Chapter Text
The food was disgusting, for Penelope. But what could she do? Refuse to eat it and end her life? Throw the food at the maid and then end her life?
No, she wants to survive, and she will.
But she feels like barfing from that mouldy food. Emily, the maid, looks at her with frightened eyes. She opens her mouth, surprise written all over her face, because this lady was supposed to throw off her with her temper.
"My lady–!"
The door bursts open, and, Reynold enters the room. Penelope thinks this was normal, the story was supposed to go like this. But–– when he comes with worry written all over his face, she's taken completely aback.
[Affection rating is not possible for this character!]
The affection rating floating above his head was written; and Penelope could only stare with wide eyes, did she do something? This guy had a minus rating just yesterday, and now! He doesn't even have an affection rating!
What the hell?!
"Penelope!"
Reynold dashes to her, catching her in his arms, a worried expression on his face. Penelope was so shocked with the no affection thingy, that she didn't see or hear Reynold commanding the guards to arrest Emily, or him calling out her name repeatedly.
"Torture her so horribly, she doesn't even remember her name." Reynold looks back at the guards with a frightening expression, who all nod and walk out of the room.
Reynold looks at Penelope.
"Hey…" he starts,.about awkwardly, because in this life, it was his first time making his presence officially known to Penelope.
"Let's–" he inhales sharply, "let's get you something... good to eat, alright?"
Penelope doesn't answer, her eyes are covered by the shadows casted by her fringes, the spoon in her hand dropping down in shock.
"There's no need."
Reynold sighs. He knew this was what was going to happen. She denies him, he gets upset over her arrogance and leaves. But unlike the others, Reynold did learn from his previous experiences.
"Nuh–uh. We're getting you some good food right now." Penelope looks up at Reynold with wide eyes, but he just grabs a hold of her arm, and brings her down the hall.
…
"..."
"..."
"...So, you're not gonna say anything?" Reynold looks at Penelope eating the newly cooked steak with poorly hidden excitement, while he winces; that was supposed to be his breakfast, but it's fine. He can get something else by smuggling the kitchen
"..." She still remains quiet, eating the steak and drinking the wine from the glass. Reynold hums in response, pushing another wine glass in her direction.
"Do you want something else?"
"...I'm not a child."
Reynold blinks. "Of course I know that, I just don't want you to starve." Penelope looks up at him again, the shock and astonishment never fading away from his face.
"...Warm food." She mutters, and Reynold tries to restrict himself from giving out a smile. "Right on its way,"
He gets up, about to go to the kitchen to bring more food, but Penelope stops him midway.
"Wait," she says, dropping her fork down and pinning him with a weird gaze. Reynold looks back, an eyebrow raised.
"Yeah? Did you want something el–"
"Why are you suddenly like this?" Penelope looks up at Reynold with burning eyes. Reynold doesn't say anything, expecting her to continue.
Penelope takes a deep breath, "Just yesterday, you seemed to hate me to the point of death. Yet today, you––"
Penelope stops, and Reynold nods because yes, he does understand. He contemplates his answer. Because I suddenly wanted to be a good brother? Too fake, she'll probably scoff and send him off. Because I didn't want you to starve? She'll say she doesn't want his pity and send him off.
He settles on the truth.
"Because I love you, sister."
Penelope blinks, eyes a bit wide. They both stare at each other for a moment more, before Penelope looks away. "Ah…" she seemed to confirm that he was telling the truth, with sincerity.
"I'll be back, alright? And then if you want, you can come with me to the family dinner." he tries to ease the situation. In his last life, he and Penelope were on a rollercoaster of rides, trying to have their relationships stabilized.
This is a new life, he realizes, and everything is automatically reset.