so angry to discover in the same case that her sister was the only one to defend herself in court. Even when Derrick commented on the properties of the magic bullets from Penelope's crossbow, she was the one who managed to free herself from the false accusations that the court was imposing on her.
He smirked a bit as his father and brother were fighting. However, there was a refreshing feeling to that discussion. For the first time, the fake Princess Eckhart wasn't the cause of a family feud. Especially since his brother Derrick was treated the way he deserved for always expecting only the worst from Penelope. The only thing that bothered him about the resolution of the case was that she was having a relationship with the crown prince. If he was honest with himself, he found it very unpleasant that she was leaving the family, she belonged there, and he was sure of that.
For his part, Derrick, already fed up with the situation, got up annoyed.
“If all you expect of me is that I kneel before her because she has stopped humiliating this family, I want you to know I won't.” He headed for the door angrily.
“Derrick, can't you see what you're doing?” The Duke's voice sounded softer, still annoyed, but trying to reason with him. The young master paused for a moment in astonishment. “You can't keep blaming her for...” he realised he was about to blame her. “No, they should stop treating her like she's going to replace…” His throat tightened. “Yvonne.”
Reynolds got up and punched his older brother in the face.
“For once, put your fucking pride aside.”
Without needing to say anything else, Reynolds left the room. He had to admit that he felt good to have been able to beat his brother in something, standing the higher grown. However, he decided that it would be best to train hard to clear his head of it. Once outside, he managed to see the window of Penelope's room. She seemed lost, worn out. He went back into the mansion and asked Pennell to take his sister to the attic with some sandwiches, a blanket, and tea. He had already learned how much she liked having her own space where she could read, especially now that her quarrel with Derrick was unleashed. He could not understand the delay in the apology he owed her. Even he was capable of it. Now she would be able to escape the environment. She was going to be okay.
[…]
Derrick couldn't understand why everyone in that house was against him. Even some servants had looked at him with displeasure and some hostility. Everything seemed so surreal. Worst of all, his father didn’t understand the outcome of her trial. They had not been able to help her when she needed them most. He denied any responsibility for the situation. Penelope had kept it from them. Not only the evidence that proved her innocence but also an alibi strong enough to exonerate her completely. The fact that she had an affair with the crown prince was the worst part of this whole mess. The thought of losing her was so upsetting that he couldn't think straight.
‘What is wrong with me?’
Derrick was startled to hear unusual footsteps on the mansion's second floor. They were too delicate to be any of the servants. He moved carefully only to see Penelope strolling towards the attic, her perfume spreading in the air. And he felt a desire—one of being able to be close to her. But, maybe later, now he had work to do.
Time passed, and Derrick moved forward as fast as he could, but the image and smell of Penelope had remained impregnated in his mind. He decided to take a break and instinctively went to see her. He knew it would cause another fight, and the truth is that he was in no condition to have another argument, especially with her. However, he could not resist and delicately went up to the attic. After climbing the last few steps, a pleasant surprise awaited him.
Penelope was fast asleep, curled up on the sofa with a book in her lap.
Her rhythmic breathing seemed to wash away all the anxiety that he, until that moment, hadn't noticed he had. As if a weight vanished into thin air. The warmth of the image, along with that sweet perfume she had, was almost intoxicating. He approached slowly, trying not to wake her up and took a lock of hair. Then, on an impulse, he brought it to his lips, kissed it and inhaled deeply. That intoxicating aroma of hers brought him an indescribable peace. For a moment, he returned to reality and realised what he was doing. Then, in a panic, he left that sleeping beauty as quickly and silently as he came.
Something in his heart opened in a way he didn't know how to process or understand. His heart was beating so fast it hurt.
[…]
Life within the Dukedom seemed to have returned to normal. Penelope used to be locked in her room. Reynolds tried to train hard with the knights. The Duke attempted to recreate a close relationship with all his children, Penelope included, and take care of all the details of maintaining their lands. And Derrick's situation was different. He had gone into the library, studying to avoid the presence of the only princess, the woman who by day tormented him with his indifference and by night seemed to enter his dreams.
“Why?” The mere memory of that afternoon brought back bothersome thoughts. “Agh…”
Derrick kept reading books on politics and philosophy. All he wanted was to focus his mind on something else. Finally, he had succeeded until, out of the corner of his eye, he saw something bright pink walking towards the mansion's gates.
'Who is she going to hang out with?' He felt an uncontrollable rage, clenched his fist, and could feel his jaw doing the same. ‘Why are you always locked up when you are here, but whenever you go out, it’s to see other men?’ In his mind, there was a contradiction with his feelings, but he had no choice but to justify it. 'Don't you think about how you tarnish the family name every time you do this? Do you want to be called a slut instead of the crazy bitch of the Eckhart?'
Evidently, Penelope wasn't going out with her maid but with that slave, she had brought. He thought about following her, but it was expected that this would only bring about an additional and unnecessary confrontation. However, he wanted to ensure she would stop making stupid mistakes.
'Wouldn't it be better if she stopped going out? At least a bit?' That thought popped up, and he wanted so badly for him to stop. He felt exposed at the thought.
He got up and went to her room. Emily was arranging her lady's waxes. After everything that had happened months ago, everyone seemed to have been forgotten. Did she feel safe just because Penelope had decided to forgive her? He had never noticed how naïve that girl was.
