Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

How did I get stuck between these two? Outwardly, she's restrained by her eldest brother and her slave knight. Inwardly, she balling her eyes out.

"You're a slave, how dare you think you're in a position to teach?"

"My master has asked me to teach her, I am inclined to follow her orders."

The air between them turns frigid, like she's caught in a blizzard. Both Eckles and Derrick's scores blink rapidly above their heads and she panics. "Enough, enough!" She breaks free from their hold with a shout. "If you're going to fight, do it when I'm not around. I'm leaving."

A hand grabs her wrist again, and forces her to stay. She whirls around with narrowed eyes. "Let go."

Derrick's eyes are burning with a cold fury. "No. You came here to learn, I will teach you. Come.” He tugs her arm and tries to drag her away.

This arrogant son of a bitch. "I said, get away!" She uses her entire body strength to yank her hand out of his grasp, then stumbles.

She loses her balance and the world tilts back. Her neck twists back just in time to see a pointed rock.

NO!!

The rush of air in her ears swallows Derrick and Eckles' screams for her name. She's sure the two are rushing to catch her but -

It's too late.

Pain explodes from her head, her neck, her everything. It's hard to tell where the impact of her fall was, but she's certain that it's enough to end her.

There's garbled noises all around her. She's staring at the sky, even though she's sure she was looking at the ground while she fell. Black spots fill her blurry vision.

Of all the stupid ways to end, it's this?! After I was so careful...

She tries to take a breath but her airway is twisted, blocked. There's a moment of panic before the world fades out.

She dies.

And then, she's floating. 

She can't move her arms, or open her eyes. She just floats in blissful silence, finally allowed to rest.

Well, if this is what being dead is, I guess it's not so bad. It's better than being in hell with my family, or in that damned game.

She doesn't know how long she drifts, alone and relaxed, when she suddenly feels something tickle her ear. At first, she thinks she's starting to lose it. She's heard of people going insane from isolation, and wonders if this is how real Hell begins. (Even if this was how Purgatory or Hell was, it would never be worse than what she's already lived through).

Then, the gentle tickling becomes more pronounced, until she can just make out a voice. 

"What do you mean she's dead?! Do your job and fix her, you damn doctor!"

Her head whips around to empty space. Since when can she move her body again?

From the other side of her, another voice rings out, "Reynold, calm yourself! Penelope is... she's dea-"

"She's not dead! Stop acting like she's gone when she's NOT. She's right here! She's just... she's sleeping! And the doctor needs to wake her up, that's all!"

"REYNOLD!" The Duke's voice booms through the air around her; she can feel it vibrate through her soul, despite there being no source of it anywhere. "Stop with this nonsense, she's gone. Penelope is... Penelope is dead."

Oh. She's hearing the voices of the living then.

"No, she can't be... I..." Reynold's voice, which was usually so assured, cracked, "I can't lose another sister."

Hearing sobs from her hotheaded brother was unsettling, especially when he was this distraught over her. She was almost thankful she could only hear him, she didn't think she could handle seeing that.

Despite Reynold's loud, anguished sobs, Derrick's voice was clear. "I... it's my fault. If I wasn't so forceful and controlling, she wouldn't have... She tried to run from me. I'm her brother and she tried to run from me! How despicable was I that she died trying to get away from her own brother? I'm... I'm so sorry, Penelope."

She took it back, this was a cruel Hell. Why was she hearing these things after she died, and not while she was alive? They never cared about her then, it was unfair to be forced to listen to them care now. Moreover, if she knew they were capable of holding this much affection, she wouldn't have crossed their names off her list in the first place!

She sighed into the darkness. Well, no use crying over spilled milk, she was dead now. It shouldn't matter what she could have done. All she had to do was wait to go back to her world, or float around this purgatory for the rest of eternity. Speaking of which, she wondered how long she would be forced to be here…

The voices had faded away before she knew it, leaving her in still silence. Once again left alone with her thoughts.

She wasn't sure how much time had passed when something pricked at the edge of her vision.

A light... No, the darkness she drifted in steadily grew brighter. The light continued to grow until she clenched her eyes shut to block it out, and even then, it was blinding. There was a ringing in her ears that steadily grew louder until she wanted to scream with it from how painful it was. Overwhelming sensations overtook her at once, and then -

- stopped.

"...Lady. My Lady." Emily was calling her. "My Lady, wake up."

She opened her eyes.

"You are awake now."

Her eyes slid over to the cold voice of Emily, her trusted maid, only to flinch at the uncaring gaze she was met with.

She opened her mouth to demand an answer for her rude behavior, but no sound would come out. Her heart pounded as she shot up in bed, and grabbed her throat. An old, but familiar lightning of pain shot up her arm, and made her grunt. With a sharp inhale, she carefully rolled up her sleeve to find the puncture wounds she had endured at the beginning of the game.

"I have prepared water for you to bathe in, so please go and wash, my Lady," Emily smirked, then strode out the room without a dismissal.

With that, it was confirmed. She was back at the start of the game.

It just never ends, does it?

Chapter Text

The start, she chose the same answer choices as she did originally. Now that she knew dying would just send her back, she might as well follow the path she knew would keep her alive.

This time, though, she was determined to get out of this godforsaken game once and for all, no matter what methods she had to take. If she had to tame that crazy bastard prince, or befriend the entire household that was against her, she would. Never again would she live through this hell, she refused.

So she sat down to write everything she knew, again. How to befriend Emily, and how to get the household on her side. Events she could remember. What happened at the festival. Anything.

Once that was done, she wrote out the names of the male protagonists once more.

Reynold and Derrick Eckhart. The last time she sat here, she crossed them off the list without a second thought. After the interactions during breakfast she just had with them, she was tempted to dismiss them again. But knowing what she knew now, she couldn't. Damn this game for making her suck up to them.

The mere thought of 'brother' made her want to puke, but if it got her out of here, she'd endure.

Next, Callisto Regulus. The last time she made this list, she crossed his name out so many times, it was near impossible to decipher what was written before. He was still the most dangerous wildcard for her. This time, she'd do everything in her power to not draw his attention, but act cordially if they had to interact. (She also would not allow herself to be left alone with him, ever).

Winter Verdandi. He was her original insurance, but after she returned the handkerchief, she couldn't find any reason to continue pursuing him, so she'd given up on him. This time, maybe it would be too hasty to let go of him so fast, since he seemed at least superficially interested in her after their last meeting... She put a question mark by his name.

She was confident Eckles was still her best shot at getting out of this game, but she couldn't forget the black gauge above his head. Something about it threw her off. But as long as his Affection Score went up steadily, then it shouldn't matter who she wracks up the most affection points for. So long as they can get her out of here, it doesn't matter.

With that, her list was completed. Just in time, there was a knock at the door, and in walked Pennel.

Her eyelid twitches. After getting used to his proper, rectified behavior, it made her blood boil to be reminded of his improper behavior before.

It was after she met with the Duke and unlocked the ability to speak that she could remind him of his place again. Just a little longer, endure.

She followed Pennel like a dog to the Duke’s office. He opens the door for her, and she sucks in a breath to steady herself. Time to stomp on my pride again.

When she finally got back to her room, she flopped on her bed.

It's done.

The game only just started again, yet she was already so exhausted. 

From what she remembered, there shouldn't be any more interruptions for the day. All that's left was to rest up and prepare for the next day.

Tomorrow, she thought, I have to get Emily back to my side.

Her eyes slipped shut.

The next morning came, and she ordered Emily back as her maid.

While she wasn't eager to stab herself with the needle again, it was a necessary thing.

"Aurgh!"

Even still, it hurt.

Emily cried out, but Penelope stared at her hand, emotionless. She'd experienced death once. Compared to that? This was nothing.

Red bloomed on the pristine white napkin Emily pressed to her wound. Maybe she stabbed a little too hard.

"My Lady, why would you-?!"

Tears spilled from her maid's eyes. Her hand reached to brush them away tenderly. "There's no need to cry, Emily."

Emily looked at her with wide eyes, taken aback. It was then that she realized these people were strangers to her now. All the goodwill she painstakingly wracked up in her last life meant nothing. Somehow, that thought hurt her more than her self-inflicted wound.

With the same hand she used to brush away her tears, she grabbed Emily's chin and tilted her face up to force their eyes to meet. "Listen close, Emily. From now on, I will accept everything from you as my maid. Food, clothing, washing water, everything. There's two wounds on my hand. But it could turn to three, four, even five. All of which you inflicted." Beneath her fingertips, Emily trembled. "Whether more show up will depend on your behavior. Eventually though, someone is bound to notice and be alert for the culprit. Someone like... my brother."

There's a strangled whimper from Emily. Satisfied that she got her point across, she releases Emily chin and leans back. "Get up now. Your mistress has finished eating, you must continue with you duties, no?" Emily continues to gasp at her feet, and she wonders if she went too far. But now wasn't the time to be tied down by her previous affections. "Well?"

Emily jolts at her voice. Then, before she knows, her plates are cleared. As Emily is about to leave, swift, heavy footsteps approach her room, and the door bangs open.

Her breath catches. -3% floats above Reynold's head. Damn, I forgot the event with Mr. Negative today.

"You! What do you think you're doing?! And-!" He stops suddenly. "Hey... what's with your hand?"

Her eyes drop to the blood spotted napkin she still held to her punctured hand. It's still bleeding? It must've been deeper than I originally thought.

She hides her hand behind her back. "It's not a big deal."

He grabs her wrist and uncovers the napkin. "Not a big deal? You're bleeding!" His head whips to Emily. "You! I thought I had you expelled. You caused this, didn't you?!"

Emily shakes, "N-no! I didn't! I-!"

Penelope steps between them. As scared as she is to lose her life like last time, she wasn't willing to let go of her future faithful ally. "I accidentally cut myself while eating, so she has nothing to do with this. She was just about to get medical supplies for me, isn't that right, Emily?"

Her maid’s eyes shine with gratitude. "Y-yes!"

“You're not going anywhere!"

"Go, now!" She commands. 

The door shut with a resounding boom, leaving her all alone in the room with Mr. Negative himself.

Still holding her hand, Reynold towers over her with renewed focus. "What the hell are you thinking?"

"You don't need to worry about it, it's fine."

"It doesn't look fine, idiot! We have to get you to the doctor!"

"Don't!" If you do that, Derrick will hear! "There's no need to bother the house physician over something so little. I can wrap it myself."

"What the hell?!" She grunts as he twists her arm in an awkward angle. "Come on. An Eckhart shouldn't bleed in their own home, much less be a bother when plenty of people would beg to work for us."

He begins to drag her towards the door, and she cries out in exaggerated pain. "Ow! Reynold, let go! You're hurting me!"

His grip loosens; she wrenches her hand back. She rubs at her wrist, and mutters, "Damn, it's going to bruise."

Shiing!

Her head whips up at the telltale sound of the Affection Score changing. Her eyes widened. -2%... Did it go up a percent? Why?

She finally notices Reynold's stricken expression as he stumbles back. "I-I didn't mean to... Are you okay?"

His hand is outstretched like he wants to reach out to her, but is too hesitant to do so. His form was too symbolically similar to Reynold's habit of wanting to get closer to her, but not taking the steps to properly make up. Last life, she might have laughed at his paltry attempts to get close with her.

But this life, I'll take that hand you so clumsily offer...

She closes the gap between them, and lightly tugs his sleeve towards the couch. At his confused protests, she says, "You can wrap it for me as an apology, okay? That way I won't have to go down to the infirmary, and you won't have to worry because you treated me yourself." The action caused his Affection Score to blink and change to 3%.

...and use it to get out of this world.

Chapter Text

When Emily mentions the Royal Banquet invitation, the world freezes. Her hand reaches for her neck, which tingles at the reminder of the Crown Prince and their interaction.

"My Lady, are you cold? Shall I grab a blanket?"

She forces herself to breathe, and clenches her hand to stop it from shaking. "No, it's fine. What were you saying?"

Emily continues to give her a worried look, but says, “Please, allow us to dress you up, Milady! We will make it so no one can dare look away."

"Hmm..." The last time she went to the banquet, she dressed modestly, despite the encouragement from those around her to dress lavish. This time, she supposed it wouldn't hurt to wear a little more. If she was too flashy, she would attract unwanted attention, but if she was too modest, she might attract scorn from Derrick. "Fine. Bring me the dark green dress, the one with the high neck. I don't wish to offend the Royal Family and have them think I'm trying to outshine them. The dress itself is plain enough though, so adorn me as you see fit." The maids looked disappointed, but recovered some enthusiasm at her last command. 

Before Emily could join the other maids in preparation, she called, "Emily, get me some gloves, and a pair of flats or short heels."

By the time she was ready, Derrick was at the carriage, ready to escort her. She took his hand and they boarded the carriage together. 

His Score went up by a percent, but expression darkened as he did a once over of her appearance. "Your shoes... What would people say if they were to see the Eckhart daughter wear such short, frugal shoes?"

Since when did Derrick notice or care about these things? It was a pain in her last life, to wobble back to the Banquet on heels when her neck was slashed. Though she would avoid that event tonight, she still preferred the comfort of flater heels than uncomfortable high heels if she was going to stand and chase men all the same.

"I don't believe anyone will be foolish enough to comment on a Lady's shoes when they will likely not have the chance to see them. But if they do, they will be shocked and pleased that the Eckhart daughter understands current fashion trends. Did you know, dear brother? It is common for the ladies in high society to make themselves appear shorter and cuter?"

Derrick stares hard at her, but she smiles pleasantly in response. What she said was a lie, but it's not like he could prove it.

He 'hmph-ed' and turned away to the window. "Your shoes are still too plain. Going along with fashion trends is fine, but it must be done on a level that doesn't tarnish the Eckhart name. Next time, buy proper shoes that match your status."

Always have to have the last word, don't you... She sucks it up and nods. "I will keep that in mind going forth. Thank you, Young Lord."

His Affection Score blinks, and changes to a whopping 8%. Fantastic.

Unfortunately, his score rising did nothing to make the ride any less awkward than it was the first time. By the time the carriage finally stops, it takes everything in her to not burst into tears and kiss the ground outside.

Derrick offers his arm, and they walk together to the banquet hall. Then, when she’s safely escorted, he promptly abandons her as he did in her previous life. She sighs at his behavior, but at least she expected it.

She didn’t have to wait long before the night truly began, and Callisto shows up.

She watched the uproar the Crown Prince's entrance caused with mild amusement. Since she'd already seen the scene play out once, she could admit it was a little comical. The sheer absurdity of the situation, and audacity of the prince was something she could appreciate. Sure, watching a man get stabbed to death sucked, but it's not like it wasn’t deserved. The guy was an assassin, who knows how many other lives he's taken.

On his dramatic exit, the Crown Prince's eyes swept the room. A slight smile played on her lips from watching the scene, but it immediately drops when Callisto’s gaze lands on her. She swears his eyes narrow, but luckily, with a flourish of his cape, he leaves. 

The game's quest option pops in front of her.

[ System ]

[A new episode has begun: "The Blood and Iron Crown Prince, Callisto Regulus."

Would you like to be teleported to the maze garden?]

She clicks [No] excessively until the window goes away. Under no circumstance would she do that event again. This time she might actually die.

She barely has time to breathe a sigh of relief when she catches a glimpse of illuminating white hair. With a jolt, she remembers that this event is where she establishes contact with both the Crown Prince and the Marquis. She was so focused on avoiding Callisto, she forgot about Winter.

Her legs move on their own to follow him. 

She's out of breath by the time she makes it to the edge of the garden, where she loses sight of him. The Crown Prince was in the hedge maze, so as long as she didn't go near there, she would be fine, right?

Suddenly, the system window appears again.

[ System ]

[A new episode has begun: "The Mysterious Marquis, Winter Verdandi."

Would you like to be teleported to the palace rose garden?]

She didn't need to think about it.

[Yes]

In a flash, she's in a garden. The pleasant scent of roses wafts around her, but she doesn't have time to appreciate it.

She looks around for Winter, but, like every other event, he's not within her immediate line of sight. Withholding a sigh, she wanders to the rose bushes. He was around here somewhere, all she had to do was find him, or wait for him to find her.

She comes across a wilted white rose. It looks so sad and out of place among the other beautiful, perfect roses. In a strange way, it reminds her of herself. The only one seemingly rotten in a place for perfect characters. 

As she examines the rose, a smooth voice speaks from behind her, "My Lady, do you like roses?"

She turns and suppresses a smile at the angelic white hair of Winter Verdandi. "Not particularly, no." The gloves she wore come in handy, and allow her to pick the rose without worrying about getting pricked by thorns. With magic in mind, she says, "But just because you don't like or understand something, doesn't mean you can't find beauty in it all the same."

Her cryptic words are rewarded with Winter's surprised face, and an instant 0 to 5% jump of his Affection Score. This is the weird guy that likes mystery and being rejected. I've got you down.

She allows the silence to linger because, to be honest, she has no idea what to do from here. The last time, she ran from the Crown Prince and happened to bump into Winter. The handkerchief he gave her was what led to their continued meetings, but since she wasn't bleeding to death from her neck, she wondered what the game would do to establish their connection.

She blinked, then Winter was beside her.

"Excuse me, Lady." Winter took the rose from her hands, then covered it with his handkerchief. When he removed it, the dried, brown bits of the rose were gone to leave it in pristine condition, as if it was never touched by wilt. He held it out to her. "For you."

Hesitantly, she took the rose back. "My, what a fine magic trick you've shown me. Thank you, Sir..." She trailed off. Winter suddenly looked uncomfortable, and that's when she remembered the dangers of magic in this world. "On second thought, perhaps it will be better to leave this meeting as it is. My brother is surely looking for me by now, it wouldn't do if he found out I've met with a strange man alone." She curtsies, and starts to walk away. Over her shoulder, she glances at his Score, 10%.

With a sly smile, she says, "I'll be sure to return the favor of showing me such a lovely bit of magic. I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening." 

Her hand still held the delicate white rose, which means she got what she came here for: a reason to continue contact with Winter Verdandi. 

She hurries away from the rose garden in case Derrick actually gets angry with her for leaving suddenly. As she wanders through the garden to make her way back to the party, a harsh voice stops her in her tracks.

"You."

The cold blade of a sword brushes her neck. She looks up to meet narrowed blood red eyes.

God fucking dammit.

Chapter Text

Her heart stutters in her chest as she feels blood trickle down her neck and soak into the high fabric of her dress.

"You." What might as well be her personal Grim Reaper pierced her with his ruby eyes (and his sword). "Just the person I wanted to see came stumbling to me. Perhaps it is fate that we met tonight."

Fate my foot. Could the writers not think of any other way to meet?!

She tries to answer, but all that comes out is a gasp as she tries to get a grip.

"Did the Eckharts not teach their rabid dog to greet the Crown Prince? Should I take the liberty and cut that life of yours down right now?"

She swallows hard and felt the blade cut deeper in her throat. With a shaky voice, she says, "I- I, Penelope Eckhart, greet the... the Sun of the Empire. I would like to curtsy," her voice cracks, "but I can't move without..." -without your blade slitting my throat more than it is.

The Affection Score blinks, and her heart drops to her stomach. No, no, please. I've done so well, please!

Shiing! 2%

Her breath caught in her throat, she almost cries in relief.

The Crown Prince withdraws his blade and laughs. 

"What," her voice trembles, "is so funny?"

Callisto continued to chuckle, and mock wipe tears from his eyes. "You."

Without his blade pricking incessantly at her neck, she forgets her fear as anger takes its place. "You almost killed me, and you're laughing?! Is striking fear in the hearts of your enemies not enough for you? Must you take it out on your own subjects as well?!"

He watches her rage with amusement. Then, "If I wanted you dead," he grabs her by the waist and tilts her back in an elegant dancing dip, the tip of his sword rests above her heart, "I wouldn't slash, I'd pierce."

She can't breathe. Her body screams to play dead, apologize, do something to survive, but her mind is overloaded with fear and panic that she's become numb to it. Having lost any semblance of self-preservation, she asks, "So you'll kill me?"

The Prince's smile widens. This time when he withdraws his sword, it’s fully sheathed. He still holds her, but at least now, she can breathe. "No, I won't kill you. If I do, I won't be able to hear your answer."

"Answer?" Did he ask something amidst her panic? All she could remember was walking, then having her life threatened.

"Yes, you’ve been consuming my mind all night since I saw you at the banquet. Tell me, what was it you laughed at? I've determined you weren't laughing at death, you clearly don't find that amusing. The only other thing to laugh at in that situation was me." 

He stares intently into her eyes, but she was fixated on his Affection Score that looms over her, as if it dared her to answer wrong. But what's the right answer?  

She can’t confess her love again. Though that let her live last time, she had a feeling, 'I fell in love with your Highness at first sight! The way you murdered that assassin was so charming, teehee!’ would not fly this time.

