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Chapter 16

— XIII

"You are so beautiful,

You turn ugliest things to a work of art

Beauty blooms, beneath the

Touch of your fingertips."

..

[FILLER CHAPTER]

A FEW DAYS LATER

CRYSTAL PALACE

EARLY MORNING

   'Is no one going to talk about that cheesy quote in the beginning' thought Penelope

KNOCK KNOCK! Sound of small fists against the door of the bedchambers woke the Empress up. Surprised, she ordered Emily to quit braiding her hair and instead to go check who was at the door.

   Who could it be was the thought that went through their head.

Picking the loose braid form where it was left, she started twisting the pink tresses back to finish, when she saw Emily in the mirror — a dopey grin on her face as she held the princess in her arms..

   Penelope smiled at Emily's expression and started to thinking she made the right choose on keeping Emily.

A smile instantly came on Penelope's face and she turned to greet the princess.

   'Were close' thought Penelope, as the Duke was happy to see Penelope have a better relationship with her step-daughter, then he had with her.

"Good morning, Athanasia." she said, extending her arms — an invitation that was accepted by the princess right away by leaning into Penelope's arms instead.

   The Duke and Emily smiled at the princess and Penelope's interaction.

Emily's grin disappeared instantly, and she complained "this is quite unfair, your highness, I gave you chocolate the other day and yet you ditch me for the Empress' embrace so soon!"

   'Cunning, girl' thought Penelope as Emily's face flushes in embarrassment of her action and boldness.

    The Duke found it nice seeing that there are people Penelope feels comfortable as Reynold just rolls his eyes in amusement.

   "Penelope, you should really educate your maid properly, it's disgraceful as it master" said Derrick, making Emily feel ashamed and guilty of troubling her lady.

"Young master, I will repeat this once, please do not interfere with my maids education since they are my people," Penelope said with her fan covering the bottom half of her face as she stare into his eyes with a intimidating glare that make it seem that her eyes are glowing.

   "Pene—" Derrick was about to say something until he was cut off by Reynold "brother, leave her alone, she didn't do anything wrong" in a stern tone which was not something he ever really used.

   "Your brother is right, Derrick. That's enough or you will be punished." said the Duke, it was the first time he ever used the punishment threat on his eldest son. With that said, Derrick stayed silent.

   "Alright, let's continue" said Estella who was happy that Derrick got silenced but uncomfortable with the awkward tension. [if only this could happen in the manga]