DITOEFTV react to

Chapter 27

— XXV

EMPEROR'S CHAMBERS

MIDNIGHT

    'Why are we reacting to him and that late at night' Penelope wondered

DRIED - &&. WILTING, the roses that he had picked earlier in the day lay strewn over the decorated wooden table. Slender hand reached forward, fingers brushing over a flower – and in immediate reaction, the petals fell apart beneath his touch. Like an irony, an analogy from the past mocking him in the face. You had once touched something beautiful just like this; it scorns at him. You had touched something delicate, and it fell apart just like this. Everything you touch, you destroy it.

    'That's depressing...' Penelope thought. Emily felt bad for his highness.

He clenches his hand, he doesn't pay mind to the thorns that pierce his skin. Teeth gritted - a memory visits him, yet once again, you're her ... hopeful azure eyes rise to see the glowing silhouette of the woman he had once loved, the woman who once was his guiding light. Widened eyes, hopeful like a child's contort into a frown.

    Everyone but Penelope wondered if this was the Princess's biological mother, while Penelope was mesmerized at her beauty.

She looks serene as ever, her angelic features not holding one grievance. However there is a hint of disappointment he sees in fuchsia eyes - among the pool of emotions those eyes held, was also hurt. One that made his throat heavy with guilt.

    Penelope wondered why she would feel sad? Was it because he got married? Or not given the Princess enough love?

Do you hate me, Diana? He wished to ask. Is that why you chose to die rather than stay by my side? Do I repulse you so much? Is this because I was the one who became the catalyst of your end ... bloodied roses dropped from his grip, bleeding had risen in the air to touch the silhouette. To feel something, even if for a second.

    They stayed silent...not knowing how to feel about the scene they are witnessing or how they should react.

But as he reaches, the silhouette backs away from his touch. Her brows are pinched together ever so softly on her face, tears streaming endlessly down her cheeks. Her mouth parts, red lips...red as roses...red as he remembered them, shaking. And still she smiled at him as if in a way to say 'I forgive you' – but simply caused the lump of guilt in his throat to grow larger, so much that he felt as if he couldn't breathe.

    'This is suffocating' Penelope and Reynold thought as they both felt uncomfortable with the atmosphere.

Don't forgive me...I have failed you. I have failed your memory. I do not deserve any of this, not your tears, not your smile, not the spitting image of you that you left behind. And neither do I deserve your forgiveness.

    'Why is it so depressing?' Penelope thought she wasn't good at dealing with emotions.

He would have screamed, were it not for his inability to. Words betray him, and he – proud, cruel tyrant of Obelia — falls down on his knees before the wisp of a woman. A mere dancer. He falls, and can clearly hear those words that were screamed seven years ago in this very chamber at night. They still hang in the air, desperation in the tone still hauntingly clear in Claude's ears.

    'That time he asked her to choose him instead of the Princess' Penelope thought as she recalled the scene.

I've lost. From beginning to end I've been toyed with. If you want I'll even beg. If I don't at least do this I fear you will disappear completely. I know, I know. This is just another foolish emotional plea...even knowing how this ends...don't think about anything else. Make a decision for you and you alone. Don't go. Choose me.

    The Duke felt sorry for the Emperor as he heard his desperate pleas. Emily looked down not wanting to watch more for she already feels tears in her eyes.

They echo in his ears over and over again, not giving in to fade. It's deafening, the sound of him begging, and being rejected by quiet sobs over and over again.

    Penelope pitted him a bit as she watched the screen

"Stop this!" he chokes out, his voice cracking as he finds it back once again.

"Don't go...please..." arms lunge forwards to catch the fading silhouette, but like sand from his fingers, it escapes. Fading out into wisps of light that flickers around his form that crumbles down on the floor.

    They were all watching with sad or pitiful looks and unknowingly holding their breath.

It is sometime in the early morning, when he feels a gentle hand against his back feels stiff, but beneath him is a soft mattress — not the hard floor. He feels a warm cover atop his body, and not the cold air. Claude tries to open his eyes, and instead of blonde — in his blurred vision he sees dark pink hair. Leaning his head back, he blinks several times to clear his vision.

    They all stopped holding the breath they didn't know they were holding. And looked at the screen in wonder why Penelope/she was there.

And instead of the serene fuchsia from his vision, there is a set of intelligent aqua eyes staring down at him with worry clear as day behind them. He opens his mouth to speak, but instead a sigh escapes him.

    'Thanks for the compliment?' Penelope questioned once more unsure if it was or not. Or if he even meant it.

"Sleep, your highness." she murmurs. Her voice isn't vivacious as Diana's. It is nowhere close to the lively, brazen bird-like quality. Rather, it is tranquil - like still water of the pond. It urges him to obey.

    Penelope knew she could compare to Diana, but she never really thought of herself as he did describes her. She quickly put that thought away, for she can't be swayed by anything and must get out of this game...but she feels a bit hesitant lately. She will figure it out later.

"Sweet dreams."

    The family never thought that Penelope could be kind in her own way.