His expression drops at her silence. "So you don't deny it..."

“No, no! How could I possibly laugh at Your Highness?!”

“Oh? Then at what? From what I remember, the entire banquet hall was full of nobles in fear after my display. You were the only one who smiled. It’s most curious, don’t you think?”

She can't meet his expectant gaze. Damn game, what's the right answer?! A part of her is tempted to check the multiple choice options, but even if she could reach them without fear of getting her arm chopped off, she knew they wouldn't help. The Prince’s eyes begin to narrow at her continued silence and in a panic, she yells, "I... I can't tell Your Highness when he holds me like this!"

"And why not? This position ensures you won't run away without giving me an answer. And, I can tell more easily whether you're lying."

"I would never run or lie to Your Highness!" That's a lie. She's been doing both of those things all night.

Unfortunately, the Crown Prince also realized this. Mirth fills his eyes. "Oho? It seems the rabid dog is also a liar. Maybe I really should put you down for your insolence."

Now she knows he's messing with her. "I am simply incredibly flustered by how close we are. You just tried to kill me, and now you trap me in your arms like a lover."

"I told you I wasn't trying to kill you! And as if I could ever love a wicked woman like you." He flinches at her shrill cry of 'Hey!'. "Gah, fine. If I let you go, do you promise not to run and give me an answer?"

"Yes." No.

He stands her up easily. It takes everything in her to not fall back into his arms for support, but she stands persistent on her wobbly legs. 

"Okay, I did what you asked. Now, tell me why you laughed, Princess. I'm dying to know."

She rubbed her arms. Without Callisto’s overwhelming warmth, the air of the garden was noticeably chilly. "I don't think the answer is as interesting as Your Highness expects it to be."

"You're a strange woman, I'm sure whatever it is will be enough to satiate my curiosity."

Rude. "It was simply the unlike anything I had seen before. I was so taken aback, I couldn't help but laugh."

"Ha! If that were the only reason, at least half of that room would have burst into laughter. You're going to have to try harder than that."

Haah, I thought royals were supposed to be busy. She wracks her brain for anything that would get her out of the situation. What was something in that hall that was believably humorous that the Prince would accept?

It seemed she was out of time to answer though because Callisto sighs. She tensed for what must be the millionth time that night. “My, my. Could it be that you’ve fallen for me, my Lady? Is that why you can’t seem to think straight in my presence?”

Her jaw drops. Are the writers just reusing scripts now?!

“I’m not completed satisfied, but I’ll let you go this time. Next time we cross paths, you must give me a proper answer to-” Hell no!

"My brother!" She cut Callisto off. When she remembers how much sleep she lost from his constant letters and thinly veiled threats, she adamantly refuses to live through that again. “The face my brother made when you dragged that body in looked like he stepped in dog shit, and it made me laugh, okay?! Also, the sheer audacity you had to create that commotion was... that was truly unlike anything I ever expected from a royal party. I’m embarrassed to admit that was the reason I laughed when I just watched you kill a man.”

She barely finished her sentence when Callisto burst into boisterous laughter. “Dog shit, she says! Your brother made a funny face, so you laughed while I killed a man? Pffft!”  

Her ears grew hot at his hysterics. “It’s not that funny!”

He clutches his stomach, and wiped tears from his eyes. “Penelope Eckhart, I might just fall for you.”

“Please don’t.” When she gets home, she’s definitely going to cross his name off her revised list, newfound resolve be damned.

Her firm rejection only made him laugh harder. The Affection Score chimes, and she has to rub her eyes to make sure she’s not hallucinating. The action makes her head spin, and that’s when she remembers she’s most likely faint from blood loss.

So as much as she wanted to gawk at his new 7%(?!) score, she does a haste curtsy and announces, "I trust this is enough humiliation for me then, Your Highness? I will be taking my leave now." 

Callisto waves his hand in a 'shoo' motion, and his unrestrained howls chase her out of the garden.

Pain stabs her neck with every breath, and she is glad she wore reasonable shoes this time. When she finally makes it back to the banquet hall, she hurries to Derrick's side. He's right where she remembers him to be from her last life.

"Brother," she calls; a cacophony of shocked gasps swim through her ears. "I'm not feeling well, I'm afraid I have to go back home. Right now, immediately."

The room tilts, and she stares at the ceiling.

I took all the precautions to avoid the Prince, and this still happens. Are the writers that eager to show off these hellish scenes?

Loud shouts fade to silence.

Chapter Text

The ceiling is as dull as always. 

"You're a doctor, aren't you? Fix her!!" 

As are Reynold's annoying shouts.

"Shut up..."

"Penelope! You're awake..." He mumbles something that sounds suspiciously like ‘Thank god’ under his breath.

"Why?" she rasps. Reynold is only around 10%, why would he be happy she’s alive at this point?

"Why, what? Idiot. What are you doing, getting stabbed? You should've bled out and died."

Ah, I must've heard wrong, then. "I hate you... the most." The words slip out, but she can't bring herself to care. Her eyes shut before she can see his reaction.

When she wakes up, the ceiling is grand as always. Impossibly tall, and carved from fine wood. You notice these things, when you spend hours unable to do nothing but lay down and stare up (the doctor didn't want her out of bed or doing any 'strenuous activities'). But they could at least let me sit up and read!!

She sighs. The time, at least, gave her much needed peace and quiet to plan what was to come.

First and foremost, the event where she gets her ticket out of here, Eckles, was coming up. She just had to get the Duke to see his skills and he would take him in, right? But how was she supposed to make them meet?

Her recuperation period finally ends when Pennel knocks at the door to bring her to the Duke once more.

Last life, she was miffed at the characters for making her meet the Duke as soon as she could walk. This time, she could appreciate the finer details of the situation. Namely, that it finally allowed her to leave her bed.

Knowing she wasn't going to get scolded makes the conversation go a lot smoother than before.

"We now have a reason for the Royal family to be indebted to us, the result is commendable. You are worthy of the Eckhart name, Penelope. I must give you a special reward. Is there anything you desire? Perhaps new dresses, or jewelry-"

"The festival," she mumbles, still lost in thought on how to get the Duke to bring home Eckles. At the pause of silence, she realizes she interrupted him.

"The festival?"

Whoops. Time to commit. In a confident tone, she says, "I would like to go to the festival."

"Penelope, I would allow you to do that without the pretense of a reward. You're not a prisoner."

"Ah, no I meant, perhaps we could go together?" I need you to meet Eckles.

The Duke stares wide eyed at her, and the room gets warm. She didn't mean to come off too strong, he was probably angry. Frantic to fix the situation, she stammers, "I know you're very busy, Father, but I thought we could go walk the streets and relax a little bit. If I find something I like, you could buy it for me as a reward; it would mean more than simply calling a jeweler because of the memories... But of course! Father is so busy all the time, to go to the festival with me would not be feasible. I will think of something different so please don't pay any mind to what I've said-"

"No!" Tea cups clatter as the Duke slams his hands on the table. Shocked by his own reaction, he looks away and clears his throat. "No, that is-, I think that is a fine reward you've asked for. I will make time to go to the festival with you, Penelope."

"A-are you sure, Father? I do not mean to pressure you. Truly, I can think of something else if-"

"No, it has been decided. We shall go to the Festival together. Let me finish the work I have, and I will send Pennel to let you know what day we can go."

"Thank you, Father!"

Maybe it was just her, but the Duke looked like he was suppressing a smile when she leaves the room.

[ System ]

[Relationship with the duke's household members improved! Your reputation points have increased +10

TOTAL POINTS: 10]

She raises an eyebrow, +10? Wasn't it +5 last time? ...Well, it's not like more points are going to hurt me. The more the Duke likes her, the less likely Reynold and Derrick are to act out and murder her.

When she gets back to her room, Emily presents her with a bloody, crumpled white rose. "You were holding onto it when you were carried back, is it something important?"

"Yes... I believe it is. Emily, I have a job for you." Though a bit earlier than last time, she commands Emily to do go around the same guilds with her vague request, and is confident Winter will answer her again. "By the way, do you know where my eldest brother is?"

"The Young Lord? I believe he should be in his office or the training hall."

"Do you think it would be a bother for me to see him? I want to let him know I am in good health now, so he needs not worry."

"You’re the Lady of the House, you could never be a bother! I will tell the head butler to let the Young Lord know you request an audience him."

"Thank you, Emily. When you're done with that, bring me some tea. I will be in the greenhouse to read."

Emily bows, then hurries out the room with a spring in her step. Is it that fun to be ordered around? She wonders, but shrugs and grabs a book. 

The world seems brighter when she treks to the greenhouse.

The rose gave her a reason to continue communication with Winter. She created an opportunity for her Father to meet Eckles, so he would come to the mansion soon. Things were looking up.

The doors open and she steps into the warm air of the greenhouse. 

Sunlight filters through the glass panels on the ceiling, and illuminates the greenery. Colorful flowers of all sorts line the pathways, and peeked from the shrubbery. A truly picturesque site to behold.

She didn't have much time to explore it in her last life, too caught up in confining herself to her room and thinking of ways to get out of this game. Since she told herself she would be unafraid of confrontation, she was more confident and fearless when it came to exploring the mansion.

Though she was doing well to push forward through the game's plot and raising the Affection Scores in her own way, every interaction with these characters (mainly her brothers) left a bitter taste in her mouth. Despite her resolve to not run from any opportunity to raise their Affection Scores, she found herself wanting to avoid them when she could help it.

Of course, even when she was intent on being alone, someone would always show up. A shadow falls over her, and she looks up to find Derrick holding a tray of tea. 12%.

She sets her book on her lap and tries to keep a straight face as she processes the 4% jump from the last time she saw him. "Lord Derrick! I had just asked Emily to request an audience with you."

"Yes, the butler informed me."

She blinks. "...Would you like to sit?" Derrick answers by pulling a chair, and set the tea tray on the table. "That tea... please tell me Emily didn't ask you to bring me this, Lord Derrick."

"No, I ran into her and told her I would bring it since I was about to come see you."

"If this is about my request to see you, I was prepared to meet you in your study when you summoned me. You didn't need to come all the way here, Young Lord."

"Your wound was severe. Though time has passed since the incident, I did not wish to aggravate your wound and tire you when you are still recovering."

Her jaw drops slightly. Shocked, but oddly touched by his thoughtfulness, she cast him a genuine smile. "Thank you, Lord Derrick."

For some reason, Derrick covers his mouth and looks away. If it wasn't for his Affection Score going up a percent, she would have thought she did something wrong. "So, you wanted to see me?"

"Oh, yes!" She was getting too complacent in their interaction. Derrick was at 20% when she was killed. While he was still under that, she couldn't let her guard down. 

"First, I would like to thank you for meeting me on such short notice. I did not mean to distract you from your duties." He hums in acknowledgement, which she took as a signal to continue, "I wished to see you to apologize for the distress I caused at the banquet. Father and Reynold have rebuked me for bowing my head, so rather than do something like that, which would undermine the Eckhart name, I have decided to simply apologize, and personally inform you of my recovery.

"Of course, I understand that I have caused a commotion, even though I had just promised to stay out of your way and not attract attention. For this, I will gladly accept any punishment you have for me."

Derrick stares wide-eyed at her. His score changed from 13% to 15%, and she does a mental fist pump.

"I was not going to punish you, rather-," he reaches into his suit pocket to reveal the silky, pink scarf he gifted her last life. "I wished to give this to you. It would do no good to have a bandage so noticeable around your neck like that."

She takes it and smiles. What was it she said last time to make his score rise? Oh yeah. "Thank you, Lord Derrick. I will treasure this." 

His expression becomes distorted as it did the last time this event happened.

"Why do you call me 'Lord' again?" He asked this as well, though she never got a chance to answer him. "Never mind, it was a slip of the tongue, ignore it."

"...It's because you seem happier when someone acknowledges your position." She smiles cheekily before he could respond and says, "Ignore me, it was a slip of the tongue. Anyways, I believe the tea has gotten cold by now. Shall I call Emily to deliver a new batch?"

Derrick abruptly stands. "No, I must go now, I will tell her to bring you some on my way out."

He leaves before she could answer. 

Shiing! 18%

Chapter Text

Now that she doesn't have to sneak through the doghole, she figured there should be no event with Reynold and Derrick since she knew what to do to avoid them. Though she may have resolved to welcome any event or interaction to raise their Affection, she was not eager to repeat the confrontation she had with Reynold in the attic. And since she would gain Eckles during this event, she wouldn't force herself to interact with them.

That was the plan, at least.

"Hah?! Father is going to the festival? With Penelope?!"

She can't resist the stab of irritation, and sticks her tongue out at Reynold from behind the Duke. Yeah, take that. Maybe you should try getting stabbed in the neck and curry a favor with Father.

"Reynold, don't be childish. It is a simple outing between father and daughter. There's no need to react like this."

"But, Father, you haven't gone in years. Why are you suddenly going with the likes of her?"

"Reynold, enough with that language. Penelope is my daughter, I will go to the festival with her if she wishes!"

Reynold and Derrick (who happened to walk in on the commotion) freeze at the Duke's words, then crack their necks towards her. The Duke, who was her shield against them, had actively thrown her under the bus.

Their Affection Scores blink dangerously, and she decides it was time to intervene. "Would brothers like to come, too?"

The blinking stops, and she breathes a sigh of relief. "Father, can my brothers come? If they are with us, we won't have to take as many guards to protect us since they are capable knights as well." The Duke looked skeptical, so she steps up her game and uses her eyes to beg. "Please, Father? I want to have an enjoyable time with you, but I don't think I could do it with guards crowding around us..."

Her coy act cost 1% of both brother's scores, but she figures it was worth it since it prevented any further drop.

They got a lot of heads turning since the entire Eckhart family was out. Her father and brothers ignored it well, but Penelope couldn't take two steps without the awareness of people's eyes. God, this was so much better when it was just the three of us, and we could be inconspicuous.

"Penelope! Don't you want to take a look at that stand there? They're selling accessories and jewels," the Duke points out.

She shakes her head to reply, but Reynold grabs her arm. "What's with you? We've just been walking around."

"I'm just taking the atmosphere in. There's enough glowing around me that I don't notice the stands."

"Nonsense, we have to stop by at least one stall. As promised, I will buy you whatever you want, so let's take a look."

She couldn't say no to the Duke when she was the one to drag him out here. But the longer they spent around here, the more likely it was for Eckles to be sold off. But then again, would the game really allow her to go on without one of the male protagonists? Maybe she'd already done her part in bringing the Duke out, and just had to go with the flow now.

With that in mind, she allows Reynold to drag her to the same jewelry stand they stopped at last time.

She smiles when her eyes land on the strange mask she bought before. It was a little thing, but the mask held her most successful memories. Her meeting with Eckles, helping the children at Winter's guild with the artifact extraction...

"...Are you sure that's what you want, Penelope?" The Duke stares at the mask in her hands.

"Yes."

Reynold pulls her aside and stage whispers, "Hey, I've been meaning to ask you, but are you feeling okay in the head?"

This conversation felt familiar. "I'm perfectly fine, thanks."

"He's right, Penelope," the Duke says. "You are usually very extravagant with your likes, do you not like jewels anymore?"

"I do like them. Jewels that are not stolen, but wholly mine. So these jewels, if they're bought for me, are all so beautiful, I can't choose."

Like during her conversation with Derrick, now the entire family stood stunned by her words. On one hand, she wants to take this opportunity to clear Penelope's name of a thief, but something told her it wasn't the right time.

Instead, she turns back to the stand, and picks a small box with a set of beautiful jewel charms. Two cut in the shape of hearts, and another gem that sparkled like a rainbow, complete with meticulously crafted, delicate necklace and bracelet chains. "If just buying the mask is too little, then may I get these as well, Father? I believe they'll go with many of my dresses."

"Yes, of course. Anything for you, my daughter." The Duke takes the box and mask from her hands, and turns to the shopkeeper.

As the Duke pays for the trinkets, she's lost in thought. They had to head back soon, but they were no closer to meeting Eckles. Panic begins swirl inside her.

Of course, the other thing that was not helping with her panic were the strange looks Derrick and Reynold gave her. Finally, Reynold speaks up, "Hey... You-"

The Duke comes up beside them, "It's getting late. We must head back soon."

Reynold quickly forgotten, she yells, "No!" You haven't met Eckles yet!

"Penelope, I understand you want to go around more, but the Festival lasts a week. You can come another day."

Reynold steps in, irritation pinched his forehead. "Stop being selfish, Penelope. Let's go."

Then, the distant thumps of drums began to sound, and cheers erupt from a few alleys over.

"That's-"

"The parade!" My saving grace! She grabs the Duke's shirt cuff and begs, "Please, Father, we have to stay for the parade! I promise, as soon as we watch it, I will go home quietly and not make a fuss for the rest of the week, so please!"

"Haah... Fine, we’ll watch the parade, but then we must go back. You won't make a fuss, will you, Penelope?"

"Yes, thank you, Father!" She smiles, genuinely relieved.

Next to her, Reynold mutters, "What's so special about a dumb parade?"

"I've always wanted to see a parade. It makes me very happy that the first parade I've ever seen is with my family."

Over the noise of the approaching parade, the Priing! of the Affection Score catches her attention. Both Reynold and Derrick's Scores increase by 2%.

In her distraction, she doesn't notice a wave of people flood the street when the parade turns the corner. Derrick yells her name but his voice, along with her, are swept up by the crowd.

By the time she makes it out of the crowd, her feet throb from the number of times she’s been stepped on. This was somehow worse than the last time she went through this.

Her surroundings are empty and dark, a far cry from the bright streets full of festive cheer. It gives her a moment to gather her thoughts, which are mainly cursing this world.

Damn, I don't even have my mask or Derrick's button. Not that it mattered much since she didn't know if she was even in the right place!

A high pitched scream startles her from her thoughts.

[ System ]

[Sudden Quest! {A Noble's Duty}

Investigate the struggle and establish your position as a noble by protecting the weak!

(Reward: Secret Item, Reputation +20, ???'s Affection Score +???)]

Another cry for help rings out, and she presses [Yes] without a second thought.

In an instant, she appears at the edge of an alley. She turns the corner to find a pudgy nobleman attempting to drag a girl with pigtails further into the alley.

"Stop!"

Her yell startles the man, and the girl uses his shock to break free from his hold and sprints to her. 

"You!" Small arms wrap around her waist at the same time enraged eyes whirl to her. "If you know what's good for you, you'll hand that girl over, now."

It's at this moment that she notices the many shadows of soldiers standing behind the man at the end of the alley. Shit.  

Something about the man is familiar, and her stomach twists in dread at the men approaching her. Then, the girl whimpers and the small body beneath her hands shakes, and she's filled with more anger and disgust than fear.

Is this was the quest meant by 'protect the weak'? Because quest or not, her answer wouldn't change. "No."

She pushes the girl behind her to stand as a barrier between her and the menacing group. The man narrows his eyes. "I have a duty, as a noble, to take care of hazards like that."

"Hazard? I only see a scary man threatening a child."

"Wench, what you're holding in your arms is a sorcerer." The girl tenses, and all she can think is one of Winter's kids? "I, the great Kluy, am going to take that hazard to be locked away. Now, give her here."

Realization hits her like a freight train. This was the noble that tried to steal Eckles from her in her last life. Instantly, her eyes search his hand, but can't tell in the dim lighting if he has the ring controlling Eckles. 

Kluy takes a step towards her and she belatedly realizes that they only reason his men haven't rushed her is because of the narrowness of the alley. No more than two people could stand shoulder to shoulder, and Kluy blocked the way for his hired hands.

It gives her an idea. A stupid, reckless idea, but this was an event, so she shouldn't die... at least, that's the hope.

She mutters to the girl, "When I tell you to, run and don't look back. I'll take care of these guys, so you can get away." When the girl doesn't give her an answer, she nudges her. "Trust me."

The arms around her waist tighten, but she feels the girl nod.

Kluy narrows his eyes when she doesn't move, and raises his hand. His hired hands start to squeeze past him, she takes that instant to push the girl to the alley's edge. "Go, get home safe."

The girl turns on her heel and dashes away with a whispered, thank you. 

"No! Do you realize what you've just done?! That was a sorcerer you just let go! What are you fools doing? After her!!" Kluy screeches and flails his arms about, blocking the way of his guards.

Before they can figure out how to do the equivalent of politetly shoving their boss out of the way, she shouts for all to hear, "As a noble myself, I only did what was right. Now, I order you to stand down."

"Ha! You, a noble?" A chorus of chuckles erupt from behind Kluy where his men stand in waiting. Was Eckles somewhere there, too? "It's a crime to impersonate a noble, girl. I should have your hands cut off for that."

"And I should have your hands cut off for threatening an Eckhart."

"Eckhart?"

