The Loner and The Mad Dog

Chapter 2

Giyuu pov

Penelope let me escort her to the garden.

The entire time there were servants gossiping and snickering and being not too subtle about it.

I could see Penelope trying her best to not burst into tears.

She'd pretend as if she were fine but her eyes were slightly glassy.

To distract herself, she'd talk to me with the beautiful smile on her face.

When was the last time someone actually spoke to me?

Among the Hashiras, Kochou is the one who speaks to me the most. But she always says that no one likes me.... Then why is Penelope around me?

"Um... Sir Tomioka...? Thank you...." - Penelope

"No one ever talks to me because of my commoner descent. I was assigned a few knights before but they'd all badmouth me behind my back and spread false rumors about me. Even the maids were the same. But you believed in me even though you know little to nothing about me.... So... Thank you." - Penelope

She thanked me.... then does she...?

"Do you.... like me.....?" - Giyuu

No words were said for a minute or so.

Penelope was frozen on her spot.

"I see... so you don't like me...." - Giyuu

I guess Kochou was righ-

"No! That's not it! I was just taken aback by your question! I like you a lot! I mean not like that- but I don't dislike you! I-I think that Sir Tomioka is a very likeable person....." - Penelope

"So you do like me. That's a relief." - Giyuu

Her face was completely red. She hmphed and turned her head away.

It was a sight that I couldn't help but smile at.

I have been smiling a lot lately.

I also don't like talking but with her.....

I feel like a completely different person.

"Oh! Sir Tomioka! There is a garden of white roses over there! Come!" - Penelope

She held my hand and pulled me towards the garden. Her tinkling laughter made my heart race.

I don't know which part of her I found so beautiful. She just.... was.

The garden looked as if it were made for Penelope herself.

It acted as a frame for her beauty.

(This scene is inspired from that one scene Ezekiel and Athanasia from WMMAP)

She plucked a flower and held it up to her nose.

A few loose strands of her hair framed her face.

I reached out and tucked her hair behind her ears, piquing her curiosity.

She looked down at her feet and then held my hand and dragged me back to the manor.

"It's getting late so we should head back." - Penelope

I didn't say anything and let myself be dragged back to the manor.

Even after we reached, she didn't let go of my hand.

There were whispers all around. But Penelope didn't care and neither did I.

"Penelope!" - ???

I turned around and saw the second young master.