𝘼𝙘𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙖 𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝, 𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐞.
some of my ocs x some manhwas, let's see where this goes ^^
Penelope leans back with a sigh. Her tired hand massages her temples wearily.
Don't do it.
She doesn't want to.
But she desperately needs another ally on her side. Yvonne's arrival is closer than ever. Her birthday is less than three weeks away--she cannot stop the familiar flutterings of panic from closing up around her throat.
Don't do it.
Why would he even agree to begin with? It is not like she has an excellent reputation, especially abroad. And especially him, an Emperor, so intelligent and sought after if he's in his right mind he'll never agree. The paper for the letter is still blank, and her hand holding the quill hasn't moved.
What should she even write? 'Dear Your Majesty, sorry to bother you, but I need your help.'
Even inside her own head the words sounded idiotic.
OK. Let's do this. She takes a deep breath and begins her letter, choosing words so carefully... she wouldn't even write to the crown prince like this. After almost 45 minutes, and after many, many, many failed attempts, she has finally composed an acceptable letter and sealed it into an envelope.
'Emily!' She calls.
The maid peeks into the room. 'Yes, Miss?'
'I want you to send this letter.'
Emily's eyes widen when she takes in the address. 'But.. this is for..'
'I know who it's for, Emily,' Penelope grumbles, 'especially considering I'm the one who wrote it. I also want you to never mention this letter to anyone in the household.'
Because all they'll do is cause problems, she silently adds.
Raymond fastens the clasp of his cloak, and then picks up the letter and reads it over again for the umpteenth time. This letter had arrived a week before, and it clearly sought after his help. He could tell that despite it not being written in the letter.
Eckart, Penelope Eckart... Why would a lady like her ever need his help?
And even if had been sent by anyone else, Raymond had a habit of helping those who needed it.
So, curiosity, interest and instinct (?) meant that a week later he had made preparations for traveling to the Eorka Empire, and that he had consulted with Emma over his matters.
Emma frowns as she checks his things. 'I don't like it when you leave me.'
Raymond responds with a laugh. 'Emma, don't fuss, I'll be back before this week is up.'
'Well.' He could tell Emma was trying her best to hold herself back, but she said, 'you know, this lady is very well sought after especially after what happened in the hunting competition and '
'Emma, I'm not going there to propose marriage. Also, do you think her brothers will strike me down where I stand just because I talked to her?'
Emma, who had met both Reynold and Derrick, mutters, 'Wouldn't put it past them, especially the first one, he stares at Lady Penelope in such a creepy manner.'
Raymond looks up from the letter. 'Did you say something?'
'Yes. Give the eldest brother a kick from me.' She stands up on tiptoe and kisses him on the cheek. 'Go have fun. Safe travels.'
Raymond is so red that she thinks he might malfunction, but he manages to smile. 'See you, then.'
Penelope knows that she will eventually have to tell the duke about Raymond, but she keeps on delaying until the evening before his arrival. She smooths out her dress as she approaches the room where her 'family' sits eating dinner. As she enters the room, the duke looks up. 'Penelope? This is a pleasant surprise. I'll have them bring in another chair '
Now, because she feels hungry, she normally sits down to eat. But Derrick is stating at her and she feels an odd sense of foreboding, thus she makes a mental note to eat once she gets upstairs. 'Um, no, father, I'm not hungry,' she lies, 'I just came to inform you that I have invited a guest tomorrow.'
'A guest? Who is it?'
Penelope scans the room, hoping against hope that she won't have to say it, but she says, 'Raymond of Asmen '
She's interrupted when Reynold slams his hands down, 'No! You invited that bastard? Do you have any idea how pathetic he is?'
'Reynold!' Derrick warns.
'Penelope... was there any need to call him?' The duke asks; and she can tell he's holding himself back.
'We met in the forest during the hunting competition; and as to why we need to meet...' Penelope looks the Duke in the eye, 'That, Father, is a matter between me and him.'
The Duke is silent and she fears that he might be more furious than both Derrick and Reynold, whose disapproval she can almost feel rolling off in waves, but she needn't worry. He nods almost imperceptibly and then turns to the butler to make preparations for the arrival.
Penelope fights the smile threatening to show on her face. Even then the relief that fills her heart is expansive, as though it will lift her off the ground.
'Well, Princess?' Raymond looks up and glances at her, dark hair falling into grey eyes. 'What did you need my help with?'
'Well.' Penelope chooses her words carefully. 'Your Highness, I need your help with '
'With surviving this accursed game?'
Penelope's head snaps up, staring at him. 'How did you '
Raymond doesn't smile. 'Mistreated by family, intelligent and sharp, always on the lookout as though you expect to be attacked any second, all the characters interested in you. Extraordinarily beautiful, too.'
She feels her cheeks color. 'What does that have to do with anything?'
'Let's talk freely, Princess.' Raymond leans forward. 'You're a transmigrator. You can go back, you know.'
'I can't.' Her hands tremble on the way too lacy tablecloth. 'Not unless I stay alive and find the godforsaken hidden ending. And that's.. it's hard.'
Raymond leans forward, all playfulness gone from the demeanor. 'I'll help you, then. How do you need my help?'
Penelope composes herself, taking a deep breath. 'My, my escort, Eckles, has gone haywire. I don't trust him that much anymore. I never trusted him all that much to begin with... but that's besides the point. I will stay here until Yvonne's arrival. However, after my coming-of-age ceremony.. I would like for you to provide me a place to live in your empire. My family will not be able to do anything, unless they want to risk war against your empire. And I'll say I went by own will, so they won't accuse you of of kidnapping, or something. Of course, they might say you forced or blackmailed me, but they won't be able to take me away. In short, I ask for your protection.'
Raymond is silent, thinking it over, and for a minute she feels he will refuse. Then he looks up and grins. 'That's a plan, then, Princess.'
She gazes at him in shock. 'You'll do it?'
'Of course I will. And tell you what. I'll let you live in the Imperial Palace, since you'll be under direct protection from me, and that'll be better.'
Penelope stares at him, then her face breaks out into the first true smile she's worn in a long, long time. 'Thank you, Your Highness. My goodness...I can't begin to thank you enough!'
Raymond smiles. 'You're very much welcome, Princess.'
As he gets up to leave, he asks, 'Next time I come to meet you, may I kick the eldest brother?'
Startled, she asks, 'Why?'
'It's a request.'
'Of course you may,' She grimly nods, 'and I'll join in.'
tagging; .||@elychee || @mysticmeena || @loekas ||.
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