Extraordinary - A WMMAP Fanfiction

Chapter 4 - Revised Version

Sipping through wine glass, Penelope hummed at the rich flavor, a content smile revealing itself on her red tinted lips as she observed the other guests.

The ball was just as she had expected it to be: lavish and luxurious, just how she liked it. But unfortunately, she couldn't exactly enjoy it to the fullest. But what could she do? She needed to make sure that Anastacius was wholly hers and she couldn't do that if she was out there simply enjoying herself.

But alas, hours into the party and she still couldn't catch a glimpse of the emperor. Something was clearly wrong, she was sure of that, that man wasn't exactly one to hide after all.

After taking another small sip of wine, Penelope continued her steps towards an old butler, or more specifically, the old butler that was always by Anastacius' side.

"Chris." Penelope called out, earning the old butlers undivided attention as he quickly bowed in respect for the noble lady.

"Yes, Lady Penelope?"

Opening the fan within her grasp, Penelope used it to cover the lower half of her face, hiding the frown she was clearly wearing, "Where's Anastacius? It's odd that I haven't seen him all night."

The old butler flinched at that, having the sudden urge to furrow his brows but decided against it in the end to avoid any trouble.

Anastacius.

The way the lady was addressing their emperor was certainly nothing to laugh at. If she had been a normal woman, she would have been killed by now.

'But alas, our emperor has quite the poor taste in women. Why else would he have been seduced by someone so tacky?' the old butler thought, trying his hardest to hide his frown and instead replace it with a compliant and warm smile.

"Apologies, Lady Penelope. But the emperor is currently out at the moment. He said that it was something important."

Penelope raised a brow, scepticism replacing her expression as she suspiciously looked at the old butler, hand slightly tightening on the fan in her grasp from the slight annoyance she felt, "Something important? You mean...more important than the ball?"

The old butlers ears perked at the lady's inquiry, not missing the slight pause she had created. Clearly, she hadn't been talking about the ball anymore, but herself.

It was a well known fact that Lady Penelope always attented extravagant parties, especially ones that was held in the palace, since it was always the best ones. So in Penelope's mind, Chris assumes, she probably took offense to the fact that despite knowing that she would be here, Anastacius still deciding to miss spending time with her so that he could attend to this 'important' matter.

"Yes." The butler answered almost immediately. He wasn't sure what the emperor was doing at the moment, but it placed a contented smile on his face to see that shocked expression on her face.

"Fine." Penelope huffed, closing the fan she had been using and turning back around towards the exit.

She had planned to enjoy the party, but quite frankly, her mood had already been killed with that 'awful' conversation.

But before her abrupt exit, Penelope caught a glimpse of golden locks, immediately knowing who it was as soon as her eyes locked with blue jeweled orbs.

The young boy, handsome as he was, looked the most lonely in the middle of the ballroom, like he didn't belong at all. But what did she expect? After all, he was nothing but an illegitimate child.

With a heavy glint in her eyes, Penelope turned back towards the exit, but not before shooting the young man a mocking smirk.

***

*Sigh* I'm sorry, I really am. I planned to make this chapter not only better but also longer but I was honestly starting to feel guilty for making you guys wait for so long so I'm just posting what I've already written so far.

I'm sorry that this took so long but I've just been so hellishly busy these days and will be busy continuing on since I have a shit ton of work I still have to do.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed.