Note : There is no Cha Siyeon here. But the OG Penelope has done some things that Cha Siyeon did.
3rd Person pov
"Gizella! Get back here!" - ???
"Hahaha! Catch me if you can Raphael!" - Gizella
"Thats dad's private study! He said its dangerous to go in there!" - Raphael
Raphael caught his sister by the arm and pulled her backwards in order to stop her from running about.
Said sister grasped the nearest shelf in order to stop herself from tumbling backwards, causing the shelf along with its probably magical books to fall on the two children.
The 8 year old boy used his arms to shield himself and his 4 year old sister.
The first book that made contact with the two kids was quite..... hmm... how should we put it... adventurous maybe?
The kids upon touching the book disappeared in a radiant flash of light.
"Ugh...." - Penelope
So heavy - Penelope
Her eyes fluttered open.
The first thing she saw was a mop of magenta hair on her chest.
She did a double take and tried to sit up.
"What the- Who the hell.....?" - Penelope
She placed the child beside her and placed her hands on her waist.
The boy who strikingly looked like her, was sleeping. Though his eyebrows were furrowed and his lips kept moving as if he wanted to say something.
Penelope looked around trying to find Emily, thinking this was another one of her tricks to try and ruin her day.
But she was nowhere to be seen.
She sighed before gently shaking the boy.
His eyes snapped open as he looked at the unknown surroundings.
He calmed down though after seeing Penelope.
He smiled brightly before throwing his arms around her.
Penelope was taken aback as she had never been hugged by anyone that wasn't her mother before.
Maybe he just had a nightmare or something....? - Penelope
She hesitantly tried to place her hand on his back but stopped after hearing what he said next.
"Mom!"
A small girl who suddenly shook him awake quite enthusiastically was calling him 'Papa'.
Now this wouldn't have been very surprising for a 26 year old male to hear.
But here was the thing.....
Vinter was neither married nor did he have any kids.
For other nobles it may have been possible that they had illegitimate children who they later forgot about, but that noble certainly wasn't Vinter.
He had never been with a woman before. Ever.
And if he had, he would treasure her no matter her status, color, caste or religion. He would treasure her even if she had a bad personality!
And he would definitely never cheat on her.
So there was no way that this child could be his.
But she looked like a female carbon copy of him. Just younger.
"Papa where is Mama?" - Gisella (Ella)
Thats what I should be asking you. - Vinter
"Uhh... Who are your parents little girl?" - Vinter
"Papa is my Papa. And Mama is my Mama!" - Ella
He sighed.
"Uh... yes... but uh... Where are they?" - Vinter
She looked at him before kissing him on the cheek.
"Papa is pretty" - Ella
She hugged him and Vinter decided to accept his fate and pick her up carefully.
If he was the father..... then who was the mother?
He placed her on a chair and told her not to leave while he washed up.
She giggled and nodded.
"Papa is messy." - Ella
He let out a shaky laugh.
Adorable - Vinter
Most nobles had their servants help them wash up but Vinter preferred doing it himself.
After washing up he called for his trusted butler, Erik.
(I haven't read the novel so I don't know if the name of his butler was given or not.)
"Yes, my lor-? Oh Heavens!" - Erik
He looked at the 4 yr old who came running to him and hugged his leg.
"Erii!" - Ella
He looked at the man he served and then at the girl. Again at him and then at the girl.
His eyes gathered tears.
"My lord how could you?!" - Erik
"How could you not tell us that you had a daughter?!" - Erik
"All these years we wished for you to get married and have a child! And you did! But you never once told me that I had become an uncle!" - Erik
He bawled out his eyes, dropping to his knees.
"You were like a brother to me!" - Erik
"Don't cry Eri!" - Ella
"Oh my sweet darling! You may have taken after your father's appearance! But your beautiful, kind personality must definitely be from your mum! She must be kind unlike this cruel man here!" - Erik
He wiped his eyes and fixed his glasses before picking Ella up.
He pointed accusingly at Vinter.
"I'm taking her with me! I'm going to make up for my days lost of being an uncle because of you!" - Erik
He stormed out of the room, leaving behind an awkward Vinter.
He slightly chuckled, scratching his cheek.
"This is gonna be a long day isn't it?" - Vinter
He heard a long, loud cry of pure agony.
He rushed out the door and saw the head maid leaning on the wall with a hand on her chest, rivers flowing down her cheeks.
Everyone else was also in a similar state.
"She's so adorable!" - Leona (Head Maid)
Ella from Erik's arms craned her neck to look around.
"Where's Mama?" - Ella
Everyone bawled louder.
"He has a wife!" - Leona
"And he never told us!" - Miller (a servant)
"What is your name sweetie?" - Hannah (not Montana) (maid)
Oh... right... In a rush I didn't even ask her name. - Vinter
"Ella's name is Gisella! Hannah already knows my name, so why is Hannah asking?" - Ella
"She knows my name....!" - Hannah
Ella was growing impatient.
"Eri! Ella is hungry!" - Ella
Hearing those words Leona ushered everyone back to work.
She wiped her own tears before returning to her stoic self.
"I shall attend to my duties now. Please excuse me Young Miss." - Leona
" * sniffle * How could he not tell me about you? Waaah! You're so cute!" - Erik
"Ahem!" - Vinter
"Oh don't you 'Ahem!' me!" - Erik
"You liar! You said you didn't have any kids! How could you lie with a straight face like that?! How many more kids do you have?!" - Erik
"I miss Brother Rael." - Ella
"Waaggghhh!" - Erik
Vinter took Ella from his arms and politely asked Erik to get back to work.
"Tell everyone to gather in the halls in the evening. I'll explain whatever I know there." - Vinter
Erik sniffled.
"Fine. But I'm still mad at you." - Erik
Vinter sighed for the second time that day.
"What do I do?!" - Penelope
Raphael (Rael) watched his mother pace around the room after she locked the door.
After seeing Raphael for the first time, she had told him to wait and not move even a muscle as she left to change out of her nightgown in a hurry.
"Emily's gonna be here soon. How am I going to explain this?!" - Penelope
She smiled awkwardly at Rael.
"So... I'm your mother....?" - Penelope
"Uh huh. I guess we accidentally touched one of Dad's magical books which causes time travel." - Rael
Compared to his sister, Rael was quite smart even though he was only 8.
"Wait.... we?" - Penelope
"Yeah! Ella and I. She's my sister. She's 4. I'm 8." - Rael
"I have a daughter too?!" - Penelope
"Yeah!" - Rael
"And her name's Ella?" - Penelope
"Its short for Gizella. And my name's Raphael. But you guys call me Rael." - Rael
"Ok.... Rael. What is your last name? I mean....." - Penelope
"Raphael Berdandi." - Rael
"Berdandi?! You mean your father is Marquis Berdandi?!" - Penelope
"Was he bad in his younger days or something?" - Rael
"No of course not. On the contrary, he's rumored to be very kind . Its just that..... I've never met him....." - Penelope
Suddenly there was the noise of someone trying the door.
Penelope gasped and pulled Rael closer to her.
She exhaled, relieved that she had decided to lock the door beforehand.
"My lady? I can't open the door. Did you lock it?" - Emily
"I don't need breakfast. And I doubt you've brought something edible anyways!" - Penelope
"Oh alright then!" - Emily
Penelope listened as the sound of Emily's footsteps got distant while Rael wondered why his mother doubted that the maid brought something edible.
Penelope whispered to Rael.
"We need to leave! Now!" - Penelope
Rael hesitantly nodded.
They couldn't leave from the window as it was morning. They definitely couldn't walk out through the main gates.
The only other option was to leave through the servants quarters which were probably cleaner than her room.
Right now there should be no one around here. The servants main quarters can be reached from the first floor. Getting to the first floor should be easy because no servant wants to be near my room. The only problem I might face is getting from the first floor to the servant quarters. - Penelope
"Mom?" - Rael
"Oh sorry sweetheart. We need to escape ok? After we get to the first floor I need you to stay out of everyone's sight. Luckily I'm not on probation anymore. So If I get caught I can just say that I was taking a walk. The only problem is getting you out of here. So when we are in the first floor, do not come out until coast is clear." - Penelope
He saluted.
