Chapter 1 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 instagram, 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!”