She can't help but feel a bit smug at the flicker of fear in Kluy and his cronies' eyes. "Yes, I am Penelope Eckhart, and I'm ordering you to back off."

Her smugness disappears in an instant though because Kluy throws his head back and laughs harder. "Ahaha! A peasant like you must only know the name, and haven't heard the story of the Eckhart's rabid dog. It's well known among nobles that girl is unloved and ignored by that family. Even if you are who you say, what good would it do? It's not like they'll miss you anyways, they probably even won't notice you're gone."

Fuck. Never before had she hated rumors and her family as much as she did at that moment. And, dammit, why didn't she have Derrick's button this time?!

"First job, dog." Her attention snaps back to Kluy, where he's kicked a ragged, shirtless figure toward her. "Get her."

The figure wobbles to a stand, and when their eyes meet, she can't breathe. Because in front of her are the sharp, gray eyes of her coyote. 

Chapter Text

"First job, dog. Get her."

Above Eckles' haunted gaze floats a bubble. [0%]. If Eckles followed Kluy's orders and attacked... there was nothing she could do. She would die.

Instead, he doesn't move and stares at her, just as she stares intently at him (and the death meter).

Kluy sneers. "I didn't pay good money for you to be useless. Unless you want another reminder of this," his finger hovers menacingly over the ring. "Do as I say."

Eckles looks to her and for a moment, she sees her Eckles -the Eckles who defended her against the knights and vowed to always protect her- and thinks he won't attack. Then his eyes slide to the ground. Her stomach drops.

"I'm sorry," he rasps. 

Then, he lunges.

A shadow falls over her, but the impact never comes. She cracks her eyes open to find Eckles standing over her. His hand trembles in front of her face, as if he's about to crush her skull. 

"What are you doing? I said to get her, not do nothing! Gah, whatever." Eckles gasps and doubles over in pain. Kluy laughs cruelly behind him. "I'll have plenty of time to retrain you."

Eckles' stares up at her from where he writhes on the ground. "You... run, please."

And she wants to, even if it meant leaving Eckles behind, but her legs won't move. Kluy closes in on her and grabs her arm. She lets out a shriek.

"What is the meaning of this?"

The relief that fills her makes her lightheaded. "Brother!"

 "Penelope!" Derrick is a dark beacon among Kluy's crowd, which parts for him dramatically. He rushes to her and one frigid look is all it takes for Kluy to release her arm. 

"M-m-my Lord! This is- I didn't know this was the fabled Eckhart! There must have- have been a misunderstanding. You see-"

"Enough." Derrick interrupts, and waves his hand. "Restrain them, don't let a single one go." 

At once, Kluy's men are surrounded by Eckhart soldiers and city guards.

Kluy himself is pushed against a wall, kicking and screaming, "Unhand me! I am the great Kluy! I will not go down because of- of some girl!"

Derrick is still giving out orders to the soldiers. A quivering gasp drags her eyes to the ground where Eckles still lay. She hesitantly calls out to him, "Hey... are you okay?"

Eckles lifts his eyes to her with an expression she's never seen on him before.

"Penelope!"

She jerks away from Eckles. "Father!"

In their distraction, Kluy breaks free from the knights restraining him. "This is your fault! You wench!" 

Someone screams her name as he charges at her like a bull, but exhaustion catches up at the worst time. Her legs won't move, again.  

She lifts her arms as if that would do anything, but instead of being painfully trampled, she hears a gurgle. When she opens her eyes, Eckles is once again above her. This time, he wrings the neck of Kluy. 

His figure casts a shadow over her, and asks, "Are you okay, my Lady?"

Kluy, who was rapidly turning purple, raises his arms, and with the last of his strength, presses the ring on his finger. Both he and Eckles drop to the ground.

Though Eckles released his hold on his neck, Kluy doesn't release his hold on the ring.

She doesn't think when she runs and wretches the ring from Kluy's fingers. The idea that Eckles, after all her hard work to meet him, might die from electrocution was too terrifying to consider. 

Kluy reaches out to her once more, but Reynold stomps on his arm before he could grab her while yelling, "Do your job, you shit knights!"

While Reynold re-restrains Kluy, Derrick runs to her side. "Why must you be so reckless?"

Under normal circumstances, she would have been annoyed. But while adrenaline still ran through her veins from the many near death experiences she's had in the last hour, what slips out instead was, "Derrick! You found me..."

Derrick's face distorts, but she doesn't have time to ponder. The Duke crouches beside her, "Penelope, are you hurt anywhere?"

Reynold makes himself known by squeezing himself in their space. "What the hell were you thinking, throwing yourself into danger like that?!" 

She narrows her eyes and opens her mouth to reply something haughty, but the Duke also admonishes her, "While his language is certainly vulgar, he is right, Penelope. You shouldn't have done something dangerous like that."

She looked to the ground, properly reprimanded. Then, she looked to Eckles, who was still on the ground, struggling to get up, and mumbles, "He saved me... I didn't want to see him in pain."

"From the looks of it, he's a slave. His status is nothing compared to yours. You shouldn't put yourself in danger like that."

"Regardless of status, he saved me. If he hadn't stepped in, I doubt I would be here to talk like this." 

She looked to Eckles shuddering and knew her brothers, and more importantly, her Father would follow her gaze to Eckles' pathetic form.

The Duke sighed. "Penelope, you are truly..." Truly what? He didn't finish, and instead walked to Eckles, who managed to crawl to his knees. "You, stand if you can. Otherwise stay in that position and listen close."

Eckles breathed heavily, but wobbles to a stand. The Duke nods in approval. "You saved my daughter. Though you are a slave, a noble does not forget their debts. Tell me what it is you desire, and I will grant it... So long as it's nothing to do with my daughter, that is."

Now is really not the time for these kind of parental protectiveness...

"I..." Eckles' eyes darted to her, then-

[ System ]

[Reward Acquired! {A Noble's Duty} Part 1/2

Eckles' route unlocked!]

Her breath caught in her throat, she whips back to Eckles as he kneeled before the Duke. "Please allow me to become a knight under your House. I swear it upon this body and soul to give my everything to your House's protection, if you will allow it."

The Duke turns to her. "Penelope, what do you think?"

"M-me?"

"You're the one holding his ring, are you not? As an Eckhart, it is your responsibility to decide the fate of those you are above."

"Uh." Her brain was still trying to catch up. If the System already gave her that message, that meant all she had to do was accept... probably. "I think we should accept his offer. To have that type of raw strength would be nothing but an asset to the Eckhart name."

"Even considering his status?"

And then she understood, this is a test. After everything she'd just been through, he was testing her. "Slave or not, he saved my life, Father. As the bearer of this ring, this man has his life in my hands just as I, his. No amount of jewels could have meaning to me if I'm dead." To be safe, she quickly adds, "You said it yourself, Father, a noble never forgets their debts."

With bated breath, she waits for the Duke's answer.

"If that is what my daughter decides..." He turns back to Eckles. "Your strength is impressive, I sense potential in your skills. If that is your wish, then state your name."

Yes! Her heart soars. All her efforts for this Festival has finally paid off.

"It is Eckles, Master Eckhart. From the fallen kingdom of Delman."

"You understand that though you may work at the Eckhart mansion, your status as a slave, from Delman, no less, will make it so you will never become a true knight. Do you still wish to give your life for the Eckharts?"

"I will give my everything and bring glory to your house."

[ System ] 

[Event Success! {A Noble's Duty} Part 2/2

Would you like to accept the reward?]

With a shaky hand, she clicks [Yes].

[ System ]

[Reward Acquired!

+20 Reputation, Derrick Affection Score +5%, Eckles Affection +20%]

Her eyes bulge out of her head. 20%?! That was even higher than her last life, which was an instant 18%.

Eckies nods, sways, then collapses. The Duke quickly orders to the closest knights, "Take him back to the mansion, make sure his injuries are treated."

After Eckles has been hauled off, everyone turns back to her, and she's overwhelmed by a wave of exhaustion. She lays her head on Derrick's shoulder and says, "Let's go home."

Though she was allowed to sleep as soon as they got home, the next morning, she's whisked away to the Duke's office with barely a glance out her window to see the sunrise. To say she was a little pissed to undergo a soft interrogation at the crack of dawn would be an understatement, but nevertheless, she endured. It was significantly easier to answer the Duke's questions now that she didn't have to work her mind into overdrive on how to keep Eckles.

All went well except...

"Had I not stepped in, who knows what could have happened to that girl?!"

"If you knew the situation was dangerous, you should have alerted the guards!"

"If I had time to do that, then I would have! Did you want me to ignore a child's screams?"

"Yes! You are an Eckhart, remember your status before you recklessly put your life on the line for little things!"

"Little thing? A child was in danger!"

"Yes, however that child was a sorcerer! You should have listened to that despicable noble when he told you what she was!"

"If she was truly such a danger, I wouldn't have needed to step in because she would have been able to handle it! Sorcerer or not, how am I supposed to ignore a child's cries for help?" To the Duke, who only saved her out of his own selfishness, couldn't understand the simple concept to help someone. It was infuriating. "You may be able to ignore a cry for help, but I cannot and will not ignore someone in need when I am able to help!"

"I am just-!" Tea cups clatter from the Duke slamming his hands on the table. She flinches back, and he looks shocked to find himself standing. He falls heavily back into his chair. "I just don't want you to get hurt, Penelope. If something were to happen to you, I..."

The Duke begs with his eyes for her to understand, and then she realizes, oh. The Duke was worried for her. 

It hit her just how different it was from her own father in Korea. Whether she starved, or got beat up, or was treated horribly by her brothers, he never bat an eye. As much as she told herself it didn't matter, the fact that she was getting choked up from the very idea that someone was worried about her...

"Oh, Penelope, I'm sorry for yelling. Just the thought that you could have gotten hurt makes me so distressed. I know you perhaps don't think of me as a father, I haven't been a very good one after all, but you are my daughter, no matter what."

"No, you are... You’re more than I've ever had. I'm sorry I couldn't see that until now." Her chest hurts. "Father, I'm very tired from last night. May I go back to my room now?"

The Duke's eyebrows knit together, and reaches to his coat pocket and holds out a handkerchief to her. "Yes, you may go, daughter. I hope to see you at lunch soon."

She nods to cover up the lump in her throat and leaves the room. 

Tears threatened to fall from her eyes, but she holds it in, at least until she got back to her room where she could break down alone without fear of running into her brother or staff that might want to spread more rumors about her.

With her head down, though, she runs straight into- 

"Oof."

- Reynold.

"Hey, watch where you're-!" 

The impact made a few tears fall to the ground with a quiet plip, plip.

She bites her lip to keep from sobbing then and there and pushes herself up. 

First her Father, (who wasn't even her real dad by the way!) yells at her for saving a small child. Then she finds out it was because he was worried, which was something she never thought would hurt so much to find out. (Because why couldn't her Father worry about her like that? Why couldn't the real Penelope be the one to learn just how much the Duke cared about her?)

And now? Now the brother she loathes the most in this world and the last person she ever wanted to see was staring her dumbfounded because she was breaking down over something so small, and stupid, when she was supposed to be working towards getting out of this world!

She turns on her heel when he grabs her arm. "Hey..."

"Please, leave me alone." Her voice breaks at the end, but it’s enough for his grip on her arm to loosen. At once, she wretches her arm out of his grasp and hurries away as fast as she can through her blurry vision.

"My Lady, you're back!" 

She brushes past Emily, who was waiting dutifully outside her room.

"Leave. Don't disturb me for the rest of the day." The last thing she sees is Emily's struck face before she slams the door shut. 

Her chest seizes and she stumbles her way to her bed to sob her eyes out. A light breeze brushes over her hair and makes her stop.

On her bed, a small, white rabbit sits.

"The Guildmaster of the White Rabbit requests your presence."

Chapter Text

 "The Guildmaster of the White Rabbit requests your presence."

The ominous nature of this event unsettled her to no end in her last life. But now? She's just pissed.

[ System ]

[Special Event! {A Sorcerer's Pride}

Reward: Winter's Affection Score +3%, Secret Item

"Your immediate presence is requested. Please come to the guild as soon as possible. Would you like-"

-to be teleported to the guild?]

The Yes/No options pop in front of her but she ignores them in favor of flinging the book on her bedside table. It hits ground with a dull thud and does nothing to calm the raging storm inside her. She searches for the next thing to take her anger out on through her increasingly blurry vision.

Her eyes locks onto the tea set placed delicately on top of her lounge table and starts toward it when another the Ping! of the System window sounds again. She whirls back just in time to see -

[ System ]

[The event will be automatically accepted in five seconds.]

[5]

Abruptly, she changes her course. 

[4]

Her foot catches on her rug and she topples to the ground; her wide eyes can only watch as the countdown ticks down.

[3]

Screw this game. Screw this world. 

[2]

Since when does this shitty system auto-accept events?!

[1]

Winter, you son of a bi-

[ System ]

[The event was auto-accepted.]

The scenery around her blurs and shifts.

Even through her tears, it's impossible to mistake the tall ceilings, mystical blueish-white marble and museum like displays surrounded by an endless expanse of books. Instead of the normal office of the guild, she's in the secret area of the guild hall she almost died investigating in her last life.

She looks up to find five familiar animal masks, and one tall Winter Verdandi hovering over her. Her lower lip quivers, and at once, she does everything she can to cover her face and stop crying already.

"Stupid Master, you made her cry!!"

The masked children wave their arms at and smack a masked, yet clearly taken aback Winter.

She sits up, and scrubs at her eyes more to stop the onslaught of tears.

"Um," someone tugs at her sleeve, a girl with a chipmunk mask and red pigtails kneels beside her. "We're really sorry for scaring you. The Master must have teleported you when you didn't decline. But don't worry, this is a safe place, so you can cry as much as you want!"

Something in her cracks; all the anguish that she's been forced to hold in threatens to burst. Because no one had ever told her it was okay to cry.

The image of mother as she lay in her deathbed appears in her mind. With a weak voice, her mother told her, "Cha Siyeon, you can't cry. You have to be strong for me, okay?"

Her brothers, on the rare occasion they did see her tear up, would berate or glare at her, like the fact that she was feeling was somehow a burden to them.

She bites her lip and forces herself to take deep, shuddering breaths. Crying can wait just a little bit longer. For now, she had to get through this sudden, inconvenient event.

"Sorry, you- hic, caught me at a bad time. If this is about my request, can it wait until another day?"

"My Lady," Winter bows, "I am sorry. The reason I called you was to thank you but in my haste, I have caused my disciple's savior a great discourtesy."

A great discourtesy to put it lightly.

"As the Guildmaster and the guardian of these children, please allow me to repay this debt and make up for my rudeness."

"It's fine." It's not. "Can you just teleport me home?"

"Wait! You can't go back yet, we haven't thanked you!" The children suddenly pop up from behind Winter. 

The girl with the chipmunk mask steps forward and bows. "Thank you, Noble Lady! If you hadn't saved me, I don't know what I would have done..."

Then, the remaining four bow in a line at a clean 90 degree angle and yell, "Thank you for saving our friend, Noble Lady!"

Not that their earnest thanks made this event worth it's embarrassment, but it did help to ease the overwhelming bitterness inside her. "I'm glad to see you got away. Do you mind if I ask how you got caught in the first place?"

The girl looks to the ground. "It was dark and there was no one around so I made some lights to get through the alley, but then that noble saw and grabbed me! I wanted to get away but the Master told us to never use magic against another person, so I couldn't do anything... But then, you showed up and saved me!"

Though the girl beamed at her, she automatically throws a scalding glare at Winter. Rationally, she understands it was perhaps the right thing to teach. If the girl had defended herself using magic against a noble like Kluy, it would lead to another witch hunt for 'dangerous sorcerers'. It's unfortunate for Winter that she's not in the state of mind to be rational. The only keeps her from blowing up at him at him are the children and the fear that his Score would drop if she did. 

Her glare makes Winter flinch and bow deeply. "Words cannot describe how thankful I am to you for saving my disciple. I understand it's not enough to make up for my discourtesy, but allow me to fulfill your request to the guild free of charge."

She doesn't let up her glare and wipes her nose with the handkerchief she still clutched in her hands from the Duke's office. "Well, I was going to ask you to find someone for me and deliver something to them, but I wasn't given time to grab the item I wanted delivered, or a robe, or a mask."

Winter, properly reprimanded, shrinks into himself while the child with the cat mask pipes up, "Why would you need a mask?"

She thinks for a minute on how to answer. She felt like she needed a mask because that's how she showed up in her last life, but she couldn't very well say that. Instead she answers, "Everyone has one on here. I feel a little left out."

"You can have mine, then!" The girl with the red pigtails unties hers to reveal the cute, freckled face she saved the night before. So she was one of Winter's kids.

"Eliza! You can't just show your face like that, we have these masks for a reason!" the child with the lion mask yells.

"You just said my name, Raon, that's supposed to be a secret to!"

"Eliza!"

She intervenes before the kids can fight more. "Children, children, it's fine! I'm not going to reveal your secrets to anyone. Your Master wouldn't call me here if I was a bad person, right?"

The suspicious looks don't go away, so she decides to go with the classic method of winning over kids.

"My name is Penelope. I'm a big name noble that nobody likes, just like sorcerers." Introduce yourself so you're not strangers anymore. "I know magic is seen as dangerous and sorcerers like you are persecuted. To be honest, there was a time I was scared of it too. But recently, I was shown the wonderful things magic can do." She makes deliberate eye contact with Winter and his Score goes up by a percent. "I have no intention of telling anyone what I've seen today. Just keep the fact that I cried a secret too, okay?"

The kids (and Winter) stare at her dumbfounded. Then one by one, the kids take their masks off and she's treated to five toothy, shy gins of the sorcerer children.

"Master, you too!" Winter freezes when the boy that wore the lion mask, Raon, calls him out.

He stares at her wide-eyed and she decides to takes pity on him. "You don't have to if you don't want to. I don't mind."

"No... the children are right." He shakes his head as he reaches behind his ears. "I have done nothing but cause you great trouble. It's the least I could do for Eliza's savior after you've done nothing but show your trustworthiness."

The mask slips off to reveal the soft, handsome features of Winter Verdandi. She doesn't have to fake the shock in her voice, "It's you." 

Why would he reveal his identity so early and easily?

"Yes, we meet again."

"How funny, the one I was going to request the guild find was you."

Before Winter can answer, the children interrupt in rapid fire fashion.

"Eh, why would you want to find our Master?" 

"Did you want to get revenge or something?"

"Don't tell me the Master messed up before this too!" 

Though she's partly aware Winter wasn't wholly to blame and the greatest fault lied with the game and it's developers who were eager to push their events one way or another, she can't help but grin a little at Winter's flustered face as the children direct their heat towards him again. Yeah, take that, you inconsiderate jerk. 

She lets him suffer the wrath of five exasperated, hot-headed kids for another moment before deciding to come to his rescue. "You misunderstand, children. I didn't seek him out because he slighted me in any way. Rather, I wanted to give him a gift to repay a favor."

The kids stop hitting Winter and burst into chatter.

"What, you wanted to give him a gift?"

"Doesn't that mean you love someone in noble language?"

"Oh god, you can't love him, Noble Lady! He's so strict and cruel!"

"Wait, wouldn't the Master become nicer if he got married to the nice Noble Lady?"

"Yeah! Then the cool Noble Lady could stay here!"

And in just a few sentences, their talk went from trying to dissuade her from getting involved with Winter to getting married to him. She has no idea how Winter keeps up with them.

"A-hem." Winter clears his throat loudly. Without the mask, it's easy to see the pink that dusts his pale cheeks. "I have to discuss the guild request with Miss Penelope now. Please leave us."

The kids whine at their "cruel and unfair" Master, but slowly file out of the room. 

"Bye, Noble Lady! Visit us again!" 

Eliza lingers even after the others have waved goodbye, then runs up to hug her around the waist. Unlike the night before in the alley, she's not trembling in fear and is instead smiling brightly. "Bye Lady Penelope, please come again!"

Before she can respond, Eliza hurries after the other children. Her heart is a little warmer.

Once the children's voices have faded, Winter starts, "The request-"

"It's fine. I'll come back with the gift another day. For now, could you teleport me back to my room? I'm still recovering from last night and now this ordeal."

Winter's eyes widen considerably and he covers his mouth. "I'm so sorry, my Lady. I can't do that." 

With a strained smile, she asks, "Why not?"

"There is an anti-magic barrier around the Duke's mansion so people are unable to teleport inside."

"How were you able to teleport the rabbit into my room, then?"

"The rabbit I sent you was not a living being but rather an object I moved with magic, so it was able to bypass the barrier."

"So you're telling me that you teleported me out of my room... but you can't teleport me back?!"

"Y-yes. The barrier only prevents people from teleporting in, since in the past that was a common technique for assassinations to be carried out."

