Penelope stared at Derrick in amazement. She didnt know why, but he was breathing hard because he had been in a hurry to find her. His pale complexion and the sweat on his forehead were extraordinary.

Why is he so sick?

Unconsciously, she glanced at him and found a bandage rolled around his waist. No, he was sick. I think its bleeding.

Ah. Pointing at the bandage, which was faintly reddish, Derrick looked down and checked. Then he answered bluntly.

...Its nothing.

It seemed like a big deal, but Penelope said nothing. Whether the wound bursts or the blood leaks or spills, it was irrelevant to her. Due to injuries, Derricks face was gaunt.

Anyway, its strange that hes okay when his belly is pierced

It occurred to Penelope that he had been attacked by Leila and had been in therapy for quite some time.

A moment of uncomfortable silence fell between them. Penelope was wondering how to get out of the incinerator naturally.

What...are you doing here? Derrick opened his mouth first.

At the same time, Penelope suddenly recalled what she had forgotten and answered obediently. I was sorting out my luggage.

Luggage?

Yes, I dont need to leave anything here. Penelopes bright blue eyes glanced behind her. It had been a long time since everything in the kiln was engulfed in a raging fire, but it also included what Derrick had given her, which made her feel sick. It was time to stand in the way of the door with fear of him seeing a part that had not yet been burnt through the side window.

I was told that you're leaving the duchy Derrick suddenly spoke in a cautious tone. Did you get the message already? It's fast.

However, after Penelope left the office, she wondered if the Duke immediately called Derrick.

-You won't do it.

-I can't forgive you. Everyone in the duchy, including Derrick and Rennald, who have been abusing me. I dropped the bomb that I was leaving, but they wouldnt have let it go.

She nodded without an answer. Then, Derrick was hurried. ...I can't do it.

Penelope, who didn't expect to hear from Derrick again, looked at him in a daze. He must have felt her gaze, but he continued talking.

Why dont youthink twice about leaving the duchy?

...

The situation in the capital is not yet stable. Especially since it happened, all the attention has been on the Eckarts

Did you follow me up here just to say that? ...

Penelopes expressionless face and sarcasm caused Derricks mouth to suddenly shut. In fact, it wasn't surprising. Wouldnt it be creepy if his personality had suddenly changed?

But youve made progress? You didnt send someone to ask me to come to your office, you came in person.

It occurred to her that it was not funny. She snorted coldly. I told you last time.

...

Its no longer a matter of your involvement. ...Penelope.

Ive already finished talking to you. Of course, even if you know that

If I want to go, I'll go.

She never needed his permission.

Even if she wanted to voice her complaints, she swallowed it.Penelope thought that she would leave after pouring out the buckets of abuse she had endured, but he didnt have the right to do so. When she looked back behind her, she noticed that the flames that had been roaring in the kiln subsided quite a bit.

Thats enough.

Penelope turned to Derrick again and nodded unceremoniously. If youre done talking, bye.

Where. ...

Where are you going?

Derrick cut her off in a hurry to ask. Penelope frowned at the excessive interference. That too.

...

Thats something you dont need to know. Is it because of me?

Heck, he took one step closer to her. His face, which had gotten closer, was still filled with agitation and cold sweat.

The day of the ceremony I picked up Yvonne and brought you to death? Well. While answering like that, Penelope was inwardly surprised.

Its not like his fault.

The man who escaped from the brainwashing seemed to be aware of the atrocities he had committed. Maybe it wasn't because of brainwashing, but a change of heart after being pierced by the hands of a monster in his sisters skin.

I can't say no, but it doesnt seem to be just for that reason. Penelope replied very slowly. When he brought Yvonne with him, Penelope was really going crazy...

But she wasn't very angry enough to remember. Strangely enough, from one point on, feelings for Derrick had disappeared, as if they were washed away. Expectation, disappointment, anger. Maybe it's

because Penelope thought the idea that she might be like that would be overwhelming. Dont worry. Its just the time.

Dont play with words and tell me a reason that makes sense.

Penelope didnt want to blush while she was leaving. She didnt blame him by speaking as lightly as she could, but Derrick rushed again and questioned her.