"Yes ma'am!" - Rael
"Are you ready, Agent Son?!" - Penelope
"I'm ready, Agent Mom!" - Rael
"Do you feel it?!" - Penelope
"I feel it!" - Rael
"Ok now lets quiet down or else we'll alert them before we even step out." - Penelope
Rael nodded.
She unlocked the door and made eye contact with Rael who nodded once. She nodded back and opened the door.
She checked outside and saw no one.
The two of them made their way downstairs and stopped at the top of the stairs that led to the first floor.
She turned to Rael.
"Okay! So downstairs is-" - Penelope
"Uncle Reynold's room. I know. You gave me the map of this house when I was 5 for 'educational purposes'." - Rael
"I'm feeling proud of my future self for doing so." - Penelope
"Anyways. You can.... uh ..... hide behind those curtains! You've got a small frame so no one would suspect anyone standing there." - Penelope
Rael did as he was told and Penelope arranged the curtain properly so that nothing was sticking out.
She walked downstairs and peeked around every corner, making sure no one was around.
She then whispered.
"Code Green!" - Penelope
Rael stumbled out of his hiding spot and ran towards Penelope to hug her waist.
"Lets get out of here." - Penelope
They ran for the quarters which was empty as everyone was busy with their work.
"Mom. Where is everyone?" - Rael
"I don't kno- oh! I remember now! The Duke is having some renovations done in the garden. So we must avoid the gardens at all cost." - Penelope
Rael stood in front of Penelope as the two of them stared at the knights training outside.
She placed her hands on his shoulders.
"Now then our final obstacle to get past the Eckhart Knights. Reynold's probably there as well." - Penelope
"Or he could be coming." - Rael
"Hey! What are you doing here?" - ???
" * mutter * Speak of the devil." - Rael
Penelope pushed her son behind her so as to not let Reynold see him.
I need to hide somewhere! Mom will get in trouble if Uncle finds out about me! - Rael
"Oh! Brother Reynold! I-I was just looking at the knights train!" - Penelope
Where do I go?! Oh! I got it! - Rael
He whispered to his mother.
"I'm hiding in the shed." - Rael
The shed always remains empty in the morning. Thats what his mom once told him that when he was young.
As expected, the shed was empty.
Rael settled down behind the boxes.
"Are you hiding something?" - Reynold
"Of course not!" - Penelope
"You were planning on escaping weren't you?!" - Reynold
"Whaaaat? Noo pft- of course not." - Penelope
"I was here to... see you! And! Go on a walk." - Penelope
"What?" - Reynold
"Now that I have seen you, I'm going on a walk. Its not good being cooped up in your room all day is it?" - Penelope
(Introverts - Your words have been heard and ignored.)
She waved at him before dashing away.
After a few moments of loitering around to prevent suspicion, Penelope carefully entered the shed and called for Rael.
Only to find him asleep behind the boxes.
She smiled at him lovingly before picking him up and carrying him outside.
She sneaked towards the hole in the wall that was marked by a rock.
The knights had taken a break and had gone to see the gardens.
Penelope shook Rael awake.
The two of them escaped using the hole.
"We did it!" - Rael
They ran to the carriage parking area.
Penelope walked towards Albert who was a carriage driver. He was the only carriage driver who treated her with some respect.
"A ride to the central plaza?" - Penelope
He looked at Rael who hid behind his mother.
He opened his mouth probably to ask something about Rael but decided against it.
He nodded and opened the carriage door for them.
Penelope got in first before she held out her hand for Rael.
But Albert intervened by picking up Rael and placing him on the seat.
He drove the carriage towards the plaza as fast as he could because he knew that Penelope was escaping.
"My lady, please do not worry. I shan't tell on you. I don't want to be nosy. But is the boy a relative? As I said I shan't tell on you. Also, I doubt you are going to the plaza. If you shall tell me your destination I shall escort you there myself." - Albert
A silence stretched on soon after he spoke.