"Wait, if that the case, why don't people teleport the person they want to assassinate out to kill them in an separate location?"

Winter blinks. "...Truthfully, I don't know."

She would bet her life that the developers were to blame for this unnecessary, half-assed plot point. 

"So, how am I supposed to get back without anyone knowing? No one knows I'm gone!"

"I-I'm sorry, my Lady. I wasn't thinking. What... what should I do?"

"What should you do? How should I-!" Winter droops like a sad puppy. Affection Score, she reminds herself. She takes a deep breath. "Okay. Where's the closest you can teleport me to the mansion?"

"To the front gates, just not within the walls."

"Then, please take me to Hamilton Street. I will figure out the rest from there."

"My Lady... I have done you a great disservice. Please, let me find a way to make it up to you."

I don't need you to make it up, I need to get back to my room before someone finds me missing!

"It's not fine, but I need to go right now. I'll think about what you can do to make this up to me and come back with the gift next time. Now can you please teleport me to Hamilton Street?"

"Yes! Yes, excuse me." Winter holds out his hand. 

The second she takes it, her stomach lurches but they land safely in the familiar scenery of the busy Hamilton street.

The sun hangs high in the sky which meant at least an hour or two must have passed since she left early morning. Though it was better than midnight, it wouldn't be a bad idea to get back to her room as soon as she could for the sake of not getting caught. And for her mental stability.

"Well," she casts one last callous glance to Winter, "bye."

"Wait! Will I see you again, my Lady?"

"I still have the gift to repay you for your trick in the garden."

"You don't have to. I've caused you nothing but trouble even after you saved one of the children."

"No, I'll still bring it. It's nothing much, but I did get it for you."

Priing! [14%]

"Do you... still have the rose?"

She furrows her brows at the off topic question. "I do."

"May I make a request of you, my Lady?"

Her eyebrow twitches. After everything you put me through, you still want something from me?

"What is it?"

"Please bring the rose with you when you come back."

A part of her wants to ask why she would do something so trivial, but the bigger part of her is screaming to get home already. The event is done.

She doesn't deign his question with an answer and says, "I'll be back to deliver the gift to you in a few days time. For now, please take care of the children and yourself, Marquis."

"Yes... I hope the next time we meet, your eyes will not hold so much sadness. Take care, Lady Penelope."

[ System ]

[Event Successful! {A Sorcerer's Pride}

Would you like to accept the reward?]

A no-brainer. If she didn't get something out of this, that would truly be the most unfair thing.

[ System ]

[Reward Acquired!

Wnter's Affection Score +3%, Sorcerer's help(1)]

Great, the same reward as last life, except with three times the amount of heartache and embarrassment.

The last thing she sees before she flicks around the corner is the newly gained 17% glow above Winter's head.

Chapter Text

To get back to her room was a but a trifling task to Penelope, who had experience sneaking through the doghole in her last life. Even her body seemed to remember slipping under the wall and crouching in the shadows of bushes to be inconspicuous, so it’s clear the original Penelope must have snuck through numerous times as well, so there was no issue with the act of sneaking in and out itself.

The problem was not getting caught. Which she failed, once again, she should add.

"What are you doing?"

Though the sun was high in the sky, Derrick's very presence made her world gloom.

I had just found the doghole, too... "Why, Lord Derrick! Were you also getting some fresh air?"

"Fresh air? No. Penelope, I'm asking why you are on the ground, outside the duchy."

She plasters a smile on her face and gets up to dust her dress off. "Whatever do you mean, Young Lord? I'm not on the ground!" The dark look on his face makes her backtrack quickly. "I was just going back to my room after stepping out for a moment."

"Through the doghole, Penelope, really?" He sighs. "Honestly, what would people have thought if they had seen? Are you so eager to drag the Eckhart name through the mud?"

Her nails dig into her palms to keep from exploding then and there. 

With Derrick it was always Eckhart this, and Eckhart that. To be frank, she doesn't care. Penelope didn't care. Neither about this name or reputation, both of which were already tattered and ruined. 

I haven't even had a proper breakdown yet, and this game still insists on pushing these interactions on me. "I just... wanted a break."

"If you really wanted a break, I'm sure there were better ways than sneaking out of the mansion."

"In case you forgot, Lord Derrick, it was you who put me on a neverending probation. I can't even take a walk without someone breathing down my neck. I didn't want to disturb anyone and came back quietly without a fuss, but as always it seems I cannot do anything right in your eyes."

His eyes grew sharp, and his Affection Score blinks and falls point by hard earned point. 

"I put you on probation for your own good, yet you sneak out and lower yourself out in the open for anyone to see. Clearly, probation isn't enough of a punishment for you to understand what you've done wrong. What will it take for you to stop being selfish?" 

All the air in her lungs seem to leave her.

Selfish? Is that what Derrick thought of Penelope? That she was selfish?

Penelope, who was neglected and ignored by her own family for years. Who endured slave like treatment by her own staff and couldn't say anything. A girl that no one believed in and had no one to turn to. Penelope, who had bit her tongue and held her breath, even when she was treated unfairly, until she died. 

And she was selfish?

Her eyes stung with a fresh wave of tears. This cruel fucking game. 

She's so angry, she can't even open her mouth for fear of what would come out. It's just her luck, then, that the Affection Score abruptly stops blinking, and Derrick's face turns to one of bewilderment.

"...It seems you're still exhausted from last night. Come, I'll have someone escort you to your room."

He doesn't wait for her to respond and walks in the direction of the front gates, where she'd have to face the knights and servants of the duchy with a blotchy, snot dripping face. For someone who goes on and on about keeping appearances, he's really about to let me through the front gates for everyone to see my mess of an appearance, huh?

Despite saying he would have someone else do it, Derrick ends up walking her back to her room. Lucky for her, he doesn't say anything the whole way, and she only has to focus on keeping her breathing steady to contain her emotions.

"Lady Penelope! And the Young Duke as well!" Emily curtsies when they finally get back to her room.

"Emily? I thought I had dismissed you earlier... Don't tell me you stood out here the entire time!"

Her maid nods and a new emotion makes itself known to her today: guilt. Even after slamming the door in her face, this girl...

"Your Lady is tired. Get her something light to eat and let her rest for the day," Derrick orders.

She wants to be mad at Derrick for commanding her maid, but she can't deny her hunger, or the relief she feels at the word 'rest'. Emily sends one last worried glance to her but hurries away to follow Derrick's instruction.

"Penelope." She turns to Derrick, who must notice the weariness on her face because he says, "...I'll keep this brief because you are exhausted, but please, if you're going to go out, no matter how small the reason, go proudly through the front door like an Eckhart. You're an adult, so I won't limit where you decide to go, but take at least one escort with you, for your safety."

She nods along and internally begs for him to finish talking already.

"And," -dammit, "if you insist on being inconspicuous and secretive about it," he holds out the magic-disguise bracelet she never got to use her last life, "use this. I bought it at the Festival. The jewels have been replaced with magic gems, so if you wear it, it will activate protective and camouflage abilities to look like some other girl around your age."

[ System ] 

[Event Success! {Explore the Festival with Derrick} 

Would you like to accept the reward?]

As soon she holds out her hand, the reward is accepted. Derrick's Affection Score changes accordingly.

We didn't even explore the Festival this time. Is the only clear condition to hold a conversation during the Festival week??

"...Thank you, Derrick." In her exhaustion, she forgets his honorific, and stutters to backtrack, "I mean, my Lor-"

Shiing!

Abruptly, Derrick turns away, and it’s a good thing, too. Because she can't bring herself to pick her jaw up from the ground.  

"There will be no punishment since it seems this was a simple mistake born from exhaustion. Rest, so something like this won't happen again."

It shouldn't be anything special, for an Affection Score to go up only 2%, but when the only reason was because she called him Derrick without his title? At the start of the day, his Score was 24%, then it fell to 21% in an instant because she expressed her opinion of his unreasonableness, only for it to go back to 24% with the reward, and then it rose again to a final 26%. What a roller coaster of emotions.

"My Lady...?"

Emily is back, awkwardly holding a tray in hand when she finally snaps herself from her stupor. Her breakfast, (or would it be lunch now?) smelled divine. She doesn't say anything and crosses the threshold to her room where she can finally relax. Her maid follows along with a soft smile and serves her without a word.

Whatever food is set in front of her disappears as she practically inhales it. By the time she finishes, Emily has her usual bright smile and the guilt from how she treated her floods back. 

"...I'm sorry about this morning, Emily."

"You have nothing to apologize for, my Lady! It's been a stressful couple of days for you. As your loyal maid, I am at your beck and call, through thick and thin!"

"You are my daughter, no matter what," the Duke had said similarly. 

And she knows they were saying that with the real Penelope in mind, not her, but the selfish part of her felt happy from hearing it. She had no one in her real life that would stand as strongly by her side, even if it was only a lie. Besides, the real Penelope was gone now... It was getting harder and harder to differentiate this game from real life.

Maybe it was time she start taking this life a little more seriously.

Chapter Text

[My Dear Lady Penelope Eckhart,

It has been months since our meeting in the palace rose garden. I have sent you many personal letters, as well as ordered an invitation to be sent to you for every royal banquet, no matter how big or small, yet I have not seen or heard from you once.

I am starting to be a little hurt by your silence, but I wouldn't dare think you are avoiding me, the Crown Prince, so rudely. Clearly, your metal poisoning must be more dire than I initially thought. My worry for you, and desire to express my deepest remorse for your suffering has only grown. It is my hope that you receive this letter in good health, and that I will see you again sooner than the Hunting Tournament, which is still agonizing months away.

-Callisto Regulus

P.S. I insist you answer me soon, for I fear I cannot hold myself back from storming the Eckhart mansion to confirm your health for myself.]

"Emily, burn this one, too."

"My Lady, are you sure? This is the fourth one..."

"Which is precisely why I'm tired of seeing them. If it's not at least providing warmth to me, it's more than useless. Get rid of it."

With a reluctant look, Emily takes the half-crumpled letter, and folds it into her pocket, presumably to dispose of it later.

She holds in a sigh. Even when she found a way to avoid confessing her fake love to him and catching his interest like that, she still had to deal with these vaguely threatening letters from Callisto. 

There's a knock at the door that saves her from Emily's worried looks. "It is Pennel, my Lady."

"Come in."

Upon opening the door, Pennel bows. "The Duke has asked me to escort you to the main floor dining floor to eat lunch together."

Ah, he did say he expected to see me at lunch soon. 

It was hard to keep up with all of these events, even when her life depended on it. "I was hoping to rest a bit more, I am still exhausted since it was only two days ago that I went through everything at the Festival."

"Your Father insisted on checking your health with his own eyes. He also mentioned a very important discussion with the family." Ha! If he were really concerned, he would come check on me himself rather than drag his weak daughter out of bed.

That thought aside, she got up. Guess I can't avoid it. "I will go. Emily, help me get dressed. We shouldn't keep them waiting."

When the door's to the dining hall opens, she expects to be met with scorn like her last life for being so slow (because even when Emily dressed her as fast as she could, it still takes time with how unnecessarily complicated this era's dresses were).  

What she's greeted with instead makes her pause at the door.

The Duke's eyes light up when they meet hers, even smiles, which is something he's never done before. Almost as shocking is Derrick's Score, which is officially the highest it's ever been, and the highest among the male characters right now, at 26%.

The only one who seemed to be in a foul mood was Reynold, and it was easy to see why. His score, which was already the lowest among the protagonists, had since only dropped further, and now stood at a (terrifying) 2%.

Why? Because I pushed him away once?

"Do you have no concept of time? How long were you planning on making us wait?"

"Now, now, Reynold. Sit down before the food gets cold, Penelope."

"Thank you, Father." She pointedly ignores Reynolds's comment, and allows Pennel to pull the chair for her.

Much like before, no one pays her or her toy cutlery any mind, but she finds a way to entertain herself by pushing her sad salad around with her equally pathetic fork. The quiet clinking of cutlery is almost soothing when she can ignore her hunger, and she tries to prepare herself for the conversation she's about to face.

If she remembers correctly, all they were going to talk about was the Hunting Tournament (that she never got to see), and they would wrap up quickly once she put Dona in her place. Now that she actually knew the context for this event, she should be able to better respond to the Duke and retreat to her room faster. She was still recovering her energy after three consecutive events in a row.

"Penelope." 

She braces herself. Luckily, she just had to grovel for Penelope’s past mistakes and reassure him on the future Hunting Contest, nothing she hasn’t done before. "Yes, Father?"

"I received a letter from the Crown Prince." Her heart stops. "Is it true you've been ignoring his letters and invitations for months?"

"What does that jackass want?!"

For a moment, she panics thinking she couldn't filter herself when she realizes it was Reynold who said that.

"Reynold, watch your tongue!"

"The Crown Prince has been sending you letters?" Derrick asks.

"Yes, unfortunately."

"And you've been ignoring them?!" 

She doesn't deign Reynold with an answer and chose to rub her temples instead. This game existed only to mess with her because there was no other way to explain this absolute fuckery. 

"Yes, from the sounds of it he seems convinced she’s still within an inch of her life since she hasn’t even sent a compulsory response back.”

Who knew her eloquent reply of yelling, ‘dogshit!’ would somehow garner even more attention from His Royal Bastard than a love confession would.

"Wait, Father! What did his letter to you say?" Because mine have sounded like nothing but threats!

"He simply asked how you were doing since he didn't know without any response. He also asked if he would be allowed to make a formal apology for ‘the noble relationship between the royal family and esteemed Eckharts'."

“So you're saying I should keep in contact with the person that slashed my neck?"

The Duke sighs. “As much as I understand your feelings on him, he is still the Crown Prince. You cannot avoid him forever, Penelope. We'll be seeing them soon at the Hunting Tournament."

"The Hunting Tournament? You can't tell me we're bringing Penelope after what she did last year!" Reynold yelled.

The Duke doesn’t bother reprimanding Reynold anymore and pats his napkin to his mouth. "Yes, that was the other thing I wished to bring up. Penelope's ban has been lifted so we will all be attending the Hunting Tournament together this year."

"Father, I must also oppose this decision. With everything that has happened, I don't think Penelope should be allowed to-"

"Enough!" The Duke slams his fists on the table, instantly silencing any other protests Derrick and Reynold might have had. "It has already been decided that Penelope will go. To leave her even after the ban was lifted is exactly the kind of weakness those lower nobles want!"

"I don't mind staying here, though..." Her jaw snaps shut from the frigid glare the Duke sends her.

"Penelope, you will be attending the Hunting Tournament and you will be on your best behavior. There will be no situation like last year, right?"

"Y-yes! I won't let you down, Father..."

"I expect you to write a response to the Crown Prince, even if it's just to say you respectfully accept his apology. I don't want any type of uproar about the Eckhart's rudeness towards the royal family."

"Yes..." 

"Good." The Duke nods, then rings the bell to signal for dessert.

At once, her plates still piled high with food are cleared and replaced with the single, sad glob of jello she received her last life. 

"Penelope, what is that dessert?"

"Huh?" The spoons she was getting ready to flick actually does clatter to the ground in her surprise. "Oh, how clumsy of me. Could you pick that up, Miss Dona?"

Dona looks to her fearfully and she can only assume it's because of Derrick's sudden interest in her meal. 

Knowing her plan to expose Dona would get her kicked out of the duchy without a penny to her name or a backup job is almost enough for her to rethink her plan. But then, she feels hunger stab at her empty stomach and thinks about how Penelope had to endure this kind of treatment until she died. 

Any moment of weak, kindheartedness flies out the window as she gets up. 

"I am not sure what this dessert is myself, Derrick, but I know that I will not be eating it. Or more accurately I can't eat it, even if I had any desire to." Her 'family' watches her with wide eyes as she inspects the fork she used, and feels like a giant with how her hand seems to swallow it. "It seems the kitchen staff hasn't updated their cutlery since I was a child. I simply do not have the dexterity needed to use these tiny, childlike utensils. I'll be going back to my room now, please enjoy the rest of your meal, Father, brothers."

She doesn't bother looking over back to check the scores. Whether they went up or down right now, it didn't matter to her. 

On her way out, she purposefully stops in front of the servants at the door, who become rigid at her presence. In a loud voice she says, "Please alert the kitchen staff that I will be sending my maid, Emily, to get me a sandwich once I'm back to my room. At least I can eat a sandwich with only my hands."

The doors creak shut behind her. Solemn and heavy, like the final signal to Dona and the colluding kitchen staff's execution. Metaphorically, that is.

If she were Ivonne, perhaps then she might have felt an ounce of sympathy for essentially going out of her way to ruin Dona's working life, but she felt nothing. If they didn't want this to happen, they shouldn't have let Penelope starve and wither away all these years.

Chapter Text

Out of pure spite, she wants to say the sandwich Emily brings her tastes like ash, but that would be a lie. It was one of the most delicious meals she's eaten since coming to this world, and the reason had to be – "Emily." She smiles and her maid's shoulders, which were tense since coming back from the kitchen, relax. "Thank you for bringing me food every day."

"Of course, my Lady." Emily beams back. "I'll continue to serve you even more diligently, so please don't ever hesitate to ask me for anything!"

Unbidden, the memory from when she gifted Emily the amulet her last life flickers through her mind. They both smiled at her with the same devotion and warmth. 

The words slip out before she can stop them, "Can I trust you, Emily?"

Her maid must sense the her sudden somberness, and asks with furrowed brows, "Have I done something to upset your Ladyship?"

She shakes her head. "No, it's just something that came to mind. Forget it."

She promised herself that she would take this life more seriously, and that meant acknowledging the fact that the people around her weren't just characters for her anymore. That meant having to put her trust in others as people, and not programmed NPCs. But it wasn’t that easy.

Emily's soft reply snaps her from her thoughts. "I briefly heard what happened with the kitchen staff." She bows deeply. "Nothing will change what I did, but I'm truly sorry for my past conduct, Lady Penelope."

Guilt pricks her heart. It's silly, how much she doubts her own maid when she's seen how genuinely Emily serves her (for two lives, in fact). "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to take my frustration out on you. This situation just reminded me of how different you are from the rest of the staff. Even after I offered to discard the needle, you told me to keep it, and continue to be so enthusiastic in your efforts to serve me. Why? What makes you want to keep serving me?" Can I put that same amount of trust into you?

"Why do I want to serve you? That's because," Emily averts her gaze that would make her worry, if not for the pink dusts that dusts her freckled cheeks, "my Lady was the first person to acknowledge me."

She raises an eyebrow. "I'm not sure I would call blackmail acknowledgement..."

"No, not that! You told me yourself, I have good sense. It may seem like a small thing, but it made me happy to hear. Serving someone that recognizes me for my skills and work is the most fulfilled I have felt since I started working here as a maid." 

Some pressure constricting her heart lightens at Emily words. She considers Emily's words and asks, "So if it wasn't me, but rather Derrick or Reynold that acknowledged you first, then you would have pledged your unwavering loyalty to them?"

"I am a servant of the Eckhart mansion, so to an extent I am sworn to serve them as well, but the Young Lords are a bit..." Emily's face scrunches up.

"A bit?" she prods. No one, from what she remembered, said anything bad about Derrick and Reynold (mostly because they were busy bad mouthing her, but that was beside the point). If she had an ally that she could complain about her brothers freely, how amazing would that be?

"A bit... well, I'm really happy it's your Ladyship I'm serving exclusively now." Emily laughs awkwardly, but she can grasp what she's trying to get at. As a maid, Emily could get in trouble if she's caught talking badly about the Eckhart sons... (but that didn't mean she would go telling on Penelope if she decided to complain about her brothers).

She coughs to hide her grin, and says, "You needn't say anymore, Emily, I understand. I'm glad it's you who's by my side."

"Of course! I will continue serving my Ladyship to the fullest!"

[ System ]

[Relationship with the duke's household members improved! Your reputation points have increased +5

TOTAL POINTS: 35]

Her smile only grows further. For once, the System window felt like encouragement rather than stress or a threat. It told her that she was going on the right path. 

Then, a familiar knocking at the door wipes the smile off her face. 

Her good mood is shattered further when Pennel comes in and informs her of the attic opening up to her again. 

Because she remembers this conversation, and the sour taste it left in her mouth, and she sends Emily away. She told herself she would let herself rely on Emily, but for now, she didn’t want to ruin the lighthearted moment they just shared. 

Her maid shoots her a furrowed glance on her way out, but leaves without protest. Once the door shuts, she turns back to Pennel. "So Father opened the attic to me after barring me from the third floor for years? He must be extremely distraught over what happened at lunch."

Much like her last life, Pennel's eyes slide to the floor when he informs her solemnly, "Miss Dona has been fired, my Lady." 

She listens to his spiel on Dona's expulsion with little interest since she'd already heard it once before. When he finally reaches the end his unnecessary report, she asks, "Am I supposed to celebrate that? Why do you think I would be happy about someone else's suffering?"