Where are you going to go away to, and why are you going back to the palace after youve come all this way?

Why am I? Penelope firmly cut off his tedious tone. Why should I convince you?

...

If I answer to the person who seems to have a contemptuous way of speaking, the attitude of arrogance is terrible enough to be disgusting."

...

Then whats the difference? Derricks shoulders flinched noticeably at her words. The reddish bloodstains on the bandage around his waist began to deepen.

This is killing me.

Penelopes words seemed to hit harder than she thought. His pale complexion was like that of a white sheet. She laughed at the desire to pour out more.

But sadly, I dont have enough interest in you to feel that way. ...Penelope.

This. She took a steps closer to the man who repeatedly called her name. Then she pulled something out of her arms and pushed it out.

I wasnt sure how to deliver it, but this is fine.

This Derricks blue eyes, looking down at what Penelope held out to him, began to quake. It was Yvonne's mirror.

I was going to give it to the care of the butler before I left

Penelope thought that shed give it to the Duke, but he wasnt the one that Yvonne wanted to convey her message to.

-Please tell Derrick Brother that Im thankful to him for buying the hand mirror, and Im sorry I lost it. Recalling her crying voice, Penelope translated it in a heartless way.

As youve already heard, I met Yvonne yesterday. It wasnt Leila, it was your little sister. ...

It's the thing that she gave me. She said thank you for buying it, and she wanted me to tell you that she was sorry for losing it.

At the end of the magic wand, the splendid decorations disappeared, and there was only one old, faded hand mirror with cracks. It was just like her relationship with Eckart, irrevocable to anything.

Derrick's face slowly crumbled as he looked at the mirror in her hand.

Yvonne The dilated pupils shook endlessly. He was unlikely to bleed a drop of blood even if stabbed, but he also had a trauma of losing his sister with his own hands. Penelope didnt want to see his despair, even though he had acted like an idiot to her.

Think about it. I have to go, so hurry up and get rid of it.

Penelope waved the hand holding the mirror in a hurry. However, he just stood there without thinking about accepting it.

Youre annoying till the end.

With a sigh, Penelope reached out and held Derricks hand, forcing the mirror into his hand. Perhaps because of the shock, the trembling warmth under her palm was a little disgusting. Of course she didnt express it.

Just think it's all my fault, as always. I accidentally killed Yvonne, and thats not why Im leaving, but getting kicked out. If they thought like that, wont people feel sorry for them?

Derrick was originally a man of narrow-mindedness, and now she wasted time facing him. Unlike the Duke, she had no reason to talk to him. If they passed like distant strangers as they had done so far, it would be fine.

Then. Penelope finally grabbed the hand of the man who held the mirror, closed it tightly, and then released it neatly. And it was just a moment when she was just about to walk past him.

The empty hand suddenly clung to her. Penelope raised her head in amazement. ...If I say I regret all the things I did.

Can you forgive me a little?

He was holding her with the hand she had just released. Yvonnes mirror, which she had forced him to hold, lay on the floor.

As he held her hand tight, he said,

I will kneel at your feet and beg if you wish.

Will you not leave? Is he crazy?

That was the first thought Penelope had. She couldnt hear what he was saying because her gaze was stuck on the mirror on the floor.

Let it go.

Penelope tried to shake his hand off and bent to pick up the mirror. It was that moment.

The tall man's face went blank in an instant.

When Penelope came to her senses, Derrick was kneeling before her. What

She was dumbfounded by the black-haired head near her waist. Dont go.

...

I was all wrong.

Hneeling wasn't enough either, so Derrick began to say things that were unbelievable. Wrong?

Yes. Youre right. Maybe Im the one responsible for all the misfortunes youve gone through. ...

"But...Ill still try. As soon as I recover enough to be able to move, I can change. I promise I will compensate you as much, or more, as you have suffered.

Penelope had never seen him speak so long and fast. He spoke with a desperate face and without taking time to breathe, as if he thought that she would disappear as soon as he stopped talking.

I'll put it all back. I'll make sure you wont be bothered again.

Dont marry the Crown Prince.