A/N Hi! I just wanted to warn there is an attempted rape in this chapter, it isn't too detailed so don't worry. But if you don't like it, don't feel as though you need to read it! However, it is an important part of the story and although I don't think I need to change the rating, I still wanted to warn some readers out there. Also some mild language! Please enjoy and review, more coming up shortly! :)
-*FlashBack*-
It had been a year since her mother died. At sixteen years old Penelope was the sole owner of the entire estate and therefore had all the wealth of her family. For two months her uncle, who had never been interested in her family before, wrote letter after letter in an attempt to get her attention. Some were letters of condolence, wishing her well. Others were enquiries about the will and the estate, asking mostly about anything left to him. She had for the most part ignored them, and felt agitated that he only cared for the money.
So when she got a letter which had a rather colourful use of language describing her as a money grabbing b**ch, Penelope had been both hurt and angry.
"How dare he say such things?! He has only ever met me three times, and I was only a child! I can't believe him, it's not my fault that my mother's will left everything to me!" Penelope had ranted to Lucy her nanny. She had become friends with Lucy over the years and often discussed more girly topics with her rather than Claude, feeling as though they would be awkward. Lucy just nodded her head and slowly brushed through her straight hair which was as black as oil. She no longer needed to care for Penelope as a nanny would, but due to her having a teaching degree, she worked part-time as a tutor for Penelope. Claude would usually teach her when Lucy was not able to.
"Perhaps you should just give him some money and he will be on his way" Lucy said smiling, hoping to get Penelope out of her mood. But this only worsened it.
"But it isn't rightfully his, and to my knowledge, he is financially comfortable at the moment and therefore is just being greedy" Penelope grumbled back. Looking at her notes she had taken before receiving the letter, she sighed and asked for the lesson in Latin to continue.
Two hours later, Lucy had left and Penelope found herself sat at the long dining table ideally pushing the food around her plate. She just couldn't understand why the letter hurt so much. Was it because she had never been called such horrid things before? Or was it because she felt guilty for keeping the money herself?
Not noticing the presence of her friend and butler behind her, she buried her face in her hands and tried to stifle the sobs that broke out. She had always been kind to people and now she was beginning to feel like a horrid person. Suddenly she felt her chair turn around and two long arms pull her into his grasp. Putting her arms around Claude's neck she buried her face into the side of his neck and tried to control her breathing. After a couple of minutes of Claude rubbing her back and trying to soothe her, he picked her up and carried her to her bedroom. It was only early but he felt her exhaustion radiating from her body.
Sitting her down on her pale coloured bed, he carefully found her night clothes and made his way to unfasten her corset. Penelope had blushed since it was the maids duty, but didn't say anything. His cold hands methodically untied the corset and he pulled the ribbon, causing her to sigh. She had often criticised the corset for being so tight yet she wore it because she had to. When he had removed the offending article he turned his back to her so he didn't see through the light material of her under shirt.
"I will call the maid to help you dress, then I will return with some hot chocolate" he said simply and removed himself from the room.
Seconds later the maid came in blushing, obviously she had bumped to Claude, and helped Penelope get dressed. Penelope could dress herself and found it annoying that someone else had to help her, but Claude and her parents had told her numerous times that she must, as it reflected her status in society.
Dressed in her violet night dress, which had white lace at the bottom, Penelope got herself in bed and wriggled around in the covers to make them warmer. Claude had just came in whilst she was wriggling in the bed and gave her a look that expressed his concern for her sanity. Laughing at this, Penelope stopped and gave a bounce when she saw the hot chocolate. She may have been an intelligent fifteen year old, but it didn't stop her acting like a child sometimes. Not that it was always a bad thing.
"I was warming up the bed". She explained and took the offered cup from Claude, he in return just nodded and gave a small smile. In all honesty it looked more like a twitch of the lips, but Penelope assured herself it was a smile. She took a sip and then grimaced at how hot it was, waving her free hand over her mouth to cool it down.
"I have reminded you many time Penelope to not drink it so quickly. I even put milk and cream in it to cool it down".
"I know, I'm sorry, I will remember next time" she said as she put the hot liquid next to her bedside. As she sat up, two larger hands hands cupped her face, making her look directly into gold coloured eyes.
"Has anyone ever told you Claude, your eyes are a very strange colour". She paused watching his perfectly black eyebrows raise. "Wait... That sounded bad, I meant it in a good way! They are almost golden, in fact they probably could be considered golden..." She nervously spoke, trying to fix the mistake she made. And for the first time he openly chuckled in front of her.
She was so shocked, she even placed a hand on his forehead, like she had done when she first found him, in an attempt to feel his temperature. And like the first time, he was still ice cold.
"You do amuse me sometimes Penelope". He said with a smirk, causing Penelope to blush. She would be lying if she said he didn't look charming at that moment. She had witnessed countless women in Claude's presence, especially when shopping, who had all tried to flirt with him. His tall figure, slim body with well defined chest muscles beneath his shirt and of course his coal black hair and piercing eyes, did make him a sight to behold. However, Penelope saw him as a friend and therefore would treat him as such. Even if he was a very handsome friend. Her daydreaming on his looks were cut short when he patted her cheek to gain her attention.