As if her response is truly unexpected, Pennel flinches. "That's not what I meant at all, my Lady! I am sorry for my careless wording."

It's hard to withhold a sneer at his taken aback expression. Even now, she, Penelope, was labeled as nothing but a wicked villainess when it was Pennel who set the precedent for her to be looked down upon.

"You ought to speak a bit more bluntly, dear butler," she smiles, "since it was thanks to a certain someone that was uncomfortable with me hanging around the third floor who got me banned from an entire section of my own house." Because what kind of noble, even an illegitimate noble child, couldn't move freely around their own home for so many years? 

Reynold and Derrick's nasty plots and attitudes alienated her from the Eckhart name, but it was ultimately Pennel's conduct as head servant that caused Penelope to lose any respect she could have had with the rest of the house.

"My Lady... I'm sorry. The ordeal at lunch was wholly due to my negligence. For too many years, I have neglected my duty to care for you as I should have with the flimsy excuse of being too busy. The Duke is also extremely apologetic for not paying closer attention to his servant's actions towards you, and thought long and hard about what would appease you. I will gladly receive any punishment you have for me, but please accept the Duke's sincerity."

"Ha..." Like how the game repeats it's story, it seemed she was also doomed to experience the same painful thoughts and feelings over and over again. 

It didn't matter that she'd been through this before. Pennel's admission, the Duke apologies, words that she's sure Penelope would have been elated to hear... They didn't matter because she wasn't Penelope. The original Penelope was gone.

She could only imagine what kind of face she was making when the butler gasps, "My Lady..."

Perhaps if her relationship with Reynold wasn't so abysmal, the attic would have been a decent place to work through the wave of sadness and agony that crashes over her anytime she thinks about the original, pitiful soul of Penelope Eckhart. 

As it stood now, however, "Tell Father I appreciate his sincerity and will accept his offer to use the attic when I wish. As for what else you said... I will think of a suitable punishment for you another day. For now, I don't wish to be bothered with it. You're dismissed, Pennel."

Pennel gazes at her with sad eyes, but bows to leave. 

Of course, he can't leave quietly like a decent servant. He stops at the door and adds, "I heard the fireworks are meant to be extra grand this year to celebrate the Empire's victory in battle. The attic always has a wonderful view of them, and will be open for you anytime," before finally shutting the door and leaving her in solitude.

Chapter Text

Her room, which seemed bright only moments ago, was awash in the dying orange light of the sunset. No matter how late their lunch was, it was strange how fast the sun went down. They say time passes when you're having fun, but in this world, apparently time passes however it felt like to fit it's dumb events.

The conversation leaves her skin buzzing with restless energy, and she makes the quick decision to go on a walk. It’s the same thought and action she took as her last life, but this time would be different. She wouldn’t allow herself to be swayed by the game and talk to Reynold. 

Her aimless wandering turns out to not be so aimless, and she realizes her feet have carried her to the training ground, which is empty because of the Festival, save for one soul in the furthermost corner of the grounds.

She watches Eckles hack away at the air in a barbarous trance. Her neck tingles when she remembers that murderous fury direct at her neck when she almost had her head lopped off by his wooden sword.

Without thinking, she sprints towards the cover of trees.

There was no point in hiding, she knows. Eckles' senses and perception were superhuman, so he probably knew where she was. Her hiding from him like this would only put him on edge, which was the opposite of what she wanted. But the irrational part of her: the part that vividly remembered the fear of falling, the audible crack her neck made as it twisted and broke, the blinding pain as she tried and failed to breathe. That cowardly part of her shrieked at the thought of getting close to Eckles again. 

Her eyes catch the glint of the cursed red ring that controlled Eckles, and sighs. In a way, everything and nothing changed since her first life. She kept his ring since the Duke insisted on it, which meant she still acted as his shackles, even if she wasn't the one who bought him.

She leans against a tree trunk and wills her wildly beating heart to calm down. All she had to do was call out to him (with at least ten feet a few trees between them) and he shouldn't have an excuse to attack her. His score was higher than it was from her last life, so if she gave him a heads up instead of approaching him silently like she did last time, there should be no danger for her.

Just as she steeled herself to approach him, a loud voice makes her freeze in her hiding place.

"Hey, slave. Do you really think you can become a knight and protect the Eckharts with skills like that?" Dammit, of course it's him. This must be where Reynold was before going to the attic. She held her breath, and waited for Eckles' reply. Fortunately, or not, there wasn't one, and Reynold continued, "A mere slave that my stupid sister picked up could never be a part of the Eckhart knights. The fact that you're even here makes me sick."

Irritation courses through her, but she holds it in. Revealing herself when the two most volatile male protagonists were present wouldn't be a good idea. Especially considering she died in a similar situation like that last life. It's a good thing she didn't have to worry about Eckles saying anything foolish either because he wasn't loyal to her. He might be able to avoid the ridiculous command Reynold gave him to keep training – 

"You shouldn't speak of the Lady of the house that way, Young Lord."

– Goddammit.

"What is a mere slave to tell me what to do? You're loyal to the Eckharts, dammit! Not that wench."

"As you said, I am loyal to the Eckhart family; Lady Penelope is an Eckhart. Thus, I cannot allow you to insult one I am sworn to protect, even if it's you, Young Lord."

Reynold barks out a harsh laugh. "Your power is worthless to us now. Keep training until your arms fall off. I command it, as an Eckhart."

She peeks from her hiding place to see Eckles bow after Reynold's retreating figure when the white game system box appears in front of her.

[ System ]

[Special Event! {Explore the Festival with Eckles}

Will you advance through this stage?]

[Reward: Eckles Affection Score +3%, Secret Item]

She supposes it shouldn't surprise her that there would be a similar quest for Eckles since she was avoiding him.

By the time she's accepted the quest, her worst brother is finally out of sight. As she expected, Eckles drops to a knee in the perfect form of servitude as she emerges, like he sensed she was there. 

"Raise your head, Eckles."

Eckles shakes his head. "My Lady, I must continue my training. The Young Lord ordered me to."

"Didn't you say yourself? I am as much an Eckhart as my brothers. If I order you to put down your sword and take a rest, you are obligated to listen to me. Besides, would it not be a waste of my Father's resources if you were to suddenly drop dead from exhaustion?"

Eckles finally meets her eyes. His score goes up a percent.

He hesitantly rises to his feet, and she realizes now that she's here, she didn't actually prepare anything to say. 

In her last life, any meeting with Eckles was always to check in on how he was doing under the guise of a caring master (and to wrack up Affection points). Now that she was just the daughter of the Eckharts, a presence far removed from her previous role, how was she supposed to act?

For the moment, she asks, "It's been a few days since you've come here, how are you adjusting?"

Eckles lowers his head. "I will forever be grateful to the Eckhart's for taking a slave such as myself in with such kindness. Everything I am provided is more than I deserve."

He gracefully sidestepped the question, which she vaguely understood meant he was being harassed, but he didn't deem it important enough to tell her. 

In a way, it was strangely reassuring some things didn't change from her last life. Eckles remained predictable in this sense, but...

Suddenly overcome with weariness, she sighs and looks up to see stars twinkle as the sun disappears from the horizon. Soon, fireworks will fill the sky, and if this Eckles was the same as her last life (nothing but a dangerous, untamed wolf willing to do anything to save himself, regardless of morals), then something told her she would never get to enjoy fireworks the same way if she died again.

"Eckles, I need you to answer what I'm about to ask honestly."

His shoulders tense imperceptibly to anyone else, but to her trained eyes that have spent a worrying amount of time studying him, she can tell he's nervous. Nonetheless, he answers dutifully, "Of course, my Lady."

"That night when you saved me, did you do that because you knew I was a noble?"

She knows to some extent that Eckles' decision to help her was due to the fact she was a powerful noble. At least, it would be easy for him to assume she was more powerful than Kluy. He probably knew that if she got hurt, he would have no chance of survival from her family's wrath. 

It made her wonder, though. If she hadn't screamed her status before he attacked her, would Eckles have followed Kluy's orders? Was there a part of Eckles that wasn't focused only on his own survival at the cost of everyone else? Because if the answer was yes, and he would have handed her straight to Kluy without a second thought for the sake of his own survival, she would give up on him.

She didn't need someone who would betray her at the first chance he got. 

With a steadying breath, she focuses on Eckles again, who meets her gaze with his own determined stare. "No. My actions would have been the same, regardless of who my Lady was. In Delman, it is a crime to assault any citizen, but especially children or if you are someone in a position of power. Though my country is gone and I am only a slave, I would rather die than betray these ideals."

If she were a protagonist herself, she's sure her own Affection Score would have gone up at least 5% by his words. His resolute sincerity left no room for doubt in her mind that he was telling the truth. Somehow, this was the most open she'd seen him, and she'd gotten him up to 50% last life. Unable to withhold her awe she says, "Eckles..."

His eyes widen and suddenly hone in on her hand. Her heart breaks a little bit at the fear in his eyes. 

He drops his knees before her. "I am sorry, my Lady! I spoke out of line. Please, punish as you see fit."

"Oh, no, you misunderstand! I'm sorry, please stand, Eckles." 

Eckles doesn't move, and digs his fingers into the dirt below him.

Unlike in her last life, this Eckles had no idea she would sacrifice everything if it meant raising his Affection Score. In front of her now was just a scared teenager, who endured months of the harshest, most inhumane treatment as a slave, that ran his mouth in front of the infamously wicked and cruel daughter of the Eckharts. And like during her earlier conversation with Emily, she thought, maybe it was time to start treating him like a person to trust, rather than a character in a game.

With the gentleness of a mother to her child, she tilts his face up to meet her eyes and says, "Eckles, I think that is wonderfully brave of you to continue those noble traditions. You are more than worthy to serve the Eckharts."

Eckles' eyes shine. His Score, now 26%, floats above him.

He opens his mouth, but his reply is lost in the distant shriek and explosion of fireworks that paint the sky above them.

Chapter Text

What she gains as a reward from Eckles' quest is [A knight's appraising eye(1)], which is unconventional, to say the least. She supposes it must be similar to what she received from Winter's quest, the 'Sorcerer's help', but Eckles' felt much more specific and confusing.

In the end, she decides not to think about it and writes it down absentmindedly along with her other notes on the story and protagonists. 

Eckles (29%), Winter (17%), Callisto (7%), Reynold (2%), Derrick (26%)... Looking at all their scores side by side, Derrick’s abnormally high score doesn’t seem as out of place when compared to Reynold, who stubbornly remains at a terrifyingly low percent. Every other score was close to or above 10%, so what was she doing wrong with Reynold? Was the attic so important in progressing their relationship?

A knock at the door shakes her from her thoughts. 

As per usual, Pennel comes in and bows. "My Lady, I have come to retrieve your response to his Highness."

"Now?" Her brows furrow. "It was only yesterday Father asked me to respond. I don't have anything prepared yet."

"The Duke has asked that you send one posthaste. It seems the Crown Prince sent another letter this morning saying he will be visiting if he doesn't get a response immediately."

A heavy sigh escapes her. She still had to plan for the upcoming Hunting Tournament and how to survive that... if she could even get to that point. Her original death date was approaching fast, and as much as she pushed it to the back of her mind, the closer the date got, the more anxious she became.

Luckily, now she knew she could avoid certain events since she was able to skip the event with Reynold in the attic, but still. Once she overcame the date, she still had to go through the Tournament, and who knew what she'd have to face there...

Those thoughts were going to have to wait until later. For now, she could only focus on the formidable foe in front of her, and that was the constant thorn in her side, the Crown Prince.

"Fine. Do you mind waiting a moment while I write, Pennel?"

"Of course, my Lady. I will be here."

She nods, and rolls her sleeves up. If they want a response so badly, then I'll give them a response.

It's with vindictive fury that she scratches out word after word. From her peripherals, Emily and Pennel flinch as she stabs her pen into the inkwell, but pays them no mind and continues writing. She's done in record time, and leans back in her chair and admires her handiwork with a wicked smile.

Her letter reads,

[Dear the Sun of the Empire, his Highness Callisto Regulus,

How could I, a humble citizen of your Empire, possibly ignore you? I was recovering from my injury for many months, for my body is quite frail, you see. What may be but a scratch on his Highness' body could have been a fatal injury for me due to the blood loss and subsequent metal poisoning. But as you can tell from this letter I write, I am perfectly well and respectfully accept your apology. As such, I will not be needing you to visit or confirm my health.

The Hunting Tournament is a little less than a month away by the time you receive this letter. I wish you all the luck, and I hope our relationship as the Daughter of the Noble Eckharts and your Highness, the Golden Prince, remains a harmonious one.

-Penelope Eckhart

P.S. If we meet again, please keep your weapons around me sheathed. If they are not, I can promise you 'harmonious' is not what will be describing our relationship any longer.]

Other than her slightly jagged letters, and the thick blots of ink that starts every few sentences, her letter shows no indication of her agitation. Which meant her family nor the Prince can say she wasn't perfectly civil. Aside from the ending line, that is. But she could just as easily say she wrote it as a precaution since she didn't want to be stabbed again.

And with what the Prince himself has been writing to her, he deserved this much at least.

She seals the letter and hands it to a slightly sweating Pennel. "This is my response to the Crown Prince, as Father requested. I trust you'll make sure it gets to where it needs to go?"

"Y-yes, my Lady. Do you need anything else before I go?"

"No, that will be all. You may go."

Emily closes the door behind Pennel. The click of the door has her sighing, and she looks out the window at the vast grounds of the Eckhart mansion.

"Will you be going out today, my Lady? The weather is perfect for a picnic if you wish for me to prepare something for you."

She smiles. "Yes, that sounds lovely. Let's take a walk and pick out a nice area to sit."

It takes a little bit of convincing, but Emily eventually relents and walks with her, albeit a few paces behind her. Her intent to get away from any possible distractions or threats (Reynold), ends up leading Emily through a secluded forest path as she tries to remember where Derrick dragged her during her first Festival event with him.

"A storm is supposed to be blowing in from the North, but today is a very beautiful day, isn't it, my Lady?"

"It is," she nods along. It was nice to talk so casually with someone without working her mind into overdrive trying not to say the wrong thing. Who knew she would come to appreciate small talk so much? "Are you not a fan of rain, Emily?"

"No, I suppose I'm not. I prefer sunny days like this. How about you, my Lady?"

"It sounds like we have that in common then, I like warm days like this as well." Sunny days meant she wasn't trapped in the house with two psychopaths.

Their idle conversation continues until they finally make it to their destination, the Eastern Hill overlooking the city.

"Wow, it's so pretty, my Lady!"

She can’t help but appreciate the scenery as well since she couldn’t properly her first life. Emily gushing over her shoulder also helped ease her nerves. Then, a rustling behind them makes her whirl around, instantly on edge.

Emily notices, and looks towards the bushes with her. Then, 

"Oh my, a rabbit! How cute!"

Her maid tries to get close to it, but the rabbit dashes away only to stop a few feet in front of her. It's beady black eyes stare into hers, and she understands right away that this was Winter's messenger rabbit. With all that happened with the consecutive Festival events, her promise to visit him completely slipped her mind. 

"Emily, could you bring me some tea? I think I'd like to relax here with for a while."

Emily looks downtrodden at the rabbit's rejection, but suddenly perks up with newfound determination. "Yes! I will also get some vegetables I'm sure the bunny will like. I'll be right back, Lady Penelope!"

She waits a few moments until Emily is out of range, then kneels down. The rabbit takes her invitation and hops onto her outstretched hands. At once, it's eyes take on a certain sentience, and an unsettling voice rumbles, "The Guildmaster of the White Rabbit requests your presence. Please come alone, and bring the White Rose."

Thankfully, she isn't teleported so rudely this time. She feels silly talking to a rabbit but nonetheless says, "Tell the Master I'll be there in four days time. I'll have to bring escorts with me, but I can have them wait outside or tell them to pick me up later. Is that okay?"

The inky void of it’s eyes bore into her. For a moment, she thinks it’s going to reject her, but then it hops off and answers, "Understood," before disappearing in a puff of smoke.

It's sudden departure startles her, but when Emily comes huffing and puffing up the hill a moment later, she can't blame him for the vague and curt response. 

"My Lady, where is," Emily wheezes, "the rabbit?" Her maid holds a tray piled so high with fruits and vegetables, she can just barely see the tip of Emily's nose.

"I'm sorry, Emily, it just hopped away." 

At her poor maid's dejected expression, a breathy laugh escapes her. Her heart swells in fondness when Emily pouts, and she doesn't bother stifling her laughter. Once she's done giggling, she looks to the horizon and smiles. It was a good day.

She told Winter she'd be there in four days, and the reasons for this is simple. One reason is because she needs time to mentally prepare and ask her Father for permission (and a blank check) like the responsible daughter she is. And the other reason... is because she's utterly exhausted. 

The number of events she’s going through is roughly the same, yet it felt like there were more physically taxing events during this second life of hers. If she, heaven forbid, had to do this all over again, she would not be leaving her room under any circumstance. Hell, if she weren't so scared of purposely messing up, she'd find a way to be on house arrest or probation at all times if it meant she could relax and sleep a bit more. 

Unfortunately, her self-proclaimed rest period is not that at all, and she's forced to go to another lunch with her family not too long after the original disaster. 

She couldn't refuse like all the other times either because the Duke himself comes to escort her saying, "I worry you aren't eating properly when you're holed up in your room all the time. The staff have been begging for a second chance as well. Please, for my peace of mind, won't you join me, Penelope?" They absolutely were not begging, but she can't exactly refuse him either when he says it like that.

It makes her think maybe she should've accepted the Duke's 'kindness' to go to the attic if this was the event in its place, but that meant she wouldn't have progressed her score with Eckles, and she would have had to put up with Reynold, so it's with a begrudging sigh she follows the Duke to the dining hall once more. 

The only notable thing that happens during the duration of lunch is Reynold's score, which rises by a whopping 4% simply because she choked on her water laughing when their Father brings up a dumb story about Derrick in an effort to fill the uncomfortable silence. It costs two points of Derrick's score (the petty bastard) but she could easily make up that loss with how fast his Score seemed to go up every conversation.

All in all, lunch goes swimmingly, that is to say it's painfully awkward. 

Between the Duke attempting to talk with her while walking on eggshells, Derrick being, well, Derrick, and Reynold burning holes in her with his glares, it's an exhausting affair. But she leaves with a full stomach and a few more Affection and reputation points under the belt, so it's not a loss.

Too soon, her supposed 'rest time' ends. One last time, she looks in the mirror and says goodbye the natural beauty that is Penelope Eckhart.

"Emily, get those girls that like dressing me up. I want to dazzle for my outing today."

Chapter Text

She got everything prepared in advance. Her Father's permission, the blank check (or two), a list of what she'll buy in town, and plans on how to deal with any foreseen or unforeseen circumstances. 

Despite all of this, she can't help the knots and tangles in her stomach that make her feel nauseous. This event with Winter never happened before, so she doesn't know how that will go, or what to even expect. Not only that, but the idea of having to be in the presence of two male protagonists, especially Eckles set her on edge. Obviously, she'd try to keep the two from meeting and she'll have Emily with her this time, but...

"My Lady, do you feel any discomfort?" Emily pauses in brushing her hair as she notices her nervous tapping against the tub.

She forces herself to breath, and is immediately assaulted with fruity, fragrant smells of the different soaps and oils being applied to her. It helps ground her back in reality, and she leans back into the warm water to smile at her maid. "No, everything is fine. Don't pay me any mind and keep doing what you're doing. I told you to make me so beautiful no one can look away, didn't I?"

In hindsight, that may have been the wrong thing to say because the renewed enthusiasm that Emily and the other maids attack her with is somehow more intense than her last life. It all pays off in the end as she stares at the end product that is the stunning reflection of Penelope Eckhart, Daughter of the Noble Eckharts. At least no one can say the Lady Eckhart doesn't have the beauty of a noble.

The only differences in her outfit is the necklace, which Emily urges to use the Duke's gift from the Festival, and the white (and slightly stained red) rose from Winter that rests in her hair. She's thankful for the maid's skills in incorporating the rose seamlessly into her hair because now, she won't get any strange looks for holding onto a rose for dear life without an obvious reason.

Right on time, there's a knock on the door. Pennel comes in only for him to stop abruptly mid-bow when he lays eyes on her, but gathers himself just as quickly. "My Lady, you look very beautiful! It has been a while since you've left of the mansion, so you must be very excited to go out again."

Excited is one way to put what it. "Something like that. So what did you need, Pennel?"

"Ah, yes. I come with a message from the Duke. He requests you take a knight to escort you."

She nods, as expected. "Has the knight been chosen already?"

"Did you have anyone specific in mind?"

"Yes, I suppose I am a bit curious about a certain one,” she hums. "Pennel, escort me to the drill hall, I wish to pick who I will take with me after assessing their skills."