'How lonely has she felt?' He couldn't help but wonder.
The memory of seeing her asleep in her attic returned, and Derrick couldn't help but smile. Finally, he saw her without that frown she always had in front of him, without that cold attitude. Instead, he had the pleasure of being able to see her off guard, completely vulnerable. A lady he must protect. One who belonged to Eckhart. Perhaps not as Yvonne's replacement, but something more.
“Young Master…” he heard a soft voice that took him out of his thoughts. “Is there anything I can do for you?”
“I was wondering if Penelope's room was too small.” He stated with a stoic expression. Of course, that was just a lame excuse, but he was sure she would understand. “Wouldn't it be better if she had a bigger space to put all her jewellery and clothes?”
Emily smiled widely at Derrick's words but avoided making any comment. It was not in her power to say anything to him, much less respond on behalf of her Lady.
“I'll talk it over with my father and Pennell.”
Emily returned to her business and disappeared into the spot where Derrick was extremely curious. He walked to her office. She had work to do. Then he would talk with his father to keep her word, though if she were eventually moved to another room within the mansion, that would also be beneficial. He still felt unsettled by Penelope's absence, but he could concentrate better. I know at work, I could ask later.
The idea of facing Penelope again made him uncomfortable. He preferred when she was relaxed and smiling, like when she talked to that slave she brought. He clenched his fist as he refocused on the remaining paperwork.
[…]
“What made you change your mind?” The Duke's voice, instead of sounding annoyed, was just dry.
Derrick knew he had to come up with a good excuse. However, it was better to stick to the truth.
“For the first time in a long time, I noticed how small her room is, she only has one maid, and that's not fair.” Derrick swallowed hard. “I still maintain that she is not my sister Yvonne, she is not a replacement, but I can see that she belongs here.”
Verbalising that with those vague expressions had been a clever idea, though he didn't know if that would be enough.
“I understand. Let me evaluate it.” There was a hint of a smile on the Duke's face.
The Duke had definitely bought that half-truth.
[…]
“Brother… No, I’m sorry…” A sweet voice called out to him. There was a delicate tone of embarrassment in those words, “Young Master.” At those words, there was a smile that came to her lips. She put a finger on her lips, hushed and then approached his ear. “Shouldn't this be a secret between us?”
Her scent was intoxicating. Not wanting to let her escape, he hugged her tightly and…
Derrick opened his eyes. He was desperate. He was panting and looked at his hands. But, again, the same fucking dream, like a ghost seeking revenge, would not leave him alone. He looked at the time and saw it was still three in the morning. He had gotten up to go to the bathroom, but as if his body were possessed, he went to Penelope's room. He felt a curiosity as great as the fear of being discovered. However, it was like when he saw her sleeping in the attic.
“Definitely, a bigger space is needed.” He murmured as he listened to her breath.
Suddenly she began to groan in her sleep as if she had a nightmare.
“Mummy…”
Those words of hers pierced her heart. How could he ignore why Penelope had been adopted into a mansion where she had been constantly mistreated? She hadn't had anyone else who could take care of her. His hand moved to her face, and he caressed her instinctively. That had always worked for him when Yvonne had nightmares. But there was something special about her actions that made him embarrassed. His heart was pounding, and his cheeks were burning. She responded sleepily to her caress. Finally, she accepted his touch. Something she would never have allowed to if she were awake.
Once he had calmed down, Derrick just took his hand off her face. He needed to leave before she woke up and all hell broke loose in the Eckhart mansion. However, he deeply desired to get closer to her instead of guilt. And if Penelope weren't willing to get close to him while awake, then Derrick would help her feel more comfortable in her dreams.
“Now I understand…” he kissed the hand that still carried her scent on it.
The next morning, he got up, intending to look for a way from him that could help her relax in his presence. He needed an undetectable sleeping potion so that she would not leave sequels. And he knew that the black market would be the best option to find someone with those abilities.
“But everyone would recognise me…” He wasn't stupid enough to commit such stupidity and tarnish the Dukedom's name. “This is just a family thing. I can't send someone else...”
As she thought, he realised that there was an amulet in the house that functioned as a disguise for secret missions that the higher-ups of the Eckhart guard used. So the only thing left was an excuse.
“Excuse me, Young Master.” He heard Pennell knock on the door and let the butler enter. “The Duke indicated that you wanted to relocate the lady's room.”
Derrick smiled inside as he kept his usual expression. He now had to play the cards and make sure that everything he did was nothing more than a gesture of good faith.
“I think the second floor has rooms more suitable for the princess of Eckhart.” Derrick didn't even hesitate to say that. “Though I'd like this to be a surprise to her.”
Pennel was amazed at Derrick’s actions and words. It was evident that he was really doing an exercise of kindness to the young princess.
“Don't worry. I'll make the necessary arrangements.” The old man said with a smile
“I would also like to go in search of some items that I would like to be present in her new room.” He said calmly. “Tell my father I'll be out.”
The butler nodded, bowed, and when he caught a glimpse of the young master, he could swear he saw him smile.
Once outside the mansion, inside the carriage, Derrick remembered the festival a few months ago where Penelope had “got lost,” the fear he felt of losing someone again, the same desperation. She belonged to Eckhart.
She belonged to him.