"What I wanted to talk to you about is about what occurred previously. What had caused you to get so upset?" He asked.
Removing his hands from her face, Penelope moved and put her hand under her pillow, pulling out the letter from her uncle. She knew how angry he could get when people hurt her, even if it was just verbally. Once a man had bumped into her and although she said it was fine, as she exited the shop, she couldn't find Claude. When she looked down the street, she swore she saw Claude near an alleyway, and just as she reached there, Claude had pulled her away telling her it was time to leave. Upon leaving, she had thought she had heard a pain filled groan, but Claude had moved her quickly so she never found out.
Handing him the letter, that had crinkles due to her clenching it so hard, she watched his eyes narrow for a second. Her green orbs became transfixed on his facial expressions, but as this was Claude, he hardly moved, making the only emotional release being his eyes that she often believed he had no control of. Slowly, Claude's white clad hands crunched the letter into a neat ball. Putting it into his pocket, which she supposed he would throw out later, he looked at her.
"I do hope Penelope, that you don't believe his words". His voice sounded cold and she flinched at the tone, worrying that he was upset.
"But... Perhaps... I mean" she started to argue, but was cut of by a gloved finger pressed against her mouth. He moved his body so that he was almost on top of the red head, and moved his face so it was inches away.
"Don't even complete that sentence, in words or thoughts. He has no right to your money or estate. Moreover, he has absolutely no right to call you such things". He hissed, and then before she could blink, he had moved off her and was now standing by the side of her bed.
"Now don't let your hot chocolate become cold, it rather defeats the name of the drink". And with those words he left the room. Penelope had never seen him act so... Cold before. She thought that the room had even decreased in temperature. So, doing as she was told, she took a sip of the now warm liquid and smiled happily. She may have just endured Claude's cold behaviour, but deep down she knew it was because he was being protective.
It was half an hour later when she had just started to fall asleep, when the door to her bedroom opened with a creek. Keeping her eyes closed, she felt a hand stroke her forehead slowly.
"Penelope, I know you are not asleep" whispered Claude. Her only response was a small groan and her eyes flickering open. He responded by kneeing down in front of her, the nearly burnt out candles softly lighting his sharp features.
"I apologise for my actions before" he said softly and Penelope blinked in confusion. He noticed and continued.
"I believe I acted rather irrationally. I fear my unhappiness got the better of me, it clouded my senses and left you without any comfort. I do hope you can forgive my actions". He finished with his head bowed down. Looking at the man in front of her, Penelope gave a tired sigh and shook her head. She couldn't believe how silly he could be sometimes. Although she liked that he did apologies to her, as not many people did.
Claude had his head suddenly lifted my a much smaller pair of hands.
"I'm fine, actually you made me realise how stupid I was being. My uncle is just a greedy man who needs to sort himself out". She said with a nod of the head. Moving her hands, she was stopped when his captured her left hand and delicately placed a kiss just above the knuckles. Standing up, he leaned over her and grabbed the now empty cup.
"I'm glad you have taken a mature outlook on this situation. Is there anything else you would like this evening, before I retire?" He asked politely and moved slowly towards the door.
"No thank you Claude, sweet dreams!" She called out and snuggled into the sheets. As she fell asleep, the candle faded out and a soft voice said "goodnight".
About a month later, Penelope had forgotten about her uncle's hate filled letter and she waited patiently for Lucy, her nanny and tutor to arrive. Over the past week, Lucy would occasionally bring up her Uncle and Penelope would only answer that his language proved that he deserved none of her kindness. Looking out of the window, she kept glancing at the clock and then back wondering where Lucy could be. She had never been late before and always enjoyed her time with Penelope. Trying not to worry about her friend, for that's what she considered her, Penelope went in the library and started to read. However, an hour had gone by and she felt worry settling at the pit of her stomach.
"Claude?" She called out.
"Yes Penelope?" He replied from behind her, causing her to jump. Spinning around, then having to move her unruly flaming hair out of her face, and her mouth, she smiled.
"I swear you don't have footsteps, I don't know how you manage to appear out of thin air, but it's an amazing talent" she giggled, then stopped as she remembered why she needed him.
"Have you heard any news of Lucy? She is almost two hours late and I'm beginning to grow concerned". Claude gave her a blank look before replying.
"I have not heard from her, perhaps she is busy elsewhere". Penelope sighed and began to walk away.
"I don't know where you think your going Penelope, have you forgotten that you still need to have lessons?" He asked, causing her to stop in her tracks. She then skipped back over to Claude and allowed him to lead the way to her study, or rather her father's old study.
It was the next day when she received news that Lucy had been killed in a rather nasty carriage collision. For hours, Penelope had locked herself in her room and sobbed. Lucy was ultimately the only family apart from Claude that she had. For Lucy had even cared for her when she was just a baby. Lucy was the whole reason Penelope enjoyed reading and she remembered the times they spent playing games in the garden. However much Claude tried to get her to eat, Penelope just refused saying she was not hungry. But like any teenager, hunger did prevail as about eleven o'clock at night, did she knock on Claude's door asking for some toast.