She expects some push back from Pennel, but to her surprise, he answers respectfully, "Understood. Please follow me, my Lady."

They get to the training field, and the same scene plays out as it did in her last life. Eckles breaks the sword, and the knights start harassing him. She watches on with narrowed eyes, and asks Pennel, "Is it normal for discipline to be so harsh over a broken training sword?"

The butler shifts his weight, and sweats despite the mild weather. "Ah, perhaps because of his status. I will stop them immediately, my Lady."

"Don't." She stops him with her fan. He gives her with a quizzical look, which she returns with a serene smile. "If they are true knights, they should have noticed the presence of their master by now, don't you think? I am interested to see how long it will take for them to notice us."

She can tell Pennel wants to protest, but dutifully holds his tongue. 

With every hit and venomous word thrown at Eckles, the air around Pennel gets a degree hotter, and she's glad she’s not the only one whose blood boils in rage watching Eckles endure such unnecessary and harsh treatment. It was probably a spit in the head butler's face to have to watch his subordinates recklessly beat and punish someone his Master brought in out of good will.

Silently, she worries Pennel might snap before the knights say anything too incriminating, but then, the moment she's waiting for finally arrives.

"...but what a pity. You think you can act so high and mighty because the Duke's 'daughter' paid a little attention to you?" The knight grabs Eckles' face and forcibly twists his neck upwards. "I'll let you in on a little secret, she's rotten." 

Pennel's hackles raise even more, and she keeps a hold of his arm to stop him from shouting at the knights. It was important for the scene to play out completely and she mentally urges the knights to hurry up and say their worst before Pennel snaps. Come on, just a little more.

"A knight mustn't insult a lady. Don't insult my master." The surrounding knights burst out in laughter at Eckles. 

"His master, he says!" Eckles flies to the ground from a swift kick. "That ain't you master, that's a fraud. She'll be run out as soon as our Lady Yvonne returns. Maybe then you can be with her. Together like the low-lifes you are."

Good. She snaps her fan shut, and releases the beast.

"You." Pennel's voice booms over the field. 

There's an audible crack as if glass shatters as soon as the knights realize who's standing among them. "M- MY LADY?!" 

Immediately, the knights drop to their knees in respect (or more likely fear), as Pennel stomps up to them. "All of you! Don't think your words will be dismissed so easily. Where is you captain?!"

It takes everything in her to suppress her laughter, and hides her smile gracefully behind her fan. After another moment of letting Pennel roar and rage, she taps his shoulder and tells him to stand down. As interesting as it would have been to see what Pennel would have done, she couldn't have him do all the work. That was a recipe for being looked down on.

Pennel still fumes next to her, but allows her to take the stage with minimal convincing. "You," she points to the instigator, "you seemed to be the one to start this commotion. What is your name? What division are you from?"

"M-Mark Albert,-" 3rd Division 2nd Platoon - "My Lady." Like I'd forget the face of someone who wronged me so much.

"Did you know that slandering a noble is punishable by death? It is well within my rights to have you killed this very instant." 

The air goes still at her words. 

It seemed the knights finally understood the situation they were in because as soon as she says that, they burst into shouts to, "please forgive us!" and ,"we were wrong!", but she ignored it all. Her eyes flicker to Eckles instead. 

Last life, she let him wring the knight by the neck as a way to vent his resentment. This time, however, she couldn't afford to let him run around as he pleased, and sends him a mental apology. Sorry, Eckles. I can't have you picking fights with Derrick and getting me killed because you relied on me too much.

She holds her hand up to silence the group, to which they were suddenly obedient to her commands. "Pennel," she calls. He stands to attention when she turns to him. "I trust you will alert my father to this?"

"Of course, My Lady. Leave it to me!" Fiery determination blazes in the butler's eyes. 

"I expect grave punishment to be dealt to them. Anything less than torture or expulsion; I will be severely disappointed as one who holds the Eckhart name, do you understand?"

There's a collective shudder from the knights, but Pennel takes it in stride. "You needn't worry, Lady Penelope. I will be telling the Duke about this incident in thorough detail."

She nods in approval, and turns to address the knights once more. "I came to assess the skills of the Eckhart knights and personally select one to escort me to town, but I see it is an easy choice. You," she motions to Eckles, "despite your status as a slave, you were the only one who defended my honor. As someone my father recognizes the talent of, I feel safe in your hands. Escort me to town, Eckles."

Her words are said in a haughty tone that didn't give room for argument, and her reasoning was strong. Pennel doesn't even try to stop her as she flicks her hair and strides away. It's a moment later that she hears frantic footsteps follow, and she smiles to herself.

[32%]

Chapter Text

In the place of Pennel seeing her off, Emily comes along as an extra escort, armed with the blank check from the Duke.

She never introduced Emily or Eckles to each other in her last life, and felt it was high time to change that. Her two most loyal attendants, her maid and (unofficial) knight, should get to know each other.

But now that she was here standing awkwardly between Emily’s curious, searching eyes, and Eckles’ dirtied up, tense appearance, she’s beginning to rethink whether this was really a good idea. It never occurred to her that they might hate each other.

She opens her mouth to dismiss Emily, but then stops when remembers the dejected frame of her maid from her previous life who mumbled, “I can carry things too...” in response to being left behind. Her first death date was approaching, and she never really gave Emily the opportunity to fulfill her role as her personal maid.

If Eckles and Emily ended up hating each other then... no big deal, it's just one trip. They'll live (probably).

Mind made up, she introduces, “Emily, this is Eckles. He will be joining us today as my guard. He’s the one who saved me during the Festival and defended my honor just now in the training area. Eckles, this is Emily, my best and personal maid.”

Eckles bows appropriately with his fist to his chest. “It is an honor to work alongside the loyal servant of the Eckharts.”

“The honor is all mine, Sir Eckles. I’m most grateful to work with one who is also devoted to Lady Penelope. Not enough people in this estate are.”

“Emily...” She starts to warn her maid to be careful of her words, but stops short at the rare sight of a small, but genuine smile on Eckles’ face. Well, she thinks, it’s not like anyone heard. 

Satisfied and relieved the two seemed to be getting along, she corrals them into the carriage, and they’re off to the shopping district. The ride is much livelier compared to her first life when it was just Eckles and her sitting awwkwardly across from each other. Though Eckles was still quiet, she can still tell by his bright eyes that he doesn't at least hate her and Emily's idle chatter. 

As soon as they get into the store, she has Emily take Eckles to get uniforms, just as she did in her last life.

"My Lady, I don't believe it is necessary for me to-"

She interrupts Eckles’ protests by bringing her finger up to his mouth. "Think of this as a reward for so diligently protecting my honor. In the future if you are my guard again, I want you to wear what I bought you today, okay?"

He doesn't get a chance to protest again as Emily enthusiastically drags him off towards the other side of the store. 

While Emily kindly distracted Eckles for her, she buys the magical sword necklace she gave Eckles from her last life. Though the shopkeeper was surprised she even knew about it, he obliged in bringing it out and eventually selling it to her. 

In her last life, she gifted the sword to Eckles despite his insistence and protests that he couldn’t take a sword as a slave. When she pushed him to accept it anyways, Eckles changed and became uncontrollable, seeming to think she would allow him to get away with anything. While that may have been true in her last life where she decided to bet everything on Eckles, the same couldn't be said for this one. If he ever did anything that even toed the line to getting her killed again, she would drop him. She refused to tie herself to a single path that led only to death again.

So for now, the magical sword is hers. Either as a final defense for herself or a gift for someone later.

When she asks the shopkeeper not to tell her attendants of the purchase, he gives her a secretive, pleased smile. He seemed to think it was a surprise gift for Eckles, and she wasn’t inclined to correct him since that was probably the only reason why he let her buy it. That plus the absurd amount of money she offered to pay for it.

With that out of the way, she browses the shop for various trinkets and medallions. Her bribe to the Duke worked well last life, and she intends to get a proper medallion for Emily and herself. Some protective magic could help her avoid snapping her neck in the future.

Though she wanted to get something for Eckles, she didn't know if it was acceptable to get him anything more when he looked so reluctant from just receiving clothes. As she ponders what to do, she finds herself in the jewelry section of the store. It seems there's still a part of the original Penelope in her because she gravitates towards a pair of expensive looking, jewel studded and beaded bracelets that she doesn’t remember seeing in her last life. She picks up a pair, one which has a sparkling, light pink gem while the other has a dark purple amethyst. Interestingly, the gems are warm to the touch, as if they weren't gems but heated rocks.

“Oh my, what beautiful bracelets those are, my Lady!” She startles from her examination at Emily’s voice and turns to greet her beaming maid and a newly decked out Eckles.

She can’t suppress the smile when she realizes Emily chose the same outfit as she did for Eckles in her last life. Her maid smiles proudly when she notices her pleased expression, and says, "I picked two other similar outfits in dark green and red as well!"

“What a good eye you have, Emily. I knew to trust your sense." She turns to Eckles as her maid preens at the compliment. "How do you like it, Eckles? You're the one wearing it."

"If my master likes it then it is perfect for me."

He dodges the question but his Score goes up to 34% so she lets it slide.

"Will you be buying one of the bracelets as well, my Lady?" Emily awes at the forgotten bracelets in her hands.

"Oh no, I was just looking-"

“These bracelets actually come in pairs!” The excited shopkeeper sidles up next to them, apparently done with watching them stand around and not spend money. “While certainly beautiful on their own, these bracelets are also enchanted with magic that allows the owners to know where the other half is by getting warmer the closer they are!”

“How romantic!” Emily exclaims on her behalf.

“Yes! Because it is commonly gifted to another person, they are often called ‘pair bracelets’ and are very popular among young noble couples this season.” At Emily’s awkward glance towards her, the shopkeeper is quick to tack on, “But! It can also be gifted to friends or family! They are also commonly worn on its own, since outside of its minor magic, it is a perfectly fine piece of jewelry to beautifully adorn your wrists!”

Despite the fact that she's stuck in a Dating Simulation, Penelope's time in this game is much closer to a psychological horror survival. That said, friendship bracelets and promise rings were common in Korea, and while she never paid them any mind there, when it's presented like a novel concept (which it likely was in this world), she can't help but think how nice it would be to actually have someone to gift something like this to. While she could try Emily since they were something close to friends now, there would always be the barrier between master and maid that made it feel strange to gift something that didn't have utility like the protection amulet.

Hanging the bracelets back on the rack leaves her missing their warmth, but it was best to focus on her plans to raise Affection Scores and beat this game so she could have the chance to make friends in her world.

Emily furrows her brows. "You're not going to buy it, my Lady?"

"No, I have no need for it."

“Nonsense! My Lady likes it which is enough of a reason to buy it. Right, Sir Eckles?”

To her shock, her knight nods easily in agreement with Emily. Who knew there would be a day when her knight responded to someone that wasn’t her? Despite this, she shakes her head. “I don’t know who I would gift the other half to.”

“You can hold onto one half for the future when my Lady finds someone suitable to give it to! As the owner said, there’s no rule saying you can’t wear them for yourself."

 Eckles mumbles, “You've only bought things for me when this outing was supposed to be for my Lady..."

Any other protests she might have grumbled stop abruptly when Eckles’ Affection Score begins to blink. In a rush, she snatches the bracelets back from the stand and thrusts the pair of bracelets to the shopkeeper who looks delighted at her terrible financial decisions. "Fine, fine! I'll also be getting these, sir."

"Of course~, I'll wrap them up very well. Is there anything else I can help you with?"

Eckles’ Score thankfully remaining at a solid 34% . With a relieved sigh, she eagerly moves away from this apparent zone of landmines. “Would you show me your weapons? I'd like to get my brothers something since they are participating in the Hunting Tournament soon. I was thinking a new hunting knife or dagger.”

“Yes, yes! Right this way, my Lady!”

While they wait for the shopkeeper to grab ‘the finest weapons, fitting for the caliber of the Eckhart’s Young Lords!’, she inspects the decorated swords on the wall. Absentmindedly, she asks, "Eckles, I understand that, as a slave, you cannot have a sword, is that right?"

"That is correct, my Lady."

She hums, but doesn't say anything more. Even Emily is silent at the question.

Last life, she insisted that he get a sword without knowing how rude it was when no one, not even himself, expected the slave she picked up to become a real knight. Eckles in this life had a much better shot at becoming a sword master as he wasn't just a slave the rabid daughter of the Eckharts picked up, but one who's skills were recognized by the Duke himself and brought to the estate as the Eckhart's savior.

Instead of insisting on a future no one but she knows, she looks Eckles in the eyes and says, "When you become a real, capable knight, allow me to get your first sword. I promise, it will be of the highest quality befitting of that status. So work hard and become someone worth praising. If it’s you, I know you can do it."

She had planned this statement carefully beforehand, determined to not repeat the same words that led to her death before. Her words pay off. There’s a sharp intake of breath from Eckles and a trill Triiing! 

[40%]

Abruptly, Eckles drops to one knee before her causing the shopkeeper with an arm full of boxes to gasp and stumble as he arrives just in time to watch the scene unfold.

Internally she's screaming, what the hell are you doing in the middle of a store?! but her embarrassment quickly vanishes when Eckles declares, "I pledge my eternal loyalty and servitude to you, the Eckhart’s. I will do my utmost best to ensure your expectations are exceeded and your kindness is not misplaced."

His promise was different yet again. While it wasn't the same as his confession of 'eternal servitude and love' for Yvonne, it was infinitely better than the harshness of his last vow of 'fealty'.

She smiles, "You will become truly great, I'm sure of it. Become powerful and bring glory to the Eckhart's name, Eckles. Then I know you will be recognized for who you truly are."

The shopkeeper is crying when he rushes up to them. "I have witnessed many knight's pledges of servitude in my time but never one so profound! What an honor it is to not only have the esteemed Eckhart shop at my humble store but to also witness such a moving pledge! I will gift whatever daggers your Ladyship chooses as thanks for the honor to have the Eckhart family at my store. Please let me show you all I have!"

Without a moment to breath, the shopkeeper launches into detailed explanations for each dagger that has her head spinning to keep up. "This dagger is made from refined steel and is perfect for skinning tough animal hides! This fine one was meticulously crafted by a master blacksmith so the quality of the blade is incomparable to any other! And this dagger is-!!”

She allows his explanations to rattle in one ear and out the other in favor of observing the daggers laid out in front of her. She absentmindedly hovers over one of the dagger's hilt's when a familiar white box pops up at her fingertips.

[ System ]

[{A knight's appraising eye(1)} can be used to determine hidden abilities of certain items! 

Would you like to use quest reward {A knight's appraising eye(1)} on {daggers}?]

Without a thought, she hits confirm when another window pops up because when else would she use this obscure reward?

[ System ]

[Once {A knight's appraising eye} is used, it cannot be used again.

Are you sure you would like to use quest reward {A knight's appraising eye(1)} on {daggers}?]

Her finger hovered over the sudden confirmation option as she thought hard about whether to hit confirm. Was this very specific reward so valuable that there would be an extra window to confirm? Maybe the extra confirm window was actually a normal part of the game and she simply hadn’t encountered yet because she died too early last time. Or maybe she never noticed it before. Surely if it was something so important the story would give her another opportunity to advance, right?

But something about the whole thing made her uneasy.

"My Lady, are you alright?"

Stuck in her mind contemplating all the possibilities and meanings behind the game system, she doesn't notice the lumbering presence by her side until they tap her shoulder. With a jolt, she hits [Accept] and isn't given a chance to scream at Eckles in frustration because her mouth moves on its own and says, "Eckles, let me borrow your eyes. What do these daggers do?"

It's a strange statement, one that she's sure wouldn't make sense in any other context, but Eckles' eyes light up in understanding. He immediately goes to examine the array of weapons while she's forced to stand stock still, unable to do anything but watch him go through each of the weapons and internally curse the unfairness of this world.

By the time he circles back to present her with five daggers, she's calmed down enough to not scream at Eckles the moment she regains free will of her body again. It wasn't exactly his fault for her accidental acceptance of a possibly important event reward. It’s not like she would lose Eckles or his apparent appraising ability, right?

"I sense a faint magical power from each of these. Nothing to increase the immediate lethality capabilities, but certainly an interesting type of magic I believe will be sufficiently special enough for the Eckhart Lords."

She has half the mind to reprimand him for being so openly hostile towards the Eckhart brothers, but Emily is pretending to cough to cover her laughter so she lets it slide in favor of accepting them with a strained smile.

The two daggers she ends up buying are like night and day. 

One is tinted gold, decorated with gems along the hilt. Its flashiness is fitting as Eckles explains the blade can temporarily blind enemies and any unsuspecting bystanders with a bright flash of light. All it took was a push of magic into the hilt. They don't test this because according to the shopkeeper, the light is bright enough to temporarily blind people for at least a few minutes depending on their exposure to it. She doesn’t know how anyone would benefit from this during something like a hunting competition, but it seemed perfect for Reynold. Flashy and more of a nuisance than anything.

The other dagger is a simple, sleek black blade with a black onyx on its hilt, and a matching onyx on its scabbard, with an ability significantly more useful in her opinion. So long as one was holding the scabbard and was within a certain rangeof the dagger, it would reappear in its sheath with a push of magic. The only real worry she had about this gift was the worry that Derrick would think it's too simple and ‘unfitting’ for a noble, but she hoped it's special gimmick would make up for it.

As they board onto the carriage to leave, the shopkeeper sobs ecstatically and cries at them to come again. She would call his sendoff dramatic but she did buy a great amount of expensive items, even with the two free daggers.

By the end of their shopping trip, Eckles’ score has gone up 8% since the time they arrived, she’s bought 100 wooden training swords (learning from the mistakes from her last life and bought them in moderation this time), three outfits for Eckles, one shrunken magical sword necklace, two enchanted hunting knives, three protective amulets, and a pair of friendship bracelets. 

Emily waves as they pull away from the store and asks, "Where to next, my Lady?"

The beginnings of a headache tug at the back of her eyes as she's reminded only half the day has passed, but forces the building exhaustion to the back of her mind. She smiles conspiratorially at her maid and answers, "The White Rabbit's Guild."

Chapter Text

Eckles and Emily are skeptical to let her go into the guild alone but she brushes them off with the promise to be out soon.

As soon as she steps through the inconspicuous doors, she's greeted with Winter in his guild master getup and a warm smile. "Welcome, Lady Penelope. Thank you for accepting my invitation to meet."

"Thank you for waiting a few days. I promised my attendants I wouldn't be more than a few minutes so I can't stay for long."

Winter nods. "Then I will be prompt. I see you have brought the rose from the night we met, may I see it?"

"Oh, yes." She attempts to untangle the rose from her hair, but to her horror, her genius idea of incorporating the rose inconspicuously into her outfit backfires magnificently because she can't get the damn thing out.

She doesn't realize Winter's approach until he gently stops her hands from yanking any more hair out.

"My Lady, allow me." With deft hands and too close a presence, Winter untangles the rose from her hair. The release of her tight hairstyle by Winter's gentle brushing is so jarring, she doesn't realize she's leaned into his touch until he removes his hands from her entirely.

She steps back quickly and prays he doesn't notice her face on fire. "Thank you."

"It was no problem."

When Winter makes no move to continue, she prods, "So... why did you need the rose?"

"Right. The rose." Winter clears his throat and snaps his fingers. A white top hat appears in his hands. In classic magician fashion, he puts her rose into the hat only to bring out another white rose. "Please accept this in exchange, my Lady."

Slightly stunned and endlessly confused, she accepts the new rose.

Observing the new rose she's given, it's somehow more brilliant and bright than the one she had before. Its petals are fuller and she can sense something if she focuses hard enough, but that could easily be her imagination.

Even still, it feels... entirely unnecessary and underwhelming. What was the point of coming all this way just to get the same thing? Unsure of how to react, she settles with a polite, "This is sweet, Winter. Thanks."

The barest hint of a smile makes its way to his lips. "This isn't all, Lady Penelope. If you're pleased by roses, however, I would be more than happy to deliver them to you anytime."

"...You're making fun of me aren't you."

"No, no! I wouldn't dare." Winter covers his mouth to cough, but she can see the smile he hides behind his hand. "While it's a complicated matter, I will make the explanation brief. The rose I have just given you is a magical item manifested specifically for you from my subconscious garden. It will protect you from mortal danger just once."

While there was certainly a lot to unpack in his statement, she ignores it in favor of asking, "Mortal danger? What kind of danger?"

"Any kind. It's a very powerful magic item. Even if a dragon were to breathe fire at you, you would be unharmed as long as the flower is near you. This kind of magic only works once, however. While it is my hope that you will never need it, you are a Lady of a high position, not to mention you have unwittingly associated with sorcerers. It is the least I can do to offer you protection for the mistakes I have made."

