I will Stay

| • Penelope's POV

I guess every living thing has its time to die.

I just never imagined mine would come at the hands of the mate I loved eternally.

Rain poured down on me, chilling my already-numb body and slowing heart. Out of the corner of my blurry, lifeless gaze, I watched as my mate—the love of my life—swaggered out of view, the sword still gripped in his hand, stained with my blood.

I smiled.

How Iconic.

The words he left me with echoed in my mind.

'You were just a plaything. A drug I couldn't get rid of. A replacement for your sister, whom I searched high and low for.'

Once again, it was my sister who had turned the skies into pure darkness.

I closed my eyes as a single tear slid down my cheek, but it did nothing to dull the silent ache in my chest as my heartbeat slowed to utter silence.

And yet, as I lay there—where life should have drained from me—something bloomed in its place.

The will to live.

The need for revenge.

The longing for justice.

The desperate desire to see my parents again.

I didn’t want to die.

Moon goddess, if you are out there somewhere—hear my plea. 

With that silent cry, I closed my eyes and drifted into a darkness I didn't wish to remain in forever.

*****

Monday Morning — Duke Ernaut's Mansion.

I woke with a jolt. My clothes were drenched in sweat, my face wet with tears. I gasped for air, heaving in deep, panicked breaths.

My hand flew to the place where there should’ve been a gaping stab wound.

'What?'

My eyes widened in disbelief. I looked down and to my horror there was no wound. I pressed my lips into a thin line as I felt my heart pounding in my chest.

First came the shock. Then, joy.

A full smile bloomed on my face. I laughed—giggling, kicking my feet.

I was alive. I was breathing. The Moon Goddess had answered me.

Looking around, I realized I was back in my father's house. Did I go back in time? It didn't matter. As long as I could see my family again.

I jumped to my feet and rushed to the mirror—only for my smile to freeze.

'Why do I look...too young?'

Wait—

A knock snapped me out of my thoughts. I furrowed my brows in confusion. 

"Come in," I said, adjusting my clothes and brushing through my damp hair.

A maid stepped in with a kettle of hot water. I raised an eyebrow. If I remembered correctly, after turning twenty, I stopped using hot water. 

So why was she bringing it now?

"Good morning, my lady." she curtsied, her brown pig tails swaying.

I didn't answer. I merely nodded.

Her name was...

"Sophia, what day is it today?" I asked, settling in front of my dressing mirror, studying my youthful, rosy complexion.

"Miss, you don't remember?" Sophie eyes widened in surprise. I shot her a hard glare, and she quickly looked away.

"Today is the 25th of June. The Duke's Birthday." 

The vase on my table slipped and shattered on the floor. My heart pounded rapidly.

I was back.

Returned to the day it all began.

Not just any ordinary day—but the day I had everything ripped away from me like a scene from a horror movie.

My father's birthday, and my coming of age ceremony.

"The Duchess instructed me to prepare you for the ball," Sophie added gently.

But I knew for certain that there would be no ball. I turned and stared at Sophie.

She flinched, kneeling as if she had done something wrong.

"Miss, whatever I have done to make you cry, please punish me," she began to slam her head against the floor—but I caught her by the arms.

"Sophie..." I called out softly. She looked up at me with those wide, doe-like eyes. I brushed a strand of hair from her face.

"When the time comes, take your mother and run. Far away." my tone was sharp as I tightened my grip.

Although I was strict to my servants, I always treated this particular servant of mine sweetly.

We could be considered sisters, but in my past life she died trying to save me. More tears spilled down my cheeks as I pulled her into a tight hug, not even realizing my body was trembling.

I will protect you. 

I repeated that in my head like a sacred chant, trying to etch it deep into every part of my soul.

No matter what—I will stop what’s coming.

Whatever was to happen to you—to all of us from happening.

I didn't need to voice it out for her but she stayed quietly in my arms as if she understood. 

When I finally stopped crying, I wiped my eyes and sat down at the vanity.

"Instead of my usual palette of clothes, dress me in pure black with bold make-up." I said as I ran a comb through my poppy-red hair.

Sophie staggered forward finally recollecting herself as she glared at me.

"I will not! Today is your special day!" Sophie snapped.

"Sophie." one word, and she shut up.

It was only a thought—but I had a solution.

Today would be a funeral, so why wear red? I will save everyone. But will I save myself?

Sophie worked swiftly as she did my makeup, and gave me the perfect look even though I looked more ghotic than the vibrant version of my past self. When I turned to her, worry lined her face.

I smiled and stepped closer.

She reluctantly dragged her eyes away from my dress to my face, “Don’t worry, I will be fine. Remember what I told you?” I asked. She nodded slowly.

“Good girl,” I whispered softly as I planted a kiss on her forehead.

Once I was ready, I left the room with a heavy sigh of relief, though fear crept through every corner of my heart but with fear came boldness.

****

The Ballroom — Duke’s Mansion

Guest flooded the room like bees to honey. Each family was formally announced as they entered the grand hall, donning their best fake smiles and raised chins like peacocks.

Only the children’s frowns made them look more human than porcelain dolls.

They didn’t want to be here. Neither did I.

It was like they could sense the danger but had no choice. Sorry to them though.

Sitting beside my father on the elevated dais brought no comfort because of the curious and judgemenal eeys on me.

Haven’t they seen a woman wear black on her coming of age ceremony and father’s birthday?

Ahh... right, this was supposed to be a happy occassion.

“Are you okay, Penelope?” My mother nudged me. 

I turned to her, dragging my tired eyes over her worried face then forced a smile without replying.

Mothers will always be mothers, won’t they?

“You know you can tell me anything,” She urged, inching closer to me and I shifted farther away from her. 

“I am fine, mother.” I cast a glance at the approaching crowd of overdressed women. “They need you more than I do.” 

Society needed her, I glanced back at my mother and watched as she bit down on her lip, reluctantly.

My eyes softened and I covered her hands with mine.

“Go ahead, mother. I will be fine. I have father... and her with me.” 

I nearly gagged calling out my sister, but I kept the smile on my face. Relieved, my mother left to entertain the ladies at a corner farther away from where we sat.

Which I was grateful for.

Just as I pulled out my phone to scroll through i*******m, a shadow blocked my screen. I looked up and found Darla staring down at me with a scowl.

“Hungry? Bitter again? Or just bored?” I asked, barely interested and she raised an eyebrow.

“Are you perharps hoping father doesn’t make it, dear sister?” she said loudly, loud enough for even the guests at the entrance to hear. I frowned.

She was doing it on purpose.

How had I never noticed it in my past life? Always looking for ways to mock me? Was I blinded by the affection I felt for my sister? That’s why I never noticed?

“Darla, I-”

“No, that must be it!” She exclaimed, snapping her fingers drammatically and pacing. “You wore black on such a happy occassion as if you are about to celebrate a funeral. Are you saying everyone will die here?” 

She looked at me with exaggerated concern.

Murmurs broke out. Before I could defend myself, the sound of an explosion sent the whole place into utter chaos.

My eyes widened and I instinctively grabbed my sister and pulled her behind me.

My mother rushed as If she knew this was going to happen, and grabbed for both of us—but I stood my ground, locking eyes with her.

I won’t let you.

“Take Darla away, I will stay!”