They had sat in silence in the kitchen whilst she ate, but the silence was not uncomfortable. After eating she shyly made her way to him as he washed the plate. Claude suddenly felt two arms hug him from behind him and relaxed his tense body. When he finished his job, he turned around making sure not to accidentally hurt the girl. Pulling her closer, he then carried her light frame back to her bedroom and made sure she fell asleep.
Her grief only lasted a couple more days and by the end of the week, she was feeling better.
-THE NEXT DAY-
It had started of like any normal day in her household. She would have Claude wake her up with breakfast, usually her favourite. Then her maid, Daisy, would dress her, or rather attempt since Penelope preferred to do it herself. Afterwards, Claude would tutor her for a few hours as they had agreed that they would search for a new tutor soon. Then lunch followed by dinner later on would occur and then bedtime. It sounded quite boring, but Penelope was enjoying her life and especially enjoyed the occasions when Claude would read to her.
It was that night when she had just gotten dressed, that a loud banging started from the main doors downstairs. Walking out of her room, despite the maids insistence for her to stay because she wasn't decent, Penelope made her way to the main doors. However, she saw Claude was already present and she gestured for him to open the doors. Oddly enough no one was there. They looked at one another and he gestured for her to stay inside, and he walked out of the house looking both left and right. He then continued to walk further around the outside.
"It must have been the wind on the door knocker" Penelope reasoned. Sighing she made her way upstairs back to her room. Daisy must have left for she was nowhere in sight. Glancing down the corridor she swore she heard noise. Walking hesitantly down, she gave a cry of alarm as Daisy was slumped down next to the wall to her parents bedroom, with blood pouring from a wound on her head. Falling to her knees, she checked her pulse and was thankful it was there, even if it wasn't strong.
Suddenly a hand wrapped around her slim waist and another clamped around her mouth, preventing her from screaming. She knew immediately it wasn't Claude, since he would have been gentler.
"Now listen here you little b**ch, my brothers money should have been mine. I have given you plenty of chances to give it me, but stupidly you have turned it down. I will enjoy killing you and burning this house to the ground" the man hissed coldly into her ear. She tried to fight out of his grasp and was nearly successful when she bit his hand.
"CLAUDE!" She screamed out, but was kneed rather forcefully in the gut.
"I have dealt with him already you fool" he sneered. Whimpering she managed to move and kick him violently in the knee. She felt some pleasure when he nearly fell over and cursed her. But before she could do it again, he had picked her up harshly and carried her down the corridor into her own. Throwing her on the bed, she groaned as the blood rushed to her head. She was just about to sit up when a stinging slap rushed at her face.
A weight was suddenly on top of her and he grinned at her manically. He had always looked younger than her father, as he was the youngest in their family. Yet now his once light brown hair and baby blue eyes looked insane rather than welcoming. His son actually looked very similar. Instead, his face had stubble and she could smell alcohol on his breath. He had also put some weight on, as she remembered him as quite skinny, whereas now he had plumped up. His hands went around her neck and he started to squeeze.
"You have grown up to be a pretty girl Penelope. Perhaps you would have made a good wife to my son. Or better you could have been mine. I did like your mother, but you have surpassed her in beauty. It would be shame to see you die, it would be such a waste ". He chuckled.
She let out a cough as he released his hands from her neck but soon enough she gave a cry of fear and disgust and cubby hands began to run up and down her body. Slapping him hard on the face, she struggled underneath him, hoping to move his weight. This seems to have caused the wrong reaction as he just looked down at her with lust filled eyes.
"You sick bastard!" She shouted at him and started to punch at him. He only laughed and caught her hands easily enough. Lowering his head to her neck, he drew his tongue up against her pulse.
"This will be fun" he growled. "Don't worry, you will be dead soon enough" he then started to press his lips down on her skin and just as he was about to bite down, suddenly his weight had disappeared completely and replaced by a loud crash hitting the wall.
Much to her surprise, there stood in all of his glory was Claude. Feeling relief wash over her, she quickly made her way of the bed and ran out of the room. Claude who was happy that she wouldn't have to witness him murder anyone grabbed her uncle by the collar and gave a terrifying grin at the fear in his eyes.
"You are perhaps one of the most disgusting creatures I have ever had the displeasure to meet. You don't deserve to even breathe after what you have just done" he growled at the now quivering man. The room suddenly became darker and webs began to grow from the ceiling. Turning into his true form, the spider demon snapped his fangs angrily at the lower life below him. Her uncle was so scared that in those moments he pissed himself. A demonic laughter filled the room and the blood. Blood drenched the room and webs tangled around the dismembered corpse.
Penelope who had witnessed it all from the doorway, stood with her father's gun as she was going to use it to threaten her horrible uncle. But after seeing Claude...or whatever the creature was, she felt her eyes flutter close and her body fall backwards. The last thing she saw were two blood like eyes glancing at her from the darkness.