The new flower in her hand suddenly seems to hold a new weight as the implications of Winter's words sink in. The game was deliberately giving her an item to protect her from mortal danger because of course there were more dangerous events looming in her future.

On the other hand, this was an incredible gift. This meant she had a shield, one free pass from any kind of danger the game threw at her so she didn't have to worry about restarting this life again. As long as she carried this rose around, she wouldn't have to worry about falling and breaking her neck or dying via fork all the time.

In a sense, he was freeing her a little bit from the constant fear she bore.

"Winter... thank you."

"It was no trouble at all, Lady Penelope. The rose appeared for you, after all. I should mention, my supply of them is not unlimited. I am unsure whether I will be able to procure another one in the future, so please, take care of yourself, my Lady."

"I'm not eager to put myself in any kind of danger either. Thank you for this, truly." Her eyes sting. To avoid his eyes, she puts her new rose in her purse and digs around until she finds the gift. She shoves the jewelry box into his hands. "Here is the gift I promised. It's nothing much but..."

Triiing!

Whatever she wanted to say dies in her throat.

Upon opening the box to reveal the lapis lazuli cufflinks she never got to give him in her last life, he says, "I love them. Thank you, my Lady."

Even without the 22% above his head, it's not hard to tell based on Winter's blinding smile how genuinely he meant that.

"I'm glad you like them." Suddenly embarrassed by his attention, she changes the subject. "How have the children been?"

Winter's smile softens and she weirdly feels like she's seeing a side of him no one else has before. "They have been asking for you ever since that day. It seems they would like to see you again and even asked me to invite you to volunteer with us, if you'd consider it."

[ System ]

[~Main Episode: The Whereabouts of the Lost Children~

First Quest! {Slum with the Wizard}

Would you like to proceed?

(Reward: Winter Affection Score +5%, Reputation +50)]

...What.

"What?" she blurts.

Winter flinches as if broken from a trance. "I'm... sorry, my Lady. That was a thoughtless request. The children, Eliza especially, have been asking for you and I promised them I would ask if you'd like to join us so they could see you again. Of course, you're under no obligation to accept this request, but I—the children would love for you to join us."

Any wholesome moment she shared with anyone is destined to be shattered, she's convinced of it. She should know how this game goes by now, but it felt especially cruel for the game to use the children as a force to drive her into potentially dangerous events just to satisfy the meetings between her male suitors. She glares at the [System] window floating innocently between her and Winter.

Ultimately, she decides to ignore every part of her throbbing headache and hits [Accept]. Even if acceptance felt strangely like losing, events like these only ever come back to haunt her.

[ System ]

[Quest has been accepted.

Would you like to be teleported to {Tratan}?]

"We won't be going now, right?"

"No, of course not. I believe you said you must leave soon."

She holds her breath as the [System] window sticks around for a few seconds then disappears, as if dejected by Winter's words.

"Please take this." Winter once again pulls off his hat and takes out a—

"Rabbit?" She can't believe the game actually had a magician pull a rabbit from a hat.

"Yes, it is the same rabbit from the other times I called you." He waves his hands and the adorable rabbit suddenly deflates. She isn't sure whether Winter doesn't notice or purposefully ignores her horrified expression and hands her the once rabbit, now white handkerchief to her. "My magic is imbued in the cloth which I will be able to manipulate into the rabbit we've conversed through before. Simply call out for 'the White Rabbit's Guildmaster' and I will pick up."

"What if you're busy and can't answer?"

"I will always make time for you, Lady Penelope. But if I don't answer immediately, I will surely answer as soon as I can so please keep the handkerchief nearby. If you don't answer, I will wait for you to call out to me again."

She nods and tucks the handkerchief away. It seems easy enough. "When will you be going next?"

"This weekend, Sunday, my Lady."

That gives her about a week to prepare. "I'll let you know if something comes up, but for now I'll plan to join you on Sunday."

"Wonderful! I can't thank you enough, Lady Penelope. The children will also be overjoyed to see you."

Her internal turmoil quiets a bit when she thinks of seeing Eliza and the other children again. Maybe it won't be so bad, no matter how much her brain screams she wants to curl into bed and avoid everything.

In the end she leaves with another promised event she has to find an excuse for, and a newly secured 24% with Winter for her efforts.

The ride back home is much quieter and subdued than it had been on the way, but she can't indulge her maid's attempts to make small talk when all the exhaustion from the day has caught up to her and manifested itself into a full blown migraine. Her feet ache and she can't wait to lay down and pass out until she has to meet with Winter again.

When their carriage pulls into the front of the duchy, she sees Pennel dutifully standing in front of the doors. Before the carriage door fully swings open, the calm and collected butler of the Eckharts practically trips over himself to greet her. "My Lady, thank goodness you're back!"

"What? What happened?" Her stomach sinks.

"The greenhouse... You must go to the greenhouse immediately!"

"Pennel, tell me what's going on already!"

"The Crown Prince..." Her heart stops. "The Crown Prince is here to see you, Lady Penelope."

Chapter Text

"The Crown Prince..." Her heart stops. "The Crown Prince is here to see you, Lady Penelope."

"What? Why?!" Her migraine does nothing but exacerbate the roaring in her ears. "I sent him my response and told him I'm fine! Tell him I'm not feeling well and send him away."

"He refuses to leave until he sees you. Even the Duke has tried to convince him but..." Pennel shakes his head.

Right, you can't exactly chase away royalty... Somehow, cussing in front of Callisto sparked more interest than confessing her love. He's truly a romantic. “Fine, I'll see him. You said he was in the greenhouse?"

"Yes, my Lady." The relief Pennel radiates is palpable and she wishes she could get a sliver of that bliss, but she was the unfortunate sacrifice that had to deal with the demon of a prince.

"Lady Penelope." Eckles' voice stops her in her tracks. "Allow me to escort you."

"That won't be necessary, Eckles. You're dismissed."

Her knight flinches. "But, my Lady--"

"You're dismissed." Her harsh words leave no room for argument.

If he responds, she doesn't hear it as she marches toward the greenhouse. Any servants unfortunate enough to be in her path cower as she stomps past them. In no time at all, she stands before the greenhouse doors. 

Without reserve or hesitation, she flings them open ready to chase out the Sun of the Empire. Callisto's ruby eyes snap to hers at once. She'd be smug for catching him off guard if he didn't recover at record speed and match her with his own smug grin.

Light filters through the glass panels and glints off golden hair highlighting the [9%] floating above his head. Somehow his Affection had gone up since their one and only encounter.

"Penelope Eckhart, how wonderful it is for you to join me at last! You left me waiting quite a while. I was beginning to think the Duke was hiding you away from me with the flimsy excuse that you were 'out', but now I see he was only buying you time to dress up to greet me."

"I, Penelope Eckhart, greet the Sun of the Empire," she curtsies, pointedly ignoring his comment about dressing up for him (as if that would ever happen). "Please excuse my late greeting. Had I known Your Highness was gracing our home with your charming presence I could have received you properly. As Your Highness can see, I'm in good health thanks to Your Highness' worry."

"Are you truly?" He scans her up and down, as if he stared at her hard enough he could reveal all her secrets. 

"Yes, it is as I stated in my letter. Your Highness did not have to come all the way to our humble home just to confirm my health."

He stalks over, forcing her to crane her neck to maintain eye contact. "Letters can easily be forged. Though I believed no one but the daughter of the Eckharts could write such an audacious letter to me," her eyebrow twitches, "I also wished to show the delicate Princess my sincerity by apologizing in person."

A male lead towering over her with a low Affection Score would usually cause her to panic and put on a polite act to appease them. Unfortunately for His Petty Bastard, his attempt to intimidate her is unsuccessful as she doesn't have the capacity to feel anything besides seething rage for robbing her of well deserved rest. "As your humble citizen, I would never doubt the sincerity of His Highness' words; I am truly unworthy of your presence."

The Crown Prince smiles in response. That smile which was supposed to dazzle like a model's in Normal Mode, screams nothing but danger to Penelope.

"If you would grace me with a bit of your time, we can discuss what I can do to apologize over tea." He nods his head towards the small tea table in the corner already prepared with tea and half eaten snacks. He wasn't kidding when he said he was waiting for a while.

"Your Highness, with all due respect," which is none, "I'm quite exhausted from my outing today and am not prepared to receive any guests." While she can't outright tell royalty to leave, she can make it so it would be rude for the Crown Prince to continue to force her to stay. The classic 'it's not you, it's me' trick.

"Ah, I see now." The crown prince nods contemplatively. "Upon closer inspection, I see now you're quite pale."

"Yes," she says, relieved he finally seemed to get the message.

"Clearly I was right in my assumption that the Duke hasn't been taking proper care of you if you're still sick. As the Prince of this country, I should do my part to take care of my citizen and take you to get checked by the imperial doctor."

"Excuse me?”

She doesn't get another word in before Callisto starts to steer her towards the doors, presumably to make good on his threat. "Come then, Princess, there's no time to waste!"

"There's no need for that! I'm perfectly fine, in great health in fact. I don't think a visit to the imperial palace is necessary."

"Oh, but I insist. You were sick for so long because of me. Really, I should have been more considerate and had you looked at by a doctor from the palace much earlier. If you're so unwell you can't talk with your guest for even a few minutes, your health must still be dire. "

"Oh my– Fine."

Instantly, she yanks her newly released wrist back. Callisto turns back with a smug grin and it hits her. From the moment she walked in, she was as helpless as an animal caught in a hunter's trap.

She heaves an exasperated sigh and stomps back to the tea table. Callisto follows without comment at her petulant behavior and rings the convenient bell on the tea tray. In response to its chime, servants come rushing in, shoulders tense and foreheads shiny with sweat. She has no idea whether their fear is because they're serving a Royal or because of the animosity radiating off her, but their table is cleared then replaced with fresh tea and snacks in record time. 

"To what do I owe the pleasure for this visit, Your Highness?" She grinds out.

Callisto leisurely sips his fresh tea as if he can’t tell she’s trying to chase him out. "After sending so many letters with no response, it occurred to me perhaps the Princess is one to believe actions rather than words, so I am here to discuss reparations with you.” He finally sets his cup down with a clink and his tone changes to something more serious. “Allow me to compensate you for having caused you harm at the banquet. I'm prepared to grant you anything within my power."

She searches his expression for any sign this might be a test but is shocked to see nothing in his expression to indicate he's joking. She bows her head to avoid Callisto's earnest eyes. "It would be unbecoming of me to accept more when Your Highness' words are more than enough. I am undeserving of your Highness' generosity."

"Nonsense. You are always deserving, Lady Penelope."

She must really be exhausted if her heart is racing from feelings other than fear from Callisto of all people. Fluttering heart aside, there was nothing she could possibly want from this psychopath. "I truly do not have a desire for anything, Your Highness."

"Come now, there must be something you want. Shall I get you a new wardrobe made from the imperial tailor? Perhaps the finest jewels? I could even bend on something from the imperial vault if that's what you want."

"No, you... You really don't have to do any of that."

"I suppose if you really don't want anything, I will have to send gifts until you find something you're satisfied with. I just hope the Duke is prepared to receive the many carriages of gifts I plan to send as a sign of our, how did you put it? The 'harmonious relationship between the Royal family and the esteemed Eckharts'," he continues to drawl, 

Seeing Callisto's Affection Score steadily tick up to 12% during their conversation gives her an idea. An absurd, stupid idea, but one that could potentially save her in the future even with the Affection Scores being as finicky as they are.

"Princess?"

She breaks her focus from the floating percentage above his head. "There might be one thing, though it's more of a request."

"Anything within my power."

"Please promise me you won't kill me, no matter what."

The second the words tumble from her mouth, a sudden oppressive aura threatens to suffocate her. Cold sweat pours down her back and she prays she didn't just unlock a new way to get herself killed. 

[11%]

"Of all the ludicrous... Why would I visit you to apologize if I wanted to kill you? Do you take me as some sort of bloodthirsty lunatic, Lady Eckhart?" His Score blinks faster with each punctuated word.

Now more than ever, she needs him to agree. "Please, Your Highness. It would mean a lot to me."

She squeezes her eyes, unable to bring herself to see how low the Score has gone. Moments pass until Callisto heaves a sigh so heavy she can feel the wind of it rustle her clothes.

"Do you plan on killing someone, Princess?" Her eyes snap open. She opens and closes her mouth, unsure of how to politely ask how the fuck he came to that conclusion. Luckily she doesn't have to ask because he continues, "I ponder what could possibly possess you to request something as obviously guaranteed like that. The only thing I can come up with is you're planning to kill a noble, a crime punishable by death. Considering your reputation, even your position as daughter of the Duke wouldn't be enough to save you if that's what you were planning."

She shudders at the thought. Her fear of the Crown Prince revolved entirely around him killing her over something small and stupid like in the game, but he was doing a great job at instilling a new fear into her. Touching her tea for the first time since sitting down, she grips it between clammy hands. "Is it so hard to believe I would request this based on our past experience?"

Even using her cup as a shield, she endures Callisto's scrutiny for an uncomfortable amount of time until he finally tsks. "Fine. I swear on the name of Regulus, I will not kill you, Penelope Eckhart."

Tension melts away as she releases the breath she'd been holding. “You promised, Your Highness!" 

"Is it really something to be that happy about?" Callisto grumbles into his tea.

His sarcastic grumbles bounce off her umbrella of elation. Life is so bright and wonderful. Testing her newfound freedom, she lightly jokes, "Honestly, if you wanted to apologize, Your Highness should've just sent me some reparation money. Some gold is enough for me.”

"If all it took was a chest of gold to make you happy, I would've sent 10 by now."

"If you sent me that much, people would think I'm blackmailing you, Your Highness."

"Your reputation is already abysmal, that would hardly make a difference."

"Like you're one to talk," she says under her breath. It's meant to be to herself but the Prince, with his dog-like hearing, laughs anyways.

Despite her comments and his initial anger, his Affection Score rests at an unimaginable 15%.

The Prince downs the rest of his tea and gives her a satisfied grin. "Thank you for graciously making time for me in your busy schedule. It's been a pleasure, Lady Penelope Eckhart."

Finally. She gets up to properly curtsy him off but the room spins. She falls forward to grip the table but is unpleasantly surprised Callisto jumps out of his chair to catch her.

"You weren't lying when you said you were unwell, my Lady." Rather than the playful tone he had moments prior, Callisto almost sounds worried.

She jumps back as if his arm was on fire. "It seems my exhaustion has caught up to me since I have been out since early morning. I beg for Your Highness' understanding, I am unable to see you off."

"I'm not so cruel as to force a sick person to walk me out. I hope you'll grace me with your presence like this again, Princess."

"Of course," absolutely not. "May your journey back be safe. Glory to the Sun of the Empire."

They part ways and she can't stop smiling despite the groaning nausea in her stomach.

She did it.

She got through a conversation with the Crown Prince without dying. More unbelievably, she got through an unofficial event with insurance and came out with a higher score for the most difficult character in the game. In a single day, she’s gained a protective rose from Winter, a promise from the scariest male lead to not kill her, bribes gifts to score more Affection Points, and higher scores with three male leads!

Her migraine pounds behind her eyes, but if this was the price for all she's gained today then it was worth it. Now all she has to do is rest until her next meeting with Winter.

Wrong, says the Universe. She turns the corner and all those happy feelings crumble instantly as she comes face to face with her loudmouth, brash, very angry brother. His score is still 6% but based on his scowl, it threatens to go lower.

Well, whatever. It's not like she wants to talk to him either. If she's lucky he'll just slam into her shoulder and otherwise let her pass with minimal interaction...

"You really can't go a day without being a nuisance, huh?"

...or not.

Still riding the high of her many victories, she snarks back, "I could say the same to you, dear brother."

He snorts mockingly. "I'm not the one who invites the Crown Prince without informing anyone and left him waiting for hours!"

"I didn't invite him! I didn't even know he was coming! I sent a letter like Father asked and—," she huffs. What a waste of breath. "Never mind. It's not like you'll listen to what I have to say, you never do. I'm tired so I'll be going now."

She tries again to breeze past him but he grabs her wrist, jerking her to a stop. "I wasn't finished—”

"Well I am. Let go." She tries to jerk her arm from his grasp but he holds on tight, probably bruising her wrist again.

"When are you going to stop being so ungrateful? All you do is cause problems for all of us. You have no idea what kind of shit storm Father and Brother have to deal with every time you pull something like today and-"

"I don't." She stops trying to break free and grits her teeth against the pain in her eyes and wrist. No matter what world she's in, her Elder Brother always has to ruin things. "Of course I don't know, since the day I was brought here, no one's ever told me anything. How am I supposed to know anything when no one's ever talked to me like a human!"

She barely registers Reynold's slackened hold or stricken face, but none of that mattered. He started this fight and she refused to let him bother her for the rest of the day. For the rest of her life even, however long that may be.

"I never asked to come here. I never asked to be part of your family. I never asked for a stupid, abusive brother like you!" The sinister sound of the Affection Score dropping chimes. Her heart stutters in fear but it feels so good to see Reynold's face recoil in hurt and guilt that she can't stop. "I never asked for anything at first and you still hated me enough to frame me for stealing! If I talk to you, you get angry. If I don't talk to you, you get angry. If I don't leave the house, you call me useless. If I go to banquets as I'm told and get the attention of the Crown Prince, you harass me like this! What the hell do you want from me? Just leave me alone already!"

She stumbles back, free from Reynold hold and clutches her head in pain. Her words are enough to stun Reynold long enough for her to turn on her heel and make her escape. She doesn't know what his Score ends up at and she’s thankful she won’t find out because he doesn’t follow her. 

Her misery threatens to boil over when she finds Pennel talking with Emily in front of her room. The butler being here meant he or the Duke wanted something from her, but she can't– she can't deal with anything more today.

Before she can bark a dismissal to Pennel, he bows and says, "I will inform the Duke you will visit him when you have rested."

Eternally grateful Pennel has reformed his ways and became courteous enough to treat her like a proper Master now, she nods at his self dismissal. The last thing she does is order Emily, "Get me some pain medicine for my head," climbs into bed, and becomes numb to the world.

Chapter Text

"How is it we only meet when something happens?"

A table separates her and the Duke but it still feels like there's not enough space between them.

"Forgive me, Father. It is never my intention to cause you trouble." Though that might have been the case for Penelope in the past since those were the only times anyone would pay any attention to her, she certainly doesn't want anyone's attention, much less the attention of a disappointed Father.

"You could at least show up to family meals so this isn't the only time we see each other..." She laughs awkwardly into her tea to which the Duke heaves the most long winded sigh she's ever heard. The parental nature of it almost makes her feel bad, if only she didn't know meal times with the family were a life shortening affair. Apparently finished with the disappointed dad act, her Father enters typical Duke of the Eckhart's mode. "Did you know His Highness was coming yesterday, Penelope?"

"Of course not, Father. It was as much a shock to me as it was for you that he decided to visit."

"What did you discuss with His Highness, Penelope? He refused to tell me, only saying he refused to leave until he saw you. For heaven's sake, Penelope! He even insinuated we were keeping you locked away without treatment since he heard so little from or even about you!"

This was supposed to be a quick talk about Eckles and the knights, and an opportunity to give the Duke the amulet, if it wasn't for that crazy bastard Prince! "His Highness truly only wished to apologize and left once I alleviated any sort of... misunderstandings he had about my health." Silence stretches on as the Duke stares at her, clearly not convinced. Her cup becomes slippery between her hands. "I sent a letter informing His Highness of my recovery like you told me to, Father..."

The Duke's facial expression doesn't change, making her flush in embarrassment for trying to act coy. "Penelope... What exactly did you talk about with His Highness? I won't get angry so please be honest."

Not surprised the Duke doesn't buy her flimsy excuse, she resigns herself to a long discussion. "His Highness came to discuss reparations. Because I was the one harmed, he wanted to settle it directly with me."

"And what did you ask for?"

"I simply requested His Highness to swear on the title of Crown Prince that he will always keep his sword around me sheathed."

"Is that truly the only thing you asked for?"

Though it was true she actually made him promise a lot more than that, the Duke's skepticism stings. Surely she's earned some trust by now. "As I told His Highness, to ask for more would be unbecoming of me as an Eckhart. I agreed to forgive His Highness so that the Royal family and Eckhart Dukedom may continue a harmonious relationship."

"Then there's nothing more going between you two? Nothing I need to be made aware of?"

She chokes on her spit, finally understanding what he's been trying to fish out of her. "Father, I swear on my reformed ways there is nothing between the Prince and I." Unless you count a healthy dose of fear.

The Duke gives her another hard stare before he finally nods. "Alright, I trust your words, Penelope. Thank you for being mature about all of this."

[ System ]

[Relationship with the duke's household members improved! Your reputation points have increased +20

TOTAL POINTS: 60]

Thankfully, the rest of her conversation with the Duke finishes as planned. 

