NOTES (PLEASE READ FIRST): OG!Penelope - Character. Derrick Eckhart. Reynold Eckhart. Duke Eckhart (Death Is The Only Ending For The Villainess). Derrick is fucking trash okay. why does he have feelings toward his adopted sister? be warned, this fanfic delves deep into his obsession w PenelopeHe's 17 and she's 12. f you don't like that, please don't read this

Derrick walked with his younger brother, Reynold, to their father's study after being told by a butler to report there immediately. Neither knew the exact reason their father needed to see them so urgently.

Reynold crossed his arms behind his head to cushion it. "What do ya think our dad wants to talk to us about?"

Derrick shrugged. "I cannot be certain. Did you perhaps misbehave?"

As expected, his brother let his temper get the best of him."I ain't do anything! And even I did, why would he call you in too, huh?! Did ya think about that?!"

Derrick sighed. "Lower your voice. I was merely suggesting a possible reason. We will find out soon anyhow."

They completed the rest of their walk in silence. Derrick lamented how uncomfortable it was to be around his only brother. It seemed that every time they spoke, it only ended in an argument. He missed how they were inseparable as kids. Unfortunately, they grew distant after their mother passed away and then even more so after their sister disappeared.

Why did I even offer to walk with him in the first place? He thought frustratedly to himself.

The heir to the Eckhart family snapped out of his thoughts once they reached the door. The butler opened it for them before announcing, "The Young Duke and Young Master are here, Your Grace."

Derrick walked in first and was momentarily confused upon seeing his father. He was holding what appeared to be a 12-year-old orphaned girl in his arms. She was sickly thin, very pale with dirt all over her skin and clothes, and her hair seemed dirty, awry, and unkempt as well.

Derrick scrunched up his nose in disgust. What in the world is Father doing with a dirty commoner such as her?

Upon seeing the two of them, the little girl hid her face in the duke's chest.

"My sons!" the duke greeted them with a smile. "I have good news to tell you both. This is your new little sister!"

"What?!" Reynold yelled, outraged. "The hell do you mean new sister?!"

"Reynold, mind your manners. There is a child present," the Duke scolded him. He pat the little girl's back. Derrick noticed how she trembled slightly in fear.

She must not like the loud voices of men.

"How did you come to adopt this girl?" Derrick asked calmly, careful not to show his emotions.

"I was meeting with a few other nobles and stopped by in the capital for some lunch. I found this precious little girl begging for food. Her parents recently passed away and she was left all alone on the streets," the Duke explained sadly as he pet his daughter's hair. "She reminded me so much of your sister that I couldn't leave her there to suffer. I decided to adopt her."

Reynold grew angrier and slammed his fists on his desk. "So you're trying to replace Yvonne, is that it?! No one will ever replace her! Especially not this filthy commoner!"

"Reynold!" Duke Eckhart snapped back as he covered the little girl's ears. Derrick could hear her sobbing into the duke's chest. "How dare you be so cruel to someone you just met? Go to your room right away and think about what you've done!"

"You don't need to tell me twice!" Reynold retorted before stomping over to the door, swinging it open, and slamming it shut once he left.

Duke Eckhart let out an exasperated sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose . "Derrick, I hope you'll be a bit more accepting of your little sister than Reynold just was."

Derrick gave a curt nod. "Of course, Father. If this is what you truly desire, then I respect your decision. I will welcome her wholeheartedly to the Eckhart family."

The duke brightened immediately at his son's kind words. "Excellent! Her name is Penelope. She is a bit shy, but I'm sure she'll warm up to you two eventually."

Derrick opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted by a knock heard at the door.

"Come in," Duke Eckhart commanded.

A maid walked in and bowed to both of them. "Good day, Your Grace and Young Duke. I am here to take Lady Penelope to her new room and get her ready for the day.

The duke put Penelope down, wiped away her tears, and kindly told her to follow the maid. Unfortunately, Penelope was still very frightened and clung onto the duke's coat.

Derrick thought she was somewhat cute. Yvonne used to do the same thing to Reynold and I…

"She won't hurt you," the duke told his new daughter gently. "I'll make sure of that. You'll enjoy your new room. I bought plenty of new toys and dresses for you! Doesn't that sound fun?"

Derrick smiled sadly. This is exactly how his father used to act with Yvonne as well. It was nice to see this side of his father again after so long, but a pang of sadness hit him because he felt this side of his father should only be reserved for Yvonne.

Penelope hesitated again but nodded after a moment. The duke smiled before taking her hand and walking her over to the maid. "I'll see you soon for dinner, all right?"

Penelope reluctantly followed the maid out of the duke's study and to her room. After discussing a few duchy matters, Derrick also took his leave and went back to his room to complete some work before dinner.

Derrick was feeling hungry a bit before dinner was scheduled to be served, so he decided to head to the dining room for a quick snack. He thought he would only encounter a few servants and maids, but he also crossed paths with Penelope sitting in the courtyard.

His heart skipped a beat.

Gone was the raggedy, filthy orphan girl he had met just a few hours ago. Now, there was an elegant young woman in her place. She had long, flowing hair the color of newly blossomed pink rose, beautiful smooth porcelain skin, and eyes the deepest shade of emerald blue he had ever seen. She was wearing a simple dress the same shade as her eyes; it had a low square neckline, a very short bodice, and a skirt down to her ankles. But that coupled with her pretty face and vibrant innocent eyes made her look like a princess.

Derrick found himself drawn to her magnetic presence, unable to tear his eyes away. She soon approached him and he noticed she had a gracefulness to her movements, a youthful energy that radiated from her very being. The gummy smile she wore was infectious and he smiled back at her unknowingly.

He knew then that he was in love.

Derrick coughed to hide his embarrassment. "Did you like your new room?"

Penelope nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, brother! It was so pretty! It looked like something out of a fairytale. I know I'll enjoy my new place here."

Derrick smiled at her excitement. It was adorable. "I am glad you enjoy being here. Since you are now a lady of house Eckhart, you'll soon be starting your studies and etiquette lessons. Make sure to do your best, all right?"

Penelope smiled even wider. "Of course, brother! I won't let you or Father down!"

"Great! Now then, would you like to walk to dinner with me?" He asked as he extended out his arm.

Penelope took it. "Yes, I'm positively starving!"

They ate dinner with their father without any trouble while Reynold was forced to eat alone in his room. Throughout the whole meal, Derrick couldn't keep his eyes off her. She was stunning to him.

After dinner, Derrick reluctantly went back to his study to work on some paperwork. After finishing it, he prepared to go to sleep and snuggled comfortably under his blanket. He let out a sigh of contentment at how comfortable he felt.

I hope Penelpoe's bed is as soft as mine… I wonder, is she sleeping right now too?

Ugh, stop thinking about her!

He forced his mind to go blank. He needed to get some sleep now since he had to wake up early.

But unfortunately, his mind kept going back to her. How pretty her eyes were, how soft her hair and lips looked, how angelic her voice sounded to his ears…

There's no way I'm going to be able to sleep with these thoughts racing through my mind.

Suddenly, his mind came up with an idea.

Why don't I go visit Penelope in her room right now?

He looked outside. It was dark out and it wasn't quite appropriate for a 17-year-old man to visit a 12-year-old girl at this time of night, but they were technically siblings, were they not?

He got up from his bed and put on his slippers. He then slowly opened his door and looked around to make sure no servants were around, then made his way quietly to his adopted sister's room.

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