DITOEFTV react to

Chapter 28

— XXVI

..

How much sorrow can I take?

..

    'Great more sad stuff' Reynold thought not wanting the uncomfortable atmosphere to return.

EMPEROR'S CHAMBERS

QUARTER PAST 003

MORNING

    'Again?' everyone thought

STRUGGLING — when Claude opened his eyes, there was a pain in the back of his head, instantly making him regret the alcohol he had drank the night before. There was a faint sound of thunder and rain outside — and dark still covered his chambers like a blanket, so it shouldn't be morning yet. flinching , he closed his eyes to lie back, breathing in. The soft sensation of pillows beneath his head brought him back to reality; he had remembered falling on the floor, and then the whispered command 'sleep'.

    'So this is after' the Duke thought

So that wasn't a part of the dream; he tried to sit upright — but found his arm trapped. Azure eyes turned, only to find her holding on to his now bandaged hand, her cheek pressed to his forearm as she lay asleep sitting on the stool next to his bed

    'What?!' Penelope internally shouted, Emily smiled at the scene. The Duke went stiff at the scene, Reynold just stared with his jaws dropped. Derrick was fuming but not visibly.

She stayed. For some unknown reason that knowledge gave him comfort, and he tried to — as gingerly as possible — withdraw his hand.

    Emily was happy thinking they can find love and comfort in each other, if they are willing to open up. While Emily is in her delusion thoughts, Penelope looked at her with a weird out look.

The shuffling broke her slumber, and she shifted awake — looking at him with a sleepy expression written over her tired face. That made him feel unnecessarily guilty.

"What are you doing in my chambers?" he asked, mentally slapping himself at his own inability to converse in polite, gentle words.

    "Hehe" Penelope let out a small soft giggle, hoping no one could hear it. Emily thought that the Emperor and her lady were both socially awkward.

"Not fainting on the cold floor, for sure." her response was instant — sarcasm dry and sharp as ever, present in the tone of her voice.

     Reynold gave Penelope an amused look and she gave him a glare, knowing he was teasing her. The Duke just sighed at continue to look at the screen, but he was amused as well.

A crooked grin pulled at the side of her mouth lazily, and he could swear he felt his stomach do a flip at the mere sight.

    Emily squealed internally like a maniac.

"I was here to ask something of you, but I found you unconscious on the floor — not in the best state." Thankfully, she did not add much details, sparing him the embarrassment. "I couldn't possibly leave my husband on the floor to freeze."

    'Was she teasing him??' Penelope questioned her action on the screen, Emily had a big goofy smile on her face. Reynold just looked at her as if she was insane. Derrick just froze in his seat.

"You could've asked Felix." he replied, as she shifted to fix her hair that was coming out in all directions from her braid.

"Felix isn't your wife — or is he? Perhaps I do have something to be jealous about." she replied with the same, lopsided grin of hers. "Now that you're better, I shall take my leave. Good night, your highness."

    Penelope flushed in embarrassment of her behavior, Emily just giggled to herself at her lady's reaction. The rest of them were stupify but what they witnessed, since they never have seen her like this. Heck they don't even see her smile at them genuinely.

She turned to leave. However, a tug stopped her from doing so.

    'His like a child' Penelope thought amused by his action.

Turning back, she found the Emperor's bandaged fingers holding on her skirt. Confused, marine eyes rise to meet his expectant ones.

"Stay." he said, softly. "Please."

    Everyone froze, not expecting him to say that at all

Said with such an uncharacteristic tone, she couldn't bring it in herself to refuse his request. Instead of stepping back, she sat on the bed, beside him.

    Emily was squealing her head off and the family can be seen fading away in shock at what is happening.

Claude too, moved to make space for her — and lay down with his head on her lap. The gesture surprised Penelope, but she didn't say anything.

    Penelope was very overwhelmed by what was happening...she wondered if it was even alright to be in the same room with a man alone? Ahh... right she is married to him... so it should be fine.

For the coming moments, there was nothing but the sound of rain from the outside and the occasional crackling of the fireplace filling the room. His hand reached out, guiding hers to his hair. Doing as she was asked, Penelope brushed his hair in tender motions.

    Penelope looked at the screen in wonder if she would ever find a partner when she got back to her world.

He lay with his eyes opened, curiously staring up at her. It was odd how child-like he could act at times, but at the same time — his gaze was far too intense to be compared to a child's. So much, she couldn't look at him. In lieu, she concentrated on the golden har that adorned his head — soft as silk beneath her fingers.

    'Gross' Reynold thought not wanting to see all this sweet shit but it was better than a depressing mood.

    The Duke was happy to see Penelope being happy but wondered if in their world she could be happy as well. Derrick looked at the floor not wanting to see the scene.

He reached out, quiet as ever, and pulled the ribbon knot at the end of her braid to let it free. Brows pinching just so slightly, Penelope was about to question — but as if reading her mind, he replied before she could speak anything.

"Your hair is nice." he murmured, fingers untangling the complex twists of the thick braid that her maid had taken so long to do.

    Penelope scoffed at the compliment but felt happy for some reason.

"It looks better when it's untied."

Penelope scoffed, but not unkindly. It was perhaps the first time someone had said that to her, compliments weren't exactly a thing when you were a substitute for someone else — a fake. Who's hair wasn't lighter, whose eyes weren't blue enough to be a proper replacement for the daughter of the Eckarts.

    They froze at the comment and stayed quiet because they knew what she had said was true.

"Thank you, your highness." she replied with a practiced, polite smile.

He didn't say anything, but simply turned to hide his face in her lap — hugging her free arm closer to her. But then, there was a faint voice — so quiet, she would have almost missed it if she wasn't keen enough.

"It's Claude."

    Everyone was just in awe or shock from what they just watched [I say it was very adorable and heartwarming].