Having Pennel as her witness meant everything from the knight's punishment, investigation, and treatment of Eckles was handled.

The Duke agrees easily when she asks for permission to go on another outing so soon, seeming more relieved she wasn't shutting herself away after what happened with the knights. While she hates to take advantage of his sincere parental worry like this, it's the perfect excuse to meet with Winter.

She gives him the amulet just as she did in her last life and her time with Father comes to a smooth end.

"Before you go, Penelope—" the Duke stops her at the door, just as he did last life.

Her words about resentment and gratitude are engraved in her heart since they're words she never got to say to her own Father in Korea. Even if it feels tedious to repeat the same situation, she's prepared to grovel as many times as this game needs to get the most favorable outcome.

"—the Crown Prince has sent two chests of gold coins as reparation."

"He WHAT?!"

Thanks to the golden haired lunatic, her paranoia shoots through the roof. Any step she takes outside her room, she can feel the eyes of the servants and guards burn holes through the back of her head.

That said, holing up in her room for so many days with nothing to do makes her mind spiral with anxiety. Reynold's abysmal score, Callisto's unexpected event, Derrick's reaction, the upcoming event with Winter, how she left off with Eckles...

All the male leads weigh heavy on her mind, but her Score with Eckles worried her the most right now. He was still at the highest percentage of 40%, even if it might've gone down with her harsh dismissal of him, but she had no way of raising his Score past this point because she doesn't have a valid reason to check on him anymore.

"It's no good to stay in your room all day, my Lady," Emily's worried voice cuts through her thoughts. "Perhaps you should take a walk. Shall I prepare a picnic so you can read in the greenhouse today?"

She appreciates the suggestion but, "Not the greenhouse." Her heart still races when she remembers her encounter with Callisto.

Emily, downtrodden by her instant rejection, droops her head as she adjusts the flowers by the window for the third time today. Light glints off the amulet proudly pinned to her maid's chest.

The third amulet she originally bought for herself sits untouched in her drawer as the rose Winter gave her was effectively a better version of it... which meant she had an extra gift to give to Eckles! Gifts also had the added bonus of raising Affection and Reputation Points, as evidenced by the +10 Reputation Points she gained when she gifted Emily her amulet earlier that day. With this, she could check on him and restore his Affection.

"On second thought, let's go on that walk, Emily. It's about time I thank my knight."

Save for Eckles, the training yard is empty. 

As soon as he senses her and Emily's approach, Eckles stabs his wooden sword into the ground and kneels in greeting.

[38%]

She had hoped her fears were unfounded but is still disappointed to see the 2% drop in Eckles' Score from when they parted. Hopefully this meeting will be enough to make up for it and wrack in more Affection with him.

"It's lunchtime, Eckles. Shouldn't you be eating with the rest of the knights?" She asks as if she didn't purposefully come at this time to catch him alone.

"I must continue my training so I may repay my Lady and Master Eckhart for all they've granted me."

"It's good that you're diligently training, but make sure you're taking care of yourself too, Eckles."

"Thank you for your kind words, my Lady." It bothers her that he's skipping his meals, but it at least gives her the opportunity to visit him without prying eyes so she lets it slide without too much hassle.

"I've come to see how you're faring after the ordeal with the knights. Has anyone bothered you since then?"

"No, my Lady." Ever the man of few words, she's learned to read him well enough to pick up that the outright harassment may have stopped, but he's certainly getting shunned.

If he doesn't bring it up to her, there's nothing much she can do, but she still says, "If it ever does happen again, make sure you inform me or the head butler. Such behavior is unacceptable for Eckhart knights." 

Eckles bows in response and his Affection restores a point bringing him to 39%. 

Encouraged, she waves at Emily, who hands him the boxed amulet. "As thanks for your hard work, I've brought you this. It's a protective amulet," she explains as he slowly opens the box. "Though I hope you'll never need it, as a knight, it's inevitable you'll get hurt so I hope you'll use it well."

Eckles stares at the box, expression unchanging.

"What is it, Eckles? Is my gift not to your liking?" She asks jokingly seeing his Affection Score blink above his head.

Shiiing!

[37%]

A cold chill goes down her spine when he looks up to meet her eyes. "I cannot accept this, my Lady."

She's frozen in place while Emily chides, "It's disrespectful to refuse a gift of gratitude from your Master, Mr. Knight."

Though Eckles makes no move to take back his words, he has the humility to avert his gaze at Emily's indignation.

It wasn't unexpected that he'd refuse, but to be upset enough for his Score to drop meant the reason was a bigger deal than she thought. If she took the gift back now, it would stop his Score from dropping further, but it ultimately wouldn't solve what his problem was.

Heart in her throat, she prods carefully, "Emily is right, Eckles. I bought this because I wanted to thank you for defending my honor and escorting me. It's only right for you to accept what you've earned."

"I have received too much from you already, Lady Eckhart. I cannot accept a gift for doing my duty. I will accept any punishment you may have."

Her knees threaten to give out as she understands with startling clarity—the reality that this Eckles has no obligation to her. She was treating him like she treated the Duke and Emily, who were just as happy to receive her gift as they were last life, but to Eckles now, she was just Lady Eckhart.

Emily fumes beside her, but Penelope waves her hand to stop her before she can say anything else.

"I won't punish you so raise your head, Eckles." Just seeing his Score drains her. "In my haste to thank you, I didn't think about your duty or pride in the matter. Perhaps if you were my personal knight this would have been appropriate but... well, I won't take any more of your time. I hope you'll escort me again if there's an opportunity."

Her escape is as swift as it is cowardly. Eckles' score stays at the 37% she failed to fix.

It was easy to raise his Score when their roles were clear cut. Penelope, as his kind, benevolent Master who saved him from the auction house, and Eckles, as her one loyal knight. This time, they're not each other's only lifelines. She has the other male leads who's Scores rival that of Eckles', and Eckles no longer had to vie for her attention since his skills were recognized by the Duke. It's the same revelation over and over since restarting her life, but never has it hurt as much as this. All that time spent showering him with gifts, all that effort poured into nurturing his Affection Score, every moment she threw away her dignity and groveled before her family to protect him... None of that mattered because this isn't her Eckles.

Her one and only knight was gone.

Chapter Text

"My Lady, the Young Duke has sent some of his knights to be your escorts for the day.”

Two knights, one with short red hair and the other with long green hair who she mentally dubs 'Red' and 'Green' respectively, bow stiffly to Pennel’s introduction.

"...Tell Derrick I said thank you."

Pennel sighs in obvious relief, likely thinking she was going to kick up a fuss about having her knights chosen for her. She might have too if her meeting with Winter didn't rely on having guards she didn't care about (or if she wasn't using any excuse she could to not see Eckles). Though even Eckles would be better company than the knights, who's mirrored stoic expressions give nothing away to the awkward silence that fills the carriage.

Thankfully, the ride isn't a long one as they're dropped off at the edge of the shopping district. 

She leisurely makes her way down the street, occasionally stopping at stalls and commenting idly on items in the windows until she finally turns into the alley of the White Rabbit's Guild.

"My Lady, we cannot allow you to go in alone." The green haired knight stops her at the door.

She's surprised it's taken this long for one of them to speak up, figuring they would've stopped her the second she turned into the alleyway. While she had hoped it wouldn't come to this, she didn't spend so many days cooped up in her room driving herself insane without putting together at least some plans.

With a shy expression, she says, "I'd like to have a private meeting to discuss some... girl problems I've been having. The Guildmaster said he's brought someone who can help me. I'd like to ask you to stay outside while I discuss my... personal problems."

"Be that as it may," Red's face is as bright as his hair but Green remains annoyingly unfazed, "we promised the Young Lord we would not leave your side, my Lady. Please rest assured, our only job is to protect you from any threats so any discussion that takes place will not leave the room."

Yup, she thinks, definitely Derrick's knights.

"Fine." She raises her fist to the door. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

Knock knock. Knock knock. Knock knock knock.

As soon as she finishes the pattern of knocks, the door opens and she's yanked inside and pressed into Winter's buttoned vest. A crackle of magic that makes her hair stand up whooshes past. When she turns around, her two unconscious guards float into the room and are neatly laid side by side at the door.

Winter and her had discussed the plan beforehand to knock in a certain pattern if she wasn't able to either shake off her guards on the way or wasn't able to make them wait outside of the guild.

"Are you sure this is okay?" She pokes one of the knights in the cheek, his head rolls uselessly to the side. She figured it would turn out this way, but she still felt kind of bad.

"Don't worry Miss Penelope, the Guildmaster does this all the time!" The lion mask boy, Laon, as he reintroduced himself, says.

Eliza continues off Laon, her chipmunk mask hiding her cute freckles. "They'll stay knocked out until we get back and then Master will erase their memories of this ever happening! They'll just be a little sleepy for the rest of the day."

The ease to which they talk about knocking people out and erasing memories doesn't help the churning anxiety in her stomach. Even with the Rose safely tucked away in her dress, how much was that going to do against nonlethal magic like memory alteration?

"Are you ready to go, my Lady?" Winter's masked face pops into her peripheral vision to break her from her thoughts.

"Almost." She taps the magic disguise bracelet Derrick gave her. At the shiiing of magic, Winter and the children gasp as she transforms. She had also gasped the first time she tested out the bracelet and saw the reflection of a long black haired girl eerily similar to her appearance in Korea in the mirror. The only thing that kept her from fainting then were the remarkable purple eyes that stared back at her, reminding her that this disguise was nothing more than a cruel joke by the System. Leaving that behind, she hopes her smile isn't too strained as she says, "It's not fair only you guys get disguises."

Instantly, the kids burst into chatter, "That's so cool!"

"How come we don't get cool magic things like that?"

"Yeah, all we get are these dumb masks."

The children continue to gripe and whine at Winter even as he lightly chides, "Your masks suppress your magic presence and are just as effective in hiding your identity."

"But they're so lame!"

"They are not!" Red cheeks peek out from under the rabbit mask, letting her know Winter's awareness of his own childish reply. He clears his throat. "Enough of that. While we're going far enough to where I don't believe a disguise would be necessary, as always, I'm impressed by your forethought and mindfulness, my Lady. Now then, Eliza and Laon will be accompanying us today. The rest of you will watch over the Lady's guards and remember to not let anyone into the guild. If something happens, you know how to reach me."

He ignores the children's groans at being left behind and offers his hand to her.

[ System ]

[~Main Episode: The Whereabouts of the Lost Children~ First Quest! {Slum with the Wizard}

Would you like to be teleported to {Tratan}?]

Upon taking Winter's hand, her body lurches in a way that is unfortunately becoming familiar. The scene shifts and blurs until they land on a beach with golden sands and crystal blue waters. A hard contrast to the depressing state of the ports left in shambles.

"This is Tratan?" She takes in the eerie quiet of the town as they walk. The houses aren't unlivable but are certainly run down. Moss climb the walls in the damp alleys between houses in a way that reminds her of her own childhood home she grew up in with her mom.

"Yes, it used to be a thriving port town until the kingdom began waging wars. We focus a lot of our volunteering efforts here because Tratan was hit the hardest due to its proximity to the island where the remaining sorcerers of the Ancient City of Laila took refuge. Even now, they are frequently attacked by demonic beasts and remnant's of Laila's factions."

Winter leads them down an alley next to what looks like a town square, empty as it is. He pulls tables and other supplies that absolutely should not fit in his tiny waist pouch. She follows the lead of Eliza and Laon and helps carry everything out of the alley until they've set up a mini distribution center filled with food. Before long, dull-eyed locals shuffle their way over at the chime of the bell.

Volunteering goes by quickly. Even though she's just handing out food, interacting with people that look so similar to her is exhausting. It wasn't that long ago she was in the same position as them, starving every day, not knowing when her next meal was. But Eliza and Laon are a source of energy, their presence breathing some life into those who come through the line with their cheer. Penelope can't match their energy, but some of her nervous energy dissipates.

Before she knows it, the crowd is mostly gone along with the food. She's shocked by the speed of the event until Winter informs her that they had one more area to visit.

They pack up once again, slowly carrying the supplies into a shadowed alley so Winter could discreetly shove everything back into his magical pouch, and they continue deeper into the slums. Eliza and Laon chatter all the way, seemingly unfazed by the worsening condition of the buildings around them. Between learning their favorite foods, colors, animals (anything sweet, red and yellow, rabbits and lions, respectively) and carefully walking along the cracked cobblestone where weeds grab at her legs, it helps her take her mind off the strangeness of this event where Winter has seemingly removed himself except to fill her in on history she doesn't remember being so intricate in the game.

They reach a part of the slums that doesn't even look possible for anyone to live in. There isn't a single 'house' that doesn't have windows smashed and boarded up, if they even had a standing wall at all. Though there's no signs of life, the hair on the back of her neck stands up like someone's watching her.

Winter answers her unasked questions, "A number of years back, the Empire conducted an extensive census with a device that measured each citizen's mana level. This is the outermost part of town where those with mana are driven to."

"Is everyone here a sorcerer?"

"No, having mana does not mean you can use magic, you must also have the talent and knowledge. But those with even the potential to be a sorcerer, like those from the Holy Nation of Laila, are heavily discriminated against."

Salty humidity does nothing to help ease the weariness settling in her bones. Only the distant sound of crashing waves and occasional creaks from decaying wood accompany them until they come to a stop at an open space among the collapsed buildings.

Unlike before where they carried everything discreetly out of an alley, Winter boldly pulls supplies from his magic storage pouch while the children use magic to set up the food station.

She stands uselessly to the side when suddenly a high pitched voice calls, "Excuse me." She comes face to face with a girl who seemingly appeared out of nowhere. The girl's unkempt hair, tattered apron, faded gray dress, and hollowed cheeks point to her just being another resident of the slums. "Are you here to help with passing out food?"

"...Yes," she cautiously answers, alarm bells going off in her brain. Not a single other person had said a word to her except to quietly thank them, so who was this girl? 

Unyielding to her hesitation, the other girl continues, "It's been a while since Mr. Rabbit brought someone new, especially someone my age! What's your name?"

"My... name?" Her eyes flick to Winter and the children, still engrossed in setting up to notice her predicament.

Suddenly the girl jumps back. "I'm sorry! Grandmother always told me it's rude to ask without introducing yourself first. It's nice to meet you, I'm An!"

"Hello, An." Maybe it's because she can't tell if this girl is an NPC from the game or truly a random stranger but the name feels strange on her tongue. "I'm... Penny. You can call me Penny." Nice, that doesn't sound suspicious at all. While she highly doubts anyone in this poor, forgotten village could trace her back to the adopted daughter of the esteemed Eckhart family in her current appearance, she doesn't think saying her full name would be a good idea either.

Thankfully for her, the girl doesn't seem to pick up on her awkwardness and gives her what can only be described as a beaming smile.

Suddenly Eliza shoves herself between them, apparently finished setting up as the bell calls hungry residents to them in the background. "Hi, Miss An! Look, I brought a friend!"

An laughs and it sounds like twinkling bells. "I can see that! Penny and I were just getting acquainted."

"It's nice to see you again, Miss. I wasn't sure whether you would be joining us today." Winter finally decides to show up and explain nothing.

Penelope, or Penny now that she's dug herself into that hole, isn't given a chance to ask questions and can only send a suspicious glance Winter's way as a crowd grows. To her surprise, An falls in line next to her to help pass out the food instead of joining the rest of the starving residents. Even though the chances of Penelope and Ivonne meeting before the start of Normal Mode are slim to none, she can't shake the sudden horrifying thought that the girl next to her might be Ivonne because why else would Winter allow a random resident to help pass out food with them?

If the girl notices her staring, she politely ignores it which allows Penelope to pick apart every part of this stranger's appearance, but the longer she stares, the less similarities she finds to the original game's soft brown haired, doe eyed protagonist.

An is unremarkable in every way. Plain. Her matted brownish gray hair stops just past her shoulders. Her skin has no special glow covered in a layer of grime that can only come from weeks or months without bathing. Her eyes are dull and her hands aren't unmarred or porcelain smooth like a Duke's daughters should be. Really, the only thing that sets her apart is that she's the only other teenage girl besides Penelope among the small gathering of villagers, but that wouldn't stop An from easily blending into the crowd if she hunched her shoulders in the same defeated way.

The longer she analyzes the situation, the less sense it makes for this girl next to her to be Ivonne. After all, there was no way Winter of all people would allow the two Eckhart daughters to meet if he knew, right? In the game, Winter said he found Ivonne in the slums, but that didn't mean it had to be these slums since he mentioned they volunteered in places other than Tratan.

By the time they pass out the last of the food, she's convinced herself of An's 'innocence' but is exhausted from the mental gymnastics from thinking so frantically. Even though this was supposed to be a Winter event, she's barely gotten a chance to talk with him, but his Score had steadily built itself up to 27% throughout the day so she lets Eliza and Laon pull her away from Winter and An without resistance. Though the kids had dragged her away to play on the beach with the other children of the slums, she opts to sit and watch from a distance, much to their complaint. Sand grates against her skin but the relief her feet get is worth it. 

Her little rest is broken by footsteps approaching her from behind and is unpleasantly surprised to see the very source of her headache plop down beside her with a rucksack full of something. Something that she should ignore, but curiosity and boredom get the better of her and she points to the bag An cradles against her chest. "What've you got there?"

"My payment." An grins and scooches closer, conspiratorially lifting the flap of the bag to reveal loaves of bread and a canister, presumably filled with soup if the bread is anything to go by. "I've been helping Mr. Rabbit with the distribution and in exchange he gives me whatever's left. Pretty devious of me, right?"

"Getting paid for a job is the furthest thing from devious I've ever heard."

An laughs easily at her dry answer. "You're right, I suppose it's not. It feels devious because Mr. Rabbit doesn't like it when people hoard food like this. I'm only allowed because my Grandmother can't walk all the way here to get it anymore."

"Will you be okay getting home?" It's not her business, but she can't help but ask when a rucksack full of food is no better than a target on your back in a place like this. That was one of the reasons why Winter deterred people from repeatedly getting in line.

"Don't worry about me, Penny. These streets are like home to me."

"If you say so." Unable to summon the energy to match An's playful grin, their conversation dies.

They sit in stiff silence and watch the kids play. Eliza and Laon show off their magic, shaping water animals from the waves and erecting shaky sandcastles that fall over with a puff of wind.

"Does magic scare you?" An abruptly asks.

A salty breeze carries the children's laughter as they pop bubbles. "Not really."

"You're braver than me then." At her raised eyebrow, An gives her a wry smile. "Mr. Rabbit and his apprentices use magic so beautifully and to help us but... having mana is the reason all of us are here. Why we've been outcast from the rest of society. Why we're left to starve and get attacked by those Holy Nation sorcerers. I'm so grateful for all of you and yet I... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to dump this on you. I should be getting home before Mother worries."

It's none of my business, she reminds herself as An hurriedly hoists herself up. It's none of her business but— "The way I see it, magic is like a knife. Some choose to use it as a weapon, but most use it to cook and make something wonderful."

An pauses in dusting off her dress and stares at her with surprised eyes. Slowly, a soft smile forms on her face. "If you come back, maybe we could talk again?"

It was, admittedly, really nice to talk like equals with someone who seemingly wasn't tied to the game. She smiles back tentatively. "I'd like that."

An disappears into the maze of the ruined town after one last wave, leaving Penelope to stew in her thoughts.

Whenever Winter asked the Normal Mode Protagonist what she thought of magic, her answers were always something along the lines of, 'Magic is beautiful!' 'Magic isn't scary!' 'There's no reason to fear sorcerers because we're all equal!' or some other sappy bullshit that only a pure angelic protagonist could spout, but she finds An's stance much more realistic. Her fear is justified yet she still strived to help out where she could even alongside the very people she feared. In her eyes, An manages to out-charms the actual protagonist.

It doesn't take much longer after that for Winter to call for them to leave and once they gather the children, they teleport back to the guild. As much as she wanted to ask about An, she files the topic away for later when the children aren't chaotically welcoming them back.

"Thank you for coming along with us, my Lady. I truly cannot express my thanks enough."

Winter's gratitude held more meaning now that she's seen the stigma against sorcerers firsthand. Talking with An also confirmed her suspicion that the reason why Winter used magic so freely in the outer slums was to give hope to those there. He brought her volunteering to help her understand why saving Eliza was such a big deal to him. The fact that he trusted her so much to share this part of him is... really touching, to say the least. She hopes her newfound understanding and appreciation is clear when she answers, "It was exhausting work, but very fulfilling. Thank you for inviting me today."

"Please join us again anytime."

The children parrot him, making her smile.

"I'll let you know," she says.

[ System ]

[{Slum with the Wizard} First Quest complete!]

[(Reward: Winter Affection Score +5%, Reputation +50)]