Penelope hesitated to speak.
She then decided to tell him.
"Marquis Berdandi's estate please." - Penelope
The man looked over his shoulder and raised an eyebrow but asked nothing.
Penelope gulped.
"Please do not freak out. And definitely do not tell anyone! But... this boy, Rael.... is.... my son." - Penelope
He stopped the carriage and looked back at them.
"What?" - Albert
"He says that he's traveled back in time." - Penelope
"I..... see.... I originally expected him to be a long lost brother of some sort but never expected him to be your son." - Albert
He smiled before driving the carriage once again.
"So is Marquis Berdandi the father?" - Albert
"Well... Rael here said that his last name is Berdandi. He also said that he has a younger sister named Ella. There may be a possibility that she's there. So we just might be able to understand what exactly is happening. I mean they can't live here forever now can they? They'll have to go back to their timeline...." - Penelope
The older man nodded.
"I just hope you're happy." - Albert
The carriage stopped in front of the Berdandi estate.
Penelope dug through her clothes to pay Albert but he held up a hand.
"You can pay me by finally being happy." - Albert
He then drove the carriage away.
"Bye bye gramps!" - Rael
Penelope held Rael's hand before taking a deep breath in.
She exhaled and asked the guards at the gates to let the Marquis know that she was seeking an audience.
In just a few moments, Erik was standing in front of her.
"Erik!" - Rael
He hugged his waist.
Erik now looked closely at the child with turquoise eyes and bright magenta hair.
He then looked at the lady in front of him who shared the same features as the boy.
Said lady shook her head disapprovingly at the boy.
"Rael." - Penelope
Rael stopped after hearing his mother's warning.
Erik coughed.
"Please follow me, my lady." - Erik
"Thank you." - Penelope
Maybe the boy is the Lady's younger brother? - Erik
But then again, he had never heard of the Young Princess of Eckhart having a younger brother.
Maybe it is just coincidence? - Erik
Penelope was sitting on the couch with Rael beside her.
She waited with anticipation and glanced at Rael who busied himself with the snacks that had been served.
A few minutes later Vinter hurried in through the door.
"My apologies for being late, my lady-!" - Vinter
His eyes widened when they landed on Rael.
Rael immediately perked up upon seeing him.
He smiled brightly at his father.
Vinter looked at Penelope.
"Is he your.... brother?" - Vinter
Penelope looked at her feet and fiddled with her fingers.
"He's my son." - Penelope
He raised his eyebrows.
"Your son?" - Vinter
She nodded.
"He's our son." - Penelope
Such news was too much for poor Vinter to handle.
So he sat down.
And looked at Rael.
"He's our son..." - Vinter
He looked at Penelope who bit her lip.
"And your his mom..... which means that you and I......" - Vinter
Penelope's cheeks were flushed.
"Rael said that he and Ella accidentally touched a magical book in your study and time traveled to the past......" - Penelope
Vinter nodded in understanding.
"Is Ella with you....?" - Penelope
"Ah yes! Please come with me." - Vinter
He held out his hand for her and Penelope let him escort her.
Rael followed the two of them.
"Young Miss, do you want to play with this doll?" - Hannah
Ella pouted
"Ella wanted to play with Rael....." - Ella
KNOCK KNOCK
The door opened to reveal Vinter with Penelope and Rael.
"Mama!" - Ella
"Ella!" - Rael
Ella completely ignored her brother and ran to Penelope instead.
"Mama! Papa is acting weird! Today Papa was asking who Mama was!" - Ella
"Don't worry.... I'm here now.....!" - Penelope
"Why don't you two play while I have a conversation with your mother?" - Vinter
He held his arm out for her the second time. Which she gratefully and gracefully accepted.
"Papa and Mama are flirting." - Ella
"We are not!" - Vinter/Penelope
———
So this is a new story.
Hope you liked it!
I do not own 'Death Is The Only Ending For The Villainess'.
See you all in next chapter! 👋
–ItsKateD